The Prodigies War

That voice was loud and full of anger as it instantly broke the silence and calmness. Many people followed his example and cursed out loud.

“What are you playing at? You think you can get away with an ordinary Explosion Blade? Do you think we’re idiots? Get out of Donglin City!”

“You went too far! The Golden Jade Hall is definitely an unscrupulous business. You tried to deceive people with an extremely low grade aeth tool. Your intention is evident!”

“Leave Donglin City now. Our city doesn't welcome unscrupulous businessmen like you!”

“Leave Donglin City!”

Many ordinary people who didn’t understand the situation also yelled out loud.

It was understandable that they were disappointed. They thought the peerless treasured blade would be magnificent but it turned out to be an Explosion Blade, which were commonly seen on the market. The Golden Jade Hall not only lied to them but played them like monkeys!

Even the bosses of major businesses were a little surprised. The owner of Golden Jade Hall doesn’t look stupid, so why would he do something so stupid and dig his own grave?

However, some influential people were shrewd enough to realize that the situation wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Therefore, they didn’t get angry and simply watched on.

If Golden Jade Hall disappeared from Donglin City, they would lose a competitor.

However, what if that wasn’t the case?

It was best to not express an opinion until a definitive conclusion was reached.

Wang Lin was also among those people, but he was different in that he was struck dumb when he saw the Explosion Blade.

It wasn’t because the blade was magnificent but that he had personally appraised it in the past!

The blade was precisely the Explosion Blade that Lin Xun brought to Stone Cauldron Alms for sale. He was certain that he wasn’t mistaken because when he appraised the blade, it exuded a unique aura despite it being an Explosion Blade.

Unfortunately, before Wang Lin could examine the blade further, Mu Wansu had ordered him to turn Lin Xun away.

Although reluctant, Wang Lin had to follow Mu Wansu’s orders, particularly since she was unyielding in her decision.

Who would have thought that the Explosion Blade would reappear in Golden Jade Hall?! Furthermore, the owner of Golden Jade Hall was promoting it as a peerless treasured blade!

Thinking of this, Wang Lin felt humbled. He was certain that the owner of Golden Jade Hall was not an ordinary person or an unscrupulous businessman as everyone had said. He came to such a conclusion based on the buzz that the owner had created through impressive means.

The fact that he dared to bring out the blade in public suggested it differed from other Explosion Flame Blades and had an extremely unique effect!

What wonderful effect could it have?

Besides feeling humbled, Wang Lin grew increasingly curious.

The shouting rang like waves, and all sorts of foul words came out. The situation had become extremely chaotic and was almost spiraling out of control.

Gu Liang was standing on the steps and saw the entire scene. He suddenly reddened with fury and indignation as he had never experienced such a situation.

Those short-sighted guys started to scold and curse without learning the specific details. They have gone too far!

Gu Liang was about to refute when his father Gu Yanping stopped him.

Gu Yanping remained calm and without a ripple of expression on his face. It was as though he was unaffected by the situation.

His bright and sharp eyes swept the crowd like a knife as he said in a deep, “Whether it’s real or not and whether or not it deserves the name of peerless treasured blade will be clear after examination.”

Although his looks were exceedingly average, when he spoke, it was akin to a thunder striking down upon the world. His voice reverberated across the street and halted the clamor. Many ordinary people felt their ears buzz and blood bubble. Their expressions subsequently changed.

The atmosphere also instantly stilled.

That guy has a strong aeth power cultivation base—he is clearly a Spirit Dipper cultivator!

Many cultivators present were utterly dumbfounded. They suddenly realized that Gu Yanping was extraordinary. It was rare to see a shop owner with such an impressive cultivation base.

His one sentence overawed the crowd and even Gu Liang was filled with admiration.

“Friend, dare I ask how you plan to verify the blade?” asked someone. It was a cultivator who exuded dipper qi from all over his body. He was clearly someone powerful.

Gu Yanping smiled and said confidently, “It's very simple. I know there are many people present that are in the same trade as I am. I want to invite them to take a look at the blade and then tell everyone the truth. I believe that no one will doubt my words after that."

Many people couldn’t help but nod. The suggested method was indeed pretty good.

At the same time, many people cast glances to different areas, where the owners of major businesses stood such as Xiao Yuanzhong from Boundless Treasure Pavilion and Wang Lin.

Wang Lin stood forward and was the first to speak. “If that’s the case, we will accept your suggestion.”

Many people recognized Wang Lin as a well-known treasure appraiser from Stone Cauldron Alms and agreed that it would be fair if he came forward to appraise the Explosion Blade.

“I also don’t mind taking a look to see what’s so magnificent about the peerless treasured blade.” A chubby, friendly-looking, middle-aged man stepped forward.

It was Xiao Yuanzhong, the owner of Boundless Treasure Pavilion!

Everyone was stirred once again when he stood forward.

“How can our Wu Corporation be missing from such an event?”

“Haha, our Profound Gold also don’t mind helping out to find the truth for everyone!”

More and more people came out, all of whom were well-known figures from major businesses in Donglin City.

Everyone felt much more at ease when they saw so many experts coming forward to verify the treasure. However, they couldn’t help but wonder whether the ordinary Explosion Blade really concealed an earthshaking secret?

“Everyone, please wait a moment. The answer will be revealed to you soon!”

Gu Yanping gave a cupped fist salute to the crowd before he turned around and entered the Golden Jade Hall with Wang Lin and Xiao Yuanzhong.

Except for Wang Lin, the rest couldn’t help but sneer inwardly when Gu Yanping led the way in. You want to use us to help you solve your predicament?

Impossible!

As the representatives of major businesses in Donglin City, they naturally didn’t want any more competitors.

They had already decided to use the chance to make Golden Jade Hall disappear from Donglin City if they weren’t satisfied with the result from the verification!

……

The area outside of Golden Jade Hall was packed with people eagerly anticipating the result.

As Gu Liang stood in front of Golden Jade Hall’s entrance, his heart pounded strongly. He somehow felt that his father’s approach wasn’t quite right. How would the businessmen in Donglin City help us? They keenly hope to see Golden Jade Hall become a laughingstock.

However, out of respect and confidence for his father, Gu Liang didn’t panic in such a situation.

Time passed bit by bit, but there was still no movement within Golden Jade Hall, and that made the crowd a little restless.

Why would it take so long to examine an Explosion Blade?

While everyone was losing their patience, movements were heard from within Golden Jade Hall and the first to step out was Xiao Yuanzhong, the owner of Boundless Treasure Pavilion.

However, his mind seemed to have drifted away and his brows were furrowed. His usual kind face had changed into a solemn one.

He walked out the store without uttering a word, squeezed his way through the crowd under the protection of guards, got into his carriage, and left in a hurry.

Everyone stood dumbstruck. What happened inside Golden Jade Hall?

Not long afterwards, the manager of Profound Gold, the manager of Wu Corporation, and a few other people came out. Every person wore strange expressions—overcasted, perplexed and pensive.

Like Xiao Yuanzhong, they also left without a word.

Many intelligent people were able to guess what happened from their actions, though they couldn’t be certain. But the majority of people were a little perplexed by the verification’s result.

At that moment, Gu Yanping and Wang Lin walked out side by side. Gu Yanping looked relaxed and was talking cheerfully while Wang Lin shook his head from time to time.

“I really didn’t expect it. You have such discerning eyes to have obtained such a remarkable treasure,” exclaimed Wang Lin.

“Thank you for the compliment. I don't deserve your praise.” Gu Yanping smiled as he gave a cupped fist salute.

“Ahhhh”

Wang Lin sighed again, and just when he was about to leave, a voice rang from the crowd. “Fellow cultivator Wang Lin, what was the result from the treasure verification?”

Many people shifted their gazes towards Wang Lin.

Wang Lin was silent for a while before he replied, “It's a well-deserved name. It’s worthy of the name ‘peerless’”. With that, he turned around and left.

The crowd broke into an uproar.

An ordinary Explosion Blade could actually be called peerless?

Gu Liang couldn’t help but smile when he saw the look of astonishment and confusion on everyone’s faces. The indignation and anger in his heart were instantly swept away and replaced by delight.

Gu Yanping was as calm as always. Such a disposition was incredibly rare.

Clang!

A blade’s cry rang throughout the streets as Gu Yanping drew the Explosion Blade. The blade was flowing with a dazzling fiery light.

It drew the attention of everyone present. They were all eager to see how magnificent the blade was and whether or not it deserved the title of ‘peerless’.

“The mysteriousness of this blade can’t be easily described but I can assure you that it is twenty percent stronger than other Explosion Blades and is even comparable to aeth tools at the intermediate human grade!” Gu Yanping stated confidently.

Twenty percent more powerful!

His one sentence stunned the many cultivations present. As cultivators, they knew what it meant when an ordinary lower human grade aeth tool was twenty percent more powerful than usual.

Most importantly, the blade was a lower human grade aeth tool yet it contained power comparable to that of an intermediate human grade aeth tool!

This was indeed a rare sight to see, especially since the Explosion Blade was only an ordinary aeth tool. Yet, it could paradoxically exhibit unique powers. It undoubtedly deserved to be called peerless.

At the very least, no similar aeth tool could be found in the entire empire!

But everyone was more curious about who could create such a unique aeth blade.

It was impossible for ordinary rune masters to achieve that. Rune masters could make high-grade aeth tools but it was extremely difficult to create an ordinary aeth tool of the lower human grade that was more powerful than others.

Could this Explosion Blade be the work of a rune master?

Only someone of a supreme level could possibly create a completely different kind of Explosion Blade?

Many people thought to themselves.

However, the thought that the creator of the Explosion Blade was an unknown rune apprentice had never crossed their minds.