Chapter 23: Is He Really That Impressive?

“Master!”

“Master!”

The noisy crowd instantly fell silent. The onlookers stepped aside in deference, making way for Zhao Yuyang.

Witnessing this, Tu Lu involuntarily twitched at the corner of his mouth. He couldn’t help but think... This Zhao Yuyang certainly made an entrance!

Yet at that moment, Zhao Yuyang entered slowly, leading Hu Tu alongside. As he walked, he began to speak:

“To us inscriptionists, runes are like people—endlessly varied, each one different. Some, like a blazing spear, manifest their power outwardly; others, like that spirit blade, are restrained and unadorned. In the end, it’s a question of attributes. So, to claim that only artifacts wreathed in flames are real inscribed artifacts—such talk is sheer nonsense!”

He happened to pass by the middle-aged man at this point, turned, and fixed him with a cold glare. “I don’t know whose dog you are, but if you dare come out and bark without even this basic knowledge, it’s just laughable!”

With that, he brushed his sleeve and strode toward Tu Lu. His expression softened as he offered a polite smile: “Fellow cultivator, if you don’t mind, may I appraise these inscribed artifacts for you? I daresay, here in Divine Wind City, no one would dare dispute my verdict!”

At these words, the crowd fell silent once more—then erupted in excitement!

“Excellent! With Master Zhao appraising them, we can rest easy.”

“Exactly! If Master Zhao says they’re genuine, I’ll take his word—even if they’re fake!”

“Haha, that’s right! If Master Zhao declares it authentic, that spirit blade is mine. None of you better try to fight me for it—haha!”

Even Tu Lu took a while to recover his composure. After all, he never would have imagined that Zhao Yuyang would actually speak up on his behalf!

Something felt off—very off! In his memory, Zhao Yuyang had always seemed eager to skin him alive, especially after what happened at the Heavenly Dragon Market. From Zhao’s perspective, even he himself found his past actions rather disagreeable on reflection.

Yet now, Zhao Yuyang was actually helping him? Impossible!

There had to be a catch.

Tu Lu was about to refuse, but seeing the enthusiastic cultivators all around, he opened his mouth, only to find himself unable to utter a word.

He could already imagine: if he refused Zhao Yuyang’s appraisal, his own credibility in Divine Wind City would instantly plummet. No one would dare buy artifacts from him.

After all, a master inscriptionist had volunteered to appraise the items, asking nothing in return. Unless he was selling fakes, there was simply no reason to refuse!

“Well? What do you say, fellow cultivator?” Zhao Yuyang pressed.

Tu Lu glanced at him, then at the excited crowd. After a long, hesitant pause, he finally nodded.

After all, he had changed his appearance; Zhao Yuyang likely wouldn’t recognize him. Even if he did, he’d never guess he was the one from the Heavenly Dragon Market...

There was no reason for Zhao Yuyang to act against him!

That’s what he told himself, but remembering Zhao Yuyang’s demeanor that day, he still couldn’t fully trust the man’s character.

After all, back then, he hadn’t exactly wronged the old fox to begin with...

Meanwhile, Zhao Yuyang had already taken the spirit blade and begun his appraisal.

No one spoke now; everyone watched in silent anticipation.

Even a few spies in the crowd quietly slipped away into the trading market, eager to relay the news to Xu Lei and the others.

Upon seeing Zhao Yuyang’s appraisal method, Tu Lu finally relaxed a little.

Compared to Xu Lei’s taboo-breaking approach, Zhao Yuyang’s was much gentler. He first used his own vital energy to activate the runes on the blade. Once the nine gravity runes emerged and a gravitational force arose, he examined it carefully—this was the most orthodox method of appraisal!

Moments later, he produced a spirit disk.

Seeing this, Tu Lu’s eyelid twitched.

This was a Spirit Appraisal Disk. According to the “Introduction to Inscription Arts,” such rare items could resonate with runes and manifest the Dao itself—half a legendary treasure. If the runes had been superficially forged with talismanic power, the disk would expose them in an instant!

He had never expected Zhao Yuyang would possess such a thing!

If the previous appraisal was a test of the eye, then using the spirit disk made the result all but certain. No fake inscribed artifact could escape detection now!

“These are genuine inscribed artifacts!”

After a long while, Zhao Yuyang finally put away the spirit disk, returning the spirit blade to Tu Lu with a sigh. “The runes upon it are gravity runes—authentic, and near perfection. Truly a wonder to behold!”

At this, the crowd first went silent—then broke into a frenzy.

“I want one! Shopkeeper, I have two thousand Thunderstones, I’ll take two!”

“That spirit blade is mine—here’s a thousand Thunderstones!”

“Shut up, Old Black Demon! I already said it’s mine—anyone dares contest me, and I’ll end them!”

“Out of my way! Anyone who tries to take it from me will regret it!”

“Wait, everyone! Please don’t rush. Each person may only purchase one inscribed artifact. More will be released soon, so even if you miss out this time, there’s no need to worry!”

Seeing chaos about to erupt, Tu Lu quickly intervened.

He hadn’t expected Zhao Yuyang’s single statement to have such an impact—turning hesitant onlookers, who’d barely considered buying, into eager customers with not a shred of doubt!

With that in mind, he gave Zhao Yuyang a long, searching look, finding the man harder and harder to read...

It took considerable effort to calm the crowd, only escaping their clutches by promising that more inscribed weapons would be available soon.

...

Half an hour later, inside the shop, Hu Tu stood quietly by as Zhao Yuyang and Tu Lu sat facing each other over tea.

Even before the last artifact was sold, Zhao Yuyang had said he wished to discuss something with Tu Lu. So Tu Lu had invited him into the inscription workshop to wait. Now, the artifacts were gone, and the two had sat in silence for some time.

“There’s something I’m not sure I should say.”

Here it comes!

Tu Lu raised an eyebrow, immediately focusing his attention.

“What is it?”

“Heh, no need for alarm, friend.”

Zhao Yuyang sipped his tea and smiled. “It’s nothing really—I’m merely curious. Are you selling these inscribed artifacts at such prices to spite the trading market?”

Tu Lu frowned, about to reply, but Zhao Yuyang shook his head. “It’s a pity, really. If this were normal times, you could easily ruin the trading market’s business with such tactics.

But... things are different now! Fighting at the front lines is fierce, and war could reach us at any moment. Inscribed artifacts that boost strength are in constant short supply. Even if the trading market’s prices are three times yours, once you sell out, those cultivators—reluctant as they may be—will still return to buy from them in the end. What you’re doing... is ultimately pointless!”

“That’s not for Master Zhao to worry about. I have my own plans. Surely you came for something else?” Tu Lu replied coolly.

“Heh, perhaps it was presumptuous of me.”

He chuckled, shaking his head, and then drew a small booklet from his sleeve, handing it to Tu Lu. “I see you’ve dabbled in inscription arts, though perhaps not deeply yet. Here is a mental cultivation manual, ‘The Lesser Celestial Imagery Method.’ It’s of some use to inscriptionists. If you don’t mind, please accept it. Now, let us turn to the real business at hand.”

Tu Lu frowned, but he did need a mental cultivation method, so he accepted the manual for now.

“Very well, out with it,” he said.

Zhao Yuyang’s expression turned serious. “I came to ask for your help, friend. I’d like you to introduce me to the master who inscribed those artifacts. I’ve hit a bottleneck lately and would like to exchange insights with such a master.”

Tu Lu was taken aback.

Then realization dawned—Zhao Yuyang, like Xu Lei, was convinced that someone else was responsible for inscribing the artifacts...

He’d thought to explain, but then reconsidered. Since Zhao Yuyang was mistaken, why not let him remain so? What did it matter to him?

Especially as he looked at the “Lesser Celestial Imagery Method” in his hand, recalling Xu Lei’s shock that day, he suddenly realized—not only was his efficiency high, but his inscription skills seemed extraordinary as well!

With that thought, a new idea formed in his mind, though he was still uncertain. He tested the waters: “Is the master who inscribed these artifacts truly so remarkable?”

Zhao Yuyang didn’t hesitate. “Remarkable, indeed. His methods are nearly flawless—unlike any I’ve ever seen. The six so-called masters at the trading market aren’t even worthy to carry his shoes!”

“Those six braggarts at the trading market—my master never even bothered to meet them, yet came here in person. What more need be said?” Hu Tu chimed in.

Hearing this, Tu Lu’s breathing quickened sharply.

“He—he’s really that incredible?”