A Sleight of Hand

The sound of Fireworks attracted everyone's attention, and people quickly gathered in the open space in front of the office building.

Most of those who attend the black market know about the Treasure Appraisal Conference, but the announcement was very vague, and the last Treasure Appraisal Conference was held a long time ago, so most people have no idea about the specific rules.

"What are the requirements for the Treasure Appraisal Conference?" someone asked.

The girl in business attire smiled slightly, "Of course there are requirements. The conference will be held in the large conference room on the first floor, which can only accommodate a little over a hundred people at most. It's impossible for every guest to attend."

"Of course, we have absolute confidence in your abilities, but as this is primarily an auction event, you will still need to undergo verification of your qualifications to participate."

As she spoke, the girl took out something that looked like a thermometer gun and held it in her hand. "This is a detection device developed by our Yuanqiang Group. It can detect the total value of the treasures inside the Hundred Treasure Box..."

"Of course, you don't need to worry about revealing your wealth. This treasure has only three tiers. Green Light means the total value is very low, and you may not even have Rare-level treasure. A blue light means the total value of the treasure is average, and you may have at least Rare-level treasure, but you may not have one, or you may only have one Epic-level treasure. As for the third tier, a purple light means that you have two or more Epic Treasure Item in your Hundred Treasure Box!"

"Yuanqiang Group hereby promises everyone that we will absolutely not reveal the specific contents of your Hundred Treasure Box. In fact, to my knowledge, there is currently no other treasure that can do such a thing."

Many guests nodded in agreement. As a product of the Chaos Mission, the Hundred Treasure Box held an extremely high status. If the Yuanqiang Group truly had the ability to freely explore its contents, they probably wouldn't be content with merely operating a small black market.

"The threshold for participating in the Treasure Appraisal Conference is having a purple light on." The girl held up the treasure-detecting tool in her hand. "So, guests who wish to participate in the Treasure Appraisal Conference, please come here to have your credentials verified."

As soon as she finished speaking, someone stepped forward. The girl scanned the device in her hand, and a purple light lit up. The first guest passed the test smoothly.

It makes sense. Don't they know how much money they have in their pockets? They've already made the rules so clear. If they don't have enough capital and still insist on going ahead, they'll only humiliate themselves.

Seeing that someone had succeeded, everyone lined up, and one customer after another stepped forward to verify their funds. Soon, a long queue formed in front of the door.

"Can you pass this test?" Ling Xin glanced at Ailongtan beside her.

"It's alright, it's alright..." Ailongtan nodded. "Although my strength is average, with the help of all the Senior, I still have a couple of good items."

"That's good. If it's not enough, I can lend you some," Ling Xin said.

"As expected of the Ling Family family, their wealth is truly substantial!" Ailongtan gave a thumbs up.

Just then, Luo Jun's voice echoed in his mind.

"Come with me for a moment!"

Ailongtan paused for a moment, then said to Ling Xin, "Wait, I suddenly remembered something. Wait for me, I'll be right back."

Ling Xin glanced at him, then at the people behind her, and nodded. "Okay, don't take too long, there might not be any spots left."

"Don't worry, I'll be right back!"

After finishing his sentence, Ailongtan left the crowd and headed towards the market.

Although the Treasure Appraisal Conference attracted many guests, most of those who came to participate in the black market were not qualified to enter, especially the stall owners. For them, making money was far more tangible Treasure Appraisal Conference.

Therefore, the market is still very lively. Ailongtan quickly disappeared into the crowd.

"Master, do you need me for something?" Ailongtan asked somewhat nervously.

"Do you know why I'm looking for you?" Luo Jun raised an eyebrow.

Ailongtan glanced at Luo Jun: "I admit, it is indeed a bit redundant... but I'm truly doing this for your own good, Master. Ling Xin, in terms of family background, character, and talent, is first-rate. I feel that no one else is worthy of you, Master... You are currently hiding in the shadows, but one day you will step into the limelight. At that time, the problems you face will probably not be solvable by personal force. If you can truly gain the support of Ling Xin, and even the Ling Family, many things will become much easier."

Luo Jun looked at Ailongtan: "Who did you learn all this from?"

"Do I even need to learn this?" Ailongtan raised his head. "Have you forgotten what I used to do? How many of the women around me did I truly love? They were all political alliances formed by the various powers balancing their interests..."

As he spoke, the man wiped away his tears, as if taking in those concubines was an injustice to him.

Luo Jun snorted coldly, "Let's leave it at that... Considering you meant well, I won't dwell on it. I called you here because I have something else to discuss."

As he spoke, Luo Jun looked at the girl who was verifying funds in front of the company building.

"That woman knows me..."

"Huh?" Ailongtan was slightly taken aback. "I don't have this number among my classmates?"

"She's not a classmate, I met her during Chaos Mission." Luo Jun stared at the short-haired woman from afar. "Although she covered the tattoo on her forehead, her facial features haven't changed, I can recognize her at a glance."

"Her name is Qi Xingzi!"

"Who is that?" Ailongtan blinked, still looking puzzled.

"When I was doing the mission with her, you weren't even born yet," Luo Jun scoffed. "It was a chess mission, and she was a chess player... At first, everyone thought she was just a naive and clueless girl who didn't know anything about chess, but in the end, I realized she wasn't that simple. I never expected she was actually from the Yuanqiang Group."

"So, she recognizes her master's Midnight Mask?" Ailongtan blinked. "That's not a good situation."

Luo Jun's Midnight Mask is his trademark. While this mask can conceal his identity, it cannot arbitrarily change his appearance. Simply put, when Luo Jun wears the mask, although his physical features are Blur, making it impossible for others to recognize his true identity, the mask's shape itself remains unchanged. Anyone who has seen him wearing the mask can immediately recognize him as Night!

Of course, being recognized as Ye wouldn't be a big problem, but Luo Jun instinctively didn't want Ye and Luo Jun's identities to be associated, so it was best not to appear in the same city or the same place.

Especially with Ling Xin here, if Qi Xingzi recognizes him as Ye and shouts out, attracting Ling Xin's attention, then if the real and fake Luo Jun are placed side by side, it will be troublesome if she notices something.

"So, what does Master intend to do?" Ailongtan asked. "We can't just skip it, can we?"

Luo Jun shook his head. "Why don't we both take off our masks?"

"Huh?" Ailongtan was taken aback, then clapped his hands and said, "Great idea! Master is so clever!"

Both of them removed their masks. Luo Jun returned to his true self and went back to Ling Xin's side, and they entered the venue together. As for Ailongtan, no one recognized his original appearance, so no one would suspect anything if he blended in.

The two immediately began to work. Luo Jun removed his cloak, Ailongtan tore off his Imposter Mask, transforming back into the chubby uncle.

As for the clothes, the Imposter Mask has the ability to change clothing. The clothes that Ailongtan was wearing as Luo Jun were the same as Luo Jun's original clothes, except that Luo Jun had covered them with a cloak before. "Okay, let's go back." Ailongtan was about to leave when Luo Jun called out to him, "Wait... there's still the Hundred Treasure Box!" As he spoke, he took off the Hundred Treasure Box he was wearing.

"Come on, you take it off too."

"Huh?" Ailongtan was slightly taken aback. "What's going on?"

Luo Jun shook his head and said, "Although Qi Xingzi explained it clearly, I still feel that the scanner isn't as simple as it seems."

"Just to be on the safe side, let's switch the Hundred Treasure Box."

"The Hundred Treasure Box can be exchanged?" Ailongtan blinked. "Isn't this thing Master Recognition?"

"You don't need to open it," Luo Jun said. "The Hundred Treasure Box can't be too far from its owner, but it's fine at close range. I'll wear yours, you wear mine, we'll line up together. As long as we keep our distance, there won't be any problems."

As he spoke, he handed his watch to Ailongtan.

To better imitate Luo Jun, Ailongtan designed his Hundred Treasure Box to also be a watch, the same style as Luo Jun's. The two exchanged watches, kept their distance, and mingled with the crowd as they walked back together.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." Luo Jun approached Ling Xin.

"Is everything settled?" Ling Xin glanced at Luo Jun. "You seem quite busy today."

The error-free version can be read at 69 Book Bar! 6=9+shuba is the first site to publish this novel.

"I was just trying to buy you a hairband!" Luo Jun laughed. "I saw something and hesitated for a bit. But once I went into the Treasure Appraisal Conference, I didn't know when I'd be able to come out, and I was afraid someone else would buy it. So I gritted my teeth and bought it now."

"What is it?" Ling Xin asked curiously. "Let me see it too?"

"Oh, it's nothing..." Luo Jun waved his hand and said, "The things I've been eyeing are all low-class trinkets, none of them would be worthy of the Ling Family's attention."

Ling Xin was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then smiled and said, "That's true, then I won't watch it."

As the two were talking, Ailongtan had already quietly joined the queue. Seeing this, Luo Jun pulled Ling Xin and said, "Let's hurry up and join the queue too!"

Ling Xin was suddenly grabbed by his hand, and she was stunned for a moment. She instinctively wanted to struggle, but she managed to control herself and let him pull her into the queue.

The verification was done with that little gadget; it was very easy to use, and we arrived in Ailongtan very quickly.

Old Ai raised his hand, and to prevent Ling Xin from noticing that his watch was the same style as Luo Jun's, he deliberately used his large body to cover it up.

"Beep!"

With a soft electronic sound, the instrument lit up with a purple light.

The light was nothing special; everyone who had gone in before had the same light. Qi Xingzi glanced at the instrument, but her pupils dilated unnaturally, and her reaction was momentarily slow.

"Is everything alright?" Ailongtan asked. "Miss, may I go in now?"

"Oh... that's fine... sorry." Qi Xingzi nodded, but just as Ailongtan passed by, Qi Xingzi suddenly called out to him.

"Sir!" Qi Xingzi said, "May I ask your name?"

Ailongtan was slightly taken aback. "What's wrong? Is there a problem with my verification?"

"Oh, no, no..." Qi Xingzi waved his hand, "It's just that I rarely see foreign Cultivators in Ningdong, so I'm a little curious. Your Zhendan is really good."

Ailongtan smiled and said, "That's what everyone says... I've lived in Zhendan for a long time, but I don't come to Ningdong often. My full name is too long for the people of Zhendan, so just call me Old Ai."

"Oh... it's an honor to meet you." Qi Xingzi nodded. "Mr. Ai, please come in."

Seeing Qi Xingzi's reaction, Luo Jun chuckled inwardly. "I was right, that device is definitely not that simple!"

Having just acquired the Lockpick, the Hundred Treasure Box was no longer unbreakable in Luo Jun's eyes. To protect his treasures, he would still have to rely on his own abilities. The Yuanqiang Black Market had managed to remain strong in Ningdong for so many years; its foundation was definitely not simple!

At the very least, they could certainly produce something as sophisticated as Lockpick, let alone examine its contents.

Even if we can't figure out exactly what's inside, the valuation of the wealth within can't be so general!

After Ailongtan went in, Luo Jun and Ling Xin followed.

After glancing at Ling Xin's Hundred Treasure Box, Qi Xingzi also took a few more glances at it. However, after glancing at Luo Jun's box, he didn't offer any special response and simply let the two of them in as usual.

There were other staff members in the lobby guiding people into the conference room, but as soon as they entered, Luo Jun asked Ling Xin for leave again.

"I need to go to the restroom," Luo Jun said, clutching his stomach.

"Why do you have so many things to do today?" Ling Xin asked curiously.

"Everyone needs to use the restroom sometimes... Go wait for me in the venue and save me a seat." After saying that, Luo Jun asked the guide for a location and headed towards the restroom.

Inside the restroom, Luo Jun opened a stall, where Ailongtan was already waiting.

"Is everything arranged?" Luo Jun asked in a low voice.

"Don't worry, the barrier is already set up..." Ailongtan said, "It uses the highest-level barrier-generating device. Even with Noble Phantasms monitoring it, they won't detect anything unusual."

Luo Jun nodded, picked up his watch and exchanged it with Ailongtan, then took out the remaining Universal Equivalent and gave it to Ailongtan. He then took out a number of treasures and gave them to him, including several epic and legendary treasures!

Since he is participating in the Treasure Appraisal Conference in his true form, it is inconvenient for him to directly sell these high-level treasures. It is still necessary for Ailongtan to handle it on his behalf. However, if the exchange is conducted outside, the Ailongtan Hundred Treasure Box that Luo Jun is wearing will be detected as abnormal. Therefore, the exchange can only be carried out after entering the venue.

Before coming here, Luo Jun had made a plan, dividing the treasures into two categories: those that could be used and those that had to be kept, in order to facilitate the trading.

As for the number of slots, when Ailongtan obtained the Hundred Treasure Box, he had 10% of Luo Jun's energy to support him, and the Hundred Treasure Box had more than a hundred slots, so there was no need to worry about filling it up.

With everything prepared, Luo Jun left the cubicle first. With over a hundred people gathered, many went to the restroom, and with people coming and going, no one really noticed.

A while after Luo Jun left, Ailongtan removed the barrier and left the bathroom.

(End of this chapter)