The Inner Court Treasure Appraisal Fair: Confessing Is Claiming a Prize, Not Drawing Lots

As dusk settled, the entire Shrek City was bathed in a magnificent sunset.

Jiang Yu left Sea God Island again, but this time he did not inform Ning Tian and Wu Feng, who were in the Outer Court.

The reason is simple: he wasn't traveling alone this time, but with Wu Ming and Han Ruoruo.

After leaving Shrek Academy, the three of them weren't in a hurry. They strolled around and ate as they headed north of the city.

Upon arriving at the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, the three presented their invitations and were immediately and respectfully led to the second-floor exhibition hall.

Compared to the Treasure Appraisal Fair held by the Outer Court Core Disciple, the Treasure Appraisal Fair held by the Inner Court disciples are significantly more prestigious.

The dazzling array of exhibits almost filled the entire second floor, with virtually everything in sight. Jiang Yu even spotted a tiger whip made from a thousand-year-old Diamond Tiger in a corner exhibit.

Tiger penis: Soaking it in alcohol can nourish and enhance male virility.

Note: Direct consumption is not recommended.

Price: 50,000 Gold Soul Coin.

Noticing Jiang Yu's gaze, Wu Ming looked in the same direction and then burst out laughing.

"Junior, what are you looking at that thing for? Don't tell me you're so young and already thinking about preparing for the future."

Han Ruoruo, who was observing a nearby booth, glanced over upon hearing the sound, then gave Jiang Yu a complicated look.

Jiang Yu: "..."

"Senior, you've misunderstood. I only saw that thing because I didn't expect it to appear at the Treasure Appraisal Fair. Besides, have you ever heard of a Dragon Martial Soul Master needing that thing to enhance their power?"

Jiang Yu quickly explained.

He didn't want to ruin his lifelong reputation with a mere, unconscious glance.

This is especially true for Han Ruoruo.

To be honest, Jiang Yu had always been at ease with Wu Ming's carefree attitude, but ever since he had treated the two women to dinner, Jiang Yu could clearly sense that Han Ruoruo's attitude towards him was a bit strange.

Jiang Yu was certain that she was wary of him.

But while she was on guard, she was also keeping a close eye on herself. Although she didn't talk much, she was always willing to help when she could, and would even occasionally make fun of herself. She was the epitome of a gentle and introverted senior.

As for Ning Tian's unusual behavior earlier, he had figured it out after thinking about it for a while. But what about Han Ruoruo's wariness?

Could it be that she's afraid he'll make unwanted advances towards her?

That doesn't make sense.

Jiang Yu had some feelings for her.

But those thoughts were mostly based on appreciation for her looks and character; at most, they added a touch of "lust" that a Dragon Martial Soul Master might experience due to the influence of their Martial Soul.

Jiang Yu has absolute confidence in his ability to disguise and conceal himself, so the problem is most likely not in this area.

Could it be...?

Jiang Yu's gaze swept over Han Ruoruo and Wu Ming, and he began to make a guess.

After circumventing this inappropriate topic for children, Jiang Yu watched as the two women, ignoring the outer exhibition area and skillfully leading him straight into the central core area, asked curiously:

"Senior, do you often attend Treasure Appraisal Fair?"

Han Ruoruo and said:

"Yes, Ming'er and I come to the Treasure Appraisal Fair fair every year to see if we can find any treasures, so we've studied the patterns of the exhibits here quite a bit."

Wu Ming, who was walking at the front, then added:

"Yes, yes, the Inner Court Treasure Appraisal Fair different from the Outer Court disciples' junk-collecting event. There are real treasures in the core area here. According to the pattern, at least three Soul Bone will appear every year. However, the competition is dozens of times more intense than in the Outer Court."

"For example, last year, Sister Ruoruo saw a Goldthread Sky Snake Right Arm Bone that suited her, but we were only a few minutes late, and that Soul Bone had already been reserved by someone else."

The Inner Court disciples not only all have powerful backgrounds, but they also all have Black Level rating in the Treasure Gathering Pavilion, which means they can have an interest-free credit limit of one million Gold Soul Coin per year, and they can also get a 30% discount on items.

If they come across a treasure that suits them, they'll buy it immediately as long as the price isn't too high.

When we arrived at the core area, there were already quite a few people there.

Wu Ming spotted a familiar face immediately and waved:

"Sister Yao, Gu Fan, over here."

Hua Yao and Gu Fan, who were whispering with their companions in front of a huge exhibition booth, looked up at the same time after hearing Wu Ming's loud voice. After exchanging a few words with their companions, they walked towards the three of them.

"Sister Ruoruo, Ming'er, Xiao Yu, you're a little late."

Hua Yao is slightly younger than Han Ruoruo but slightly older than Wu Ming. Her appearance is not stunning, but her facial features are very soft, making it easy for people to feel close to her.

As for Gu Fan, his personality is similar to Hua Yao's. He is not particularly handsome, but he is calm and reliable.

In the original novel, during the matchmaking event Sea God's Fate, the two of them were considered representatives of the main characters who eventually became a couple.

Why say they are lovers?

Because they were both men, Jiang Yu could clearly sense that Gu Fan's gaze towards Hua Yao was strange.

"Senior, snap out of it! Stop staring at Senior Hua's back. With her group of girlfriends all together, what chance do we have?"

Jiang Yu pulled the Gu Fan.

Although he was addressed as "senior," Jiang Yu was almost 10 centimeters taller than Gu Fan, who was 1.8 meters tall. This made Gu Fan feel a little awkward when he tried to pat Jiang Yu's shoulder.

As a result, Gu Fan, who was already embarrassed by having his thoughts exposed, was now even more embarrassed.

"Shh! Junior, dear junior, keep your voice down, I'm so embarrassed..."

Having never even held a girl's hand before, Gu Fan was utterly overwhelmed by this display of Gu Fan. Her face flushed red with embarrassment, and she kept glancing towards her three girlfriends, afraid they might overhear her.

After the three of them had walked a little further away, Gu Fan punched Jiang Yu's arm and then said resentfully:

"Junior, how did you figure that out?"

Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow and said:

"Senior, didn't anyone tell you that you can't hide the look in your eyes when you like someone, especially since you've been staring at them the whole time..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Fan's face turned even redder. He leaned closer to Jiang Yu, his expression pleading:

"Junior, considering how well I've treated you in the Inner Court, please don't let this get out."

Jiang Yu nodded, then smiled and said:

"Senior, since you like Senior Hua, why don't you confess your feelings? What if she likes you too?"

Gu Fan coughed lightly, hesitated for a long time, and then whispered:

"Junior, you're still young and may not fully understand the adult world. This confession should be a victory ceremony, not a battle cry to launch an attack."

To put it simply, confessing your feelings is like claiming a prize, not entering a lottery. If you're not even sure about the outcome, confessing will most likely just make you look like a clown. What's the point of that besides making a fool of yourself?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yu glanced at Gu Fan with some surprise.

"I never expected you to see things so clearly, senior..."

Gu Fan waved his hand, then sighed:

"While I may lack practical experience, I have ample theoretical knowledge. It's important to know your own limitations. I have neither good looks nor an outstanding background; how could Hua Yao possibly be interested in someone like me..."

Jiang Yu listened quietly, but the expression on her face gradually became strange...

Only after Gu Fan finished his exclamation and insisted on dragging him to see the highlight of today's Treasure Appraisal Fair did Jiang Yu suppress a laugh and say:

"Senior, I think I can congratulate you on finding a partner now."