"The Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal? Elder Qu, are you certain it's the Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal?"
The shopkeeper hurried forward and said in disbelief, "The Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal ranks among the finest of rare treasures. Though Crimson Mystic Crystal and Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal differ by only two words, their prices are worlds apart..."
"Who are you to question me?" Qu Changxian turned to glare at the shopkeeper. "I've spent decades in the Rough Stone trade. Do you think I'd get this wrong?"
"I... I'm the shopkeeper of the Dark Crystal Shop," the shopkeeper said hurriedly, his face flushing.
"Oh." Qu Changxian nodded, then explained, "Look closely. The greatest difference is that the Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal contains nine radiances. They're usually hidden inside, and without careful inspection, they're very hard to spot."
The shopkeeper nodded.
How could someone in the Rough Stone business not know that?
Pavilion Master Qian of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion nodded too, studying the Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal closely.
Qu Changxian sighed. "But in this piece, the nine radiances are hidden unusually deep. Look carefully. Doesn't this spot resemble the sun?"
"And this spot, and this one..."
Qu Changxian soon pointed out all nine sunlike radiances.
Realization dawned on Pavilion Master Qian and the Dark Crystal Shop's shopkeeper. Qian had only felt that the Crimson Mystic Crystal before him resembled a Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal.
He hadn't been able to make out where the Nine Radiances were!
With Qu Changxian's guidance, it was as though the clouds had parted to reveal the sun. Everything suddenly became clear!
"It really is the Nine Radiance Crimson Mystic Crystal!"
The Dark Crystal Shop's shopkeeper drew a deep breath. Horror filled his eyes, and his heart ached all the more. He