"Name a price? Heh..."
Hearing Li Ping's words, the elderly man surnamed Zhu chuckled, but did not name a price as Li Ping had expected.
Madam Sun, seated beside them, urged him as well. "Fellow Daoist Zhu, since Master Bai has decided to accept this treasure, you might as well tell him what you need.
"As long as it is within reason, I imagine Master Bai will agree."
The elderly man glanced at her, then frowned and shook his head. "Madam Sun, that is where you are mistaken. I heard that Master Bai was a kindred spirit who also enjoyed collecting secondhand treasures left behind by our predecessors, which was why I specifically brought Senior Red Robe's treasure for him to appraise. I never said I intended to sell it to Master Bai. Surely you have misunderstood!"
He then looked at Li Ping, apology in his eyes. "Master Bai, I am truly sorry. It seems there has been a misunderstanding between us. I am very fond of this treasure myself and have no intention of selling it."
Madam Sun's face betrayed her astonishment, as though his words had come as a complete surprise.
"Fellow Daoist Zhu, didn't you say before..." After a moment's thought, she continued persuading him. "Surely you can see that Master Bai genuinely likes this treasure. He is a third-tier top-grade master pill refiner. If you are willing to let him have it, he certainly will not disappoint you."
The elderly man continued shaking his head. "There is no need to persuade me further, Madam Sun. As the saying goes, a gentleman does not take what another cherishes. As a fellow enthusiast, Master Bai should understand my feelings."
Watching this unfold, Li Ping's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly, he was already frowning.
The main reason he had