The auction concluded successfully. However, people did not leave immediately; instead, they gathered in small groups to discuss and exchange thoughts. Some who had won packages opened them on the spot, hoping to find valuable treasures inside. If they were lucky, they could ask Chloe, the museum expert, to appraise their finds.
Leo had no intention of opening his package there and was about to leave when Chloe appeared before him.
“Thank you,” Chloe said unexpectedly.
Leo knew what she was thanking him for and replied, “You’re welcome, Miss Chloe.”
“Your method of unlocking with negative pressure gave me significant insights and led to breakthroughs in my research on that box. However…”
“However, what?” Leo raised an eyebrow.
“Your method isn’t precise, especially regarding the amount of mercury and the depth of the ash covering. If not handled correctly, it could damage the box.”
Leo smiled, “That’s something you’ll have to manage yourself, Miss Chloe.”
As Leo continued to leave, Quentin appeared before him, holding the Azure Cloud Tripod. Chloe and Leo instinctively took two steps back as if the tripod were something repulsive.
“Leo, I want to make a bet with you!” Quentin looked at Leo provocatively.
“Sorry, I’m not interested and don’t have the time,” Leo said, trying to bypass Quentin.
However, someone grabbed his arm. It was Chloe, with an intrigued expression on her face, her eyes fixed on the package in Leo’s hand.
With Chloe’s intervention, a crowd quickly gathered around them, urging Leo to accept the bet.
“Miss Chloe, please be our witness. Let’s bet on whether my Azure Cloud Tripod is more valuable than the contents of his package,” Quentin proposed before Leo could respond.
“What are the stakes?” Leo asked, feeling annoyed but willing to play along since Quentin insisted.
“The stakes are simple. If I win, you give me your package. If I lose, the Azure Cloud Tripod is yours,” Quentin said confidently.
Quentin didn’t believe there was anything valuable in Leo’s package since he had driven up its price during the auction. He wanted immediate revenge for the embarrassment Leo had caused him earlier.
Leo glanced at the Azure Cloud Tripod and smirked, “Alright, but let’s change the stakes.”
“What do you propose?”
“If I lose, you get my package. If you lose, you have to drink water from the Azure Cloud Tripod.”
Quentin hesitated for a moment but then agreed, thinking he would benefit either way.
Chloe looked at Leo with a suppressed smile as the crowd eagerly awaited the outcome. Some even brought out snacks, ready to enjoy the show.
“Miss Chloe, please appraise my Azure Cloud Tripod,” Quentin requested.
“Five thousand dollars,” Chloe said without even glancing at it.
The starting bid for the Azure Cloud Tripod had been four thousand dollars, and Quentin had paid eleven thousand to win it. He was shocked that Chloe valued it at only five thousand.
The last package’s starting bid had been six thousand dollars, a thousand more than the tripod’s. This made things uncertain.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Leo slowly opened his package and pulled out the first item: a jade bangle. It was poorly crafted from leftover jade material and clearly not worth much.
“Jade bangle, poor quality, four hundred dollars,” Chloe appraised.
Quentin’s smile widened as Leo calmly reached into the package again and pulled out a walnut.
The auctioneer joined in the fun and commented, “A decorative walnut, likely a replica with little collectible value, worth about one to two hundred dollars.”
Chloe nodded in agreement with the auctioneer’s assessment.
The crowd’s excitement waned as two worthless items emerged from Leo’s package. It seemed unlikely that the remaining items would be of significant value.
Quentin felt triumphant and even found the strange smell from the Azure Cloud Tripod somewhat pleasant.
Leo then pulled out two items at once: an ancient coin and a brass Lohan’s ruler. The ancient coin was damaged, but the Lohan’s ruler was a rare genuine piece.
Chloe appraised both items together at one thousand dollars. The total value of all four items was sixteen hundred dollars. Unless the final item was worth more than thirty-four hundred dollars, Quentin’s Azure Cloud Tripod would win.
Quentin felt confident and imagined Leo’s defeated expression. Under everyone’s gaze, Leo took out the last item: a dagger sheath about seven centimeters long, entirely black with a strong texture.
This item emitted an aura that Leo’s senses could detect. Chloe was also intrigued and reached out to examine it closely.
“It’s just a dagger sheath; it can’t be worth much,” Quentin reassured himself.
Chloe carefully inspected the dagger sheath while everyone waited for her appraisal.
“This item…” Chloe hesitated.
Impatiently, someone in the crowd urged her to reveal its value.
Chloe fell into deep thought as Quentin grew increasingly anxious and pressed her for an appraisal.