CHAPTER 240: CHAPTER 160: TRADING WITH THE NEW COLLECTOR_2

"But no matter what, it’s impossible for a single person to shake the entire antique market." Antique dealers like Boss Zhou and Boss Li were feeling uneasy in their hearts at this moment.

Peers are enemies.

The arrival of a Collector has already made every collector feel overwhelmed. If another esteemed Antique Dealer shows up...

No, that’s impossible.

Some people couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of their own thoughts.

Antique dealers and collectors are different. One just needs to have strong capabilities, but the other requires resources and channels. It’s not something that can be built by a single person.

While everyone was silently immersed in the rare antiques that were rarely seen in daily life, a voice broke the silence.

It was Yunxi.

This assistant, who claimed to want to become a collector, stood up from her seat once again. However, unlike her previous self-confidence and arrogance, she now bowed her head, showing no concealment of her respect for Shen Shi.

"Respected sir, please forgive my previous arrogance and rudeness. The esteemed collector is prepared to personally come over, and I hope that you and everyone else can wait a bit before starting the auction."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere, already at its limit, became unbearable.

A complete explosion.

Even the entire venue erupted into uproar.

"The esteemed collector is actually coming in person?"

"Unbelievable!"

"The last time I saw the esteemed collector was eighty years ago."

"I’ve never seen the esteemed collector!"

"Is it for the set of Holy Relic Ancient Books?"

"It must be. The collector has been researching the Sage Saint for nearly a century, and I’ve heard that he vowed to find the Secret Treasure of the Sage Saint."

"It seems we can give up."

"Aren’t there other antiques? We might not leave empty-handed."

"Being able to see the esteemed collector, even if we leave empty-handed this time, it’s not regrettable."

"..."

Shen Shi listened to the noisy and excited voices of the crowd but silently stood there.

However, he too held a subtle sense of anticipation.

Meeting the collector is also part of why he brought out so many antiques. He wanted to see what differences there were between this collector and the one he was familiar with in the number 1 Future World line.

The crowd didn’t have to wait long.

After all, the entire market was just a small town.

Soon, a figure appeared in everyone’s sight.

Shen Shi felt his heart tighten slightly.

Because the person in front of him was a tall, slender youth with a distinct appearance, jet black hair, and jade-like skin. The prominent nose, thin lips, and sword-like eyebrows falling into the sideburns added to his striking looks. With a straight back, he possessed both the scholarly demeanor of an intellectual and the resilience of a warrior, exuding elegance and approachability...

Is this the collector of this future line?

Shen Shi almost thought a male protagonist from some ancient-style female-targeted novel had come to life.

Thinking back to the collector from the number one world, who was like a living jade sculpture.

Ridiculous...

Although Shen Shi had speculated that in this future line maintaining the original human form seemed to have become mainstream, he hadn’t expected that the collector with the eccentric tone would have such an appearance.

This must be someone who altered their genes for appearance.

Shen Shi would never admit feeling envious.

However, no matter what he felt inside, outwardly, Shen Shi remained indifferent. When the collector arrived, everyone else was already standing and bowing with respect.

This treatment clearly demonstrated the collector’s status in human civilization.

Yet the collector did not respond to anyone, simply walking straight up to Shen Shi and greeting him warmly yet elegantly.

"You must be the esteemed guest, please allow me to introduce myself this way—I’m the most generous antique collector in human civilization. I will not disappoint any esteemed guest as long as there are antiques worth collecting."

Looking at those equally undisguised eager eyes, Shen Shi seemed to see a glimpse of the collector from the number 1 Future World line.

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Even when the world had changed so drastically, and when no one remembered him, the collector was still the collector.

"Then let me introduce myself in this way." Shen Shi smiled, "I might be the most resourceful antique dealer in human civilization. As long as the price satisfies me, I won’t let any customer down either."

Almost identical words showed equally unyielding confidence.

This was not the first time he had come to the Future World to make a trade.

Although today’s developments deviated from his initial expectations.

But, now that it had come to this, Shen Shi would not be reluctant to show the foundation and strength of his own.

The name "Antique Dealer" he chose for himself said it all.

The collector was momentarily taken aback, but then his smile broadened even more.

"I look forward to it greatly, esteemed Antique Dealer."

At this moment, everyone else was quiet, not daring to disturb the two before them.

Some people have an unbelievable notion.

Could it be, the esteemed Antique Dealer, is really going to appear?

No, it’s not possible.

Antique dealers are masters of channels!

Even the collector, in truth, was mostly being polite.

If there was anyone at the scene who believed Shen Shi could become the "esteemed Antique Dealer," it was probably just Peggy.

This market newcomer could no longer control her excited expression, staring intently ahead, clenching her fists, her face flushed, struggling hard to maintain composure.

It’s the esteemed collector!

On her very first entrance into the market, she saw the esteemed collector!

Even her great-grandfather never had the privilege of seeing this person.

No, compared to the esteemed collector, having Mr. Ze Ren as a friend was the greatest, almost dreamlike gain of this day!

Therefore, she not only believed but also eagerly wished for Mr. Ze Ren to one day become the true "esteemed Antique Dealer."

At this moment, the esteemed collector had already turned his attention, examining the four ancient books closely.

"Indeed, this is the handwriting of the Sage Saint." He needed no comparison, with just one glance, he was sure. His gaze on these four books became incredibly fervent, "During the Sage Saint’s middle school years, he endured the tragedy of his father’s accident, causing his family circumstances to plummet suddenly. These four books were perhaps a great awakening on his part, deciding to purchase them despite the hardship. They show obvious signs of flipping, yet there’s no deprecation, no torn bindings... I seem to already see the cautious, diligent reading by the Sage Saint. Every word on this page bears the Sage’s will! A treasure, an immeasurable treasure!"

Shen Shi was silent for a moment, his heart filled with undeniable astonishment.

Because the collector was entirely right.

During that time, when he was just beginning to earnestly study, these four books were almost his only means of relaxation... Even the money for buying books was borrowed from Ai Xin’Er, making them especially cherished.

He always used bookmarks, never any creases, and wrote annotations very carefully without random scribblings.

Even now, looking back, it was almost as if all the emotions of that time were vividly memorable.

However...

At that time, he never would have imagined that the books he used would be regarded as treasures three thousand years in the future.

Especially... that he would personally witness such a moment.

This feeling was truly difficult to describe.

"Respected guest, what price do you wish to set for these four treasures?" the collector asked, his eagerness not concealed.

Luckily, these ancient books obscured their specific contents, otherwise, the collector might have wanted to start his research immediately.

This aspect was the same as the collector from the number 1 future line.

And Shen Shi was already prepared from the moment the collector appeared.

"I want to trade for any defensive installation of a Master of Primordial Energy within this civilization." Shen Shi stated, "What is the highest level of technology that can be exchanged?"