The blue figure leaped from the spring and fell back, splashing water everywhere.
"How did I fish up a person?"
The small blue figure flailed her limbs, splashing around in the water.
The next second, a blue light flashed across her hands, freezing the surface of the water in that area.
Then, she quickly crawled onto the ice and let out a relieved sigh.
Turning her head, she saw a man, two women, and an Echo curiously examining her.
Youhu suddenly stood up: "So you're the ones who brought me here?!"
Lucian stared thoughtfully at the porcelain artifact by her feet.
"Shouldn't the catch have been this instead?"
Seeing Lucian's eyes gleaming at the porcelain she had worked so hard to find, Youhu hurriedly hugged it protectively: "This is mine!"
He observed the little girl—her pale blue hair and eyes, the prominent Tacet Mark on her left arm.
She wore black gloves to conceal the ice crystals forming on her hands, and around her neck hung a Ruyi ring.
Youhu studied Lucian and suddenly exclaimed: "I know you!"
She had seen Lucian's photo in the Jinzhou Daily before.
Moreover, her master, Chen Pi, had also met Lucian.
Lucian nodded slightly: "In Jinzhou, the name Lucian is known far and wide—none who haven't heard it."
Youhu didn't care about fame. She excitedly said: "I don't care about that! Master told me you have a huge treasure!"
"Quick, show it to this master for appraisal!"
Her master had mentioned that Lucian possessed a golden-yellow weapon, a perfect fusion of modern and ancient craftsmanship.
"Oh~" Lucian suddenly understood. "So you're the 'Jade Coral Appraiser' from the forums?"
Youhu puffed up proudly: "Correct! Youhu is this master's name."
Lucian chuckled: "Even your master Chen Pi doesn't dare call himself a 'master.' How can you?"
Youhu scoffed: "My master's appraisal skills aren't as good as mine, though he did teach me a lot."
Rover asked curiously: "Are you really an expert in antiques?"
Youhu placed her hands on her hips: "Of course!"
"Aside from misjudging a ding when I first started, this master has never made a mistake since!"
"And it's not just antiques—even modern crafts are child's play for me!"
Rover rubbed her chin: "Is that so…"
"I have a treasure here. Would you like to take a look?"
Youhu wriggled excitedly: "Present it at once!"
She naturally recognized Rover too. Since she was with Lucian, she must have some treasures on her, right?
Rover took out the Rover's Speaker from her pocket and handed it to Youhu.
"This needs appraising?"
Rover nodded slightly: "Let's see if this 'master' truly has real skill."
Youhu examined the Rover's Speaker carefully, finding it no different from ordinary roadside dolls, with no hidden mechanisms.
"Strange, isn't this just a regular doll? Needs more time to marinate!"
Lucian shook his head: "Seems Master Youhu is about to add another misjudgment to her record."
Youhu gasped: "Impossible!"
"Then tell me, what is this if not a doll?"
Just then, the Rover's Speaker suddenly spoke in Rover's voice:
"Since you asked so sincerely, I'll answer generously!"
"To protect the world from devastation! To unite all peoples within our nation!"
Youhu jumped in fright: "Ahhh—what's that noise?!"
In her panic, her grip slipped, and the Rover's Speaker fell into the spring.
Yet, surprisingly, it continued functioning underwater.
"What's wrong~ Feeling tired~ Where's the happiness we swore~? I get it~ No more words~ Love's faded~ Dreams gone~ But I still remember…"
Rover retrieved the Rover's Speaker from the water and put it away, grinning: "Well?"
Recovering, Youhu gasped in delight: "Amazing!"
"Even though there's no detectable mechanism, it can still produce sound!"
"How many Shell Credits? This master will buy it!"
Rover shook her head: "Lucian gave this to me. Not for sale."
Youhu suddenly understood, then praised Rover: "Good."
Lucian was puzzled: "What's good?"
Youhu wagged her head sagely: "As the saying goes, 'Sentiment outshines treasure—no price can measure.'"
"Since this item carries emotional value, it can't be measured in money."
Lucian smirked: "Didn't expect you to have principles?"
Youhu puffed up: "Naturally."
"This master is nothing like those who treat relics as mere commodities!"
"Wait, no!" Youhu shook her head vigorously. "You almost distracted me!"
"How did I get here? Where is here?"
Lucian: "...Didn't you want to see the 'big treasure'?"
Jiao-Jiao: "This is Mt. Firmament."
Youhu's eyes sparkled: "This is Mt. Firmament?!"
"I read about it in the Jinzhou Daily! As a mountain steeped in history, there must be tons of treasures here!"
Her eyes gleamed, as if ready to charge into the mountain to hunt for artifacts.
Jiao-Jiao said gravely: "Do you only care about antiques for money?"
Youhu frowned: "Hey, what's with you, little girl?"
"This master already said I'm not like those merchants!"
"'Relics priceless, history timeless,"
"Some seek wealth, some seek pleasure—but collecting's the finest treasure!'"
Lucian teased: "Didn't expect a master of doggerel too."
Nearby, Abby protested: "That's nothing. Watch this!"
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"Relics priceless, history timeless,"
"But you can't eat 'em, so what's the use?"
"Some seek wealth, some seek pleasure—"
"But eating and sleeping are life's real treasure!"
Rover pinched his ear, exasperated: "Can't you learn from Youhu? All you do is eat and sleep!"
Youhu laughed heartily: "Not bad! Seems you're a doggerel expert too!"
"'A minute on stage takes years backstage.'"
"To recite the perfect poem while appraising, daily practice is essential!"
Lucian realized: "No wonder Master Youhu's so eloquent."
"Alright, how about you all give me a tour of Mt. Firmament?"
"I've never been here before!"
Rover: "We haven't been here long either. Let's explore together."