The Hall of Ten Thousand Curios was designed to induce sense overload and intellectual total numbness.
Located in the northern annex of the Imperial Guilds complex, the vaulted chamber smelled heavily of bitter pine-resin, dried parchment, and aged sandalwood oil. Towering glass cases lined the walls, filled with thousands of glowing archaeological relics, unclassified bronze cooking pots, cursed offering bone-daggers, and shimmering magic charms preserved beneath frozen stillness wards.
In the center of the hall, six senior appraisers clad in flowing robes of deep saffron sat behind a raised cedar judgment dais, their glasses perched precariously on their noses.
At their head was Chief Appraiser Yan, an ancient man with skin like wrinkled thick parchment, long silver whiskers that brushed his chest. A heavy 4-Star Master Appraiser medallion made of purple amethyst swinging from his neck.
Frank strode into the vault with his ball-peen hammer secured in its loop and his new red-gold Blacksmith medallion clinking against his brass denim buttons.
Behind him, Jiang Ling’er carried Frank’s thermos. Meanwhile, Shen Shitou remained near the door, carefully checking the threshold clearance to ensure his sledgehammer didn’t chip the door post.
“I need the 4-Star Appraiser practical exam,” Frank said, walking straight to the judgment dais. “Quick version, if possible. I’ve got seventeen minutes before the loading dock shuts down for the weekend.”
