Sorry, I'm Slightly Better Below

Chapter 1: Next Time for Sure

"Senior, I would like to enter the Treasure Pavilion," said a young man dressed in a blue and white disciple's attire, placing a low-level Treasure Token on the table in front of the elderly gatekeeper at the Azure Sun Sect's Treasure Pavilion.

The gatekeeper, rubbing his sleepy eyes upon hearing the noise, looked up and asked, "Name and which peak are you from?"

"Chen Ze, from Rising Cloud Peak," Chen Ze replied.

"Rising Cloud Peak? Oh... I remember you. You were here just last month. Go ahead, but remember the rules - you can only take one item with you," the gatekeeper recalled, a hint of recognition appearing on his face.

"I understand," Chen Ze acknowledged, and then quickly walked towards the interior of the Treasure Pavilion.

Although it was called the Treasure Pavilion, it was actually just a place filled with junk that the Azure Sun Sect had no use for. The disciples inside could exchange ten contribution points for a low-level Treasure Token, which allowed them to freely choose one item from the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion.

Since these were items that the sect had no use for, and they had been sifted through by many people, the rumors of finding treasures in the Treasure Pavilion had become increasingly rare.

...

As Chen Ze entered the Treasure Pavilion, he was greeted by messy shelves and baskets filled with various broken and worthless items, giving the impression of an abandoned warehouse that hadn't been used for years in the mortal world.

Chen Ze didn't carefully select anything, but instead bent down and picked up a rusty iron bar, over three feet long, covered in a layer of green rust, near the entrance.

"A damaged Supreme Grade spiritual weapon, forged from mysterious golden iron," a piece of information instantly flashed through his mind as he looked at the iron bar.

"Heh, luckily it's still here," Chen Ze breathed a sigh of relief and couldn't help but chuckle.

A month ago, when he came to the Treasure Pavilion to find something, he had discovered this damaged spiritual sword. However, there were more important things he needed to exchange at the time, so he didn't take this thing.

To prevent it from being chosen by others, he had placed this damaged spiritual sword in a place that could be seen as soon as one entered the door.

As the saying goes, the most dangerous place is the safest place.

He was well aware of certain things. The disciples who entered the Treasure Pavilion to search for treasures often focused on the corners and crevices, so the entrance was actually the safest place.

"I'll go back and repair it, polish the sword tip, and find a hilt. It will still be a High Grade spiritual weapon," Chen Ze said, looking at the damaged spiritual sword with satisfaction.

To exchange for a High Grade spiritual weapon within the sect, one would need at least two hundred contribution points. But now, he had only spent ten contribution points, which could be considered a great deal.

With a High Grade spiritual weapon to protect him, his chances of passing the sect's trial two months later would greatly increase.

After selecting the damaged spiritual sword, Chen Ze didn't rush to leave. Instead, he continued to search the Treasure Pavilion, hoping to find some new treasures.

"A damaged Low Grade spiritual weapon, forged from mysterious iron."

"A broken hammer, made of wrought iron."

"A rusty iron basin."

"A corroded long knife."

...

"It seems there's nothing new," Chen Ze concluded after fifteen minutes of searching.

The first floor of the Treasure Pavilion had over a thousand miscellaneous items, all of which he had seen a month ago. Among them, there were only about ten items worth more than ten contribution points.

And there are only two items that can be considered as bargain-level items.

One was taken by him last time, and the other is the broken spiritual sword in his hand, without a sword tip or hilt.

"After I accumulate more contributions, I'll go to the second floor."

Chen Ze muttered to himself and walked towards the door with the broken spiritual sword.

...

Outside the Treasure Pavilion, an old man with white hair was sweeping the fallen leaves next to the tree at the door, holding a broom. A gust of wind blew, causing his green robe to flutter, giving off a sense of being detached from the world.

Hearing Chen Ze's footsteps, he continued sweeping while intentionally or unintentionally saying, "Most of the things here are basically abandoned items. Coming here will only waste your contributions."

"Um... the spiritual weapons in the Weapon Refining Pavilion of the sect are too expensive. I've only been a disciple for less than half a year and haven't accumulated much. If I want a handy spiritual weapon, I can only try my luck here."

Chen Ze pretended to be helpless and replied.

Upon hearing this, the old man put away the broom and looked up, his face filled with admiration.

"You are a motivated person, somewhat similar to me back in the day. How about this, let me give you some guidance?"

"Please, senior."

Chen Ze immediately showed excitement on his face.

"After entering, the top item on the first shelf on the left... hehe."

The old man lightly stroked his beard and a glimmer flashed in his eyes.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ze quickly recalled in his mind.

If he remembered correctly, the top item on the first shelf on the left after entering was a bronze incense burner with a leaky bottom.

His special ability determined this bronze incense burner as a damaged antique.

Antiques have some value for ordinary people, but they are meaningless for cultivators, let alone a damaged antique.

"I thought I missed something... I didn't expect this old man to try to trick me."

Chen Ze cursed inwardly.

After transmigrating to this world, he gained a special ability that allowed him to see the attributes of items, character attributes, and even the contents of other people's storage bags.

He had seen this seemingly immortal old man before.

Cultivation at the Qi Refining first level, ninety-nine years old, no storage bag, only three spirit stones and three tattered color novels in his arms, a typical old poser.

"Unfortunately, I've already left. According to the rules, if I want to go in again, I'll have to present another Treasure Token."

Chen Ze said regretfully.

"How about this, since you are so motivated, I'll make an exception and let you go in again. Leave ten spirit stones with me, so I can give an account to the sect."

The old man leaned on the broom and calmly said.

If it were someone else, they would probably eagerly hand over the spirit stones, then go to the Treasure Pavilion to "pick up bargains," and finally leave with a thousand thanks. But Chen Ze obviously wouldn't fall for that.

"The old man has revealed his true colors, huh? Ten spirit stones? What a joke!"

After muttering to himself, Chen Ze smiled and said, "Unfortunately, I didn't bring any spirit stones with me when I went out today."

"You can still go back and get them now."

The old man's tone remained calm, but there was a hint of urgency in his eyes.

"I... I don't have ten spirit stones in total... How about this, next time, next time for sure."

Chen Ze didn't waste any more words with this old trickster. After bowing, he left directly.

"Ah... who wakes up from a dream first, I know myself in this lifetime... Cultivation is all about fate, indeed, it can't be forced... I was too optimistic."

Listening to the old trickster's sigh behind him, Chen Ze's eye twitched, and his footsteps quickened involuntarily.

(End of this chapter)