Eye's Power

Jack left the apartment, walking briskly through the early morning streets toward his workplace, Noble Collection. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden hue over the cobbled pathways of Antique Street, a bustling hub of traders, collectors, and tourists. His mood was optimistic, but deep down, there was a small part of him already anticipating the grind of the day ahead.

When he arrived at the Noble Collection, the atmosphere was lively as usual. The shop was a well-known destination for treasure hunters and collectors, filled with rare artifacts, vintage pieces, and items people hoped would fetch a fortune. Jack had been excited when he first got the job, envisioning himself uncovering hidden treasures, making important deals, and working alongside esteemed experts. However, reality soon set in.

His job was far less glamorous than he'd imagined. His main task involved serving tea and water to the real experts—the appraisers—who were in charge of evaluating items that customers brought in. Occasionally, he would assist in cataloging the shop's inventory or cleaning up the displays.

By mid-morning, Jack had already had his fill of disappointments. One person after another came in with what they thought were priceless antiques, only to have them appraised as worthless trinkets. He found himself increasingly frustrated, having to gently explain the reality of these so-called "treasures."

"Excuse me, young man," came the voice of an elderly customer, interrupting Jack's momentary reprieve.

He turned to see a hunched old man holding an ancient-looking vase. The man approached with a proud gleam in his eye.

"This," the old man declared, "is a relic from the Diamond Dynasty. Passed down in my family for generations!"

Jack resisted the urge to sigh. He had seen countless similar claims—items touted as priceless heirlooms, only to turn out to be little more than common household goods. Now he understood why Mark, who previously didn't take him seriously.

He activated his Celestial Eye just to confirm, and as expected, the vase was nothing more than an old piece of earthenware. Its surface was cracked and discolored, with no historical significance.

"How many times do I have to tell you? This is just an earthenware vase," Jack explained, trying to keep his tone polite. "Valuable items from ancient times are usually valuable because of their rarity, historical significance, or craftsmanship. Without any of those qualities, it's not worth much."

The old man's face turned red with indignation. "How can you say that? Someone once offered me hundreds of thousands for this! It's a family heirloom!"

Jack fought to keep his patience. "I'm sorry, but without provenance or specific details linking it to the Diamond Dynasty, it's just a simple vase."

"You're short-sighted!" the old man fumed, his voice rising. "You young people don't understand the true value of history!"

Jack bit back a retort as the man stormed out of the store, muttering under his breath. It wasn't the first time someone had been offended by the truth, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

By noon, Jack felt drained from the constant cycle of disappointment and frustration. As he cleared away some tea cups left by the appraisers, he spotted a familiar face—his uncle Leo, who had helped him secure this job in the first place.

"Uncle Leo," Jack greeted, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Leo approached with his usual friendly demeanor. "Hey, Jack. How's it going? Settling in alright?"

Jack shrugged. "Yeah, I'm doing okay. The work's a bit more repetitive than I thought, but I'm managing."

Leo's expression softened, a hint of concern in his eyes. "I get that. But remember, the work here isn't always about the glamorous side. You're learning about the field, and building connections takes time. Don't be discouraged. Your time here will pay off."

Jack nodded. He knew his uncle meant well. "I understand. I just wasn't expecting it to be quite so… dull."

Leo chuckled and patted Jack's shoulder. "Hang in there. And remember, I'm always here if you need advice."

Before Leo could leave, a middle-aged man with a nervous expression shuffled over to the counter. He clutched a small wooden box tightly in his hands, his eyes darting around as if checking to make sure no one was watching.

"Excuse me," the man whispered. "Are you the appraisers? I have something rare here… something you might want to take a look at."

Leo, intrigued, paused to hear him out. Jack, curious, stepped closer. The man placed the box on the counter and opened it with great care. Inside was a plain-looking ceramic vase, the surface tarnished and covered in a layer of grime.

Jack activated his Celestial Eye again, half expecting the same old story—just another worthless item. But this time, what he saw took him by surprise. Beneath the dirt and dust, his enhanced vision revealed an authentic late Diamond Dynasty porcelain vase. Its value was unmistakable—around 100,000, a true treasure hidden in plain sight.