Chapter 1456: Wu Daojing

"Just one, then! If I lose, I won't ask for it—only an apology will do." Seeing that the man before her didn't even realize how precious her own artwork was, yet openly declared her painting bad, Zhang Ziqing became even angrier.

"Apologize? Not a chance!" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "A competition... I've never lost one. If you want to compete, make it quick; I have other things to do!"

"Alright!" Taking a few deep breaths to suppress her frustration, Zhang Ziqing looked over. "In the arts, there's no absolute 'best'; in martial arts, there's no 'second.' Normally, it's very difficult to distinguish good from bad in calligraphy and painting of the same level, as everyone's perceptions and preferences differ, leading to entirely different conclusions. For fairness, I have a Wu Dao Mirror here, which can determine the grade and quality of a painting without error!"

With a flip of her delicate hand, a round, ancient bronze mirror appeared in her palm, quietly hovering above.

"A Wu Dao Mirror?" Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled.

"Exactly. This was created by Grandmaster Wu Dao, the founder of the Calligraphy and Painting Guild. It can authenticate and grade calligraphy and paintings. Although mine is just a replica, it's perfectly sufficient for appraising our works!" Seeing that he didn't even know about this, Zhang Ziqing became even more displeased.

The Wu Dao Mirror was left behind by the founder of the Calligraphy and Painting Guild. Any work of calligraphy or painting could be easily examined to determine its grade. The true treasure was certainly kept at the guild; although hers was a replica created by a later master, it was unfailingly effective for appraising works, without the slightest error.

"May I take a look?" Zhang Xuan asked, looking over.

"Here!" Knowing that Zhang Xuan would surely examine it, Zhang Ziqing said nothing more. With a flick of her hand, the Wu Dao Mirror flew towards him.

As his finger touched the mirror, Zhang Xuan pushed it back. "I've seen it. Can we start now?" A book appeared in his mind, and in the blink of an eye, he understood the mirror's capabilities. It could indeed authenticate calligraphy and paintings, leaving no room for doubt.

"You've already seen it?" Zhang Ziqing was stunned. He hadn't known about it just moments ago, and now, without even taking it into his hands, he claimed he'd seen it. Was he joking?

"This Wu Dao Mirror was refined by Grandmaster Zhi Yang, a Nine-star Calligrapher and Painter from three hundred years ago. It's forged from golden-crystalline ore and contains thirty-seven array patterns, imbued with the power of the world within paintings. Its spiritual essence holds Grandmaster Zhi Yang's insights into calligraphy and painting, making its grading undoubtedly fair and impartial!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"How... how did you know?" Her eyes widened in shock, Zhang Ziqing was startled. This Wu Dao Mirror had been kept in the Calligraphy and Painting Guild since its creation. For this clan gathering, knowing there would be challengers, she had reported to her teacher and requested to use it. She had spent countless efforts to refine it, only then learning this information. Yet, this person, after just a glance and without even holding it, casually stated all that... Even her teacher couldn't do that!

"Oh, I just happen to be a treasure appraiser. I recognized it after a glance..." Zhang Xuan offered no further explanation, casually waving his hand.

"A treasure appraiser?" Zhang Ziqing was utterly confused. He hadn't even heard of the Wu Dao Mirror, yet after one glance, he knew its origin... Could treasure appraisal really have such an ability? He must be joking! However, she knew this wasn't the time to dwell on that. With a sweep of her palm, a sheet of white paper appeared on the table before them.

This white paper was different from the Xuan paper she had seen before. It was entirely white, with a smooth surface, seeming so fine that ordinary ink wouldn't adhere to it.

"This is Flowing Light Paper, crafted from the blood of sacred beasts combined with Flowing Light Stone. Paintings on it will neither rot nor fade for ten thousand years; each sheet is incredibly valuable..." Zhang Wuchen, observing from the back of the crowd, nodded.

For calligraphers and painters, the paper is as crucial as a warrior's longsword: the higher its grade, the more profound the artistic concept of the finished work. Flowing Light Paper was renowned throughout the calligraphy and painting world. Due to its low production, even Nine-star Calligraphers and Painters possessed only a few sheets. The fact that Zhang Ziqing casually produced it for the painting indicated her significant regard for this competition.

"The news of the formation's collapse must have reached her ears, and this person just happened to say her painting was bad, so she seized the opportunity to give him a show of strength!" Zhang Wuchen's heart stirred, and he understood. Zhang Xuan had destroyed the formation guarding the Zhang family's entrance, and Zhang Wuchen had reported it to the clan two hours ago; all the younger generation should know about it. Although Zhang Ziqing was a woman, her sense of family loyalty was strong, so she must have been greatly displeased. That's why she deliberately found an excuse to let him know that there's always someone better, beyond what you see! Otherwise, this was a guest room; how could she, the family's top talent, be here and coincidentally get into a conflict with this person? Thinking of this, he involuntarily looked around, paused, and couldn't help but shake his head.

"They're all here; Zhang Xuan is probably in for some trouble..." Elder Wuzhen saw his actions, knew what he was thinking, and lowered his voice.

"Heh heh, that's fine. Let this fellow know the strength of our Zhang family so he won't be too arrogant..." Zhang Wuchen nodded. Most of the top young talents in the clan had come over, so it seemed the Grand Elder's method was indeed effective. If the younger generation challenged him, outsiders couldn't say much.

As the two quietly conversed, Zhang Ziqing, in front, flipped her wrist again, and a brush appeared.

"It's the Azure Sky Holy Fox Brush, made from the tail fur of an Azure Sky Fox... Its preciousness far exceeds that of Flowing Light Paper!""Bringing out two great treasures at once, that guy opposite is probably in for bad luck!""Not necessarily. Knowing Zhang Ziqing's strength in calligraphy and painting, yet still daring to accept the challenge, shows that he must also be strong in this art, perhaps even possessing more powerful treasures!""That's true..."

As they clearly saw the brush, a flurry of discussion erupted around them. All those invited by the Zhang family were exceptionally talented individuals. Although calligraphy and painting might be a niche art, they had all heard of renowned brushes. The Azure Sky Holy Fox Brush was considered top-tier throughout the entire continent.

"If you can't finish before this incense stick burns out, it's considered a loss!" Taking out the ink again and dipping the brush, Zhang Ziqing lightly flicked her finger, and an incense stick about a finger long appeared in the middle of the courtyard. It began to slowly burn, emitting a faint fragrance. Since it was a competition, a time limit naturally had to be set. Otherwise, if one person painted for half an hour and the other for ten years, how could the results be comparable?

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan responded. Observing the speed at which the incense stick was burning, it would likely be consumed in less than half an hour. This timeframe for painting would be quite tight.

"Then let's begin..." Seeing his agreement, Zhang Ziqing didn't bother with further pleasantries. The brush hovered over the Flowing Light Paper, and with a light touch, a curve immediately appeared, shining with dazzling light.