Chapter 2018: Zhang Xuan's Explanation

Not only was he confused, but everyone else in the room was stunned.

Although Master Wang was not an appraiser and didn't know much about the appraisal industry, his ability to purchase this sculpture showed he understood a great deal about Serene Stones. Naturally, he could also distinguish the corresponding Bloody Stone.

He had bought a Serene Stone, but it had turned into this object. What was crucial was that Elder He still claimed it was correct!

If he hadn't encountered this young man and had taken the item back, he feared it wouldn't be long before vengeful spirits entangled him, leading to depression. He might even, like the rabbit, commit suicide on the spot!

"What exactly is going on? Elder He, you... this is your 'flawless' appraisal?"

A surge of anger welled up in his heart. He turned to look at the old man, so furious he felt he might explode.

Normally, given his status, he would never dare speak to Elder He in such a manner. However, having nearly died, anyone would find the situation unacceptable.

"I..."

Elder He's body trembled. Unsure how to reply, he squatted down and picked up the shattered pieces of the sculpture. No matter how he looked at them, they were clearly Bloody Stones, completely unrelated to Serene Stones.

He instantly seemed to age ten years. After trembling for a moment, he looked at Zhang Xuan and asked, "May I know... your name, sir?"

"Zhang Xuan, a core disciple of Lingyun Sword Pavilion!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

He decided not to mention his elder status for the time being, fearing it might scare the man to death on the spot.

"Little Brother Zhang, I clearly saw this sculpture was a Serene Stone, but how could it have..."

All his previous arrogance had vanished, and his address had changed to "Little Brother." Elder He bowed deeply.

He appeared to have made no mistake, yet the outcome was completely different. The fact that Zhang Xuan knew this in advance meant he had surely identified the core issue.

He had previously encountered inner disciples from the Lingyun Sword Pavilion who took on missions hoping for good luck. They often knew nothing, made many blunders, and some even destroyed highly valuable treasures, leading to his punishment.

This was precisely why he harbored some disdain for the so-called missions undertaken by the Sword Pavilion disciples.

Seeing that Zhang Xuan was also young, he had initially assumed he was just like the others—trying his luck and fabricating mission reports. He never expected... that he was a true appraiser!

Zhang Xuan's discerning eye was infinitely superior to his own.

Seeing that Elder He had lost his former arrogance, Zhang Xuan didn't bother to say much. He casually picked up a broken piece of the stone and held it in his palm. "Serene Stones and Bloody Stones, though opposite in nature, can both emit power that affects a person's mind and spirit! I don't need to elaborate on this; I'm sure you're all aware."

Everyone nodded.

Serene Stones and Bloody Stones are both types of spirit stones. While ordinary spirit stones store spiritual energy for cultivation, these specific stones store substances that influence a person's mind.

"Elder He's appraisal wasn't entirely wrong," Zhang Xuan continued. "It was indeed left by Immortal Lord Du He. He personally carved it, and even painted its outer colors..."

"It was left by him, then..." Elder He was puzzled.

So, he hadn't been wrong after all!

But why was the outcome so vastly different from his deduction?

"Does anyone know who this Immortal Lord Du He is?"

"I know..." Yuan Qing, standing nearby, couldn't help but interject. "Immortal Lord Du He was a medical saint from a century ago. He was a benevolent man who saved countless lives throughout his life. That's why many people revere his statues—partly out of gratitude, partly to pray for peace. How could such a person create something from Bloody Stone to harm future generations?"

Immortal Lord Du He was a powerful figure in Wuhai City a century ago—a physician of great renown who saved countless lives. Why would he deliberately harm people?

To carve his image from Bloody Stone and present it as something calming and serene was clearly deceptive!

"Harm?" Zhang Xuan shook his head. "You're mistaken! He created this not to cause harm, but as you just mentioned, to save lives!"

"Save lives?"

Everyone was even more confused.

"This object is carved from Bloody Stone. Its exterior is painted with a special force, superficially adding color to make the stone appear lifelike. In reality, much like my earlier painting, a special formation was outlined with a brush to suppress the murderous aura within! Moreover, it could also provide power, continuously emitting a calming aura that brought peace to the mind."

Seeing their confusion, Zhang Xuan explained, "Under normal circumstances, this murderous aura remains undetectable. That's why Elder He believed it to be a genuine Serene Stone!"

Elder He nodded.

He indeed did not perceive the presence of murderous aura.

"Normally, the murderous aura would not dissipate. However, by using a formation to release the calming aura, a problem arises. This fusion of formations effectively destroys the array pattern painted on the sculpture. Initially, nothing seems wrong, but with time, the murderous aura slowly infiltrates the cultivator's body. If Master Wang had gone home and used this item, he wouldn't just lose consciousness and commit suicide; he might also kill all his relatives and family, forcing them to join him in death!"

Master Wang shivered, his forehead covered in sweat.

Some treasures, if used correctly, can lead to rapid progress. But if misused... one wouldn't even know how they died!

Just like this one!

This is precisely why the appraisal profession holds such high status and offers rapid wealth.

"While I don't know much about Immortal Lord Du He's life," Zhang Xuan continued, "if I'm not mistaken, he created this not to harm people, but to treat patients who had fallen into a deep coma!"

Ignoring Master Wang's alarm, Zhang Xuan continued, "For patients in a deep coma whom no method can awaken, stimulating their spirit is the best approach! This sculpture first releases a calming, serene power, leaving the person completely unguarded. Then... the murderous aura subtly infiltrates, successfully stimulating the soul and bringing about a swift awakening!"

Back then, Wei Ruyan had fallen into a coma, unable to control the power of her innate poisonous body. Nothing could awaken her until she was successfully treated with a special medicine.

If this item had existed back then, it should have been effective.

Even in a coma, the human body possesses self-protective mechanisms and will resist any intrusion. For example, his physical body, even if his Witch Soul departed, could still fight on its own if it sensed danger.

Like the 'boiling frog' analogy.

By first emitting a calming aura, the body gradually loses its defenses. At that point, further stimulation becomes even more effective!

That was why he stated that its creator intended it for healing, not for harm.

"This... I've researched Immortal Lord Du He's life. His young daughter, after an accident, fell into an unresponsive coma and slept for a full six months. Every method was attempted without success. Later... she woke up through some unknown means, which he never revealed, making it a great mystery... Could this be it?"

Elder He froze in place.

As an appraiser, he was expected to be knowledgeable. He had specifically read books detailing Immortal Lord Du He's life and was aware of his younger daughter's situation.

He hadn't expected it, but Zhang Xuan's words brought him a sudden realization.

"That's likely the case," Zhang Xuan affirmed. "Objects themselves have no inherent good or evil; it depends on how they're used. This item is extremely effective for treating comatose individuals, but if used for cultivation... it could easily lead to qi deviation!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"So that's how it is..."

Elder He understood. He looked at the young man before him again, a complex expression in his eyes. After a moment, he couldn't help but nod. "I concede... Master Wang, I will compensate you!"

"Elder He, there's no need!"

Master Wang quickly returned the bow.

After concluding the matter, Master Wang looked at Zhang Xuan with gratitude in his eyes. "Brother Zhang, you not only saved Master Wang but, in a sense, you saved me as well!"

Zhang Xuan had stopped Master Wang at a crucial moment. Though he had been furious initially, upon reflection, Zhang Xuan had effectively saved him.

Otherwise, if Master Wang had indeed begun cultivating with it and something went wrong, he, as the appraiser, would certainly have been held accountable!

"May I ask if I am now qualified to complete the mission assigned by my sect?" Zhang Xuan said with a slight smile.

"Of course you are..."

Elder He quickly nodded: "Please come this way!"

Zhang Xuan had recognized at a glance something that Elder He himself couldn't discern, proving his discernment was vastly superior.

Perhaps... Zhang Xuan truly could solve that matter which Elder He had always been powerless to resolve...

"Yes!"

Zhang Xuan followed him out.