Chapter 481: I’ll Give It a Try

Although she really wanted this longsword, Zhao Ya knew that her teacher had specifically come to Honghai City for the Soulless Golden Figures. If buying a sword for her meant they wouldn't have enough money to purchase the figures, he would surely regret it for the rest of his life.

“If you like it, that’s all that matters. If we don’t have enough spirit stones, we can just find another way!” Zhang Xuan said, understanding her thoughts.

He hadn’t found anything suitable for them before, so he hadn’t bought anything. But now that he saw this, he naturally intended to purchase it.

“Find another way? What other way could there possibly be now?” Zhao Ya was startled.

To get these five thousand spirit stones, her teacher had even dismantled the Treasure Trove Pavilion. Where could he possibly find more spirit stones now? Surely he couldn't dismantle this auction house as well, could he?

“Simple!” With a light chuckle, Zhang Xuan waved his hand at Sun Qiang. “Go call the person in charge of the auction!”

“Yes!” Sun Qiang blinked, not understanding what was happening. However, although he didn’t know his young master’s intentions, he knew that if he was acting this way, he must have a plan. Without saying another word, Sun Qiang turned and left.

Zhao Ya and the others exchanged glances… Was their teacher really planning to dismantle this auction house?

Before long, Sun Qiang returned with a middle-aged man. Normally, his status wouldn't allow him to summon such a person, but since this was Pavilion Master Sai’s private room, he was effectively leveraging the pavilion master’s influence.

“Pavilion Master Sai!” As soon as he entered the room, the middle-aged man’s gaze fell upon the elderly man.

“Steward Luo, you’ve arrived. Allow me to introduce you, this is Master Zhang!” Pavilion Master Sai smiled. “Master Zhang, this is Steward Luo, Luo Qin. He can essentially resolve any matter related to the auction!”

“Master Zhang?” Only then did Luo Qin notice the young man seated beside Pavilion Master Sai, whose demeanor was in no way inferior, clearly indicating his high status.

“How may I help you, Master Zhang?” He stepped forward and cupped his fists with a smile.

“Oh, I wish to add an item to the auction!” Zhang Xuan replied.

“Add an item?” Luo Qin was taken aback, immediately looking troubled. “This… the auction has already begun. It might be impossible to add anything now…” To try and auction something now, after not mentioning it earlier, was simply ridiculous. Moreover, no one knew if the item you wished to add was valuable or not. If it turned out to be a fake, the auction house's reputation would be ruined.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. Make your decision after you’ve seen it!” Knowing that the other party would react this way, Zhang Xuan remained unconcerned. He waved his hand, cutting him off.

“Very well!” Although somewhat reluctant, Luo Qin couldn't help but nod, considering that this person was Pavilion Master Sai’s guest and was addressed as “Master,” which surely indicated a high status.

Pavilion Master Sai also looked over curiously, eager to see what this young man, who had always intrigued him, would produce. Logically, if he truly possessed a treasure that could be sold at auction, he would have inquired about it beforehand. There would have been no need to force his way through the Flowing Goblet game, putting them in such a passive position.

As curious gazes followed, an item appeared in Zhang Xuan’s hand. Upon seeing what it was, Pavilion Master Sai swayed, almost spitting blood.

It was a painting, laid flat in the young man’s palm—the second treasure from the Flowing Goblet game.

“This is it. See if you can help me sell it!” Zhang Xuan said calmly.

The most valuable items he possessed were naturally the treasures he had just obtained from the Flowing Goblet game. Since it could be designated as the Treasure Trove Pavilion's guardian treasure, if it were auctioned, it shouldn't be difficult to buy not just one, but even two longswords. For this very reason, even though he knew he might not have enough money to buy the Soulless Golden Figures, he wasn't concerned.

“Master Zhang, this item… is incredibly precious. Perhaps you shouldn’t sell it…” Pavilion Master Sai forced a smile, his heart bleeding. This was an item from their Treasure Trove Pavilion… It was one thing for you to claim ownership; at least the treasure found its master. But to sell it… What kind of situation is this?

“If you think it’s a pity to sell it… Pavilion Master Sai can buy it back! We’re acquaintances, so I won’t ask for a high price. Five thousand spirit stones would be fine…” Zhang Xuan looked over with a beaming smile.

“Cough, cough…” Pavilion Master Sai’s face flushed. He nearly choked on his saliva and shook his head helplessly. “Alright, please continue…” He couldn't even produce three thousand spirit stones; where would he find five thousand? Even if he couldn't bear to see the Treasure Trove Pavilion's treasure lost to outsiders, there was nothing he could do now.

“This item is genuine; you can ask Pavilion Master Sai to appraise it!” Seeing that the other party wasn’t stopping him, Zhang Xuan said to Luo Qin.

“No need for appraisal. This painting is definitely genuine; I can tell…” Luo Qin took the scroll, unrolled it, and after just one glance, nodded. As an auction house steward, he also possessed excellent appraisal skills. Otherwise, it would be truly embarrassing if he couldn’t recognize a treasure when he saw one.

The painting before him exuded a profound aura and was rich with spiritual energy. The birds within the picture seemed ready to fly out at any moment. Even a fool would know it was an invaluable masterpiece.

“Good, then take it for auction! Ideally, it should sell for five thousand spirit stones.” Seeing that Luo Qin also recognized its value, Zhang Xuan saved himself some trouble and said.

“This…” Hearing him, Luo Qin hesitated. “Master Zhang, although this painting is of extremely high caliber and full of spiritual essence, it would be almost impossible to sell it for five thousand spirit stones!”

“Oh? Then how much could it sell for?” Zhang Xuan asked, puzzled. He wasn’t very clear on the value of treasures, especially when priced in spirit stones. He had assumed that since this item was kept in the Flowing Goblet game as a guardian treasure, its price would surely far exceed five thousand… He hadn’t expected this man to say it was impossible. What was going on?

“At most… five hundred spirit stones!” Luo Qin’s face flushed.

“Five hundred?” Zhang Xuan frowned, displeased. “This painting is by a five-star calligrapher and painter; it possesses its own spiritual essence. Not only can it absorb spiritual energy to replenish the scroll, but it also contains the insights of a cultivator regarding the natural world. Long-term viewing can greatly benefit cultivators at the Transcendent Mortal 3-dan or 4-dan… How could it only be worth five hundred?”

After appraisal, it was confirmed to be genuine. This treasure, left by a five-star calligrapher and painter, had reached the peak of the Sixth Realm, only a step away from the legendary Seventh Realm. Only worth five hundred? Are you joking?

“Exactly, who are you trying to fool? How could such an excellent masterpiece be worth so little?” Sun Qiang and the others also looked utterly unconvinced.

“Please don’t worry, Master Zhang. Allow me to explain!” Luo Qin hurriedly bowed, full of embarrassment. “This painting’s style is simple and grand, undoubtedly the work of a master. However… it has no name, nor any inscription left by the artist, so its value plummets. The most valuable aspect of calligraphy and painting isn't the artwork itself, but, like antiques, the historical accumulation and the artist's renown. If this were by a renowned master of the Alliance, it could easily sell for five thousand spirit stones… But as it is now, five hundred is already a high estimate!”

Hearing the explanation, Zhang Xuan paused, then looked at Pavilion Master Sai nearby, who also nodded in agreement.

“There’s such a thing?” He was speechless for a moment. Upon closer thought, it made sense. Unlike weapons or natural treasures that have tangible effects on cultivators, calligraphy and paintings highlight a person's taste and preferences. If a piece isn't by a renowned artist, its collection value indeed plummets immediately.

“This painting was left by Wu Xuanzi, a five-star Grandmaster of Calligraphy and Painting, eight hundred years ago. Can he not be considered a renowned artist?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“Wu Xuanzi? Of course, he’s a renowned artist! He was a five-star calligrapher and painter, and the first five-star Beast Tamer in the Myriad Kingdoms Alliance. If this is truly his authentic work, its price would undoubtedly be far more than five thousand. However… although his reputation is stellar, he didn’t stay long in the Myriad Kingdoms Alliance and didn’t leave many works behind… How can we confirm this painting is his?” Luo Qin was startled and couldn’t help but ask.

Wu Xuanzi was the most illustrious and revered figure in the Myriad Kingdoms Alliance eight hundred years ago. Before he even reached two hundred years of age, he had elevated both the Beast Taming and Calligraphy and Painting professions to five-star rank. Unfortunately, too few of his works remain in the world. Many appraisers don’t even know his brushwork or habits, making it impossible to determine if this painting is truly his.

“Uh…” Zhang Xuan froze. He had only learned the origin of this artwork through the Library of Heaven’s Path, but he couldn’t possibly show that to others. Wu Xuanzi hadn’t left behind many paintings, so even comparison was out of the question. Otherwise, this painting wouldn’t have remained in the Treasure Trove Pavilion for so many years, unrecognized and with an unknown origin.

“Unless… a skilled calligrapher and painter names this artwork. Even if their renown isn’t comparable to Wu Xuanzi’s, as long as their cultivation level is similar and they can articulate the true essence of the painting, gaining the spiritual essence’s recognition, its value could still double. However… it would only reach around two thousand spirit stones at most!” Luo Qin said.

“Name it? Articulate its true essence?”

“Indeed. However, naming a painting isn’t that easy. Everyone has different thoughts and feelings after viewing an artwork. If your thoughts differ even slightly from the artist’s, your title won't be recognized! In such a case, not only will it fail to increase the painting’s value, but it might even damage its original style, causing its value to plummet!” Luo Qin explained, “Only by understanding the original artist’s habits and knowing a great deal about their thoughts beforehand is there a chance to articulate the true essence and increase its value. Otherwise…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but his tone conveyed the meaning. Ten thousand people viewing a painting would have ten thousand different interpretations. To try and decipher the intentions of a predecessor and match them is incredibly difficult, almost impossible, one could say.

“Are you saying… that if one knows the original artist’s insights into the painting and inscribes them onto it, it’s very likely to articulate its true essence?” Zhang Xuan asked.

“If one knew the original artist’s—Wu Xuanzi’s—thoughts and inscribed them onto the painting, its value would definitely skyrocket. Unfortunately, no one can even confirm if Wu Xuanzi left this painting behind. He was a low-key person, and his painting periods and mental states are largely unknown… Moreover, this particular painting is enigmatic and unpredictable; no one can even identify the specific bird depicted… Trying to decipher its intent would be incredibly difficult!” Luo Qin shook his head. Although he had only glanced at it, he knew that trying to name this painting and articulate its true essence, in a way that aligned with Wu Xuanzi's original thoughts, was simply impossible.

“Difficult?” After hearing his explanation, Zhang Xuan paused for a moment, then chuckled softly and looked over. “Since naming this painting can increase its value, why don’t I… I’ll give it a try!”