Chapter 1164: Between Reality and Illusion

At this moment, Zhang Jiuxiao, dressed in a light green robe, appeared very refined. On his chest hung not a master's badge but an appraiser's badge, with seven stars shining brightly, representing his status.

Beside him came an old man in his sixties, also wearing a seven-star appraiser's badge. His cultivation had reached the fourth level of the Saint Domain, and he carried an extraordinary demeanor.

“This guy… is also an appraiser?”

Zhang Xuan was startled.

He had personally seen Zhang Jiuxiao write in the air and knew his skill in calligraphy and painting was not low. He hadn't expected him to reach the seven-star level in appraising as well.

As expected of the number one genius of Qingyuan Empire, he was not as simple as imagined.

“President Mu, long time no see!”

Seeing the old man, Master Wu smiled and went up to greet him.

“Wu Rufeng, if I hadn't invited you, you wouldn't have come to see me. Have you forgotten the kindness of an old friend?” The old man punched him lightly and scolded with a laugh.

“How could that be? I just returned not long ago and had some matters to deal with…” Master Wu approached.

“It seems this should be the president of the Appraisers Guild…” Watching the two exchange pleasantries with familiarity, Zhang Xuan nodded.

As a seven-star appraiser addressed as “President” by Master Wu, his identity was easy to guess.

Just as he was about to observe the president closely, he felt a gaze fixed on him. Zhang Xuan looked up and saw Zhang Jiuxiao staring at him with a hint of hostility.

Although not very strong, with his mental state at 25.1, comparable to an eight-star master teacher, he could easily sense it.

“Hostility? I haven't offended him, have I?”

Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

They had only met once. To avoid misunderstanding, he had even specifically shouted “Go for it” to encourage him. With such a friendly attitude, not returning kindness was one thing, but showing hostility… why?

“I am Zhang Jiuxiao. May I ask your name?”

Just as he was lamenting that it was hard to be good, the young man came up and cupped his fists.

“Zhang Xuan.”

“Zhang Xuan? Are you the new principal of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy? I've heard of your deeds. You're a genius!”

Hearing the name, Zhang Jiuxiao suddenly realized: “No wonder you are so extraordinary in mental state, easily crossing the Heart-Tempering Bridge. To govern an academy, a strong mental state is indeed necessary!”

He finally understood who the six-star master teacher he had been wanting to meet was.

He had heard some of Zhang Xuan's deeds, and indeed he could be called a genius among geniuses.

But no matter how much of a genius, he was only a six-star master teacher. Compared to him, he was still far behind.

“It's the favor of the academy's teachers and students. I'm somewhat over my head and am planning to resign…” Zhang Xuan waved his hand.

As the principal of the master teacher academy, since Zhang Yinqiu had arrived, he had long planned to resign, but everyone wouldn't allow it.

“Resign? That's right. At your age, lacking experience, directly becoming the principal of a master teacher academy would indeed bring a bad reputation to the academy!”

Zhang Jiuxiao nodded.

“Uh…” He didn't expect his self-deprecating words to be taken seriously. Zhang Xuan shook his head helplessly, losing interest in chatting with him. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the other's voice continue.

“Master Wu bringing you to this appraisal meeting shows he values you… But I wonder, have you studied appraising?”

“Appraising… I've studied a bit!” Zhang Xuan nodded.

“What star level have you reached?” Hearing that he had studied, Zhang Jiuxiao was taken aback and looked over.

“Regrettably, only five-star!” Zhang Xuan smiled wryly.

Compared to other professions, he had read fewer books on appraising, only reaching five-star level, not particularly impressive.

“Five-star? Actually, for your age, that's not bad… It shows you have talent in this area. If you study hard in the future, it's possible you might surpass me!”

Nodding, Zhang Jiuxiao snorted: “A five-star appraiser, by rights, is not qualified to attend this grand event. But it must be Master Wu's indulgence, bringing you here to broaden your horizons!”

“I suppose so!” Zhang Xuan replied casually.

“Hmm!”

Zhang Jiuxiao said: “This appraisal meeting has invited many experts, all leading figures in their professions. They may bring out many treasures. Since we know each other, it's fate, and we share the surname Zhang. How about this: later, follow behind me. If there's anything you don't recognize or understand, you can ask directly. We are all master teachers; it's only right to give you some pointers and help you improve your appraising knowledge. Perhaps after this, you'll have a sudden insight and even break through to six-star appraiser, who knows.”

“Thank you for your trouble!”

Zhang Xuan nodded.

“No need to be polite! Although I am a master teacher, I have put great effort into the appraising profession. In the Qingyuan Empire Appraisers Guild, I have some reputation and standing!” Zhang Jiuxiao's expression was calm, his tone revealing a subtle arrogance.

Previously, when crossing the Heart-Tempering Bridge, he had been bested by this person. Now he had regained some ground, and his thoughts were clear, bringing indescribable comfort.

“Hmm…”

Zhang Xuan nodded and was about to continue when he saw Master Wu and President Mu looking over simultaneously. The latter smiled: “I was too busy chatting and forgot to introduce you. This Zhang Jiuxiao studied appraising under me three years ago and has reached seven-star in such a short time. His talent is terrifying… You are both master teachers, so no introduction should be necessary!”

“Master Zhang is an unparalleled genius, naturally no introduction is needed!”

Master Wu nodded and then addressed Zhang Xuan: “President Mu, this is my friend, Master Zhang Xuan. Although he is young, he is also a rare genius. He was originally planning to come to you to take the appraiser exam. Since we've met, let's get acquainted in advance!”

“Friend? I thought he was your junior…”

President Mu was startled.

Master Wu was seven or eight hundred years old. He had thought the young man in his twenties was a newly accepted disciple or junior, but it turned out he was a friend.

Addressing him as such indicated equal footing, showing how much he valued him.

“Master Zhang is greatly talented; calling him a friend is already me overreaching. How could he be a junior? I wouldn't dare…” Master Wu quickly waved his hand.

This person was a Heaven-recognized master teacher and a Heaven-recognized sage. Calling him a friend was indeed overreaching. If he called him a junior, he would be scared to death himself.

“Oh?” Seeing his old friend so serious, not feigning modesty, President Mu looked at Zhang Xuan with doubt, his previous轻视 turning to gravity: “Since Master Wu thinks so highly of you, you are also a friend of mine, Mu!”

Master Wu was an old friend of many years, always aloof and valuing propriety. For him to say this showed that this young man was truly extraordinary.

“You flatter me, President Mu!”

Zhang Xuan cupped his fists.

“No flattery at all. Master Wu and I are old friends!” President Mu smiled and turned to Zhang Jiuxiao: “Jiuxiao, although you two are similar in age, since this Master Zhang is my friend, he is your uncle. Call him uncle!”

“Uncle…” Zhang Jiuxiao's body swayed, nearly spitting blood.

He had just said he would take care of the other, letting him follow and learn, and then this came… His face flushed red, and he nearly fainted.

“Hmm!” President Mu nodded: “Master Wu, Young Master Zhang, the others have almost all arrived. Please, come in!”

“Good!” Master Wu nodded.

The group followed behind and entered the hall.

The hall was over thirty meters in diameter, with a rectangular table in the middle. Both sides were already filled with people, most with white beards, similar in age to President Mu.

Two acquaintances were also seated inside: President Ruan of the Spirit Awakener Guild and President Wei of the Illusionist Guild.

President Mu walked to the front of the table and sat down, then said: “Please, sit!”

“Hmm!”

Zhang Xuan nodded and sat side by side with Master Wu at the lower seats.

“Jiuxiao, stand behind me!”

Seeing Zhang Jiuxiao also about to sit, President Mu frowned and said.

“Yes!” His face twitching, Zhang Jiuxiao nodded and stood behind the president, looking resentful.

He had thought that with his seven-star appraiser status, he could regain some ground in front of this person, but before he could even show off… he was suppressed and couldn't lift his head.

“Since everyone is here, friend, can you bring out your item?”

After arranging things, President Mu looked at a person sitting across the long table and said.

This person wore a bronze mask, hiding his face. Through the exposed skin, he appeared to be between forty and fifty years old.

“All of you are prominent figures in Qingyuan City, and with Master Wu of the Master Teacher Hall presiding, I naturally trust your credibility. However, I must say upfront: the item is only for your appraisal, to find a way to break the array patterns left on it. As for what is sealed inside, or what you discern, I have no intention of selling… Of course, if you can help me solve the problem, there will be a generous reward!”

The bronze mask spoke.

His voice was somewhat hoarse, clearly altered to disguise it.

“Rest assured, since I brought them here, they are trustworthy!” President Mu waved his hand.

“I trust President Mu's character!” The bronze mask nodded, and with a flick of his wrist, a scroll appeared before everyone. He gently opened it, and a landscape immediately appeared before them: green peaks close at hand, birds and beasts calling on the mountains, flowing streams babbling, giving a feeling between reality and illusion.

It was as if a real mountain stood not far away, and one could even feel the moist aura emanating from it.

“This is… an eight-star level painting, having reached the realm of reality and illusion…”

Seeing the painting on the scroll, an old man suddenly stood up, his eyes red with excitement, his body trembling incessantly. This old man wore a painter's robe, with seven stars shining on his chest. He should be the president of the Painters Guild, as Master Wu had mentioned earlier.

“Reality and illusion?” Zhang Xuan was puzzled.

“Reality and illusion is the ability of the eighth realm of painting. When one reaches this level, the paintings they create are like real things; ordinary people cannot tell truth from falsehood. The most crucial point is… the painting can automatically absorb spiritual energy, maintaining the vitality of the things within, even allowing them to cultivate. Over time, they can even jump out and become like living beings… In other words, a painting that has reached this realm is already like the real thing, neither real nor illusory!”

Master Wu lowered his voice to explain.

“So powerful?” Zhang Xuan was shocked. Subtle patterns appeared in his eyes as he looked toward the painting before him.