Chapter 1165: The Arrogant Zhang Jiuxiao

The scroll before him, if not looked at carefully, seemed like a landscape standing at a window, somewhat distant yet clearly visible. With the Eye of Clarity, the distance closed in, and every detail on the mountain peaks was revealed, down to the veins of each leaf.

"It's just like the real thing!"

Zhang Xuan was astonished.

Even for him, upon careful inspection, this painting still looked real—it was utterly terrifying. If hung on a wall, one would never think it a painting but rather a real window.

"But this painting... has no seal?"

The Eye of Clarity swept over the scroll, and Zhang Xuan frowned.

The other party had said there was a seal on it, but even with his Eye of Clarity, he couldn't see where it was.

"It seems my strength is still too low. Seeing through a seventh-level painting is no problem, but an eighth-level... is still beyond me!"

He shook his head.

Although the Eye of Clarity had been upgraded four times through the Heaven-Approved Mentor, his own strength was too weak—only at the Saint Domain Second Layer.

An eighth-level painting involved soul power that only Out-of-Body realm experts could wield; even the special Eye of Clarity couldn't discern it.

"This painting has a seal?"

"So lifelike, it already contains the essence of reality and illusion. If there really is a seal... what is it sealing?"

"I don't know, but since the other party took out such a precious painting to ask, they must have discovered something."

...

Zhang Xuan didn't see it, and the others in the room also frowned, lowering their voices to discuss, apparently not seeing it either.

"May I take a closer look?"

Somewhat puzzled, President Mu stood up and said.

"As you wish." The bronze mask's voice showed no change.

"Thank you."

Without further ado, he stepped forward, took out a magnifying crystal ball, and examined it bit by bit.

Each had their expertise; he was the most skilled appraiser present. As he examined, everyone held their breath, afraid to disturb him.

After a moment,

President Mu looked over with slight confusion: "Friend, could you elaborate on where exactly the so-called seal is and in what form? That way, we won't have to guess and can directly find a way to break it."

"President Mu didn't see it either?"

Hearing this, a hint of disappointment crept into the bronze mask's voice.

If you can't even see the seal, how can you break it?

Let me take a look!

The previous president of the Calligraphers and Painters Guild also stood up, came over, and looked down.

The method of authentication used by calligraphers and painters differed from that of antique appraisers. Instead of a crystal ball, he produced a dry brush and waved it in the air, as if painting or writing in the void.

He is analyzing the painting technique to infer the painter's emotions... Seeing Zhang Xuan's confusion, Master Wu transmitted a message.

Mm! Zhang Xuan nodded.

In fact, this was somewhat similar to copying.

After copying for a long time, one would naturally come to know the effort the creator had poured in. If there really was a seal, it should be discoverable.

After copying for a while, the president of the Calligraphers and Painters Guild frowned more and more deeply and looked over: This painting flows like clouds and water, completed in one go without any hindrance. I also think there is no seal... If there really were one, it couldn't be so smooth...

If there were no seal, I wouldn't have gone to such expense to seek you all out... Do you think I'm bored or deliberately wasting your time?

Hearing the president of the Calligraphers and Painters Guild say the same, the bronze mask shook his arm, his voice full of displeasure.

He had thought that everyone present was the pinnacle of their respective professions in Qingyuan City and could see at a glance that the painting was extraordinary. Now it seemed he had overthought it...

An eighth-level painting had already exceeded the scope of what the Qingyuan Empire could comprehend.

Let me try!

Master Wu stood up and walked over.

After a short time, he shook his head and returned to his original position.

With his eyesight, he could only tell that the painting was precious and extraordinary, but he could not see where the so-called seal was.

Soon, everyone present had examined it and all shook their heads.

Alright, friend, don't keep us in suspense. We can't see where the seal is, but with the combined strength of so many people, it might still be possible to break it! Just tell us directly what the seal is and where it is!

Seeing everyone dejected, President Mu waved his hand.

This so-called seal might require a long study to find any clues. Rather than wasting time, it would be better to let the other party speak directly, so everyone could follow the clues and avoid such trouble.

Alright...

Seeing that no one had noticed, the disappointment in the bronze mask's eyes deepened. But, having no other choice, he nodded and pointed at the mist shrouding the mountainside.

The seal is within this mist! If I'm not mistaken, there is still a painting beneath the mist, and it involves some kind of secret manual. Unfortunately, I can't see it or remove it... The bronze mask shook his head.

Mist? Everyone looked over in unison.

The mountain range in the painting towered into the clouds. At the mountainside, a patch of white mist enveloped a small part of the range, lifelike as if it could flow. They had thought it was merely decoration, but it was actually a seal?

Zhang Xuan also looked over curiously. Under the illumination of his Eye of Insight, the white mist on the painting flowed slowly, as if naturally formed, giving a moist, watery feeling, without revealing any peculiarity.

"How can you be sure that this white cloud is a seal?"

After watching for a while, the president of the Calligraphy and Painting Guild couldn't help but speak.

The crowd also turned to look in unison.

"Bring a torch!"

Shaking his head, the bronze mask turned and gave an order.

An appraiser stationed at the door nodded, withdrew, and after a short time, brought back a torch.

Taking it casually, the bronze mask brought it close to the painting and gently heated it. Under the illumination of the firelight, the entire mountain range immediately changed color, from the previous verdant green to a deep gray, except for the white cloud, which remained unchanged.

"This..."

The president of the Calligraphy and Painting Guild's pupils contracted: "The white cloud didn't change, indicating... it wasn't painted in the same period; the two differ by at least thirty years... I didn't notice it just now..."

Under normal circumstances, if it were painted in one go, the entire painting should change color. Now that the white cloud didn't change, it was indeed, as the other had said, painted later, and should belong to a sealing type of thing.

"The two are so perfectly integrated that we couldn't tell; it should be the work of the same person, and... when painting the white cloud, the brushwork was even stronger, allowing it to match the original painting so well that it's hard for anyone to detect..."

President Mu interjected.

Everyone nodded.

Only the same person painting could make a group of experts fail to notice.

"But... even knowing it's a seal, there's really no way to undo it..."

After lamenting, everyone fell silent.

They knew the white cloud was added later and was most likely a seal, but the two were perfectly fused, making it impossible to undo.

"Alas, it seems I still overestimated the Qingyuan Empire..."

Seeing that even after revealing the seal, everyone was at a loss, the bronze mask shook his head, sighed, and was about to put the painting away when he heard a faint voice.

"Could I take a look?"

Looking up, he saw a young man stand up and walk over.

It was Zhang Xuan.

He was also curious about this painting, and since everyone couldn't figure it out, he wanted to confirm it.

"You're just a five-star appraiser, what could you possibly see? Let me handle it!"

Before he could reach the painting, a voice sounded behind him, and Zhang Jiuxiao walked over with an air of arrogance.

Arriving in front, Zhang Jiuxiao extended his finger and lightly traced the scroll: "I've seen this kind of eighth-level painting before and know how this seal works."

"You've seen it? Please enlighten me; if you can undo it, I will offer a generous reward!"

Seeing the young man so confident, the bronze mask stopped and turned around.

"This seal is called 'Cloud Lock Seal.' It uses a method of filling ink to cover the upper layer without damaging the foundation. If I'm not mistaken, special spirituality has been added; otherwise, over time, it would have completely fused..."

Zhang Jiuxiao lifted his chin.

"Cloud Lock Seal?"

The bronze mask and everyone else looked at him in confusion.

Clearly, no one had ever heard of this term.

"In my family, I have personally witnessed someone undo this kind of seal, so I know how to resolve it!"

With his hands behind his back, Zhang Jiuxiao wore an expression of pride.

"Family?"

"You don't know? This number one genius of Qingyuan City is actually a descendant of the Sage Zhang family!"

"The Sage Zhang family?"

"No wonder; with such a background, even if he's just a collateral, his knowledge is beyond our comparison..."

...

Hearing that he had a solution, the crowd buzzed with excitement, each showing admiration.

"How do you resolve it?"

Hearing that he was from the Sage Zhang family, the bronze mask's face turned serious, and he cupped his fists in inquiry.

"Very simple. To break this seal, find someone skilled in soul arts, use the soul as a lever, and draw out the spirituality contained within..."

"Someone skilled in soul arts?"

The bronze mask was puzzled.

"Correct. Let the soul spread into it, extract the spirituality placed in the middle; without the base layer, the seal will naturally dissipate..."

Zhang Jiuxiao said.

The bronze mask hesitated: "What level of soul control are you referring to?"

"The soul must be controlled with the fineness of a hair, and not too strong, otherwise it will damage the painting, turning an eighth-level work into waste. Most importantly, this person must know where the spirituality is located and be extremely knowledgeable about calligraphy and painting!"

"This..." The bronze mask paused, frowning: "Where can we find such a person?"

Although the requirements he mentioned were few, no one in the entire Qingyuan City could likely meet them.

"No need to look..."

With a light smile, Zhang Jiuxiao stood straight as a spear, giving off an aura of untainted purity and self-confident arrogance.

"I, though unworthy, happen to fit the bill!"