Chapter 1995: Zhang Xuan's Explanation

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

Although Hall Master Wang was not an appraiser and knew little about the appraisal industry, being able to purchase this statue indicated that he knew quite a bit about Tranquility Stone, and naturally he could also identify its counterpart, Blood Stone.

He had intended to buy a Tranquility Stone, but it turned into this thing, and the key point was... Elder He said it was correct!

If he hadn't encountered this young man and had taken it back... before long, he would likely have been entangled by vengeful spirits, fallen into depression, and might have committed suicide on the spot like that rabbit!

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

A surge of anger rushed to his heart. He turned to look at the old man before him, furious enough to explode.

Normally, given his status, he wouldn't dare speak to the other party like this, but... having nearly died just now, anyone would find it unacceptable.

"I..."

His body trembling, Elder He didn't know how to answer. He crouched down and picked up the fragments of the statue. No matter how he looked at it, it was Blood Stone, with no connection to Tranquility Stone whatsoever.

In an instant, he seemed to have aged ten years. Trembling for a moment, he looked at Zhang Xuan and said, "May I ask... how should I address you, sir?"

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

It was better not to reveal his elder status for now, lest the other party be frightened to death on the spot.

"Young Brother Zhang, this statue—I clearly saw it as Tranquility Stone, but how..."

Gone was his previous arrogance; his address had changed to "young brother." Elder He bowed deeply.

He appeared to have made no mistake, yet the result turned out like this. The other party had known in advance, so he must have seen the root of the problem.

Previously, he had encountered inner disciples of the Lingyun Sword Pavilion who came to take on tasks and try their luck, but they knew nothing, made many jokes, and even ruined a highly valuable treasure, causing him to be punished.

For this reason, he had developed some aversion to the so-called tasks of the Sword Pavilion disciples.

Seeing that this fellow was also young, he thought he was like the others, here to try his luck and cheat on the task. Unexpectedly... he was a true appraiser!

His eyesight was far superior to his own.

Seeing that the other had lost his previous arrogance, Zhang Xuan couldn't be bothered to say much. He casually picked up a piece of rubble and held it in his palm: "Tranquility Stone and Blood Stone are opposites, yet both can emit power that affects people's spirit and mind. This, I need not elaborate; you all understand, right?"

Everyone nodded.

Tranquility Stone and Blood Stone are both types of spirit stones. Ordinary spirit stones can store spiritual energy and provide energy for cultivation, but these store things that affect the human spirit!

"Elder He's appraisal was correct; it was indeed left by Immortal Lord Duhe, carved by him personally, and even the outer colors were painted by him..." Zhang Xuan continued.

"Left by him, then..." Elder He was puzzled.

In that case, he hadn't made a mistake!

But why was the result so vastly different from what was inferred?

"Does anyone know what kind of person this Immortal Lord Duhe was?"

Without answering his question, Zhang Xuan looked around.

"I know..." Yuanqing couldn't help but speak up: "Immortal Lord Duhe was a master of medicine a hundred years ago, kind-hearted, and saved countless lives throughout his life. For this reason, many people enshrined his statue, both to repay his kindness and to pray for peace. How could such a person create something with Blood Stone to harm future generations?"

Immortal Lord Duhe was a super-strong expert who appeared in Wuhai City a hundred years ago. He was a physician with great renown, saving countless lives. How could he deliberately harm others?

Using Blood Stone to carve his image and giving it a calming effect was clearly misleading!

"Harm? You're wrong!" Zhang Xuan shook his head: "He created this not to harm, but, as you just said, to save people!"

"Save people?"

Everyone was even more confused.

"This thing is carved from Blood Stone, with special power painted on the outside. On the surface, it adds color and makes the stone look lifelike, but in reality, just like my painting earlier, it uses brushstrokes to outline a special formation that suppresses the killing aura within. Not only that, it can also provide power, constantly emitting a calming aura to put people's minds at ease."

Seeing everyone's confusion, Zhang Xuan explained, "Normally, these killing intents would remain completely invisible, which is why Elder He thought it was genuine!"

Elder He nodded.

He indeed had not detected any killing intent.

"Under normal circumstances, killing intents do not emanate. But with the help of a formation that releases these calming energies, it becomes impossible... The fusion of the formation essentially disrupts the array diagram drawn on the statue. At first, nothing seems amiss, but over time, the killing intents slowly seep into the cultivator's body. If Master Wang had used this item just now, not only would he have lost consciousness and committed suicide, but he might also have killed his relatives and family, dragging them all to their deaths!"

Master Wang shrank back, his head covered in sweat.

Some treasures, if used well, can bring rapid progress; if used poorly... one might not even know how they died!

This was a case in point.

For this reason, the profession of appraiser held a very high status and earned money very quickly.

"Although I don't know much about the life of Immortal Lord Duhe, I suspect that he created this item not to harm others, but to treat patients in a coma!"

Ignoring his panic, Zhang Xuan continued, "For patients in a coma who cannot be awakened by any means, stimulating the spirit is the best approach! This statue first releases a calming and soothing power, putting people off guard, and then... the killing intents quietly invade, effectively stimulating the soul and quickly waking them up!"

Back then, Wei Ruyan, unable to control the power of her innate poison body, fell into a coma and could not be awakened by any means, until special medicine was used successfully.

If this item had been available at that time, it might have worked.

Even when a person is in a coma, the body has a self-protection mechanism that resists intruders. For example, his physical body, even when his soul leaves, can fight on its own if it senses danger!

Like boiling a frog in warm water.

Initially, the calming energy is released, causing the body to gradually lower its defenses. At that point, stimulation is more effective!

That was why he said the other party created this to save people, not to harm them.

"This... I have studied the life of Immortal Lord Duhe. His youngest daughter, after an accident, fell into a coma and slept for half a year. All kinds of methods were tried but to no avail. Later... she woke up through some unknown method, which he never revealed, becoming a great mystery... Could this be it?"

Elder He stood frozen in place.

As an appraiser, he needed to know many things. He had read relevant books about Immortal Lord Duhe's life and knew about his youngest daughter.

He hadn't thought of it before, but upon hearing Zhang Xuan's words, it suddenly dawned on him.

"That should be it. Objects have no inherent good or evil; it depends on how they are used. Using this item to treat comatose patients is highly effective, but using it for cultivation... can easily lead to demonic possession!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

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

Elder He understood. He looked at the young man before him with a complex expression, then after a moment, nodded reluctantly: "I lost... Master Wang, I will compensate you!"

"Elder He is too kind!"

Master Wang quickly returned the courtesy.

After finishing the formalities, he looked at Zhang Xuan with gratitude in his eyes: "Brother Zhang, you not only saved Master Wang, but also saved me!"

The other party had stopped Master Wang at a critical moment. Although he had been very angry just now, on reflection, it had actually saved him.

Otherwise, if the other party had truly cultivated and something went wrong, as the appraiser, he would certainly have faced judgment!

"May I ask, am I now qualified to complete the task assigned by the sect?"

Zhang Xuan said with a slight smile.

"Of course..."

Elder He quickly nodded: "This way, please!"

He hadn't even noticed what the other party had recognized at a glance. His insight was far superior by who knows how many times.

Perhaps... he really could solve that matter he had been powerless to handle...

"Mm."

Zhang Xuan followed him out.