"Fine, I'll give you one then! Even if I lose, I won't ask you for it. I just want you to apologize … "
Seeing how the fellow before her didn't even know how valuable her painting was, Zhang Ziqing felt even more infuriated.
"Apologize? That won't happen! "
Zhang Xuan shook his head. "I have never lost a duel before. If you want to duel, hurry up! I still have other matters to attend to!"
"Alright!"
Zhang Ziqing took a few deep breaths to suppress her stifled emotions before turning to Zhang Xuan and saying, "There's no such thing as the best in literature and the second best in martial arts. Under normal circumstances, it's difficult to tell the difference between a painting of the same level. After all, everyone has their own preferences and preferences, so the conclusion they come up with is completely different as well. In order to ensure fairness, I have a [Wu Dao Mirror] here. It's able to determine the quality of a painting without any deviation! "
With a flick of her wrist, a circular copper mirror appeared in her hand, floating quietly in the air.
"Wu Dao Mirror?"
Zhang Xuan was perplexed.
"That's right. This was created by the founder of the Painter Guild, Founder Wu Dao Mirror. It's able to determine the quality of a painting. Even though this is only a replica, it's more than sufficient to determine the quality of our paintings!"
Seeing that Zhang Xuan didn't even know about this, Zhang Ziqing's displeasure deepened.
The Wu Dao Mirror was something that the founder of the Painter Guild had left behind back then. As long as a painting was a work of art, it would be able to easily assess its quality. The true treasures would surely be kept in the Painter Guild. Even though Zhang Xuan's Wu Dao Mirror was a replica created by an expert in her previous life, it was still extremely useful for appraising paintings.
"Can I take a look at it?"
Zhang Xuan asked.
"Here!"
Knowing that the other party would surely examine it, Zhang Ziqing flicked her wrist, and the Wu Dao Mirror flew over.
Zhang Xuan placed his finger on the mirror before pushing it back. "I'm done. Can we begin now?"
A book appeared in the Library of Heaven's Path, and in the blink of an eye, he realized that the mirror was indeed able to determine the quality of a painting.
"You're done?"
Zhang Ziqing was taken aback.
It was just a moment ago that he didn't know what was going on, but before the mirror could reach him, he had already said that he was done looking at it … What a joke!
"This Wu Dao Mirror was created by a Nine Stars painter, Grandmaster Zhi Yang, three hundred years ago. Its entire body is tempered with glittering gold ore, and there are thirty-seven runes inscribed on it. It contains the power of the world within the painting, and its spirituality contains Senior Zhi Yang's insights into painting and calligraphy. There is no doubt that it is fair and impartial!"
Zhang Xuan nodded.
"You … how did you know?"
Zhang Ziqing widened her eyes in shock.
The Wu Dao Mirror had been kept in the Painter Guild ever since it was forged. It was only during the Clan Assembly that Zhang Xuan reported to his teacher and requested for it to be released.
It had taken him a great deal of effort before he was able to glean this information. Yet, the young man before him had just taken a look at it, and without even holding it in his hand, he had already casually mentioned it …
Even her teacher wasn't capable of such a feat!
"Oh, I happen to be an appraiser, so I recognized it with a single glance …"
Zhang Xuan didn't explain and waved his hand casually.
"Appraiser?" Zhang Ziqing was perplexed.
Even she had never heard of the Wu Dao Mirror before, and yet, the other party was able to identify it with a single glance … Was there really such an ability in appraiser? Who was he trying to fool?
However, she knew that this wasn't the time to be thinking about such matters. She flicked her wrist, and a piece of white paper appeared on the table.
This piece of white paper was different from the xuan paper that she had seen before. It was pure white, and its surface was smooth. It was as if ordinary ink wouldn't be able to stain it at all.
"This is [Flowing Light Paper]. It's forged using the blood of saint beasts and Flowing Light Ores. Painting on it will remain intact for ten thousand years, and its color won't fade at all.
Zhang Wuchen, who was standing at the back of the crowd, nodded in agreement.
The paper used by a painter was similar to the sword used by a warrior. The higher the tier of the paper, the more beautiful the painting would be.
Flowing Light Paper was extremely famous in the world of painting. However, due to its low production rate, even Nine Stars painters only had a handful of them. Yet, Zhang Ziqing had casually taken it out and used it to paint. It seemed like she viewed this competition with great importance.
"She must have heard of the collapse of the formation, and coincidentally, the other party said that her painting isn't good. That's why she's using this as an excuse to make a fuss!"
Zhang Wuchen quickly came to a realization.
The formation guarding the entrance of the Zhang clan had been destroyed by Zhang Xuan. Four hours ago, he had already spread the news to the clan, and anyone of the younger generation should have heard of it.
Even though Zhang Ziqing was a lady, she had a strong sense of belonging to the clan. She was bound to be displeased by this matter, so she intentionally found an excuse to let the other party know that there's always someone better out there!
Otherwise, why would the number one talented lady of the Zhang clan appear here in the guest room, and even get into a conflict with the young man before him?
With such thoughts in mind, Zhang Wuchen couldn't help but look around, and after a moment of astonishment, he shook his head.
"Since all of them are here, it seems like Zhang Xuan is in for a tough time …"
Elder Wuzhen could tell what Zhang Wuchen was thinking, so he lowered his voice and spoke.
"Hehe, that's good as well. This way, that fellow will know the prowess of our Zhang clan and won't get too arrogant …"
Zhang Wuchen nodded.
Most of the top experts of the younger generation of the Zhang clan were here. It seemed like the First Elder's method was indeed effective.
With the younger generation challenging the other party, no one could say anything about it.
Hu!
While the two of them were conversing with one another, Zhang Ziqing flicked her wrist and took out a brush.
"That's the 'Empyrean Sacred Fox Brush'. It's made from the tail fur of the Empyrean Fox, and its value far surpasses that of the Lightstream Paper!"
"To take out two powerful treasures at once, that fellow is in for a tough time!"
"That might not be the case. The fact that he dared to accept Zhang Ziqing's challenge despite knowing how skilled she is in painting means that he's not weak either. Perhaps, he might have an even more powerful artifact in hand!"
"That's true …"
Upon seeing the appearance of the brush, a commotion broke out in the surroundings.
Those who were invited by the Zhang clan were all talented individuals. Even though they were unorthodox painters, they had heard of all the famous brushes in the world.
The Empyrean Sacred Fox Brush could be considered as one of the best in the entire Master Teacher Continent.
"This incense stick burns out completely. If he can't complete it, he'll be considered to have lost!"
Zhang Ziqing took out another bottle of ink and licked the brush until it was full. Then, with a light flick of her finger, a long incense stick appeared in the middle of the courtyard. It began burning slowly, and a faint fragrance wafted from it.
Since this was a duel, there was a time limit. Otherwise, if one were to paint for an hour while the other party was to paint for ten years … how could the effects be the same?
"Alright!"
Zhang Xuan replied.
Judging from the speed at which the incense stick was burning, it would probably burn out in less than an hour. It would be a little tight for him to use that time to paint.
"Let's begin then …"
Seeing that Zhang Xuan had agreed to it, Zhang Ziqing couldn't be bothered to waste any more time. Her brush floated above the Paper of Flowing Light, and with a light tap, a curved line immediately appeared, emanating a dazzling glow.
(I've already dropped out of the top ten. Does anyone still have any votes left? Vote for Laoya!)
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