It was a landscape painting, depicting green mountains under a setting sun, a surging river, birds taking flight with cries, and an old fisherman casting his line by the riverbank.
The brushstrokes throughout the painting were exceptionally gentle, imbued with the essence of nature, bringing immediate peace and contentment to the viewer, as if their entire being was merging with nature's warmth.
When the landscape painting was fully unfurled, everyone present couldn't help but let out an exclamation of awe.
Zhao Tianyue said with a smile, "According to the client, this was acquired at an auction. It's a private work by Su Dongpo."
"This painting has never been exhibited before, making its appraisal extremely difficult. And this, is the final test."
Upon seeing the painting, Zhao Xiaojie immediately beamed and said, "Looks like I've hit the bullseye! Do you know how I became a Level 7 Appraiser? That's right, it was through landscape paintings."
"I have an innate, exceptional sensitivity to landscape paintings. So, you're destined to lose this competition."
Hearing Zhao Xiaojie's words, Wu Tian felt completely assured.
His guess was indeed correct. The appraisal target and the competition opponent had been arranged, all to test him at the highest possible level.
He didn't feel that this was making things difficult for him.
After all, it was a test. If they went easy, how could it be called a test?
He smiled slightly and said, "Don't speak too soon. Although you are an expert in landscape paintings, you faced a calligraphy expert and a currency expert before, and they both lost to me in their respective fields."
"Confidence is a good thing, but how can you be so sure that you won't lose to me as well?"
Zhao Xiaojie paused slightly, then said indignantly, "I'm different from them. When I say I can win, I will definitely win. Just you wait!"
Wu Tian shrugged and chuckled, "Is that so? Then you go ahead and appraise it first."
"I'll observe your technique from the side and see what kind of skills a Level 7 Appraiser truly possesses."
Zhao Xiaojie did not decline. She let out a cold snort and then began the appraisal.
Although she boasted of victory, Wu Tian's previous performance was truly astonishing.
Therefore, she dared not be careless. She immediately called for a set of tools, and judging by her preparations, she intended to go all out.
Seeing this, everyone was surprised.
After all, Zhao Xiaojie was a gifted prodigy, often appraising without needing any tools.
Yet this time, she had prepared so thoroughly, indicating she was indeed going all out.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on Zhao Xiaojie, their hearts filled with tension.
After all, they had already seen two geniuses lose to Wu Tian. If Zhao Xiaojie also lost, wouldn't that mean that none of the geniuses from their Divine Artifact Sect could match Wu Tian?
Time ticked by, and Zhao Xiaojie, holding a magnifying glass, meticulously examined every detail of the landscape painting.
It was rather interesting, too. Although Zhao Xiaojie was usually so arrogant and had a fiery temper, her demeanor during appraisal was completely different, as if she had transformed into another person.
After about an hour, Zhao Xiaojie finally withdrew from her appraisal state.
She stretched, her tall and slender figure revealing incredibly beautiful curves that made one's mouth water.
"I'm done here," she said. "It's your turn now."
Wu Tian smiled and said, "I've already gone through two tests. Don't you know my methods by now? I don't need to look again. I'll just write down the answer."
Zhao Xiaojie's eyes widened immediately, and she exclaimed, "No, aren't you being too arrogant?"
"It's one thing to deal with them like that, but your opponent is me now!"
"I am a Level 7 Appraiser. If you treat me with such an attitude, you'll definitely regret it!"
Wu Tian continued to laugh, "My regretting is my own business. Why are you so worried about me? What, are you that afraid I'll lose to you?"
Zhao Xiaojie was taken aback, then flushed with anger, saying, "Don't talk nonsense. Who's afraid of losing to you? I just hope you'll show some respect for this competition!"
Wu Tian replied, "I am showing respect. What more do you want from me?"
"Do I have to be like you, constantly peering through a magnifying glass to show respect? There's no such rule in the appraisal world, is there?"
Zhao Xiaojie was rendered speechless by Wu Tian's retort.
At this moment, Zhao Tianyue smiled and said, "Wu Tian is right. There is indeed no such rule in the appraisal profession."
"Since Wu Tian has said so, let it be. The appraisal segment is over. You can both write down your answers now."
After they had written their answers, Zhao Tianyue opened them and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Zhao Xiaojie eagerly asked, "Dad, hurry up and announce the answer! Tell me, who won?"
Zhao Tianyue did not rush to announce it. Instead, he looked at Wu Tian and asked, "Wu Tian, before I announce the answer, I feel I must ask you a question."
"Who taught you these appraisal skills?"
"Even if you are a student of appraisal, as far as I know, there is no teacher in the country who could teach you such appraisal methods, right?"
Wu Tian smiled and said, "Sect Leader Zhao, why do you ask such a question again?"
"I can only tell you that no one taught me appraisal; I learned it all myself."
"There is a golden house within books. Just read more books, isn't that enough?"
Wu Tian's answer left everyone bewildered.
What did he mean by "just read more books"? This was appraisal, a practical skill. What use was theoretical knowledge from books?
Zhao Tianyue was also somewhat skeptical of Wu Tian's words, but he had only asked on a whim. Since Wu Tian wouldn't elaborate, he let it go.
He steered the conversation back to the main topic and said, "Alright, then let me announce both of your answers."
"Zhao Xiaojie appraised it as genuine, while Wu Tian... appraised it as a fake!"
The onlookers were once again thrown into a commotion. How could this pattern repeat for the third time?
Wu Tian had won the previous two rounds. Would he win this one as well?
Zhao Xiaojie exclaimed in surprise, "Fake? No, how can this be fake?"
"I checked it from every angle. This is clearly a work by Su Dongpo. I absolutely refuse to believe it's a fake."
"Dad, I won this time, right? He must be wrong!"
As she said this, she was also a little nervous. After all, Wu Tian had won twice, and she was worried she would be the third.
Facing her hopeful gaze, Zhao Tianyue showed no favoritism.
He shook his head regretfully and said, "This time, Wu Tian has won again."