"What are the conditions?" Chen Ou asked.
"What's the point of a friendly competition, anyway? There are no prizes," Wu Tian said.
"So, I think it's more interesting to have something substantial involved, don't you think?"
Chen Ou understood Wu Tian's meaning and said, "Judging by your words, you want to set some stakes, don't you?"
"Alright, since you're so interested, I can accommodate you. Tell me, what do you want to bet?"
Wu Tian smiled and said, "Friendship comes first, so there's no need to go too far."
"How about this: whoever loses admits that they are inferior to the other. What do you think?"
Chen Ou grinned and said, "Is that all? That's so boring. I think we should add something more."
"Whoever loses between us has to kneel down and admit they are inferior to the other. What do you think?"
Upon hearing Chen Ou's added condition, a hint of a smile appeared on Wu Tian's face.
How could he not understand Chen Ou's intentions? This guy just wanted revenge.
But since Chen Ou was so unappreciative, Wu Tian had no reason to refuse. He nodded and said, "No problem, I agree."
The crowd immediately erupted.
These were not ordinary conditions; this was a duel on the level of dignity.
Whoever lost would be utterly disgraced and would never be able to hold their head up in the appraisal industry again!
The president said worriedly, "Aren't these conditions a bit much?"
"My original intention was just friendly exchange, but if you do this, isn't it going against the original purpose of the exchange?"
Chen Ou said coldly, "President, this has nothing to do with your wishes anymore."
"This is our agreement. You just need to provide us with the necessary things."
Hearing Chen Ou's words, the president moved his lips but couldn't say anything.
He could only sigh and say, "Alas, if that's the case, then so be it. You compete."
"However, appraisal also has difficulty levels. What level of competition do you intend to have?"
Chen Ou sneered, "I am a Level 5 Appraiser. What do I have to fear? Let's just go with the most difficult level."
As he spoke, he looked at Wu Tian with a hint of mockery and said, "Kid, do you dare?"
Wu Tian smiled faintly and said, "What is there to not dare? The most difficult it is, the better. Anyway, for me, there's no such thing as a difficult competition."
"Arrogant!" Chen Ou was displeased with Wu Tian's words.
He said angrily, "Keep pretending. You'll know later that this is not something you can pretend about!"
At the president's signal, several people walked out and carried boxes onto the stage one by one.
These boxes were identical in specifications and appearance.
This meant that it was impossible to determine any special content from the boxes.
After all the boxes were on stage, the president explained, "Everyone, the highest difficulty level we have is for the opponent to randomly select an item from ten boxes for appraisal."
"These boxes may contain calligraphy and paintings, jade, or handicrafts."
"In short, no matter what it is, once it's drawn, it must be appraised. Does everyone understand?"
Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but gasp, and at the same time, surprise appeared in their eyes.
No wonder it was the highest difficulty level. This was indeed terrifying.
After all, although appraisal is an industry, it is divided into many categories.
For example, those who appraise antiques only appraise antiques, and those who appraise clocks and watches only appraise clocks and watches. Each person is only responsible for appraisal within their own category.
One person might be able to cover two or three categories, but certainly not too many.
Now, the ten boxes could contain items from almost any category, which meant that the competitors needed extremely high knowledge.
Otherwise, if an item from a category they knew nothing about was drawn, it would be completely over!
Chen Ou grinned at Wu Tian and said, "This is the highest difficulty level. Do you know fear now?"
Although he was also surprised that Wu Tian could win against him earlier, he felt it was just a fluke.
Besides, even if Wu Tian was knowledgeable about swords, so what?
Wu Tian was just a young man. His knowledge and experience could not compare to his.
As a Level 5 Appraiser, his basic requirement was to be able to appraise across three categories.
And he knew that the county's appraisal association's current inventory did not contain any items beyond his knowledge.
This meant that no matter what was drawn, he could appraise it!
But Wu Tian?
Wu Tian couldn't do that!
Looking at Chen Ou's smug face, Wu Tian, although he didn't know what he was thinking, could basically guess most of it.
He smiled faintly and said, "We haven't started competing yet, why should I be afraid?"
"What if I get lucky and draw something I know?"
Chen Ou found it hard to accept that Wu Tian was still so calm at this point.
He snorted and said, "Hmph! Just keep relying on your luck. I don't believe your luck can always be this good today!"
After both sides were ready, Wu Tian said with a smile, "Let's do it the same way as before. You go first with the appraisal, how about it?"
"Of course, if you're afraid, that's fine too. Then let me go first!"
Chen Ou immediately said, "Afraid? Ridiculous, what could I be afraid of!"
"Today, I'll let you see what true professionalism is!"
Wu Tian smiled and nodded, "Is that so? Then I'll wait and see!"
After speaking, he casually glanced at the boxes and then pointed to one of them, saying, "That one."
Chen Ou walked over and opened the box.
When he saw what was inside, he immediately revealed a smug smile.
He turned to Wu Tian and said, "Do you know what you've chosen for me? It's porcelain!"
He took out the item from the box. It was indeed a cup for drinking water.
The cup was painted gold and had a dragon emblem on it. It was clear that it was no ordinary item.
Chen Ou continued to smile smugly and said, "Kid, I'm afraid you don't know, so I'll tell you."
"When I first entered the appraisal industry, I learned porcelain appraisal. In other words, this is my strongest specialty!"
"You're competing with my strongest specialty now. Do you think you have a chance of winning? Hahaha!"
Upon hearing this, Yang Huilan's expression immediately changed.
She also knew that Chen Ou was quite skilled in porcelain appraisal.
Now that Chen Ou had obtained a piece of porcelain, wasn't the situation dire?