Yang Huilan was extremely nervous. The title of Level 5 Appraiser was too formidable, and with their specialties aligning perfectly, Yang Huilan truly didn't know how Chen Ou could possibly lose.
In response, Wu Tian maintained his usual nonchalant demeanor.
It was as if these matters were of no consequence in his eyes.
He smiled and said, "You've presented your strongest item, congratulations. Now, please proceed with the appraisal."
Seeing Wu Tian's composure at this moment, Chen Ou couldn't help but scoff.
He believed Wu Tian's actions were merely a facade to conceal his inner panic.
He sneered, "Kid, keep pretending. No matter how you act, the outcome of this competition is already decided and cannot be changed!"
With that, he focused intently on the cup, meticulously examining it.
Although he was confident of victory, his previous experience of a surprising defeat made him exceptionally cautious. He immediately requested a set of appraisal tools from the President.
He spent a full half-hour scrutinizing the cup before finally ceasing his actions.
At this point, he appeared completely self-assured and addressed Wu Tian, "Kid, I have my answer now. Are you ready to kneel before me?"
Wu Tian smiled faintly, "Don't speak too soon. What if you're wrong?"
Chen Ou retorted dismissively, "Me, wrong? I'll tell you, that's absolutely impossible!"
"You have no idea how terrifying I am when I go all out."
"To be frank, when I was taking the Level 5 Appraiser exam, the examiner told me that in terms of porcelain, I had already reached the standard of a Level 6 Appraiser. How can you compare to me!"
"What?!" The crowd below was utterly shocked to hear Chen Ou's words.
After all, being a Level 5 Appraiser was already remarkable. Chen Ou was the only one in the entire county with this title, and there were only a few dozen across the entire province.
A Level 6 Appraiser was even more extraordinary, capable of holding a significant position in national cultural relic institutions!
Under such a formidable opponent, how could Wu Tian possibly stand a chance!
Yet, Wu Tian remained remarkably calm. He smiled and said, "Is that so? Level 6 Appraiser, truly impressive."
"Then announce your answer now, let me witness firsthand what the standard of a Level 6 Appraiser is."
Chen Ou cast a cold glance at him, then addressed the crowd, "Everyone, after my appraisal, this cup was crafted by the master craftsman Zhao Cong specifically for Emperor Zhao Kuangyin, and it was always kept in his chambers. It is the only one of its kind in the world."
"And the cup in our hands is a genuine article, with a market value of at least fifteen million!"
"Fifteen million?!" The crowd was stunned by Chen Ou's appraisal.
Such a small cup could be worth so much money!
Cultural relics truly cannot be priced based on appearance alone!
After speaking, Chen Ou looked smugly at the President and asked, "President, am I correct?"
However, the President's expression grew even more somber.
He said to Chen Ou, "Chen Ou, I think... you might want to take another look."
"There are many pitfalls in cultural relics. It's best not to jump to conclusions!"
But Chen Ou was already brimming with confidence, so he replied, "President, I know you're testing my confidence."
"Don't worry, I am very confident, and I will not change my answer."
"This cup was indeed made by the master craftsman Zhao Cong, and it is indeed Emperor Zhao Kuangyin's personal cup. I have no intention of changing my answer."
Upon hearing this, the President sighed and shook his head, "Chen Ou, I have already warned you."
"But since you are unwilling to change your answer, I can only tell you with regret that you are wrong. This item is not genuine."
"Ah?!" For a moment, everyone felt their scalps tingle.
It wasn't genuine?! Did this mean Chen Ou was mistaken!
Chen Ou could hardly believe his ears.
He exclaimed in shock, "It's not genuine? President, what are you talking about? This is clearly real!"
"I would never misjudge. This item, by all appearances, is a relic from the Song Dynasty. How can you say it's fake?"
The President said with a bitter expression, "Chen Ou, this relic is actually a trap."
"Many people made the same mistake before. Even three Level 8 Appraisers spent three days and three nights researching it before reaching the conclusion that it was fake."
"You tell me, the conclusion reached by three Level 8 Appraisers, could that be fake?"
Chen Ou was stunned.
He finally managed to stammer out, "No, that's not right! President, if you say it's a fake, you must provide an explanation!"
"Otherwise, I will never be convinced!"
The President explained, "Chen Ou, let me put it this way. To be more precise, this cup is both a fake and genuine."
"Because it is indeed a product of the Song Dynasty, and it was indeed a cup used by Zhao Kuangyin. But, but ultimately, you are still wrong!"
Chen Ou was utterly confused by the President's words and urgently asked, "No, President, what are you talking about? I don't understand at all!"
The spectators below were also bewildered.
What were they talking about?
If, according to the President's explanation, Chen Ou should have been correct, then how could he be wrong?
The President continued, "Don't rush, listen to me."
"It's like this: Zhao Cong did indeed craft a special cup for Zhao Kuangyin. However, that cup was later broken by Zhao Kuangyin's chief eunuch."
"At that time, Zhao Cong had already passed away from illness. The chief eunuch, having no other option, found another craftsman and had an identical cup made, passing it off as genuine and placing it in Zhao Kuangyin's chambers."
"Zhao Kuangyin was unaware of this matter throughout. It was only revealed by the chief eunuch on his deathbed."
"Therefore, you saying this cup was made by the master craftsman Zhao Cong... isn't that incorrect?"
Chen Ou could no longer hear the President's words.
He had never dreamed that such a secret would be hidden behind this small cup.
If he hadn't mentioned it was made by Zhao Cong, then he would have been correct.
But since he had, it indeed meant he was wrong!
Seeing Chen Ou's stunned expression, as if struck by lightning, the President sighed, "However, speaking of which, Chen Ou, you can't be blamed."
"After all, even those Level 7 Appraisers failed to correctly identify this cup. It's normal for you to make a mistake, so please don't be discouraged by this!"