Ye Fan paid no attention to the shocked gazes of the crowd, instead offering a slight smile.
However, Wu Liuding’s face was as cold as ice. He glared fiercely at Ye Fan and said angrily, "Ye Fan, you are slandering me! This silver goblet has been appraised by over a dozen experts and confirmed to be a genuine treasure. You are simply jealous and intentionally slandering my Wu family. With your eyesight, can you really surpass the experts of the Antiquities Association?"
Wu Liuding pressed hard, his words filled with accusation.
Ye Fan frowned slightly at this. Wu Liuding was truly stubborn, refusing to admit defeat even now.
"Young Master Wu truly has great spirit. I, Ye, admire you. However, facts are facts. Since Young Master Wu is unwilling to concede, we can simply test it."
He then instructed Elder Lei to prepare the necessary items.
The silver goblet was placed in a pot and heated.
Soon, as the heat increased, the foot of the silver goblet began to melt, and then, the fractured section clearly appeared.
Repairs made later, after all, could not compare to the original craftsmanship. As the foot broke, Ye Fan extinguished the flames.
"The fractured part has been artificially repaired, and the craftsmanship is excellent, skillfully concealing the repaired areas. However, a fake is a fake. Even after treatment, it cannot deceive heaven and earth. Young Master Wu, do you have anything else to say?"
Looking at Wu Liuding, Ye Fan asked coldly.
Seeing that everything had been exposed, Wu Liuding’s expression immediately darkened, his eyes filled with intense anger.
But this had already become a fact. No matter how angry Wu Liuding was, it was useless.
"Ye Fan, you truly have remarkable skills. However, this is only the beginning. We shall see."
He coldly dropped this sentence and then turned back to his seat.
Wu Liuding’s hatred for Ye Fan had reached its peak.
Seeing that Wu Liuding had conceded, Ye Fan snorted, "Young Master Wu, you speak the truth. We shall see. However, I hope that next time, Young Master Wu can bring some genuine high-quality items instead of trying to fool us with such defective products."
Since their relationship had already soured, Ye Fan naturally had no need to save him face.
From the moment he stood on opposing sides with the Liu family, Ye Fan had already prepared himself to be enemies with the Dark Alliance.
The four great families were united and advanced and retreated together.
Therefore, Ye Fan had long been prepared. However, the alliance of the four great families was not unbreakable. Once they were offered sufficient benefits, such an alliance would instantly crumble.
Of course, before that, Ye Fan wanted to make them feel pain and strike them hard.
As long as they knew fear, everything else would be easy to discuss.
The only reply Ye Fan received was Wu Liuding’s cold snort.
Elder Lei looked at Ye Fan with immense joy. Such discerning eyes were simply miraculous.
Even after so many years in this industry, his eyesight was not as sharp as Ye Fan’s.
The next few items, appraised by members of the Dark Alliance, also quickly yielded results.
The two items presented by the Tianyin Pavilion and the Bowang Pavilion were both disqualified.
This made Shen Tianyin and Liu Piaoxu unhappy, but the value of the items truly could not compare to the other few. They could only accept this unwilling reality.
The remaining items were all from Ye Fan’s Bogu Zhai.
Elder Lei, with a face full of joy, brought out the item.
"This is the most precious thing I have ever seen. A thousand-character classic in Slender Gold Script. According to research, the owner of this work is the historically famous Emperor of Calligraphy, Emperor Huizong of Song. Therefore, the value of this authentic thousand-character classic is immeasurable."
Elder Lei was full of excitement. To see such a treasure in his lifetime was truly a life well-lived.
Even after mingling in the antique world for so many years, he had never seen such a precious treasure.
Upon hearing Elder Lei's words, the members of the Dark Alliance simultaneously frowned, their faces wearing heavy expressions.
It had to be said that there were not many things that could shock them.
However, even so, Liu Yuan still coldly snorted, "Emperor Huizong's Slender Gold Script thousand-character classic? Are you kidding me?"
Wu Liuding also snorted coldly, "I've long heard that Emperor Huizong's authentic thousand-character classic was looted by the Jin state when the Northern Song dynasty fell, and its whereabouts have been unknown since then. How could Ye Fan possibly have such a treasure?"
But Zhao Danfeng and Wang Qingfeng furrowed their brows, their gazes fixed on the calligraphy scroll.
The calligraphy was flowing and unrestrained, carrying an extraordinary domineering aura.
The entire piece was completed in one go, demonstrating the author's astonishing brushwork.
What was most remarkable was the paper, which was not pieced together but was a single, integral piece of paper.
Moreover, the paper was adorned with golden threads forming dragon patterns, making it exquisite.
Not to mention the value of the calligraphy itself, the value of the entire piece of paper was already immeasurable.
Ye Fan slowly stood up, a faint smile on his face. "This calligraphy scroll, I don't need to say more, do I? Everyone can appraise it themselves."
This calligraphy scroll was obtained by Ye Fan after much effort from the ghost market.
He had spent a great deal of money for it, and this was even considering Mr. Cao's favor.
Otherwise, no matter how tempted he was, he would never have obtained it.
Upon hearing Ye Fan’s words, the crowd below was stunned. How much confidence did one need to say such a thing?
Elder Lei smiled and nodded, "I also see no issues with this calligraphy scroll. If anyone has a different opinion, feel free to point it out."
Since it had been appraised by Ye Fan, there must be no problems with this calligraphy scroll.
Elder Lei was fully aware of Ye Fan's capabilities.
"In my opinion, this calligraphy scroll is probably a fake?"
At this moment, Liu Yuan slowly stood up, looking at the scroll and saying coldly.
Elder Lei was slightly taken aback, but then a smile curved his lips. "Young Master Liu, what is your high opinion? Why not share it so we can all broaden our horizons. The Liu family is a prominent family, and I am sure your appraisal methods are very unique. To be honest, I am truly eager."
Elder Lei smiled, and there was even a hint of mockery deep in his eyes.
Liu Yuan naturally heard the mockery in Elder Lei's words, but he snorted coldly and stepped forward.
"You claim this is an authentic work by Emperor Huizong. Then I would like to ask, why is there no inscription from Emperor Huizong on it? As everyone knows, all works by ancient emperors and generals would have their unique seals below, which is an important factor in identifying authenticity. Yet, this calligraphy scroll has no seal at all. Isn't that strange?"
Liu Yuan wore a bland smile, his words hitting the key point.
Indeed, this thousand-character classic calligraphy scroll had no inscription of the author's information, nor any seals.
Elder Lei smiled slightly and looked at Ye Fan.
He saw that Ye Fan also had a faint smile on his face.
"The Liu family is a renowned prominent family in Jiangcheng, yet how could they cultivate a piece of trash like you?"
Squinting his eyes, Ye Fan’s gaze was filled with disdain.
"Have you never heard the saying, 'The Slender Gold Script is known throughout the land'?"
Fixing his gaze on Liu Yuan, Ye Fan asked in a deep voice.