"Thank you for your teachings, Master Tian. I understand completely," Li Yang said with a smile and a nod.
Tian Feng grunted, "Since that's the case, you shouldn't follow me then."
With that, he pushed the door open and entered the room.
Just as he was about to close the door, he saw Li Yang step inside, showing no intention of returning.
Tian Feng's heart immediately grew annoyed. Hadn't he just earnestly advised the young man? Why was he still so oblivious?
"Young man, this is not a place for you to be..."
"Boss Li, you've finally arrived!" Suddenly, a voice filled with pleasant surprise came from behind him.
Tian Feng froze for a moment, then turned to see the person who had arrived was Lou Dong, known as the "foremost expert in bronzes and epigraphy in Jiangcheng."
How did he know this young man? "Boss Lou, you know each other?"
"Yes, Mr. Tian," Lou Dong said, walking over with a smile. "And it was I who strongly invited Boss Li to grace us with his presence here."
"You invited him?" Tian Feng's expression couldn't help but change.
Some of the seasoned antique dealers around, upon hearing this, also showed signs of surprise. After so many years, Boss Lou was actually recommending someone to enter again!
This was a rare occurrence!
It was well known that Lou Dong's seniority was not ordinary. Even Tian Feng, in terms of his standing within the association alone, was likely inferior to Lou Dong.
Moreover, Lou Dong was very famous, so many people wished to receive his recommendation. Not only would it allow them to enter this place and exchange ideas with masters, but it could also lead to instant fame.
Li Yang took out the invitation card and smiled, "Master Tian, you are the host. To whom should this invitation card be presented?"
"Ah, well, it's enough for everyone to know. There's no need to present it to anyone. And since this is the first time, once everyone gets acquainted, there will be no need to show it," Tian Feng said somewhat awkwardly.
He never expected that at such a young age, Li Yang had already gained Lou Dong's admiration and been recommended to this place by him.
In the end, it turned out he was the one who looked like a clown.
Li Yang smiled, "Alright, Master Tian."
"I heard Boss Lou recommended a young fellow. Is he any good? Or did he misjudge?"
Suddenly, a long-haired old man leaning on a dragon-headed cane walked over with a cold smile, his eyes fixed on Li Yang.
However, it was clear to everyone that the old man's ultimate target was not Li Yang, but Lou Dong.
It was simply a way to suppress Lou Dong's reputation through Li Yang.
Lou Dong was not surprised by this. Where there were people, there was a Jianghu, and in traditional circles like the antique trade, reputation was even more highly valued. This was because reputation was the core element that guaranteed everything.
Those looking for appraisers, buying or selling items, all depended on whether your reputation was great and good.
If it wasn't good, who would dare to trade with you?
After all, with transactions often involving tens of millions, how could one trade carelessly?
Glancing at the old man, Lou Dong smiled and said, "Whether the person I recommend is capable enough cannot be explained with words. If you don't trust me, Old Man Fan, you can have a spar with Boss Li."
"Spar with a mere youngster like this? Heh, Boss Lou, you wish for me to lose face and be branded as someone who bullies the young, don't you?" Old Man Fan said with a cold laugh.
However, he did not let this opportunity pass. As soon as he finished speaking, he cast a glance at a tall man beside him. "Qingshan, you are only in your early thirties. In the antique circle, you are also considered a young man."
"Go and learn from Boss Li's skills. A spar and exchange would be beneficial for both of us."
"Yes, Father." Fan Qingshan nodded, then walked towards Li Yang, a cold expression on his face. "Boss Li, I wish to exchange skills and spar with you. Do you have the courage?"
"If it's just a simple demonstration, I have no interest," Li Yang said with a smile. "If you're willing to add some stakes, say, if you lose, you give me one or two hundred million, then I'd be quite happy to compete with you."
"One or two hundred million?" Fan Qingshan's face changed slightly. Setting such high stakes, was he trying to intimidate me?
Only the weak try to intimidate their opponents. The strong always charge forward and crush them with a single blow.
"Very well, Boss Li, let's set the stakes at one hundred million!"
"Well said! However you wish to spar, I will accompany you to the end," Li Yang said, clapping his hands, one step closer to his goal of ten billion.
The crowd present secretly shook their heads. This kid was simply too overconfident. Not only did he dare to spar with Fan Qingshan in antique appraisal, but he even let him choose the method of sparring. Wasn't this asking for death?
Old Man Fan's wrinkled old face already showed a smug cold smile, as if victory was within his grasp.
"You want me to choose the method of sparring?" Fan Qingshan was somewhat surprised, then smiled, "Then let's do something simple. How about blind appraisal?"
"That sounds good, let's do that," Li Yang said with a smile, showing some interest.
He hadn't tried blind appraisal before, and today he could have a taste of it.
The crowd present showed expressions of astonishment. "This kid actually agreed?"
"Is he crazy, or does he truly possess such ability?"
"Doesn't he know what blind appraisal entails? Boss Lou, you know better, why didn't you remind him?" Tian Feng said to Lou Dong in a low voice, his expression somewhat bewildered.
Unexpectedly, Lou Dong replied with a smile, "Don't worry, Mr. Tian. The outcome of this spar has already been decided. Boss Li is bound to win."
"Even if Old Man Fan himself were to participate, the outcome wouldn't be much better."
"Is Boss Li that formidable?" Tian Feng was greatly surprised. Something was not right. Generally, appraisers in their thirties or forties who could enter the Treasure Gathering Basin大会 were mostly being mentored by seniors, not necessarily because their strength was exceptionally powerful.
But judging from Lou Dong's words, it implied that Li Yang's appraisal skills were even superior to Old Man Fan's.
"Is that possible?"
Old Man Fan was one of the three elders of the Treasure Gathering Basin. In terms of appraisal strength, he was top-tier, on par with Lou Dong.
How could such a person be weaker than a young man in his early twenties?
Either I've misheard, or Boss Lou has gone mad!
Many people present felt that Lou Dong had become confused after not seeing his daughter for a long time. Even Old Man Fan chuckled coldly, "Hmph, this kid is better than me? Utterly ridiculous!"
"Qingshan, finish it quickly. Don't delay the subsequent appreciation meeting, nor Mr. Tian's birthday banquet."
"Father, don't worry, it will be over soon," Fan Qingshan nodded, then handed a piece of cloth to Li Yang and said, "Let's both tie this cloth around our eyes to blind ourselves. Then, we'll ask the seniors present to select two antique items for us to appraise blind."