Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 27 Showing Off One's Edge

This is an ancient painting, with hazy landscapes and a profound artistic conception.

"The 'Misty Rain Painting' is the work of Wu Dao, the painting master of the previous dynasty, and is a high-grade Xuan-level painting. But..." Lin Chen paused, "this painting is half real and half fake."

The deacon raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean by that?"

"The painting is authentic, but the ink contains 'Soul-Eating Powder'." Lin Chen's gaze was piercing.

"This poison is colorless and odorless, and prolonged exposure will erode the soul. Therefore, this thing is both a treasure and a poison."

After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

Even Xuanjizi on the high platform opened his eyes and looked at Lin Chen.

The deacon's expression was grave. He took out a poison-detecting artifact and affixed it to the painting. A moment later...

"It is indeed poisonous." The steward said in a deep voice, "How did Young Master Lin determine that?"

"The scent," Lin Chen made up on the spot, "The Soul-Eating Powder has a very faint sandalwood scent, which is difficult for ordinary people to detect."

In fact, the "Treasure Knowledge" skill directly provided the information.

Xuanjizi suddenly spoke:

"Young Master Lin correctly identified all three treasures and also deciphered the poison in the painting, so one point is awarded. He is currently in first place."

An uproar broke out again.

Wang Yun, Cui Ming, and the others looked ashen-faced.

Wen Ruoxi's eyes sparkled with admiration, and Qingluan also glanced at her sideways.

"Hmph, it's just good luck," Cui Ming sneered. "The real show is yet to come."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xuanjizi flicked his sleeve:

"The first round is over. The top twenty will enter the hall for the second round."

Of the nearly three hundred people in the square, ninety percent were instantly eliminated.

Lin Chen was naturally included, and Wang Yun and Cui Ming also barely made it in.

Wang Sheng was eliminated. He glared at Lin Chen fiercely and stormed off.

……

The Wanbao Hall is spacious and high.

There were nine jade tables in the hall, each with only one treasure on it, all covered with brocade.

"The second round: identify these nine treasures," said Xuanjizi.

"These nine items range from the lowest grade of Xuan to the highest grade of Di."

The truth is unknown, the information is unknown, you all have half an hour.

The difficulty level suddenly increased.

Even Earth-rank treasures have appeared!

Everyone looked solemn and stepped forward.

Lin Chen walked to the first jade table and lifted the brocade.

It was a broken sword, its blade rusted and jagged. Yet, a chilling aura emanated from it.

【Broken Rainbow Sword】: A low-grade Earth-rank broken weapon.

Originally a high-grade Earth-rank divine sword, it was the sword of the "Sword Demon" Murong Canghai three hundred years ago, but it broke during the Battle of Kunlun. The sword still retains the Sword Demon's sword intent; if one can comprehend it, one can obtain the Sword Demon's legacy. A genuine item.

Earth-rank! And it's a relic of the Sword Demon!

Lin Chen was shaken, but remained outwardly calm, noting down the information and moving on to the next case.

Of the nine treasures examined, five were genuine and four were replicas.

Among the genuine items, there are two low-grade Earth-rank items and three high-grade Profound-rank items.

The counterfeits are so well-made that they are almost impossible to distinguish without specialized skills.

Half an hour passed quickly.

"Time's up," Xuanjizi said. "Please write down your answers."

Each person is given a slip of paper to write down the name, grade, authenticity, and the basis for their judgment for each treasure.

Lin Chen picked up his pen and quickly wrote down the information about the nine treasures one by one.

Just make a slight modification to the basis of the judgment—you can't just write "the system told me."

After collecting the papers, Xuanjizi personally reviewed them. The atmosphere in the hall was heavy.

"Wang Yun of the Wang family, correctly identify three items," Xuanjizi announced.

Wang Yun's face turned pale.

"Cui Ming of the Cui family correctly identified four items."

Cui Ming gritted his teeth.

"Li Hao of the Li family, correctly identified five items..."

More than a dozen people reported their names, but the highest number of correct answers was only six.

Finally, Xuanjizi picked up a piece of paper, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes:

"Lin Chen of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion answered all nine questions correctly."

"Impossible!" Cui Ming exclaimed in disbelief.

"Nine correct? Elder Xuanji, there must be something fishy going on here!"

Xuanjizi glanced at him indifferently: "Are you questioning me, or the Heavenly Mystery Institute?"

Cui Ming choked, not daring to say anything more.

"Young Master Lin," Xuanjizi said, looking at Lin Chen.

Which of these nine treasures is the most valuable?

Lin Chen didn't hesitate:

"The third item is the 'Broken Rainbow Sword'. Although it is a broken weapon, it contains the sword intent of the Sword Demon. If one has the opportunity to comprehend it, its value is no less than that of a mid-grade Earth-rank treasure."

Xuanjizi's appreciation deepened:

"Indeed. This sword is indeed a relic of the Sword Demon. I have studied it for thirty years and have only grasped the basics. Young Master Lin saw through it at a glance; your insight is extraordinary."

Now, no one dared to question it anymore.

"In that case," Xuanjizi said, "Lin Chen, the winner of this treasure appraisal competition, will receive one Heavenly Secret Token and one Xuan Turtle Shell."

A waiter brought forward a jade tray containing a black iron token and a palm-sized tortoise shell.

Lin Chen took it; it was icy cold to the touch.

The Heavenly Secret Token is neither metal nor wood, and is engraved with intricate cloud patterns.

The shell of the black tortoise is as smooth and warm as jade, with a subtle, flowing spiritual light.

"Thank you, Elder Xie Xuanji."

Xuanjizi nodded: "If Young Master Lin has time, you are welcome to visit the 'Ten Thousand Scrolls Pavilion' of the Heavenly Mystery Academy."

"I have some questions that I would like to discuss with you, young master."

This is extending an olive branch.

Lin Chen bowed: "This junior will certainly be inconvenienced."

Cui Ming, Wang Yun, and the others had faces so gloomy they could drip water.

……

As Wen Ruoxi left the Wanbao Hall, her face flushed with excitement:

"Eighth Brother, you're amazing! Nine out of nine are correct! Even the elders of the Heavenly Mystery Academy praise your keen eye!"

Qingluan also gave Lin Chen a deep look, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Lin Chen smiled without saying a word, but his mind was racing.

With the Heavenly Secret Token in hand, there's hope for the Seven-Leaf Resurrection Grass.

But having stolen the spotlight today will inevitably attract more attention, so we need to be even more careful going forward.

Just as they reached the mountain gate, a disciple from the Heavenly Mystery Academy strode over and handed them a secret letter.

"Young Master Lin, someone asked me to pass on a message."

Lin Chen took the envelope; it was blank, but there was a silver crescent moon mark on the seal.

Sixth Sister-in-law's Shadow in the Night.

He calmly put it away, saying, "Thank you."

Once inside the carriage, Wen Ruoxi asked, "Eighth Brother, whose letter is this?"

"A friend." Lin Chen opened the letter; it contained only one line:

"Zhao Yuan is plotting with Blood Hand to intercept and kill Cang Yun of the Azure Dragon Sect at midnight tonight. The White Tiger Sect is also involved. Be careful."

Lin Chen's eyes sharpened.

To intercept and kill Cangyun? Why?

Could it be that the Azure Dragon Gate has also discovered something?

"Miss Qingluan," he suddenly spoke, "is there a time limit for the matter His Majesty asked me to investigate?"

Qingluan was taken aback: "His Majesty only said as soon as possible."

"Alright then," Lin Chen said.

"Please return to the palace and report to His Majesty that... the truth will come to light at the Cui family's birthday banquet in three days."

But before that, I need some... "favors".

"What conveniences?"

"The Imperial City Guard's forces in the west of the city will be under my command for now," Lin Chen said, looking directly at her. "Just for one night."

Qingluan frowned: "This... I need to consult His Majesty."

"Then hurry up," Lin Chen said calmly. "Time is running out."

Qingluan gave him a deep look, then got out of the carriage and left.

Wen Ruoxi asked worriedly, "Eighth Brother, what are you going to do?"

"Save them." A cold glint flashed in Lin Chen's eyes. "Some people can't wait to silence them."

He lifted the carriage curtain and said to the person outside, "Lin Wu, go to the Qinglongmen Martial Arts School. Hurry."