Some objects from the Song and Ming Period are not expensive either.

"Daoist."

Perhaps intrigued by Fang Zheng, Song Xin did not leave after completing the transaction and introduced to a few people:

"All the antiques here are genuine, certified by various experts. Some belong to Juqi Studio, while others are displayed and sold by peers."

"If you’re interested, you can contact the seller."

"I heard..." Fatty Qin curiously spoke up:

"There will be an auction here?"

"Yes." Song Xin nodded:

"But it’s still early now, it will start after a while. If you want to rest, you can go to the second floor, where there are free refreshments."

"The auction features exquisite items, it will definitely not disappoint any of you."

"Miss Song." Fang Zheng asked:

"Will Lv Qigong from Mundane Hall come today?"

"Elder Lv." Song Xin shook her head:

"Elder Lv is a bit unwell, he has gone to Beijing Hospital. He probably won’t return this year."

"Oh!" Fang Zheng frowned:

"Can you get in touch with him?"

"That’s no problem." Song Xin nodded:

"Is the Daoist looking for Elder Lv on some matter?"

"It’s nothing major." Fang Zheng said:

"Just on this trip, I wanted to learn about certain fellow Daoists."

Fellow Daoists?

Was Elder Lv formerly a Daoist?

Song Xin looked puzzled.

"Sigh!"

At this moment, Su Jin’s eyes lit up, and he pointed towards the crowd, speaking excitedly:

"Isn’t that... isn’t that... what’s the name?"

"Celebrity He Quan."

Fatty Qin pursed his lips:

"Can’t even name her, what’s there to be excited about?"

"I know she’s called He Quan." Su Jin rolled his eyes:

"Just couldn’t think of it at the moment, why would she come here?"

"He Quan married into a wealthy family and retired from the spotlight; her husband is a businessman, what’s so strange about her being here?" Fatty Qin shook his head:

"Most female stars from her generation married into wealthy families, except for a few who had to make a comeback after divorce. The others are similar to her."

"At home they assist their husbands, outside they join them to discuss business; and of course, some come out to stream sales if their husband’s business goes bankrupt."

"So..." Su Jin mused, resting his chin in his hand:

"Do all celebrities fancy wealthy heirs?"

"It’s more about loving money." Fatty Qin said:

"Back then, the domestic market was just opening up, wealth was concentrated in the hands of businessmen and big bosses, and female stars were keen on marrying into wealthy families."

"Tao, Princess Qing, Xiao Yanzi, and others, those top female celebrities mostly had rumors with big bosses or wealthy heirs."

"Ah!" Su Jin’s eyes sparkled:

"Brother Pang, do tell in detail."

"Call me Brother Qin!" Fatty Qin raised his eyebrows with self-satisfaction:

"Huang Yi, International Zhang... those top stars of the past all had connections with tycoons, but the influence of these matters was lower back then, and few paid attention."

"Not the case now, technology is advanced, information spreads quickly, celebrities dare not throw tantrums easily; if you’re interested, you can check online for data."

"Moreover,"

"Today’s top celebrities don’t fancy wealthy heirs."

"Ah!" Su Jin was puzzled:

"Why?"

"Because they’re rich themselves, aren’t they?" Fatty Qin shrugged:

"Since capital invaded the entertainment industry twenty years ago, celebrities’ value skyrocketed; a top star’s annual income surpasses most listed companies."

"Even some second-tier stars earn tens of millions or even hundreds of millions a year, how many wealthy heirs do they even notice now?"

"Hmph!"

"See now, that certain Mi and Ying... they’re all internally digested, where does it leave wealthy heirs?"

"Back then, only Jin Suo dared claim she didn’t need to marry a big shot, she’s a big shot herself; now every female star can say that."

"That’s good." Song Xin nodded:

"It shows women no longer need to rely on men; they can independently survive and even lead better lives."

"Not entirely." Fatty Qin shook his head:

"It’s about where money flows, people follow. In those days, wealthy individuals were big bosses, in recent years, wealthy individuals are top celebrities; wherever the money is, that’s where they marry."

"Now with salary limit orders, life for top stars isn’t as good, at least not as it was before; future female stars might end up marrying internet anchors."

"Individual success is owed to the times and luck, not just personal efforts, one must see this clearly."

"Brother Pang’s words have depth." Su Jin gave a thumbs-up:

"Impressive!"

"Haha..." Fatty Qin laughed heartily, his face free from gloom, lively:

"Of course!"

"Xiao Jin!" a commanding voice suddenly resounded:

"What are you doing?"

"Master!"

Su Jin straightened up, dutifully replied:

"I’m looking at antiques."

"Hmph!"

Elder Cui stepped forward, snorted lightly:

"Really looking at antiques, all giggles and no decorum."

"Elder Cui!"

"Elder Cui!"

"..."

Song Xin and Fatty Qin hurriedly saluted the newcomer, and Fang Zheng also nodded in greeting.

In modern society, the tradition of master-apprentice relationships is no longer fashionable, but in some traditional industries, this situation still exists, and the antiques business is one such field.

In fact...

The bond between master and apprentice can even be stronger than that between father and son.

Because an apprentice will inherit the true skills of the master and some of the master’s family business, something even a biological son might not achieve; the son might even need the apprentice’s care.

Therefore, Cui’s strictness towards Su Jin seemed so naturally expected.

"Master."

Su Jin whispered:

"Although I’m chatting with friends, I’m also looking at antiques. Look at this one, it looks like a modern imitation to me, so why does the label say it’s from the Tang Dynasty?"

The group looked over at the source of the voice.

In front of them was a beast head wood carving, with cracks on the edges, in poor condition, and of inferior craftsmanship, like a toy in a child’s hand, priced at only 180,000 yuan by the seller.

The key point is...

The beast head is neither a dragon nor a tiger, nor any exotic beast recorded in the Shan Hai Jing or ancient texts; it seems more like a fantastical creature imagined by modern people.

"Hmm..."

Elder Cui gently stroked his beard and slowly nodded:

"Your observation is correct; this piece can be said to be ’obviously fake,’ but it should have undergone carbon-14 testing to determine its age."

"However, carbon-14 testing has its limitations; once exposed to the outside, it will quickly decay, becoming inaccurate, so in the future, it may not be recognized as an antique."

"180,000..."

"It’s rare but not unheard of to sell something as half-antique, half-art piece."

"Master."

Su Jin frowned:

"Is it really an antique?"

"Almost certainly." Elder Cui nodded:

"After handling antiques for a long time, you develop a sense, you know if something is real the moment you touch it; I feel this one is real."

"Really?" Fatty Qin looked surprised:

"You can tell just by holding it, old man? You have that kind of skill?"

"Master is very skilled." Su Jin snorted softly:

"You simply don’t understand!"

Elder Cui gently shook his head, squinting as he examined the beast head wood carving, his eyes flashing with a strange light, and his expression becoming slightly serious.

After a moment, he slowly nodded:

"It’s a Tang Dynasty object."

"Xiao Song, help me package it, I’ll take it back for further research."

"Yes." Song Xin responded, smiling at the same time:

"With your word, this item is worth more than 180,000; the person who brought it out must be regretting it terribly."

"Qi Observation Technique!"

At this moment, Fang Zheng, who had been silent, spoke slowly:

"Unexpectedly, I have encountered a fellow practitioner here."

Fatty Qin was taken aback.

He had been observing Fang Zheng’s expression changes.

Unfortunately,

this wealthy Daoist gave off an impression of being completely unruffled from beginning to end.

Whether discussing antiques or celebrity gossip, although he listened and spoke, his demeanor remained calm, with no shift in his gaze.

It was as if...

Everything in the world was unrelated to him.

Just like an Immortal untouched by the worldly causes and effects.

Only at this moment did a ripple appear in his eyes, and his expression changed slightly, as if he had found something of interest.

"Fang Zheng of Celestial Master Dao."

Fang Zheng cupped his hands:

"Greetings, Elder Cui."

"Celestial Master Dao." Elder Cui’s expression grew somber, and he instinctively took a step back, for some reason showing a hint of wariness:

"Does Daoist Fang know the Qi Observation Technique?"

"I know a bit." Fang Zheng nodded:

"This time, I’m traveling far to meet fellow practitioners to exchange ideas; previously, I came across a Love Curse Talisman and came here looking for Elder Lv Qigong."

"Unexpectedly, I met Elder Cui here."

"Love Curse? Talisman paper?" Elder Cui’s eyes flickered before he continued:

"Daoist Fang may have found the wrong person; Elder Lv is not who you are looking for; the Talismans he holds were obtained from another person."

"Oh!"

Fang Zheng raised his eyebrows, cupping his hands:

"I’d like to hear more details."

"No rush." Elder Cui gestured invitingly:

"Let’s sit and talk."

"Boom!"

At this moment, the sound of a drum echoed.

The auction had formally begun.

"There’s no rush." Fang Zheng turned, looking at the prepared auction venue:

"Let’s discuss it after the auction ends, there’s no hurry."

"Yes."

Elder Cui nodded, his demeanor unknowingly becoming extremely respectful:

"Daoist, please!"

"Elder Cui, please!"