"Mr. Cui, I am Dong Lin, a sales representative at Mingxuan in the antique business. I majored in Museum and Cultural Relics Studies in college. Here’s my card."

Seizing the gap before the auction officially began, Dong Lin approached slowly, respectfully offering her card with both hands:

"I’ve always admired you!"

"Hmm."

Mr. Cui accepted the card, looking at her with some surprise:

"Mingxuan..."

"Is it the antique shop opened by that young man from the Li Family?"

"Yes." Dong Lin nodded:

"Do you know our boss?"

"I’ve met him once." Mr. Cui stroked his chin, reflecting thoughtfully:

"This young man indeed has some talent."

He had actually met Li the Second, a young man whose character had seemed rather unpleasant upon earlier encounters. Contrary to expectations, he had achieved success by meeting influential figures.

Given this,

future outcomes are unpredictable!

He assumed Dong Lin was with Fang Zheng due to Li the Second’s arrangement, unaware that Li the Second actually knew nothing of Fang Zheng.

Moreover,

Mr. Cui’s assessment of Li the Second proved accurate, given his choice to hire Dong Lin based solely on her appearance, despite her lack of industry experience.

"Mr. Su."

Dong Lin turned around, offering another card to Su Jin, speaking with admiration:

"Being able to apprentice under Mr. Cui, you’ll surely become a leader in the antiques industry. It’s truly my fortune to meet you today."

"You’re too kind." Su Jin shyly scratched his head, accepting the card.

"Manager Song."

Dong Lin then turned to Song Xin:

"Since coming to Wuliu Street, I’ve heard of your reputation; a woman raising the flag for Juqi Studio is truly admirable."

"This young lady speaks well."

Song Xin cheerfully accepted the card:

"Are you interested in working here?"

"Can I?" Dong Lin instinctively brightened, then hesitantly:

"Well..."

"It might not be suitable!"

Mingxuan was just a product of a rich heir’s whim, with uncertain prospects compared to Juqi Studio.

There’s a chance of being dismissed if mismanaged one day.

"Of course you can."

Song Xin smiled:

"If you’re worried, I can speak to Li the Second for you."

"Thank you, Manager Song, thank you." Dong Lin beamed, bowing repeatedly, then turned to Fatty Qin:

"Boss Qin..."

"Got it." Fatty Qin casually took the card:

"Let me tell you this, ignoring the real sage right in front of you and trying to cozy up with us will yield little benefit."

He gestured towards Fang Zheng.

Dong Lin’s face showed embarrassment.

She had considered forming a good relationship with Fang Zheng, but this Daoist seemed truly extraordinary, making it hard to approach him.

Even when sitting and eating together, talking and laughing, the sense of detachment remained unbroken.

It’s as if an invisible mountain stands between them.

The venue wasn’t crowded today, and seats were scattered and plenty, allowing everyone to sit freely as they pleased.

"Master."

Su Jin helped Mr. Cui sit down, whispering:

"Before we came in, Daoist Fang acquired the ’Incense Master’s Notebook’ ahead of me; this manuscript is the most valuable genuine item here."

"Oh!"

Mr. Cui raised an eyebrow, putting down the number plate, and turned to Fang Zheng:

"Does the Daoist also understand antiques?"

"Mr. Cui jokes."

Fang Zheng shook his head:

"The field of antiques is extensive; although I wouldn’t say I know nothing at all, I am more like a befuddled novice."

"Really?"

Mr. Cui’s gaze was complex:

"It seems the Daoist understands Qi Observation Technique as well!"

Not knowing antiques but being able to single out the genuine item among imitations and selecting the most valuable from them suggests only one possibility.

Qi Observation in appraisal!

He understood this clearly.

"A bit."

Fang Zheng nodded:

"Is Mr. Cui surprised?"

"Naturally surprised." Mr. Cui squinted, his eyes flickering:

"In decades, the Daoist is the fourth person I’ve seen who knows Qi Observation Skill aside from myself."

"Four?" Fang Zheng asked:

"Who are the other two?"

"One is my master." Mr. Cui smiled before continuing:

"The other was my senior brother; fearing competition, he attempted to harm me but ended up losing everything, even his life."

Speaking, he sighed lightly.

He spoke casually now, but events back then were quite complex.

The senior tried to harm him but was killed by him instead; saying Mr. Cui was blameless might be hard to believe, and who harmed whom could also be debated.

Qi Observation Skill,

is a supreme art only in the hands of one!

Fang Zheng nodded, asking no further.

If Mr. Cui harbored murderous intent, he would certainly sense it; the absence of any awareness suggested no such intent existed.

Moreover,

given the opponent’s age, he presumably didn’t have much time left, taking apprentices was merely for passing on his legacy, indifferent if others knew Qi Observation Skill.

"Mr. Cui."

Fang Zheng asked:

"How many practitioners have you encountered?"

"Practitioners?" Mr. Cui stroked his beard:

"Are you referring to those with powers like ours?"

"Very few!"

He gently shook his head, remarking:

"In my younger years, I served in the temple and visited Wudang, Shaolin, and many Daoist Holy Lands, yet did not meet any genuine practitioners."

"Though there are strange talents among the people, they likely aren’t many."

Fang Zheng understood.

Mr. Cui is not only a veteran in the antique trade but also a Xia Country parliamentary member, theoretically capable of running for the highest position.

What he could access was beyond ordinary people’s reach.

Yet,

even he had met few true practitioners.

Alas!

Fang Zheng sighed lightly, revealing some regret.

He knew that magic arts were rare here but hadn’t expected them to be so scarce, with just knowing Qi Observation Skill leading to lofty status.