Chapter 133: Guidance in the Shadows!

"If you want to lose the competition, go ahead and pick up that broken bowl!"

A faint voice drifted into Ouyang Jing's ear, causing his eyes to twitch.

Can this be the guidance of a venerable senior expert?

As he glanced around, the voice echoed once more, cautioning, "Don't look around randomly. I'm currently using Covert Sound Transmission to lend you a helping hand."

Ouyang Jing was deeply alarmed, unable to fathom why someone would suddenly offer assistance.

Moreover, he wasn't certain whether this was genuine aid or deliberate deception.

After all, with unwavering confidence in his divine treasure-appraising eye, he believed he couldn't have been mistaken.

Ling Feng sat calmly in his place, but secretly activated the true qi within his body. With his current level of true qi cultivation, maintaining secret arts like Covert Sound Transmission still consumed a considerable amount of energy.

After returning to the Wenxian Sect with Wen Tingguang, Wen Tingguang taught Ling Feng quite a few skills, including Convert Sound Transmissin, which happened to come in handy today.

"Listen carefully, I'm here to help you. This competition has already been tampered with by Ouyang Yu. The golden jade bowl isn't a precious treasure, but a trap to deceive you. If you don't believe me, you can take a look at Ouyang Yu's expression!"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Jing immediately glanced at Ouyang Yu not far away, and sure enough, he found Ouyang Yu staring at him intently, occasionally shifting his gaze to the golden jade bowl, seeming to wonder why Ouyang Jing suddenly stopped.

Something's wrong!

Ouyang Jing wasn't foolish; he immediately furrowed his brow.

He was the eldest son of the family's head, and he was quite accomplished in the field of treasure appraisal. No matter how you looked at it, he was the most suitable successor to the Treasure Pavilion. However, although Ouyang Jing's talent in appraising treasures far surpassed Ouyang Yu, his cousin, his talent in cultivation couldn't compare to Ouyang Yu, who had already been accepted by the prestigious Tianwei Academy.

Therefore, this competition emerged to compel the grand elder's side to acknowledge him.

However, no one would have thought Ouyang Yu would resort to such despicable means in his bid for the position of the young master!

Ouyang Jing felt a wave of panic washing over him. He lacked any evidence to support his suspicions, and with less than ten breaths of time remaining for the appraisal, his hope of winning seemed exceedingly slim.

"Don't worry and listen to me. You should pick the metallic block with a golden-black hue from the third row on the right side. This should give you an edge over Ouyang Yu. Well, that's all the help I can offer. Good luck, and may fortune favor you."

Upon finishing his words, Ling Feng's face instantly paled, while a fine layer of sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Transmitting sound secretly was quite a burden for a martial artist in the Qi Formation Realm. If it weren't for Ling Feng refining the

True Art of Xuanyuan

, which made his true qi exceptionally refined, even mastering the essentials might not have guaranteed the ability to execute it.

"Brother Ling, are you alright?"

Lin Xian'er, originally tense as she watched the countdown on stage, suddenly noticed Ling Feng's face turning an alarming shade of pale. Swiftly, she retrieved an embroidered handkerchief and dabbed away the sweat from his forehead.

Momentarily taken aback, Ling Feng stared directly at Lin Xian'er. It seemed to be the first time a girl had wiped his sweat for him.

A wave of fragrance drifted over, sparking various thoughts.

Flushed under Ling Feng's gaze, Lin Xian'er clenched her teeth and thrust the handkerchief into his hand. "Y-You can wipe it yourself!"

She thought to herself.

Who stares so fixedly at a girl like that?

Ling Feng reached out for the handkerchief with a faint smile. "Thanks."

Meanwhile, on the stage, Ouyang Rui had already begun the countdown. Ouyang Jing ultimately gave up on the golden jade bowl, opting instead for a seemingly ordinary metal block nearby.

Immediately, a younger member of the Ouyang family reached out and seized the golden jade bowl discarded by Ouyang Jing, his face lighting up with excitement. Even if Ouyang Jing didn't value it, it was surely a treasure.

As for Ouyang Yu, his face immediately darkened, his fists clenched, eyes flashing with deep disappointment.

"Damn it, Ouyang Jing actually managed to evade father's trap! Nevertheless, I'm sure the jade finger ring I've selected is undoubtedly the most deserving!" Ouyang Yu took a deep breath, finally regaining his composure.

Shortly after, Ouyang Rui's countdown concluded, and it was now the turn of the two senior appraisers to evaluate the treasures.

Given the stakes involved in determining the family heir, the younger members of the Ouyang family on the field appeared visibly tense. Even Ouyang Jing clenched his fists, occasionally glancing towards the platform below.

He wanted to know which senior helped him out earlier.

Despite the youthful tone of the voice, he believed that the individual who assisted him was undoubtedly a highly experienced appraiser, likely of the same generation as his grandfather.

After Ouyang Rui had the servants package the treasures chosen by the young masters, he raised his voice once more, announcing, "To ensure full participation, before the competition results are revealed, the top twenty-five distinguished guests in the VIP section are invited to predict which treasure, chosen by the young members of the Ouyang family, is the most valuable."

"Those who make accurate predictions stand to receive a reward of 100,000 crystal coins, which can be claimed directly or exchanged for valuables from the Treasure Pavilion's inventory."

With this announcement, the crowd below erupted in envy.

100,000 crystal coins! That is already a significant amount. The Treasure Pavilion truly lives up to its reputation for opulence and generosity!

Soon, Ouyang Rui began to inquire, starting with the first VIP. The first five guests unanimously agreed that the jade finger ring chosen by Ouyang Yu was the most likely to secure victory.

Finally, it was the turn of the sixth VIP, who happened to be Ling Feng. Ouyang Rui smiled and addressed him, "The sixth VIP is quite prestigious, being a young divine imperial physician! Godlike Physician Ling, may I ask which contestant's treasure you favor?"

With a confident smile, Ling Feng calmly stated, "My pick is Ouyang Jing!"

Ling Feng's voice, though utterly calm, carried an unwavering confidence.

As Ling Feng's words echoed out, Ouyang Jing on the platform trembled visibly.

This voice, why does it resemble that senior who had secretly guided me before?

Ouyang Jing's eyes twitched. Astonished, he stared at Ling Feng, realizing that the young man was giving him a teasing smile.

Could it be... really him?

Ouyang Jing swallowed hard, hardly believing his eyes.

A man younger than himself, actually able to see through Ouyang Yu and his conspiracy at a glance, and even guiding him to choose another treasure...

However, why would he help me?

The host of the Treasure Appraisal Convention, Ouyang Rui, shook his head slightly, his face briefly showing a hint of disappointment before swiftly regaining composure.

In the end, Ling Feng is still too young. Although he had earned the prestigious sky-tier VIP seat, indicating a certain level of talent in appraisal, his experience and knowledge were still somewhat shallow.

It was evident that Ouyang Rui didn't hold high expectations for Ling Feng's judgment.

In response to Ling Feng's answer, the president of the Treasure Appraisal Guild, Mr. Liu Xudong, who was seated in the first VIP seat, sneered and chuckled. "Young man, it seems your experience is still insufficient. The jade finger ring selected by Ouyang Yu, in terms of color, texture, and aura, is almost flawless. It's undoubtedly a peak third-grade treasure, and it even appears to approach the threshold of a fourth-grade treasure."

Ling Feng simply responded with a faint smile, saying, "

Oh?

Then let's wait and see."

Ling Feng possessed unwavering confidence in his own eyes.

"Youngsters are often full of themselves, believing they've achieved more than they have. Each profession requires its own expertise, and the knowledge in appraisal and medicine differs greatly. Boy, you still have much to learn!"

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

President Liu Xudong shook his head. "Well, it's good to receive a bit of a lesson here; it'll benefit your future."

The audience below erupted into a buzz.

"Mr. Liu has spoken, stating that it's a victory for Ouyang Yu. This kid is really clueless!"

"Some people, having achieved a little success at a young age, become arrogant and look down on others. Does he think that appraisal is the same as medicine?

Hmph,

he's about to embarrass himself!"

In the earth-tier seats, Jia Lang's smirk turned sinister. "What an idiot! Well, well, this young man is about to make a fool of himself. Hahaha!"

With a hint of curiosity, Lin Xian'er's eyes rose to meet Ling Feng's face, clearly noting his unwavering confidence.

Even the president of the Appraisal Guild declared that the item chosen by Ouyang Yu was flawless. What gave Ling Feng such confidence?

Ouyang Rui, the host, raised his hand to quiet the room, then turned to Lin Xian'er, seated to Ling Feng's left, and inquired, "Miss Lin, which disciple do you think will win?"

Glancing at Ling Feng and recalling the black stone he had selected for her, Lin Xian'er hesitated momentarily.

Suddenly, Ouyang Rui remembered something and chuckled. "

Ah,

I must clarify. Miss Lin here found the Thunder Vein Cloud Stone hidden in Hall 6, which had eluded discovery for four to five years. This showcases her exceptional appraisal insight, comparable to that of top-tier appraisal masters!"

"Therefore, Miss Lin's selection this time is highly likely to be the winner of this round." Ouyang Rui chuckled.

Upon hearing this, the audience below erupted into another uproar.

Ling Feng narrowed his eyes, a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't expected that his simple act of helping Lin Xian'er would draw such attention from the Ouyang family.

"Having such exceptional insight at such a young age, like Miss Lin, is truly rare," Ouyang Rui praised generously, laughing heartily. "Well then, Miss Lin, which item do you think will emerge as the most valuable in the end?"

Lin Xian'er's face flushed slightly, knowing full well that it was Ling Feng who had discovered the Thunder Vein Cloud Stone.

After a moment of contemplation, Lin Xian'er finally gritted her teeth and said, "Actually... the appraisal genius who found the Thunder Vein Cloud Stone wasn't me."