Chapter 45: Earth Grade High Rank

After Bai Qiang finished speaking, a few voices of agreement emerged:

"Hmm, this 'Painting of Birds in a Secluded Forest' has been displayed on the third floor for a long time, priced at 113,000."

"Right, it's over 110,000; if you really bought it, you could probably shave off the odd change."

"I shouldn't be remembering it wrong. By the way, Miss Li Wei is here; just ask her and you'll know."

Someone turned their gaze toward Li Wei.

Li Wei said, "The price of this item is indeed over 110,000."

Bai Qiang laughed heartily and said, "Yang Yu, you have nothing to say now, right? Even Li Wei has testified!"

Then, he turned to Bai Sheng and said, "Second Brother, your status in the heart of your future son-in-law is clearly not as high as your wife's."

"Enough, I don't even mind, why are you here nagging?" Bai Sheng said with some impatience.

Bai Qiang smiled without a word.

Although his second brother said he didn't care, he must have some resentment toward Yang Yu in his heart.

This is human nature, unavoidable.

"However..." Li Wei changed the subject and said, "Yang Yu told the Pavilion Master that this painting has another mystery, and its true value is more than this."

"Hmm?"

Bai Sheng's heart stirred.

Bai Qiang, however, laughed even louder:

"You mean to say he found a bargain at Baibao Pavilion? Hahaha, hilarious!"

The other clansmen were also somewhat dumbfounded.

Finding a bargain at Baibao Pavilion?

It is simply impossible.

Every item inside has been appraised multiple times; there is absolutely no chance for anyone to find a bargain.

Bai Sheng actually didn't quite believe it either.

But thinking of how Yang Yu could even draw the Divine Sword, it seemed nothing was impossible.

So he asked:

"Yang Yu, what mystery is in this painting?"

Yang Yu said, "This painting is not an ordinary old object; it actually hides a Martial Technique."

"A Martial Technique?"

Bai Sheng's eyes lit up.

Yang Yu continued, "That's right, it is an Earth Grade Upper Grade Martial Technique."

"Uh."

"..."

Once these words were spoken, the scene fell into silence.

An Earth-Grade Martial Technique, and an Upper Grade one at that.

You can find a bargain like this?

The Pavilion Master isn't blind!

Bai Qiang soon clutched his stomach and laughed, saying:

"Second Brother, this Yang Yu is so reckless with his words, I really don't know what you see in him. An Earth Grade Upper Grade Martial Technique? Has he even seen a Martial Technique of this level?"

The other clansmen also shook their heads secretly.

Martial Techniques have four major grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow, and each major grade is further divided into four minor grades: Lower Grade, Middle Grade, Upper Grade, and Peak Grade.

An Earth-Grade Martial Technique is often worth over a million taels.

And an Earth Grade Upper Grade is at least three million...

Buying a broken painting and finding an Earth Grade Upper Grade Martial Technique as a bargain? It is simply nonsense.

"..."

Bai Sheng was also stunned for a moment.

He actually had no confidence in his heart, but since he had already chosen to trust Yang Yu, he could only trust him to the end.

So he unfolded the scroll, turned it over a few times, and said:

"Yang Yu, where is the Martial Technique you mentioned hidden? I can't see it..."

Yang Yu smiled and said, "If it could be easily discovered, it wouldn't be called finding a bargain."

"Then how should one view the Martial Technique?" Bai Sheng asked.

Yang Yu didn't explain further and ordered a servant to bring some fire.

Then, without another word, he directly used the fire to ignite the antique painting...

"What is he doing?"

"Burning it?"

"Are you kidding? That's over 100,000."

Everyone was shocked.

Bai Qiang rolled his eyes and said, "Second Brother, is this Yang Yu panicking? Knowing there is no hidden Martial Technique, he just burned the painting to end it all..."

Before he finished speaking, his eyes suddenly widened.

As the flames spread, the antique painting did not turn into ash.

Where the flames had burned, the originally aged painting paper had actually turned a faint gold...

"This?"

Bai Sheng's face was full of astonishment, his eyes not blinking once.

Before long, the flames had spread across the entire painting.

The original "Quiet Forest and Distant Birds" painting had completely transformed into a pale golden, silk-like object.

Yet it was not silk, but a special material as thin as a cicada's wing.

Densely packed black characters were inscribed upon it, along with obscure and profound patterns.

It was as if the thin mist that had once shrouded the painting had been completely dispelled by the flames, revealing its true appearance...

"Th-this is?!"

"There really is a hidden mystery!"

"How exquisite! To think someone could hide a Martial Technique inside a painting."

"This Martial Technique is absolutely extraordinary!"

The clansmen were quite excited.

Bai Sheng was closest to the Martial Technique; seeing the characters on it, he muttered, "Flying Smoke Movement Technique?"

A wave of exclamations erupted at the scene.

"It's actually the Flying Smoke Movement Technique?"

"I've seen it in the Martial Technique Encyclopedia; it is indeed an Earth Grade High Rank Martial Technique."

"It is said to be a rare type of movement Martial Technique, but it was lost a long time ago."

"So it was hidden inside this painting all along..."

Even several Clan Elders were somewhat excited and couldn't help but crowd around to observe.

"It really is an Earth Grade High Rank Martial Technique."

"Although movement Martial Techniques are relatively niche, at this grade, it is definitely worth three million."

"The Family Head is truly blessed."

Even though they also wanted to learn this Martial Technique.

But Earth-Grade Martial Techniques are often recorded on special carriers and can usually only be learned once.

Since Yang Yu gave this to the Family Head, surely only the Family Head would have the opportunity.

"Hoo, hoo."

Bai Sheng took a deep breath, his heart unable to calm down for a long time.

Given his status, he had of course seen and learned Earth-Grade Martial Techniques.

But this Flying Smoke Movement Technique was a gift from Yang Yu!

This precious son-in-law of his was truly too generous...

Recalling how he had looked down on him before, Bai Sheng felt a wave of shame.

But what shocked him even more was that this item was a lucky find from the Baibao Pavilion.

Does that not mean that even the Pavilion Master failed to discover the Martial Technique within the painting? Is Yang Yu's eye for treasure that sharp?

"Yang Yu, this item is too precious; I cannot accept it."

After calming himself slightly, Bai Sheng handed the Martial Technique back to Yang Yu.

Yang Yu waved his hand and said, "How can I take back a gift once given? Uncle, time is of the essence; you should learn this Martial Technique first, lest it be coveted by villains."

"You should learn it yourself..." Bai Sheng hesitated.

"This Martial Technique does not suit me," Yang Yu said.

Learn a Martial Technique?

That's too much trouble.

After learning it, one still has to spend a massive amount of time practicing; not even a dog would learn it.

In the future, just pulling from the Lottery Machine will be enough.

"Alright then."

Only then did Bai Sheng hold the Martial Technique and channel his profound Qi into it.

Learning a Martial Technique of this level does not require the use of one's eyes.

As long as profound Qi is channeled into it, the Martial Technique information will automatically flood into the mind.

This information was vast and complex; relying solely on the naked eye to read it would make it difficult to understand thoroughly.

As Bai Sheng's profound Qi poured in, the layer of golden silk bloomed with an even more brilliant radiance.

The densely packed characters flickered rapidly upon it.

Soon, all the information was received by Bai Sheng.

The golden silk became dim and lusterless, eventually turning into a pile of dust...

"An Earth Grade High Rank movement Martial Technique; it is truly not simple."

Bai Sheng opened his eyes, sighing in admiration.

"Then you must practice diligently and not let the child's intentions go to waste," Ning Wushuang said with a smile.

Bai Sheng nodded deeply.

Mastering this Martial Technique information was only the beginning; one must practice and engage in actual combat many times afterward to truly master it.

Then, his gaze shifted, and he looked coldly at Bai Qiang.

Bai Qiang feigned composure and laughed loudly, "Hahaha, congratulations, Second Brother, on obtaining yet another Earth-Grade Martial Technique."