Benefits of Upgrading

However, upgrading abilities also has special conditions. The specific condition for this upgrade was to absorb spirit energy from an antique that met certain requirements. These requirements were that the antique must be at least a thousand years old and possess considerable value (500,000). Only when these conditions were met would the ability upgrade.

This explanation almost made Chu Chen want to curse. Without any hints, how was he supposed to know the conditions for his ability upgrade? If he hadn't been lucky this time and met Manager Zhao, who happened to have a valuable thousand-year-old antique for him to appraise, he didn't know when his ability would have upgraded.

But since his ability had already upgraded, there were bound to be some benefits. This time, there were a total of three benefits.

First, the number of times he could absorb spirit energy within a day had increased to five. This made Chu Chen very happy. He had previously felt that three times was too few, and he hadn't expected it to increase by two at once. This was truly a godsend.

The second benefit was the increase in physical fitness. However, the information he received didn't specify the details, so he figured he'd have to experience it himself. He then started recalling the differences in his body compared to before. As he thought about it, he suddenly realized his speed seemed faster than before, and his stamina had also improved significantly. He had run home so quickly just now without even getting winded.

Thinking of this, Chu Chen immediately began testing in the living room, and the results proved his suspicions. His current speed was estimated to be about ten percent faster than before, and in terms of stamina, he could do fifty push-ups without even panting. This made him extremely happy.

The physical benefits weren't a big deal. After all, no matter how strong he became, he wouldn't become a god or Superman. The third benefit, however, was what Chu Chen cared about the most.

After this ability upgrade, a progress bar appeared in his mind. The progress bar was divided into six segments. The first segment was now full and was about to start accumulating for the second segment, while segments three through six were gray.

From then on, every time he absorbed spirit energy from an antique or jade and jewelry, it would be reflected in the progress bar based on the quality of the spirit energy. This function was clearly a timely rain for Chu Chen. With such a prompt, he wouldn't be clueless about the progress of his ability upgrade.

However, after the upgrade, there was also a limitation on the increase of the progress bar. Specifically, if the object of the ability belonged to Chu Chen himself, the progress would increase normally. If the item did not belong to him, it would be increased discretionarily depending on the situation.

For example, if Chu Chen helped others appraise antiques, although he could still absorb spirit energy, the progress bar increase would be reduced to one-quarter of the actual situation compared to his own antiques.

And if he deliberately went to antique shops or jewelry stores to touch antiques or jewelry, the progress bar would not increase at all, thus eliminating the possibility of him cheating.

When the second segment of the progress bar was fully accumulated, the conditions for the next upgrade would be announced. After passing the test, he would receive corresponding rewards. The reward for the second segment, in addition to an increase in spirit energy absorption times and physical strengthening, would be the generation of another ability: "Spirit Treasure Eye."

The function of the Spirit Treasure Eye was essentially the same as his left hand. However, the difference was that he would no longer need to touch the item; he could absorb spirit energy just by using his eyes. Moreover, the most crucial point was that the Spirit Treasure Eye also had the ability to see through objects, which could be used to examine the interior of items while appraising treasures.

After understanding the function of the Spirit Treasure Eye, Chu Chen was ecstatic. This Spirit Treasure Eye was too important for him. Putting aside the appraisal of antiques, just considering gambling on stones, even if Chu Chen could use his ability to detect jade within raw stones, he still didn't know the exact distribution of the jade inside.

And for jade, especially high-quality jade, even a slight mistake in cutting could greatly affect its overall value. With the ability to see through objects, such losses could be avoided. This function alone made Chu Chen incredibly excited, not to mention the many other conveniences. If it couldn't make him incredibly excited?

Just as Chu Chen was lost in his fantasies, his phone rang in his pocket. He glanced at the caller ID and saw it was Zhao Qirui, whom he had just parted ways with. He quickly answered the phone and said:

"Hello, Brother Zhao, it's Chu Chen."

"Little Chu, I forgot to tell you earlier. Could you please keep an eye out in the market for good calligraphy and paintings or porcelain vases? For calligraphy and paintings, it's best if they are well-known. For porcelain vases, it's best if they are grand and festive. This is a gift I'm preparing for my grandfather's birthday. Please put in some effort, and I'd like a response within a week."

Chu Chen hesitated for a moment. The request wasn't particularly difficult, nor was it easy. The most crucial part was finding suitable items. However, finding suitable antiques wasn't easy. If the price was low, it would be manageable. If he bought something too expensive, Zhao Qirui might doubt his abilities.

Of course, refusing was even less of an option. So, he asked:

"Brother Zhao, do you have any requirements regarding the price?"

Zhao Qirui on the other end of the phone said jokingly, "Not really. Even if you find me something worth a hundred million, as long as it's worth the price, I'll buy it. Haha, Little Chu, don't rush. You don't need to find both items. If you really can't find them, it's okay. I've asked others to keep an eye out too."

"Okay, I'll find them for you as soon as possible. We'll be in touch then."

After hanging up the phone, Chu Chen felt a bit troubled. Zhao Qirui's request this time probably had some element of testing him. If he couldn't find something that satisfied him, his impression of Chu Chen might be diminished, something he absolutely couldn't accept.

For billionaires like Zhao Qirui, they were like the bread and butter for antique dealers. As the old saying in the antique trade goes, "Half a year without business, but a single transaction can sustain you for half a year." Small-scale dealings wouldn't lead to such a situation. Only transactions with wealthy bosses like Zhao Qirui could possibly recreate it.

Now that Zhao Qirui had given him an opportunity, he naturally had to do his best to maintain their relationship. Later, when he had more valuable antiques he wanted to sell, even if Zhao Qirui didn't buy them, he could introduce other buyers, and the price would also be guaranteed. This was what people often called a high-quality sales channel.

Therefore, for the task Zhao Qirui had asked him to help with, no matter how difficult, Chu Chen had to complete it, and the result had to satisfy him.

So, Chu Chen made several phone calls, asking Uncle Wu and his friends to keep an eye out for antiques that met these requirements, and to notify him immediately if they had any news.

However, he did not ask Zhao Xueyi for help. After all, Zhao Qirui had always completed such tasks through Zhao Xueyi in the past. His current action was like snatching Zhao Xueyi's livelihood. If he still asked for help, the other person might have some reservations, and even if their relationship was good, a rift would surely form between them.

After a round of notifications, his phone rang again. Chu Chen saw it was Uncle Wu's call and quickly answered, saying:

"Hello, Uncle Wu? It's Little Chen. Is there news already?"

Uncle Wu's laughter came from the other end of the phone: "Little Chen, you're quite lucky. I happen to have a customer who has a suitable double-eared vase he wants to sell, and the price is quite reasonable. Why don't you come over and take a look?"

Hearing such good news, Chu Chen quickly said on the phone, "Okay, I'll be right over."

After hanging up, Chu Chen ran quickly towards Uncle Wu's shop. When he was not far from it, he suddenly realized a problem. He had run too fast just now, and the crucial part was that he hadn't even panted a few times, let alone sweated. It was summer, after all. If he just walked in like that, how could he explain it clearly to Uncle Wu?

So, he had to bask in the sun for a while until a little sweat appeared on his forehead, then he jogged into the shop, pretending to be out of breath.

"You rascal, what's the hurry? It's the middle of summer, don't get heatstroke. Drink some water and rest first." Seeing Chu Chen's appearance, Uncle Wu said with some concern.

Chu Chen didn't say much, just smiled foolishly, took the water, and sat aside. He drank water and rested, genuinely enjoying the feeling of being cared for.

At this time, there was also a man in his thirties in Uncle Wu's shop. This person was likely the client Uncle Wu had just mentioned.

Chu Chen apologized to him, and the man said it was okay, telling him to rest a bit before discussing the double-eared vase. Then, he looked at a double-eared vase placed on the table. This double-eared vase was exquisite, and the moment he saw it, he was deeply captivated.

It was a double-eared colored porcelain vase, about twenty centimeters tall, making it a small vase in terms of shape. The outer wall of the vase was glazed with rose red, and a "Longevity" pattern was painted on it in famille rose, symbolizing auspiciousness. The double ears were shaped like dragons, so the accurate name of this porcelain vase should be the Rose Red Glaze Powder Enamel Longevity Pattern Double Dragon Ear Vase.

When Chu Chen had rested enough, Uncle Wu introduced the two of them to each other.

"So it's Mr. Wang. It's a pleasure to meet you." After Uncle Wu's introduction, Chu Chen stepped forward, shook hands with him, and handed him his business card.

Mr. Wang took the business card and said with a smile, "Let's cut to the chase. I'm a bit pressed for time. Mr. Chu, please examine this double-eared vase first and see if it meets your requirements."

Chu Chen didn't stand on ceremony. He gestured to Mr. Wang, put on gloves, and carefully began to examine it.

Looking at the style of this double-eared vase, it should be a rose red porcelain fired by the Jingdezhen kiln factory in the Qing Dynasty. The Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty were a historical peak in the development of colored porcelain production at the Imperial Kiln Factory in Jingdezhen. The rose red porcelain bowls of the Great Qing Qianlong period, whether single-color glazed or mixed-color porcelain, were breathtaking.

Among them, rose red could be considered one of the most innovative representative glazes of that period. It was a pink color colored with gold, with a purple hue. Because the glaze contained gold, it was often called "golden red" or "Western red."