Chapter 40

"Quick, quick, where's that precious mask?" The gray-haired old man shouted from far away.

"Elder Wu, over here, it's over here." Chen Xinyu stood and called out to him.

"This, this mask..." The moment Elder Wu saw the Golden Mask on the table, his eyes lit up. He trembled all over with excitement.

"Elder Wu, is this mask real?" Yu Li looked at the excited Elder Wu in puzzlement. She couldn't understand why he was so worked up. She still suspected that the Golden Mask Xiao Hen had produced was either stolen or fake.

"It's real, definitely real. I've studied the culture of the ancient Khitan Kingdom for many years. This is a burial object belonging to the most esteemed figures of the Khitan Kingdom long ago, a treasure of tremendous research and collection value."

Without even raising his head, Elder Wu put on his Gauntlet and took out a piece of snow-white silk from his case, spreading it across the table. He carefully placed the Golden Mask on the silk, then took out a magnifying glass and a series of other professional tools. As he examined the Golden Mask, he clicked his tongue in praise.

Chen Xinyu asked, "Elder Wu, since this Golden Mask is genuine, could you estimate its value?"

Elder Wu paused, then asked in surprise, "Is this Golden Mask yours, girl from the Chen Family?"

Chen Xinyu shook her head and pointed at Xiao Hen. "This Golden Mask belongs to Mr. Xiao."

"Mr. Xiao wants to sell this mask?" Elder Wu asked.

"Yes. I'd appreciate it if Elder Wu could give it an estimate," Xiao Hen said with a nod.

"Tut, tut, this is truly a fine thing. Wouldn't it be a shame to sell it just like that?" Elder Wu gently stroked the Golden Mask, his face full of admiration.

"Can't be helped. I need money." Xiao Hen shrugged.

"This Golden Mask is indeed an ancient artifact from over a thousand years ago. My minimum estimate would be eight million." Elder Wu lowered his head to think for a moment before speaking solemnly.

"Eight million?" Yu Li cried out. A mask weighing less than two jin was worth eight million?

"CEO Chen, could you help me contact some buyers?" Xiao Hen looked toward Chen Xinyu.

"I can, but when it comes to this sort of thing, Elder Wu has far more authority." Chen Xinyu smiled.

"Oh?" Xiao Hen looked at Elder Wu in surprise.

"Hehe, this old man runs an antique auction house and several antique shops on the side. Appraising antiques is just a hobby of mine." Elder Wu smiled amiably.

"Then I'll have to trouble Elder Wu. How does your auction house charge?" Xiao Hen asked with a smile.

"Normally, we charge ten percent. But Mr. Xiao seems like a good person, and you're also friends with Xinyu, so I'll only charge you five percent." Elder Wu smiled.

Hearing that, Xiao Hen chuckled. "Then thank you, Elder Wu."

"This is a good item, so there's no need to rush the auction. I'll spend some time promoting it first. How about this? We'll auction it next Sunday at eight in the evening. With a week's time, those major clients should be able to make their way here from elsewhere."

"I'll leave everything to Elder Wu's arrangements." Xiao Hen knew nothing about these matters. With a professional like Elder Wu handling it, he was quite reassured.

Elder Wu left behind his contact information and took the Golden Mask with him. Chen Xinyu also had matters to attend to, so she prepared to leave with Yu Li.

"Mr. Xiao, don't worry. I've known Elder Wu for a long time. He values his reputation greatly," Chen Xinyu told Xiao Hen before leaving.

Xiao Hen waved a hand. "I trust CEO Chen's judgment."

Besides, my things aren't so easy to embezzle, Xiao Hen thought to himself.

After Chen Xinyu left, Xiao Hen turned and walked back into the martial arts school. There had been plenty of selfish motives behind his choice to come here. For one, it was convenient for cultivation and training. For another, even if he revealed some of his strength in the future, the martial arts school would give him somewhere to explain its origins.

Of course, that was only because Xiao Hen was still weak right now. Once he acquired even more terrifying power in the future, he would no longer need to worry about such trivial matters.

It was noon, and there were not many people in the martial arts school. Xiao Hen found a private training room and began practicing. He started with the Wind Wolf Fist. This fist technique, which he had obtained from Li Tingxuan, could strengthen one's control over one's own body. Xiao Hen had practiced it often lately and had gained some insight.

After finishing a set of Wind Wolf Fist, sweat had formed on his body and heat coursed through him. It was a sign that he had entered the zone.

Whoosh!

A slender, elegant silver-white longsword appeared in Xiao Hen's hand. He began to wield it, and in an instant, silver light flashed throughout the training room. The sword light carried waves of ringing, whistling sword cries as Xiao Hen practiced the Spring Rain Swordplay, gradually entering a realm of gentle wind and fine rain.

The Spring Rain Swordplay—Xiao Hen had no idea which Alternate Plane World the Shuttle had obtained it from. This sword technique had clearly been created based on the artistic conception of continuous spring rain. Once unleashed, it possessed an unending flow, effectively improving a person's ability to fight for extended periods.

Xiao Hen performed the swordplay without pause, practicing continuously for more than an hour, yet he still did not feel tired or fatigued.

The Spring Rain Swordplay was also exceptionally beautiful when performed, as though he were lightly dancing in the rain. Dots of sword radiance transformed into blossoms of sword light, while endless killing intent hid within those beautiful flowers.

Hoo...

Xiao Hen let out a long breath, sheathed his sword, and stood still, ending his practice. He had only just begun learning the Spring Rain Swordplay, so he found time every day to practice it once and increase his proficiency. However, he was still far from reaching the second level; it was not something he could achieve in a day or two.

"Magic Power Ring!" Xiao Hen looked at the green ring on the middle finger of his left hand. He intended to test the Magic Power Ring's effects.

"Activate!"

Xiao Hen's expression shifted as his mental power touched the Magic Power Ring. Immediately, a faint green protective barrier enveloped him, glowing with a soft green light. Xiao Hen touched the barrier with his hand, only to discover that his hand could easily extend beyond it.

"Huh?"

Xiao Hen found it rather strange. Then, with the barrier around him, he walked toward a nearby table and discovered that the table was firmly blocked outside the barrier. Xiao Hen suddenly understood. "So that's how it is."

The green fluorescent barrier lasted for ten minutes before gradually dispersing. Xiao Hen looked at the green ring on his hand. The green light on it had dimmed somewhat, but his meager mental power could clearly sense that the Magic Power Ring was slowly recovering. At this rate, it would probably return to normal after twenty-four hours.

"Not bad, not bad. It's a good thing for saving one's life."

Xiao Hen smiled as he touched the Magic Power Ring, then began gathering his belongings to leave.

Outside was the martial arts school's main hall, where there was a massive arena. It was already afternoon, and people had begun training in the martial arts school.

Xiao Hen ignored the people training there and left directly.

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