Chapter 1437: Wu Dao Mirror

"Just one! If I lose, I won't ask for yours, just an apology..."

Seeing that this fellow didn't even know how precious his own work was and openly said it was poorly painted, Zhang Ziqing grew even angrier.

"Apology? Not happening!"

Zhang Xuan shook his head: "In competitions... I've never lost. If you want to compete, hurry up—I have things to do!"

"Fine!"

Taking a few rapid breaths to suppress her frustration, Zhang Ziqing finally looked over: "In literature, there is no first; in martial arts, no second. Normally, it's hard to judge which of two paintings of the same level is better, since everyone's senses and preferences differ, and the results in their minds are completely different! For fairness, I have here a 'Wu Dao Mirror' that can determine the grade and quality of paintings without bias!"

With a flip of her jade hand, a round bronze mirror appeared in her palm, hovering quietly in the air.

"Wu Dao Mirror?"

Zhang Xuan was curious.

"Yes. This was created by the founder of the Calligraphy and Painting Masters Guild, Master Wu Dao. It can authenticate and grade paintings. Mine is just a replica, but it's more than enough to judge our works!"

Seeing that he didn't even know this, Zhang Ziqing grew even more displeased.

The Wu Dao Mirror was left by the founder of the Calligraphy and Painting Masters Guild. It could easily inspect any painting and determine its grade. The true treasure was certainly kept in the guild; hers, though a replica made by later masters, was still infallible for judging paintings.

"May I take a look?"

Zhang Xuan looked over.

"Here!"

Knowing he would inspect it, Zhang Ziqing said nothing more and flicked her wrist, sending the Wu Dao Mirror flying toward him.

His fingers touched the mirror, then Zhang Xuan pushed it back: "I've seen it. Can we start?"

A book appeared in his mind; in an instant, he understood the mirror's ability to judge paintings, so there was nothing to question.

"You've seen it already?"

Zhang Ziqing was startled.

He hadn't even known about the mirror before, and now, before it reached him, he claimed to have seen it... Was he joking?

"This Wu Dao Mirror was forged three hundred years ago by the nine-star Calligraphy and Painting Master, Master Zhiyang. It is tempered from golden ore, with thirty-seven array patterns inscribed, containing the power of the painting world. Its spirit holds Master Zhiyang's insights into painting. Confirming grades with it is indeed beyond doubt—fair and impartial!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"How... do you know?"

Her eyes wide, Zhang Ziqing was startled.

This Wu Dao Mirror had been kept in the guild since its creation. For this clan gathering, knowing someone would challenge her, she had reported to her teacher and requested it.

After countless efforts to refine it, she had only learned this information. This fellow, with just a glance—without even holding it—had casually spoken it out...

Even her teacher couldn't do that!

"Oh, I happen to be an appraiser. I recognized it at a glance..."

Zhang Xuan didn't explain further, casually waving his hand.

"Appraiser?" Zhang Ziqing was baffled.

He hadn't even heard of the Wu Dao Mirror, yet with one look he could state its origin... Did appraisers have such ability? Who was he fooling?

But knowing this wasn't the time to dwell on it, she swept her hand, and a sheet of white paper appeared on the table before her.

This paper was different from the usual xuan paper; it was pure white with a smooth surface, as if ordinary ink couldn't stick to it.

"This is 'Flowing Light Paper,' made from sacred beast blood tempered with Flowing Light Stone. Paintings on it last ten thousand years without decay or fading. Each sheet is priceless..."

Zhang Wuchen, standing behind the crowd, nodded.

For calligraphy and painting masters, paper was like a warrior's sword—the higher the grade, the more exquisite the artistic conception of the painting.

Flowing Light Paper was famous throughout the painting world. Due to low yield, even nine-star masters had only a few sheets. Zhang Ziqing casually took one out to paint, showing she took this competition very seriously.

"She must have heard about the formation collapse. He happened to criticize her painting, so she seized the opportunity to teach him a lesson."

With a thought, Zhang Wuchen understood.

The formation guarding the Zhang family's entrance had been destroyed by this Zhang Xuan, and news had spread within the clan two hours ago. All the younger generation should know.

Though Zhang Ziqing was a woman, she had a strong sense of clan loyalty and was surely displeased. Thus, she deliberately found an excuse to make him realize there were heavens beyond heavens and mountains beyond mountains!

Otherwise, why would she, the family's top talented woman, be in the guest quarters, precisely crossing paths with this fellow?

Thinking this, he couldn't help looking around, paused, and shook his head.

"They're all here. This Zhang Xuan is probably in for trouble..."

Elder Wuzhen, seeing his expression, knew what he was thinking and lowered his voice.

"Heh, that's fine. Let him learn the might of our Zhang family, so he won't be too arrogant..."

Zhang Wuchen nodded.

The top talents of the younger generation had mostly come. The grand elder's method was indeed good.

If the younger generation challenged him, outsiders couldn't say much.

Whoosh!

As they whispered, Zhang Ziqing flipped her wrist again, and a brush appeared.

"It's the 'Azure Saint Fox Brush,' made from the tail hair of the Azure Fox... Its value far exceeds that of Flowing Light Paper!"

"Bringing out two great treasures at once—that fellow is probably doomed!"

"Not necessarily. Knowing Zhang Ziqing's skill in painting, he still accepted the challenge, so he must be strong in painting too. He might have even better treasures!"

"True..."

Seeing the brush clearly, the crowd murmured.

Those invited by the Zhang family were all exceptionally talented. Though painting was a niche, famous brushes were well-known.

The Azure Saint Fox Brush was among the top in the entire continent.

"If this incense stick burns out and you haven't finished, you lose."

Again taking out ink and saturating the brush, Zhang Ziqing flicked her finger, and a finger-length incense stick appeared in the middle of the courtyard, slowly burning, emitting a faint fragrance.

Since it was a competition, a time limit was necessary. Otherwise, if one painted for half an hour and the other for ten years, how could the results be comparable?

"Fine."

Zhang Xuan replied.

Judging by the burning speed, the incense would last less than half an hour. That time was a bit tight for painting.

"Then let's begin..."

Seeing his agreement, Zhang Ziqing wasted no more words. The brush hovered over the Flowing Light Paper, and with a light touch, a curve immediately appeared, shimmering with dazzling light.