Chapter 298: Chapter 178: Competing with Our Crown Prince?

A wide array of weapons could be found here, some exquisite, some high-quality, and others appearing aged with a nostalgic feel.

If he hadn’t known he was in the Evergreen Commerce Association, Li Hengsheng might have suspected he had stumbled into a heap of junk.

"This way for paintings," Minmin introduced to Li Hengsheng, "There are some excellent paintings here, some even by high-level painters."

"No works by the Painting Saint?" Li Hengsheng asked casually.

"Ah?" Minmin was taken aback, then laughed, "Young Master Li, you really know how to joke. Works by the Painting Saint are rare, and even if any exist, they are usually held by major sects and rarely in private hands. Besides, almost no one would put a Painting Saint’s work up for sale, right?"

"Oh, true." Li Hengsheng nodded in agreement, understanding the reasoning. Perhaps because he often saw works by the Painting Saint at the Futu Pavilion, he didn’t realize how rare they were.

Upon reflection, he realized that some people could live their whole lives without seeing a single work by the Painting Saint.

Even within the Inner Sect Disciples of Dao Mountain, only they might have the privilege to glimpse a Painting Saint’s masterpiece.

These paintings were crooked and skewed.

Looking at them evoked no feeling; Li Hengsheng even wondered if they might have been painted by his father, Li Changqing.

How unsightly they were.

If Li Changqing ever heard this, he would be furious. Is this how you view your father’s skill?

You’ll get no Seven Wolves.

How about trying Seven Swords instead?

"Oh?" At that moment, Li Hengsheng curiously eyed a painting.

Because only a third of the painting was visible, Li Hengsheng noticed several bolts of lightning cascading down with overwhelming power.

This scene resonated with Li Hengsheng.

"I’d like to see that painting," Li Hengsheng indicated.

Minmin glanced over and nodded, "Song Yu, open this painting for Young Master Li to see."

The young man overseeing the paintings nodded and untied the strings on the painting, unveiling it fully to Li Hengsheng!

Suddenly, a surge of thunderous energy was felt, as vast as a mighty river!

The painting depicted a barren land with countless synchronized bolts of lightning in the distant sky, each one like silver serpents, threatening to devour everything.

Truly a sight to behold.

"This painting is called ’Thousand Feet Thunderbolt Map,’ created by a high-level painter," the young man named Song Yu introduced to Li Hengsheng, "It’s from a private collector."

"A high-level painter?"

Li Hengsheng scrutinized the painting, feeling it was not merely the work of a high-level painter; it could rival works by the Painting Saint!

Gazing at the ’Thousand Feet Thunderbolt Map,’ Li Hengsheng felt a stirring in his heart.

Almost as if he could sense something from it.

"How much is it?" Li Hengsheng inquired.

"The owner has priced it at one million taels of silver," Song Yu quickly replied.

For a work of such high quality by a high-level painter, one million taels of silver was not unreasonable.

However, hearing the price made Li Hengsheng’s heart wrench.

Counting all his resources, he had only five hundred thousand taels, sent by Li Changqing, which he hadn’t spent.

He thought it was a considerable sum, yet now realized it wasn’t enough.

But he truly desired the painting.

"Young Master Li, didn’t bring enough money?" Minmin asked, seeing his silence.

"Hmm, I only brought five hundred thousand taels." Li Hengsheng awkwardly admitted, realizing the steep prices for paintings made him understand his father’s aspirations to become a Painting Saint.

Just as Minmin was about to speak, a booming voice sounded from behind Li Hengsheng, "This ’Thousand Feet Thunderbolt Map’ for one million taels, I’ll take it."

Li Hengsheng turned to see a young man behind him, accompanied by an attendant.

The attendant seemed ordinary, just like any regular person, but a mere glance from him made Li Hengsheng feel uneasy.

An expert!

Li Hengsheng immediately judged the attendant to be at least an Innate Perfection expert.

Xu Kui noticed the newcomer and moved closer to Li Hengsheng with caution.

"Wasn’t I the first to see this painting?" Li Hengsheng insisted, determined not to easily relinquish it. Trading a treasure for it, if necessary, wasn’t off the table either.

As a last resort, he still had over ten thousand Celestial Sea City Merit Points. If converted to silver, many would probably clamor for the exchange.

"You may’ve seen it first, but you can’t afford it," the young man approached, glancing at Li Hengsheng with a quiet disdain, as though viewing ants.

The dismissive manner was not deliberate, but rather the natural demeanor of someone in authority, feeling unmatched, perceiving everyone as lesser beings.

That gaze instantly reminded Li Hengsheng of someone.

Chu Changkong.

There was a similarity in their looks.

Li Hengsheng frowned, "Whether I can afford it is not for you to decide, is it?"

"Exactly, Young Master Li’s ability to purchase isn’t anyone else’s concern,"

Minmin defended, stepping forward, "Young Master Li was indeed the first to see it. Regardless of the purchase, it is his decision to make. Only if he decides not to buy, will this guest have the opportunity. First come, first served, is how we operate in the Evergreen Commerce Association."

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com