The Supreme Martial Expert of the Female CEO-Chapter 1828 - 1825: Gifting the Painting

"That’s impossible. If it’s that painting, how could it appear as the eighth auction item?"

"That’s right. That painting once had a world of its own and vanished into the Ancient Ruins. So many people have tried to see it over the years, but none have succeeded!" 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

...

Baili was very satisfied with the audience’s reaction. He cleared his throat and said, "Unfortunately, the painting we’re auctioning this time is not the genius’s final masterpiece but a painting he never got around to destroying. Though it’s an early work, it’s the only piece of his that still exists in the world."

The crowd showed a glimmer of hope, but also a sense of relief. How could such a divine object as the final masterpiece appear so easily?

However, since it was created by the genius, even if not his most satisfying work, it still holds significant collectible value!

Moreover, many hope to glean some insight from it. After all, the genius had reached the Transformative Realm, unparalleled among his peers.

"This painting is of distant mountains!" Baili announced. "In this painting, there are dozens of peaks of varying sizes, and it’s filled with innumerable birds, beasts, insects, and fish, each vividly portrayed, known as the Thousand-Mile Rivers and Mountains Painting!"

As he spoke, Baili flicked his fingers and opened the painting. As it unrolled slowly, everyone’s attention was immediately captivated by its beauty.

The vast mountain ranges, the deep clouds, the lush forests, the rushing waterfalls, the birds singing, the flowers blooming, the sounds of insects and fish jumping... Everyone seemed immersed in the painting, as if they could smell the flowers, feel the freshness in the air, and hear the sounds of insects...

Ling Feng quickly awoke from this sensation, his face showing shock. This painting contained such a powerful and surging Life Force. What realm had the painter’s skill reached!

In Ling Feng’s understanding, not even those at the Pinnacle of the Azure Sky Realm might possess such magical methods!

Though this painting isn’t a Divine Artifact, its wonders rival those of a High-grade Divine Instrument! If someone could comprehend the mysteries of life from this painting, it would be worth far more than its price!

With a quick motion, Baili rolled up the painting with a slight smile and said, "You’ve all seen this painting. Bidding starts now! The starting price is five million Spirit Stones, with each increase no less than fifty thousand Spirit Stones!"

"Six million Spirit Stones!"

"Eight million Spirit Stones from me. Such a divine object must be mine!"

"Only eight million Spirit Stones, and you dare boast? I bid ten million Spirit Stones!"

...

This auction saw the first item to reach ten million Spirit Stones, and indeed, this Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains painting was worth that price.

The bidding continued, and Ling Feng’s face showed a thoughtful expression.

"Brother Feng, what are you thinking about?" Cheng Minxue couldn’t help but ask when she saw Ling Feng lost in thought.

Ling Feng said in a deep voice, "After seeing this painting, I can confirm that the painter’s skill probably surpasses the Pinnacle of the Azure Sky Realm, possibly reaching the Immortal Realm, but... As an Immortal Realm expert, why would he destroy all his paintings and leave only a final masterpiece? What was his purpose? It’s quite baffling!"

The Head of the Cheng Family, hearing Ling Feng’s words, said with a bitter smile, "Not only are you puzzled by this, Ling Feng; everyone in the Ancient Ruins is as well. What we can be sure of is that his realm had reached a level we cannot comprehend, which is why we can’t understand his actions!"

Ling Feng nodded slowly, then asked, "By the way, what was his name? Why hasn’t the auctioneer mentioned it?"

"He didn’t mention it because he doesn’t know!" The Head of the Cheng Family shrugged and said, "All we know is that he’s called the Painter, but no one knows his real name or where he came from. To everyone, he’s a very eccentric genius!"

"And using painting as a path of cultivation in such an unprecedented and unmatched way is unique. Since the Painter, countless geniuses have tried to replicate his brilliance through painting, but none have succeeded!" The Head of the Cheng Family mused as he pressed the button: "The Cheng Family bids eighteen million Spirit Stones!"

Ling Feng was shocked: "Uncle Cheng, do you want to bid for this painting?"

"Of course! The painting is magical and has great collectible value. Isn’t it normal for me to bid for it? And quite a few prominent families are eager too!"

Indeed, once the Head of the Cheng Family made his bid, the top-ranked families started pressing buttons as if they were injected with adrenaline.

Soon, the bidding for the painting exceeded twenty million Spirit Stones, and now it had become a contest among the prominent families, with the smaller families withdrawing from the competition.

In the end, the painting was secured by the Head of the Cheng Family for thirty-four million Spirit Stones.

When the painting was delivered to the private room, the Head of the Cheng Family caressed it, then handed it to Ling Feng: "This painting is for you!"

Ling Feng was utterly astonished: "Uncle Cheng, what do you mean? This is too valuable; I can’t accept it!"

The Head of the Cheng Family said casually, "Take it. Aren’t you very interested in the Painter? This painting is just a piece in my collection. I hope you can gain some insight from it."

Ling Feng gave a wry smile: "But it’s too expensive..."

"Anything that can be solved with money isn’t truly expensive!" The Head of the Cheng Family said lightly, "And thirty million Spirit Stones isn’t much to me. You’re very important to our Cheng family. I’ve always thought of you as a relative, so consider this a gift from me!"

Cheng Minxue also said, "Brother Feng, just accept it. It’s also a token of our family’s goodwill!"

Ling Feng hesitated slightly, sensing the Cheng family’s intent, yet he was genuinely intrigued by the mysterious Painter.

Most importantly, the Cheng family had always shown him kindness in a way that made him feel at ease, which made Ling Feng feel a touch of indebtedness.

After a brief hesitation, he accepted the painting: "Thank you very much, Uncle Cheng!"

The Head of the Cheng Family smiled slightly, knowing what it meant for Ling Feng to accept the painting.

He said with a smile, "We’re one family, so no need for thanks or apologies!"

Ling Feng could only smile wryly, his heart filled with the thought that one day he would repay the Cheng family’s kindness!