Everyone watched with wide eyes, curious to see what would happen. However, after placing the green plate into the hot water, nothing extraordinary occurred except for the steam rising from the water.
This scene made Ethan silently criticize, “What a sham! A regular green plate in hot water won’t change anything. Even if you’re trying to fool people, this isn’t the way.”
As a member of the Dan family and with considerable experience in the antique industry, Ethan was confident in his appraisal skills.
The reason he followed Ryan here was merely to take the opportunity to give Bonham Auction House some free publicity.
What surprised him was that Christine and Arlene had brought along the man they had met last time.
While Ethan was pondering this, he suddenly heard someone exclaim as if they had seen something incredible.
The exclamation came from Ashton Lowe, who then uttered a name, “Early Qing Dynasty Lingzhi Blue and White Plate!”
Ethan quickly looked at the basin and saw that the ink in the green plate was spinning clockwise.
The ink gradually changed color from black to green as it spun faster.
The originally black ink turned completely green, and a faint, strange fragrance accompanied the steam.
Such a magical scene would be unbelievable if not witnessed firsthand.
Not only was Ashton Lowe astonished, but even the well-informed Karson Ballard was at a loss for words.
Christine and Arlene exchanged glances and then looked at Leo simultaneously. They couldn’t understand how Leo had seen through the mystery of the green plate.
Everyone’s expressions were noticed by Ollie James, who proudly said, “As the saying goes, ‘Green surpasses blue,’ Leo has great insight. You old-timers in the antique world might consider early retirement.”
Although his words were harsh, Karson Ballard, Ashton Lowe, and Kristian showed no signs of anger.
Ashton Lowe took a few more looks at Leo, suddenly feeling that this seemingly ordinary young man might not be so ordinary after all.
The one feeling most uncomfortable was Ethan. Being proven wrong was unpleasant, and he couldn’t believe he had misjudged. This didn’t make sense!
Looking at Leo again, Ethan was puzzled. Could this guy be a master appraiser?
But why had he never heard of Leo in the antique world?
Ollie James took the green plate out of the basin, and the ink immediately stopped spinning and turned back to black, even purer than before.
“Ashton Lowe’s heart raced as he thought about using this blue and white plate for grinding ink.”
Having dealt with Ashton Lowe for some time, Ollie James could see through his intentions and bluntly said, “Not for sale!”
“Five hundred thousand dollars!” Ashton Lowe held up five fingers.
Ollie James shook his head vigorously, “I wouldn’t sell it for a million dollars. Don’t even think about it.”
Ashton Lowe persisted, “Ollie, don’t be like that. How about I add my treasured Master Graphite’s ‘All the Pretty Horses’?”
Ollie James was taken aback. “All the Pretty Horses” was a genuine work by Master Graphite that Ashton Lowe had accidentally acquired years ago. He was willing to part with it for this blue and white plate?
“Really?”
“I’ll lend it to you for a day.”
“Unless you bring it over for an exchange, no deal.”
After much haggling, they finally reached an agreement: Ashton Lowe would lend “All the Pretty Horses” to Ollie James for a day, and Ollie James would lend the blue and white plate to Ashton Lowe for a day.
Everyone was happy.
“It’s my turn!” Kristian announced loudly.
Ollie James’s blue and white plate had raised everyone’s expectations. If the next item wasn’t of high quality, it would pale in comparison.
Kristian reached into his sleeve and pulled out a small bronze sword.
Though shaped like a sword, it was about the size of a dagger.
The sword had some rust, its edge was blunt, and its hilt was intricately wrapped with gold thread. Other than that, there was nothing remarkable about it.
But Karson Ballard and others gasped in unison.
Having learned his lesson from last time, Ethan didn’t speak rashly but carefully observed the small sword.
The craftsmanship suggested it was from the 14th century and well-preserved, making it a fine piece.
However, compared to Ollie James’s blue and white plate, it seemed inferior. Ethan couldn’t understand why Karson Ballard and the others were so shocked.
Christine and Arlene were also puzzled. Since Kristian took out the sword, his previously reserved demeanor became assertive and imposing like a towering mountain, increasing the pressure on everyone around him.
“It’s actually a flying sword!” Leo spoke first.
Flying swords were things of fantasy novels. When Leo mentioned it, Ethan couldn’t help but want to mock him again.
But Kristian laughed loudly and said, “Good eye, young friend. However, its proper name is AZURE SWORD. It’s said that in ancient times, those who mastered their skills could travel thousands of miles in a day by riding such swords.”
Kristian raised his hand, and the small sword floated into the air, hovering slightly unsteadily.
Though it only hovered a few inches above Kristian’s hand, it was indeed floating without any support.
The sword only stayed aloft for a few breaths before falling back into Kristian’s hand, but everyone was already stunned.
Karson Ballard asked, “Kristian, is this really a flying sword?”
“The item is real, but I only know a bit about controlling it. So it can only hover for a few seconds,” Kristian said regretfully.
Arlene curiously asked, “Are those stories about flying on swords in fantasy novels true?”
“You have quite an imagination. I think you’ve read too many novels,” Kristian laughed heartily.
Even so, controlling objects seemed like an incredible ability to ordinary people. Even Karson Ballard looked at the small flying sword with greed in his eyes.
Ethan was equally envious. How could he not possess such a treasure?
Ashton Lowe snapped out of his daze and said, “Such a treasure would fetch at least ten million dollars at auction.”
“Ten million? I think the starting price should be ten million!” Ollie James compared his blue and white plate with Kristian’s flying sword and instantly felt his plate was inferior.
Before Ollie James finished speaking, Kristian shook his head. “My AZURE SWORD is worthless to those who don’t understand it but priceless to those who do.”
Kristian put away the small flying sword.
Karson Ballard curiously asked, “Kristian, what do you mean by that?”