Chapter 93: This is the Real Deal—What Have We Been Collecting?

Old Sun said excitedly, "Young man, would you mind if I give it a try?"

"Of course not! But I have my doubts..." Lin Beifan hesitated. "Look at this minister's vessel—it's almost seamless, as if it was cast from a single piece of bronze. Old Sun, how do you plan to extract the supposed Wang Zun from inside?"

"Don't worry, I know how!"

Lin Beifan frowned. How does he know everything? Could he be a tool of the system?

Old Sun chuckled. "The ancients used a special technique. They mixed copper powder into a binding solution and applied it over the surface. Over time, oxidation gave it the appearance of solid bronze. However, if you soak it in an acidic solution, the copper layer will dissolve, revealing what's underneath!"

With that, Old Sun instructed someone to buy several bottles of rice vinegar and mix them into a bucket of water.

"Now it's ready! Just submerge the vessel, and as the copper film dissolves, the true object beneath will be revealed!" he explained excitedly.

Everyone watched with bated breath as the first minister's vessel was placed into the solution.

Within a minute, the water began to turn blue.

"The copper is dissolving!" someone whispered.

Gradually, a brilliant golden hue emerged from beneath the fading bronze.

"Gold! It's the color of gold!"

"There's really something inside!"

"It could be the legendary Wang Zun!"

Excitement spread through the crowd.

Only Fatty Wang and Angkor looked pale as ghosts.

Could this really be the true Wang Zun*?*

Then what is the set we have been holding onto?

"This... this is impossible!" Fatty Wang murmured in disbelief.

"It's not confirmed yet," Old Sun said, his eyes locked onto the dissolving vessel, his breath shallow with anticipation. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

Five minutes passed.

The copper film had completely dissolved.

And finally, the original form of the vessel was revealed.

A goblet made of pure gold!

Its craftsmanship was exquisite, beyond words.

It was breathtaking.

Compared to it, the minister's vessels now looked dull and insignificant.

There was no comparison.

"This is truly Wang Zun!" someone gasped.

"It's real… it's real!"

Fatty Wang collapsed onto the ground, his face drained of color.

Angkor's legs trembled violently.

Although they were reluctant to admit it…

The Wang Zun before them was far superior to the set they had collected.

More refined.

More noble.

Side by side, their collection now seemed like a cheap imitation.

Old Sun carefully lifted the golden goblet from the water, his hands shaking with reverence. He examined it closely, his eyes filled with awe.

"Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent! Such an ingenious design, such flawless craftsmanship! I swear on my reputation—this is the true Wang Zun!"

The crowd swarmed in for a closer look, their eyes gleaming with admiration.

Lin Beifan examined it as well and nodded. "This looks valuable."

"Valuable?!" Old Sun scoffed. "This isn't just valuable—this is priceless! An artifact of this caliber, with immense historical and artistic value, would be worth at least 200 million!"

"No, at least 300 million!"

"Pfft—"

Fatty Wang, who had just managed to get back on his feet, collapsed once again.

Angkor's face turned a sickly white, as if he had been struck by a thunderbolt.

They had just sold a 300-million-yuan treasure… for almost nothing!

They felt like dying.

"Are you sure it's worth that much?" Lin Beifan frowned. "I think 200 million would be a more reasonable estimate."

Old Sun snapped, "I said 300 million, and I stand by it! Are you questioning my expertise?"

Lin Beifan shook his head. "Not at all, I just think it might be slightly overvalued."

"If anything, I underestimated it! This artifact has never been auctioned before, making it a one-of-a-kind treasure! If it were put up for bidding, I wouldn't be surprised if it fetched 400 to 500 million!"

"Four to five hundred million?!"

Fatty Wang collapsed again.

Angkor clutched his chest, gasping for air.

Lin Beifan turned to Old Sun. "Since one Wang Zun was hidden inside the minister's vessel, do you think the others might also be the same?"

"I'm 90% certain! Let's find out!" Old Sun said excitedly.

Another vessel was placed in the vinegar solution.

Moments later, another brilliant golden hue emerged.

"It's another Wang Zun!"

"The second one!"

Fatty Wang groaned and slumped back down.

Angkor's face was now a ghastly shade of green.

A third vessel was placed in the vinegar solution.

"It's Wang Zun again!"

"The third one!"

Fatty Wang hit the ground once more, while Angkor's lips turned blue.

A fourth vessel was placed in the vinegar solution.

"It's Wang Zun again!"

"That makes four!"

Fatty Wang couldn't even muster the strength to stand anymore.

Angkor's face looked like he had been poisoned, as green as a grave-bound dumpling.

Finally, the fifth vessel was submerged.

As expected, a brilliant golden glow emerged.

"The fifth one!"

"All five vessels… are Wang Zun!"

"The legendary set, lost for centuries, has reappeared in its entirety!"

Old Sun was nearly in tears. "Today… today, we have witnessed a miracle! A miracle for the world of collectors! A miracle in history!"

Lin Beifan smiled. "Lao Sun, since you're an expert, how much do you think this complete set is worth?"

Old Sun raised three fingers without hesitation.

"Three billion."

That number struck Fatty Wang and Angkor like a lightning bolt.

They nearly died on the spot.