Chapter 337: [337] Are you sent by heaven to oppose me?_1

Meanwhile, at the judges’ table, another scene unfolded.

The other eight judges all stood up to offer their congratulations to Ouyang Yushan.

As Tang Feng was Ouyang Yushan’s close friend despite their age difference, he naturally came to be regarded by everyone as one of Ouyang Yushan’s camp.

Now that Tang Feng had achieved full marks in the intermediate appraisal examination for the second time in a row, his performance was truly dazzling.

They naturally did not miss the opportunity to show their goodwill to Ouyang Yushan.

Ouyang Yushan had no choice but to stand up and accept the crowd’s congratulations.

In contrast, Yao Guhuai sat there with a dark expression on his face.

Although his disciple Zhong Pan’er had also performed exceptionally well, passing the intermediate examination twice in a row on her first attempt was indeed a proud achievement.

But how could that compare when Ouyang Yushan’s “little brother” Tang Feng had done even better?

Not only had he passed two intermediate assessments, but he also did so with perfect scores.

Instantly, he overshadowed Zhong Pan’er’s brilliance.

Yao Guhuai felt a stifled breath in his chest that he couldn’t swallow down nor spit out, causing him considerable discomfort.

Ouyang Yushan noticed his expression and couldn’t help but let out a laugh, “What’s wrong, Mr. Yao? Are you feeling unwell?”

Yao Guhuai looked at him with a forced smile, “Congratulations, Mr. Ouyang, your little brother truly is a rare genius to come by.”

Ouyang Yushan humbly waved his hand, “Mutual congratulations are in order, your disciple also performed well.”

He would have been better off not mentioning Zhong Pan’er, as it made Yao Guhuai feel like he had been slapped in the face.

Especially the barely discernible smile on Ouyang Yushan’s face, which Yao Guhuai found particularly irksome, “Hmph, the examination isn’t over yet.”

“My disciple will not be content with merely an intermediate appraiser’s qualification.”

Ouyang Yushan was taken aback, “What did you say? Does your disciple intend to challenge the senior appraiser examination?”

The other judges all turned their gaze toward Yao Guhuai, incredulous.

Participating in the appraisal for the first time and achieving two intermediate appraiser qualifications in succession was already a shocking feat.

If she were to also gain a senior appraiser qualification, and it would only take one, she would be set within the Zhonghai Antique Circle.

There are roughly several tens of thousands of junior appraisers in Zhonghai.

But there are less than two thousand intermediate appraisers.

So how many senior appraisers are there?

Though no one had specifically tallied the number, there were definitely not more than a hundred people.

Correct, not more than a hundred.

This made clear just how valuable the title of senior appraiser was.@@novelbin@@

It isn’t an exaggeration to say that being a senior appraiser would suffice to govern a region and become a distinguished figure within the Zhonghai Antique Circle.

If Zhong Pan’er indeed secured the senior appraiser qualification, then Yao Guhuai’s status was bound to rise significantly.

He might even be on par with Ouyang Yushan, or perhaps, slightly surpass him.

Even though Ouyang Yushan’s disciples had long been senior appraisers, after all, they were of advanced age, with limited room for improvement.

But Zhong Pan’er was still young.

A senior appraiser in her twenties had limitless potential for the future.

Yao Guhuai successfully drew everyone’s attention to himself, feeling quite pleased inside, “Hahaha, my little disciple only wishes to try, it’s not certain she will pass.”

Although he said this, his tone was obviously triumphant, signaling his great confidence.

“Then we shall wait and see.”

The judges all returned to their seats, continuing to watch the situation on the floor.

At this moment, in the intermediate appraisal area, all the candidates’ scores had been announced.

Including Tang Feng and Zhong Pan’er, a total of five people had passed the intermediate appraisal for jade artistry this time.

Those who had successfully passed were naturally overjoyed.

And those who were eliminated left the venue disheartened, with no choice but to try again next year.

Just then, a staff member from the site ran over and shouted towards the candidates, “The final round of the senior appraisal is about to begin. Is there anyone else who wants to participate?”

“I’ll participate!”

No sooner had the staff member finished speaking than Zhong Pan’er, no longer feigning unconsciousness, hurriedly got up from Tang Feng’s arms and raised her hand to register.

Her declaration once again caused a huge stir.

All the candidates and spectators on-site looked at her with their jaws dropped.

“No way? She’s going to take the senior examination? Is she that driven?”

“Is she trying to completely crush us? Participating for the first time and already aiming for a senior appraiser’s qualification?”

“From the junior examination to the senior all the way through, she must be the first person ever to accomplish this, right?”

“Even a genius should have a limit, right? Where is her limit?”

The candidates on-site all screamed in despair.

They had been preparing for the examination for at least several years.

This woman, on the other hand, intended to pass all the examinations at once, not leaving any room for anybody else.

The staff member was also stunned, “You… what examination do you want to participate in?”

“The senior appraisal for calligraphy and painting.”

Zhong Pan’er stated the category she wanted to register for.

Calligraphy and painting were her strongest areas, and she thought she might just be able to make an attempt; she would not consider the other categories for now.

After recording her name on the registration form, the staff member looked around at the others, “Is there anyone else who wants to register?”

He had only asked out of routine and didn’t hold much hope.

After all, having an anomaly like Zhong Pan’er was already extremely rare; how could there be a second one?

But to his surprise, just as he finished speaking, another voice rang out, “I’ll register as well.”

Everyone turned their heads in unison to see who it was, then they were collectively taken aback.

The speaker was none other than Tang Feng.

He approached with a faint smile on his face.

His nonchalant demeanor was enough to make many antique masters feel ashamed.

“Are you sent by the heavens to oppose me?” Zhong Pan’er exploded with rage.

This man was really provoking her.

She participated in the junior examination, and he was there too.

She took part in the intermediate examination, and he was there too.

Now when she decided to give the senior examination a try, he shamelessly followed suit.

Wasn’t this blatantly opposing her?

“You’re overthinking it. I’ve never considered you a rival because you’re unworthy.”

Tang Feng’s words were indeed venomous, leaving no room for face-saving.