The crowd gradually quieted down, their gazes falling upon Lin Fan, awaiting his opinion.
Liu Fa was consumed by anxiety.
He knew that the Condensed Water Pearl possessed the ability to condense water vapor, always feeling cool to the touch regardless of the ambient temperature.
However, he was completely unaware of the pearl's origin.
It was evident that Lin Fan might know something.
Liu Fa's expression was tense, hoping to receive an answer from Lin Fan's lips.
After a long while, just as the crowd was growing impatient, Lin Fan finally placed the Condensed Water Pearl back into its box.
Then, Lin Fan pinched the bridge of his nose, using his thumb and index finger to rub his sore eyes. A burning pain made tears well up.
"How is it?" Liu Fa asked impatiently.
Zhou Yi leaned closer to Lin Fan, "Xiao Fan, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, Sister Zhou."
As he rubbed his eyes, Lin Fan had already figured out what to do.
"Gentlemen, I truly cannot discern its profound mystery."
Liu Fa was displeased upon hearing this. "How is that possible? You stared at it for so long and saw nothing? Are you trying to fool me?"
"What are you shouting about!" Zhou Yi slammed the table and stood up. "I haven't settled accounts with you for deceiving me earlier!"
Liu Fa's facial muscles twitched. "Ms. Zhou, you can't be unreasonable. Haven't we let bygones be bygones?"
"Who said they are? I didn't!" Zhou Yi roared.
"Let's all speak less and listen to what Mr. Lin has to say," Qian Xiangrong advised.
Liu Fa and Zhou Yi ceased their bickering.
Lin Fan gave a wry smile. "Everyone, I truly cannot discern the profound mystery of the Condensed Water Pearl, but this item is likely not simple."
Liu Fa was both angry and helpless. All this beating around the bush, and it was as if nothing had been said!
Everyone knew the Condensed Water Pearl was extraordinary; the key was its actual function and origin.
Qian Xiangrong frowned, feeling that Lin Fan was not telling the truth and was hiding some crucial information.
Zhou Yi nudged Lin Fan's arm. "Xiao Fan, did you not notice any clues at all?"
"Not entirely." Lin Fan smiled slightly. "A friend of mine once told me about a secret martial arts technique involving similar pearls, filled with something akin to mercury."
"Then placed in a cold, damp place. After some time, it naturally absorbs heat, creating the illusion of mist."
Upon hearing this, Liu Fa erupted in fury. "You're talking out of your backside!"
Bang!
Zhou Yi slammed the coffee table heavily and said sternly, "You surnamed Liu, I've tolerated you more than once or twice. How dare you be disrespectful to Xiao Fan and bully me!"
Liu Fa gritted his teeth. "I'm not selling it anymore!"
"Who are you calling 'you'!" Zhou Yi took out her phone. "Believe it or not, I'll have you buried like a concrete pile!"
Liu Fa clenched the dagger in his hand. "I'm not afraid to tell you the truth, I've killed people and seen blood. Don't think I'm easily bullied!"
Liu Fu and another young man stood with their hands behind their backs at the doorway, warily observing the situation in the living room.
Should a conflict erupt, they would intervene.
"You dare to defy me!" Zhou Yi flipped through her contacts, preparing to call for backup.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen." Qian Xiangrong was stamping his feet in distress. "You are both my good friends. Please calm down and let me say something, alright?"
"Hmph."
"Old Qian, I'll give you face."
Liu Fa and Zhou Yi, with cold expressions, stopped their mutual animosity.
"Mr. Lin, how reliable is that friend of yours you mentioned?"
Qian Xiangrong pointed at Liu Fa. "I trust Old Liu's character. He wouldn't possibly try to deceive Ms. Zhou with a fake."
"How can you speak such nonsense with a straight face? Isn't that broken thing fake?" Zhou Yi pointed at the bronze vessel on the table.
Liu Fa's face turned red. "That was an accident. I was unaware of it."
"Please, calm yourselves. I beg you." Qian Xiangrong stood between them, repeatedly pleading.
"Mr. Lin, please say something," Qian Xiangrong looked at Lin Fan.
Lin Fan gently pressed Zhou Yi's shoulder, urging her to sit down.
"Have you two heard of the Jiang Xiang Sect?" Lin Fan asked.
"Yes, the Jiang Xiang Sect is all about swindling and deception. They have nothing of value," Liu Fa said with a dark expression.
Lin Fan's eyebrows twitched. Did this fellow have some past grievance with the Jiang Xiang Sect?
He was too lazy to delve into the specifics. As long as this fellow knew of the Jiang Xiang Sect, it would be much easier.
"My friends are a brother and sister, Li Yusheng and Li Yurou. They are pillars of the Jiang Xiang Sect, disciples of the renowned Lin Xingnan."
Liu Fa's expression instantly froze, and he stared at Lin Fan in astonishment.
"Boss Liu, do you know my friends?"
"No, I know Lin Xingnan."
Liu Fa's craftsmanship was ancestral. His father had traveled extensively in the past and had spoken of Lin Xingnan's exploits, his words filled with admiration and reverence.
"Lin Xingnan possessed countless treasured ancient texts. The Li siblings are well-read, and they told me what I just mentioned," Lin Fan said with a serious demeanor.
Liu Fa and Qian Xiangrong were half-believing.
If it were anyone else, they would naturally be suspicious. However, the esteemed disciples of Lin Xingnan would surely possess true skill and wouldn't speak baseless nonsense.
Qian Xiangrong looked at Liu Fa with concern. "Tell me the truth, Liu. Were you genuinely keeping an eye on the Condensed Water Pearl from the moment it was dug up?"
"You... what do you mean?" Liu Fa felt a pang of guilt. He wasn't a robot; he needed to eat and sleep, how could he constantly watch the pearl?
When he wasn't present, his nephew naturally helped to guard it.
Thinking of this, Liu Fa suddenly turned around, his gaze fixing on Liu Fu as if he could devour him.
"Uncle! I swear, the Condensed Water Pearl never left my sight. This time, it's absolutely, positively true!" Liu Fu was startled.
If the Condensed Water Pearl had been swapped, his uncle would truly kill him!
Liu Fa turned back. "Since Ms. Zhou suspects it's fake, then this deal is off."
Lin Fan quickly raised his hand. "I never said it was fake."
Liu Fa glared at Lin Fan in annoyance. "You said it was real, then you said it was fake. What exactly do you mean?"
Lin Fan pointed at the Condensed Water Pearl in the box and chuckled. "This is likely the work of some skilled artisan from ancient times. It's a pity that in the face of modern science, its mystery has long since vanished."
"No matter when, it is still a valuable treasure!" Liu Fa moved to put the box away.
Lin Fan calmly waited until he had tucked the box into his embrace before saying, "My friend has always liked such items, and she is not short of money."
Liu Fa had been waiting for Lin Fan to stop him.
If Lin Fan had panicked, it would have meant he valued the Condensed Water Pearl greatly, and everything he had said earlier was a lie.
He deliberately took his time putting away the pearl, yet Lin Fan remained composed, filling him with a sense of disappointment.
"I will sell it, of course, but the price..." Liu Fa stared intently into Lin Fan's eyes, as if trying to see into his mind.
"How much? Name your price," Lin Fan said with a smile.