To understand, a golden jade robe might be seen as merely an expensive antique by others.
But in Ying Chen's eyes, it was a magical artifact filled with hidden mysteries!
He Chongxu must have realized this as well, which was why he incited Li Fengcheng to bid for it.
However, how much He Chongxu had truly discerned was hard to say.
Did he only realize the golden jade robe held a hidden mechanism, or did he also know its specific origin and purpose?
Ying Chen casually took the golden jade robe and gave it a shake.
The golden threads and jade pieces gleamed under the light, exhibiting an indescribable, riotous beauty.
Even Hu Sansheng, who had seen much, wore a look of shock upon witnessing this scene.
He had previously found it hard to understand why Li Fengcheng and Ying Chen would escalate to this point over a mere garment.
Now, after seeing the actual object, he realized: this garment was indeed worth it!
For upon experiencing it up close, Hu Sansheng felt a profoundly mysterious sensation emanating from the robe!
This was a feeling Hu Sansheng had only encountered with one or two national treasures he had previously come into contact with!
In other words, this golden jade robe had very likely reached the level of a national treasure!
As Hu Sansheng was immersed in the colors and lights presented by the golden jade robe, he heard Ying Chen turn and instruct him, "Help me prepare an engraving knife, and also some top-grade cinnabar, preferably imperial cinnabar of a purplish-gold hue."
"The sooner, the better."
Hu Sansheng blinked slightly, "Sir, are you intending to... engrave on it?"
Ying Chen nodded.
Upon hearing this, Hu Sansheng's face instantly contorted in distress, "Sir, please forgive my intrusion, but for such a collectible, the emphasis is on preserving its original state and its historical significance. The most taboo actions are unauthorized application of paint or carving.
"If an artifact can fetch a hundred million yuan untouched, after being painted or carved, it might not be worth even a million!"
"Take Emperor Qianlong, for example. His favorite pastime was to add his personal seals and 'dog-skin plasters' to various famous paintings. Many masterpieces consequently plummeted in value, causing endless regret. Emperor Qianlong himself earned countless condemnations; there isn't a single person in the antique circle who speaks well of him.
"Therefore, sir, please do not commit such a scene-ruining act!"
Liao Yifan also chimed in, "Yes, Hu Sheng is right. Collectibles truly should not be privately stamped or painted, as it greatly damages their intrinsic value. Especially carving, an act that is difficult to repair, is an even greater taboo."
Facing their dissuasion, Ying Chen offered no explanation, merely repeating calmly, "Engraving knife, imperial cinnabar. Please be quick."
Although Ying Chen's tone was gentle, Hu Sansheng immediately realized he could not say any more.
Third time's the charm, and if Ying Chen had to repeat himself a third time, he might face dire consequences.
So he quickly replied, "Alright, I'll dispatch someone to purchase them now! I'll have them ready within half an hour!"
"Thank you for your trouble." Ying Chen nodded at Hu Sansheng, then returned to the sofa without another word.
The golden jade robe was casually placed by Ying Chen on the coffee table.
Without even a layer of cotton cloth to cushion it.
Seeing this, a flicker of heartache crossed the eyes of both Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan.
If even a single jade piece on the golden jade robe were scratched, its price would be diminished!
Ying Chen's actions were a complete desecration of divine workmanship!
However, despite their heartache, neither dared to utter a word.
They could only wait silently for the arrival of the engraving knife and cinnabar.
Drip, drip.
Half an hour passed quickly, and indeed, the sound of a car was heard at the entrance.
Someone had delivered what Ying Chen needed.
Ying Chen took the items and inspected them.
No issues. The engraving knife was a top-tier collectible, with an intricate dragon carved on its body and a royal crown motif at its tail. The entire knife gleamed, exuding sharp potential.
The cinnabar was also the purplish-gold variety, or imperial cinnabar, as Ying Chen had requested.
Under the light, the entire box of cinnabar displayed a purplish-gold hue, with a hint of deep crimson radiating from its depths.
The richness and magnificence of the color were something even the most vibrant paints and brushes could not replicate.
"Excellent."
Ying Chen said with satisfaction.
Then, he picked up the engraving knife as if no one else was present and began to carve on the golden jade robe!
This sight sent shivers down the spines of Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan.
Although they had already known Ying Chen's intentions, seeing him actually begin to carve, their hearts inevitably trembled.
This gentleman truly did not regard money as money!
With this one stroke, Ying Chen felt satisfaction, but the golden jade robe was ruined!
An item worth billions!
Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan wailed in their hearts simultaneously.
Yet, Ying Chen did not even glance at them, focusing solely on his carving on the golden jade robe.
In the blink of an eye, Ying Chen had completed a pattern on the golden jade robe.
However, this pattern left Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan utterly bewildered.
If it were beautiful, it would be one thing, but why did it look like meaningless scribbles?
Did Ying Chen even know what he was doing?
Because of these scribbles, the golden jade robe had already lost at least half its value!
But Ying Chen still looked as if he had not had enough, and did not stop.
It seemed he would not rest until this golden jade robe was reduced to worthlessness.
Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan exchanged glances, and they completely gave up, resigning themselves to fate.
Whatever happens, happens.
After all, even if the golden jade robe was ultimately reduced to a pile of rubble, it would have nothing to do with them.
Scratch, scratch...
Scratch, scratch...
The room fell silent, with only the rustling sound of the engraving knife on the golden jade robe.
Large flakes of jade and cinnabar fell with the engraving knife. In a short while, Ying Chen had already etched more than a dozen patterns on the golden jade robe!
And every single one of these dozen patterns was, without exception, mere scribbles!
After finishing the carvings, Ying Chen was still not satisfied.
He even reached out for the cinnabar, dipped his finger in it, and smeared it along the scribbles one by one.
Instantly, the already extremely ugly scribbles became even uglier!
It was like an unsightly person putting on makeup and drawing on bright red lips!
It was as unsettling as it could get!
"This is completely beyond saving now," Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan lamented in unison.
Ying Chen, however, showed a look of deep satisfaction, a faint smile on his lips, and said calmly, "It's done!"
"Next, we just need to perform the final step, and it will reveal its true form!"
With that, Ying Chen picked up the engraving knife and lightly pricked his fingertip.
Instantly, a drop of blood seeped from Ying Chen's fingertip and landed on the golden jade robe.
Just as Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan widened their eyes, utterly bewildered.
They witnessed the golden jade robe undergo a startling transformation!
Originally, there were some fine cracks on the golden jade robe, resembling hairline fractures. These cracks were considered flaws that affected its appearance.
But now, these cracks seemed to come alive, all emitting a faint glow!
And the scribbled patterns that Ying Chen had carved began to spin slowly.
The entire golden jade robe seemed to transform into a diagram of cosmic star movements.
The scribbles became individual galaxies, and the naturally occurring crack lines of the golden jade robe transformed into galactic spiral arms, gracefully rotating with the spin of the scribbles.
For a moment, the entire golden jade robe seemed to possess life!
Hu Sansheng and Liao Yifan could even hear a grand Buddhist chant resonating!
It struck directly at their souls!