As Chen Fan and his companions arrived, two long tables already had occupants.
At the head of the table on the left sat, to Chen Fan's surprise, a pair of monks, one old and one young.
The right side was occupied by a pair of middle-aged men, both wearing glasses and exuding an air of scholarly refinement, appearing to be professors or academics.
However, the stone platforms beside these two seats remained empty, with no items yet displayed.
"Mr. Chen, would you like to sit with me?" Sun Ming'en sidled up, his tone solicitous.
Chen Fan smiled faintly. "Sit next to me. It's not far, and if you're unsure about anything, just ask me."
"Yes, yes!" Sun Ming'en replied with a smile, and then he and his father took their seats at the second position on the right.
Chen Fan and Zhong Yishan sat at the third position on the right, and Chen Fan continued to survey the surroundings.
Unlike the bare display tables, the walls were adorned with numerous pieces of calligraphy and paintings.
The lighting was also very bright, and as Chen Fan looked up, his gaze sharpened.
Huang Tingjian's "Tablet of Mount Tai," Wang Shimin's "Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains," Chen Rong's "Six Dragons," Zhao Mengfu's handwritten "Heart Sutra of Prajnaparamita"...
A total of over a dozen pieces hung on the walls, each of astonishing value.
It could be said that the collective worth of these artworks on the walls easily exceeded a billion.
Even Chen Fan couldn't help but marvel inwardly at such extravagance.
Several of these pieces had been acquired at overseas auctions in recent years, by mysterious buyers whose identities had not been revealed.
The pair of middle-aged professors at the head of the table were also admiring the artworks.
Just then, a woman who had previously been seen holding a bronze brazier knelt beside Chen Fan and his companion. A delicate bronze kettle on the brazier was heating water.
Incense had been placed in the brazier, and its fragrance wafted out, invigorating the senses and leaving one feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
Zhong Yishan inhaled the scent and couldn't help but ask, "Young lady, is that ambergris burning here?"
"Reporting to sir, it is indeed ambergris. It calms the mind, purifies the air, and strengthens the body," the woman replied respectfully.
Zhong Yishan's breathing quickened slightly.
Ambergris was already astronomically expensive on the market today. Zhong Yishan, being an expert in medicine, naturally understood this very well. With a single sniff, he recognized that the burning ambergris was of superb quality, and the formula for its preparation was an extremely rare ancient one.
"Mr. Chen, this is too extravagant!"
Zhong Yishan looked at the other tables, where women were making similar arrangements, and exclaimed in awe.
Chen Fan smiled. "If it were truly extravagant, wouldn't everything be prepared already, waiting for us?"
Zhong Yishan was rendered speechless by his remark.
"Patriarch Zhong, do not be too concerned with these matters. Perhaps it is merely an affectation of luxury, designed to create a psychological impact," Chen Fan said lightly.
"Mr. Chen, if you'll forgive me, I cannot agree. This environment and these arrangements are beyond the means of ordinary wealthy families. The host of the Fish Dragon Society must possess a background far beyond our imagination!"
"Some things only seem mysterious and unattainable because one has never encountered them," Chen Fan said calmly. "Once you know and understand them, you might find that they are nothing special."
Zhong Yishan shook his head. He was already awed by the host's grand gestures, and coupled with the legends circulating in Jinling, a deep sense of reverence for the Fish Dragon Society's host had taken root within him.
Chen Fan said no more. Just as he was about to speak again, Sun Ming'en approached once more. "Mr. Chen, would you like to take a look at what we've brought?"
Chen Fan turned to see Sun Chuancheng already opening the box they had brought and carefully taking out its contents.
"Very well!"
Chen Fan rose and went over.
The first item Sun Chuancheng took out was a jade seal. The jade was a beautiful, deep green, and the knob was carved in the shape of a coiled dragon, a design both exquisite and dignified.
"Mr. Chen, please take a look," Sun Ming'en said.
Chen Fan picked up the jade seal. On the base were four raised seal characters: 'Wan Fa Chi Ling' (Imperial Decree of Ten Thousand Laws).
Chen Fan's expression became slightly peculiar. "A Taoist artifact?"
Sun Chuancheng nodded. "There are rumors that the host of the Fish Dragon Secret Society has a particular fondness for such items, and that exchanging them for treasures might have a higher chance of success. Ordinary curios and antiques often fail to capture his interest."
He then produced another item: a jade tablet, inscribed with a jumble of ancient seal script and talismans.
Chen Fan put down the jade seal and picked up this object, looking at it with surprise. "This thing?"
"That one is just to fill the space, to make up the numbers," Sun Ming'en said sheepishly. "An expert appraised it and said the jade is good, but the inscriptions are pure nonsense."
To make up the numbers?
Chen Fan asked, "What are you hoping to exchange it for?"
"We're not quite sure ourselves, just seeing what we can get," Sun Ming'en replied, looking a bit embarrassed. "Frankly, we didn't expect to be invited, so we brought whatever we could."
"However, it is said that the host of the Fish Dragon Secret Society generally does not let attendees suffer losses. The value of the exchanged items will be slightly higher than what the guests bring."
"Of course, it's mainly about face," Sun Ming'en added with a laugh. "Being invited to the Fish Dragon Secret Society is something you can boast about for a lifetime; it's a great honor."
As they were speaking, Sun Chuancheng produced a third item.
It was a jade mountain carving, depicting the scene of meeting an immortal on Mount Tai.
Chen Fan took it and examined it, his expression growing serious. "How long have you had this?"
"A little over three years, I think," Sun Ming'en said with a wry smile. "I bought it for ten million at the time, and because of that, many people secretly called me a fool. I carry it with me; I didn't show it to you last time."
Chen Fan placed the jade mountain carving back down and pondered for a moment. "This item might be able to fetch something good."
"Really?" Sun Ming'en asked, his eyes lighting up with surprise.
"The Fish Dragon Society's host is likely looking to collect items like this," Chen Fan said with a smile. "Of course, this is just my guess. We'll know for sure when we see."
As he spoke, footsteps sounded from outside the door.
More people, guided by several women, were entering.
Chen Fan glanced over and was taken aback.
He saw familiar faces again.
Gu Zi'an and Tao Xiaoyan.
However, they were not together, but arrived one after the other.
Setting aside Tao Xiaoyan's identity, Gu Zi'an came from a century-old prominent family with considerable treasures. His invitation to the Fish Dragon Secret Society was hardly surprising.
He withdrew his gaze and returned to his seat.
Ping Yihong stepped forward and gestured for everyone to be seated.
Chen Fan noticed Gu Zi'an and Tao Xiaoyan, and they also noticed him.
Gu Zi'an turned his head and sat down at a long table with a woman of similar age, acting as if he hadn't seen Chen Fan.
His poison had been cured, and he no longer needed anything from Chen Fan, so there was no need to curry favor with him.
Tao Xiaoyan, however, showed a look of pleasant surprise and walked directly over, half-crouching. "Chen Fan, you're here for this secret meeting too?"
Chen Fan nodded faintly.
"Hey, what good treasures did you bring? Let me see!" she asked, her dark eyes darting around with curiosity.
Chen Fan replied, "I didn't bring anything. I was just invited to observe."
Tao Xiaoyan didn't believe him. "So stingy. Don't you want to see what I brought?"
Chen Fan said, "The exchange fair is about to begin. It's not too late to see later."
"Boring," Tao Xiaoyan huffed, unable to show off. She rolled her eyes and lowered her voice. "Don't you want to know who is hosting this secret meeting?"
Chen Fan blinked in surprise. "You know?"
Tao Xiaoyan beamed with pride. "Others might not know, but I actually do. Why don't you come sit with me, and I'll tell you all about it."
Chen Fan looked at Tao Xiaoyan's exquisite face. Although curious, he refused her offer. "There's no need to sit together. If you want to tell me, just tell me."
Tao Xiaoyan was speechless.
At that moment, a middle-aged woman approached. "Xiaoyan, what are you doing? Squatting like that, what sort of behavior is this?" Her tone was quite stern.
Tao Xiaoyan's face showed a hint of distress. She stood up, winked at Chen Fan, and turned to go sit with the middle-aged woman at an empty table.
The middle-aged woman was also beautiful, but her expression was extremely cold, and her aura was very powerful.
From this, it was clear that Tao Xiaoyan's family background was far from ordinary.