“Don't pick the best, only the most expensive.” At this moment, Wang Guan rolled his eyes: “That sounds awfully familiar.

Am I that kind of person?” “No… not really,” he added quickly.

Yu Feibai grinned knowingly.

“I know you too well.

A one-year lease—you’re clearly planning to fatten the sheep before slaughtering them, harvesting the profits once a year.

You must be making a killing.” “Slaughtering fat sheep?

That sounds awful…” Wang Guan declared righteously.

“We have a mutually beneficial arrangement—a true win-win situation.” “Tch, the result is the same either way.” Yu Feibai pouted.

“It’s just one party willing to strike and the other willing to be struck.” “Since you know it’s consensual, why all the fuss?” Wang Guan glanced at him.

“I can understand your jealousy, but please don’t slander my noble character.

What if people misunderstand?” “Get lost.

If your character is noble, then I must be a saint of flawless morality.” Yu Feibai snorted, yet he was deeply curious.

“Be that as it may, what exactly did you choose?” “I was going to tell you directly, but considering your lack of trust in me, I won’t waste my breath.” “You’re the one being coy, yet you’re blaming me…” As the two bickered, the car pulled up to the grand manor gate.

Yu Feibai parked and hopped out, enthusiastically preparing to help Wang Guan with his luggage.

This was an obvious move—a scheme known to all—so Wang Guan naturally refused without hesitation.

“You’re slandering me!

Am I the sort of person who casually rifles through someone else’s bags?” “Undoubtedly, you are…” Hearing this, Yu Feibai looked genuinely aggrieved and quickly strode into the main hall to complain: “Old Qian, I think I just went to pick someone up.

He didn't appreciate the good intentions and instead smeared my name.” “Wang Guan has arrived.” At that moment, Old Qian smiled kindly.

“You two, what trivial matter are you squabbling over now?” “It’s not trivial, it’s major,” Yu Feibai declared with righteous indignation, then tattled like a child: “Old Qian, Wang Guan has learned bad ways; he’s actually cheating people.” “Oh?” Old Qian looked surprised.

“Cheating whom?

Could it be you?” “Of course not me.

I’m not that foolish to be easily tricked by him.” Yu Feibai laughed playfully.

“But the person who got tricked deserves it—purely foolish money, not afraid to splurge…” “This is confusing.

What exactly happened?” After all that talk, Old Qian was naturally puzzled by the rambling account.

“Old Qian, don’t listen to his nonsense,” Wang Guan said naturally, stepping in to explain the situation in detail, stating that he only agreed to Longhu Mountain’s request out of respect for Old Zhang.

“That’s a lie,” Yu Feibai scorned.

“Old Zhang tried to persuade you before.

Why didn’t you agree then?” “The circumstances are different; my attitude must naturally change,” Wang Guan replied candidly.

He then opened his travel bag, took out a box, and placed it on the table.

“Old Zhang, this is the resin from the Fluorescent Tree.

Take a look.

Old Zhang has already verified it; it should be authentic…” “Oh.” Old Qian, quite curious, immediately opened the box.

He picked it up and began to observe and study it closely.

The resin in the box had a somewhat crystalline and translucent quality, and it was elastic, much like taffy.

It strongly resembled chemical silicone, yet it lacked the silicone odor, feeling even smoother and more delicate.

“How did Dongfeng verify it?” After a moment of study, Old Qian asked casually, “I’ve been digging through materials these past few days, but it was rushed, so my research on fluorescent resin isn't thorough.

I don’t know much, only that once this substance is extracted, it slowly cools and solidifies.

When it needs to be used, it must be reheated…” “Yes, heating it,” Yu Feibai quickly nodded.

“Wang Guan just told me that Old Zhang heated the substance with water, and the resin naturally melted into a liquid form, which can then be blended into the ink.” “Haha, then it seems this substance is correct,” Old Qian smiled.

“When the resin and ink are mixed in a certain ratio, the writing will naturally have a fluorescent effect.

It’s an internal, integrated soft glow, not like the coarse texture you get from sprinkling glitter powder onto the characters.” “Then… let’s try it…” Upon hearing this, Yu Feibai’s eyes lit up, and he became excited.

“Seeing is believing.

No matter how much is said, it’s better to verify it ourselves to know if it’s true.” Wang Guan was not one to be stingy.

Seeing Yu Feibai’s interest, he waved his hand magnanimously.

“Do it yourself; self-sufficiency is the best policy…” “Heh heh!” Seeing Wang Guan agree, Yu Feibai immediately set to work, laying out various tools on the table, including brushes, inkstones, and paper.

Once everything was ready, he used a small knife to cut a small piece of resin, then, following Wang Guan’s guidance, placed the resin in an iron spoon, added some water, and slowly began to heat it.

In moments, the resin naturally melted, emitting a brilliant, sparkling luster under the sunlight.

“It really is real,” Yu Feibai exclaimed with excitement upon seeing this.

He held the spoon up, constantly observing the flowing resin in the sunlight until it slowly cooled and solidified again before he reluctantly continued heating more.

“Quick, quick, quick…” A moment later, Yu Feibai boiled the resin down into a thick paste and quickly poured it into the inkstone, urgently urging, “Wang Guan, hurry up and grind the ink…” “Got it.” Wang Guan was prepared.

He immediately squeezed a few drops of clear water onto the inkstone and began grinding the ink stick carefully.

With a slight effort of his wrist, the ink stick rotated evenly, quickly dissolving into a thick, rich ink.

The ink ground by the stick was already somewhat glossy, and now, with the addition of the fluorescent resin paste, the two blended together very smoothly.

As Wang Guan rotated the stick, subtle changes began to occur.

“It’s almost ready, that’s enough,” after a few minutes, Wang Guan stopped grinding at Yu Feibai’s signal.

When he lifted the ink stick, the ink in the well settled, serene and undisturbed, like a deep ancient pool.

At first glance, the ink in the well appeared ordinary, but when Yu Feibai lifted the inkstone and moved it into the sunlight, a strange, ethereal light shone forth.

“Haha, Phase Two test successful!

The resin really dissolves into the ink…” Yu Feibai cheered triumphantly.

He returned the inkstone to the table and looked expectantly at Old Qian.

“Old Qian, now it’s your turn to take action.” “Mmm,” Old Qian nodded slightly, a smile playing on his lips as well.

He then pulled a brush from the bamboo holder, dipped it deep into the inkwell to collect enough ink, adjusted the tip, and held the brush suspended in the air.

After a moment of contemplation, Old Qian immediately began writing with fluid, sweeping strokes.

On the spread-out, pure white Xuan paper, he began to inscribe.

To be fair, Old Qian’s calligraphy skills were certainly inferior to Old Zhou’s.

However, it was only fair to note that Old Zhou’s level was indistinguishable from that of a professional master calligrapher, whereas Old Qian’s skill was at the highest level among amateur calligraphers, comparable to that of a regular calligrapher.

Furthermore, Old Qian studied Zhao Mengfu’s running script; his characters were rounded yet sharp, with particularly elegant flourishes in the transitions of his brushwork.

“Tranquility leads to Far-reaching Success!” Not long after, Old Qian paused.

Yu Feibai immediately showered him with praise.

“Old Qian, this writing is magnificent!

The ink density is perfectly balanced, the momentum is extraordinary, truly possessing the style of a master…” “Spare me the flattery,” Old Qian chuckled, waving him off.

“You say the same thing every time I write.

You don’t get tired of it, but I’m already bored.” “Consistency proves I’m just stating a fact,” Yu Feibai said cheerfully.

“Don’t believe me, ask Wang Guan.

See if I’m being sincere.” In an instant, Wang Guan feigned deafness and dumbness, clearly understanding that Yu Feibai was trying to trap him.

No matter how he answered, it wouldn’t work; responding meant falling for the bait.

However, Wang Guan had underestimated Yu Feibai’s thick skin.

Seeing Wang Guan remain silent, Yu Feibai grinned smugly.

“See?

He admits it by default…” “Stop messing around,” Wang Guan said, slightly exasperated, then gestured.

“The ink is dry now.” “Then what are we waiting for?

Come help!” Instantly, Yu Feibai carefully picked up Old Qian’s calligraphy piece, and he and Wang Guan each took hold of one of the four corners.

They quickly moved toward the sunlit window.

They adjusted slightly to ensure the artwork was laid flat and fully exposed to the sunshine.

At that very moment, the characters, which had appeared unremarkable, suddenly began to emanate a faint glow.

It was an internalized, subtle radiance—just as Old Qian described, a luster emanating from the characters themselves.

Anyone who saw it would immediately think the piece had somehow become imbued with spirit, perhaps celestial energy or demonic essence, causing every character to shine brilliantly.

“Beautiful, utterly beautiful,” Yu Feibai exclaimed in awe, his eyes wide with amazement.

“Old Qian, this piece is mine now.

I’ll have it meticulously mounted and give it to my nephew as a family heirloom.” “A pity, we should have asked Yizhi to write these words,” Old Qian commented casually, examining the work for a moment before suddenly shaking his head.

“With my skill, scribbling these four words was simply wasting such a treasure.” “Old Qian, you’re being too self-deprecating.

Your calligraphy is not much inferior to some professional calligraphers; it’s even better than some,” Wang Guan said sincerely, definitely not pandering, as some who held the title of 'calligrapher' lacked real ability.

“Yes, absolutely right,” Yu Feibai quickly chimed in.

“Old Qian’s writing is simply earth-shattering and ghost-moving; the brush fell like wind and rain, and its completion made ghosts weep…” “That’s an exaggeration,” Old Qian shook his head, stepping a couple of paces away, unwilling to listen to such outlandish talk.

“Not an exaggeration at all,” Yu Feibai asserted solemnly.

“If you don’t believe me, take this piece out and ask people; see if they believe it?” Hearing this, Wang Guan actually thought Yu Feibai had a valid point.

If an average person saw this glowing calligraphy without knowing the context, they might mistake it for a miracle and immediately kneel in worship…