Old Qian, however, was different. If only Yu Feibai had been the one speaking, he would have been skeptical. But since Wang Guan had also nodded in agreement, it was clear there was a genuine issue at hand. Moreover, Old Qian recalled the casual yet sincere tone Yu Feibai had used when admitting he had misjudged the item earlier—it hadn't sounded like a joke.

In an instant, Old Qian grew thoughtful, raising the dark sandalwood bead, examining it with even greater scrutiny.

"Old Qian, looking at it like that won't reveal anything."

At this moment, Yu Feibai smiled with an air of smug satisfaction, as if being able to instruct Old Qian was a remarkable feat in itself.

"Then tell me, how should one look at it?" Old Qian asked humbly. Such magnanimity and composure were certainly not traits possessed by just anyone.

"Yu Feibai, you little rascal, stop getting ahead of yourself."

Simultaneously, Gao Dequan expressed slight displeasure. "When we get back, I'll tell your father to discipline you."

"Oh, come on, Uncle De, I was just joking," Yu Feibai quickly retracted, saying, "Old Qian, please fetch a cup of clear water. I'm about to show you a true miracle."

"What miracle, so mysterious?"

It was clear that Fang Mingsheng didn't entirely believe it. He smiled and gestured warmly, "Come, everyone, let's talk inside the hall. It's early morning, and the chill wind, if you stay out too long, can easily cause a cold, which isn't good for Old Qian's health."

The others agreed that this made sense and quickly helped Old Qian into the living room.

"It is indeed warmer in here."

After sitting down, Old Qian personally picked up the teapot to pour water.

"Old Qian, please don't move, let me do it..." Yu Feibai panicked at the sight. If news of this reached his father, he'd surely be thrashed half to death.

Old Qian waved his hand lightly, smoothly pouring a cup of clear water and smilingly gesturing, "Now, let me see the miracle you spoke of."

Glancing at Yu Feibai, Gao Dequan remarked, "Old Qian, just place the bead in the water."

"Oh, that simple?" Old Qian was somewhat surprised, then followed the instruction.

In an instant, the clear water submerged the entire bead, and a streak of brilliant purple energy immediately began to float out, surging and churning, resembling a divine dragon displaying its claws and fangs.

"What is happening!" Fang Mingsheng, who had been rather nonchalant moments before, was instantly stunned by the scene, involuntarily rising to his feet, staring intently without blinking.

As the bead slowly turned, towering mountains, magnificent passes, and a scholarly gentleman in middle age appeared one by one. Through the cup, due to the light refraction in the water, the bead seemed slightly larger, and the patterns upon it were exceptionally clear.

Then, wisps of purple energy coiled and spiraled, and Laozi riding a green ox suddenly materialized.

"Laozi leaving west through Hangu Pass, purple energy arriving from the east..." At this point, Old Qian could no longer remain composed; his bright eyes shone with intense light, and his emotions were deeply stirred.

"A miracle, a divine sign—am I dreaming?"

Simultaneously, Fang Mingsheng gasped, his face filled with shock and disbelief.

"Yes, when I first saw it, I thought I was dreaming too," Yu Feibai agreed, a hint of obsession still lingering in his eyes despite having witnessed it several times already.

Even Gao Dequan and Wang Guan couldn't maintain their composure.

Gazing at the slowly shifting patterns within the bead, they felt as though they had traveled back a thousand years, standing beneath Hangu Pass with Yin Xi, waiting with a mixture of tension, joy, and anticipation for the arrival of the sage of the Tao.

After a long pause, Old Qian slowly regained his senses and sighed, "I truly misjudged it. If you hadn't reminded me, I never would have known this dark sandalwood bead held such a marvelous, strange phenomenon."

"A treasure, definitely a treasure," Fang Mingsheng murmured. "This must be one of the legendary artifacts."

"Exactly," Yu Feibai chuckled. "This is the inner core of a Three-Legged Golden Toad that cultivated for a thousand years, transformed."

"Really?" Fang Mingsheng seemed to believe him.

"Fake."

Wang Guan laughed wryly. "Didn't Old Qian say it? This is dark sandalwood. It must have been buried for tens of thousands of years before being unearthed, discovered by a highly skilled artisan who carefully carved it into a bead shape, and then inscribed the depiction of Laozi's journey west onto it."

"Impossible. The patterns on the bead are clearly naturally formed. Otherwise, why would they vanish when the bead emerges from the water?" Yu Feibai shook his head. "Besides, how do you explain the floating purple energy?"

"That's not purple energy; it's just the light refracting through the bead in the water. As the bead rotates in the water, the purple light dances along with it, just like a dragon or snake showing its teeth and claws, twisting and coiling."

After studying it all night, Wang Guan had nearly grasped the essence of the dark sandalwood bead and immediately explained, "As for the patterns, yes, some of them are natural grain. However, if you examine them closely with a magnifying glass, you will find that the majority of these textures were formed through micro-engraving."

"It's just that the person who did the micro-engraving was absolutely a master craftsman. I don't know how they managed to discover that when the bead was soaked in water, the patterns would roughly form the shapes of towering mountains, city fortifications, and Laozi riding an ox."

Wang Guan sighed in admiration. "Then, this master, with unique ingenuity, used his superb carving skills to refine the natural grain of the bead, ultimately forming the image we see now."

"Wang Guan, how did you figure all this out?" Yu Feibai was stunned.

"Look at my two big dark circles under my eyes."

Wang Guan rubbed his eyes and forced a bitter smile. "If you had stayed up all night researching, you probably could have figured it out too."

"Hey, why did you have to research it? You ruined my fantasy."

Unexpectedly, Yu Feibai complained instead. "I was treating the bead like an immortal's magic weapon. I was planning to perform a blood-dripping recognition of ownership the moment you looked away."

Suddenly, everyone exchanged glances, caught between laughter and helplessness.

In truth, many things are like this: before they are fully understood, we perceive them as miracles, divine manifestations, or incredible phenomena. But once the explanation is known, the initial shock slowly subsides to normal.

Nevertheless, even so, Old Qian couldn't help but exclaim, "It's magnificent. The wisdom of the ancients is truly beyond the complete imagination of our current generation."

"Who says not," Fang Mingsheng heartily agreed, nodding in acknowledgment. "Actually, before young Brother Wang Guan explained it, my feeling was the same as young Brother Feibai's—wondering if this thing was an immortal's treasure. Looking back now, I finally understand why there are so many legends of immortals in ancient times."

"That makes sense," Gao Dequan smiled. "In ancient times, knowledge wasn't widespread or highly valued. When they encountered something so magical, the first reaction wasn't to decipher its mystery, but to worship it as an auspicious sign from immortals. Furthermore, rulers, needing to consolidate imperial power and enhance their authority, were happy to promote such narratives vigorously." .................. Thanks to book friends "Pangu Kai Tian Si Le" and "An Hei Xue Lang" for the rewards. Also, a reader suggested I make the chapters longer. It's certainly possible, but considering that the current success of this book relies heavily on the weekly click rankings, I must regretfully abandon that plan. I ask for everyone's understanding; thank you. Still asking for collections, recommendations, and continued support from everyone. C