170: Chapter 170 seems to be doing something extremely important.

He pointed at Hu Tian again and introduced him to the group: "This is my young friend, Hu Tian. He is young and promising, and possesses great talent in antique appraisal."

Professor Lin smiled politely: "Elder Qin, you are too kind. May I ask which institution Little Hu is affiliated with?"

Hu Tian said indifferently: "I am not affiliated with any institution; it is just a personal hobby."

Professor Lin nodded, the disdain in his eyes deepening, and he asked no further questions.

Elder Qin clapped his hands and said: "Alright, everyone is here. I invited you all today mainly to have you help me examine a few newly acquired items."

Elder Qin led everyone through an archway on one side of the living room and into the adjoining room.

Hu Tian followed behind the group. As soon as he entered the room, a faint scent of wood mixed with chemical solutions wafted towards him—the distinct smell of antiquing and restoration work, familiar and intimate.

The room was not large, but it was arranged in an orderly fashion.

On a row of shelves against the wall stood jars and vases of various sizes. Restoration tools were neatly hung on a wooden tool rack; brushes, carving knives, tweezers, and cotton swabs—everything was there.

In the center was a large workbench covered with a layer of soft velvet. A few artifacts were covered with white cloth, their varying silhouettes vaguely visible.

In the corner of the room stood a professional cold light lamp with a head that could be adjusted to any angle, clearly designed for inspecting the details of the artifacts.

Professor Lin looked around and sighed softly: "Elder Qin, your workshop is truly exquisitely arranged."

Elder Qin waved his hand and said with a chuckle: "It's just something to make do with, just to make do. For an old bag of bones like me, this room is the only place I can find something to do; otherwise, I'd really get sick from idleness."

Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere lightened a bit.

Elder Qin walked to the workbench and reached out to uncover the white cloths on the artifacts one by one, revealing the items underneath.

There were three artifacts arranged on the workbench.

On the left was a Blue and White porcelain vase with a well-proportioned shape, painted with landscapes and figures in fluid brushstrokes. In the middle was a tri-colored pottery figurine with vibrant glazes and a vivid design, appearing to be a mounted warrior. On the right was a delicate Famille Rose lidded bowl, painted with floral sprays and elegant colors.

Professor Ma Yunhe was the first to step forward, leaning down to carefully examine the Blue and White porcelain vase, his eyes focused and silent.

Professor Lin cast his gaze upon the tri-colored pottery figurine, squinting slightly and tilting his head to look from a different angle.

Shen Huairen followed behind Professor Ma Yunhe and leaned in, his gaze sweeping over the three artifacts one by one, his expression thoughtful.

Elder Qin stood to the side with his hands behind his back, smiling: "These three items were all acquired from several old houses some time ago. Their provenance is clear, but their quality varies. I've looked at them for a few days myself and am not quite sure. Today, taking advantage of our gathering, I would like to hear everyone's opinions."

Professor Ma Yunhe straightened his back, stroked his chin, and slowly began: "Elder Qin, let me share my thoughts on this Blue and White vase first."

Elder Qin smiled: "Please go ahead, Professor Ma."

Professor Ma Yunhe said: "The shape is regular, and the Blue and White color is steady. At first glance, it has the air of an Official Kiln piece. However, I noticed the mark on the bottom of the vase; the brushwork is slightly restrained. Compared to a typical Official Kiln mark, it lacks a bit of natural fluidity. It looks more like a later dynasty imitating an earlier one, though it is quite meticulously imitated and can be considered a high-quality imitation."

Upon hearing this, Professor Lin also walked over to the Blue and White vase, leaned down to look, and nodded: "Professor Ma makes a valid point. I find the glaze also a bit too lustrous, which doesn't match the kiln characteristics of that era."

The group discussed back and forth, and the atmosphere gradually became lively.

Hu Tian stood slightly behind the group, his gaze quietly resting on the three artifacts on the workbench, not rushing to speak.

But the Treasure Hunting Radar in his consciousness had already begun to slowly operate in the depths of his mind the moment he entered Elder Qin's collection hall.

That familiar feeling rippled from the core of his mind, and his vision changed subtly as a result.

The workbench he saw gradually superimposed with a faint, shimmering halo after he entered.

The three artifacts each radiated different lights.

The Blue and White vase on the left was enveloped in a soft green light; the halo was stable, but the color was pale, appearing the most peaceful among the three items on the table.

The tri-colored pottery figurine in the middle, however, emitted a rich, bright yellow light that almost suppressed the surrounding light. That heavy yellow was like gold tempered repeatedly by time, weighty and substantial.

The Famille Rose lidded bowl on the right was the smallest and least conspicuous. However, the halo it emitted was the fullest of the three. It was also yellow, but a shade deeper than the tri-colored pottery figurine's yellow, almost glowing with a warm color akin to amber, steadily covering the bowl as if something extremely precious was hidden beneath that thin glaze.

Two yellows and one green; the green was a boutique item, the yellow was rare.

And on the workbench, there were surprisingly two rare yellow-light artifacts and one boutique artifact.

Hu Tian's eyes flickered slightly, but his face remained calm.

Just then, Elder Qin, with his hands behind his back, swept his gaze over everyone's faces and finally landed on Hu Tian, saying with a chuckle: "Hu Tian, why are you standing there in a daze? Come over and take a look, and share your thoughts as well."

As soon as these words were spoken, Professor Ma and Professor Lin turned their heads almost simultaneously, their gazes landing on Hu Tian in unison.

Professor Ma Yunhe's eyes were appraising; not malicious, but with a sense of scrutiny, like an instinctive habit formed after seeing all kinds of people.

Lin Ru looked at him gently, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned, a tolerant attitude as if waiting for a young person to express their opinion.

Shen Huairen, standing behind the two professors, suddenly showed a look of astonishment. The few people beside him also quietly looked at each other, their brows furrowing slightly, clearly surprised that Elder Qin had specifically called upon this young man named Hu Tian to speak.

Of course, more than anything, there was an expression of surprise in their eyes.

Only Zhou Waner, standing next to Hu Tian, had a faint smile on her lips, her expression calm, as if she had expected this scene all along.

Hu Tian acknowledged and stepped forward.

He did not rush to speak. He walked to the workbench, stopped, and slowly scanned the three artifacts from left to right.

At this very moment, the Treasure Hunting Radar provided the first piece of information in his mind.

The cursor stopped on the Blue and White vase on the left, and information emerged in the depths of his consciousness like flowing water.

[Name: Blue and White Landscape and Figure Pattern Prunus Vase] [Year: Mid-Qing Dynasty, imitation from the transition period between Emperor Qianlong and Jiaqing]

[Origin: Folk kiln, imitating the style of the Yongzheng Emperor's Official Kiln, not a palace production]

[Condition: Well-preserved, no obvious damage, signs of restoration]

[Estimated Market Value: 2.8 million to 3.25 million RMB]

Hu Tian silently noted it down, his expression showing no fluctuation, and his eyes slowly moved to the tri-colored pottery figurine in the middle.

The second piece of information emerged.

[Name: Tang Tri-Colored Figurine of a Foreigner on Horseback] [Year: Tang Dynasty, High Tang period, late 7th to early 8th century AD]

[Origin: Central Plains region, suspected to be excavated from a tomb in Guanzhong]

[Condition: Glaze color well-preserved, partial soil stains, slight repairs on the horse's tail, overall condition superior]

[Estimated Market Value: 6.5 million to 8 million RMB]

Hu Tian's brows twitched slightly; it was actually excavated from a tomb in Guanzhong. But he moved his gaze to the Famille Rose lidded bowl on the far right without changing his expression.

The third piece of information emerged.

[Name: Qing Yongzheng Emperor · Enamel Painted Poppy Bowl] (Note: The radar corrected the previous preliminary judgment)

[Year: Qing Dynasty, reign of the Yongzheng Emperor, Official Kiln production, dated between 1723 and 1735 AD]

[Origin: Imperial Workshop of the Qing Palace, once bestowed by Emperor Qianlong to a favored subject, later drifted into the folk market, passing through several hands]

[Condition: Fine body, glaze like new, almost no signs of use, condition is top-tier]

[Estimated Market Value: 35 million to 45 million RMB]

This number flashed through Hu Tian's mind, causing his heart to jolt violently.

He took a deep breath, his expression remaining calm.

He stood still at the workbench and raised his hand, but did not rush to touch the artifacts. He just leaned over slightly, bringing his gaze close to the workbench, and carefully observed the three items from different angles and distances.

Then, Hu Tian took a pair of brand-new cotton gloves from his pocket. His movements were unhurried. He first unfolded the right glove, spread his fingers, and put it on one finger at a time, ensuring each finger was perfectly fitted with no wrinkles.

Then came the left hand, with the same movements and the same carefulness.

He even lowered his head to check his wrists, confirming that the edges of the gloves were perfectly fitted to his cuffs, ensuring there would be no possibility of loosening or slipping when touching the artifacts.

Throughout the whole process, he did not say a word, his expression focused, as if he were doing something extremely important.

This meticulous attitude caused a flash of surprise in the eyes of the two professors, Professor Ma Yunhe and Lin Ru, standing nearby.

Professor Ma Yunhe raised his eyebrows slightly, and there was something more in his eyes beyond scrutiny, as if he had seen some unexpected expertise.

Lin Ru nodded gently, the smile at the corners of her mouth deepening, and a trace of approval appeared in her eyes.

You know, the students behind them were far less rigorous when putting on gloves.

Some people would just pull gloves out of their pockets, put them on haphazardly, and rush to touch the artifacts before their fingers were fully in; others were too lazy to even wear gloves, thinking it was just a look and not worth the trouble.

Because of this, Professor Ma Yunhe and Lin Ru had repeatedly warned them in class and during field trips, and had even criticized them on the spot several times.

But these young people, when it came to checking artifacts on the spot, often threw the rules to the back of their minds and behaved very casually.

Yet this young man named Hu Tian, starting from the most basic action of putting on gloves, displayed a rigor and professionalism that could not be ignored.

Shen Huairen, standing in the back, also noticed this scene. A flash of surprise and resentment crossed his eyes, and he snorted coldly, muttering in a low voice: "Putting on an act."

After Hu Tian put on his gloves, he raised his head, his gaze falling back onto the three artifacts on the workbench.

He did not rush to act, but carefully examined them again, as if confirming which one he should start with.