I'm Really Going to Become an Immortal
Chapter 291 - 212 Friends, This Isn’t Funny

Chapter 291: Chapter 212 Friends, This Isn’t Funny

Shucheng Mingwang New Village.

"So you live here now?"

Following Bai Shi all the way home, Nick Horton couldn’t help but show a trace of surprise on his face.

The treasures in Bai Shi’s possession definitely weren’t any fewer than his.

As such, the assets Bai Shi had under various identities had also grown considerably.

But now, in his retirement, he was living in such a dilapidated old neighborhood.

"Like you, living on an island?"

"I’m retired; I don’t need to be that high-profile," Bai Shi complained with an eye roll.

During their years apart, the two had not lost all contact.

He knew that this kid had bought a resort island with a new identity and was living it up night after night on that holiday island.

"Why not enjoy it when you have the money."

Nick Horton raised an eyebrow and eagerly followed Bai Shi into his room.

And as soon as he walked in, his other thoughts were forgotten, his expression turning to one of excitement.

Stepping into Bai Shi’s spacious yet understated living room, he was immediately drawn to the array of art pieces surrounding him.

His gaze first landed on a painting on the wall that seemed to be in the style of Monet’s Impressionism; the delicate treatment of light and shadow made it hard to distinguish between real and fake.

After glancing around for a while, Nick Horton smirked and commented to Bai Shi, "This copy of ’Water Lilies,’ I bet even the most seasoned appraisers would hesitate. Your brushwork is increasingly close to that of the master’s, Bai Shi."

"You flatter me."

Bai Shi modestly waved his hand, but he looked quite pleased with himself.

In the corner of the living room, where sculptures seemed to be on display, a marble statue in the style of Ancient Greece caught his eye. Nick Horton gently caressed the base of the statue, admiringly saying, "This replica of ’Venus’ with its choice of materials and imitation of weathering marks is just flawless. You’ve really thoroughly researched the texture of ancient stonework."

Bai Shi nodded with delight.

Knowing that someone could appreciate and understand the difficulty of his technique was rare.

The people around him thought he was very skilled and that his paintings looked quite similar, but they couldn’t articulate anything more profound.

And then there was Chen Yun, in front of whom his proudest techniques were completely inconsequential.

So faced with Nick Horton’s praise, he genuinely felt happy.

After that,

Nick Horton walked towards the study with great anticipation, where books that seemed ordinary were arranged neatly on the shelves, but he immediately recognized several hidden compartments disguised as encyclopedias.

He gently pulled out one book, which contained a beautifully crafted miniature painting.

"Ha! These little contraptions are still so ingenious, Bai Shi. You always manage to hide treasures in the most inconspicuous places," said Nick Horton, his eyes sparkling with admiration for his old friend’s intelligence.

In a softly lit corner, Nick Horton’s attention was drawn to a contemporary abstract painting. The canvas was a dynamic interplay of blocks of color and lines.

"This painting..." Nick Horton slowly began, "doesn’t seem like a copy, more like a reflection of your state of mind. Has retirement life inspired you anew?"

All morning, Nick Horton lingered in front of each piece of art in Bai’s house, sometimes exclaiming in wonder, sometimes musing thoughtfully, their conversation peppered with memories of the past and an endless passion for art.

Although both had once skirted the edge of the law, at that moment, there was only the pure enjoyment of art and deep friendship flowing in the air.

After a long while,

Nick Horton couldn’t help but seriously extend the invitation again, "Are you really not interested in pulling off one more job with me?"

If Bai Shi were willing to join,

they could confidently face any situation together.

He felt he had even more strategies at his disposal.

"We agreed, I’m just providing you with technological support," said Bai Shi.

"Didn’t I say I would recommend an expert to you? I’ll ask about it right now."

Bai Shi helplessly shook his head and then opened QQ to contact Chen Yun.

Nick Horton fell silent.

If possible, he certainly preferred to trust Bai Shi, with whom he had cooperated countless times.

With Bai Shi’s help, he was very confident.

But if Bai Shi really didn’t want to...

Perhaps, he could trust that super expert Bai Shi mentioned?

Bai Shi sent the message and saw Nick Horton zoning out.

He immediately understood that Nick Horton actually wasn’t confident about the expert he had mentioned.

So he pointed to the corner of the room where the Golden Winged Roc Statue and a Gundam Statue were.

"These two items, didn’t you rate them very highly before?"

"It was that expert who had learned to sculpt for just over ten minutes, and produced these within the same amount of time."

In Bai Shi’s tone lay deep wonder and adoration for the monster.

Chen Yun’s learning ability was simply inhuman.

He was a super monster that selected its prey!

"What?"

"Holy shit! Are you serious? Just over ten minutes? Are you messing with me?"

Nick Horton’s eyes widened.

He abandoned his usual elegance, uttering exclamations of surprise one after another.

He was having difficulty managing his expression now.

He then looked back at the two statues.

When he had gone over all the sculptures in the room earlier, he had given these two very high praise.

He had praised them as top-tier contemporary masterpieces, with artistic merit that was hard to put into words.

Just from looking at the Golden Winged Roc Statue and the Gundam Statue, one could feel a presence that most sculptures lacked.

He and Bai Shi could study sculpting all their lives and still not be able to achieve this special style, and he was certain it was a rarity in human art history.

But now, Bai Shi was telling him.

This was the work of a beginner who had learned to sculpt for just over ten minutes?

This wasn’t the kind of thing you joke about.

To reach a technical level in ten minutes that others couldn’t achieve in a lifetime?

To finish in ten minutes what took others days or even months?

This wasn’t just astonishing learning speed; the work speed was equally incredible.

"Friend, this isn’t funny."

Nick Horton swallowed hard as he spoke.

"I’m not joking."

"And his combat power, gaming ability, Go technique, and so on, are also absolutely top human standards, he just learns and can do, just like that!"

Bai Shi nodded earnestly.

There was no hint of jest in his tone.

This extreme seriousness also made Nick Horton swallow hard.

No way, right? It can’t be.

You’re not lying to me, are you?

No way...

You are telling the truth, aren’t you?

But if so...

It would mean that his and Bai Shi’s efforts for the better part of their lives had been easily surpassed by a young man.

Could there really be such a person in this world?

Was he not fully awake, or was Bai Shi not fully awake?

Nick Horton didn’t want to believe it.

Yet facing Bai Shi, his dear friend, he couldn’t help but believe.

Faintly, he began to look forward to the potential collaboration with this expert.