"Rubins, you finally came."

Ethan looked at the aggressive Rubins, still appearing polite and courteous.

Rubins sneered and said, "Why, it looks like some people didn't want me to come?"

"Please come in, everyone is waiting for you."

Ethan did not retaliate, as if those words in the newspapers were not said by him.

Once Rubins arrived inside the art center, he saw many familiar faces, including quite a few enemies and disliked people.

For example, Pupol.

"Pupol, you came too? Looks like you're determined to oppose me to the end?"

Rubins spoke with an unfriendly tone right from the start.

Because he and Pupol also weren't on good terms.

Back when Pupol debuted, Rubins criticized Pupol's works as nonsensical, not art creations at all, merely polluting the art world.

But then Pupol became wildly popular, even more famous than Rubins, which drove him to shatter several of his antique collections at home.

After Pupol rose to fame, he seldom acknowledged Rubins, not out of respect for seniority, but simply because he didn't remember who Rubins was.

Yet Rubins would often bring Pupol up.

"Do I know you?"

So Pupol retaliated without any hesitation.

Rubins was momentarily stunned by his words, then decided to ignore him and turned to greet others.

He wasn't completely unlikable, otherwise he couldn't survive in the Royal Capital's art scene.

He just had poor relations with certain people.

"Alright, let's begin."

After exchanging pleasantries, Rubins turned to Ethan.

Ethan shook his head and said, "Let's wait awhile."

"Wait for what? Are you trying to buy time, scared?"

Upon hearing Ethan's words, Rubins immediately grew aggressive, mainly because he indeed had the confidence to be assertive today.

He was overly confident in his "Goddess of Spring," considering it his most outstanding work of a lifetime, one he could never surpass, let alone anyone else.

Critical was the fact that Hughes also avoided confronting him directly.

Previously, Rubins always believed Hughes' "Goddess of Spring" was celestial.

So he didn't believe one of Hughes' students could produce anything remarkable.

Today, he could disregard other artworks but was prepared to strike hard against the so-called "Goddess of Spring."

That was where the victory lay.

As he posed the question, more arrivals came outside.

It was Hughes.

Hughes arrived somewhat discreetly, as if unwilling, or perhaps afraid of being spotted.

But as he walked in and found everyone watching him, he instead became gracious and began to greet others.

"Teacher, didn't you say you wouldn't come?"

Ethan whispered to him.

"I... Can't I come? Should I leave?!"

The old man threatened to puff his beard and glare his eyes again.

Ethan smirked inwardly; finally, the competition began.

Initially displayed artworks were surely appetizers, and everyone approached them, glanced at them, and didn't linger too long.

Indeed these were casually painted by Ethan, appearing as if pure random scribbles without order.

The majority didn't feel any particular attraction, just watching for fun.

Rubins couldn't understand them, nor did he want to expend today's energy on them, so he merely glanced through.

Only Pupol was very intrigued, surveying the pieces and nodding continuously.

Someone couldn't hold back curiosity and asked him, "Pu Bo, what's in these paintings that captivates you?"

"It's the changes in time and space, haven't you noticed?"

As Pupol said this, a few artists with whimsical, surrealist influences also seemed to discern insights.

Undoubtedly, after today, these paintings would gain recognition.

Because they were acknowledged by Pupol and many other artists.

This was all naturally documented by some.

Since today's exhibition wasn't merely an assembly of industry stalwarts; there were also several ordinary people, lucky ones who had bought tickets.

They followed the crowd mainly for entertainment.

Among them, of course, were several reporters.

A group ambled and paused, finally arriving at the core exhibition area.

The first painting displayed here was Ethan's most famous work, "The Orphans of Saint Kuanti."

No matter who, upon seeing it, they couldn't avoid being impacted by Mia's gaze.

Even Rubins couldn't find an excuse to critique it.

"How about it, this inefficient student of mine is somewhat skilled, right?"

Hughes, having decided to come, dropped pretenses and adopted a sharp attitude, directly opposing Rubins.

"We aren't here for that today."

After scrutinizing the painting for a while, everyone proceeded to the next artwork.

Next, naturally, was Ethan's other famed piece "The Persistence of Memory."

This painting, along with "The Last Justice" and "The Last Supper," were displayed together.

All were in a surrealist style.

Everyone exclaimed in delight at the novelty.

Rubins began feeling uneasy but quickly regained confidence by recalling his "Goddess of Spring."

Soon, people entered a new room, a room with only one painting covered with a cloth.

At this, Rubins became excited; this must be Ethan's "Goddess of Spring," right?

Finally, the showdown was approaching.

"Come quickly, I'd really like to see how well you've painted."

Ethan nodded slightly and went up to uncover the cloth.

In the next moment, people saw a vibrant young girl coming alive on the paper.

She had silver hair, emerald eyes, seeming to stand under the lamp, relaxed and calm, her hair cascading over her shoulders, slightly smiling, making anyone who looked at her feel at ease.

"This…"

Undoubtedly, this painting was executed exceedingly well, using classical painting techniques to fully convey the girl's essence.

Many viewers became absorbed.

Many who accompanied Rubins, after viewing the painting, completely recognized Ethan's capability.

This person was not inferior to Rubins.

"This... isn't 'Goddess of Spring,' right?"

Rubins furrowed his brows and remarked.

He acknowledged the painting was decent, but it was evidently not "Goddess of Spring."

Because the Goddess of Spring was the Water God, a spring spirit, the painting should inherently contain streams and spring imagery, which this one didn't.

"Of course not, this is my own work. I mentioned that 'Goddess of Spring' was created by a friend of mine, a technician, truly unparalleled— I even feel inferior."

As Ethan spoke, he raised his hand.

"Please, everyone, it's inside."

This intensified people's anticipation, having witnessed such an amazing piece already.

What, then, would Ethan's highly lauded work be like?

The crowd was enthusiastic, except Sofia, who was nearly gritting her teeth to pieces.

Furious!

Furious!

Utterly furious!!!

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