Thump, thump, thump. The walking stick struck the ground again and again. An old man with a hunched back made his way into the room under the support of a young man. His face had already deteriorated to a rather terrifying degree. Only his eyes remained clear.
Li Qingshan had never seen someone so old. He believed that if it were not for his cultivation at peak Foundation Establishment, he would have been reduced to a pile of bones a long time ago.
"I am Chu Shidao. Greetings, fellow cultivators." Chu Shidao pushed aside the young man's support with one hand and let go of his walking stick with the other, bowing to everyone.
Everyone stood up and returned the greeting. Even earth elder Huang could no longer regard himself as a senior. He put down the tobacco pipe in his hand and said to Liu Changqing, "You've actually invited master Chu. Is master Chu planning on becoming the school leader?"
Chu Shidao was not a nameless figure. He was renowned throughout the entire Ruyi commandery. No one dared to not gasp in admiration at his skill in painting. Obtaining a painting from him was an extremely honourable matter. However, it was rumored that he was close to the end of his life, so he had stopped painting a long time ago and secluded himself in the forest of springs. No one expected him to actually appear here.
"I'll be honest with you all. I don't have much time left, so I don't dare to occupy the position of school leader for too long. When the time comes, my disciple will take over. Danqing, why don't you bow to the seniors?"
Only then did the patriarchs realize that Chu Shidao had come to guide the handsome young man next to him. The young man looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, but his cultivation base was already at the tenth layer of Qi Refinement. He was definitely worthy of the word 'genius'.
They had heard a long time ago that Chu Shidao had taken on a final disciple and remained in seclusion for a decade just to teach this child. Now that they had seen him today, it really was true.
There were no objections. If a figure like that was willing to join the Hundred Schools of Thought of the Clear River prefecture and gain a school of painting, it would be an honour for the Hundred Schools of Thought. And, it was rumored that he had many disciples who were not his direct disciples. He could even replenish the strength of the Hundred Schools of Thought.
Another seat had been added. He ranked below Liu Chuanfeng. Liu Chuanfeng probably only had one chance in his life to gain the upper hand.
However. The ownership of Cloudwisp island could not be decided so easily.
When Liu Chuanfeng heard that his foundation was about to be taken away, he grew anxious. "Cloudwisp Island. For thousands of years, it has always been the island of our School of Novels. We have carefully maintained it for many years. Are we going to take it away just because of a small mistake? This is too unreasonable. "
There were also some differences in opinion among the various family heads. But of course, it wasn't because of the trash Liu Chuanfeng, but because of Li Qingshan who stood behind him.
Li Qingshan laughed at himself because of what he had gone through this time. However, in the eyes of the Patriarchs, he was a genius with a bright future. Or the power of battle. They were all impeccable, and he had even been personally summoned by that person yesterday. Such a person was not someone who could be casually suppressed.
Liu Changqing put on a straight face and said, "That's not it. You know very well what you've written in the past."
The One Thought master said, "That might not be appropriate. Although we've never accepted the way school leader Liu conducts himself, not only has he stopped writing those obscene books in the past half a year, but he's even recalled and destroyed all the books he's written in the past. It's a testament to his sincerity. Everyone makes mistakes. Making mistakes is the best way to improve oneself. School leader Liu, you better reconsider your decision! "
Liu Chuanfeng was extremely touched. "Thank you for speaking for me, master." Right now, no one cherished the title of Master of Wind and Moon more than him. After comprehending the righteous path of the school of Novels, he recalled all his books voluntarily.
The One Thought master glanced at Little Ann. "This is all because of you."
"This humble daoist also feels like master Chu shouldn't be in such a hurry to take over!" The slovenly daoist priest spoke up as well, supporting the One Thought master for once. A person who's about to die still dares to come to our Hundred Schools of Thought and strut around. He's utterly despicable.
To Liu Changqing's surprise, even Wang Pushi and Han Anjun objected. Out of the five school leaders, four actually disagreed with his opinion.
No matter how great Chu Shidao's reputation was, no matter how great his cultivation was, he was still an "outsider". As soon as he arrived at the Hundred Schools of Thought, he wanted to take over. It was extremely easy for it to lead to xenophobia.
Li Qingshan's relationship with these people played an extremely subtle role as well. Ever since he came to the school of Novels, coupled with Liu Chuanfeng's own efforts, the school of Novels' reputation had indeed changed bit by bit before he knew it. Although it was still a pile of mud, it was worth supporting at the very least. Otherwise, who would be crazy enough to speak up for the guy who originally wrote obscene books?
Chu Shidao said, "I wonder when can a Qi Practitioner become the leader of a school? Nor have I ever heard of a school only having a single disciple? "
Liu Chuanfeng was speechless. Cultivation would always be the most important standard of evaluation for cultivators. It was also his greatest shortcoming.
"It won't be long before I transcend the heavenly tribulation," Chu Shidao said.
"It won't be long before I have to return as well. I've long heard of the wonders of the school of Novels, and how they can turn fiction into reality. It just so happens that I, the School of Painting, have the same ability. Why don't we have a competition to determine the ownership of Cloudwisp Island?"
How could Liu Chuanfeng dare to compete with a Foundation Establishment cultivator? He immediately tried to reject the challenge.
"I won't bully the weak, and it's not good for a school leader to compete in front of others." Chu Shidao's gaze suddenly turned to Li Qingshan. "This must be your disciple!"
"I'm Li Qingshan. Greetings, Grandmaster Chu."
"I've long heard that you're skilled in battle and that your body tempering technique is astonishing. Do you dare to compete with my disciple?"
"How would we compete?" Li Qingshan glanced at Chu Danqing.
"Paintings and novels are both elegant matters. It would be too vulgar for painters and authors to fight with their fists and feet. Why don't we hide behind the scenes and turn fiction into reality? My disciple will produce a painting, while you'll produce a novel. We'll let the painting and the characters in the novel decide who's better. What do you think? Cloudwisp island will belong to whoever wins. "
Even the school leaders present had never heard of a competition like this, but they all felt like Chu Shidao was looking down on their opinions far too much.
Liu Chuanfeng shot a glance at Li Qingshan, telling him to turn it down. Now that so many school leaders supported them, what was the point of competing?
Li Qingshan had no intentions of agreeing in the first place. If it were a duel, he was confident regardless of whether Chu Danqing was at the ninth or tenth layer. However, he had absolutely no confidence in a duel like this. The old man had some understanding of him now, so how could he fall for a trick like this, where the upper hand could take on the lower horse?
"If that's the case, and you still don't agree, then all I can do is submit a petition to the Hundred Schools of Thought of the Ruyi commandery, asking them to abolish the school of Novels of the Clear River prefecture!" Chu Shidao stomped his walking stick against the ground forcefully, demonstrating his unwavering determination. "It's just that doing things like this is far too vulgar. I don't want to do that."
All the school leaders knew why Chu Shidao was so fearless. Chu Shidao was not exaggerating. He had come from the commandery city of Ruyi in the first place. He wanted to use his connections to abolish this Qi Practitioner school leader as well as the school of Novels that only had a single disciple. Most importantly, all the school leaders present had once submitted a petition together. Perhaps Chu Shidao only needed to give it a slight push, and it would be done.
Surely they could not submit a petition to protect the school of Novels at a time like this!
Liu Chuanfeng paled. He had some understanding of Chu Shidao's influence. The school of Novels had just set foot on the right track and was currently developing. If they were really abolished, then all of their previous efforts would go to waste. However, it was impossible for him to give up on the "ancestral property" of Cloudwisp island. He looked at Li Qingshan for help.
Li Qingshan said, "Alright, I can agree to it. However, the path of the school of Novels cannot be like the school of Painting, which requires time to spread and gather the power of belief. Only then can it become real. I can publish a book, but I'll need a year at the very least to spread it everywhere."
"A year is too long."
"Anyway, I need time. If master Chu doesn't agree to it, then there's no need for the competition. Please submit a petition to the commandery of Ruyi and abolish our school of Novels!"
In the end, after Liu Changqing's mediation, it was set at six months.
Chu Shidao had his concerns too. He had already incurred the displeasure of the school leaders by taking over the school of Novels. If he used even more drastic methods, he would probably incur the wrath of the masses. He had already gained a deep understanding of the school of Novels before this.
Li Qingshan had already written a book, but the book was about the illusory matters of the jianghu, so it was impossible for it to oppose Danqing's paintings. As a result, all he could do was write a new book, which would take a few months at the very least. Even if he succeeded, there would not be enough time for it to spread, and he would not be able to gather enough power of belief.
The gathering dispersed. Chu Shidao and Chu Danqing followed Liu Changqing to the residence of the school of Confucianism.
Li Qingshan and Liu Chuanfeng returned to Cloudwisp island to discuss a plan.
Liu Chuanfeng became frantic. "Oh my, six months? How is that enough? You've agreed far too rashly."
Li Qingshan said, "If I don't agree, do you have any other ideas?"
Liu Chuanfeng said, "Hurry up. I'll grind it for you, so hurry up and write. Whatever, why don't I make some changes to that book of yours before it's sent out? Wielding the Dragon Slaying blade, Zhang Wuji split open the top of Radiant Peak in a single stroke, shocking the cultivators of the six great sects. Cheng Kun has buried twelve devastating Chaotic Thunder Seeds under the Shaolin temple. He wants to destroy all the cultivators. What do you think? "
Li Qingshan was startled. He couldn't help but admire Liu Chuanfeng's quick wit. He hadn't thought of this idea at first. The Wuxia novel had been changed to Black Tortoise, and its combat power had increased by more than ten times.
"Then what about drifting overseas? Cultivators can't be trapped on an island, can they?"
"Are you stupid? Beyond the Nine Prefectures is the Boundless Sea. Even if you go there now, you definitely won't be able to return! It's all up to us novelists, Yun, how to write it! "
Li Qingshan thought for a moment. "Then change it!"
Liu Chuanfeng was overjoyed when he received the instruction. He left in a hurry.
Li Qingshan shook his head. He was thinking of another idea. Liu Chuanfeng's idea was naturally not bad, but it might not be able to collect that much Power of Will.
In his previous life, this book was first published in the newspaper, and then promoted by TV series. Only then did it reach such a level of popularity. Rome wasn't built in six months.
So what if it was changed to destroy the Nine Prefectures? If there wasn't enough Power of Will, coupled with the limitations of the Divine Talisman of Great Creation itself, it might only be able to shatter a boulder on the chest.
Li Qingshan returned to his room, unfolded a piece of white paper, and began to write. He continued with the plan he had thought of, and made preparations for both sides.
These stories should be able to quickly gather the purest and truest power of will.
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