Under the trembling of Zhang Xuan, ink began to flow out from the originally plain xuan paper. The footprints left behind by the savage beast intertwined with one another, forming a majestic painting of a plum blossom.
Where the ink flowed, plum blossoms blossomed on the dried and pitch-black tree trunk. Even though they were just flower buds, and it looked desolate from afar, for some reason, it exuded a bone-chilling aura, as though winter had just arrived.
The area where the savage beast fell had become two sinister-looking boulders. The traces left behind by its fur had become creases of varying depths on the surface of the boulders.
The winter plum blossom grew out from the cracks of the boulders, standing proudly amidst the cold. Ji Mo gongzi used flowers to accentuate the nobility of the peony. On the other hand, this winter plum blossom didn't have a single flower to embellish it, but it exuded an unyielding aura that no one dared to compete with.
Having no intentions to vie for love, the jealousy of all.
Looking at this painting, it was as though looking at the painter, walking alone by the edge of the world. So what if others ignore me? So what if I don't understand? As long as I maintain my pride, I will still have a clear conscience!
"I... Why am I crying?"
"Me too. I feel as though I'm looking at a person who doesn't understand me, but still strides forward without the slightest bit of hesitation!"
"This is... the third level of painting, Infused Intentions?"
"Indeed. Otherwise, it's impossible for us to resonate with it with just a single glance..."
...
The crowd fell silent.
After a moment of silence, quite a few people were moved by the desolate aura in the painting, and their eyes reddened.
A painting with a high level of artistic conception could affect the state of mind of the viewer. Clearly, this painting was one such example.
"A savage beast actually managed to produce a painting of the third level of Infused Intentions?"
Everyone was infected by the charm of the winter plum blossom. Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng's lips quivered, and his body trembled.
Since others could see it, naturally, he was able to as well. With a shake of the other party's hand, the painting that seemed like nothing a moment ago suddenly rose to a whole new level. Not only was the spiritual energy emanating from it overwhelming, its artistic conception was also activated.
Even they would require a long period of preparation before they could produce a painting of such a level.
A savage beast walked a few steps, rolled... and with a shake, the painting was completed...
Even though they were witnessing it with their own eyes, they still couldn't help but wonder if they were dreaming.
They were filled with disbelief.
"The most important part is the final tremble!"
Vice Guild Leader Wu fell silent for a moment. "How much ink should be left on the xuan paper, how to shake it, and how much strength should be used to allow the ink to flow, form the tree trunk, and finally form the painting... All of these details must be perfectly integrated into one's mind.
"Indeed. It might seem simple, but it harnesses a great deal of knowledge. Different paper and ink have different effects as well. To be able to bring a painting to such a level with a single shake, even I am unable to achieve such a level of insight and control over painting …"
Although Cheng Feng didn't want to admit it, he couldn't help but nod in agreement.
Even though it seemed like the savage beast was the one who was painting, the young man didn't do anything at all. However, the most important thing was the final shake of the painting. Just like adding the finishing touch to a painting, the slightest mistake would result in a huge deviation, turning a painting of the third level into nothing.
When he shook the painting, ink flew everywhere, but he could find the most suitable force and the best method …
This meant that from the very start, the young man had absolute control over his painting, knowing how it would turn out and what level it would reach...
This required one to have a deep understanding of painting and to have a complete picture in one's mind... Putting aside them, even the guild leader, who had reached the level of a 3-star painter, would be incapable of such a feat!
"This … is impossible …"
The gleeful Ji Mo gongzi, who was just about to embarrass Zhang Xuan, saw a plum blossom appear with a shake of the brush. He retreated several steps in fright, and his face paled. He was on the verge of going insane.
The other party grabbed a savage beast, dipped it in the ink, and tossed it onto the xuan paper, and it turned into a painting of the third level...
When did a painting of the third level become so common?
He had painstakingly painted to the point where he was on the verge of spurting blood, and yet, it was only at this level. Yet, the other party was able to do it so easily...
Could it be that his talent was truly beneath that of a savage beast?
The green-robed attendant who brought Zhang Xuan here previously was also tearing at his ears. If not for the surrounding crowd, he would have surely gone insane by now.
As an attendant of the Painter Guild, he only earned a few thousand gold coins a month, and even at its best, he only earned ten thousand gold coins a month. Yet, he was able to create a painting worth several million just by tossing a savage beast onto a piece of paper...
The heck!
Why did he have to work so hard? If he had captured this fellow to paint, wouldn't he have become a millionaire long ago?
The apprentice painters who had been carrying the tables earlier were tearing up.
Those who had been studying painting for the longest had already reached more than a decade. Even so, they could only produce a painting of the level of Reality Depiction. As for Infused Intentions and Spiritual Canvas, they didn't even dare to dream of it.
Seeing a savage beast produce a painting of a higher level than theirs, they immediately felt that their years of hard work and hard work were indeed … useless.
It was already a blessing that they didn't collapse on the spot.
Seeing that the painting was completed as expected, Zhang Xuan chuckled lightly and asked, "Vice guild leaders, may I know if this painting is considered a win or a loss?"
This painting was just as the two vice guild leaders had imagined. Most importantly, it was the shaking of the brush.
No matter how formidable his control over savage beasts was, how could he possibly produce a painting of the third level?
The final shake of the brush allowed the ink to flow into a complete painting. Using the ability of the Library of Heaven's Path, he managed to avoid all mistakes.
As long as there were no flaws, it was naturally correct.
The timing of the shake, the strength of the shake, the direction of the shake, the method of picking up the xuan paper... All of these had to be taken into consideration.
It was fortunate that it succeeded.
"This …"
The two vice guild leaders glanced at one another.
"Your Winter Plum Blossoms Painting and Painter Ji's Peony Painting have both reached the third level of painting. Even though their styles are different, they are indistinguishable. Thus, I declare that this duel … "After a moment of hesitation, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng announced," It's a draw! "
"A draw?"
Zhang Xuan shook his head. He wasn't surprised.
Actually, the level of his painting was much higher than Ji Mo gongzi's Peony Painting. However, due to the wager between the both of them, and the latter was a future elite of the Painter Guild, if he were to be declared the loser, would he really have to kneel down, apologize, and leave the guild?
If he were to do so, he would surely lose a genius.
Thus, declaring it a draw without offending either side was the most ideal outcome.
Of course, this Ji Mo gongzi might not be as impressive as before. Even though it was a draw, it was a draw with a savage beast. In other words, he was no different from a savage beast … He would surely become the talk of the town wherever he went.
Regarding this, Zhang Xuan didn't mind it at all. After all, he only had himself to blame for such a situation.
"A draw? To think that it would be a draw! "
"That's for the best …"
"Indeed, let's not hurt the harmony between us …"
…
Upon hearing the verdict, the crowd came to a realization, and discussions broke out.
"Very well. Both of you are geniuses in painting, so we should get along well in the future …"
After making the announcement, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng chuckled. Just as he was about to mediate between the two, Ji Mo gongzi calmed his breathing and stepped forward, "Vice guild leaders, please wait a moment!"
Everyone turned to look at him.
"Everyone has seen his painting just now. The crux of the painting is his final shake. If not for that, he wouldn't even be able to reach the level of Reality Depiction, needless to say, Infused Intentions!"
Ji Mo gongzi looked at Zhang Xuan and sneered coldly, "In other words, this painting of his is a collaboration between a man and a savage beast. Even with their combined skill, they are only at the same level as me. How can they be a draw?"
Everyone was taken aback.
Everyone knew that savage beasts would only drag one down. Yet, the other party was still able to produce a painting at the level of Infused Intentions.
To say such words despite knowing this, one could say that he was shameless to the extreme.
Even so, the other party was indeed collaborating with him!
There was a clear rule in painting that when a person was painting, no one else was allowed to interfere in it. In fact, they weren't even allowed to offer pointers.
The savage beast created the plum blossoms, and Zhang Xuan created the stem... This was how the painting came to be. Both of them were indispensable.
For a painting created through collaboration to compete with a single person, it was indeed... unfair.
"Oh, then what you mean is that..."
Seeing how shameless he was, Zhang Xuan didn't get angry. Instead, he turned to look at him.
"Simple, I'm the victor of this competition. Since you only managed to reach the same level as me due to your collaboration, it can only be considered as your loss!" Ji Mo gongzi harrumphed coldly.
"Painter Ji, a draw isn't a bad result..."
Not expecting the other party to be so ungentlemanly, Vice Guild Leader Wu was displeased.
What kind of painting could a savage beast do?
Clearly, it was due to the other party's assistance that he was able to produce such a masterpiece.
Under such circumstances, even though it was a collaboration between a man and a savage beast, it was due to the young man's high level of painting. Under such circumstances, a draw is already giving you a way out of this embarrassing situation. Yet, you still aren't satisfied?
Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng was also displeased. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Xuan waved his hands and looked at him with a smile, "Ji gongzi's words do make sense. Since you've determined that I'm collaborating with a savage beast, let's just work together then. However, this can't be considered as a draw. I would like to ask... what do I have to do for you to admit defeat?"
"You want me to admit defeat?"
Ji Mo gongzi sneered coldly, "I've always been a fair person, and I won't go back on my words. If this painting was a Breathtaking Verisimilitude of the fourth level, I would admit defeat immediately. However... it isn't! Our collaboration is only on par with mine, how can it be considered as a draw? "
"Your words do make sense, but I don't seem to have anything to say!" Without the slightest hint of anger, Zhang Xuan shook his head with a smile.
"Since you have nothing to say, I'll admit defeat..."
Ji Mo gongzi's eyes lit up. Just as he was about to continue speaking, the lips of the young man opposite him curled up, and he looked at him with a pitiful gaze, "Are you so sure that... this painting has only reached the third level?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Ji Mo gongzi glanced at the xuan paper on the table. The ink on it was still wet, and even though it was not bad, it was only at the third level. It was impossible for it to surpass the third level. Then, he sneered coldly, "Stop putting on an act here. Since you've admitted defeat, hurry up. No matter how much you say, it's impossible for this painting to reach the fourth level..."
"That might not necessarily be the case..."
Zhang Xuan looked at him impassively, "Vice Guild Leader Wu, I'll have to trouble you with a matter!"
"Feel free to speak!" Vice Guild Leader Wu nodded.
"May I know if there are any torches in the Painter Guild?" Zhang Xuan asked.
In a place like the Painter Guild, they used Night Illumination Pearls to illuminate the area. The light it emitted was warm, and it was as dazzling as day.
Even though it was bright, it didn't emit any heat. Given that it was autumn, the room was a little cold. It was only because everyone was a cultivator that they weren't bothered by it.
"Yes!"
Vice Guild Leader Wu glanced at it doubtfully. With a wave of his hand, an apprentice left the room, and not too long later, he returned with a torch in hand.
"Bring it to the painting and warm it up!" Ignoring the torch, Zhang Xuan instructed.
"Yes!"
The apprentice glanced at Vice Guild Leader Wu, and upon receiving his approval, he walked over to the Winter Plum Blossoms Painting.
The moment the torch came into contact with the painting, the ink, which hadn't dried yet, began to solidify.
Boom!
The ink dried, and the feeling it exuded was different once more. In an instant, a transformation occurred.
The area around the slightly black flower bud was now suffused with a hint of white, as though it had bloomed. A fragrance drifted into the surroundings.
Wuwuwu!
A few butterflies flew over from nowhere. As though attracted by the fragrance, they landed on the flower bud and lingered for a long time.
"This is... Breathtaking Verisimilitude?"
"How is this possible?"
...
Everyone felt their bodies jolting, and they were on the verge of going insane.
When the ink was black, it was only at the level of Infused Intentions. Yet, upon drying it up, it became the level of Breathtaking Verisimilitude. How could such a situation occur?
But if it wasn't at the level of Breathtaking Verisimilitude, how could it attract butterflies? In fact, it was even emanating the fragrance of plum blossoms.
Deng deng deng deng!
Ji Mo gongzi retreated several steps, and his face paled.
It was just a moment ago that he said that he would admit defeat as long as the other party's painting was of the fourth level. Yet, never in his dreams did he expect that the other party would just use a torch to dry the painting...
Are you for real?
He had looked at the painting several times, and he was certain that it was only Infused Intentions. Why would the painting's level rise after being heated by the torch?
"This is fake... You must have used some kind of cheating method!"
Ji Mo gongzi shook his head vigorously, unable to believe his eyes. His voice was savage as he roared frenziedly.
"Cheating?"
Zhang Xuan shook his head. Scanning the surroundings, his eyes fell on Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng. "Vice guild leader, do you see the reason?"
"I do, but I'm not sure if I'm right!"
With a grim expression, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng said, "The savage beast that painted the painting is called the Verdant Alacrity Beast. It likes to nest in wet soil, and our ink is made from Black Inkstone. On the surface, there might seem to be no relationship between the two, but in truth, the wet soil contains elements that neutralize the Black Inkstone. As soon as it comes into contact with the heat of the torch, the color of the ink becomes lighter. "
"When the Verdant Alacrity Beast was carried over, it didn't wash up. Thus, it was natural for it to be stained with a fine layer of wet soil. After mixing with the ink made from the Black Inkstone and heating it up, the effects of the soil came into play, causing the petals in the painting to look as though they were in full bloom, thus... enhancing the artistic conception!"
"This requires a deep understanding of beast taming and the properties of various substances. You..."
At this point, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng was still in a state of disbelief.
The previous scene might have seemed mystical. Being heated by the torch, the painting, which was only at the third level, was able to reach a higher level. However, it was actually an accumulation of knowledge that allowed one to reach a conclusion.
In truth, even without using the torch, the painting would have reached the level of Breathtaking Verisimilitude in a day or two.
To be able to achieve this, one must have a deep understanding of beast taming and the properties of various substances... Yet, a young man who wasn't even twenty was able to do it...
The heck!
Has the world gone mad, or have I gone mad?
(Sweat, in order to continue the chapter, Laoya intentionally added a thousand words. This is a chapter of four thousand words, so there's no need to feel conflicted. You can vote for it now. Wuuuu, Laoya looks at me pitifully...)
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