"Hu!"
Exhaling deeply, Zhang Xuan rubbed his forehead.
Even though there were many books in the library of the Painter Guild, to Zhang Xuan, it was just a matter of traveling a little longer. In less than an hour, he had already collected all of them into the Library of Heaven's Path.
"Even though I was able to produce a painting of the fifth level previously, my understanding of painting was still lacking. With these books to supplement my knowledge, my knowledge has increased by leaps and bounds. With this, I am worthy of my identity as a 3-star painter!"
Looking at the books neatly arranged in the Library of Heaven's Path, Zhang Xuan stretched himself.
Even though Zhang Xuan was able to produce a painting of the fifth level with the help of Master Lu Chen, in truth, he didn't know much about the foundation, history, style, and schools of thought.
Take Duan Yu for example. He could execute the top-notch Six Pulse Divine Sword and beat up Gusu's Murong Fu, but he did not know any basic martial arts. If he were to fight against a hooligan, he might not be a match for him.
Zhang Xuan was the same. It was easy for him to draw a fifth level painting, but he really couldn't draw a Reality Depiction painting.
However, with so many books, this problem was not a big deal.
As long as he were to finish reading through them, in terms of knowledge, not even the most formidable 3-star painter would be a match for him. In fact, it was hard to say whether even 4-star painters would be able to match up to him.
"Just that... Tianxuan Kingdom's Book Collection Vault, Beast Hall, Poison Temple, Painter Guild... I have already collected tens of millions of secret manuals. If I were to rely solely on reading books, how long will it take for me to finish all of them?"
After collecting the books, a new problem popped up, giving him a headache.
Ever since he left the Tianxuan Kingdom, he had already recorded more than ten million books into the Library of Heaven's Path. Over the past few days, as long as he was free, he would read books in his Consciousness Sea at a rapid pace. However, reading one to two thousand books a day was already his limit. Facing ten million books … it was like trying to put out a cart of firewood with a cup of water.
Moreover, as he learned more professions and rose in status, the more books he would have. If he wanted to convert all these things into his own knowledge, it would be impossible to complete without several years of effort.
"If only I had the golden page …"
Zhang Xuan's heart skipped a beat.
The golden page was something that was formed from the Book of Heaven's Path.
It could instantly convert the knowledge in the books in the Library of Heaven's Path into his own. If he had this, he would be able to easily memorize so much content, and he wouldn't have to painstakingly flip through books one by one.
"I thought that it would form after receiving someone's gratitude, but it seems like that's not the case! Back when I was impersonating Yang shi, I received quite a few people's gratitude, but none of them formed a relationship with me.
Recalling the golden page of the Book of Heaven's Path, Zhang Xuan tried to recall when it appeared.
Zhang Xuan didn't know when the first book appeared, but when the second book appeared, Zhao Ya and the others were challenging Lu Xun on the dueling ring to avenge his humiliation.
At that time, their gratitude towards him was filled with a strong sense of teacher-student relationship.
Could it be that … only the gratitude between a teacher and a student could cause this thing to appear?
In his disguise as Yang shi, most of the gratitude he felt toward Zhang Xuan was due to respect.
"We can give it a try!"
Thinking of this, Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.
Others might not be able to do anything about things that could not be confirmed, but he could.
He casually took out a blank book and wrote down his conjecture in it. Then, he pressed his palm against it lightly.
Buzz!
With a shake, an identical book appeared in the library.
Zhang Xuan flipped it open.
"Sincere gratitude between a teacher and a student can form a golden page … There's no mistake about it! As expected! "
Seeing the result on the book, Zhang Xuan's face lit up in agitation.
If only he had known that this was how the golden page was formed, he wouldn't have been able to memorize much of it even after tiring himself to death.
"Looks like I'll have to accept two students … and find a way to make them feel grateful to me!"
Zhang Xuan chuckled.
As long as the golden page was formed, he would be able to easily convert the books in the library into his own knowledge.
What he lacked at the moment was the accumulation of knowledge.
As long as he had sufficient knowledge, even without the help of the Library of Heaven's Path, he would be able to see through the flaws and problems of others easily.
"I wonder if Zhao Ya and the others have arrived yet. I'll have to pay Mingshi Tang a visit tomorrow to ask. Since I have nothing to do at the moment, I should take a look around. Perhaps, I might be able to find someone to guide me and accept a student … "
With such thoughts in mind, Zhang Xuan decided to leave the book collection vault and head out.
After leaving the book collection vault, he met up with the two vice guild leaders and chatted for a while. After which, he walked out of the Painter Guild.
Time was of the essence, so it was important for him to find a way to form the golden page.
Just as he walked out of the guild, a young man walked in from the other side.
It was Lu Xun, who had just arrived at Tianwu Royal City.
[Tianwu Inn] was only a few hundred meters away from here. After seeing that Liu Shi had made arrangements for everyone, he immediately headed over.
"To take the master teacher examination, one must possess a supporting occupation. I have been learning painting from my father since young, and I am already capable of producing Reality Depiction works. I should take the apprentice painter examination first before taking the official painter examination!"
Seeing the massive calligraphy at the entrance of the Painter Guild, Lu Xun's heart leaped in agitation.
Given his current capability, it would still be a little difficult for him to take the official painter examination. However, it shouldn't be a problem for him to take the apprentice painter examination.
As soon as Zhang Xuan walked into the guild, he saw many paintings hanging on the walls. There was a landscape, a bird, a spring breeze, a blazing sun … Surprisingly, all of them had reached the level of Reality Depiction. With just a look, he could tell that the creator of these paintings was in no way inferior to him in terms of painting.
"As expected of the Painter Guild, incredible..."
Lu Xun's eyes glowed in admiration.
It hadn't been long since this guild was established, and Master Lu Chen had never been here before. Naturally, he didn't know what was inside. He didn't expect to see so many incredible works the moment he stepped in.
Lu Xun was impressed.
"Gongzi, may I know what kind of painting you need? I can bring you to take a look!"
Just as Lu Xun was walking forward, the green-robed attendant who had welcomed Zhang Xuan walked over respectfully.
"I am not here to buy anything, but... I wish to take the apprentice painter examination! May I know where it is? "Lu Xun smiled.
"Apprentice painter examination?"
The green-robed attendant was taken aback.
Usually, it would be months before a single person would appear for the apprentice painter examination. What was going on today? Why was there a group of them?
After Ji Mo gongzi's examination, Grandmaster Zhang arrived. Shortly after Grandmaster Zhang left, another person appeared who wished to take the apprentice painter examination...
This was way too lively!
"This way please!"
Lu Xun was perplexed, but he didn't dare to be negligent.
He was only an attendant of the guild, whereas apprentice painters were existences who had the chance to become official painters. There was a huge gap between their standing.
"Un!" Lu Xun followed behind him.
"Incredible, that is really a fifth level painting!"
"Indeed, to be able to paint a fifth level painting in his first examination, and not to mention, he isn't even twenty yet. He is truly a genius!"
"To be able to defeat even Ji Mo gongzi and even be chased out of the guild, his talent is truly admirable!"
"The scene of him painting is still replaying in my mind. How fascinating!"
"To think that even savage beasts are capable of painting. This is something I didn't even dare to imagine before..."
…
Walking in the spacious hall, hushed discussions could be heard from all directions.
Even though there were quite a few fans of Ji Mo gongzi in the crowd, there were also quite a few nobles who were passionate about painting.
That Grandmaster Zhang had shocked the entire guild the first time he made an appearance in the guild.
"What do they mean by... painting a fifth level painting in his first examination?"
Hearing the commotion in the surroundings, Lu Xun couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. He turned to the green-robed attendant beside him.
"Oh, they are talking about the duel just now!" Hearing the question, the attendant's eyes lit up.
He had witnessed the duel clearly by the side, and he was the one who received the grandmaster personally. He felt extremely proud of himself.
"Duel?"
"That's right, just now..." The green-robed attendant quickly recounted what had happened in detail.
"You're saying that... the grandmaster dipped a savage beast in ink, walked around the xuan paper, picked it up, and shook it casually, turning the painting into a third level painting?"
Lu Xun widened his eyes.
Having studied painting from his father for many years, he knew the difficulty of painting a third level painting.
Even his father couldn't guarantee that he could paint it perfectly every single time. Yet, this person made a savage beast walk around and shook it casually... Was he bragging?
However, the shock was yet to come.
"Roasting it with a torch... turned it into a fourth level painting?"
"Spraying a mouthful of saliva, turned it into a fifth level painting?"
The more Lu Xun listened, the more confused he felt. He was on the verge of going berserk.
Why did it sound like he was telling a story?
If that was true, then that grandmaster's control over painting was way too fearsome!
"Of course it's true. I received the grandmaster personally and witnessed the entire duel. There's no way I'm mistaken!"
The green-robed attendant could tell that Lu Xun didn't believe him, so he said confidently.
"Incredible... If what he said is true, if I can become the student of that grandmaster, my mastery of painting will surely soar, and it won't be a problem for me to become a true painter!"
Hearing how confident the other party was, a thought popped into Lu Xun's mind, and he found it hard to suppress it.
To take the master teacher examination, becoming an apprentice wasn't enough. One had to possess an official supporting occupation.
Even though he had learned painting from a young age, he knew that there was a huge gap between Reality Depiction and Spiritual Movement realm. If he were to learn on his own, it would take several years or even decades for him to reach that level.
However... if he had a formidable teacher to guide him, things would be much simpler.
He didn't know about other grandmasters, but the words that the attendant had just said left him in awe.
To be able to raise a painting to the fifth level, how deep must one's understanding of painting be in order to achieve such a feat?
If he were to acknowledge him as his teacher, he would definitely be able to resolve his doubts. Perhaps, his path to becoming a painter would become much easier.
"This grandmaster... What's his name? Where is he now? Does he accept students? "
At this point, Lu Xun suppressed the agitation in his heart and asked with a reddened face.
The green-robed attendant pondered for a moment and said, "This grandmaster, he seems to be called... Zhang Xuan!"
"Zhang Xuan?"
Lu Xun's body trembled and his eyes widened.
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