Chapter 38: Newly Gained Fans

Looking at the other girl, she still carried a drawing board on her back.

Zhu Xiaoyuan already understood the situation. If his own painting skills dared to claim second place, then few would dare to claim first. So for the two young women before him to address him as “Senior,” he accepted it gladly. Even throughout the entire Heavenly Martial Realm, it would be difficult to find someone whose skills surpassed his; being called “Senior” was more than appropriate.

“I see that you, too, are practitioners of the art of painting. It seems fate has brought us together today,” Zhu Xiaoyuan said with a smile, waving his hand.

His demeanor was so approachable, with not a hint of reproach. Ruofeng felt relieved. She had been worried that the senior might blame them, and who knew what dangers they might face as a result! After all, someone with such terrifying power was not someone they dared offend.

Huan Yue was now exceedingly anxious, as restless as a cat on hot bricks. Her face was full of excitement, and seeing that the senior bore no grudge, she hurried forward and said, “Senior... may I... may I look at your painting?”

Huan Yue was desperate to see it! Just watching Senior Zhu paint had already imparted so much insight. If she could see the finished work—

What kind of masterpiece had the senior created?

“Huan Yue, do not be rude!” Ruofeng scolded her sharply. “The senior’s power is immense; how could we possibly view his paintings at our whim? Your request is far too bold.”

Ruofeng’s heart trembled, fearing that such a demand might anger the senior. Someone capable of making an entire mountain range resonate with the Dao must possess unfathomable strength; how could such treasures be casually displayed to mere mortals?

Zhu Xiaoyuan, however, cared nothing for such conventions. Paintings were meant to be admired, after all. He casually lifted the freshly finished painting and handed it to Huan Yue. “Please, enjoy at your leisure. My humble work may amuse you.”

Huan Yue was beside herself with excitement. Her heart raced uncontrollably, and flustered, she took the painting from Zhu Xiaoyuan’s hands and opened it slowly—

A few bold characters revealed themselves: “Gathering of Myriad Mountains.”

On the painting, countless mountains stretched endlessly, like dragons converging toward the center. Each peak seemed a dormant beast, brimming with explosive power!

It felt as if, at any moment, the mountains might leap from the painting.

The entire Southern Ridge mountain range seemed to come alive on the canvas.

That interplay of light and shadow, that sense of power breaking through the paper—what a shock!

Zhu Xiaoyuan’s hands were clasped behind his back, so casual in his bearing.

What a painting! A work fit for the immortals!

For a moment, Huan Yue could not tear herself away; she was wholly immersed in the painting. Zhu Xiaoyuan felt proud—aside from the two beauties Leng Qianxue and An Yue’er, it seemed he had gained two more admirers today. What a delightful thing!

Huan Yue was lost in the painting, her spiritual energy still circulating without pause. As it flowed, her cultivation underwent a qualitative leap.

From the fifth stage of the Nascent Soul, she broke through to the sixth, then the seventh, then the eighth...

And even more.

Huan Yue’s spiritual power surged wildly, nearly crossing the threshold into the next realm—the Soul Division stage—before it finally settled.

At this moment, Huan Yue was unaware of what had happened, but Ruofeng’s eyes were nearly falling out of her head!

What terrifying power was this?

For Huan Yue, this was an incredible stroke of fortune: to break through from the early Nascent Soul stage straight to its peak, and be only a step away from the Soul Division stage.

Ruofeng’s jaw hung open.

Huan Yue wanted to keep looking, but her body could not handle any more; she felt dizzy and even a little pain. She quickly closed her eyes, digesting all the insights she had just absorbed.

“Sister!”

After a long while, Huan Yue finally reopened her eyes.

“Sister, come look at this!” she said joyfully to Ruofeng beside her.

Ruofeng had not yet glimpsed the painting, but Huan Yue’s urgent call drew her gaze to the scroll.

At once, her spirit was swept away!

With just a few simple strokes, the entire Southern Ridge mountain range seemed to leap into view.

Living mountains, living Dao resonance, the whole composition vast and vibrant.

Marvelous!

With this painting, the entire Southern Ridge was clear to all.

Ruofeng recalled how, just moments ago, they sailed their treasure ship above the Southern Ridge, seeing only its vastness. Yet with this simple painting, the whole range was rendered in perfect clarity.

“No wonder you’re called ‘Senior’—to capture the spirit of the Southern Ridge so vividly! Did you perhaps wander through the entire range yourself?” Ruofeng dared not look further, her heart quivering.

Every sacred land could communicate directly with immortals; even their own Skyless Sacred Land was no exception. Compared to other factions, sacred lands knew more secrets—their sect had been founded by the immortal Skyless.

From ancestral teachings, they knew there was an Ascension Platform hidden in the Southern Ridge.

The Ascension Platform was a gateway, allowing one to cross directly into the immortal realm.

Countless people had sought the Ascension Platform in the Southern Ridge since ancient times, but none ever returned safely.

That was because once you set foot on the Ascension Platform, there was no turning back!

But...

Ruofeng stole a glance at Zhu Xiaoyuan beside her, but quickly looked away.

His appearance was nothing like the portraits in their Skyless Sacred Land’s records!

Yet, she could not fathom how anyone besides the immortal Skyless could possess such extraordinary abilities!

Ruofeng pondered for a long time, her mind whirling as if caught in a storm, before she forced herself to calm down.

“Senior’s painting is truly exceptional. I am deeply grateful for your generosity in letting us view it.”

“Since we have met, and are fellow practitioners, it is fate—there’s no need for thanks,” Zhu Xiaoyuan replied, waving a hand indifferently.

“It’s getting late. You two young ladies may not be safe out here. If you don’t mind, you can return to the village with me.”

After all, they were just young girls; if anything happened to them on the mountain at night, Zhu Xiaoyuan would feel guilty. And they still carried drawing boards—they had come out to sketch, but the conditions here were far too harsh.