NOVEL WEB Chapter 17: Bestowing One Painting
"How intolerable the deception has become!”
Despite their departure, Wei Yushan’s face was still filled with rage.
They had resorted to violence and injured someone without any prior quarrel.
Alas, the Lihuo Sect could only bear it, unable to retaliate.
This, perhaps, is the cruel and merciless nature of the cultivation world.
The strong are the only ones entitled to justice and fairness.
"Master, are you alright?”
Mu Qianning asked Yu Qishui with concern.
"It’s fine, the opponent didn’t use their full strength. With two or three days of recovery, I should naturally heal.”
Yu Qishui shook his head and said,“It’s just that Supreme Level factions have arrived—it seems that the waters here are truly becoming murkier…”
"Master, Teacher, I wish to pay a visit to Senior Li.”
Mu Qianning suddenly spoke up, biting her lower lip tightly.
Yu Qishui pondered for a moment before saying,
“It wouldn’t hurt to go and see. If Senior Li has any instructions, we can follow through…”
Mu Qianning nodded, then turned towards Fire Spirit and said,
“Sister Ling’er, come with me.”
Fire Spirit hesitated and said,
“Senior Li doesn’t like me…”
But Mu Qianning pulled her along insistently and said,
“What kind of a great man is Senior Li? He won’t mind.”
After speaking, the two of them made their way toward the small mountain village.
"Sister, do you have any burdens weighing on your heart?”
On the way, Mu Qianning asked.
She had gleaned some insight from the conversation between Fire Spirit and Huo Mingxuan and the others.
Hearing this, Fire Spirit sighed deeply.
Mu Qianning had just spoken righteously on her behalf, shortening the distance between them, and now without hiding anything, Fire Spirit said,
“My mother, she was harmed by Huo Mingxuan’s mother.”
She recounted the events of that year.
"How detestable they are!”
After listening, Mu Qianning also felt deep sympathy for Fire Spirit and was filled with anger towards Huo Mingxuan and the others.
She had not expected that this high and mighty Third Princess of the Fire Country would have such a tragic background.
"It’s just unfortunate that I can’t even protect my mother’s legacy now…”
Fire Spirit said with a wry smile.
"Sister Ling’er, I suddenly understand why Senior Li was unwilling to accept you as his disciple last time.”
Mu Qianning suddenly spoke up.
"Why?” Fire Spirit was startled.
"Your inner demon is hatred, and for cultivators, hatred is a great taboo.”
Mu Qianning spoke,
“Senior Li has long transcended worldly affairs, and perhaps he dislikes such things.”
Fire Spirit fell silent for a long time. Even if she understood, what could she really do?
Could she truly let go of her hatred?
…
Before long, they finally arrived outside Li Fan’s courtyard.
Mu Qianning stepped forward to knock on the door,
“Is Senior Li there?”
"Come in,” came the voice from inside the courtyard.
Mu Qianning and Fire Spirit finally walked in.
Inside, Li Fan was tidying up his paintings.
He was hanging up the ones he was more satisfied with.
As Mu Qianning and Fire Spirit walked in, they were confronted with a row of paintings hanging on the wall!
Series of sunsets!
In that moment, it was as if they were surrounded by countless suns. The grandeur of the surging waves and the boldness of the setting sun was vividly displayed amidst the laws of heaven and earth!
"No…”
Mu Qianning quickly lowered her head. Just one glance nearly made her faint away.
The terror of that great law was too formidable; she couldn’t withstand it even with one look.
Yet Fire Spirit, her aura thunderous!
She felt the call of countless fragments of the Way as if some shackles in her mind shattered in that instant.
——The Way of the Great Sun shared some similarities with the fire method she was cultivating.
At that moment, the light in her eyes intensified, turning a pale gold!
——This was the third stage, the Saint Fire Eyes!
She was stunned, completely taken aback.
Had she, in that moment, achieved the Saint Fire Eyes??
In the legends, only the ancient founder of Fire Country had ever achieved this step!
Heaven…
Just how powerful was Senior Li…
Such a casually given blessing, wasn’t it too profound?!
And at this moment, Li Fan finally hung the last painting as well.
He turned around, satisfied, only to see Mu Qianning and Fire Spirit staring at him with admiration, and he felt a bit proud in his heart.
He was quite confident in his mastery of the Art of Painting.
"How about it, do these paintings catch your eye?”
He said with a smile.
"Senior’s paintings… are unparalleled in ages past! Impossible to find in the entire world!”
Fire Spirit spoke sincerely.
"Overpraised,” Li Fan said with a smile,
“What brings you here this time?”
Mu Qianning stepped forward and said,
“Senior, I have come this time because I wish to visit the Cangli Mountain Range, and I’d like to hear some advice from you.”
The Cangli Mountain Range?
What for? Searching for gems?
Truly, not giving up until you’re at the end of your rope.
"If you want to go, then go,”
Li Fan remarked, as he couldn’t stop her anyway.
Upon hearing this, Mu Qianning was immediately overjoyed.
Since Senior Li had said so, she was completely reassured!
"Senior… also, I am here to apologize on behalf of Sister Ling’er. She was too impulsive last time, but she had her reasons. After all, Sister Ling’er’s mother was harmed by others, and she cannot seek revenge. Those people are still bullying her now…”
"I know Senior holds no fondness for Sister Ling’er due to her resentment, but I hope you can forgive her previous rashness.”
Mu Qianning spoke.
Hearing this, Fire Spirit was filled with deep gratitude towards Mu Qianning.
She understood that Mu Qianning speaking on her behalf involved the risk of displeasing Senior Li.
Li Fan too was somewhat surprised at this.
Who would have thought that such a stunning beauty like Fire Spirit would have such a pitiful background? Mother killed, unable to avenge, and still being bullied… No wonder she had tears in her eyes the first time she met him.
Li Fan heaved a deep sigh, but he was helpless.
After all, he couldn’t meddle in the affairs of the Cultivation World.
What could he, a mere mortal, possibly do?
But then, he thought of something, turned around, and picked up his brush to create!
Each stroke and line carried the essence of the Way.
Ink dropped on paper, and the Great Way thundered!
Fire Spirit and Mu Qianning were both spellbound!
So carefree, so spontaneous; a natural fusion, one with the Way.
Every gesture Li Fan made was a manifestation of the Way!
…
Soon after, Li Fan finally stopped writing.
Turning around, he looked at Fire Spirit and said,
“Well, I can’t offer much help, but since your surname is Fire, I’ll give you a painting related to fire.”
He said this as he handed the paper to Fire Spirit.
Fire Spirit was immediately dumbfounded at his words.
To give, to give her a painting?
Senior Li… was actually bestowing such a gift?
She was still stunned when Mu Qianning quickly reminded her,
“Sister, take it quickly.”
Only then did Fire Spirit come forward excitedly and accepted it with both hands respectfully.
"If you find yourself in trouble, you might take a look at this painting; it may be of some help to you.”
Li Fan stated.
He had some confidence in his own painting; after all, art at a certain level could soothe the emotions and refine one’s sensibility. However, he didn’t know how much it would help Fire Spirit.
Hopefully, it would cheer her up, if even a little bit.
"Many thanks, Senior, many thanks, Senior!”
Fire Spirit was teary with gratitude!
Li Fan shook his head and said,
“No need for thanks.”
The two then took their leave.
Li Fan turned around and picked up the little white cat that was lying limp on a painting.
"Look at you, you common cat, using the painting as a bed…”
He laughed.
"Meow, meow…”
Bai Xiaoqing cried a few times but felt utterly helpless inside.
Is it what I wanted? Do you not understand how terrible the mental shock of looking inside that painting is? I couldn’t stand it upon looking…
Living by Li Fan’s side, getting to see his paintings every day, and receiving the baptism of countless Ways, brought both joy and pain to Bai Xiaoqing!
…
After leaving Li Fan’s courtyard.
"Qian Ning, thank you!”
Fire Spirit held the painting tightly in her hands, expressing her profound gratitude to Mu Qianning!
Mu Qianning just smiled and said,
“Sister Ling’er, you don’t need to thank me, everything was bestowed by Senior Li.”
She sincerely echoed,
“Indeed, Senior Li’s great kindness and virtue.”
"Sister, aren’t you going to unwrap the painting to take a look?” Mu Qianning asked.
Fire Spirit shook her head and said,
“Qian Ning, I can’t look at it now.”
"Have you forgotten? Senior said it can only be opened ‘when in difficulty,’ which means, Senior Li has foreseen that there will be danger on this journey to the Secret Realm!”
"That’s when the power of Senior Li’s painting will reveal itself!”
She was brimming with confidence!
Returning from the small mountain village to the Lihuo Sect, Mu Qianning reported to Yu Qishui and others.
Upon hearing that Senior Li had agreed to their journey, they were all delighted.
With Senior Li’s backing, what was there to worry about?
Consequently, Yu Qishui and the others, together with Mu Qianning and Fire Spirit, headed towards the Secret Realm within the Cangli Mountain Range!
Storm clouds gathered!