Chapter 25: Two More Little Fans
Appearing before Nan Feng and Zi Ling was none other than Li Fan, who was in the midst of painting.
Today was an overcast day, without a sunset, yet Li Fan’s passion for painting did not wane; he was currently depicting the vast expanse of land before him.
In the process of cultivating the Art of Painting among many other techniques, he had long cultivated a calm and detached disposition, able to paint under overcast skies as well as against the backdrop of a morning sun bathed in spring colors.
All could become as paintings, all, could be integrated into the Way.
Beneath his brush, a series of mountain ranges had already filled the wilds, converging towards the center.
Most of the transformation was already complete.
Beside his rice paper, Bai Xiaoqing was lazily sprawled out, occasionally glancing at the painting and meowing several times with each look.
It was too difficult; just one glance and she would have to digest it for a very long time.
It contained too many principles of the Way!
On the other side of the mountain, Nan Feng and Zi Ling were utterly stunned.They were as if completely enraptured by the scene of painting before them.
“…This is truly a Painting Saint! His whole being has merged with the Way; wherever he is, there lies an infinite scroll of paintings, and every stroke of his brush is a vessel of the Way of Heaven and Earth!”
Zi Ling murmured, her eyes wide open, as the silhouette of the man painting thoroughly shook her soul.
Meanwhile, the spells within her were rapidly circulating, as if racing.
Countless insights, blessings upon the soul.
She distinctly felt that her understanding of the Art of Painting was quickly becoming clearer, many of her mysteries rapidly resolving, many shackles breaking open in an instant.
It was as if she were being enlightened!
She was entranced!
"What kind of person is this? Even the scenes of the ancestors painting left in the sect were not as shocking as this…”
Even Nan Feng, a person who did not cultivate the Art of Painting, could feel the extraordinariness.
…
After a very long time.
Li Fan’s painting was finally complete.
On the rice paper, he inscribed the name of the painting: Wan Shan Ju Long Tu.
The hidden mountains gather, converging like a dragon.
He let out a light breath; after each painting, he would gain something for his soul.
"You lazy cat, you really are worldly indeed.”
He stroked Xiao Bai’s head and turned around, only to discover that two women had arrived on the mountain peak at some point.
Two great beauties, no less!
Seeing their somewhat dazed expressions, Li Fan felt a bit puzzled.
Who were these people? Could they have been enchanted by his handsomeness?
"Who might you two be?” he asked.
Upon hearing his question, both women were slightly startled, returning to their senses.
The countless principles and charms of the mountains around them had vanished with Li Fan’s final brushstroke, and now, Li Fan looked as ordinary as could be.
But on their faces was an expression of the utmost gravity.
"Reporting to senior, my name is Nan Feng, and this is my junior sister, Zi Ling. We were passing by and couldn’t help but watch senior paint. We truly intruded and ask for senior’s forgiveness!”
Nan Feng spoke respectfully.
She understood; although the young man before her looked young, with such skills, he must be an old monster who had lived for countless years.
Li Fan, hearing this, also smiled. It seemed these two were enthusiasts who liked painting. Seeing what looked like a painting board on Zi Ling’s back, it seemed to be so.
In the realm of painting, Li Fan was quite confident; across the Fire Country, there probably weren’t many who could compare with him. In this regard, being addressed as senior by the other party wasn’t incorrect.
"I see, so you two are also practitioners of this art? That too is a kind of fate.”
Li Fan smiled.
Seeing that Li Fan had not a trace of arrogance and was approachable and gentle, Nan Feng breathed a sigh of relief.
This being was too formidable, not to be trifled with.
Zi Ling, however, was itching with anticipation, her face filled with excitement as she looked eagerly at Li Fan, nervously saying,
“Senior… may I look at your painting?”
She was so eager and curious; the process of painting she had just witnessed had already wholly conquered her.
She was even more curious about what a painting by such a senior would look like.
"Zi Ling!”
Nan Feng’s face changed slightly as she spoke in a low voice, saying,
“How dare you make such a request…”
Zi Ling was too inconsiderate; this was an unfathomably powerful figure, and the paintings, surely imbued with the principles of the Way, were treasures not to be shown lightly.
But Li Fan was very casual; taking up the painting, he handed it over, saying,
“Feel free to look.”
Zi Ling was immediately excited. Her little heart pounding rapidly, she hurried forward, took the scroll with both hands, took a deep breath, and then unfurled it!
Upon the painting:
The mountain range undulated endlessly, linking together like a procession of dragons, a hundred dragons converging to form a river, and amidst the majestic expanse, there was a tension as if the mountains were about to transform into dragons and soar!
This one painting captured the entirety of the Cangli Mountain Range!
This one painting conveyed all its depths and shallows!
The organized complexity and simplicity, the crisp and concise lines.
The casual strokes that captured the spirit so perfectly.
The painting skills were divine!
Zi Ling was utterly intoxicated, as if bewitched, as if drunk!
Seeing this scene, Li Fan also felt a bit of pride within himself.
After all, gaining another little fan was a good thing.
"Boom boom—”
Meanwhile, as Zi Ling viewed the painting, her cultivation level began to surge wildly!
Nascent Soul Fifth Stage!
Nascent Soul Sixth Stage!
Nascent Soul Seventh Stage!
Nascent Soul Ninth Layer…
Perfection!
She was just one step away from stepping into the Divided Spirit Realm.
Nan Feng sensed all of this and was utterly stunned and astounded.
Heavens!
This… this was an enormous opportunity and a divine gift.
At this moment, Zi Ling also felt a wave of dizziness and a swelling feeling in her brain; she hurriedly closed her eyes.
Digesting everything.
After a long while,
"Sister Nan Feng, you must come and see…”
Zi Ling called out to Nan Feng.
Only then did Nan Feng step forward, trembling with trepidation. With one glance, she was incredibly shaken.
With just a few strokes, the entirety of the Cangli Mountain Range was contained within this painting.
The trends of the mountains, the hidden paths, and finally merging into the form of a dragon!
It was too clear!
With this painting, the Cangli Mountain Range was completely under control.
Earlier, while they were in the Spirit-class Soaring Ship, they felt only the vast expanse looking down, unable to discern anything else.
Yet, this painting clearly and straightforwardly presented the Cangli Mountain Range as if it was being dissected.
"Heavens, if he had not personally entered the Cangli Mountain Range, how could he paint it with such clarity? Could it be that this senior in front of us is one who has actually emerged from the Cangli Mountain Range alive?!”
She was petrified with amazement.
—The Three Absolutes Holy Land was founded by the Three Absolute Immortal in ancient times, so it held many secrets.
It was said that within the Cangli Mountain Range, there was a hidden Ascension Platform.
From the Ascension Platform, one could directly enter the Immortal Domain.
Historically, those who entered the Cangli Mountain Range either successfully entered the Immortal Domain or died.
The Everlasting Ascension Platform had no path of return!
This was the truth.
But this person before them…
If it weren’t for the fact that Li Fan did not match the record of portraits in the Sect Gate, she might’ve suspected that only the Three Absolute Immortal’s reappearance could possess such ability, right?
Nan Feng’s heart was tumultuous like an overturning sea. After pondering for a long time, she took the scroll, took a deep breath, and respectfully handed it back to Li Fan, saying,
“Thank you for allowing me to view this, senior!”
"Meeting is fate; there’s no need for such formalities,”
Li Fan said with a smile,
“As night falls, it’s quite dangerous for you two to stay in this area, and there’s nowhere else around here. If you don’t mind, you can come back to the village with me.”
These two young ladies, clearly having come here with their drawing boards to sketch nature, were caught out as the day grew too late, and Li Fan could not bear to see them sleep rough in the elements.
Upon hearing this, Zi Ling and Nan Feng were immediately excited and surprised!
"Senior, can we really come with you?”
Zi Ling asked, scarcely believing her ears!