Chapter 80: Earth-shattering Masterpiece

Li Xiaobai flicked open the scroll in his hand, presenting it nonchalantly before everyone's eyes.

"This is…"

The cultivators around him were speechless; the scroll was entirely covered in black ink except for a single dot left in the very center.

This thing could also be called a painting? Where did such confidence come from?

"Could it be that Boss Ye is mocking us? This scribbling could hardly be considered a painting," Xia Jian said lightly, with a hint of ridicule in his eyes.

"It seems Boss Ye is not proficient in painting after all; we have indeed been too presumptuous," Wang Ruoxian said after glancing at the painting, losing interest.

"I thought you two, as young talents with aspirations, would have a different perspective. I didn't expect you to have the same insight as the rest of the world," Li Xiaobai said indifferently.

"This painting symbolizes the image of all beings; our gathering here is akin to seeking a glimmer of dawn in darkness, searching for a light within the fog. In the Northern Region, the Holy Demon Sect and Tianwu Sect are revered, yet the only one truly worthy of being that beacon is none other than the Holy Demon Sect."

"The dot amidst the darkness is like the most radiant star in the universe, fitting the Holy Demon Sect's image perfectly—as a solitary star shining brightly in these tumultuous times."

Li Xiaobai expounded fluently, leaving the crowd dumbfounded. They could not have anticipated that a painting, hardly on par with a child's ability, could be endowed with such deep philosophical meaning.

They couldn't help but burst into applause.

Li Xiaobai's expression was calm. From the earlier sycophantic praise directed at Xia Jian by those lackeys, he had understood that the essence of painting was not how well you painted, but how well you could embellish.

As long as one could articulate the profound essence, they could present themselves as unmatched in the world.

Painting, this form of art, is not just aesthetics; it is also a study of psychology.

"Woof, why didn't you discuss it with Lord Ergouzi in advance and made him embarrass himself like this!" Ergouzi grumbled on the side, his expression unfriendly.

"Do you ever manage not to embarrass yourself?"

"Woof…"

"Boss Ye does have a deep understanding of the Holy Demon Sect," Xia Jian commented lightly, feeling somewhat stung by Li Xiaobai's sophistry.

"It's nothing but sophistry. If you can't paint, you just can't paint. Why bother with such mysterious nonsense!"

Xia Liu said resentfully, having missed a great opportunity to attack.

"Let's take a look at the other paintings," Wang Ruoxian suggested, his disdain for Li Xiaobai growing.

"This Fushan Spring Residence Painting is nice, with the birds chirping and flowers fragrance, possessing some artistic conception."

"The Scholar Seeking Instruction Drawing is also good, the story within the school has a touch of the Confucian elegance."

"This Mother Child Piety Picture is commendable as well…"

"Indeed, take a look…"

The rest of the cultivators unfurled their own scrolls, commenting on one another's work. Soon, they pushed Li Xiaobai to the back of their minds. Although Tangneng First-class had been greatly beneficial to them, the owner's artwork was not as impressive as they had imagined.

Once the critique of the central figure's painting concluded, the rest were given cursory attention, receiving faint praise before the conversation took a turn.

"Lately, quite a few things have happened in the city. The most sensational has to be Boss Ye's Tangneng First-class. It's said that many cultivators have broken through their cultivation level overnight, to extraordinary effect."

"I heard that several Family Heads couldn't even obtain the bathhouse formula."

"Does Boss Ye have a Sect legacy for this art of bathing?"

"Liangchen has no Sect legacy; it's all thanks to a dedicated heart committed to researching and benefiting all living beings," Li Xiaobai said lightly.

"Boss Ye has the world in his heart, I admire that. With this bathhouse, even if we are not destined for the Holy Demon Sect, our future paths will surely broaden!" The mention of Tangneng First-class brought joy to the hearts of the cultivators.

Wang Ruoxian's brows raised slightly as she spoke indifferently, "Tangneng First-class is indeed miraculous, but it pales in comparison to the Spiritual Spring. I tried it yesterday, and the effect was less than ideal."

That's because you went to the wrong shop. If you had gone to the luxury version of Tangneng First-class, I guarantee you would have been relaxed to the point of taking off.

Li Xiaobai muttered in his heart, this woman has too much of a sense of superiority; she looks down on everyone from above.

"This trip to the Holy Demon Sect isn't just for simple cultivation," Xia Jian said indifferently.

"I'd like to hear more."

"Have you heard of Secret Realms? Throughout the ages, many brilliant and powerful individuals have left behind numerous Secret Realms. Our trip to the Holy Demon Sect serves two purposes: first, to enhance our cultivation levels, and second, to participate in the opening of a Secret Realm in the Northern Region. All the great sects will select their talents to venture into this Secret Realm."

"Within the Northern Region, only a handful of sects are qualified to choose candidates to travel to the Central Province; the Holy Demon Sect is one of them."

A glint of pride flashed in Xia Jian's eyes. He was determined to secure a spot for himself.

"Hiss, over the years, I've often heard about the legacy of the Wine Sword Immortal emerging. Could this Secret Realm be related to the legacy of the senior Wine Sword Immortal?"

The Wine Sword Immortal was a renowned figure; it was a powerful individual who ascended to the Upper Realm hundreds of years ago. Legend has it that the Wine Sword Immortal would take only one strike at the enemy and had to drink before attacking. The more he drank, the more powerful the sword strike would become.

Renowned for hundreds of years, no one had ever withstood that single strike; the Wine Sword Immortal was a faith in the hearts of many Sword Cultivators.

He is also the one who left behind the most Secret Realms in the Immortal Spirit Continent.

"As the sage of Zhenyuan Country once mentioned, this Secret Realm was left by Beichen Feng, a disciple under Great Immortal Zhenyuan. Beichen Feng was a true successor of the Confucian Path, a man of immense righteousness. The Secret Realm he left behind is a blessed land for us Confucian scholars."

Beichen Feng was unassuming, and only those who followed the Confucian Path would know of him.

It is rumored that Beichen Feng once ventured into the Western Desert alone to debate Buddhist philosophy with the old Buddha of the desert. For three days and nights, he didn't use a strand of his cultivation, yet he turned the entire Western Desert into barren land, thus becoming the saint of the Confucian Path in the hearts of scholars.

"With the support of Zhenyuan Country and the opportunity to study at the Holy Demon Sect, Young Master Xia is sure to have a place in the Secret Realm. I would like to extend my congratulations in advance," said Wang Ruoxian, her voice muffled by a giggling behind her hand. Xia Jian was quite pleased.

"Liangchen once saw a Nascent Soul State Preceptor from Zhenyuan Country; what is his status there?"

Li Xiaobai inquired, as this was a matter of some concern to him. After all, he had made the State Preceptor of Zhenyuan Country into a puppet. If discovered, it might be difficult to explain.

"In Zhenyuan Country, anyone above the Golden Core Stage can become a State Preceptor and enjoy official salary. In our Zhenyuan Country, Golden Core Cultivators are a dime a dozen and are not considered anything special."

"And what about Nascent Soul Cultivators?"

"A dozen or so."

"What about those at the Tribulation Crossing Stage?"

"Boss Ye seems a bit too concerned about the strength of Zhenyuan Country. Zhenyuan Country has inherited the Confucian legacy; its foundation is profound and beyond our imagination," Xia Jian said lightly.

Li Xiaobai breathed a sigh of relief within. If Golden Core cultivators had little standing in Zhenyuan Country, then the chances of being discovered should be very slim.

"My apologies for the presumption," said Liangchen.

"Are you sure you don't want to leave this spot?" Xia Jian suddenly asked.

"Hmm, it's quite comfortable sitting here."

"Good, since Boss Ye is sitting in the challenger's seat today, Xia has been curious about Boss Ye and would be grateful for some guidance!"