Chapter 37

Xiao Changtian had a faint smile on his face.

Since they both loved painting and calligraphy, he must have placed too much emphasis on etiquette. That was why the person in front of him was so nervous.

Xiao Changtian understood, so he directly found a topic.

As long as there was a common topic, even those silent could speak eloquently and endlessly.

It was a saying from where he came from.

“Senior’s painting is the most realistic one I’ve ever seen. Just by looking at it, I feel like I’m in it. It makes me feel like I’m in a sea of fire and in contact with this world of flames.”

Lian Shenyin quickly answered with a respectful expression.

This painting contained the supreme great Dao of fire. Even she didn’t dare to look at it for a long time. After watching for a long time, she felt her eyes begin to burn and hurt.

Even her divine consciousness was starting to hurt.

This was due to being burned by the law of fire. If she continued to watch, it would become extremely dangerous.

“There are still some flaws.”

Xiao Changtian shook his head. Although he was a great calligrapher, the original creator of this painting was not very good. He didn’t handle it well in some aspects.

For example, the light and shadow at the corners of the fire and the use of lines.

From how he drew, one could tell that this person’s painting skills were excellent, but he was probably just an aficionado and not a real artist. Otherwise, he would have noticed these details.

Of course, it was also possible that he did not have a good foundation.

Although Xiao Changtian had repaired the painting and covered the flaws with other methods, this painting forever lacked the inner charm that was difficult to make up for.

“Flaw?” Lian Shenyin was taken aback. The Nanming Flames Painting before her, whether it was in terms of art or the great Dao of fire, was filled with a fierce spirit.

She really couldn’t think of any flaws.

“Yes.”

“The original creator of this painting didn’t have a good foundation, which led to the difficulty of the post-production.”

“It’s like a house. It’s easy to lay the foundation but not strong enough. No matter how gorgeous the house is, it will become fragile after a strong wind blows.”

Xiao Changtian explained calmly and patiently.

“Senior, do you mean…?” Lian Shenyin furrowed her brows. Her face was filled with doubt.

Even though what Xiao Changtian said was extremely easy to understand, and she even caught some of it, she still couldn’t understand it accurately.

“Let me put it this way. For example, there are mountains, rivers, and forests.”

“Only countless existences can construct this world.”

“However, when the endless flames devour everything in the world, it is impossible for the flames to survive alone.”

“So, this is the flaw of this flame painting.”

Xiao Changtian explained patiently.

Although this painting described the ferocity of the flame in an extremely realistic manner, there were only flames in this painting.

As the saying goes, solitary Yin can not grow, and solitary Yang can not exist. If only flames existed, how could this patch of flames still burn so vigorously?

“Even if two small stones were added, it might look abrupt and uncomfortable, but the whole painting suddenly became more charming, harmonious, and sophisticated.”

Xiao Changtian’s expression changed as he picked up the Phoenix Feather Brush and added two more strokes to the painting.

He added a piece of grass. After the fire burned, it was pitch black. The grass was lifeless, leaving only some wood chips.

However, in Lian Shenyin’s mind, within the endless flames, even though the grass had been burnt to the point where it no longer had any signs of life when a gust of wind blew past, new grass would grow out.

The grass was dark green and firm. Compared to the grass before, it was tougher and more vibrant.

Then, the fire continued to burn, and the grassland lost its vitality again. However, the grass grew again, and the cycle repeated itself.

The grass grew stronger, and the fire grew fiercer. The two destroyed each other, but they also relied on each other and survived!

Suddenly, her expression changed, and her eyes lit up. She suddenly had a realization.

“That’s right. I study the zither. No matter what kind of music I choose, I want to pursue perfection.”

“But just like this flame in front of me, as the saying goes, solitary Yin doesn’t grow long. I pursue the ultimate music, but what if there is more noise?”

Her expression changed, and she wanted to try playing the zither with her heart!

She didn’t need to care about so many failures or the disharmony of the notes. She didn’t need to care about the disharmony of one note. She would just return to her original state.

“I’ll be happy when I play the instrument. I’ll play the instrument when I’m happy! There was no need to pay attention to any rules and constraints, only the joy in the heart.”

A zither appeared in Lian Shenyin’s mind as she thought of this. She closed her eyes and played the zither in her mind.

Countless notes burst out at the same time.

It was as if she had returned to the time when she had just broken through the Heavenly Tribulation Realm with the sound of the zither. At that time, she was still playing the zither according to her heart.

However, after so many years, of pursuing a higher realm, her mind was placed on how to play the ultimate note. How could she use music to reach a higher level and break into a higher cultivation realm?

Under the subtle influence, he had forgotten the state of mind when he first came into contact with the zither!

Wasn’t it because she liked to play the zither that she could break through to the Heavenly Tribulation Realm so quickly?

If she were happy, she would play the zither.

This understanding rose in her heart.

Buzzz!

The long zither in her mind suddenly buzzed. She didn’t need to play it, but she could already make melodious music.

The sound of the zither rang out on its own. Lian Shenyin was immersed in this melodious zither sound, and the barrier of the realm in her dantian disappeared without a trace!

At this moment, her cultivation base had another breakthrough!

The fifth level of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm!

Lian Shenyin’s eyes suddenly opened. Her eyes were bright, and her face was filled with joy.

In just a few days, she had broken through from the third level to the fifth level?

That was something that she didn’t even dare to think about before!

All of this was because of senior! The senior was too terrifying!

“Thank you for your guidance, senior,” Lian Shenyin quickly expressed her gratitude.

“it’s nothing. It’s just a small trick,” Xiao Changtian smiled indifferently and said.

The Dao of painting and calligraphy was very petty compared to the great Dao of those immortal cultivators.

As for him, he only had the system’s support and some understanding of painting and calligraphy.

“The tea is ready,” At this moment, Mu Juhuang came over with two cups of tea.

“Please have some tea,” Mu Jiuhuang placed the two cups of tea on the table before Lian Shenyin and Xiao Changtian.

“Jiuhuang…” Lian Shenyin was instantly shocked to see Mu Jiuhuang. She was dumbfounded.

That was Emperor Jiuhuang.

“Why is she here?”

However, just as Lian Shenyin was about to stand up, Mu Jiuhuang smiled and motioned for her to sit down and not make a sound.

Only then did Lian Shenyin sit down in shock.

However, she had never thought that the great emperor, the strongest human in the Mainland of Tianyuan, would be serving tea.

“You two know each other?” Seeing Lian Shenyin’s reaction, Xiao Changtian asked in confusion.

“There was a temple fair before, and we met once,” Mu Jiuhuang was the first to speak. It was a grand event of the Nine Phoenix Dynasty and a grand event for Mu Jiuhuang to ascend the throne!

“Senior is a reclusive expert. We can’t expose our identity as immortal cultivators. Otherwise, if we disturb senior’s peace, the consequences will be unimaginable,” At the same time, Mu Jiuhuang transmitted a message to Lian Shenyin using her vital spirit.

Lian Shenyin received the vital spirit voice transmission and nodded.

“Jiu’er, since you know him. Why don’t you sit down and chat with him?” Xiao Changtian asked.

“Master, there’s still something cooking in the kitchen. I’ll excuse myself. Please continue your conversation,” Mu Jiuhuang said faintly and returned to the kitchen.

“Alright, then,” Xiao Changtian nodded in agreement.

Lian Shenyin looked at Mu Jiuhuang’s back in disbelief. She was shocked, “Senior, she’s…”

Lian Shenyin didn’t expect that the great Emperor Jiuhuang had just been serving tea. She even addressed senior as master…?

“Oh, she is my maid, Jiu’er,” Xiao Changtian smiled faintly.

“Maid?” Lian Shenyin’s entire being was dumbfounded.

Even the great empress was a maid of this senior. This senior was genuinely terrifying!

That was the human race’s number one expert, and she was serving tea?

Lian Shenyin was extremely shocked.

Just as Lian Shenyin was still in shock, an extremely tender voice suddenly rang outside the courtyard door.

“May I ask if you can save my grandfather?”

It was a little girl who looked to be only eight years old. She was carrying an adult’s body on her back, and her eyes were sparkling with tears. Her face was covered in tears, and she looked dirty.

The little girl was Xing Ling’er. She carried Daoist Xing Yun’s body and followed the tortoise.

Because she felt that the tortoise was so strong that the person who could kill her grandfather could not kill him, he would be able to save her grandfather!

When Xiao Changtian and Lian Shenyin heard the voice, they both looked toward the door.

Then, he saw Xing Ling’er and Daoist Xing Yun.

“Huh? Someone’s injured?”

Xiao Changtian looked over and saw Daoist Xing Yun in Xing Ling’er’s arms. At this moment, Daoist Xing Yun was covered in bright red blood. His white robe was dyed red, and he looked terrible.

It was as if he could die at any moment.

“Help me save this person. Bring this person in,” Xiao Changtian looked at Lian Shenyin. He wanted Lian Shenyin to help him carry the heavily injured Daoist Xing Yun into the house.

However, Lian Shenyin thought Xiao Changtian wanted her to carry Daoist Xing Yun alone. So, Lian Shenyin stood up and walked to the door of the small courtyard.

She picked up Daoist Xing Yun with one hand.

When Xiao Changtian saw this scene, he recalled how Mu Jiuhuang had carried Ye Fan and was slightly shocked.

“Why are all the women here so strong?”