With a gentle shake from Zhang Xuan, the ink on the xuan paper flowed down. The many footsteps left behind by the savage beast were linked together by a dark stroke, forming a painting of haughty and unyielding plum blossoms.
The portion where the ink flowed through formed a black dry tree bark, on which, plum blossoms bloomed sporadically. Looking rather desolate from afar, one could feel bone-chilling intent from the painting, as if the bitter winter had struck.
The location where the savage beast fell formed two glaring boulders, and the marks left behind by its fur formed ridges of differing depths on the surface of the boulder.
Plum blossoms grew from the crevices within the boulders, standing proudly in the frigid weather. Ji Mo gongzi made use of a field of flowers to accentuate the nobility of the peony. On the other hand, these plum blossoms didn't have any other flowers to compare to, but one couldn't help but sense its haughtiness, with nothing that dared to vie with it, that there was no one that did not fear to stand beside it.
Even without the intention to vie for supremacy, it was able to surpass the radiance of all other flowers.
Upon seeing this flower, one could almost see the painter standing lonelily by the edge of the world. So what if they disregard me? So what if they don't understand me? All I desire is to stand proud and remain true to my conscience!
"I... Why am I crying?"
"I feel as though I saw a man uncomprehended by the world, but even so, he continued to step forward bravely, without the slightest intention to retreat!"
"Is this... the third level of painting, Infused Intentions?"
"That must be it! Otherwise, it is impossible for our emotions to resonate with it with just a single glance..."
...
The surroundings fell silent.
In that moment, many people's emotions were influenced by the desolate mood in the painting, and their eyes reddened in agitation.
A painting with high artistic conception is able to influence the state of mind in its viewers. Clearly, this painting is one such masterpiece.
"A painting that was drawn by a savage beast... has reached the third level, Infused Intentions?"
Seeing the crowd being influenced by the desolate beauty of the winter plum blossoms, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng's mouth quivered, and his body trembled.
Since others were able to tell the level of the painting, naturally, he did so quickly. With just a shake of the painting, the other party was able to turn a nothing into a masterpiece. Not only was the spirit of the painting overwhelming, its artistic conception shone through in an instant.
Even they, as 2-star painters, would need a long period of preparation before they can create a painting of such level.
Yet, for a savage beast to create such a painting by walking a few steps, rolling about, followed by a mere shake...
Even though it happened right before their eyes, they nevertheless couldn't help but suspect that it was a dream.
It was inconceivable.
"The crux to the painting is that final shake!"
Vice Guild Leader Wu contemplated for a moment before saying, "How much ink is left on the xuan paper, how one should shake it, and how much force should one use, one has to take all of these into account to determine the flow of the ink to form the tree branch to finish the painting... One has to imprint and remember all of these details perfectly into mind before one can create this painting. Even the slightest error could spell failure!"
"Indeed. It may seem simple, but it is actually a profound movement. With different ink and paper, the effects would be different. To be able to reach such a state with a mere shake, his eye of discernment and mastery of painting... Even I would be unable to do it..."
Even though he was reluctant to admit it, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng nodded in agreement.
Previously, it was the savage beast who was in charge of painting; the youngster didn't do anything at all. However, the most important part of the painting was the final shake. It was just like adding the eyes to a painted dragon; with the slightest error, the result would be completely different. If not for Zhang Xuan's perfect control over the final shake, this painting of the third level would be nothing at all.
And for him to find the ideal strength and method to shake off the ink on the painting...
This meant that he had absolute control over the painting! He knew what the product would be, and what level it would reach...
This required a profound understanding of painting! For one to picture what the complete painting would be like down to the minor details... Even their guild leader, a 3-star painter, would be incapable of such a feat!
"This... impossible..."
Upon witnessing the stalk of plum blossoms appear with the shake, Ji Mo gongzi, who was gleefully waiting for Zhang Xuan to make a fool of himself, staggered backward in shock. His face paled and looked as if he were going insane.
The other party had just randomly dipped a savage beast into a pool of ink and threw it on a xuan paper, and it became a painting of the third level...
When did a painting of the third level become so easy to create?
He had worked so hard, to the point that he almost vomited blood, just so that he could refine his painting to reach this level. Yet, the other party easily...
It can’t be that my talents are inferior to a savage beast?
The green-robed attendant who had brought Zhang Xuan in was also yanking at his ears. If not for the inappropriate occasion, he would have gone on a rampage by now.
As an attendant of the Painter Guild, he earned a mere several thousand gold coins a month, and even at best, his wages would only reach ten thousand. Yet, the other party was able to create a painting which was worth several million just by throwing a savage beast on a paper....
The heck!
Why was he working so hard then! If he were to capture the savage beast to draw for him, wouldn't he have long become a millionaire?
The numerous apprentices who carried the tables before also felt tears welling up in their eyes.
Of them, there were those who had spent more than a decade on painting, but even so, their painting could only reach the level of Reality Depiction at best. Spiritual Canvas and Infused Intentions were way out of their reach, and they didn't dare to think about it.
Seeing a savage beast produce a better painting that they could, in that instant, they felt that all of their hard work in the past few years had been... completely useless.
It was already a miracle that they didn't break down on the spot.
"The two vice guild leaders, may I know whether it is my victory or my loss with this painting?" Seeing the painting take the shape as he had planned, Zhang Xuan turned to the two elders with a smile.
It was just as the two vice guild leaders thought, the crux to the painting was his final shake.
Even if he was able to control the savage beast perfectly, how could this create a painting of the third level?
In order to turn the ink-filled paper into a complete painting with his final shake, he had to make use of the ability of the Library of Heaven's Path to avoid all mistakes.
Since there were no mistakes in his movements, it had to be correct.
The timing, the strength, the shaking method, grasping the paper... All of these had to be paid attention to. A single error would cause the entire painting to fall apart.
It was fortunate that he succeeded.
"This..."
The two vice guild leaders glanced at one another.
"Your Winter Plum Blossoms Painting and Painter Ji's Peony Painting have both reached the third level. Even though the two paintings are of completely different style, they are both on the same level. Thus, I announce that..." Hesitating for a moment, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng declared, "... it is a draw!"
"Draw?"
Zhang Xuan shook his head, although he had expected such a situation.
In terms of quality, his painting was clearly of a much higher standard than Ji Mo gongzi's Peony Painting. However, as their competition had a wager at stake, and the latter would be a future elite of the Painter Guild if he were declared to be the loser, wouldn't that mean that he has to kneel down, apologize, and leave the guild for good?
If that really happened, they would have to lose a valuable talent.
Declaring that it was a draw could avoid offending any of the two parties. In a sense, it was the perfect conclusion.
Of course, this Ji Mo gongzi wouldn't appear as dashing as he was before. Even though it was a draw, it was with a savage beast. In other words, he was no different from a beast... No matter where he went, people would definitely be gossiping about him.
Even so, Zhang Xuan was indifferent to his plight. The other party had it coming.
"A draw? To think that it would be a draw!"
"This is for the best..."
"That's right, it's best not to sully the harmonious spirit among fellow painters..."
...
Hearing the verdict, the crowd broke into a commotion.
"That's good. The two of you are genius painters, so you both should try to get along..."
After the declaration, Vice Guild Leader Cheng Feng smiled in an attempt to mediate the conflict. However, Ji Mo gongzi took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Vice guild leaders, hold it for a moment!"
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