Chapter 789: Painting Style Collapsed Again The Art Masters May Lose Their Prestige

With "Mastery of Painting" at the Throne level, Xu Xiaoshou could imbue painted objects with temporary vitality and combat power, provided he integrated his own comprehension of the Way.

But it didn't stop there.

Returning to the most fundamental aspect of "painting," between the Innate and Master levels, "Mastery of Painting" had already instilled in Xu Xiaoshou the most solid foundational skills.

Brushwork, perspective, paneling, coloring… and so on!

It was only because Xu Xiaoshou's current drawing of the chicken was very rough, sketched quickly in just black and white. If he truly took his time, he could meticulously detail every aspect of the black and white chicken, including its feathers, comb, and even the tiny, reflective claws on its feet.

"But there's no need for that…" Xu Xiaoshou understood this perfectly.

For combat, the strength of the painted object didn't depend on how many details he painstakingly rendered. On the contrary, the chicken's combat power was solely linked to the level of "Mastery of Painting" and his own cultivation.

Yet, this discovery remained crucial. Because…

"What if I didn't need this chicken to fight, but rather a person to help me bluff?"

Xu Xiaoshou's mind raced, quickly conceiving ideas that others wouldn't dare to imagine, let alone accomplish. Without further thought, he cast his gaze to the other side.

The black-and-white chicken, which had just pecked through the void, was still clucking wildly. Lacking its master's command, it aimlessly roamed the Yuanfu world, much to Xu Xiaoji's astonishment. However, soon, the surging spiritual energy and rapidly rippling principles of the Way drew his attention to the commotion Demon King Xu was causing elsewhere.

Xu Xiaoji looked over. Moments later, the amusement on his face, previously directed at the mysteriously appearing ghost-beast chicken, solidified into surprise. Finally, it transformed into unconcealed horror!

"Th-this is…"

Xu Xiaoji was stunned. He watched the human elder's body gradually materialize beside Young Master Xu. At first, it seemed strangely familiar, but he couldn't identify the person. But when the body fully solidified, and a divine brush seemed to sweep through the void, cloaking it in a red robe, Xu Xiaoji was dumbfounded. He even fell to the ground in fright.

"A Red Robe… Watchman?"

In that instant, Xu Xiaoji's lips parted into an "O" shape. How could he not recognize the Watchman? That person hovering above the trade fair was none other than this one! Back then, though he only chanted, Xu Xiaoji had clearly sensed that among the Red Robe contingent, this elder was the one who paid him the most attention!

"But when had he been imprisoned in the Yuanfu? Why didn't I know? And… wasn't he a Dao Breaker? Demon King Xu could capture Dao Breakers even before his breakthrough?"

Soon, Xu Xiaoji sensed something was amiss. He was familiar with the Watchman. Yet, the one Young Master Xu summoned seemed… to lack the same imposing aura?

"How is it?" Xu Xiaoshou asked earnestly, turning to Xu Xiaoji after he finished imbuing the void with his consciousness.

"This isn't real, is it?" Xu Xiaoji asked nervously.

"Naturally," Xu Xiaoshou nodded slightly. "I visualized it. How does it compare to the real person?"

Xu Xiaoji's lips twitched. Something he visualized… Demon King Xu could now conjure a Dao Breaker out of thin air? He's a god!

The counterfeit Watchman materialized and stood motionless. Xu Xiaoji, summoning his courage, stepped forward to touch and examine it.

"It feels substantial, full of vitality and spirit," he said. He hesitated, then added, "But it lacks the aura of a Dao Breaker. It's like a dummy…"

"It is a dummy," Xu Xiaoshou said with a chuckle. He turned his gaze back to the counterfeit Watchman, his thoughts deepening as he recalled the arrogant and aloof aura of the Red Robe individual he'd encountered most often. With a sudden inspiration, he dabbed a highlight onto the counterfeit Watchman's eye.

"Boom!"

The void thundered. The aura that suddenly burst forth in the Yuanfu space nearly toppled all thirty thousand alchemy cauldrons. Xu Xiaoshou was startled. Was this the final touch? After his initial shock, he realized that by infusing the counterfeit Watchman with the Dao Breaker aura from his imagination, he had nearly depleted his entire spiritual energy and mental power! Fortunately, his cultivation had advanced to the Master realm, and his endurance in all aspects had upgraded to the Throne level. Xu Xiaoshou merely swayed, his vision momentarily darkening. But he quickly recovered, not weak enough to faint.

"How is it?" he asked Xu Xiaoji again, his pale face filled with anticipation.

Xu Xiaoji could barely lift his head, overwhelmed by the chaotic aura. This was terrifying. Demon King Xu hadn't even moved! The counterfeit Watchman he had been observing suddenly gained lively eyes. The next second, the Dao Breaker aura erupted, as if a deity had imbued it with true life.

Xu Xiaoji pondered, then exclaimed, "It's incredibly lifelike, almost identical to the real thing… No, there's still one flaw: he doesn't move or speak?"

Xu Xiaoshou considered this thoughtfully. This painting came from his hand; he was the master of the painted figure. The connection between them was even tighter than the one between him and Cang Ku. Driven by a thought, the counterfeit Watchman's body trembled, its head tilted, and its eyes fixed on Xu Xiaoji as it sharply rebuked, "A mere grain of rice dares to shine?!"

With a thud, Xu Xiaoji was startled and fell to the ground again. The aura that suddenly erupted from the counterfeit Watchman was identical to the true Dao Breaker's presence. That explosive shout nearly shattered his soul.

However… precisely because he knew it was a fake, Xu Xiaoji was even more astonished: "Master Shou, th-this…"

"What's wrong? Any other flaws?" Xu Xiaoshou asked, highly agitated. He possessed an aura that could swallow mountains and rivers, and had personally experienced the Watchman's Dao Breaker presence. So, even though he wasn't a Dao Breaker himself, imitating a familiar Dao Breaker aura with his Throne-level painting skills came effortlessly.

If mortal paintings, even with humble brushes, could depict valiant warriors and the spirits of generals, then how could Xu Xiaoshou's current painting skills, which surpassed mortal capabilities by countless times, be stumped by a mere Dao Breaker aura?

Xu Xiaoji got up and circled the counterfeit Watchman, marveling. After recovering, he commented, "The aura is there, but the movements are stiff, like a puppet… But! Master Shou is still too powerful. How did you manage this 'visualization' method?"

Xu Xiaoshou, however, didn't accept the flattery. The counterfeit Watchman he wanted wasn't meant for receiving praise; it needed to withstand actual combat and enemy scrutiny.

"Stiff movements, like a puppet…" Repeating the phrase softly, Xu Xiaoshou thought of "Mastery of Weaving." Thanks to this passive skill, he had long been capable of multitasking. Normally, however, there was no need for such multitasking; even controlling a chicken didn't require much effort. But controlling the counterfeit Watchman was indeed different. A puppet and a person are entirely different.

As the thought occurred to him, Xu Xiaoshou split his spiritual consciousness in two, channeling half of it into the counterfeit Watchman.

"Hmph!"

The Red Robe's sleeve swished, its eyes narrowed slightly, and the muscles on its cheekbones twitched upward. Then, it charged forward, raising both hands high above its head, and bellowed furiously: "Great Dark Heaven!"

The void surged with power, and waves of spiritual energy erupted like a tsunami. Xu Xiaoji watched in shock as the Watchman instantly transformed into what seemed like another person, then stared blankly back at Demon King Xu. To his surprise, Demon King Xu was simultaneously controlling the counterfeit Watchman and smiling at him, completely unaffected by the multitasking, repeating his question, "How is it?"

"Gah-gah…"

These sounds weren't chicken clucks, but Xu Xiaoji's teeth chattering. He felt it was over. He could already foresee the chaos Demon King Xu would unleash upon the outside world. This was the ultimate ability for framing others!

As the saying goes, 'strange powers and chaotic spirits.' Demon King Xu's actions were far more than just disturbing spirits; they threatened to unleash havoc upon the world.

Trying to find fault, Xu Xiaoji nervously glanced upward. "The aura is impressive, and there's enough spirit, but there's no actual effect." He implied that the counterfeit Watchman's "Great Dark Heaven" should have produced a spiritual skill. However, currently, apart from the illusory fluctuations of wind and spiritual pressure, there was no tangible effect.

Unbeknownst to him, Xu Xiaoshou had already anticipated this. A corner of his lip curled up. "No rush. Let the night curtain fly for a bit."

Three breaths later.

Xu Xiaoji watched as night fell, enveloping the entire Yuanfu world in darkness. At that moment, he could no longer find any fault.

"Feared, Passive Points, +1."

Splashing ink on a painting—who couldn't do that? It didn't even require skill! Xu Xiaoshou was filled with emotion. His only regret was that the Watchman's ability could block the six senses. His night curtain was truly just a night curtain.

At this point, he reconsidered: if human forms and intentions could be manifested on the void canvas, could spiritual skills or moves be stored in physical scrolls, ready to be unleashed when the opportunity arose?

Xu Xiaoshou fell into deep thought. This was a bit difficult. Because it involved the Way of Formation Arrays, it was clearly quite different from "Mastery of Painting." He could visualize a dummy and visualize fake spiritual skill effects. But to materialize a genuine spiritual skill out of thin air? How could that be possible? That was a god's ability! Furthermore, the storage of spiritual skills also presented a significant challenge.

But following his thoughts, even if other things were impossible, surely drawing the special effects of certain unique spiritual skills would be feasible? Xu Xiaoshou's mind stirred. Moments later, a colossal golden Buddha appeared behind him. The Great Buddha, over thirty zhang tall, towered into the sky, its eyes furious, its brows furrowed, and a massive sword clutched in its hand. With a single downward slash, it felt as though even time itself began to slow.

Xu Xiaoji nearly soiled himself in fright. Only when the sword passed through him without causing any harm did he realize he wouldn't die. It turned out this was another of Demon King Xu's "visualization" abilities.

"Visualization…"

"What spiritual skill is this exactly?"

"What has Demon King Xu truly comprehended?"

"Why is his Master breakthrough completely different from anyone else's!!!"

Xu Xiaoji's heart roared. He was going insane. Demon King Xu was already terrifying enough. With all these illusory bluffs, if people adapted to this rhythm, would they think Demon King Xu was merely joking if he truly unleashed a Great Buddha Slash in the future? And then perish…

"Crazy, crazy, this world has gone mad!"

Xu Xiaoji clutched his crotch, relieved he hadn't actually wet himself. He shuffled backward on the ground, trying to distance himself from this overlord-level demon. Just then, he caught a glimpse: Demon King Xu was still deep in thought! Still improving! He clearly had no intention of letting anyone else off easy!

The "visualization" method clearly had a huge energy cost, yet Demon King Xu always recovered to a perfect state in mere moments. Just as Xu Xiaoji began to suspect this "perfect state" was another of Demon King Xu's visualized illusions, meant to mislead judgment, after the counterfeit Watchman, the Demon King, after recovering for a short while, would materialize another lifelike person.

Counterfeit Elder Sang, counterfeit Storyteller, counterfeit Ba Zun'an, counterfeit Gou Wuyue, and even counterfeit Ai Cangsheng… All of them were visualized!

Xu Xiaoji hadn't personally seen most of these people. Yet, he had seen portraits and heard legends of such world-renowned figures even before he entered the Yuanfu and descended into this demonic abyss! In contrast, now, when this group of 'monsters and demons' appeared, regardless of their factions, each with their subtle movements and distinctive speaking styles, enacting a world-shattering confrontation before him, Xu Xiaoji's worldview shattered into a million pieces.

He saw the counterfeit Ba Zun'an charge forward with a sword, howling madly: "The sky is one foot high, Ba Zun'an! Who dares to wield half a Qingju? Who will fight me to the death?"

The counterfeit Gou Wuyue drew the famous sword Nulan, declaring, "I will fight you! Sword, come!"

The counterfeit Elder Sang scoffed, "You can't even withstand a punch from my handsome and dashing disciple, yet you dare to challenge him? Watch my shadowy hand… snatch!"

The counterfeit Ai Cangsheng lamented, "Damn it, my Evil Sin Bow, my Eye of the Great Dao… Gods, I'd give anything for the power to heal my lower body."

The counterfeit Rao Yaoyao sneered, "Ha, a paralyzed man, just wait to die on the Sacred Mountain!"

The counterfeit Storyteller stammered, "Br-br-brother…"

The counterfeit Ba Zun'an roared, "Get out of my way, you sissy!" With that, he cleaved the counterfeit Storyteller in two with his sword.

Xu Xiaoji was utterly stunned. He stared blankly at this world-shaking battle. If the world were to witness this scene, the collective shattering of their worldviews would be enough to reclaim land from the sea and create an entirely new region. Xu Xiaoji averted his head, not daring to look further, but the shocking words he heard continued to shatter his composure.

"So, this is Demon King Xu's inner world?"

"It's over. The Holy Divine Continent is doomed."

"The seniors' lifelong reputations are likely to be ruined!"

Meanwhile, Xu Xiaoshou wasn't merely amusing himself. Through this shocking battle, he had become highly skilled at sketching three-dimensional portraits of anyone he had previously seen. He discovered that these "visualized" counterfeits would not disappear as long as they were sustained by spiritual energy. The moves they wished to perform could also be "materialized" as long as he expended his spiritual essence and mental power. However, their actual power was minimal. But the illusions could be magnified without limit. This depended on the painter's boundless imagination.

And Xu Xiaoshou possessed "Mastery of Weaving," which granted him endlessly sustained spiritual energy. As long as he imbued these figures with minor spirit-gathering array properties during "visualization," the subsequent figures, once drawn, wouldn't even consume too much of his own spiritual essence. This essentially meant that the visualized figures would be incredibly difficult to make disappear!

And in this world where portrait rights apparently weren't a concern (or so Xu Xiaoshou believed), as his "visualization" grew more proficient, the figures he sketched created an even greater impact. Thanks to "Perception," Xu Xiaoshou possessed an excellent memory. He could even perfectly replicate every individual's subtle expressions and movements. This was because he had always been a keen observer. There was no other reason. He had always enjoyed role-playing. Now that his role-playing could advance, and these acted-out figures could appear alongside "Xu Xiaoshou," how could any flaws be allowed to show?

Finally, having "visualized" himself to exhaustion, Xu Xiaoshou collapsed onto the ground like a corpse, panting heavily, a look of wild excitement on his face.

"'Mastery of Painting' is just too damn powerful."

"When I, Xu Xiaoshou, emerge from seclusion, this world will tremble once more!"