Chapter 166: Second Realm?

Moreover, painting emphasizes artistic conception. Without it, even the most lifelike depiction is useless. Drawing with both hands, known as "dual-hand drawing," forcibly splits a complete picture into two, fracturing the artistic conception. Therefore, even if this painting is perfectly joined, it will likely be difficult to reach the third realm.

No matter how well the left and right hands coordinate, it still separates the picture, and the overall artistic conception will definitely be much poorer.

"Excessive display of painting skill, losing the original purpose of painting. Ostentatious!" After explaining, Master Yuanguo shook his head.

After the initial shock, his impression of Zhang Xuan did not improve; it worsened.

Zhang Xuan was arrogant and rude, making them wait until noon for his arrival. He showed no concept of time, wasting two or three hours adjusting his state before painting. Now, he was even displaying his painting skills and losing the original meaning of painting, which simply showed an unstable mindset and extreme ostentation.

If one paints without a calm mind, only aiming to shock others and show off, what's the use, no matter how high their skill? It will be difficult to become a master of a generation.

"Young Brother Zhang is still young; it's normal for him to like showing off," Master Lu Chen said with a wry smile, knowing his old friend's temperament—never holding back words, always speaking directly. "Young people, they like to show off skills; it's normal. They can't be expected to be like us, who are almost in our graves."

"Creating the best painting is not about showing off. Dual-hand drawing is merely for street artisans to mass-produce paintings. If he doesn't change this habit, he will likely never achieve true greatness!" Master Yuanguo's tone showed no politeness whatsoever.

"Uh..." Hearing his evaluation, Huang Yu and the other person fell silent.

In terms of painting, they certainly had less authority than the old man before them, and nor could they refute him.

Just as Master Lu Chen was about to say a few more words, he heard Bai Xun's voice.

"Look! It's starting to connect!"

Everyone looked, and indeed saw Zhang Xuan's brushes, held in both hands, converging, and the images on the paper beginning to merge.

"This can't be joined, can it?" Huang Yu couldn't help but say, after taking a look.

Seeing the two images on the left and right about to join, yet the ink depth, painting style, and essence on both sides of the paper were completely different—even the tonality was varied. Even if successfully merged, this situation would result in two distinct styles, not a single painting.

One half bright, the other half dim—joining them would also result in a ruined piece.

Could he have failed?

"It can't be joined." Master Lu Chen, who had originally intended to say a few good words for Zhang Xuan, was now speechless, his face looking rather unpleasant, squeezing his beard so hard that he broke several strands without realizing it.

Although he didn't want to admit it, based on his study of painting, he could clearly see that the images on the left and right were completely different, like two separate worlds, utterly impossible to merge. Could it be that this young friend Zhang was truly as ostentatious as Brother Yuan had said?

Although they had only met once before, Zhang Xuan seemed humble, cautious, and courteous, not like this kind of person at all.

If he truly had such a personality, it would indeed be difficult for him to achieve greater success in painting in the future.

"If it can't be joined, it's a wasted effort. We waited all afternoon, only to get this." Master Yuanguo shook his head, filled with disappointment.

When Master Lu Chen recounted Zhang Xuan's deeds, he had held great hope. He had thought Zhang Xuan was truly a young genius who could promote painting, but only after seeing it with his own eyes did he realize he was a show-off.

Clearly lacking the ability, he should have simply painted diligently. Instead, he insisted on pretending to be a master, using dual-hand drawing. Now, it's backfired; the two paintings' styles are different and can't be joined. "Let's see how he gets out of this."

To show off, one must first possess the ability. Otherwise, one will only make a fool of themselves.

Evidently, Zhang Xuan was the latter.

He sighed and slowly closed his eyes, no longer watching.

It wasn't that he didn't want to look, but that he feared seeing the awkward failure of the two halves joining, which would only make him angrier.

"Hmm?"

"No, this..."

"How is this possible?"

Just as he closed his eyes, sounds of exclamation immediately erupted around him, as if they had witnessed something unbelievable.

He frowned and opened his eyes again. He then saw Master Lu Chen, Huang Yu, and Bai Xun staring dumbfounded at the front, as if they had seen a ghost.

"What's wrong? Even if it couldn't be joined, there's no need for such surprise, is there?" Slightly puzzled, Master Yuanguo couldn't help but look over. With just one glance, his pupils suddenly contracted, his body swayed, and he stood frozen: "What... what's going on here?"

He, too, was stunned.

Right in front, at the point where the two paintings met, Zhang Xuan's brush lightly traced, and a courtyard wall appeared. It acted like a barrier, dividing the two paintings into two distinct sections.

The previous sense of discord from their inability to connect, under the division of the wall, disappeared completely. Instead, it gave the impression of another world.

"It's this courtyard!" Bai Xun couldn't help but exclaim.

At this moment, he realized that Zhang Xuan's left hand had painted the courtyard where they were, with people painting and commenting, and a peaceful atmosphere. His right hand had painted another courtyard, vibrant with flowers, birds flying, various animals scurrying about, and cicadas chirping loudly, giving a sense of a bustling, idyllic paradise.

One side depicted people, the other objects; one side quiet, the other bustling. They were originally two different environments, two states, with distinct essences. The previous discord between the left and right sides, beneath this wall, instantly merged into a perfect whole.

"A stroke of genius, absolutely a stroke of genius!" Master Lu Chen trembled continuously.

He had previously thought, like Master Yuanguo, that Zhang Xuan's painting was certainly ruined. He never dreamed that two scenes with completely different essences, separated by a single courtyard wall, would become incredibly harmonious, balancing stillness and movement, offering a unique sense of beauty and enjoyment.

Movement within stillness, stillness within movement.

It could be said that this wall was absolutely a stroke of genius.

A wall separated them, yet it created a vast distance within a short space, and the quality of the entire painting immediately improved by more than a large margin.

"Amazing!" Master Yuanguo, after holding back for a long time, uttered two words.

Clearly, this courtyard wall was something he had not anticipated.

If the artistic conceptions on both sides of the wall had been the same, it would have become a flaw instead.

"I've made a humble display!" With the courtyard wall completed, the entire work was finished. Zhang Xuan put down his brush, smiled faintly, and said, "Please, gentlemen, come forward to appraise it!"

He had just learned to paint and wasn't sure what to draw, so he painted the courtyard where they were, and the adjacent one.

"Let me see!" Master Lu Chen stepped forward first, lowering his head to look at the painting before him.

Huang Yu, Bai Xun, and others also followed closely.

Earlier, they were far away and couldn't see clearly, so they initially didn't realize it was this place. Now, upon closer inspection, they were all filled with admiration.

The scenery of the courtyard was strikingly lifelike and vivid, as if each element had come alive. Under the masterful strokes of his brush, they seemed to float on the paper, exquisitely beautiful.

"So beautiful!" Huang Yu couldn't help but praise, her beautiful eyes shining.

Although he painted with both hands simultaneously, the details were impeccable. Even a single table or a single stool was clearly visible. The expressions of the people in the painting were all present, as if imprinted on it. The entire painting was unbelievably beautiful.

"What a pity." After looking for a while, Master Yuanguo couldn't help but shake his head, and even Master Lu Chen, standing beside him, showed a look of regret.

"This painting is very beautiful. What's wrong with it?" Not knowing why they sighed, Bai Xun couldn't help but ask.

To be honest, he couldn't see any problems with the painting. He felt it was no less impressive than the previous two works.

"The craftsmanship of this painting is impeccable, without any flaws. The colors and composition are all top-tier. However, as I said before, in merging the two halves, he focused too much on detail and consequently lacked artistic conception! Without artistic conception, it can at most reach the second realm, 'Lively,' which is still a significant distance from 'Essence.' " Master Lu Chen shook his head.

Painting is divided into four realms: Capturing Reality, Lively, Containing Essence, and Stunningly Brilliant.

Previously, both Master Yuanguo and Master Lu Chen had painted works of the third realm, imbued with artistic conception. Upon seeing them, one felt a sense of exhilaration and peace.

Zhang Xuan's painting, though subtly brushed and flawless in structure and composition, lacked that particular feeling.

Without artistic conception, it would at most be at the 'Lively' realm, not considered a true masterpiece.

"It's a pity, but Young Brother Zhang is still very young. By the time he reaches our age, he'll be able to effortlessly create paintings of the third, and even fourth, realms!" Master Lu Chen offered comfort.

Although it hadn't reached the third realm, he was still quite astonished.

After all, Zhang Xuan was under twenty, and to possess such profound painting skills at that age—even he couldn't help but praise him extensively.

"He does have some genuine talent!" Master Yuanguo also nodded, looking at Zhang Xuan with a hint of rebuke in his tone. "However, young people should still be more modest!"

After a series of events, his impression of Zhang Xuan had worsened. But this painting was indeed good; apart from lacking artistic conception, he couldn't find any other flaws. It seemed this fellow was not a fraud but genuinely possessed some skill.

However, with just this much skill, to be so arrogant and make them wait so long, he was still somewhat displeased deep down.

"Modest?" Hearing the implied meaning in the other's words, Zhang Xuan knew he must have delayed too long and angered them. He gave an awkward smile: "Yes, yes, I apologize for taking too long!"

"That's more like it!" Seeing his good attitude, Master Yuanguo nodded in satisfaction. "Your foundation is good now. If you cultivate it well and travel extensively in the future, creating paintings of the third realm will be within reach. Just make sure not to waste your talent due to arrogance!"

"Indeed, to create paintings with artistic conception, one must first observe more, gain a deeper understanding of the world, and a deeper awareness of their surroundings!" Master Lu Chen also instructed earnestly.

"I have been enlightened!" Zhang Xuan knew the other party meant well and couldn't help but nod.

"Alright then, we've all finished painting. You two can begin your appraisal now." Seeing his humble acceptance, Master Lu Chen said no more. Just as he was about to have Huang Yu and the other person continue the assessment, Bai Xun's surprised voice rang out again.

"Wait, Master Zhang's painting—how do none of the people, birds, or beasts have eyes?"

Previously, everyone had only focused on the overall composition and structure of the painting, not paying attention to such details. Now, upon closer inspection, they indeed found that none of the people, birds, or beasts in the entire painting had their eyes drawn yet.