Chapter 214: Lu Xun's Painting Appraisal Skills

Liu Ling had originally intended to remind Elder Tian, but remembering how he had just interrupted him, and fearing that speaking more might displease him, he decided to say no more.

"Since neither of you has any objections, Tian Gang, go and fetch that painting." Elder Tian waved his hand after speaking.

"Yes!"

Before long, Tian Gang returned, carrying a slender box.

"This is a calligraphic painting given to me by Master Liu, truly perfect. Every time I look at it, I can't help but praise it. Today, you are fortunate enough to behold a work of this caliber!"

Elder Tian smiled as he took the painting out of the box.

"I truly hope that in my lifetime I can meet such a master of calligraphy and painting and witness his extraordinary skill firsthand."

Stroking the scroll in his hands, Elder Tian's gaze was filled with reverence.

Tea ceremony and calligraphic painting share many similarities, and for this reason, he held a deep fondness for the latter. Though he hadn't reached the master level, he had studied it extensively.

"Enough talk. Now, I'll show it to you. Zhuang Xian, Zheng Fei, you are also proficient in calligraphy and painting, so feel free to offer some pointers."

He carefully unrolled the scroll, and an ink painting immediately appeared before everyone's eyes.

It depicted a grassland where a wild deer stood, grazing cautiously. All around were wildflowers, creating a vibrant scene that evoked the sensation of blooming mountain flowers and a fragrant aroma.

Although it was merely a two-dimensional painting, viewers felt as if the wild deer could emerge at any moment and rush towards them.

"This is... a Fifth Realm calligraphic painting?"

With just one glance, Lu Xun's pupils contracted, and his breathing quickened.

As someone from a family renowned for calligraphy and painting, he possessed extensive knowledge and immediately discerned the painting's subtlety and artistry.

It clearly surpassed the "Startling Swan" level, reaching a much more profound realm.

Paintings of this caliber were rare even in the Tianxuan Kingdom, appearing perhaps once in a hundred years. Elder Tian acquiring one and letting them appreciate it was an incredible boon.

Even his father, a master of that level, had never seen such a work.

"Indeed, it is a Fifth Realm calligraphic painting. What a pity the artist didn't leave their name or the painting's title. Otherwise, I would certainly pay them a personal visit!"

Elder Tian shook his head, full of emotion. "Alright, since we're here to appraise, let's begin. Observe this painting and then offer your comments. The person whose comments are the most accurate and closest to reality will win. Master San and I will be the judges, so there should be no doubt about fairness. This time... Teacher Zhang will speak first."

Since Lu Xun spoke first last time, for fairness, it was now Zhang Xuan's turn.

After Elder Tian finished speaking and received no reply, he couldn't help but look at Zhang Xuan, who was not far away. He saw Zhang Xuan staring blankly at the painting before him, looking completely distracted.

Seeing his appearance, Elder Tian frowned.

Fifth Realm paintings were exceptionally profound. Some laymen who didn't understand calligraphy and painting could easily get lost in them, unable to distinguish between reality and the artwork. Clearly, this was the case with Teacher Zhang.

How could someone who couldn't even tell the difference between a painting and reality understand art?

It seemed choosing a painting appraisal as the challenge was the right decision. Teacher Zhang was likely no match for Lu Xun.

"Hmph, let him show off. With this level, calling himself a master of calligraphy and painting? What a joke!"

Tian Long, standing nearby, saw his lapse in composure and coldly chuckled.

If the previous original language usage had made him suspicious, seeing this fellow's current state immediately put his mind at ease.

How could a true master of calligraphy and painting react like this upon seeing a Fifth Realm painting?

He must be too overwhelmed, completely lost in it.

"Teacher Zhang!" Elder Tian prompted.

"Hmm!" Zhang Xuan finally recovered, his expression peculiar. "No need. Let Teacher Lu speak first. I'll just... listen!"

"Very well, I won't be modest then. However, I hope you won't make excuses if you lose later!"

Seeing that the other party didn't even have the courage to speak first, Lu Xun's face was filled with disdain.

This fellow must have found the painting before him too profound to appraise, which is why he asked me to go first. He probably just plans to mimic what I say.

However, that trick might have worked before, but now that I'm on guard, how could I let you succeed?

With a flick of his sleeve, Lu Xun walked to the center of the hall, his face radiating strong confidence.

"A Fifth Realm painting is a legacy from a grand master of calligraphy and painting. I dare not comment too much. If I say anything incorrect later, I hope you all will correct me; consider it a friendly exchange!"

Approaching the painting, Lu Xun's eyes lit up, displaying the distinctive demeanor of a master. "Appreciating a high-level painting like this requires moving from distant to near, from shallow to deep. Therefore, I will first discuss the overall composition of this painting."

During the tea ceremony, he had only mentioned the name and the grade of the tea's aroma, giving the other party an opening. This time, he was prepared and intended to reveal everything he knew.

Once I've said everything, let's see what you'll say!

I'll take the path of excellence, leaving you no path to follow!

"Although the artist didn't leave a name for this painting, its artistic conception is profound. Just one glance, and you feel a vast grassland rushing toward you. The wild deer graze leisurely, and the flowers compete in fragrance... I surmise that this grand master, while painting, must have stood on a wide grassland, feeling the magnificence and tranquility before him. In high spirits, he then wielded his brush to create this immortal masterpiece."

"If one were to give it a name, I believe it should be called... 'Brushstrokes on the Azure Sky'!" Lu Xun stated.

"'Brushstrokes on the Azure Sky'? Excellent, what a grand name! It directly expresses the artist's aspirations, an awe-inspiring aura piercing through the clouds!" Tian Long praised.

See that?

This is what a true master of calligraphy and painting looks like. With just a few words, he captured the essence of the painting, allowing for boundless imagination.

"Now that I've discussed the name, let's move on to the content and brushwork. Clearly, this painting employs the 'double-outline' technique, first sketching the contours of the objects, then creating a macroscopic artistic conception, and finally adorning it with flowers, plants, and the wild deer. Only such a technique could manifest such a grand composition and contain such a powerful artistic concept!"

Lu Xun's eyes gleamed.

"'Double-outline' technique? Couldn't it be 'Left-Right Roaming Dragons'?" Zhang Xuan couldn't help but ask.

"'Left-Right Roaming Dragons'? Do you even know what that term means?"

Before Lu Xun could speak, Tian Long couldn't help but burst out laughing. "'Left-Right Roaming Dragons' is a technique used by roadside artisans when pressed for time, like printing. They paint the same piece every day, and only through long practice and muscle memory can they complete it. You're suggesting a Fifth Realm painting was created with such a method? Haha, do you even understand calligraphy and painting?"

Not only was Tian Long's face filled with contempt, but even Elder Tian glanced at Zhang Xuan and couldn't help but shake his head.

'Left-Right Roaming Dragons' to produce a Fifth Realm painting? That's like using the Grand Ancestor's Long Fist to achieve the power of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms. Are you sure you're here to appraise, not to make a joke?

"You're truly imaginative!"

Lu Xun sneered, the disdain in his eyes deepening. He curled his lips, ignoring the clueless fellow, and continued to examine the painting before him. "I just spoke about the overall composition; now let's discuss the details. The grand master handled these with lifelike precision. Look at these wildflowers; you can clearly see their veins. As for the wild deer, you can even discern the individual hairs on its body... From this, it's clear that this painting wasn't completed in a single sitting. Even for a grand master, it must have taken at least two or three days."

"Only such long, meticulous work could perfectly present the details of a painting, making it full of charm and leaving no room for viewers to find flaws or imperfections. One must admit, this master's temperament and endurance are truly exceptional!"

Admiration appeared in Lu Xun's eyes. He walked in a circle around the painting, then continued, "Finally, this painting's artistic conception is profound and ancient. Although the artist's name isn't on it, based on my many years of experience viewing paintings, I can make an educated guess as to who it might be."

"Oh? You can guess? Who is it?"

Zhang Xuan, standing to the side, couldn't help but speak again, the peculiar look in his eyes intensifying.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Lu Xun raised his head, displaying a condescending arrogance and immense confidence in his knowledge of calligraphy and painting. "Among the surrounding ten kingdoms, over the past century, there have been only seven grand masters of calligraphy and painting with such breadth of mind and artistic charm. Four of them rarely created works depicting such scenes, leaving three who have produced similar works in the past."

"These three are Senior Jin Mantang from the Northern Martial Kingdom, Senior Wu Jiechao from the Cold Martial Kingdom, and Senior Yun Shaoqing from the Divine Wind Kingdom."

"Senior Jin Mantang once left a masterpiece at Eighteen-Yard Plains, which featured pine trees depicted with vigor and an ancient charm, aligning perfectly with this wild deer and grassland scene, making him initially the most likely candidate. However, Senior Mantang passed away eighty years ago. If he had indeed left this painting, it would surely have been known long ago, not just seen now, so it cannot be him."

"Senior Wu Jiechao excels at painting animals. It's said he once painted a white goose lying on the ground, which drew a real goose to it, believing its companion was dead. The real goose then cried out in sorrow, and died of grief. Perhaps only such skill could render this wild deer."

"However, he only specializes in animals, not flowers and plants. To be able to paint both so exquisitely, perhaps only Senior Yun Shaoqing, from our vicinity of the Ten Kingdoms, could have done it! Most importantly, among these three grand masters, only he is still alive."

"Therefore, I surmise that this painting was created by him."

Having finished, Lu Xun stood proudly, a cut above the rest.

"Good, good, an excellent analysis, penetrating and insightful!"

Elder Tian clapped his hands in admiration.

See that? That's what professionalism looks like.

This is it!

Not only did he analyze the painting thoroughly and logically, but he even guessed the artist with near-perfect accuracy. Truly worthy of being Master Lu Chen's son. With this level of insight and perception alone, he is sure to win this test.

"Alright, Teacher Zhang, it's your turn now!"

After offering his praise, Elder Tian looked at Zhang Xuan, who was nearby.

"It's my turn to speak? Are you sure you want me to?" Zhang Xuan looked over.

"You're not... I actually can't think of any appraisal language right now... After thinking it over, I only have four words!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Four words?" Elder Tian and Lu Xun looked over simultaneously.

"Yes!"

Zhang Xuan scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed: "This painting, if I'm not mistaken... I drew it!"