Chapter 307: Zhao Ya and Others Arrive

"A cold plum blossom growing with spiritual energy... is this a fifth-realm painting?"

"He just spat on it, and it became a fifth-realm painting?"

"Is that really necessary?"

Everyone's faces contorted in disbelief, their eyes wide.

A savage beast had just randomly run and rolled on the rice paper, creating nothing of note. Yet, with a mere shake, it transformed into a third-realm masterpiece!

And that wasn't the end of it. He roasted it with a torch, and it became a fourth-realm painting. Then, with a spray of water, a scene of flying snow appeared, elevating it to the fifth-realm!

My heavens!

You're not a master painter… you're a trick performer, aren't you?

A fifth-realm painting is something only a three-star master painter can create, yet he accomplished it with a savage beast…

How can it be this insane?

Everyone stared at Zhang Xuan again, as if he were a monster.

Before, they had dismissed him as nothing more than an ignorant, boastful, and pretentious young man. Now, however, they realized he was likely a grandmaster of unfathomable skill and ingenuity.

He had elevated a seemingly ordinary work into a fifth-realm masterpiece!

It was like magic, dazzling and utterly unbelievable.

"This... this..."

The two vice presidents' lips trembled.

This was simply defying the heavens!

To create a fifth-realm work before the age of twenty—such talent would likely rank among the top even within the main Master Painter Guild!

What's more, for anyone else, even a three-star master painter, creating a fifth-realm work would require fasting, purification, and extensive preparation. Yet, this fellow simply spat on it and achieved it...

When did fifth-realm works become so easy to create?

"I actually challenged someone capable of creating a fifth-realm masterpiece?"

Young Master Ji Mo's face turned even paler; he wished he could just smash his head and die.

After he cursed the man, the man used a savage beast to paint. After he mocked the painting, the work was elevated to the third-realm. After he declared the man unworthy of being his peer, the painting advanced to the fourth-realm. And now, he had even produced a fifth-realm work...

Are you here specifically to humiliate me?

If only I had known you were a fifth-realm grandmaster, I wouldn't have dared to provoke you, even if it meant my own demise!

Now look what happened: instead of showing off, I've made a fool of myself. Everyone is laughing at me. Forget about chasing women; I'll probably be too humiliated to even live...

"Verify it yourselves; is it a fifth-realm painting?"

Ignoring the stunned onlookers, Zhang Xuan returned to stand before the two vice presidents.

"No need to check, it is!"

The two vice presidents were already too stunned to speak.

A fifth-realm painting could autonomously absorb spiritual energy and manifest its form. Though lacking sentience, it could extend beyond the canvas, spreading outwards. To discern these characteristics required no profound understanding of painting, merely the ability to see.

As vice presidents and peak two-star master painters, how could they not recognize it?

"So... can I claim my three-star master painter badge now?" Zhang Xuan's eyes lit up.

"Well..."

Vice President Wu steadied his racing heart, hesitated, and then replied, "Logically, yes. However, our branch only has one three-star master painter, the Guild Master, and he is currently absent. We aren't authorized to assess such a high rank!"

"Not authorized?"

"Please don't worry, Grandmaster Zhang," Vice President Wu quickly waved his hand.

His previous address of "young brother" had been swiftly changed to "Grandmaster."

One capable of producing a fifth-realm masterpiece possessed power far exceeding their own. Even with their greater age, they dared not overstep by calling him "brother."

To do so would be to disregard all established rules.

It would be treating rank as meaningless.

"Once we send your painting to headquarters for review by specialists, your rank badge will be issued promptly," Vice President Wu continued. "This... will likely take about ten days!"

"Ten days?"

"Yes, but while we cannot issue the three-star badge immediately, we can provide you with a two-star badge right away!"

Vice President Wu beckoned, and an apprentice quickly approached, returning shortly with a badge. Two dazzling stars adorned it.

A two-star Master Painter badge! It represented the status of a two-star master painter.

"Excellent!" Zhang Xuan's face lit up.

Evidently, he hadn't anticipated that the master painter assessment would be so straightforward. Unlike other professions with their myriad troublesome evaluations, this one simply required the creation of a work to earn a direct rank.

"Though Grandmaster Zhang hasn't yet received his rank badge, having created a fifth-realm work, he already possesses the power of a three-star master painter and can exercise its authority!"

Vice President Cheng Feng interjected.

"I can exercise authority now? Excellent. This Master Painter Ji Mo has repeatedly provoked me. I hereby declare him expelled from the guild, never to be allowed entry again!"

Hearing this, Young Master Ji Mo's face went white, and he collapsed to the ground.

As a three-star master painter, the man could issue a decree of prohibition. Once recorded, every branch of the Master Painter Guild would receive the order, forbidding Ji Mo's entry.

Any violation would be deemed a provocation against the guild, punishable by immediate execution!

He had initially believed some country bumpkin had emerged from nowhere, offering him an opportunity to gain fame by humiliating him. He never dreamed he would instead crash into a rock, leaving his head bloodied and broken!

"Master Painter Ji, you may leave now!"

Hearing Zhang Xuan issue the command, Vice President Wu shook his head and reluctantly spoke.

While they found it somewhat cruel, a loss was a loss in a sanctioned competition, leaving no room for argument.

Furthermore, compared to Zhang Xuan, Young Master Ji Mo's so-called talent appeared utterly ridiculous.

Even a fool could understand which of the two to choose.

"Understood!"

His face filled with resentment, Young Master Ji Mo knew that once the decree of prohibition was issued, there was no turning back. Unless he surpassed Zhang Xuan in skill, the ban could never be lifted.

With a rustle, he stood up, turned, and walked out.

To remain there would only bring further humiliation!

"Damnable! Damnable!"

The moment he exited the guild's main doors, Young Master Ji Mo let out a long cry to the sky, his eyes filled with murderous intent: "To suffer such immense humiliation, I swear to never rest until you are vanquished! Someone!"

"Young Master!"

After he roared, a figure appeared nearby.

"Investigate. Find out exactly who this man is. If necessary... you may eliminate him!"

He waved his hand decisively.

As the young master of the Ji family, one of the three prominent families of the esteemed King City, to be so thoroughly humiliated by an unknown minor figure—his rage could no longer be contained.

"Understood!"

The figure nodded, then shimmered and vanished into the shadows.

"Where is your library?"

Now a formally recognized master painter, Zhang Xuan was in no hurry to depart. Instead, he inquired.

Previously, he had only consulted painting and calligraphy books at Master Lu Chen's residence. While these provided a foundational understanding suitable for basic works, they were inadequate for significant advancement.

As he was now a formally recognized master painter and this was the guild headquarters, he decided to explore and see if he could learn more.

"Grandmaster Zhang, this way please!"

Vice President Wu led the way.

Soon after, they arrived at a vast room.

"This is our guild's library!" Vice President Wu gestured inside.

Zhang Xuan nodded. "I'll browse inside for a while. Please ensure I'm not disturbed!"

With that, he walked in, hands clasped behind his back.

The Master Painter Guild's library was indeed vastly larger than Master Lu Chen's personal collection. Countless books and works of all kinds filled the shelves, a veritable ocean of knowledge.

Seeing that Vice President Wu and the others did not follow him inside, Zhang Xuan took a deep breath. His finger began to glide along the first row of bookshelves, moving incessantly.

Book after book was swiftly absorbed into his mind.

While Zhang Xuan was continuously absorbing books within the Master Painter Guild, outside Tianwu King City, a colossal flying savage beast descended, and several figures dismounted from its back.

"This is Tianwu King City?"

A young man gazed at the towering, majestic city walls, his eyes brimming with excitement.

"Indeed!"

An elder in the group stroked his beard and smiled.

"First, we traveled by carriage to the Northern Martial Kingdom, then borrowed a royal flying savage beast from their palace. We journeyed without rest for an entire month to finally arrive here. Tianwu Kingdom truly spans a vast territory!"

Another girl smiled, revealing her beautiful features, and blinked. "Do you think Master has arrived yet?"

"I heard Master Shen say that after Master Zhang left the Beast Hall, he was heading to the Red Lotus Mountain Range, likely for some task. He probably won't arrive for a while, but it doesn't matter; he's sure to come here to take the Master Teacher assessment. We just need to wait."

Another girl spoke up.

The previous girl appeared a little shy, whereas this one was valiant and spirited, exuding a vibrant heroism. Her appearance, especially, was impossibly beautiful, like a figure sprung from a painting.

"Let's not linger here; let's enter the city first!"

Interrupting their conversation, the elder who had just spoken said, "Let me remind you beforehand: Tianwu Kingdom is a first-rank kingdom, not a minor place like Tianxuan Kingdom. Be mindful in all your actions; even a slight misstep could offend powerful individuals. While the Master Teacher Guild can typically resolve common issues, it's exceedingly troublesome. It's best for everyone to exercise caution!"

"Yes!" they responded in unison.

Seeing their agreement, the elder nodded and continued, "It's already dark. Once we enter the King City, let's find accommodation and get some proper rest. Then, tomorrow morning, I'll inquire at the Master Teacher Hall about Senior Brother Zhang's arrival. Before Senior Brother Zhang returns, all of you must break through to the Dingli realm in your cultivation, or I will be embarrassed to face him!"

"Rest assured, Master Liu!"

Hearing the instruction, they all nodded simultaneously.

If Zhang Xuan were present, he would undoubtedly recognize them: his five students, along with Master Liu, Lu Xun, Huang Yu, and others.

After Zhang Xuan departed from Hongtian Academy and ventured into the mountains, they also set off towards the Northern Martial Kingdom.

Traveling by carriage, it took them over ten days to reach their destination.

Then, Master Liu leveraged his connections to borrow a flying savage beast from the Northern Martial royal family, which significantly increased their speed.

However, this savage beast was no match for Zhang Xuan's Roaring Sky Beast. Possessing only strength comparable to the Tongxuan realm, it took them over ten days of continuous flight to reach this location.

In other words, with all the transfers and travel, it took them nearly a month to finally arrive at Tianwu King City.

During this prolonged journey, Zhao Ya and the others had made considerable progress in their cultivation.

The secret manuals Zhang Xuan had left were inherently powerful and improved. With Master Liu providing constant guidance, it was difficult for them not to progress rapidly.

Zhao Ya, whose unique physique had been activated, had already reached the peak of the Dingli realm. Now, with the acupuncture points on her body flickering, she had opened two of them, becoming a genuine Aperture Opening realm expert.

As for Zheng Yang and the others, they had also made significant strides, all reaching the peak of the Warrior Fourth Stage, Skin and Bone realm, just a step away from the Dingli realm.

The weakest in cultivation was, naturally, Yuan Tao. However, he too had reached the mid-stage of the Skin and Bone realm, and his defense was exceptionally strong. Even Zhao Ya's attacks would leave him unfazed. It could be said that his defense was so formidable that even a peak Aperture Opening realm expert would struggle to break through it—he was an absolute human bulwark.

As the others progressed, Lu Xun, serving as an apprentice under Master Liu, also made considerable advancements. After a month of cultivation, he had broken through his previous limitations and reached the early stage of the Tongxuan realm.

As for Huang Yu, she too had successfully advanced from the peak of the Dingli realm into the Aperture Opening realm.

Naturally, the most significant progress was made by Master Liu Ling.

Having received guidance from "Master Yang" back in Tianxuan Kingdom, he had now broken through the shackles that had plagued him for years, becoming a true Grandmaster realm expert.

His internal power surged with immense momentum.

"Alright, let's go in!"

After paying the city entry fee, they entered the King City.

Zhao Ya and the others were immediately captivated by the prosperity of Tianwu King City, their eyes wide with excitement.

"We'll stay here!"

After walking along the street for a while, they spotted an inn in the distance. Master Liu led the group inside and arranged for their lodging.

"Master Liu, on our way here, I noticed the Master Painter Guild nearby. I'd like to... try assessing for an apprentice rank!"

Just after settling everyone, Lu Xun approached, his face alight with anticipation.

"When assessing for Master Teacher in the future, auxiliary professions are a mandatory study. Go ahead!"

Master Liu waved his hand.

"Understood!" Lu Xun nodded and departed.