Time Devours Arrows

During the Sui and Tang Dynasties, court magic and folk magic flourished together. By the Song Dynasty, entertainment venues called "Washe Goulan" emerged, attracting many itinerant performers and giving rise to the famous magic troupe "Cloud Mechanism Society". As a result, many later works portrayed Cloud Mechanism Society as an evil organization of magicians and sorcerers.

Si Ming was thoroughly enjoying the magic show. If he were there in person, he might have been able to see through the details of the magician's movements on the spot. However, the footage broadcast on television was limited by the refresh rate and the camera angle, so even he couldn't see the secrets behind it.

After the magic show came the musical, and only after that did the martial arts performances begin.

Yao Bilian said, "According to past practice, this martial arts fight is the highlight. If we can't put on a performance of sufficient quality, this year's gala will be heavily criticized."

"Since you've put it that way, the director certainly won't dare to be careless."

"Hmph, that's not necessarily true. If someone's going to do something stupid, not even ten oxen could stop them."

Just then, the host on the television said excitedly, "Let's give a warm round of applause to 'Painting King' Yan Kai for his martial arts performance, 'Twin-Edge Fish-Dragon Dance'!"

Yao Bilian exclaimed in surprise, "Painting King Yan Kai, isn't that Spirit Transformation Grandmaster? This year's director has quite the connections, he even managed to invite Spirit Transformation Grandmaster!"

At this moment, the camera lens turned to the audience, and sure enough, many audience members also had surprise on their faces. It is not an easy thing to invite Spirit Transformation Grandmaster to perform on stage. Except for those who like to show off in front of people, most Spirit Transformation Grandmaster do not want to be judged like actors. They are not short of money, fame, or status, so they don't need to perform for others.

Painting King Yan Kai is by no means the type to show off. He is over a hundred years old and usually keeps a low profile. He is not known for his martial arts skills and may not be able to defeat Ying Zhou in terms of martial arts. He can only have a slight advantage in cultivation. However, his wealth is not low. Hongdou's paintings are two levels below his. When others ask him to paint Soul Intent Diagram to help them cultivate martial arts, he charges at least 30 million for each one.

On the television screen, Yan Kai was standing in the center of the stage, surrounded by eighteen people holding a long scroll, forming a circle around him. Only the side facing the audience was open, allowing people to see what was happening inside.

Yan Kai held a brush in each hand, the left hand with a coarse brush and the right hand with a fine brush. Both brushes were thick and large, no less than the Judging Official used as a weapon. He dipped the two brushes into a basin full of ink, and then practiced on the spot like a sword dance. With each move, an ink mark would appear on the scroll five meters away.

His left hand moved with bold strokes, while his right hand meticulously crafted the details. Working in perfect harmony, the painting on the scroll was being filled at a visible speed. Rich ink splashed in the air with each stroke of his brush, yet not a single drop fell to the ground; it landed precisely on the scroll.

This incredible painting technique is so captivating that viewers are glued to the screen, barely daring to breathe. Moreover, Yan Kai's movements are remarkably elegant, a perfect blend of strength and gentleness, like Taiji sword dance, exuding an ethereal quality. One can't help but think that this is probably what it means for immortals to paint.

In less than five minutes, the twenty-meter-long painting took shape, vaguely resembling a carp leaping over the dragon gate. Countless carp swam desperately forward against the rapids, leaping out of the water one after another, trying to cross the dragon gate, but only one succeeded, while the rest failed, making it extremely spectacular. This theme was also to coincide with the Year of the Dragon this year.

Si Ming stared at the screen for a while, then laughed loudly, "So that's how it is! No wonder the Painting King was willing to perform on the Spring Festival Gala; he wanted to find a successor in this way."

Yao Bilian asked in confusion, "How do we find a successor?"

After being reminded, Murong Qing quickly understood. "The Painting King may seem to be demonstrating his painting skills, but he is actually practicing a Swordsmanship. If someone learns this Swordsmanship or gains some insight from watching his performance, he will undoubtedly be the most suitable successor."

How will the "Painting King" know who has learned it?

"Those who haven't grasped the concept won't think of this, but those who have will naturally understand the Painting King's intentions and will take the initiative to contact him, using the Spring Festival Gala to find a successor for themselves. This method is truly brilliant!" Si Ming couldn't help but clap his hands and cheer.

Murong Qing, "But this also shows that the Painting King's martial arts are not easy to learn. He can't find a suitable successor, or those he approves of may not be willing to become his disciples, so he resorted to this tactic."

Su State is an artistic wasteland. There are very few people who love painting, and it is even more difficult to find a genius who also has martial arts talent. Even if there are people who meet the requirements, they may not be willing to inherit Yan Kai's mantle and follow the path of painting.

"So this old gentleman was teaching martial arts. No wonder I felt like I had learned something." Hongdou's words drew everyone's attention.

Murong Wu asked, "Does Sister Hongdou want to become the Painting King's apprentice?"

Hongdou stared at the TV series for a while, until Yan Kai was about to finish his work, then she shook her head and said, "The old gentleman's painting skills are better than mine, but his style is different from mine. I can't learn from him. As for martial arts, he might not be able to beat me."

Hongdou's cultivation level is already at the Peak Spirit Transformation. Although she lacks combat experience, Painting King Yan Kai is also not good at combat. If the two were to fight, Hongdou would probably have a better chance of winning.

Yao Bilian sighed, "Is it really this difficult for even Spirit Transformation Grandmaster to take on disciples these days?"

Si Ming, "It's not that taking on disciples is difficult, but finding a successor is even more difficult. Finding a successor who is both talented and virtuous, and who can carry forward one's knowledge, is even more difficult."

Even Si Ming himself dared not say that he had completely inherited Yan Jinghong's mantle, because the two had very different personalities and styles of doing things. Sometimes he felt that Murong Qing was more suitable to be Yan Jinghong's apprentice, both in terms of his sense of responsibility and his pursuit of justice.

However, some people care a lot about finding a successor, while others don't. Yan Jinghong didn't seem to care much about it. Of course, it might also be because he was still young and had plenty of time in the future, unlike Yan Kai, who was over a hundred years old. Even if Yan Kai lived a long time, his vital energy would inevitably begin to decline. If he couldn't find a suitable successor, he wouldn't be able to pass on his most outstanding skills. This was why Spirit Transformation Grandmaster was willing to lower himself to perform on stage.

In the scene, Yan Kai shakes the basin, splashing all the remaining ink onto the scroll, filling in the last blank space and completing the artwork in less than fifteen minutes.

This performance may seem effortless, but it actually requires complete concentration and control over every drop of ink, allowing no room for error. It demands a great deal of mental energy and is no easy feat for Grandmaster over a hundred years old.

Although there was no sweat on Yan Kai's forehead, a hint of weariness appeared on his face, but more than anything, there was anticipation for the future. It was just a pity that he was a few years too late and was destined to miss out on Hongdou.

Chapter 743 Time Devours the Arrow

After watching the entire Spring Festival Gala, it was past midnight. Fortunately, everyone had profound Internal Cultivation and did not feel tired. Even Yao Bilian, whose cultivation level was the lowest, could normally sleep for four or five hours. However, the programs at the end of the show were mediocre, and everyone lost interest in watching them. They wished each other a "Happy New Year" and went back to their rooms to rest.

Si Ming lay in bed, looking out the window at the night sky. Fireworks burst forth, illuminating their short lives with extraordinary brilliance.

At this moment, he felt no loneliness or solitude; his heart was filled with anticipation for the future, and the joyful sounds of everyone raising their glasses to welcome the New Year still echoed in his mind.

"We need to work even harder in the new year."

Si Ming stretched out his hand, palm facing the moon, about to close his fingers and grasp it in his palm, when he saw a figure quietly climb onto the balcony, tiptoeing open the unlocked door, sneaking in and pouncing directly onto his bed.

Si Ming dodged to the side, causing the other party to miss their target and land on the bed like a toad.

"Why did you dodge, you brat?" Yao Bilian rubbed her aching nose.

"It's a normal reaction to dodge when someone lunges at you," Si Ming said seriously. "Besides, don't try to shift the blame first. What are you trying to do by suddenly barging into someone else's room?"

"I want to sleep with you," Yao Bilian said matter-of-factly.

Si Ming gave him a disdainful look, raised one leg and said, "Are you going to leave on your own, or should I kick you out?"

Yao Bilian pondered, "Was it really too direct? Let me try a more subtle way of putting it—let's do it."

Si Ming immediately took action to drive the people away.

"Wait a minute, this is the first shot of the new year! Don't you think it's very meaningful?"

"Even the first shot of the new century won't do."

"Don't be so formal. It's perfectly normal for young men and women living under the same roof to have some physical intimacy."

"Who's being so polite with you? If you want physical intimacy, why don't you go find Ying Zhou?"