Why

Li Qi sat atop this tall building, surrounded by a magnificent and opulent surrounding. The Law Treasure he used were all of the seventh to sixth rank, which was quite extravagant. Li Qi's own home was never decorated so lavishly. Many of the items in his cave abode were ordinary objects, no different from those used by ordinary people.

For example, those two paintings of beauties outside are definitely sixth-grade Law Treasure. They are not depictions of living beauties, but rather the work of a master painter who observes the true spirit of a beautiful woman, paints her on paper, and then refines her image to replicate her spirit.

This method of painting can even create a causal connection. Moreover, after the painting is completed, the two beauties who served as the prototypes will fall seriously ill, and part of their cultivation will dissipate. They will need time to stabilize and rest.

There's no other reason than that their divine will has already been captured in the painting.

Artists who can use this technique are very hard to find; you'd have to wait in line even if you were in the whole world.

Throughout the world, such painters are hired with extremely high fees to paint Visualization Diagram.

The Demonic Path possesses a famous Heavenly Demon Hundred Beauties Extreme Desire Diagram," which contains a second-grade divine essence. The painting depicts the incarnations of the Heavenly Demon, with the Heavenly Demon himself serving as the model for the painter to copy. The painting depicts hundreds of beautiful incarnations of the Heavenly Demon. Viewing it even once and obtaining even half of its essence is of extraordinary benefit. It is one of the Demonic Path's most precious treasures.

Of course, the painter who could create such a Heavenly Demon Hundred Beauties Extreme Desire Diagram " must be at the level of a divine brush, which is beyond Li Qi's reach, but that's roughly the style.

This world has developed quite well in these branches. Whether it's the swordsmanship used by the swordsman we met before or the painting style here, they are all quite good.

But...

Civilization itself remains in the form of primitive society.

Yes, primitive society, not even reaching the level of feudal society.

Even feudal society had some organization, but the Immortal Realm is not even as good as feudal society. It's a pure primitive tribal system, and it only appears civilized because of its powerful cultivators and advanced technology.

Li Qi shook his head. Unfortunately, he couldn't easily spread his teachings here. If he offended a fourth-rank Dao Integration cultivator, his life would be in danger.

Therefore, once you enter the True World, just observe.

Observe and listen more, and then look for opportunities to find a way to leave the True World and go to the celestial realm.

Thinking this, Li Qi sat up straight and asked Ling Xiao beside him, "Miss, who painted those two paintings outside?"

Upon hearing Li Qi's words, Ling Xiao immediately asked, "Senior, are you interested in this?"

"I'm somewhat interested, after all, my skills are pretty good," Li Qi said.

"Senior's judgment is indeed remarkable. May I ask what makes it so good?" Ling Xiao leaned closer and asked.

Ling Xiao seemed quite pleased that Li Qi had asked that question.

This is enough to prove that the other party is indeed not a maid. If she were a maid, she would never have done such a thing. This is already considered disrespectful.

Of course, Li Qi didn't care about such things, so he simply commented. "Looking at his painting, the figures' movements and postures are full of style. The figures are adorned with pearls and jade, hairpins, flower boxes and necklaces. The way they move and change their clothes is subtle and wonderful. The brushstrokes are neither red nor blue, and the autumn thoughts and wildness are perfectly formed. It can indeed capture the spirit."

These comments were very fair and full of praise, which made Ling Xiao even happier.

Actually, it wasn't entirely without flaws, but Li Qi didn't say so.

For a sixth-rank official, achieving this level is already quite impressive. There's no need to be overly demanding. Li Qi is actually a very easygoing and relaxed person.

"Senior certainly has an eye for talent, because those two paintings outside are exactly what I made," Ling Xiao said proudly.

This made Li Qi take another look at the other person.

Only then did he truly take a good look at the other person.

Yes, now Li Qi has finally given her a second glance; before Li Qi had simply ignored her.

Just like a rabbit, it is immersed in its own world and basically ignores the things in the outside world.

Li Qi would never have been so lost in thought before, and the rabbit learned some ways to be evasive and insincere from Li Qi.

This can be considered a kind of Xianghe between husband and wife.

Returning to Li Qi's gaze, he gave the other person a serious look.

Ling Xiao is a pretty young girl with delicate Five Officials. She is slightly shorter than Li Qi and exudes a cleverness. She is not timid and is very energetic. Even when she is assigned to lead the way, she does not give off the feeling of a servant. Instead, she gives the impression that she is out having fun with her friends.

In comparison, Li Qi appeared dull, cold, and unapproachable.

Of course, Li Qi was too lazy to make changes, so he nodded and said, "I'd like to ask you to paint a picture for me. What kind of payment do you want?"

Ling Xiao immediately laughed, a very beautiful smile, "You want me to help? That's very expensive! Are you sure?"

"Price is not a problem, just paint it," Li Qi said.

It's just a sixth-rank official; Li Qi couldn't possibly be unable to afford it.

"Okay, then my offer is—never mind, how could I dare ask you for money? Just tell me what you want painted, consider me unlucky." She was eager to make her offer, but after thinking about it, she waved her hand and shook her head, letting Li Qi make the offer directly.

She seemed to want to say something witty to lighten the mood and change Li Qi's deadpan expression.

But Li Qi remained unmoved, simply nodding. "Whatever, just draw me."

After saying that, Li Qi sat down and waited for the other party to draw.

This attitude took Ling Xiao by surprise.

This... really is a dead person's head.

However, since the other party was Heaven-Piercing Realm, although she appeared to be very generous and natural, she was actually a little nervous. Faced with Li Qi's attitude, Ling Xiao did not dare to say anything. She obediently took out her painting tools, sat down to the side, carefully observed Li Qi's expression, and prepared to paint.

Before, their interactions were just normal, and that was fine. But now, using the keen observation of an artist, she took in Li Qi, who was leaning slightly to the side, and realized...

This person possesses an indescribable, unbelievable aura.

Is this the foundation of the Heaven-Piercing Realm?

The other party seemed to be completely integrated into this world; if one wanted to depict his figure, then one had to depict this world as well.

In painting, one must have a clear vision in mind so that it can be expressed on paper.

To paint a person, you must thoroughly understand that person before you can put pen to paper.

However, it's fine if you just glance at him once or twice. He looks like an ordinary person. Although you can feel the aura of the Heaven-Piercing Realm and the pressure of his cultivation, he doesn't have any special spirit.

Like the Sword Lord Cai Mo, whose temperament has a sharp edge, if you try to copy his portrait on paper, the paper will be torn to shreds if the material is not good enough.

Generally speaking, those at the Heaven-Piercing Realm would exhibit this kind of divine intent. Since it wasn't there before, Ling Xiao thought the other party really didn't have it.

Upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that the person before me is not devoid of divine will, but rather almost completely integrated into the world itself, like a stone, a gust of wind, or a cloud, harmoniously and naturally embedded within it.

So, while he may seem unremarkable, truly capturing his essence would be no less difficult than painting the entire world.

Ling Xiao held the pen in her hand for three whole Chen, breaking out in a cold sweat, but in the end, she didn't write a single stroke.

I don't know where to begin; I have no idea what to do.

Finally, Li Qi looked up and asked, "What's wrong?"

Hearing Li Qi speak, Ling Xiao finally raised her head. "Senior, I... am not very knowledgeable."

"Oh, never mind then." Li Qi didn't really care, and just continued to look at the city below, watching the crowds come and go.

A large number of transport Law Treasure, some are vehicles, some are flying cargo holds, and some are spirit beasts; in any case, they are all transporting ores.

These ores are all Immortal Stone, which need to be processed, cut into pieces of various sizes, and finally put into various production processes.

Immortal Stone are the raw materials for all production in the Immortal Realm.

Many of the seventh-rank laborers, those who did hard labor, were working.

Although they were doing hard labor, their lives were actually quite comfortable, and they had their own servants, roughly equivalent to a 'middle management' position.

However, they are called laborers because it is extremely difficult for them to accumulate the resources for cultivation, and they have to endure a lot of manual labor, such as mining and transportation, which are things that other eighth and ninth-rank cultivators cannot undertake.

Yes, manual labor is not the lowest level. In the True World, there are also cultivators of the eighth and ninth ranks.

These practitioners were originally born from these laborers. They were born in the True World, grew up here, and eventually multiplied here, becoming the laborers of those laborers.

Yes, for laborers, as long as they don't think about cultivation, it's very easy for them to enjoy themselves once they finish their work. After all, they've reached the seventh rank, and it's quite simple for them to become superior people.

However, just as Zhu Fengdan had mentioned before... (See Chapter 656 for details)

Enjoying life is easy, but cultivating oneself is incredibly difficult. One must overcome countless hardships and obstacles to gather the necessary resources for cultivation. During this time, one must also face the plundering of others, the exploitation from superiors, and the search for one's own way out.

This difficulty is far greater than undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation in the mortal realm.

Everyone who can break through to the sixth rank in the Immortal True World must possess perseverance, persistence, wisdom, and courage that are beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Those who ascend to the seventh rank are already exceptional individuals, one in a billion. Now, they have to continue to be selected in this way, which will eliminate countless more people.

Really...

The world is constantly encouraging practitioners to break through their limits and then pursue the Dao.

However, the Celestial Realm is suppressing and screening cultivators. Its attitude in all aspects shows that if your talent, temperament, or even luck is insufficient, you are not worthy of ascending to a high position in the Celestial Realm.

While Li Qi was thinking about these things, Ling Xiao, who was beside him, pondered for a while and suddenly said to Li Qi, "Senior, I can actually still paint, but... give me some time. I want to follow you, observe your movements, see and hear more, and capture your essence... What do you think?"

Li Qi was completely indifferent to this, so he nodded and said, "Whatever you want. Anyway, your task was to lead the way for me, so feel free to observe."

After speaking, Li Qi continued to observe the flow of people below, trying to deduce the city's operational process and thus understand the operating principles followed by the city of the Immortal True World.

This is very important, as it can help Li Qi find the final destination of these Immortal Stones. After all, Li Qi's goal is to find a way to ascend to the highest level of the immortal realm in the True World.

But Li Qi's attitude made Ling Xiao, who was standing next to him, feel somewhat frustrated.

This senior colleague really... doesn't care at all.

This is no longer indifference, but complete neglect, because he has more important things to do.

For the next fifteen days, Li Qi and Ling Xiao wandered around the city.

Li Qi was conducting a social survey, gathering information to understand the workings of the entire Immortal Heaven True World, while Ling Xiao was intently observing the figure of this powerful being at the Heaven-Piercing Realm.

She had to study the posture and carefully draw the other person's appearance, imprinting the other person's appearance in her heart, until she reached a state of complete confidence.

It's not enough to just make it look like the real thing; you have to capture its spirit so that when people see the painting, it's as if they've seen it with their own eyes.

This requires long-term observation and careful study. Ling Xiao has high standards for herself; otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to advance to the sixth rank based on her painting skills.

As an artist, she carefully observed Li Qi's every move.

Fifteen days passed, and she had vaguely caught Li Qi's movements and expressions, but... she still felt a sense of awkwardness.

After careful consideration, she realized that perhaps it was due to a lack of understanding.

She observed Li Qi's movements and expressions, but she didn't know why he made such expressions or what he was thinking. Thus, her interpretation of his demeanor only captured the form, not the essence.

So, fifteen days later, in the city's mines, as Li Qi was conducting geological surveys and observing the miners' progress, Ling Xiao mustered her courage and spoke up. For the first time in fifteen days, she stepped forward and said, "Senior..."

"Hmm?" Li Qi stopped observing and looked up. "What's wrong?"

"What are you thinking about, senior? Why do you have that expression?" Ling Xiao asked.

She wanted to find out what Li Qi was thinking by asking questions, and then understand the relationship between his expression and his inner world, so as to grasp the essence of the other person.

Li Qi glanced at Ling Xiao.

Then, without hiding anything, he said, "Ling Xiao, have you ever thought about why Xiantian is like this?"

"Why is it like this?" This question stumped Ling Xiao.

Why is the world the way it is?

Does this question even make sense? The world is just like this.

"No, you misunderstood. I'm not talking about the world, but the Celestial Realm, which is the one you're in right now. Have you ever wondered why these seventh-rank... Laborer Realm the Blessed Realm have to mine, while you people in the Immortal Blessing Realm don't?"

"Why do those at the Heaven-Piercing Realm ponder the Dao Integration Realm, and where have all the experts at the Dao Integration Realm gone?"

"Why Immortal Stone used as raw materials for production, and why is the control of cultivation resources so precise? Where do the relationships between people, the connections between cultivators, and the current competition come from?" Li Qi asked.

This set of questions caught Ling Xiao off guard.

Yes, why?

No, is this what the Heaven-Piercing Realm is thinking about all the time?