Increasingly Harsh Transformation Conditions

Time flows, seasons change, Dao Fruits transform!

The Cultivation Genius Dao Fruit has transformed into a Talent of the Ages!

An Le opened his eyes, a surge of pleasant surprise welling up in his heart. The Cultivation Genius Dao Fruit had already provided him with considerable enhancements, allowing him to comprehend the Sword Waterfall Diagram with great speed, entering samadhi after observing it for three quarters of an hour.

It could be said that the Cultivation Genius Dao Fruit had elevated his talent. Now, its transformation must surely be for the better, enhancing him with ten strands of Time Qi and evolving into a [Talent of the Ages].

As the name suggests, a genius that only appears once in a millennium!

Such talent was by no means ordinary!

If the [Cultivation Genius] could allow him to reach the fifth realm on his cultivation path, then the [Talent of the Ages] might be enough to allow him to easily break through the barrier of the fifth realm.

Madam Hua had told him that while crossing each realm in cultivation was extremely difficult, the step from the fifth realm to the sixth was the most arduous.

Even geniuses like Luo Qingchen, who emerged from Qingzhou with soaring ambition and were rarely seen once in a hundred years, had been stuck in the fifth realm for over a decade. Although the factor of a clouded Dao heart was involved, it was enough to illustrate the difficulty.

Despite being in the Martial Arts Hall, An Le was overjoyed. With a thought, a light screen appeared.

[Name: An Le]

[Time Qi: 3 strands]

[Time Dao Fruit: Talent of the Ages (Flowing Gold Time Qi 0/2 strands, 0/100 strands), Sword Dancer (0/10 strands), Fearless Heart]

[Mastered Cultivation Techniques: Sword Waterfall Diagram (0 strands), Qi Induction Breathing Technique (1 strand)]

[Mastered Skills: Five禽 Body Tempering Technique (0 strands), Zhao Ancestor Long Fist (Incomplete) (1 strand)]

On the light screen, the Time Dao Fruit column had changed, with [Talent of the Ages] now listed.

However, what made An Le's eyes narrow slightly was that compared to the transformation conditions of the Cultivation Genius Dao Fruit, the conditions for the Talent of the Ages were even more stringent.

"Flowing Gold Time Qi can condense Time Dao Fruits. The transformation condition requires two strands of Flowing Gold Time Qi. Does this mean I need to provide two Time Dao Fruits?"

"In addition to that, I also need one hundred strands of gray Time Qi..."

An Le murmured, sensing the difficulty.

However, it was within reason. Becoming stronger was never easy. Having the light screen at his disposal, allowing him to become stronger in a visible manner, was already a form of good fortune.

The transformation conditions for the Talent of the Ages Dao Fruit were nothing more than asking him to spend more time collecting Time Qi, to observe the past glories of powerful individuals in the world. It wasn't that difficult.

Two strands of Flowing Gold Time Qi could be used to convert and enhance Dao Fruits that had small requirements or were of the same nature.

An Le had recently discovered some small tricks when extracting Time Qi.

Flowing Gold Time Qi was more likely to be found on powerful individuals.

For instance, he had only managed to extract Flowing Gold Time Qi after three attempts from Fairy Yun Rou, whereas he had obtained it in just one attempt from both Madam Hua and Luo Qingchen.

Of course, this deduction of small tricks wasn't entirely accurate. Just like this time, An Le had not managed to extract Flowing Gold Time Qi from Fourth Master Lin.

There was still a certain element of luck involved.

But the Dao Fruit transformation undoubtedly made An Le feel quite invigorated and happy.

He opened his eyes and looked at the young masters of the Lin Manor. All the young masters, who were stripped to the waist, appeared exceptionally handsome and refined to him.

"Young Master An, what's wrong?"

Lin Qingyin had been observing An Le and noticed that he had suddenly closed his eyes, thinking he might be feeling unwell.

"Thank you for your concern, Miss Qingyin. I am well. I shall begin painting for the young masters now. Which young master would like to go first?"

An Le asked with a smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, Lin Zhuifeng removed the fire poker from her waist and walked into the Martial Arts Hall.

"Everyone, Old Madam has invited a painter to paint for you all. This painter's skills are excellent. Who wants to go first?"

Lin Zhuifeng grinned.

Her voice echoed in the hall, quickly drowned out by the sounds of various young masters sparring with shouts of "Hmph, hmph, hah, hah!" No one paid her any mind.

However, Lin Zhuifeng was not annoyed at all. Instead, the fire poker in her hand began to spin like a pinwheel around her wrist.

"Since you won't answer, we'll settle this by strength. Whoever can win against this fire poker in my hand will get to go later!"

As she spoke, the fire poker in Lin Zhuifeng's hand suddenly elongated and strengthened, a surge of powerful Blood Essence erupting like a real flame, emitting a brilliant heatwave!

She swung it towards one of the young masters.

A moment later.

The young master, bruised and swollen, with tears welling up in his eyes, was dragged by Lin Zhuifeng to An Le.

"Young Master An, this is Eighth Young Master Lin Ye, the legitimate son of Seventh Master. He is very happy to be the first young master to be painted."

The fire poker was re-sheathed at Lin Zhuifeng's waist, and she grinned, revealing her pearly white teeth.

From which eye did you see that he was happy?

An Le's lips twitched as he looked at the eighth young master, who was filled with resentment, and he didn't know how to respond.

The Eighth Young Master looked at An Le, pleading with a wronged expression, "Sir, please draw me looking better. These bruises and swelling... they need to go."

"Eighth Young Master, rest assured, I am professionally seasoned in the field of image retouching," An Le said with a smile.

Afterward, the drawing tools prepared by Lin Qingyin were all presented.

As for the Eighth Young Master, he sat on a small stool prepared by Lin Zhuifeng, his face bruised and swollen. There was a Grand Tutor's chair, but Lin Zhuifeng had made it clear that only those who voluntarily came to be drawn could use it; those brought by her could only sit on the small stool.

An Le grabbed a charcoal stick, sharpened it with a dagger, spread thick paper on a wooden board, and began to draw with a faint rustling sound.

Inside the Martial Arts Hall, Blood Essence surged, and spirits were high.

Outside, spring rain fell on the tiles like crisp pearls.

The young man held his brush, accompanied by the subtle rustling, and began the first painting since joining the Lin Manor.

In the evening, the spring rain gradually stopped, the twilight clouds dispersed, and the crimson sunset glow poured over the land.

The air was cool, and the breeze carried a refreshing clarity.

An Le put away his oil-paper umbrella. Dressed in a simple green robe, he was happily sent off by Lin Zhuifeng, Lin Qingyin, and the bruised Eighth Young Master, Lin Ye, as he left the Lin Manor.

The Eighth Young Master, Lin Ye, was extremely pleased. He had thought that after being beaten by Lin Zhuifeng, the painter might not be able to capture his handsomeness and charm. But who would have thought that An Le would manage to capture Lin Ye's handsomeness, not only drawing him realistically but also making him look even more dashing!

Lin Ye's initial reluctance turned into genuine appreciation in a short time.

While An Le was painting, Lin Qingyin also studied by his side. An Le took the opportunity to teach her some sketching techniques, such as how to hold the brush, control light and shadow, and use lines.

He taught while meticulously painting, which was why he only drew the Eighth Young Master today.

However, there was still plenty of time. An Le had not been asked to finish drawing every young master in a single day; quality was the priority.

"Young Master An, this is your remuneration for today, ten Primordial Spirit Treasures."

A maid in brocade clothes scurried over, smiling as she handed An Le an embroidered money bag.

This was Xi Xiang, the personal maid of Madam Hua, a sister with a generous bosom.

"Thank you, Miss Xi Xiang. Please convey my thanks to Madam Hua on my behalf," An Le said, accepting the money bag and bowing with a smile.

Xi Xiang looked at An Le's handsome and courteous demeanor, couldn't help but cover her mouth and giggle. After taking a few more glances, she turned and returned to the Lin Manor.

Accompanied by the evening glow, An Le walked along the bluestone path of Quiet Street, holding his umbrella in one hand.

With the Dao Fruit transformation and earning another ten Primordial Spirit Treasures, coupled with the refreshing post-rain breeze, An Le was in an excellent mood.

Even the impact of the attack he encountered earlier at the entrance of Quiet Street had significantly faded.

An Le was even somewhat eager to return to the inn and cultivate properly, to experience the boost brought by the [Talent of the Ages] Dao Fruit.

However, just as he exited Quiet Street, An Le saw a familiar face. Huang Xian, a Black Yamen captain dressed in attire different from the usual yamen constables and clerks, was walking quickly towards him.

"Young Master An," Huang Xian said with a solemn expression.

The joy on An Le's face gradually subsided. He remembered that he had promised Captain Huang to sketch a criminal portrait.

"Huang Xian knows all about the attack you encountered at the entrance of Quiet Street... Mr. Luo has the Qin Manor behind him, and the Qin Manor has a blood feud with the Lin Manor. Mr. Luo originally intended to bribe Liu Qingyan to enter the Lin Manor to paint and employ some means to disgust Old Madam, but you intercepted him, which is why you were affected."

Huang Xian explained the entire sequence of events quite clearly.

An Le nodded. Without Madam Hua's promise, the Qin Manor would indeed have been like an overturned mountain, pressing down on him, leaving him breathless and unable to sleep or eat peacefully.

But with Madam Hua's promise, An Le could focus on improving himself with peace of mind.

"Madam Hua has told me all of this. Since I have taken up a position at the Lin Manor, there is no reason to retreat," An Le said with a gentle smile.

Looking at the free-spirited and calm An Le, Huang Xian couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

"By the way, please trouble Captain Huang to apprehend Liu Qingyan, or inform me of his whereabouts... Repay kindness with kindness, and resentment with straightforwardness. Liu Qingyan hired people to attack me, so I naturally need to seek him out for an explanation. After all, I hold the title of Juren scholar."

An Le clasped his hands in a salute and said earnestly.

However, as soon as he finished speaking.

Huang Xian's expression turned peculiar.

"Young Master An, Liu Qingyan... is already dead."