I Observe Divine Charm Through Time

When the second wisp of Time Qi was drawn from Girl Zhuifeng, An Le's breath quickened.

Something was wrong.

Based on his experience, this Time Qi could only be taken from a single target once per day.

He had already tested this on Fairy Yun Rou earlier, so why could he draw a second wisp today?

Was it because of Girl Zhuifeng, or because of An Le himself?

Reflecting on himself, An Le suddenly realized the only difference between now and when he had freeloaded off Fairy Yun Rou was that he had now stepped onto the path of cultivation.

Perhaps... raising his cultivation level could increase the number of times he could extract Time Qi each day?!

The more Time Qi he had, the easier it was for An Le to grow stronger...

They complemented each other.

With a movement of his mind, a Light Screen popped up.

Name: An Le

Time Qi: 3 wisps

Time Dao Fruit: Cultivation Genius (0/10)

Mastered Technique: Qi Induction Breathing Technique (1 wisp)

Mastered Skill: Zhao Ancestor Long Fist (Incomplete) (1 wisp)

On the Light Screen, the Time Qi had increased to three wisps.

What disappointed An Le was that the second wisp drawn from Girl Zhuifeng was not Golden Time Qi either, and could not be condensed into a Time Dao Fruit.

"Just awakened? Then your start really is far too late." Girl Zhuifeng had no idea that An Le was drawing Time Qi from her.

"It's no trouble. Being able to step into cultivation is enough to satisfy this An." An Le replied with a smile.

"Young Master An has a good attitude." Girl Zhuifeng laughed brightly and candidly. "If all us cultivators could hold such a mindset, there wouldn't be so many people stuck at bottlenecks, unable to break through, taking crooked paths, going astray, falling into demonic ways, and burying their futures and lives."

"Cultivation isn't a risk-free endeavor."

Girl Zhuifeng found An Le more and more agreeable.

The two walked deeper into Lin Manor along the Bluestone Slab Road, passing one courtyard and building after another.

Many of the manor's servants, upon seeing Girl Zhuifeng, put down what they were holding and bowed respectfully. Though she was a maidservant, Girl Zhuifeng clearly held a high status in Lin Manor.

Girl Zhuifeng led An Le to the reception hall, where from a distance they could see many figures gathered inside.

"Young Master An, we've arrived."

"You're the last painter to come. Right now, there are thirty painters gathered in Lin Manor, all with some reputation in Lin'an Prefecture."

Girl Zhuifeng pointed at the main hall ahead and smiled at An Le.

"Inviting so many painters... I wonder what for?" An Le asked curiously.

Girl Zhuifeng glanced at An Le's handsome profile and didn't hide the truth. "You'll find out soon enough anyway, so there's no harm in telling you."

"This time, the painters are being invited mainly to paint portraits of the young masters of Lin Manor who are about to go to war. The order came from Old Madam herself. You know the Lin Manor's style—just like Old Duke Ling, loyal and brave. Once they step onto the battlefield, they gamble the Lin Manor's honor on the fight. Their eyes are only on killing the enemy, and only that can earn back this Eight-Treasure Double-Eave Dripping Tianbo Tower and the Stone Tablet Jade Workshop."

"Old Duke Ling died in battle before. Of the seven young masters of the Lin family, three have fallen. The eldest died beyond the pass, and the second and third left no remains. Old Madam Yu's time is drawing near, and she grows more nostalgic. She can't bear to forget the faces of her sons and grandsons who died in war, so she invited painters to make portraits, just to keep the memories."

As Girl Zhuifeng spoke, her voice turned low and deep, her mood sinking.

Hearing This, An Le fell silent as well.

Painting portraits for a farewell, just so an old woman in the manor could look at the paintings and remember her kin, so she wouldn't forget their faces as her memory blurred—this loyalty and righteousness was deeply moving.

"This An will do his utmost." An Le said earnestly.

Girl Zhuifeng pulled herself together and grinned at An Le. "First, you have to stand out among all these painters."

"Your painting style surprised Ninth Sister, which is why she had Captain Huang search for you. Don't let Ninth Sister down."

An Le cupped his hands and bowed, his expression solemn.

Then, led by Girl Zhuifeng, he stepped into the main hall.

As soon as he entered, countless eyes swept over him like needles. The hall was filled with figures, all dressed like scholars, their ages varying widely.

After all, they were all competitors. Everyone knew that if their painting pleased Old Madam Yu of Lin Manor, there would be no shortage of rewards.

So naturally, An Le, as the newcomer and rival, got no friendly looks.

Because he had arrived last, his spot was near the door.

After settling An Le in, Girl Zhuifeng went to the front of the hall and sat down beside a delicate young woman. An Le's gaze swept over and saw that the woman had willow-leaf brows, a gentle demeanor like water, and a lightly made-up face that was strikingly beautiful.

But An Le only glanced at her before turning his eyes away, scanning the entire hall. Waves surged within him, leaving only one thought...

Was this heaven?

There was so much Time Qi!

It dazzled his eyes like a riot of flowers.

Especially near the main hall, almost everyone had Time Qi interwoven on them, starting from at least ten strands...

For those with more, like the richly dressed noblewoman seated in the host's position, the Time Qi entwined around her numbered roughly a hundred strands.

Hearing This, An Le looked toward the noblewoman. With a movement of his mind, he struggled to draw a single strand of Time Qi from her. Yet, the moment he pulled it away...

The noblewoman turned her gaze toward him, her eyes deep as a vast ocean stirring Waves, instantly pressing Upon Him with immense pressure, like needles pricking his back.

The noblewoman seated in the host's position furrowed her delicate brows slightly, feeling a faint oddity. Meeting this young man's gaze, her usually calm Primordial Spirit couldn't help but twitch.

But the young man's spiritual energy was faint, his cultivation too low to detect. The noblewoman dismissed the urge to investigate and Said Softly: "All you painters must know the reason my Lin Manor has invited you here, yes?"

"The Young Masters of Lin Manor are about to set off for battle. I hope your paintings can capture their likenesses, so that we women may keep something to remember them by in the manor, and gaze upon their portraits to think of them in idle moments."

"Rest assured, Madam Hua. I will exhaust my lifelong painting skills. In truth, Madam Hua need only have summoned me. I have immersed myself in Gongbi painting for decades and have deep insights—no need for such a grand affair." An elderly painter stroked his beard and spoke.

Madam Hua smiled lightly: "Master Liu Qingyan is a renowned painter in Lin'an, but painting the Young Masters is a matter of great importance, so naturally, we must be thorough."

"If the paintings are good, Lin Manor will surely reward you handsomely."

Madam Hua sat upright in a sandalwood chair, her face exquisitely beautiful, her brows curved like distant hills, her bearing dignified yet tinged with an unfathomable depth.

She swept her gaze over the assembled painters and said with a gentle smile: "Then, everyone, please move to the Tianbo Water Pavilion. I have already arranged for tables and the Four Treasures of the Study to be set up there. Only one painter will remain in the end—I hope you all do your utmost."

With those words, Madam Hua rose gracefully and led the Lin Manor people toward the water pavilion.

The painters followed. An Le, seeing that the noblewoman hadn't pursued the matter, let out a small breath and blended in like a shadow, trailing behind the crowd.

The water pavilion stood behind Tianbo Tower, built beside the manor's large pond, facing water on three sides. Fish in the pond clustered like brocade flowers. Opposite the pavilion stood the Eight-Treasure Double-Eave Dripping Tianbo Tower, offering a full view of its grandeur—a fine scenic spot.

The open ground of the water pavilion was cleared and spacious, with thirty tables set up, each bearing the Four Treasures of the Study, clearly prepared in advance.

The painters each found a table and took their places, some grinding ink, some deep in thought, some smoothing paper.

Madam Hua sat in the main hall of the water pavilion, a position from which she could observe the painters at work on the open ground.

Suddenly, Madam Hua raised her eyes and noticed a young man at the farthest table lifting his hand.

It was the same young man who had stirred her Primordial Spirit earlier.

"What is it, Young Master? Please speak." Madam Hua Said Softly, her voice carrying clearly across the distance to An Le's ears.

Hearing This, An Le took a deep breath: "Madam, my painting tools are a bit different. I need a wooden frame board, several sheets of thick paper, some charcoal pieces, a small knife, and a plain steamed bun."

What kind of bizarre request was this?

Madam Hua was taken aback, and the painters present also wore strange expressions.

The master named Liu Qingyan stroked his beard and sneered: "Painting with charcoal? Utterly Ridiculous! A Young Man only knows how to play to the crowd—Utterly Ridiculous."

How could charcoal compare to a brush? How could such a painting be fit to look at?

Many painters also chuckled softly, shaking their heads in disdain.

An Le, however, remained expressionless.

In the main hall of the water pavilion, Ninth Sister Lin Qingyin slowly rose: "Sister-in-law, this Young Painter was invited by me. His paintings are indeed different from the norm, but their strength lies in realism—the figures leap off the paper as if alive."

"Since he was invited by Ninth Sister, his request is naturally no trouble." Madam Hua cast a fond glance at Ninth Sister, then sent someone to prepare the items.

Soon, everything An Le needed was ready.

After Madam Hua and the others had prepared the tools for An Le, she picked up the celadon teacup on her table, took a light sip of warm tea, and said calmly: "Since everything is ready, you may all begin painting."

"I will sit here. Paint me."

As Madam Hua's words fell.

The painters below all felt their hearts surge with Waves, their faces flushing, their hands trembling as they held their brushes.

What status did Madam Hua hold? She was the lawful wife of Lin Manor's eldest Young Master, who had long been enfeoffed as a marquis. Madam Hua herself had been personally granted the title of First-Rank Lady by the emperor—her status was supremely noble.

Painting Madam Hua was a great honor, yet it also pressed down on the painters like a mountain of pressure.

After pondering for a long while, the painters grabbed their brushes, soaked them in ink, and began to set brush to paper, sketching Lines on the sized Xuan paper.

When painting people, most painters used Gongbi outlines. Raw Xuan paper absorbs water easily, making it suitable for freehand; sized Xuan paper does not absorb water, fitting for line drawing.

The water pavilion was quiet and secluded, the sound of flowing water crisp and pleasant.

The painters' brushes touched the paper, the rustling of nibs against the surface like a gentle breeze through a bamboo grove.

An Le, however, remained standing still. When painting a person, form was important, but spirit was even more so—and capturing that spirit was the key to elevating the work.

He took a deep breath, slowly raised his head, and fixed his gaze on the noblewoman, elegant and stunningly beautiful.

Suddenly, he closed his eyes slightly.

He might have a better way than others to observe divine charm.

With a movement of his mind.

He brought forth the strand of Time Qi he had painstakingly drawn from Madam Hua earlier, now appearing before his eyes.

I Observe Divine Charm Through Time!

And behold, that Time Qi was not the ordinary grey Time Qi—it bloomed with gold, like a stick of incense burning, and the scene slowly unfolded like ripples on water.