Starry Jade Tower, Lü Liang Emerges from Seclusion

At the same time, on the second floor of the Literary Pavilion.

"You only brought this one painting?" Zhou Dongyi looked at An Jin, his face full of astonishment.

"That's right," An Jin explained, forcing a smile. "I've explained this to Qiu Yan several times, but he's unwilling to come, saying only that you all will understand once you see this painting."

After he finished speaking, Zhou Dongyi didn't say anything more. The room fell silent, the atmosphere heavy, making An Jin feel even more depressed, and sweat rolled down her cheeks.

He had been ordered to go there, and after traveling back and forth through forests and fields, he was already exhausted. Now, stimulated by Zhou Dongyi's words, he suddenly felt dizzy and lightheaded.

At this moment, Pang Chu spoke up, "Elder Zhou, since Qiu Yan sent someone to bring a painting, there must be a reason. Let's take a look."

His words broke the oppressive atmosphere, making An Jin secretly breathe a sigh of relief. She then handed over the painting and left the room.

A number of Confucian scholars had gathered outside, all curious about what kind of painting Qiu Yan had brought.

Downstairs, several tables were set up in the center of the hall, with a few articles on them. These were pioneering pieces that had been reviewed and commented on by various Grand Confucian and gentlemen, for visitors to savor.

These articles may be included in classics in the future, and are of great value. They are displayed in public, but there is no fear of them being stolen or taken. After all, not everyone is like Huang Yan, who can escape with the Sage Spirit. As long as others make the slightest move, they will be caught immediately by the life-cultivation masters hidden around and responsible for protecting the safety of the Grand Confucian Life Cultivation.

This literary gathering has been fraught with twists and turns, and by now, everyone's attention has long since shifted away from the essays. Their minds are preoccupied with other matters, and they haven't had much time to savor the experience. When they saw An Jin return with Qiu Yan's painting, the scholars immediately became interested and followed him.

"Everyone, my master is slightly displeased. Let's not gather here anymore and disperse," An Jin said, glancing Rogue Person.

Someone responded immediately--

"May I ask, Brother An, what exactly is the meaning of Qiu Sheng's painting?"

"Didn't you go to find Qiu Yan and come back? Why didn't he show up? Instead, he sent a painting?"

"Could it be that Qiu Yan is disrespectful to you gentlemen and unwilling to come?"

Voices drifted in, though each person spoke softly, knowing that several Grand Confucian were sitting in the room. They had deliberately lowered their voices, but the simultaneous chatter of a dozen or twenty people still made it exceptionally noisy.

An Jin sensed something was wrong, but before he could utter a sound, a dignified voice rang out from inside the room—

"Why are you making such a racket outside? Why don't you hurry over and read the article? Don't you know this is a rare opportunity?"

As soon as the voice came out, the noise stopped abruptly. All the scholars recognized that it was Zhou Dongyi speaking, and his words clearly carried impatience. They dared not say anything more and immediately complied, quickly retreating one by one.

Not long after, Prince Yan also came out of his room on the second floor. His face was gloomy and he was in a very bad mood. Behind him were Yang Ying, who had a big smile on her face, and Duolu looked regretful.

Amidst the whispers of onlookers, the three of them left Literary Pavilion.

"Young people these days are too impatient. A literary gathering like this only happens once every few years. It's already quite an achievement to be in Eastern Capital at this time, yet they don't know how to cherish it. Instead, they're focusing their attention on others. No matter how famous Qiu Yan is, or how much trouble he causes, what can they possibly gain?"

Inside the room, Zhou Dongyi spoke gruffly, still looking angry.

"Old Zhou, don't be angry," Pang Chu shook his head. "Great Rui has been at peace for a long time, and the atmosphere has naturally changed. Besides, people are divided into groups. Some are curious about other people's affairs, while others can calm down and stay focused. Aren't there a few young people studying diligently in the lobby on the first floor?"

As they talked, the two walked to the table.

Han Yi, Junior Chen, Xu Shi, Zheng Qiu, and others were gathered around the table, looking at the scrolls spread out on it.

Zhou Dongyi glanced at the scroll and frowned. "Is Qiu Yan trying to depict the scenes of High Antiquity times on paper through his brush?" As he spoke, he bent down slightly to examine the painting closely, his brows furrowing more and more.

Xu Shi frowned as he looked at the painting, then shook his head. "The painting does have some desolate and ancient atmosphere, which is similar to the Ancient Scene we have seen before, but due to the artist's skill, it was not truly expressed."

Pang Chu watched with great interest. "You can't say that. In terms of painting skills alone, it's actually quite good, just a little rusty. Look at the trees, you've captured their essence well, the density is just right, and the brushstrokes are executed in one go. And these figures are quite striking, you can vaguely feel their Qi and Blood and spirit, which is in line with Qiu Yan's calligraphy."

"We've gathered here not to see a painting that only has technical skill but lacks artistic spirit!" Zhou Dongyi shook his head. "Why is Qiu Yan unwilling to come? Even if he's constrained by ghosts and gods and can't say what's going on, he could at least contemplate the High Antiquity times again so we can all understand."

"Old Zhou, if you still can't comprehend it this time, does that mean Qiu Yan should stop doing anything from now on and instead blame us for contemplating the High Antiquity times day after day? Don't you think about how many people have tried to comprehend the High Antiquity throughout history, but how many have succeeded?" Han Yi's voice came from the side, his words carrying no politeness and implying accusation.

"I never said anything like that. However, if we're talking about success, it's not impossible. Don't forget that Lin..." Zhou Dongyi's eyelids twitched, and he was about to retort.

Junior Chen shook his head and interrupted, "The previous events were sudden, Ancient Scene descended, shocking our hearts and allowing us to gain something. Now, both of us have a lingering thought in our hearts and have some understanding of this Ancient Scene. Even if Qiu Yan were to contemplate it again, with his preconceived notions and his own doctrines, he might not be able to gain anything."

Zhou Dongyi lowered his voice, revealing his displeasure. "So, you're saying this rare opportunity is just going to be wasted like this?"

"It's not a matter of letting it go," Han Yi interjected, pointing to the Painting Dao on the table. "Didn't Qiu Yan say that everything he said was in the painting? Although the Ancient Scene were his own imagination, it's still just one person's opinion. I suppose there's more to this painting than meets the eye."

Xu Shi said, "This painting, inside and out, has its merits and can be inspiring. It is qualified to guide younger generations outside the sect to understand the High Antiquity, but it is not very useful to us."

It seemed that a dispute was about to break out between the group because of Qiu Yan's painting. Although they appeared to be on good terms, they actually had some conflicts and disagreements due to the academy and its doctrines. Once the argument started, it was bound to end badly.

"Ahem," two coughs came from Zheng Qiu. He raised his withered finger and tapped the table. "Calm down. Didn't that young man from the Nine Abyss Academy say that Qiu Yan wants to go to his place every day for the next few days to pick up a painting?"

"Yes, that's true," Zhou Dongyi said, his brows still furrowed. "But isn't that a bit too presumptuous? Are we supposed to wait here for the next few days, going to look at his paintings every day?"

"This is nothing," Pang Chu smiled. "I have gained some insights into the Learning of the Second Sage over the past few years, so I might as well ask you for your guidance in the next few days."

Xu Shi shook his head, about to speak, but Han Yi interrupted him, "We haven't discussed the Dao for a long time, so why not take this opportunity to verify it properly?"

"This matter..." Zhou Dongyi was about to speak when footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a knock. "Master, it's me."

"Oh? Come in, is everything done?" Zhou Dongyi recognized the person's identity and gave the order. The door was pushed open, and a man of about forty years old walked in.

This person, at first glance, seemed like an ordinary person, but his movements were fluid and graceful. As soon as the door opened, he appeared behind Zhou Dongyi and respectfully replied, "When I arrived at the location, Huang Yan and his accomplices were no longer there."

"We came up empty-handed? This traitor got off easy." Zhou Dongyi was increasingly displeased. Huang Yan had invoked the Sage Spirit, causing everyone's comprehension of the Ancient Scene to be ruined. How could such a thing be easily let go? Therefore, he volunteered to take on the task.

The middle-aged man who came into the house was one of the guards responsible for protecting Zhou Dongyi's safety, and he had sent him to punish Huang Yan.

Hearing Zhou Dongyi's words, the middle-aged man shook his head and said, "It wasn't that I came up empty-handed, but that someone beat me to it. When I arrived, the place was already a mess, with large patches of blood on the ground, and even severed limbs, as if it had been run over by a giant beast. There was also a person left there who claimed to be Qiu Yan's servant and asked me to bring him a message."

"Qiu Yan's servant?" Zhou Dongyi was taken aback. "What did he say?"

The middle-aged man replied, "That person said that Qiu Yan told him to tell you gentlemen, ' Huang Yan has been punished and there is no need to worry about him. It's not that I, a junior, want to overstep my bounds, but Huang Yan is a cunning person and we must strike first.'"

"Are these his exact words?" After receiving an affirmative answer, Zhou Dongyi dismissed the middle-aged man, turned around and said, "In that case, I'll come back tomorrow to see what Qiu Yan's purpose is." With that, he left Literary Pavilion.

When Zhou Dongyi arrived this week, the other gentlemen looked at the painting but didn't find anything particularly special about it. They didn't say much and left one after another.

When Han Yi left, he summoned a servant in the building and instructed him to keep a close watch on these words.

With everyone gone, the literary gathering came to an end. In the evening, representatives from several academies came to collect their submissions. Even Qiu Yan sent Hu Qi to take his own article back with him.

On this day, Literary Pavilion was appreciating literature, and the atmosphere was quite lively. After the scholars who participated in the literary gathering dispersed, the events in the building quickly spread throughout the city, and Qiu Yan's name became even more renowned.

Beyond Heaven, amidst the stars, there are magnificent palaces and towers, breathtakingly beautiful.

Beside the palace complex, a pavilion suddenly trembled, and the light and shadow on the upper floor shifted, with silver light pouring out.

The anomaly lasted for three days before it subsided.

Then, the Tower Gate opened, and Lü Liang, dressed in court attire, stepped out. He was completely untouched by worldly affairs, with a ruddy complexion and fair, jade-like skin.

Swish!

Ahead, a white shadow flashed, and an Immortal Crane landed, turning in one swift motion to transform into a chubby, fair-skinned boy. The boy bowed to Lü Liang and said, "Congratulations on your Circuit City God! My Star Lord awaits you at the Ganming Hall..." (To be continued...)