Yi Shuyuan watched Yuan Jingsi's departing streak of light. Through his Spirit Sense, he could tell that the man was not putting on an act; he truly came and went with an open heart.
"So this is what sincerity in the Immortal Dao looks like!"
Hearing his master's words, Qi Zhongbin stroked his beard and gazed at the almost invisible streak of light, then looked back at the Sword Rainbow Splitting Rain Painting in his master's hands.
"The artistic vision of this man's painting is extraordinary. Though he drew upon Master's Sword Intent, it is enough to show that his own attainment is far from ordinary. To think he is a sword cultivator! Yet when he arrived, I sensed none of it. It was as though a refined scholar had come to visit."
Qi Zhongbin's meaning was clear enough: the more a person concealed their mountains and waters, the more astonishing they often proved when they revealed their true abilities.
Standing on Yi Shuyuan's shoulder, Hui Mian saw him withdraw his gaze and admire the painting with delight on his face, and could not help speaking.
"Sir, aren't you going to ask him to stay a while? Someone like him is worth befriending!"
Yi Shuyuan looked at Hui Mian and nodded.
"Fellow Daoist Yuan is indeed worth befriending. A gentleman works with ink, yet friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. With him, there is really no need to make a point of keeping him here. Let's go."
Since his master had said so, Stoneborn said no more. He exchanged a smile with his junior brother and steered their Dharma Cloud eastward.
Although Yuan Jingsi had not seemed particularly eager to converse with Yi Shuyuan's party and had merely presented the painting, Yi Shuyuan and his disciples all remembered