Chapter 546: Chapter 547: I Consider You as My Lover, but You Regard Me as Your Father
 

“Swoosh!”

The scroll unfolded before everyone’s eyes, and for a moment, exclamations of amazement were endless.

“Brother Situ, I had always thought that you must paint quite well, but I never imagined your artistic skill to be so strong!”

“Indeed, can this even be called a painting? This is simply a masterpiece!”

“Absolutely, had I not witnessed it with my own eyes, I would have found it hard to believe that someone could create such an epic work from mere imagination. Brother Situ, could there be an Immortal in the heavens?”

As they looked at this painting, the cultivators couldn’t stop their praise, and quite a few of them tightened their grip on their own scrolls, subtly hiding them behind their backs, fearing that someone would compare them to Situ Guixiong’s artwork.

This was a Sea God Painting where, above the vast ocean, a Sea God held a trident, surrounded by a halo of blue and golden light. Land crumbled, and tsunamis raged as he suppressed the entire sea area with myriad Demonic Beasts prostrate at his feet.

Gazing at this scene, one could almost hear the towering waves, the roaring of the sea, the neighing of the Sea Beasts, and the majestic aura enveloped the entire Linglong Pagoda, imposing a trace of pressure on everyone’s hearts.

Even Li Xiaobai, upon seeing it, couldn’t help but praise inwardly and reminisce about his own works, feeling indeed a bit embarrassed to present them.

“Giggle, Young Master Situ indeed has a refined taste. They say that one’s writing reflects one’s character, and I see that the same goes for painting. I never would have known that the normally unassuming Young Master Situ harbored such a grand vision. Your broad-mindedness and deep vision are far beyond my reach,” said Lady Long, her beautiful eyes sparkling with admiration. She hadn’t expected Situ Guixiong, who seemed so gloomy on ordinary days, to be able to produce such a magnificent painting.

It seemed that this man wasn’t as petty as he appeared, but instead, harbored ambitious desires and aspirations.

“I also have a painting here that happens to complement Young Master Situ’s, and I shall humbly present it before everyone today.”

Lady Long chuckled softly, gesturing with her hand to present her scroll to the crowd.

Rings of gentle blue light spread out, and a warm ocean breeze caressed them. The cultivators felt as if every breath they took was filled with the purest and richest spiritual power, refreshing their minds and souls. If they could cultivate under such conditions, their progress would surely be doubled.

This was a painting of the Sea God’s Daughter, situated in the void, her hands pressed together as if praying for something.

Blue light emanated from the area around her heart.

Legend had it that the Sea God’s Daughter was a deity who prayed for the people’s welfare, ensuring good weather for the crops and bountiful harvests every year.

“Lady Long’s painting also carries a profound meaning. Just one look has already benefited my cultivation greatly—truly magical!”

“Worthy of being painted by an Immortal, such a painting should only exist in the heavens! Indeed, it matches perfectly with Young Master Situ’s artwork!”

“One painting calms the seas, another prays for the well-being of all; if the two were united, why would Aolai Country of the Eastern Sea not prosper?”

“Yes, yes…”

The cultivators excitedly discussed the two remarkable paintings, compliments coming to them effortlessly.

They were heavily suggesting that Situ Guixiong and Lady Long were a match made by heaven, eagerly buttering up the pair.

Li Xiaobai’s expression became somewhat odd—hadn’t this group realized the awkwardness in this situation?

The connection between the two paintings was just like a classic dialogue between a man and a woman: I regard you as my lover, yet you regard me as your father?

“Hehehe, you all flatter me too much, it was just a casual creation, not worth showing off. I’m embarrassed to share it,” Situ Guixiong said with a light laugh, gesturing dismissively, though his eyes revealed an even greater sense of accomplishment.

These cultivators had some insight, knowing when to curry favor with him; their assist was very well-timed.

Li Xiaobai’s gaze involuntarily swept towards Long Xue, who, at that moment, appeared somewhat unnatural, her cheeks tinged with a faint red. The insinuations from the cultivators were a bit too explicit for someone like her who had always lived a sheltered life.

She wasn’t quite used to it.

“The painting was just something I did casually, nothing worth noting, I still need to exchange thoughts with the knowledgeable gentlemen here.”

Long Xue regained her composure and said with a light smile.

“Hehe, I wonder how the painting of that white-clad Ol’Fatty over there turned out. Could you reveal it so that we may also broaden our horizons?”

Ao Gou looked at the white-clad fat man with a smile, yet his gaze was ice-cold.

“Ol’Fatty’s painting is bound to be shocking to the heavens and earth, and move ghosts and deities to tears. Since you want to see it, Ol’Fatty shall let you broaden your horizons.”

The white-clad fat man spoke haughtily, his expression indifferent as he unfurled the scroll in his hand, revealing a Beauty Bathing Painting before everyone’s eyes.

Li Xiaobai’s face darkened, his guess had been correct; this guy had definitely come prepared, having found the painting beforehand and bringing it to the contest to make up the numbers.

However, the subject matter of the painting seemed somewhat inappropriate for the Eastern Sea, and it also appeared to have a hard-to-describe suggestiveness.

It made the cultivators’ faces flush and hearts beat faster.

“Pah, debauchee, a sleazy fatso to the extreme!”

Nangong Wan spat out in disdain, expressing her disgust with the white-clad fat man.

“How can there be such brazen and shameless people in this world?”

“It’s absolutely an eyesore. How can such things be painted?”

“It’s truly a violation of public decency. I had no idea that all men think about are such dirty and indecent things!”

“Men are really creatures that think with their lower bodies!”

A group of female cultivators, red-faced with embarrassment, cursed the white-clad fat man loudly.

Long Xue also felt her face and ears burning with shame; she had never experienced anything like this in her life. Usually, when bathing, she would cover herself tightly, afraid of being seen. But today, this fat man had the audacity to draw it out explicitly.

What’s more critical was that the female cultivator in the painting was none other than Long Xue herself; wasn’t this tarnishing her reputation?

How could she face anyone if she went out after this?

“You lot understand nothing. The moment I laid eyes on the Eastern Sea, I thought of Immortal Long. Although I considered many subjects, my hand moved on its own and completed this painting. It was an instinct of my body, an expression of my sincerity; it’s the most genuine of art!”

“In Ol’Fatty’s eyes, Immortal Long is the entirety of the Eastern Sea; the Eastern Sea shines bright because of Immortal Long!”

“A mere painting simply cannot convey the depths of Ol’Fatty’s feelings!”

The white-clad fat man laughed heartily, not at all ashamed of his painting. In fact, he appeared rather proud of himself.

The cultivators in attendance had their eyes redden with rage, harboring thoughts of murder. A painting of Immortal Long bathing was something they’d never dare to even dream of, but this fatso had brazenly painted it and now displayed it openly before their eyes.

This was a desecration of their goddess, nothing less than a hatred equivalent to killing one’s father or stealing one’s wife!

Li Xiaobai rolled his eyes, “You’ve already painted a naked portrait of the young dragon lady, and you still can’t express your feelings; what more do you want to paint?”

If this image were to be any more indescribable, without waiting for these cultivators to speak up, the young dragon lady herself would probably turn around and slaughter you.