Chapter 547: Chapter 548: You Don’t Understand Art
Situ Guixiong’s face was extremely gloomy as he coldly said to the man in white, “The painting you’ve drawn is unrecognizable; it doesn’t resemble an Immortal in the slightest. Quickly put it away, lest you further embarrass yourself!”

In his heart, this corpulent man was already on his hit list. Aolai Country had laws strictly forbidding cultivators from fighting privately.

But what of it?

Being a local of Aolai Country, he had a hundred ways to kill an outsider, and there was nothing they could do about it!

“You lack appreciation, the world is never short of beauty, it’s just missing a pair of eyes that can discover it,” the man in white sighed, flipping his wrist and stowing the scroll away in his bag, no longer paying attention to the crowd.

Feeling rather helpless, he had originally purchased one of Long Xue’s works in advance to peacefully get through the tea party, planning to bluff his way through with some florid language. He never expected that the cultivator would turn out to be a scoundrel, selling him such an artwork.

Fortunately, no one was keen on discussing his painting, thereby sparing him from immediate disaster.

Otherwise, being ridiculed to his face, even with his thick skin, would be unbearable.

“Ahem, I wonder what the rest of you have painted?”

Long Xue herself looked somewhat embarrassed and quickly turned her gaze to the several cultivators beside the man in white. In her memory, these people kept a low profile and hadn’t caused any fuss. Their works should be normal.

However, the leading female cultivator’s words instantly chilled her heart.

“We’ve painted a series of connected drawings, the Beauty Bathing Painting. Would the Immortal like to see them?”

The leading cultivator raised the scroll in her hands, speaking indifferently.

Hearing this familiar voice, Li Xiaobai immediately realized that it was Senior Sister Su Yunbing speaking. She had not disguised her voice.

Quickly scanning the scroll in her hands, he saw that it was blank, and so were the scrolls of the others; they had not painted anything at all.

“No need, no need, please hold on to them,” Long Xue said, waving her hands, signaling for them to put the scrolls away.

Joking aside, just the work of the man in white was enough to nearly upset her composure, and facing a series of such paintings could well cause her to collapse with a mental breakdown.

“Ah, what a pity,” the female cultivator sighed, casually putting the scroll into her bag without another word.

“Young Master Li, is your painting also a series?”

Long Xue forced a smile, looking at Li Xiaobai, feeling that today’s events were indeed too overwhelming.

“Certainly not, we cultivators have proud bones and clear sleeves, how would we stoop to such vulgar artwork? Forgive my frankness, but even if it’s just to catch the eye, this kind of method is somewhat crude!”

“Brother, I was wrong about you, we can’t be friends!” Li Xiaobai exclaimed with a wave of his hand, his face full of righteousness, clearly disdainful of the fat man’s conduct.

The fat man’s eyes narrowed slightly, he watched Li Xiaobai with a grin, staying silent, his eyes brimming with profound meaning.

“I see, may I be so fortunate as to admire Young Master Li’s work?”

Long Xue let out a breath of relief and chuckled.

“Of course, this piece is my astonishing masterpiece. Please, everyone, appreciate it together!”

Li Xiaobai stood up with a carefree smile, unfolding the scroll in the wind before everyone’s eyes. In an instant, there was silence, each person’s face filled with shock, staring blankly at the bizarre scroll before them.

The corpulent man in white, who was closest, showed a particularly wonderful expression. At this moment, he was beginning to understand why Li Xiaobai said that painting was a matter of psychology.

The scroll had no images on it, only darkness; the entire scroll was covered with ink, save for a small dot at the center.

This is seriously sincere!

What the hell is this mess of a painting supposed to be?

Can you even call this a painting?

Even a dog’s painting would look better, wouldn’t it?

“Young Master Li, what is the meaning of this painting? Are you mocking us?”

Situ Guixiong’s face was dark and sinister as he spoke in a chilling tone.

“Ladies and gentlemen, can anyone understand this painting?”

Li Xiaobai looked around with a faint smile and asked.

“This painting doesn’t depict the Eastern Sea, but rather the Aolai Country above it. All of you are masters deeply versed in this field, can you perceive the artistic conception within this painting?”

The cultivators of Situ Guixiong’s faction smirked coldly, clearly not buying it.

This is just random scribbling—anyone who responds is an idiot.

However, Beichen Shixi and others wore contemplative looks on their faces, which wasn’t due to any genuine appreciation for the painting but rather a desire to curry favor with Li Xiaobai and gain his good opinion. Now seemed like an excellent opportunity!

After all, the lady Long Xue hardly ever paid them any attention; rather than groveling at the feet of an Immortal, it was more beneficial to suck up to Li Xiaobai.

It was a perfect chance to enhance the profound relationship between them!

The few exchanged glances, each discerning the resoluteness in the others’ eyes.

Dongfang Mingyue took the lead, shooting to his feet with a face full of excitement as though he had discovered an extraordinary treasure. He raised his voice and exclaimed, “A wonderful piece!”

“It’s minimalist in style but complex in content, the single point within the darkness symbolizes the brightest star in the night sky, and it also resembles a glimmer of inspiration emerging from chaos. It perfectly fits the position of Aolai Country in the Eastern Sea, a lone, shining star in these turbulent times!”

“Yes, quite impressive. The Eastern Sea is like a singularity in darkness, a place where inspiration and creativity burst forth, it struck a chord in me from the first glance!”

Beichen Shixi nodded frequently, his eyes filled with appreciation and admiration, as if he truly had fallen for the painting.

“Indeed, art is born from suffering. This painting has moved me greatly, any comment seems pale in comparison. I just wish to admire it for a while.”

Nangong Wan pretended to be deeply moved by Li Xiaobai’s painting, acting as if she was overwhelmed with compassion for humanity.

After their performances, everyone was stunned, gaping in disbelief. What insightful corporate-level understanding!

Even the people of Beichen Shixi’s own faction felt a bit doubtful about life at that moment. Was this really the path that the geniuses of the three great families were taking?

Why were they suddenly fawning over him?

Just moments ago, in whispered discussions, they had said that this thing looked like a blackboard, and yet their faces had changed all too quickly.

Li Xiaobai was also somewhat taken aback; he hadn’t expected these three people to be so supportive. Not bad, they were quite on the mark, it seemed he wouldn’t need to trouble his seniors after all.

“Several people, Young Master Li enjoys joking around, do you all like to join in the fun so much?”

“This painting is clearly a random doodle, truly unfit for refined company!”

“Your ability to speak nonsense with eyes wide open is truly peerless. As descendants of the direct lineage from ancient families, is this what you’ve learned all these years—a bunch of trickery and deceit?”

Situ Guixiong’s face turned somber as he stared at Beichen Shixi and coldly spoke.

But what Beichen Shixi said next left him speechless.

“Brother Situ, you… you don’t understand art!”