Simulation becomes reality, have I ever looked down upon the eternity?

Chapter 571 The Finishing Touch: A Woman Ascends to Heaven

[The Eternal Emperor manifested as the Azure Feather Daoist; though his face was unseen, his aura, high above the heavens, was unforgettable.]

This legendary ruler of the Nine Netherworlds is ranked alongside the Jade Emperor and the Human Emperor, or perhaps the three were originally one; his very existence is akin to a myth.

The latter is the white-clad woman you encountered during the trial of "The White Snake Lady's Pregnancy," who was also exceptionally beautiful.

Her origins are shrouded in mystery, traceable back to the distant past, making her arguably the most terrifying person you've ever encountered in reality.

While you are pondering...

1. Draw a portrait of the "Emperor of Immortality". (Hint: This may have implications for the future, or indicate potential danger.)
2. Draw a portrait of the "woman in white." (Hint: This may have implications for the future, or indicate potential danger.)
3. Draw other portraits. (Hint: These may have an impact on the future.)
4. Draw a picture of a woman ascending to the heavenly palace. (Hint: This is auspicious for the future.)
5. Participate personally. (0/3)

6. Predict the next possible scenario. (0/2)

when--

The great cauldron resounded, releasing rays of light, and the inscription on it slowly froze.

Yu Ke looked at the six options above.

It's been a long time since any options have been triggered in this life of "Zhou Jing," so it's quite unexpected that he would appear in this "calligraphy and painting competition."

Yu Ke glanced at the prompts above and made his selection without hesitation.

4. Draw a picture of a woman's back as she ascends to heaven. (Hint: This is auspicious for the future.)
You had already made up your mind, so you focused your breath and slowly began to write.

You are born with a talent for calligraphy and painting, possessing a natural gift for capturing the spirit in your brushstrokes. Although you only learned calligraphy and painting at home in your childhood and later occasionally sketched a few strokes while drawing talismans in the mountains, once the ink touches the paper, it possesses a unique charm.

With a light touch of the brush and a few sweeping strokes, the outline of a palace gradually emerges.

What you recall is the Heavenly Court that the Emperor of Immortality showed you that day.

It was a magnificent celestial palace, with jade pillars coiled with dragons, golden steps perched with phoenixes, and a star map flowing across the dome, reflecting the brilliance of the sea of ​​clouds below.

[You sweep your brush across the paper again, the ink seemingly coming alive, surging like clouds and waves, lifting up a jade staircase to the heavens. The staircase, like layers of frost and snow, rises layer upon layer, reaching straight into the ninth heaven.]

Finally, atop the sea of ​​clouds, hangs a solitary imperial throne, indescribable and beyond description.

When you finally started writing, you were already more than half an hour later than everyone else.

[Just after the first hour, many people in the hall had already completed their paintings.]

One of them stepped off the ring, dried the ink, and walked straight towards the central platform.

As the first to finish, he naturally attracted the attention of many disciples, who all looked at him with anticipation.

He was a disciple of Feilai Peak. He placed the painting on a high platform above a water mirror, and the vast expanse of water projected the painting into the air for everyone present to see.

The painting depicts the landscape of Feilai Peak; although the brushwork is ordinary, it possesses a certain charm.

The presiding elder, Duanmu Xiwei, glanced up slightly, gently shook the bell in his hand, and thousands of fish swam over, gathering before the painting to appreciate it.

The disciple couldn't help but feel nervous—it would be too embarrassing if not a single salmon stopped to linger.

The crowd, both on and off the viewing platform, held their breath in curiosity.

Fortunately, three ink-wash fish eventually swam close to the painting, gently alighting on it, as if sniffing out "food," their tails swaying slowly.

Strangely, this fish could swim into the painting, appearing within the artwork, and then swim out again, returning to its companions.

[Duanmu Xiwei jotted down the character "叁".]

The disciple finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was not good at painting, felt his brushwork was mediocre, and only hoped to finish the competition as soon as possible; if he waited until there were more and more judges, he feared he would embarrass himself even more.

He respectfully bowed to Duanmu Xiwei and then withdrew.

Following this disciple's lead, the second disciple also stepped down from the arena and came to the high platform.

The second disciple was from Fire Cloud Peak. His painting, projected onto the water mirror, depicted a lotus flower. Clearly, his painting skills were far inferior to the previous disciple's; it was barely legible. Laughter erupted from the audience below.

He couldn't help but feel embarrassed, but fortunately, a salmon swam close to the painting and paused briefly.

[Duanmu Xiwei took up his pen and wrote down "One".]

[Subsequently, other students completed their paintings and came forward one after another.]

The onlookers gradually realized that most of the disciples who finished early had mediocre painting skills, and had received very little favor from the Wenyu fish, at most four.

[Lu Qingyu's gaze swept across the ninety arenas, still searching for that familiar figure; Junior Brother Zhou seemed to have just begun writing.]

[Junior Brother Zhou, what can you draw now?]

She suddenly wondered: Could it be... that he painted a portrait of himself?

Thinking about this made my cheeks flush slightly.

With so many people in the audience, what should we do if that's really the case?

Shen Qingxue, who was beside her, noticed her unusual expression and asked with concern, "Senior Sister Lü, why is your face so red? Are you alright?"

"It's nothing, it's nothing!" she quickly shook her head.

Nie Qingzhu's gaze never left the arena where Zhou Jing was, and she wondered to herself: What will Zhou Jing draw?

[Could it be... that she painted that vibrant red plum blossom? After all, the pattern embroidered on her lost garment is exactly like that.]

The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and a surge of heat rose within her.

After another Tokiomi, finally one person descended, having obtained more than thirty salmon.

[This is the best piece so far. Although the disciple received this many, he couldn't hide his disappointment—he felt his brushwork was already quite remarkable, yet only thirty tails were favored.]

[Following the three Tokiomi, thirty disciples have now completed their paintings and received evaluations from Wenyu.]

The disciples on the viewing platform began to discuss, "There are a full thousand tails, and the highest number hasn't even exceeded one hundred."

Someone nearby sighed softly, "Yes, Wen Yu's standards for appraising paintings are indeed this rigorous."

"I wonder, what could the highest it could be?"

Just then, a low gasp suddenly arose from among the spectators.

Someone pointed and exclaimed, "Look! It's Fairy Zixiao from Tianyin Pavilion!"

"Tianyin Pavilion is renowned for its music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and Fairy Zixiao is the most outstanding among them. I wonder what kind of masterpiece she will present?"

The female disciples, however, showed few pleasant expressions. After all, Tianyin Pavilion was unique among the eighteen peaks, unlike Huoyun Peak and Danhe Peak, which primarily engaged in the business of welcoming and seeing off guests.

[The Fairy Zixiao bowed gracefully to the presiding elder, Duanmu Xiwei, and then placed the painting on the water mirror.]

The scene unfolded in the air, and even Duanmu Xiwei's eyes flashed with surprise.

The painting depicts a woman with her head bowed, playing the zither. The brushstrokes are exquisite, and her voice, appearance, and smile are all vividly portrayed, as if she might step out of the paper at any moment.

After Zi Xiao channeled a wisp of her magic into the painting, a soft pipa melody began to play within it.

"Excellent," the elder nodded in praise, "It captures both form and spirit, perfectly conveying the essence of the painting." She gently shook the bell in her hand, and as if summoned, the fish rose gracefully from the water, swimming in groups towards the painting, instantly reflecting a shimmering light across the entire platform.

Exclamations erupted from the viewing platform; in the end, there were 343 salmon.

[The number far exceeds previous figures, standing out from the crowd.]

[Zi Xiao, however, showed a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She had excelled in calligraphy and painting since childhood, through diligent practice, and her painting skills were second to none in Tianyin Pavilion.]

[Three hundred or so fish were still a bit too few in her eyes, after all, there were a thousand salmon. She had been preparing for this painting for many days, and was even copying it yesterday.]

The disciples of Tianyin Pavilion are highly sought after in the mountains, but they also face a lot of cold shoulders. This is unavoidable; they are unlikely to defeat other sects in duels, and in the cultivation world, strength ultimately reigns supreme.

Having finally gotten a chance for an unconventional competition, they naturally wanted to prove themselves.

[Duanmu Xiwei saw through her worries and said gently, "Zixiao, you don't need to be sad. Three hundred is already a rare number. These scholar fish have been immersed in poetry and calligraphy since childhood, and have appreciated countless paintings. Naturally, they have also developed a bit of the aloof temperament of scholars."]

After a brief pause, he added, "Today, I fear there are very few who can defeat you."

Zi Xiao bowed again, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Hall Master Duanmu."

She slowly descended the platform, her gaze subtly sweeping across the crowd below—Fu Dongcheng, who had won the debate yesterday, was still intently writing, while Zhou Jing of Xiaoqing Peak also seemed to be writing.

As Duanmu Xiwei had predicted, none of the thirty-odd disciples who subsequently appeared could surpass Zi Xiao's achievements.

[Until Yang Chen stepped down from the arena and displayed a painting titled "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate." The scroll was about ten feet long, depicting the surging power of a mighty river, with dozens of carp struggling against the current, trying to leap over a waterfall—the painting was full of spiritual energy, and even though they were just carp in the water, one could feel their indomitable will.]

The painting possesses both beauty of form and spirit, as well as a flowing rhythm; the viewer can almost hear the rushing water and see the splashing waves.

Duanmu Xiwei couldn't help but glance at it a few more times, her eyes revealing approval.

Sure enough, three hundred and ten silver carp swam gracefully closer, and several even leaped into the painting, frolicking with the carp in the scroll—this number was second only to Zi Xiao.

Yang Chen was quite satisfied with his results. Although he was skilled in calligraphy and painting, he was not an expert in these arts.

His gaze shifted to the arena, where Zhou Jing remained focused on his brushstrokes; the painting was not yet finished, but he seemed somewhat expectant.

[Several disciples then presented their paintings, all of them exceptional works, which attracted over a hundred salmon to linger.]

At this moment, only a dozen or so people remain engrossed in their paintings on the stage.

[Another person put down their pen and stood up, immediately drawing everyone's attention.]

This person is none other than Kongming, the disciple of Five-Colored Peak who ranked third in yesterday's contest. His drawing depicts a Buddha seated on a lotus throne, dignified and solemn, exuding a serene aura that brings peace to those who behold him.

Duanmu Xi gazed intently at Kongming, his expression slightly complex. If it weren't for the sudden emergence of the Heavenly Star "Sun Miao," this disciple before him would have been the senior disciple of Fangcun Mountain in this generation.

[The swimming fish in the air seemed to be summoned, and they flocked to the painting, numbering as many as four hundred, surpassing Zi Xiao's number.]

Seeing this, a hint of sadness flashed across Zi Xiao's eyes, realizing that it was unlikely that a thousand Wenyu would gather around to admire the painting today.

This ethereal painting is a pinnacle in both technique and artistic conception.

At this moment, Kongming is temporarily in first place.

Not long after, Sima Wanli, the Dou Shu Peak disciple who ranked fourth in yesterday's array assessment, also stepped forward. He displayed a vast starry sky map; although the brushwork was not particularly exquisite, the artistic conception was extraordinary.

[Viewers will see a dazzling night sky, with countless stars slowly revolving along mysterious trajectories, as if the real starry sky has appeared before their eyes.]

There were also 390 salmon, ranking second.

On the stage, several more people finished their paintings and stepped down. The subsequent works attracted over two hundred salmon, their quality clearly superior to most of the previous paintings.

Looking around the viewing platform, the disciples saw only two people still intently practicing their calligraphy on the stage.

[One of them was Fu Dongcheng from Guangxuan Peak, who won the battle formation competition yesterday, and the other was Zhou Jing.]

Lin Shuang and the others tensed up, their eyes glued to Zhou Jing's pen strokes.

[Nie Qingzhu frequently glanced at the sundial; only half an hour remained.]

[Duanmu Xiwei, who was hosting the debate, also looked on expectantly at the two people on the stage—these were the winners of yesterday's debate.]

[Zi Xiao, Kong Ming, Yang Chen, and the others stood silently, all eyes fixed on the two figures.]

Kosen appeared unconcerned, but a subtle unease crept into his heart.

[You San's expression darkened slightly. He noticed that Lü Qingyu's gaze hadn't left Zhou Jing for a single moment.]

Time slipped away silently, until the very last moment.

On the stage, both men stopped writing almost simultaneously.

Fu Dongcheng slowly walked off the stage, his gaze falling on you still on it. A barely perceptible hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, as if he hadn't expected anyone to persevere to the very end like him.

He walked to the high platform and placed the painting on the water mirror; the image unfolded in the air.

Duanmu Xiwei's expression tightened, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

The disciples on the viewing platform craned their necks to look—

It was a vibrant, multicolored painting, breaking free from the limitations of traditional ink painting. With multiple colors interwoven and blended, it depicted a true dragon hidden among the clouds. The dragon's scales were clearly defined and undulating, and although its eyes were not painted, it already exuded a majestic and domineering aura.

[Duanmu Xi smiled slightly: "This painting is exquisite. I've long heard that people have already developed several kinds of colored ash, which can be used to color paintings, making them as vibrant as a rainbow. Seeing it today, I can confirm it's true."]

She paused slightly, then asked, "Is it possible to dot the eyes of this dragon?"

"Add the finishing touch, and the dragon will soar to the heavens." Fu Dongcheng stepped forward and, with a brush in hand, painted the dragon's eyes.

Everyone held their breath, watching intently, when suddenly a dragon's roar was heard.

A dragon's silhouette leaped from the painting and hovered above the cloud platform!

【"this……"】

The elders on the viewing platform all wore expressions of astonishment, never expecting that such a wondrous phenomenon could be created solely through brush and ink!

The dragon roams leisurely among the clouds, its eyes lowered, its dragon might subtly revealed.

Such wondrous skill astonished all the disciples watching, and cheers erupted like a tidal wave.

[Then, as if summoned, the salmon leaped into the painting, numbering as many as seven hundred.]

Zi Xiao sighed softly, completely convinced, thinking to herself that it seemed Fu Dongcheng was the undisputed winner this time.

Fu Dongcheng, however, showed a slight hint of regret—seven hundred was a large number, but still not a thousand.

You look up at the illusory dragon hovering above the arena, so lifelike it seems almost alive.

Duanmu Xi clapped his hands and praised, "Truly a masterpiece, unheard of before, it must be the best of today!"

As she said this, she noticed someone else present say, "It's your turn, Zhou Jing."

You slowly walked up to the platform and unfurled the scroll in your hands.

(End of this chapter)