Dao Cheng Gui Xian

Chapter 248 The Mysterious Painter, Competition Method

The founder of the Floating Character lineage saw the two people who suddenly appeared.
His expression was unusually serious, as he had arranged all the tables and chairs in the room.

However, he didn't notice when the two people appeared there and drew a watercolor painting in the void, directly obscuring the void.

This method of directly depicting the unreal as real caught his eye at first glance.

Is this the candidate for the Kong Zi Mai this time?
Illustrator: Yan Qiubai!
He claims to borrow ink from the human world to paint the sky, the earth, and all living beings.

The Dragon King narrowed his golden eyes; he recognized the painter.

If High Priest Li Wushou is the most talked-about person in Wangxian City these days, then before Li Wushou, the other party's popularity was in no way inferior to Li Wushou's.

The other party entered Wangxian City a little over a month ago, and within just a few days, they became extremely popular within the city.

A paintbrush, it is said, can paint the person you care about most in your heart.

His painting skills were so superb that it was difficult to distinguish the real from the fake, and those who had their favorite people painted by him regarded him as a saint.

However, the other party paints as he pleases; he paints what he finds pleasing to the eye, and if he doesn't like it, even if it's someone from his clan, he won't touch the brush.

The Dragon King originally wanted to meet the other party, but he was preoccupied with the matter of raising the gods during those days. By the time the Dragon King wanted to find the other party, the other party had already left Wangxian City after painting portraits for many people, saying that he had gone to collect inspiration!
Who would have thought that the person competing with me for the position of a god would be this painter?
Li Wushou's expression also turned solemn when he saw the painter appear.

Although he hadn't focused his gaze on that void, his eyes and soul had actually swept across it.

He also failed to notice anything unusual.

Of course, this was not what shocked him the most. Unlike the Dragon King and the founder of the Floating Character Clan, in addition to observing the painter Yan Qiubai, he was also observing the girl next to him.

It wasn't that Li Wushou coveted the other woman's beauty, but rather that he had seen both of them before.

The man was dressed in black, had a goatee, and carried a book basket on his back, looking like a schoolteacher.

The woman wore a long lotus leaf dress, was about sixteen years old, had skin as smooth as cream, and delicate willow-leaf eyebrows.

Although the woman was standing behind the painter, like a maid, she maintained a composed demeanor throughout.

In the Land of Misfortune, just before he entered the Valley of Ehuang, these two people flew right over his head.

Although the two were standing side by side at that time, the girl's brows exuded a sense of authority, and Li Wushou always felt that she was not just a maid.

At the time, Li Wushou was curious about the two people who entered the Misty Land with such ease, but he was focused on forming his core at the time and didn't investigate the matter further.

Did I not expect these two to be artists?

Surely they didn't go to the Land of Misfortune just to collect folk songs?
Moreover, judging from the timeline, it seems that the other party went to the Land of Misfortune and then returned to Wangxian City.

However, all the news Li Wushou heard about the other party in Wangxian City was that the other party came from the north bank.

Li Wushou's heart skipped a beat. Ever since he met the young master of the An family, he had been wary of this painter. Things he couldn't understand were usually quite troublesome and strange.

At this moment, with the artist's image superimposed on the figure in the Land of Misfortune, Li Wushou's vigilance intensified.

He had a sense of urgency, as if he had overlooked something important.

Just then, Li Wushou, sensing something, looked up again toward the painter's position, just moments before feeling a gaze fall upon him.

But looking at it now, there was nothing unusual.

Is it an illusion?

It seems like the other person is also sizing me up?

The crowd below was also quite taken aback by the sudden appearance of the two people.

Recalling the questioning from the patriarch of the Fu lineage, they realized that these two had not only deceived them, but also the patriarch of the Fu lineage!

The elders and protectors of Suspended Mountain, having lived there for a long time, had never heard of the painter before, except for a few who had heard of him.

Even the people on the north bank were the same.

However, the heads of each clan knew the painter very well.

Most of them had asked the artist for a painting, but unsurprisingly, they were all refused.

A month ago, the other party held a painters' conference in Wangxian City. On-site, they only selected a few people who caught their eye to paint. Their identities were not fixed. Some were from noble families, and some were commoners. It was all based on the other party's whim.

They had considered using other methods, but the other party had already left the city to gather material.

Seeing that the other party had actually appeared as a candidate for the Heavenly God, even the head of the family, who had harbored wicked intentions, felt a chill of fear.

Someone who could be pushed out by the Kongzi lineage to go toe-to-toe with the Dragon King, could he be a pushover?
The clan leaders were shocked and curious. They never expected that the painter was the recommender of the Kong clan, and even the clans on the north bank knew very little about him.

Many of the city gods on the north bank were relatively familiar with the painter, as he was extremely famous among the eighteen cities on the north bank.

His mere appearance instantly drew everyone's attention.

Unlike the Dragon King's imposing entrance, the opponent's mysterious and unpredictable nature is equally impressive.

After the painter bowed, the founder of the Fuzi lineage looked him up and down and praised him:

"What a fine painter you are, and what a magnificent painting of heaven and earth you have created. Now that you're here, please have a seat."

After the initial surprise, the patriarch of the Fuzi lineage calmed down again. The painter's skills were good, but it was indeed the divine path. No matter how mysterious the divine path was, it was nothing more than this.

Having composed himself, the patriarch of the Floating Lineage spoke:
"Seven days ago, the patriarch of the Kongzi lineage announced the decision of the Suspended Mountain regarding the raising of the Heavenly God. I believe everyone is already aware of this, so I will not go into details."

"Today's assembly to gather the Heavenly Gods serves two purposes: first, to celebrate the upcoming arrival of a Heavenly God in Huazhou; and second, to announce the competition rules for the Heavenly God's Decree." Upon hearing this, the astonishment surrounding the painter slowly dissipated, and everyone focused their attention.

The founder of the Fu lineage didn't mince words and went straight to the point:

"I believe that everyone here has some understanding of the Shinto way. In today's world, there are three necessary conditions for the Shinto way to exalt the gods."

First, the recognition of a local immortal sect.

Second, a sufficient number of worshippers.

Third, a destiny star hangs in the sky.

Today's competition is not only about deciding the final choice of the God of God, but also about ensuring the success of ultimately exalting the God of God.

Therefore, all competition will revolve around these three points.

However, regardless of who wins the Heavenly Decree, they will ultimately represent the Suspended Mountain reflecting the Transformation Continent, so the first condition is naturally met.

Therefore, seven days ago, I used the tokens of each family leader and the popularity of the incense offerings from the thirty-six cities to refine the Heavenly God Token. Whoever ultimately obtains the Heavenly God Token will have gained the recognition and support of the immortal sect.

In summary, this competition will be conducted in three parts.

The first one is the Destiny Star!
Two hundred miles northwest of the Suspended Mountain lies an island fallen from the sky.

This island was struck by a meteorite and contains a large number of star fragments.

However, due to the convergence of stellar magnetic fields, a large number of evil spirits continuously gathered from all directions, gradually forming an island of evil and calamity.

Because of the repulsive nature of the energy fields, cultivators above the Golden Core stage who forcibly descend upon the island will be repelled, which is why this island of evil has been difficult to eradicate.

The island of evil is one of the culprits that frequently ravages Huazhou with its sea calamities.

The first competition will take place on this island of evil.

The two floating factions each selected three people to enter the Island of Evil Calamity, where they would each collect enough star fragments to forge their destiny stars.

At the same time, the second competition began, called the "Incense Offering Competition".

Two candidates for the Heavenly Gods will each lead the City Gods of the eighteen cities to conquer the Land of Misfortune.

The location for the battle was chosen to be on the other side of Ehuang Valley outside Wangxian City, and the area was limited to the jurisdiction of Haiyuan City, starting from the exit of Ehuang Valley.

Each team will provide the same amount of incense as the annual tribute to both cities as strategic resources.

If the City God is injured or killed, the corresponding share of incense offerings will be deducted.

Therefore, while hunting is important for maintaining the incense offerings, reducing casualties is equally important.

The two assessments will both last for ten days!
Regardless of the outcome after ten days, stop immediately, return to the Suspended Mountain, and proceed to the third step.

Using the destiny stars created by each side and the power of incense offerings they ultimately obtain, they will simultaneously attract the Heavenly Decree. Whoever the Heavenly Decree chooses will become the first Heavenly God in the history of Huazhou!

As soon as the founder of the Fuzi lineage finished speaking, everyone's emotions were ignited.

This kind of competition has its advantages and disadvantages for both sides, but it is indeed relatively fair.

For example, the top combat power of the five clans on the North Shore is relatively stronger, so they have a relative advantage in selecting people to enter the Island of Evil Calamity to collect star fragments.

However, since it's limited to three people, this advantage isn't actually that significant.

Secondly, the Dragon King has been stationed in the Hengyang River for hundreds of years, giving him a natural advantage in terms of incense offerings. However, he ultimately used the incense offerings obtained from conquering the Land of Misfortune to attract the Heavenly Decree.

This also comes down to the methods employed by each of the two candidates!
For a time, everyone seemed to accept this approach, and soon they were all filled with fighting spirit, even the Dragon King seemed to be emotionally stirred.

Li Wushou glanced at the indifferent-looking painter and the mysterious girl standing beside him.

His brows furrowed inwardly. The fact that the other party had entered the Land of Misfortune earlier had already made him vaguely feel that something was amiss.

And the location just happened to be Haiyuan City. It would be strange if there wasn't something supernatural going on!

Just then, the voice of the Dragon King suddenly rang in Li Wushou's mind.

"Young Li, you are full of vitality and fearless against ordinary evil spirits. I would like to ask you to go to this Island of Evil Calamity and help me collect enough star fragments. What do you think?"

If it were the Dragon King's request from before, Li Wushou would naturally not have hesitated.

Now that he realized the other party was clearly up to no good in the Land of Misfortune, he hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should go to the Land of Misfortune or the Island of Evil Calamity, since he could do both at the same time.

But then he thought about it again. The competition in the Land of Misfortune has always been dominated by the gods and spirits, and they are the ones being tested. There is no way he can openly follow them in.

However, sneaking in is also unrealistic. Given Li Wushou's current conspicuous state, if he disappears, everyone will definitely know something is wrong.

So Li Wushou nodded and agreed.

But I still couldn't help but remind you:
"Your Majesty, I've heard that this painter has been staying in Weixian Town recently. It's possible that he might be involved."

The Dragon King initially thought Li Wushou didn't want to take any risks, but he didn't realize that Li Wushou was worried about the painter's ulterior motives.

Moved, he replied confidently:
"Don't worry, even if he lives in the Land of Calamity, he can't surpass my lineage! As long as you help me collect enough star fragments, this position of god will surely belong to me!"

Seeing the Dragon King's confidence, Li Wushou relaxed a little.

But despite his belief, Li Wushou still needed to make some preparations.

(End of this chapter)