Goddess Painting

The mountain wind howled, like knives and swords, sweeping across the weathered rock walls of Tian Shu Peak, emitting a mournful wail.

Qin Feng led four sect leaders—Zhou Tong, Gu Changfeng, Su Qinghan, and Hua Muyao—along the long-abandoned, moss-covered ancient path, step by step, towards the summit.

At the foot of the mountain, thousands of disciples and elders craned their necks, gazing longingly at the figure disappearing into the clouds, exchanging bewildered glances, their voices rising like a tidal wave.

"This...you're just leaving like that?"

"What's really going on here? Is there some reclusive master hiding on the mountaintop?"

"Who knows? But judging from the way they're doing it, it doesn't seem fake! Qin Feng is a very strange person; maybe he really did dig up the coffin lid of some ancient ancestor?"

"Just wait! This is huge news, we have to see it all! Even if our legs give out from standing, we have to see the results!"

……

The summit of Tian Shu Peak

At the summit, the cold wind intensified, and the biting chill seemed to penetrate right into one's bones.

Several broken stone tablets stand forlornly in the wind, the ancient characters carved on them long since blurred, telling of the former glory and present desolation of Tian Shu Peak.

Apart from the sound of the wind, there was no one here.

There wasn't even a single bird.

Elder Gu Changfeng's brows furrowed more and more, and anger was slowly building in his sharp eagle eyes. His face was so gloomy that it could drip water.

Clearly, his patience had run out!

"Qin Feng!!"

He abruptly stopped, turned around, and shouted sharply:

"Did you bring us here just to get some fresh air?!"

Where are they?!

"Where is that so-called guardian of the peak?!"

"If you dare to mock me, you should know the consequences!! I will skin you alive and make you regret ever being born!!"

Elder Zhou Tong also looked puzzled, glancing around but seeing nothing but clouds and mist.

But he tried to smooth things over and advised:

"Qin Feng, things have come to this point, stop keeping me in suspense."

"If you have any experts, please bring them out quickly! Even if it's just a dying old master, as long as they have a breath left, we'll acknowledge them!"

"Stop being mysterious. Everyone is quite busy, especially Her Highness the Holy Maiden and Elder Hua, whose time is even more precious."

Hua Muyao and Su Qinghan remained silent.

Hua Muyao leaned lazily against a boulder, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she looked at Qin Feng with a half-smile.

Su Qinghan, on the other hand, was as cold as ice, dressed in white, standing alone on the edge of the cliff, like a snow lotus blooming on the precipice. However, deep in her cold eyes, there was also a hint of curiosity and inquiry that was hard to detect.

They all wanted to see what surprises this little guy, who always managed to create miracles, could bring them next.

Or……

Is this just a clumsy scam?

Qin Feng calmly straightened his clothes, which had been ruffled by the mountain wind. His face showed no panic, but rather a calm and confident demeanor.

He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Zhou Tong, his expression composed:

"Elder Zhou, before we summon the guardian of the peak, I have a question I would like to ask."

"Speak." Zhou Tong nodded, his brows slightly furrowed.

"The sect rules state: when a peak is reopened, a master at the Meridian Opening Realm must be stationed there."

Qin Feng's gaze was intense, and his voice was clear and powerful:

"Does the term 'Meridian Opening Realm' refer to a specific cultivation level? Or does it mean... possessing the combat power level of the Meridian Opening Realm?"

Zhou Tong was taken aback, clearly not expecting Qin Feng to ask this.

He pondered for a moment, reflecting on the articles of the sect's laws:

"According to convention, it does refer to a specific realm or level of attainment."

"but……"

He seemed to remember something, and subconsciously glanced at Hua Muyao beside him, who had a half-smile on her face:

"It's not without precedent."

"A hundred years ago, a senior from Hundred Flowers Peak, although only at the peak of the Acupuncture Realm, was exceptionally talented. His combat strength was comparable to that of a mid-stage Meridian Opening Realm cultivator, and he even had the glorious feat of slaying a heretical cultivator at the Meridian Opening Realm!"

"At the time, the sect made a special exception, and she met the requirements to become the guardian of Hundred Flowers Peak."

"so……"

Zhou Tong looked at Qin Feng, a hint of surprise and doubt flashing in his eyes:

"You mean you've invited a peak guardian who's not quite at the cultivation level, but whose combat strength has reached the Meridian Opening Realm?"

If that's the case, then it makes sense.

After all, combat strength is the most important thing, and realm is sometimes just a reference.

"Exactly!"

Qin Feng nodded, his voice resolute and filled with powerful confidence.

"Where is he?!"

Gu Changfeng sneered, his powerful senses instantly sweeping across a ten-mile radius. Apart from the few of them, he hadn't even detected a mouse.

"Is there anyone else here besides us?"

"Or is the person hiding underground?"

Qin Feng took a deep breath and stepped forward.

He didn't flinch, looking directly into Gu Changfeng's gloomy eyes, speaking each word clearly and forcefully:

"Far away, yet right before my eyes."

"That person..."

He held up his finger and pointed to his nose:

"It's me!!"

Quiet.

A deathly silence.

Even the howling mountain wind seemed to stand still at that moment.

Several sect leaders were stunned, as if they hadn't heard clearly, and even doubted whether there was something wrong with their ears.

"you?!"

Gu Changfeng was stunned at first, then seemed to have heard the most absurd joke in the world, almost laughing in anger, his finger pointing at Qin Feng trembling violently:

"Are you crazy?!"

"You're only at the sixth level of the Divine Power Realm! You claim to have the combat strength of the Meridian Opening Realm?!"

"Do you know what separates the Divine Power Realm from the Meridian Opening Realm? It's an insurmountable chasm! A chasm! The difference between mortals and cultivators!!"

"Who do you think you are? A reincarnation of an ancient god or demon?! Or a reborn emperor?!"

"This is utterly absurd!! Are you treating us like fools?!"

Not only Gu Changfeng, but even Hua Muyao and Su Qinghan, who had a high opinion of him, were stunned at this moment, their beautiful eyes filled with disbelief.

This is outrageous!

To be able to transcend one major realm is already monstrous, let alone two major realms?

This is something that only happens in mythology, isn't it?

A sixth-level Divine Power Realm cultivator, trying to break through to the Meridian Opening Realm?

This is as ridiculous as an ant saying it can trip up an elephant!

"Qin Feng, don't be silly."

Su Qinghan gently reminded him, her tone carrying a hint of reproach and disappointment:

"You can't joke like that."

"If you can't produce anyone, it's not too late to admit defeat now. Don't ruin your future."

"This disciple is not joking."

Qin Feng's expression was solemn, his eyes showing no evasion, only a powerful confidence that seemed to pierce the heavens:

"Although I am only at the Divine Power Realm, I have recently had some insights and have indeed touched the threshold of the Meridian Opening Realm!"

"If you don't believe me..."

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Su Qinghan, who held the highest position:

"Which senior would be willing to offer some guidance?"

"This disciple is willing to demonstrate this publicly! To prove it!"

Madness!

That's incredibly arrogant!

That's absolutely outrageous!

Gu Changfeng was so angry that his beard trembled and his spiritual energy surged. He was about to strike this arrogant brat to death with a palm strike when Su Qinghan raised her hand to stop him.

"it is good."

Su Qinghan stepped forward, her skirt fluttering, like a celestial maiden descending to earth, her cool voice carrying a hint of curiosity:

"Since you are so confident, then I will give you this opportunity."

"Make your move."

"Let me see where your confidence truly comes from!"

She wanted to see what gave this man, who had caused her inner demons and kept her up at night, the audacity to say such things!

Qin Feng nodded and said no more.

He knew that no amount of talk could compare to a punch!

He slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and adjusted his state.

The blood and qi in the body begin to boil, like a surging river!

boom--!

Deep within his dantian, the colorless ball of energy, which had grown to the size of a fist, instantly began to spin wildly!

Waaaaah—!

A deep rumble resounded within him, as if an ancient beast was awakening!

Water! Fire! Wood! Poison!

The four sacred spiritual energies, like four roaring, angry dragons, surged, converged, and merged wildly in the meridians!

Previously, before he had consumed the Divine Fire Refining Pill and before his Jade Body had advanced, he would never have dared to attempt the fusion of the four elements.

That violent force would directly tear his meridians apart and blow his body to smithereens!

but now……

Sixth level of Divine Power Realm!

An advanced jade body!

That's his confidence!

"Give me... Ning!!"

Qin Feng suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils swirling with four colors of light, eerie and alluring!

The warm, jade-like luster on his skin instantly became dazzling, even faintly revealing a golden light, making him seem like a golden Arhat!

A terrifying, suffocating aura suddenly erupted from his body!

The surrounding air began to distort and collapse, making a "hissing" sound!

"This is……"

The mockery on Gu Changfeng's face froze, replaced by an expression of utter disbelief.

Hua Muyao's beautiful eyes widened, her red lips parted slightly, and her face was full of disbelief.

Zhou Tong was so shocked that he took two steps back and almost lost his footing and fell off the cliff.

This aura...

concise!

Heavy and substantial!

violent!

He actually surpassed the Enlightenment Realm?!

"Eight Desolations... Prison Suppressing Force!!!"

Qin Feng roared, his voice like a thunderclap, causing rocks to tumble down from the mountaintop!

His muscles were taut to the limit, and every bone in his body was making a cracking sound as if it were bearing a weight of millions of pounds!

pain!

My meridians feel like they're about to burst!

But he held on!

The terrifying power of the four elements combined was forcibly compressed and condensed into his right fist!

That punch was colorful, yet chaotic!

"break!!"

A punch was thrown!

The world changed color!

The winds of change are blowing!

A dazzling fist beam, carrying a world-destroying force, tore through the air and headed straight for Su Qinghan!

Wherever it passed, the void trembled and emitted a piercing wail, and the ground was plowed with a deep trench!

Su Qinghan's previously indifferent expression finally changed.

That is……

Threat!

She actually felt a real threat from that punch!