The Tan Palace Academy attracts talented individuals from nineteen states, not only because of the excellent teaching skills of its instructors but also because of a unique skill they possess. This skill is the academy's treasure, not easily shared with outsiders. However, if someone can become the top student in the Tan Palace's White Hall, they would certainly have the right to learn it.
"If I can also learn this sword technique along the way, that would be great," Li Hao admitted with a smile. He did come for this unique skill, but it wasn't his main goal. After all, if he really needed it urgently, he could easily ask Grandpa Feng to secretly steal a copy for him.
Huang Licai smirked when he heard Li Hao's words, thinking to himself that this kid really knows how to put on an act. He almost fell for it. Song Yufeng and the others exchanged glances and smiled, feeling relieved.
Once Li Hao left the Tan Palace, Song Yufeng looked at everyone and said, "Since he came for the Taiji Qian Kun Sword, do you all have any thoughts?"
"The Li family really keeps their promises," Shen Yunqing said with a smile as he stroked his beard. "Back then, the third son of the Li family took a copy of the Taiji Qian Kun Sword from us and promised that it would never be shared with anyone else. I didn't expect him to actually do it."
"Indeed, it's no wonder this kid came to us," one elder nodded, clearly approving of the third son of the Li family. Although the way he came to the academy back then angered everyone, time has passed, and the third son of the Li family has long since died in battle outside the borders. They have all moved on.
Moreover, it is said that before he died, he used the Taiji Qian Kun Sword to pierce through seventeen demon kings, instilling fear in many. That certainly brought some honor to the Tan Palace.
"He's just a new student; we can't just give it to him so easily," someone said, looking at Song Yufeng.
Song Yufeng felt a stir in his heart but remained silent.
"What should we do then? He's at the fifteenth level, and if he’s left in the White Hall, he can easily overpower everyone else. The top student can take it whenever he wants. We can't let these old guys step in, can we?" Zhao Zongyuan said irritably.
"Don't forget, we have a rule that requires students to study for three years before they can access this. Otherwise, those true dragons from the Divine General's Mansion could come and take it whenever they want," an elder pointed out.
"That's true, but if he stays here for three years without learning anything from us, wouldn't that waste the time of such a talented individual?" Shen Yunqing frowned. After all, he had played chess and shared drinks with Li Hao, and he even enjoyed the kid's barbecue, which was truly exceptional. He couldn't help but lean a bit towards him.
"The rules are like this; we can't make an exception for the Li family," said an elder with a long horse face, his expression serious.
Huang Licai said, "We've already made an exception this time. Don't forget, we teach geniuses here, and geniuses are meant to break the rules. If we bind them with rigid rules, that would be a real problem."
"But if we set this precedent, won't other geniuses from the Divine General's Mansion come here to claim it too? That would be chaos," someone countered.
Seeing the heated debate among the crowd, Song Yufeng thought for a moment and suggested, "How about we give him two options? One is to teach at the Tan Palace for a year, and the other is to serve as a named instructor in our Black and White Halls. That way, the sword manual won't be easily shared."
Upon hearing the palace master's words, everyone fell silent and exchanged glances. When it comes to cunning, the palace master is the best...
By a deep pool next to the Tan Palace's Qianren Cliff, Li Hao passed by and noticed the beautiful, deep blue water. Feeling inspired, he returned to the student residence in the Tan Palace, grabbed some paper and pens, and went back to the poolside.
He set up his easel and began to draw. The experience gained from painting was quite user-friendly; the amount of experience he gained depended on the depth of the subject he was drawing or his own cultivation level. For example, if he drew a great demon, he would gain a lot of experience.
However, after drawing the same subject a certain number of times, the experience gained would gradually decrease, so he needed to keep drawing different subjects. Li Hao guessed that if he wanted to reach a spiritual level in his art, he would have to surpass the ordinary and depict something extraordinary.
Drawing a hundred, a thousand, or even ten thousand times might eventually allow him to capture a spiritual essence. But for now, his drawing experience was only at the fifth level, and he hadn't reached the peak of the sixth level yet, so he decided to max out his experience first.
With swift strokes, Li Hao quickly sketched the majestic cliffs and the pool's outline, creating a beautiful scene on his paper. He completed three drawings in succession, gaining experience each time: +183, +145, +92...
At the bottom of the pool, a large dark shadow lay on a rock. Suddenly, it opened its eyes, feeling as if it was being watched, which made it quite uncomfortable and disturbed its peaceful dreams.
With a swish, it scanned the area and found a young boy on the shore.
"Where did this little brat come from?" it snorted, suddenly rising from the rock and swiftly swimming toward the pool's edge, leaping out of the water.
Splash! Water splashed everywhere as it landed on the shore.
Li Hao, who was in the middle of his fourth drawing and trying to capture the beauty of the deep pool, was taken aback by the sudden emergence of a blue kirin from the water.
"A water kirin?"
He stared at the creature, and they both locked eyes, surprised.
"Who allowed you to be here? Get lost!" The water kirin shook its head, splashing water everywhere as it scolded, its voice surprisingly beautiful, like the sound of a tinkling spring.
Li Hao had heard that the first master of the Tan Palace had once tamed a great kirin demon to guard the palace. He didn't expect to see it right in front of him.
He had heard that this was a demon king at the fourth level!
Li Hao's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Senior!"
He quickly bowed, showing great respect. "May I draw a picture of you?"
If he could capture this water kirin in his drawing, his experience would surely increase significantly. He had already gained a lot of experience from drawing the likes of Grandpa Feng and the others.
"?"
The water kirin was taken aback, tilting its head in confusion. Did this academy student lose his mind from training?
"What nonsense are you talking about?" The water kirin's eyes showed a hint of anger, and the surrounding water seemed to freeze, giving off a chilling aura. "Hurry up and get lost, or I'll eat you!"
Li Hao knew it was trying to intimidate him. The water kirin couldn't harm the Tan Palace's students, unless some of them really provoked it.
However, seeing its current display of power made Li Hao a bit nervous. After all, the others had never shown such might in front of him.
He steeled himself and said, "I'm from the Li family down the mountain. If you eat me, I’m afraid you won't find me very tasty."
"Li family?"
The water kirin's icy demeanor softened slightly. The taste might not just be bad; it could be quite unpleasant for it.
"Hmph, even if I don't eat you, I'll make you suffer a bit. Your Li family won't dare to do anything to me." The water kirin snorted. It didn't plan to truly harm Li Hao; otherwise, the older generation of the Li family would come to question it, and it would feel somewhat guilty.
It couldn't just say that this kid disturbed its dreams, so it decided to punish him, right? After all, it was a senior.
According to human customs, it should have a bit of tolerance.
Feeling a bit annoyed, it stirred the water, intending to sweep Li Hao away. But just then, Li Hao suddenly shouted:
"Don't move!"
"Senior, please don't move!"
Li Hao said nervously, "Just for a moment. Please hold that pose; I’ll finish quickly."
"?"
The water kirin's large blue eyes showed confusion.
At that moment, Li Hao had already picked up his brush and was rapidly drawing on the easel.
The scene was simply breathtaking.
The water kirin stood in the blue pool, surrounded by swirling water, next to a towering cliff. This picture was truly unique.
"You..."
"Senior, I beg you, please don't move!"
The water kirin was annoyed but also felt a strange curiosity. In over a thousand years, it had never encountered such a peculiar kid. What was he doing?
Seeing the water kirin actually holding still, Li Hao's eyes sharpened, focusing intently on the paper. At that moment, he lost himself in the drawing, moving swiftly.
With fluid strokes, he painted as if he were dancing, each stroke precise and layered.
Half a stick of incense later, just as he was about to finish, the water kirin grew impatient and manipulated the water, saying, "Hey, what are you playing at?"
Fortunately, Li Hao had just finished painting the swirling water. His expression was focused as he quickly completed the final strokes, finishing the entire artwork.
[Drawing Experience +1986]
Seeing such a large amount of experience, Li Hao couldn't help but feel thrilled. This one painting was worth as much as hundreds of his usual works.
"Thank you, senior!"
Li Hao snapped back to reality, looking at the water kirin, which still held a hint of anger, and quickly bowed deeply.
This was not just for the experience; it was also a gesture of gratitude for the kirin's cooperation in allowing him to complete such a beautiful piece.
His passion for drawing was now as fulfilling as the joy of gaining experience.
"Is it done?"
The water kirin raised an eyebrow. It had some understanding of human behavior and coldly ordered, "Let me see."
Li Hao nodded and turned the easel around.
In an instant, a stunning painting appeared before the water kirin's eyes.
The sharp cliffs, the deep blue pool, and the majestic blue kirin standing in the water, exuding an aura of dominance.
Its eyes gradually brightened.
Is this kirin in the painting... me?
I actually look this good?!
Suddenly, the water kirin's figure shimmered, and as it stepped out of the blue pool, its body rapidly transformed into a beautiful woman dressed in a flowing blue gown.
Her hair was a watery blue, and a tear-shaped mark graced her cheek. She was stunning, with skin as white as jade, and she gracefully floated down to the easel.
(The chapter ends here.)