Under the watchful eyes of the guests, a tall woman slowly walked forward, surrounded by a crowd.
Her silver hair shimmered with a metallic sheen.
Zhang Yu wondered if her hair was some kind of magical artifact, and how much a single strand might be worth.
The woman’s red evening gown was adorned with flowing patterns of fire, as if flames were dancing within the fabric, exuding a powerful aura of spiritual energy.
Zhao Tianxing thought that the dress itself might be a priceless treasure, a rare magical artifact.
At the same time, the director of the Xianyun Group, who seemed to be covered in a layer of gold foil, stepped forward to greet Li Xuelian.
Two other wealthy individuals, both at the Foundation Establishment stage, joined their conversation.
Around them, a crowd of wealthy and influential figures gathered, eager to exchange a few words and make an impression.
However, Li Xuelian didn’t give them much time.
After a brief chat with the three, she walked over to the curtain covering the Celestial Martial Diagram.
“Thank you all for coming to today’s art exhibition,” Li Xuelian said with a smile, as applause filled the room. “At this moment filled with creativity and inspiration, we gather together…”
As Li Xuelian spoke, Zhang Yu yawned, wondering if he should use this time to meditate instead.
Suddenly, he realized that he had been practicing more diligently lately.
He wasn’t sure if it was due to the pressure of the ritual or the subtle influence of this world and society.
Fortunately, Li Xuelian’s speech wasn’t long.
Just as Zhang Yu was lost in thought, she began talking about the topic that most interested the young cultivators in the room.
“Over the past few years, my father has been searching for a disciple to inherit his legacy and pass on his martial arts and techniques,” Li Xuelian said. “Unfortunately, his standards are quite high, and despite years of searching, he has yet to find a suitable candidate.”
“So, he personally painted this Celestial Martial Diagram, hiding a set of martial arts within it. If any young prodigy under the age of 18 can master the techniques within, my father is willing to take them as his disciple and fully support their education at a top university.”
“However, the painting contains a trace of my father’s martial intent. Viewing it may subject you to this intent, which could harm your cultivation. Please proceed with caution and only attempt to comprehend it if you are confident in your abilities.”
As Li Xuelian finished her explanation, she slowly pulled back the curtain, revealing the Celestial Martial Diagram.
Inside a two-meter-tall frame, a blurry figure gradually came into view.
“Is this really a painting by a Golden Core expert?” Zhang Yu thought, looking at the image.
It seemed like a simple, almost childish doodle, no better than something a grade-schooler might draw.
Just as Zhang Yu had this thought, someone exclaimed, “What a masterpiece! The energy and spirit in this painting are truly alive. The brushwork is exquisite. Master Xinghuo’s work is truly unparalleled, putting us all to shame.”
Others quickly joined in, praising the painting. “It’s so beautiful. Though it appears simple, it contains profound meaning. The more you look at it, the more you discover.”
As the compliments continued, Li Xuelian coughed lightly, interrupting the chatter.
She explained, “To prevent accidental harm, my father added a special mechanism to the painting. Only those within five meters can see its true content, but they will also be affected by the martial intent within. Any young prodigies who wish to attempt comprehension, please step forward.”
Hearing this, those who had been praising the painting earlier blushed and fell silent.
However, one person stepped forward immediately—Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School, who had been talking to the “ash box” earlier.
“Haha, let me, Lian Tianji, see what mysteries this Celestial Martial Diagram holds,” he said with a laugh, striding confidently toward the painting.
Qian Shen, watching this, thought to himself, “That’s Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School. He scored 670 in last month’s exams. He’s one of the opponents I’ll have to face after defeating Bai Zhenzhen.”
As Lian Tianji approached the painting, the figure within became clearer and clearer.
He saw a middle-aged man slowly performing a set of profound martial techniques.
Lian Tianji’s mind was gradually drawn into the painting, until he saw the man suddenly throw a punch toward him.
Boom!
A dull sound seemed to echo in the air.
Lian Tianji abruptly stopped, his eyes wide and fixed on the painting.
To the onlookers, it seemed as though he had become completely absorbed in the Celestial Martial Diagram, comprehending its secrets.
Li Xuelian, standing nearby, calmly explained, “To select a disciple with strong willpower and extraordinary courage, my father designed the painting so that those who attempt to comprehend it must face their deepest fears. Only by overcoming their inner weaknesses can they truly understand the mysteries within.”
The crowd was amazed, watching Lian Tianji intently, wondering what he was experiencing.
At that moment, in Lian Tianji’s mind, the world around him had transformed.
He found himself back in his classroom, as if the art exhibition, Li Xuelian, and the Celestial Martial Diagram had never happened.
His teacher was announcing the results of the last exam, but as the names were called, he didn’t hear his own.
Not in the top 10…
Not in the top 20…
Not even in the top 50…
As the scores grew lower, Lian Tianji’s anxiety mounted.
Back at the exhibition, Li Xuelian said, “The Celestial Martial Diagram can be comprehended by multiple people at once. Are there any other young prodigies who wish to try?”
Qian Shen and a few of his classmates exchanged glances, then stepped forward together.
Other young cultivators also began to approach the painting.
Zhang Yu turned to Zhou Tianyi beside him and asked, “Aren’t you going to try?”
Zhou Tianyi chuckled and shrugged. “I’m just here to watch. I’d rather not embarrass myself.”
Zhang Yu then looked at Bai Zhenzhen and asked, “What about you? Not going?”
Bai Zhenzhen glanced at the painting and said calmly, “I’m still thinking about it.”
Zhang Yu asked, “Thinking about what?”
Bai Zhenzhen replied, “I don’t want to find a master.” She thought to herself, “Becoming a disciple would mean signing some kind of contract with that Master Xinghuo, essentially selling myself into servitude.”
She sighed inwardly, “Not to mention, choosing a university and major would probably be dictated by him. I’d end up owing a fortune, and who knows how the interest would be calculated…”
Hearing her hesitation, Zhang Yu said, “If you don’t master the martial arts, you won’t have to become Master Xinghuo’s disciple. The techniques left by a Golden Core expert, even if they’re for the Qi Refining stage, would cost tens of thousands if we had to buy the rights to use them. Why not take the chance to learn them for free? If you don’t want to be his disciple, just don’t master the techniques today.”
Zhao Tianxing, standing nearby, couldn’t help but roll his eyes at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen’s boldness.
He took a few steps back, not wanting to be associated with their arrogance.
Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu, thinking, “What kind of pressure has driven Zhang Yu to this state? How harsh are the debt collectors from that small loan platform?”
Zhou Tianyi laughed and said, “That’s a good point. Since it doesn’t cost anything to try, let’s give it a shot.”
Zhao Tianxing, however, refused.
The thought of standing in front of the painting in his security uniform, surrounded by onlookers, was too humiliating.
But as he watched Zhang Yu walk forward, he couldn’t help but admire his thick skin.
Just then, Zhao Tianxing’s walkie-talkie buzzed.
The security captain barked, “What are you all doing? You’re security guards! Who let him leave his post to try comprehending the diagram? Get him back here now!”
Sweating profusely, Zhao Tianxing ran forward, trying to pull Zhang Yu back.
As Zhao Tianxing approached the painting, the figure within became clearer, and he heard laughter all around him.
He turned to see everyone at the exhibition pointing and mocking him, laughing at the audacity of a mere security guard trying to comprehend the Celestial Martial Diagram.
Amid the jeers, Zhao Tianxing froze, awkwardly unsure of what to do.
He scratched his head and ears, not knowing how to stand.
Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu, Bai Zhenzhen, and Zhou Tianyi approached the painting, the blurry figure within gradually became clearer, transforming into a stern middle-aged man who suddenly threw a punch toward them.
Bai Zhenzhen felt her vision darken, and her phone began to vibrate incessantly.
She picked it up and saw a flood of messages from a loan platform.
“Regarding your overdue debt with ‘Qianbei,’ due to repeated failed collections, the situation is severe. Please settle the debt within three days of receiving this message. If you continue to default, we will take legal action…”
“Continued delinquency will result in a background check at your location…”
“Deadbeat, how can you have the nerve to owe such a small amount? Maybe your whole family should start collecting bottles to pay it off…”
The messages grew increasingly aggressive, shifting from simple reminders to outright insults, threats, and harassment.
Bai Zhenzhen stared at her phone, drenched in cold sweat, her body tense.
Then, her phone began to ring.
She hesitated, too afraid to answer, but the call connected on its own.
A cold male voice came through the phone. “Due to your credit fraud and failure to repay, you have committed a serious breach of contract. Your location has been locked via the Tianwang system. If the debt is not settled within three days, a thunder tribulation will be summoned…”
A low rumble of thunder echoed.
Bai Zhenzhen looked up and saw faint flashes of lightning in the sky above her.
(End of Chapter)