Cultivation Begins from Infancy - Chapter 475

Volume 3 - Chapter 145: Holy Land of the Literary Ancestor, the Eighth Extreme Realm – Part 2

In the Buddhist Sect, studying scriptures and discussing doctrines is considered cultivation.

For the Sword Saint, cultivation lies in mastering the art of the sword.

As for Wenzu, his way of battling enemies was through poetry and calligraphy.

It is said that there are also Saints of the Military School who wield strategies and tactics as their killing moves, their methods elusive and unpredictable.

The contention among the Saints is, in essence, a battle over the rightful orthodoxy of the Dao. Only by advancing to the Supreme Saint Realm can one claim their orthodoxy. However, even then, disputes among Supreme Saints have yet to determine superiority, as their respective Sacred Daos remain fundamentally incompatible with one another.

Li Hao thought of his own Poetry and Calligraphy Dao, which extended to the arts of music, chess, painting, and calligraphy. If he were to fully invest his strength, all these could become tools for killing. However, on most occasions, his sword was sharper, so chess, painting, and other arts were merely leisure pursuits for him.

Just like his Fishing Dao—he could fish up dragons long ago, and at the Fourth Pillar Realm, he could even yank them into leaping out of the water with their mouths open. Now, even though his Fishing Dao was only at the sixth level, combined with his current strength, he could reel in dragon demons of the Dao Law Realm.

If his Fishing Dao were elevated to the ninth or even tenth level, Li Hao dared not imagine whether Saints themselves would fall prey to his line.

The flower-carriage made its way toward a towering peak. The mountain stood tall, its surroundings tranquil. When the carriage landed at the summit, Li Hao saw only a handful of academy disciples, each reciting works of the sages.

Above their heads, however, weapons and the phantom forms of tiger demons clashed and battled.

“For the tiger to become a vassal spirit!”

One of them softly chanted, and the tiger demon transformed into human form, its power fierce as it charged at the opponent.

The other disciple, speaking quickly, narrated the tale of a hunter hunting a tiger on a mountain. Instantly, arrows materialized in midair like shooting stars, piercing through the tiger demon.

Li Hao watched for a moment, finding it intriguing. The combat between the two bore an air of "manifesting the Dao with words." To employ such techniques at a low realm was akin to brushing against the threshold of the Dao Law Realm prematurely. This cultivation system was indeed worthy of standing as its own tradition.

The cultivation methods of the Saints each possessed irreplaceable strengths, thus sparking mutual contention. If one’s Sacred Dao contained clear flaws that could be exploited, it would eventually be dismantled and destroyed.

“The Saint never dies; the Great Dao remains eternal.” This saying, in truth, was the reverse of its literal meaning. The power of the Dao is indestructible, and Saints at their realm have fused the power of the Dao with their bodies, achieving unity of body and Dao.

Thus, it is nearly impossible to kill a Saint—unless one shatters their Sacred Heart, causing their Sacred Dao to collapse, akin to destroying the Great Dao itself.

“Hmm? It’s you?”

As Li Hao observed, a young man nearby, fanning himself with a folding fan, felt a familiar aura and turned to look at Li Hao. A trace of astonishment flashed across his face.

He blinked hard, confirming that he wasn’t mistaken, before standing abruptly.

Li Hao, sensing the gaze, looked back in mild confusion.

The youth with the folding fan approached briskly, scrutinizing Li Hao from head to toe before exclaiming in shock, “What are you doing here at Tian Tan Peak?”

Upon seeing the youth, Yueying immediately bowed and said, “Greetings, Holy Son Qingshu.”

“Qingshu?”

Li Hao asked, “Does Young Master Song know me?”

“My surname is Zhao,” Zhao Qingshu’s face darkened slightly. He turned to Yueying and asked, “Why is he here?”

Yueying replied respectfully, “Reporting to the Holy Son, he was invited by the Master of Tian Tan to discuss painting techniques with Young Master Qingfeng.”

“To discuss painting techniques?”

Zhao Qingshu was stunned for a moment, immediately thinking of his master, who was passionate about painting and a peerless artist.

Recalling how Li Hao had been sketching during the Loose Cultivator Battle, Zhao Qingshu surmised this was likely why his master had taken an interest in him.

“You just won first place. Shouldn’t you be in seclusion? Even though you defeated Chiguang, you mustn’t underestimate the other Holy Sons.” Zhao Qingshu questioned Li Hao.

Since the news of Li Hao’s battle with Chiguang during the Loose Cultivator Battle had spread, even Senior Brother Shuhai had entered seclusion. Yet here was Li Hao, accepting an invitation to discuss paintings instead.

“You’re right.”

Li Hao nodded in agreement.

Zhao Qingshu: “...”

Since his master had extended the invitation, Zhao Qingshu had no choice but to let the matter rest. Moreover, given his own strength, he couldn’t act overconfident in front of Li Hao. That sword strike during the battle had left him feeling deeply suppressed. If he were to face Li Hao in combat, he’d likely have to concede outright.

Li Hao followed Yueying to meet Zhantan. After Li Hao left, the disciples who had been sparring earlier approached Zhao Qingshu curiously.

“Senior Brother Qingshu, who was that?”

“The first place in the Loose Cultivator Battle.”

Zhao Qingshu let out a breath as he watched Li Hao’s retreating figure. Though he felt somewhat indignant, resignation weighed heavier on his heart.

Given the power of that single sword strike, the man certainly had the right to be proud. While others were busy in seclusion, this one leisurely accepted invitations... Hmph, let’s see you cry when you face the Twin Buddha Sons!

...

In the rear courtyard of Tian Tan Peak, Zhantan had already sensed Li Hao’s presence. When Li Hao entered the courtyard, she greeted him with a radiant smile. “You’re here.”

Previously, in the Intent Domain Space at the Huayou Gathering, Li Hao had only seen Zhantan’s silhouette in gray and black. Now, in the real world, he could finally see her true appearance. She seemed to be around twenty-six or twenty-seven years old, ethereal like an immortal maiden, yet her aura exuded a noble dignity. Though her demeanor was serene, she carried an unapproachable majesty.

Her silhouette alone had evoked the impression of an imperial princess. In person, however, there was also an air of solitude and detachment about her.

Li Hao’s eyes showed a hint of surprise. The last person to leave such an impression on him was Yao Zu. However, Yao Zu’s aura was one of loneliness and transcendence, as if severed from the mortal realm. Zhantan’s, by contrast, carried a distinct air of royal grandeur.

“Do you prefer painting landscapes or dragons and beasts?” Zhantan asked.

Li Hao snapped out of his thoughts and noticed that the courtyard had already been prepared with easels and canvases. A sense of comfort washed over him as he smiled and replied, “I paint anything.”

“Oh?” Zhantan’s curiosity was piqued. While most painters who practiced the Painting Dao had their preferences, she herself favored painting dragons and beasts, especially those with peculiar and grotesque appearances.

“In that case, let us paint an Earth Dragon from the Earth Dragon Clan today,” she suggested.

With a wave of her hand, Zhantan opened a spatial rift, drawing forth a grotesque dragon demon that was barely clinging to life.

The dragon’s appearance was monstrous, almost deformed, with tightly packed scales, numerous reverse scales, eagle-like claws, and a tail bristling with spines like a porcupine’s.

“Let’s each depict this beast and see who can capture its true essence. What do you think?” Zhantan proposed.

Li Hao nodded. Capturing a creature’s essence was a fundamental aspect of painting at the seventh level of the Painting Dao. However, portraying its intent and spirit was a much greater challenge. After observing the dragon demon closely, he discerned its nature and cultivation roots.

Without further ado, he approached the easel prepared for him, and the two of them began painting, their expressions becoming focused.

Yueying stood off to the side, watching curiously.

The courtyard was utterly serene. Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled golden patterns on the ground.

Time slipped by quietly, broken only by the occasional sound of ink being ground.

An hour later, the two painters laid down their brushes.

Li Hao glanced at his painting. The dragon demon in his work still appeared to be lying there weakly, its aura subdued. Yet, its eyes exuded a hidden ferocity, as if ready to unleash a desperate strike at any moment.

At first glance, it seemed like a dying beast. On closer inspection, it left the viewer with an unsettling sense of foreboding.

On the other side, Zhantan had also completed her work. Her painting depicted the dragon demon in a similar pose but with a commanding and majestic aura, as though it might leap out of the painting and roar at any moment.

Zhantan had painted meticulously and seemed pleased with her work. Stretching slightly, her graceful curves were accentuated, and a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted through the air.

She rose to examine her own painting briefly before strolling over to Li Hao’s easel. When she saw that he, too, had finished, she gave his painting a cursory glance and was initially unimpressed.

The dragon demon in Li Hao’s painting seemed to be nothing more than a highly realistic depiction, a level that most skilled painters could achieve. Based on her understanding of Li Hao’s abilities, this felt underwhelming.

She took a closer look and suddenly felt a sharp aura emanating from the painting. It was as if a dragon’s roar filled her mind, its killing intent chilling her to the bone. Startled, she involuntarily took half a step back.

In reality, the dragon demon was only at the Dao Law Realm and posed no threat to her whatsoever. Yet the dragon in Li Hao’s painting gave her an inexplicable sense of dread.

Zhantan quickly regained her composure, though her expression was filled with shock. The more she studied Li Hao’s painting, the more profound and vast it seemed. It was not merely ink and brushwork—it carried a hidden intent.

This intent resided within the dragon demon’s body, within its spirit, and within the essence of the Dao.

The more Zhantan looked, the more astonished she became. She realized that Li Hao’s mastery of the Painting Dao far surpassed her own. The casual sketches he had made during the Huayou Gathering had not revealed his true skill at all.

This was the pinnacle of painting as a Dao—a level she could only aspire to.

With a long sigh, Zhantan remarked, “Young Master Li’s painting is beyond my reach, even if I were to practice for another ten years.”

“How long have you been practicing painting?” Li Hao asked.

“Three hundred years.”

Zhantan’s cheeks flushed faintly. She quickly stored away the dragon demon and dispersed the lingering scent of blood in the courtyard. Turning to Li Hao, she asked, “You must be tired from your journey. Would you like something to eat?”

“What do you have here? That dragon demon from earlier looked delicious. How about some roasted dragon claws?” Li Hao suggested.

Zhantan remembered that Li Hao had previously mentioned his fondness for cooking. Chuckling, she replied, “Sure, but I’ll need to taste your cooking to see if it meets Bai Zu’s standards.”

Li Hao laughed heartily. After Zhantan retrieved the dragon demon and cut off its claws, Li Hao set about cleaning the scales and preparing the meat.

Before long, the aroma of roasted dragon meat wafted through the mountain peak.

In the front courtyard, the disciples who had been reciting scriptures earlier caught a whiff of the fragrance and sniffed deeply.

“What’s that smell?”

“It’s incredible! Are we eating already?”

Following the scent, they realized it was coming from their master’s courtyard. They dared not intrude further.

...

In the courtyard, Li Hao sliced the dragon meat and shared it with Zhantan.

This tranquil moment reminded Li Hao of his time in the small courtyard at Tianmen Pass.

“Hmm…”

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