Chapter 145
As everyone knows, the art of observing divine images or statues emphasizes both form and spirit, aiming for a lifelike quality that allows one to immerse themselves in its essence. Naturally, the more realistic, the better.
But then, Shang Wu took it quite seriously.
If Wu Song could take on a tiger after a few drinks, who was Shang Wu to shy away?
Thinking that her sect was facing a formidable enemy, she uprooted a tree and charged in, drunkenly battling a horde of foes.
When she woke up, she realized that the divine statues passed down from Qunyu Peak had been reduced to a pile of shattered fragments.
Li Mo: "....."
Well, well.
So that’s why Qunyu Peak looked like a wreck—it was her own doing.
He couldn’t help but recall the strange signposts erected at the foot of the other peaks.
【Drunkards Prohibited from Entering the Peak】
At the time, he had wondered what kind of odd rule that was.
Turns out it was tailor-made for her.
"Precious disciple."
Shang Wu suddenly called out to him.
Li Mo instinctively looked over, only to see his beautiful master with crescent-shaped eyes, her brows slightly furrowed.
A clear hint.
She remembered he had mentioned that soaking in hot springs while drinking was a delightful experience.
"Ahem, Master, from a medical perspective, soaking in hot springs and drinking isn’t actually good for your health."
"I’m in great shape. If you don’t believe me, we can spar."
"...... I forgot to bring any alcohol."
"A real man keeps his word."
Splash—
Shang Wu pouted, crossing her arms and turning her back.
Her disciple didn’t keep his word and wouldn’t listen to his master.
She was angry.
Li Mo: "....."
Generally speaking, he was a man of his word.
But he had just heard the story about the jade carvings.
Now they were both soaking in the bath; what if Shang Wu got tipsy and mistook him for a peeping tom? What if she threw a few punches his way?
Who could withstand that?
Seeing that tactic didn’t work, Shang Wu rubbed her forehead, frowning:
"Tsk, I was going to tell my disciple about how to break through the Xuan Dan and enter the realm of observing the divine."
"How come you suddenly forgot what you were going to say?"
"My head hurts; I must be sick~"
Her three-pronged approach.
A hint, playing dumb, and a show of force.
Watching his master, who could easily uproot a willow tree, feign weakness, Li Mo couldn’t help but twitch his lips.
Sighing, he set a floating tray before her, placing a jug of wine on it.
"Master, just this much..."
Before he could finish his sentence, the tray vanished, drawn by an unseen force right in front of Shang Wu.
She happily rested her arm on the edge of the pool, holding her chin with one hand, pouring herself a cup.
"What kind of wine is this? It smells nice."
"Chi Zhi Jiu," Li Mo said, helplessly watching his master down the drink in one go, her eyes squinting with happiness and satisfaction.
"Master, can we talk about martial arts now?"
"Hmph, actually, observing the divine is about transforming and perfecting one’s own spirit."
Shang Wu inhaled the fragrant wine, her lips curling slightly:
"It’s like one’s innate bone structure; some are built like tigers, others possess innate strength. Their physical bodies are simply stronger than the average person."
"And observing forms and intentions is a way to refine the spirit."
"Is it similar to changing one’s innate bone structure after birth?"
Li Mo suddenly understood.
One’s innate bone structure could also be transformed through rare treasures or years of hard training.
"Yes, there are some similarities."
Shang Wu nodded.
She roughly explained the methods of refining the spirit and the essence of it.
Li Mo began to form a clearer understanding.
For instance, practicing the Tong Bei Quan for years would unconsciously align one’s physique towards a more 'ape-like' form.
If one practiced a higher level of martial arts, the refined innate bone structure would also be better.
Of course, if one’s physical foundation was weak, they could injure themselves during training.
Observing the divine was no different.
"Having a good divine image requires talent to support it."
"What suits you best is what’s best."
"For example, Old Master Shangguan only observes the shape of a sparrow, which is merely a lower form, yet he has extended it into a higher form, approaching the ultimate shape."
Shang Wu spoke until her throat felt dry and took another sip of Chi Zhi Jiu.
"How do you find a form that suits your observation?"
Li Mo guessed his master was about to doze off, so he quickly asked.
"You can go to... Ruyi Peak... zzz..."
Shang Wu floated on the water’s surface.
"....."
She could fall asleep while talking? Master, you really are something.
Speaking of which, inner realm martial artists shouldn’t get all puffy from soaking, right?
Withdrawing his gaze, Li Mo rose from the hot spring.
"Ruyi Peak... looks like I should pay a visit tomorrow."
In the attic.
Ying Bing watched him emerge from the rockery.
Seeing him in good spirits, she couldn’t help but feel curious.
Is soaking in hot springs really that comfortable?
Then she thought again.
If the punishment for the defeated was merely a formality, why should she avoid it?
"I’ll talk later."
Ying Bing shook her head slightly.
Tomorrow she would be entering the main peak’s ancestral hall; her priority now was to get herself into the best state.
Based on her experiences from her previous life and the vague hints from Shangguan Wencang, she already knew.
The main peak’s ancestral hall likely concealed the essence of the Great Dao.
"The Taiyin divine form combined with the Huang divine form."
"My realm of observing the divine will be much stronger than in my last life."
Ying Bing knelt under the moonlight, bathed in its pure glow, resembling the most exquisite jade carving in the world.
The Xuan Dan within her slowly rotated, seemingly connecting with the moon in the sky.
.....
The next day.
The sky was overcast, making it feel like night had fallen early; not a single sun could be seen.
The thick clouds loomed, as if brewing a torrential downpour.
On the bluestone path within the sect, a young man in a white robe moved gracefully, his handsome and gentle face making him look like a gentleman studying the classics of Ruyi Peak—no one would likely disagree.
Well... Ouyang might.
After asking around, Li Mo quickly found a house nestled among the bamboo groves.
To his surprise, there was a bustling crowd in front of Ouyang’s courtyard.
Disciples from various peaks were lined up, forming a long queue.
He even spotted a familiar figure.
"Li brother, are you here to buy Ouyang’s latest work too?"
Murong Xiao greeted him with a broad smile.
That smile had a slightly foolish charm, giving off a vibe of great wisdom hidden in simplicity.
"Something like that," Li Mo nodded.
The art of painting was one of Ruyi Peak’s proudest skills, holding a status comparable to the forging at Shenbing Peak or alchemy at Danding Peak.
A true master of painting could replicate divine images with remarkable precision.
Everyone hoped for better quality in their elixirs and weapons, and the same went for divine images.
A good divine image was worth its weight in gold.
However, he wasn’t actually there to buy a painting, especially since he didn’t even know what he should be observing.
"There are so many people."
Murong Xiao looked around.
"Yeah, it seems we won’t be seeing Ouyang for a while," Li Mo remarked, feeling a bit emotional.
Our Qingyuan Sect is truly thriving.
So many fellow disciples are so diligent and eager to progress towards the realm of observing the divine.
"You two true disciples, are you here to buy paintings as well?"
At that moment, an inner sect disciple suddenly approached them.
With a mysterious expression, he said:
"I, a humble disciple, have been waiting in line for quite a while and have already secured Ouyang’s latest work. I wonder if you two brothers are interested? The price is... a bit steep."
"I’ve queued for so long; I’d like to earn some pocket money."
"Uh?"
Li Mo was puzzled.
Why did this sound like a scalper?
But since the divine images weren’t interchangeable, what was the point of scalping?
"Brothers, it’s absolutely lifelike! You know Ouyang’s skill."
The inner sect disciple coaxed them.
"Uh, just give it to me."
Li Mo didn’t mind the price, so he readily pulled out the money. The inner sect disciple beamed with joy as he handed over a painting booklet.
Upon seeing the cover, a bad premonition rose in Li Mo’s heart.
Flipping it open, he was not surprised.
His lips twitched.
Well...
Is this what you call lifelike?
"So everyone came early to buy the Emperor’s uncle’s work, huh?"
Smack—
Li Mo angrily threw the painting booklet to the ground.
**Chapter 147: The Past of Qingyuan Sect - A Hundred Birds Facing the Phoenix**
"Li brother, don’t just throw it away; it’s a shame to waste it," Murong Xiao quickly bent down to pick up the booklet, brushing off the dust on it.
Then he looked up to meet Li Mo’s skeptical gaze.
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