Chapter 267.1
On this day, the weather was clear, the wind calm, and the sea vast; it was a perfect day for the examination.
The Master Painter gathered everyone on the beach and said loudly, Today is the day I select my disciples! Friends from the rivers and lakes also know that I have used painting to enter the path and to prove the realm of a Grandmaster! However, in the whole world, only I have taken painting as a path to enlightenment, which is too lonely. Therefore, I wish to cultivate a suitable successor to carry on the art of painting!
Yet, 100 years have passed! I have searched the world and still have not found a suitable candidate for succession! It can only be said that entering the path through painting is too difficult. It requires not only exceptional talent but also night and day of hard practice!
Moreover, learning painting is not like learning martial arts! With martial arts, every bit of practice leads to progress! Painting is completely different; before enlightenment, there is no progress at all! And one might waste their entire life!
Talent, diligence, endurance, and a love for painting are all indispensable! Because of this, not many people are willing to learn painting! I truly fear that I might take this unique skill to the grave!
The Master Painter couldnt help but sigh.
Master Painter, dont say that!
You have entered the path through painting, which is more formidable than many Great Grandmasters, and you will certainly leave a most brilliant mark in the history of martial arts!
Moreover, look, havent we all come? Surely, a suitable candidate can be selected from among us!
Master Painter, heaven will surely bless you!
After hearing this, the Master Painter felt comforted.
The friends from the rivers and lakes were still very kind, except for that one scoundrel who ruthlessly destroys flowers!
So, to avoid any regrets, I, on the verge of passing away, announce to the world that I am selecting a closed-door disciple to inherit my mantle! For this, I have set up three difficult tests! The first test is the Illusionary Ten Li Journey to Seek the Truth!'
The Master Painter said loudly, Painting is not just about copying something down! No matter how beautiful your painting is, its just a soulless shell! You must find its truth, its soul, to have the foundation for learning to paint!
The first test is just that! I have created an illusion with heaven and earth as my canvas outside the island. Only those who can see through the illusion and find the true path can come here to face the next test!
Those who have made it here have passed the first test. I wont waste words. Lets begin the second testBlurring the Truth with Falsehood!' The Master Painter clapped his hands.
Servants on the island brought out tables, brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, neatly arranging them on the beach.
The Master Painter continued, This test of blurring the truth with falsehood requires you all to paint. If what you paint can deceive everyone to the extent of confusing the real with the fake, then youve passed! Now, those participating in the test, please take your seats!
Groups of people stood out from the crowd and approached the desks.
These were the people taking the test, not many, about thirty in total.
As for the others, they were purely there to join in the excitement.
Now, I will give you two hours to paint a flower! As long as the flower you paint can attract butterflies, bees, or other insects, then you will have succeeded!
The Master Painter had someone light a long incense stick.
Let the competition begin now!
The contestants immediately picked up their brushes, ready to splash ink and wield their skills.
The others watched quietly, and Lin Beifan did the same.
He shook his head with a smile as he watched, Everyone is here to compete for a martial arts legacy, but the contest is decided through painting. How extraordinary! Yaoyao, that burly guy with the thick neck, isnt he a contestant from your Demon Sect?
Following Lin Beifans gaze, everyone saw a towering man holding a tiny brush and busily sketching on paper.
That is indeed one of ours from the Demon Sect, known as Jiang Menshen! (Jiang the Door Gods)
Yaoyao introduced, His surname is Jiang, and he loves to paint door gods, hence the name! This fellow is average in other skills, but he has a special talent for painting. He spends his days either painting or on his way to paint! His depictions of door gods are fierce and intimidating, capable of deterring evil spirits! Thats why his paintings sell particularly well during festivals!
Lin Beifan was somewhat speechless. A painter born in the Demon Sect was indeed a bit different from the norm.
I guess he must have painted those by looking in the mirror. Thats why theyre so vivid and lifelike!
Hey, you actually guessed right! Yaoyao laughed.
And that bald guy over there, hes from the Buddhist Sect, with the Dharma name One-Hearted! That young monk has been gilding Buddha statues since he was little, and without realizing it, he has made great progress in painting. His paintings are filled with Buddhist nature and compassion!
Lin Beifan nodded, No wonder he looks so radiant. I thought it was because of his profound Buddhist practice that he emanated such a Buddha light! Turns out, its all gold! He must have scraped off quite a bit of gold. Its nearly blinding me!
Yaoyao covered her mouth and laughed, Definitely not a small amount, at least seven or eight taels!
While joking, they pointed to another Taoist priest.
Thats a representative from the Taoist Sect, with the Taoist name Mysterious Pine! He used to draw talismans, and he could draw the most complex ones with a single stroke, so he naturally developed his skill!
Then, Yaoyao introduced representatives from various factions one by one.
However, Lin Beifan kept shaking his head, wondering where all these extraordinary painters came from.
Each one was so unique and different!
It must be said that those who pursue art really arent quite normal.
By comparison, his newly accepted court painter, Li Shihua, seemed much more normal.
***
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