"A painter needs two most important things: immortal paper and an immortal brush. Back then, he had already become an immortal, but writing brushes suitable for immortals to use were exceedingly hard to find in the world. There weren't even any raw materials capable of being refined into an immortal brush. Without raw materials, not even Immortal Ying Tian could craft one.
"As for immortal paper, he didn't have to worry about that. He could make immortal paper just by taking some wood shavings from his own body. An immortal brush, on the other hand, was terribly difficult.
"The closest materials for an immortal brush were the hair from the few of us. Probably because we were all humans, an immortal brush couldn't be refined with our hair. So, he set his sights on Immortal Kirin.
"Immortal Kirin had a tuft of hair on his tail that was just right for refining an immortal brush.
"First, he used a half-immortal-grade brush to paint a *Picture of a Hundred Beasts*, filled with female creatures that appeared exquisitely beautiful in the eyes of demon beasts. Then he invited Immortal Kirin over as a guest to admire the *Picture of a Hundred Beasts*. Seeing Immortal Kirin's interest piqued, he told him he could go into the painting and give it a try.
"Immortal Kirin was overjoyed and suspected nothing, declaring that Immortal Suiyue was his good brother, and soon became lost in the *Picture of a Hundred Beasts*.
"Taking advantage of Immortal Kirin's distraction, Immortal Suiyue slipped into the painting and shaved Immortal Kirin's tail hair completely bald.
"Just as Immortal Suiyue was trying to use the power of time to speed up the tail hair's growth and conceal the traces of his theft, Immortal Kirin discovered him.
"Furious, Immortal Kirin brawled with Immortal Suiyue. Immortal arts flew without end. Cultivators across several planets witnessed the scene and were awestruck. The commotion was so massive that it alerted the chosen prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix clans.
"Learning of the clash, the prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix clans rushed over to inquire about the cause.
"Of course, Immortal Kirin couldn't admit he had been led by lust into Immortal Suiyue's trap, so he claimed with indignation that a momentary lapse had allowed Immortal Suiyue to trap him in a painting.
"Immortal Suiyue also claimed he merely wanted to test what level his Dao of Painting had reached by trying it out on Immortal Kirin, and begged Immortal Kirin for forgiveness.
"Immortal Kirin said, 'Your attitude is commendable. I forgive you.'
"Immortal Suiyue said, 'I will surely present you with a lavish gift afterward.'
"Immortal Kirin said, 'We are like brothers; what need is there for lavish gifts?'
"Immortal Suiyue said, 'It is only right.'
"The prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix clans were amazed and very curious. They asked to see what sort of painting had trapped Immortal Kirin, but Immortal Kirin and Immortal Suiyue stated in unison that the painting had been destroyed in the battle.
"The prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix clans thought nothing of it, believed them completely, and merely felt it was a pity.
"Afterward, Immortal Suiyue presented the *Picture of a Hundred Beasts* to Immortal Kirin, and the two reconciled as before, close as brothers."
Lu Yang: "..."
What a "reconciled as before."
Seeing Lu Yang spacing out, the Grand Elder assumed he was searching his memories and added another comment:
"I recall now. Ancient texts also say that Wood Celestial painted a *Picture of a Hundred Beasts*, trapped Demon Celestial inside, and commanded the hundred beasts to besiege Demon Celestial. Do you have any recollection of this?"
Lu Yang thought to himself: *Where on earth did this ancient text come from? It's romanticized beyond all reason.*
He felt it was best to keep the ancient truth buried deep inside. If word of this reached the prodigies of the Dragon and Phoenix clans, and they gave Immortal Kirin another beating, Immortal Kirin might trace the leak back to him, and his little life would probably be forfeit.
He shook his head blankly. "Never heard of it."
"Fair enough." The Grand Elder did not doubt Lu Yang. After all, Lu Yang was still young; he couldn't possibly know everything.
While they spoke, the Grand Elder steered the scroll, bringing Lu Yang and Tao Yaoye back to the sect, then vanished off to who-knew-where.
...
"Old Second, wake up! Do you know what I was just doing?"
The Grand Elder found Old Ba sleeping at the entrance of the Herb Garden and shook him awake.
Old Ba saw it was the Grand Elder, ignored him, rolled over, and went back to sleep.
How could the Grand Elder let Old Ba sleep? He spoke from beside him, "I just went to meet a demonic cult's vice cult master, in my identity as the Nether Heavenly King."
"What?!" Old Ba was instantly wide awake. He opened his eyes and sat up sharply. "Tell me what happened!"
"Lu Yang was going to meet the vice cult master of the Nine Nether Cult. Fearing for his safety, he begged me to back him up. Seeing how our sect's most outstanding disciple pleaded with me, I naturally agreed, hiding in the dark to protect his safety.
"The Nine Nether Cult's vice cult master is named Shi. Upon meeting him, Lu Yang, with me backing him up and serving as his shield, spoke with absolute calm and poise, completely intimidating that fellow named Shi.
"Shi said he discovered traces of an ancient cultivator and invited Lu Yang to go. With me protecting him, the world is vast—where couldn't Lu Yang go? So he gladly went.
"Shi's intelligence was correct. There really was an ancient cultivator there. That ancient cultivator was evil to the extreme, refining a Myriad Soul Banner with a sky full of blood stench! As soon as it was refined, myriad beasts howled, blotting out the sky and sun, deafening the ears, while gloomy winds raged. Anyone would be terrified at the sight! Lu Yang was scared out of his wits, standing frozen in place—he'd never seen such a spectacle before!"
Old Ba nodded. Once refined, a Body Integration-grade Myriad Soul Banner allowed myriad ghosts to run rampant and sweep the realm. Even cultivators of the same rank found it troublesome, let alone Lu Yang. It was only natural for him to be frightened.
Moreover, it was a demon beast Myriad Soul Banner. When demon beast souls went mad, they were far more ferocious than human souls. Weaker individuals would lose their sanity just hearing their cries!
"Shi and the ancient cultivator fought with abandon. Seeing how difficult the opponent was, I boldly struck! Wielding an immortal treasure and ignoring the attacks of the Myriad Soul Banner, I took him down in a single blow!
"Seeing my unfathomable cultivation, the ancient cultivator was terrified. Unwilling to accept defeat just like that, he hysterically asked who I was. Stepping on the ancient cultivator and looking down upon the world, I slowly announced my title, declaring: 'This Seat is a Protector of the Heavenly Court Cult, the Nether Heavenly King!'"
Old Ba's eyes shone with excitement as he listened. Why hadn't he gotten to run into such a flashy event?
The Grand Elder thought to himself: *I oversee the Dao Seeking Sect's intelligence. Naturally I knew Lu Yang was going out before you did.*
"Alright, I've got things to do, can't chat." The Grand Elder hurried off, leaving behind an envious Old Ba.
...
"Old Third, stop tilling the fields! Do you know what I was just doing?"
"Old Fourth, stop reading! Do you know what I was just doing?"
...
Tao Yaoye bid farewell to Lu Yang. Accompanying Lu Yang this time had exposed her to grand scenes and made her realize her own shortcomings.
*It seems I still have a long way to go before I can keep up with Senior Brother Lu's pace!*
*Senior Brother Lu could talk and laugh casually in front of a Body Integration cultivator, referencing all kinds of lore and cultivation concepts effortlessly. How did he do it?*
*Senior Brother Lu is knowledgeable and unflappable—he is truly my role model. I heard Senior Brother Lu is especially well-versed in ancient history, surpassing even the elders. In that case, I'll start by studying ancient history!*
Suddenly, Tao Yaoye felt a crushing pressure that was enough to suffocate someone.
She turned her head to see her master smiling gently at her, sending a voice transmission to inquire about her cultivation progress.
"Just got back from outside? How is your cultivation of the Feathering Immortal Physique coming along?"
Tao Yaoye broke into a cold sweat. Earlier, hearing that she could go out and have fun with Senior Brother Lu, she had been so happy that she completely forgot she still had to cultivate the Feathering Immortal Physique.
Chapter 388