Becoming a Sage Starts From Condensing the Essence of Time

Madam’s Sword Dance, A Paper Sketch

An Le was frightened by Madam Hua’s astonishing aura and did not notice that the wisp of Age Qi he had absorbed was actually golden.

This made An Le a little surprised. The Golden Age Qi could condense into a Dao fruit, which was extremely beneficial!

The scene in front of him rippled like water, and the scene came into view.

…

Outside the pavilion, by the ancient path.

The faint and clear rain sprinkled diagonally in the sky and lingered in the smoke, making people feel misty and sad.

Outside Lin’an City, on the ancient road.

The drizzle was like silk, interweaving endlessly. Two figures led a horse and strolled leisurely along the limestone of the official road. It was poetic and artistic, with a unique flavor.

The woman wore a white dress and had a three-foot-long sword sheathed at her waist. The man beside her had eyebrows that were as sharp as knives and an aura as deep as an abyss. He wore silver armor and a white cloak. He carried a golden spear on his back and a broadsword on his back. He looked domineering as he held the reins of a black horse and walked silently.

When the lover went to war, his wife sent him off. The spring rain was tainted with the sadness of parting.

An Le watched quietly. From a third person’s point of view, it was like watching a movie.

That armored man should be the eldest son of the Lin family, the titled marquis. His cultivation was extraordinary, and his saber and spear were peerless. He suppressed the foreign races and guarded the frontier fortress of Great Zhao, blocking the Yuan Meng army outside the Blue Wave River.

At this moment, Madam Hua was still young. Her beautiful face carried the elegance and blurriness that a young girl in her prime should have.

Finally, the two of them walked silently for a long time. No matter how reluctant they were, they finally reached the end.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

“I’ll send you off with a sword dance,” Madam Hua said softly.

Then, she pulled out the long sword at her waist. The blade was thin but sharp like a cicada’s wings. As she waved it, it gently cut through the raindrops. Mist bloomed like a flower.

The man stopped his horse and chuckled. He took out a jade flute from the horse’s backpack and placed it by his lips. The sound of the flute was long and continuous.

The woman danced with the sword while the man played the flute. This scene was a beautiful painting.

The man mounted his horse and looked at the white-clothed woman who was dancing on the spot. His legs clamped lightly on the horse’s belly, and the black horse slowly galloped forward. The sound of the flute was endless.

Madam Hua continued to dance with the flute. Her sword technique became more and more ferocious. The sword light was wanton, slashing the surrounding ground with sword marks.

It was as if there was an aura of metal and horses that could split mountains and break the waves!

The man and horse disappeared into the drizzle.

Only then did Madam Hua stop dancing with her sword and stand with it. Her eyes were filled with sorrow and worry as she bid farewell. The corners of her eyes were filled with an imperceptible crystal. It was unknown if it was a drizzle or tears.

“I hope that my husband will go to the frontier fortress and kill enemies like a war god to protect our people.”

“I’ll wait for you at home.”

At this point, the scene dissipated in the golden mist like a hazy painting.

…

An Le opened his eyes slowly. His eyes were slightly dazed, but he did not forget his main purpose of observing the Age Qi. Madam Hua sent her husband off to battle. That sorrow and the charm of her sword dance made An Le’s heart surge.

Looking back at Madam Hua, who was sitting upright in the Heavenly Wave Water Pavilion, there was a hint of sadness that could not be erased under her beautiful and graceful face.

If An Le remembered correctly, the eldest young master of the Lin Residence had never returned from that expedition.

[Obtained Age Dao Fruit: Sword Dancer (0/10)]

[Note: Sword Dancer (Dao Fruit): Comprehension can be enhanced for anything related to the sword. When holding the sword, the battle intent will increase by two times, and the strength and speed will increase.]

In front of him, a notification flashed.

A wisp of Molten Gold Age Qi condensed an Age Dao Fruit.

However, at this moment, An Le, who should be happy, was calm and did not study the newly obtained Age Dao Fruit.

He closed his eyes slightly. In his mind, there was an image that could not be dispelled.

The white-robed woman’s face was filled with sorrow and worry as she bid farewell.

When he opened his eyes again, An Le grabbed a carbon strip that had been peeled with a small knife. The end of the carbon strip was cut into a sharp pen tip.

He placed his palm on the brush and held the charcoal strip with his index finger and thumb like he was holding a flower. The thick paper was spread on the wooden frame, and the thin charcoal tip landed on the white thick paper. The rustling sound suddenly sounded. It was different from painting with a brush. It was quite loud.

This sound seemed very special in the quiet Heavenly Wave Water Pavilion. Many painters turned their heads and saw the young painter’s strange painting method. They sneered and immersed themselves in painting again.

Sketching was a very basic method of painting. Every artist who learned to draw would first come into contact with sketching. Sketching tested the artist’s control over lines, light, darkness, form, and structure. Through light, lines, surfaces, and other aspects, they would create realistic drawings.

Character portraits were sketches.

In his previous life, An Le was an art student who was able to successfully get into an art school against a thousand different competitors. His foundation was still there.

In addition, he used the Age Qi to observe Madam Hua’s unique charm.

At this moment, An Le was confident. Madam Hua’s gaze was deeply engraved in his mind.

Rustle, rustle, rustle…

A rhythmic yet hurried sound resounded out, and it lingered without end.

An Le’s eyes seemed to be glowing. In his creative state, he became very serious and focused.

From time to time, he would look up and observe Madam Hua.

The sharpened charcoal strips were gently rubbed to make it easier to leave marks on the white paper. The lines outlined the facial features and were carefully carved bit by bit.

An Le emphasized Madam Hua’s eyes the most. In sketches, the eyes were very important because the eyes were the best place to express one’s charm.

Time passed bit by bit, and the Heavenly Wave Water Pavilion was still very quiet.

Miss Zhuifeng moved closer to Ninth Sister Lin Qingyin and leaned against the railing. From time to time, she would poke her head out, wanting to use her outstanding eyesight to look at the painters’ works.

Madam Hua, on the other hand, was very calm. She sat on the chair and took out a book on Confucianism. She read it seriously and let the painters paint for her. As for what it looked like, she didn’t seem to care at all.

“Ninth Sister, shall we go down and take a look?”

Miss Zhuifeng had a fire stick on her waist and was very curious. Of course, she was more concerned about whether An Le’s paintings could compare to these famous painters in Lin’an Prefecture.

Lin Qingyin looked at Miss Zhuifeng helplessly. “Alright, alright, I’ll do as you say.”

With that, the two of them stood up.

“First Madam, we want to observe the painters up close.” Lin Qingyin bowed to Madam Hua.

Madam Hua nodded dotingly.

Miss Zhuifeng grinned and pulled Lin Qingyin across the white jade bridge to the field.

“Let’s take a look at Master Liu Qingyan’s painting first.” Lin Qingyin held back Lin Zhuifeng, who was about to move closer to An Le.

Although Lin Zhuifeng was displeased, she didn’t say anything.

“Actually, we can invite those royal painters with Spirit Refinement cultivation in the palace. Why didn’t the Matriarch invite them?” Lin Zhuifeng asked curiously.

The royal painters in the palace were all true cultivators. Their calligraphy and painting skills were top-notch. With the Lin family’s reputation, they would definitely be able to invite them.

“Although those people are painters, they all have their own positions. The situation in the imperial court is complicated. Every painter has a benefactor behind them. The Lin Residence has always been neutral and has not been involved in the storm. If we hire an artist, there will be a personal debt incurred. The Matriarch is unwilling,” Lin Qingyin said gently.

The two of them had already arrived at Master Liu Qingyan’s table.

On the table, the ink stains had yet to dry. On the paper, there was already a noblewoman. The lines were fine, smooth, and not trembling. Every strand of hair was outlined perfectly.

Lin Qingyin nodded slightly. Although the Lin Residence was a martial arts aristocratic family, she and the young masters in the Lin Residence had been taught poems and books by scholars in the Imperial Court since she was young. She had been influenced by them and naturally knew how to appreciate paintings.

“As expected of Master Liu Qingyan, your drawing is really good.” Lin Qingyin praised.

“Thank you for your praise, Miss Lin. I’m just trying my best.” Liu Qingyan held a brush in one hand and stroked his beard with the other. His eyes were filled with complacency.

Lin Zhuifeng didn’t think much of it. Although this painting didn’t look like Madam Hua’s, it looked good since the Ninth Sister praised it. However, Liu Qingyan didn’t look good.

She was still thinking about that handsome artist, An Le.

She couldn’t wait to pull Lin Qingyin along. The two of them walked past many painters and arrived at An Le’s location.

That strange painting posture was quite eye-catching.

Lin Zhuifeng and Lin Zhuifeng quietly walked behind An Le.

Their gazes fell on the wooden board that had been set up.

In the next moment, Lin Qingyin’s pupils shrank. She looked into the painting as if Madam Hua was looking directly at her. That indescribable sadness spread out like paper, making Lin Qingyin’s scalp tingle. Under her thin clothes, goosebumps rose on her fair arms.

Lin Zhuifeng, who was at the side, tightened her grip on the fire stick in her hand and was dumbfounded.

“Heh, the handsome artist is godly. He’s basically copied First Madam onto paper. That old man’s painting is tasteless compared to this!”

Liu Qingyan: “…”

Lin Qingyin: “…”