Chapter 83: Chapter 79: The Poetry-Competing Prince
The ink on the painting board was still wet, and the Water Qilin knew that touching it now would smear the artwork.
She looked it over carefully, and the more she looked, the more she adored it, the fleeting impatience that disturbed her sleep earlier had vanished like smoke in thin air. Her beautiful eyes turned to Li Hao:
“Did you paint this for me?”
“Do you like it, Senior?”
Seeing the happiness in her eyes, Li Hao couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief and smiled, “If Senior likes it, then it’s yours.”
The Water Qilin flashed a smile, brightening the entire cold pond considerably. She laughed lightly:
“I didn’t expect that among the Human Race there would be a painter as skilled as you. It’s really quite good, it feels as if I am standing on the paper.”
“As long as Senior likes it.”
A painting is not just a copy; it involves artistic processing, like adding a filter, naturally it looks better.
Li Hao looked at her and asked quietly, “Senior, how about I paint one of you in your current human form?”
This time, the Water Qilin was not averse but instead looked at Li Hao with keen interest, “You can still paint?”
“As for painting, as long as Senior cooperates, I can paint all day long!” Li Hao said with a smile.
“Fine, then paint another one for me to see.” The Water Qilin agreed.
“Okay!”
Li Hao quickly agreed; this was a rare opportunity to ‘shear wool.’
“Senior, please stand by the edge of the pond and turn your body slightly to the side, yes, just like that…”
Li Hao had her assume a side pose, complemented by her stunning beauty, like a melancholic and gentle woman standing by Emerald Pond’s edge.
He swiftly started to paint.
One Incense Stick later.
The second piece of artwork was finished.
[Painting Experience +1738]
The experience had hardly diminished, mostly likely because it embodied another form, another posture.
Quickly, Li Hao handed the finished artwork to her.
Upon viewing it, the Water Qilin’s eyes immediately sparkled; the sorrow in the painting’s subject, the mournful looks, had an ethereal loneliness and a frosty purity about them, resembling a water lily existing beyond the mundane world.
This is actually me… The Water Qilin felt that the woman in the painting was much more beautiful than her actual appearance.
Moreover, that strand of enduring sorrow in her brows, wasn’t it precisely her own heart?
Lingering alone in the cold pond, a thousand years of solitude, Tan Palace might be a place for humans, but it was not her place… within these bustling cities of the Human Race, her loneliness seemed even more pronounced.
Gazing at the artwork, she gradually became enraptured.
Seeing her in a trance, Li Hao did not disturb her but simply tidied up the painting board quietly, then captured her enraptured appearance in another painting.
In this era without photographs, his paintings could capture time.
Li Hao felt that most people would probably like this.
Soon, the third artwork was complete.
[Painting Experience +1541]
Experience diminished a bit, but it was still a substantial amount.
Just three paintings, and he earned over five thousand experience points, it was a killing.
Once Li Hao finished painting, the Water Qilin came back to her senses and asked, “Is it done?”
So you noticed… Li Hao secretly chuckled, clearly aware but still maintaining her entranced posture; it appeared that she was intentionally cooperating.
“It’s done.”
Li Hao nodded and turned the painting board toward her.
Seeing the third painting, the smile in the Water Qilin’s eyes deepened; the trance captured in the painting was lifelike, the light casting a slant upon the clear eyes seemed filled with myriad thoughts.
She had indeed briefly revisited some past memories from a thousand years ago; had he actually discerned that?
This little human, could he actually understand her?
The Water Qilin looked at Li Hao, her gaze was much kinder as she said, “Your painting skills are indeed good. Did you say you are a descendant of the Li Family?”
“Hmm.” Li Hao nodded.
The Water Qilin said with interest, “The Divine General Mansion’s Li Family is renowned throughout the land, but as I know it, the Li Family has strict rules, and all family members are Martial Artists. How would they allow you to dabble in such minor arts?”
“The Art of Painting is not necessarily a minor art.”
Li Hao smiled slightly, “Besides, practicing cultivation and painting don’t interfere with each other; there are always times when one grows tired of cultivating.”
“Oh?”
The Water Qilin raised an eyebrow.
Li Hao concealed his Myriad Attributes temporarily, releasing his aura for fifteen leagues, and then reactivated the Myriad Attributes.
The Water Qilin blinked in surprise, her eyes widening as she looked at Li Hao in amazement.
Fifteen leagues?
But his vitality and physique seemed so fresh and tender.
“Senior, since you’re free today, how about I continue to paint a few more for you?” Li Hao offered with a smile.
The Water Qilin glanced at the paper in her hand, which she had already dried using her power, and nodded, “That’s fine.”
Li Hao internally grinned and once again positioned her by Emerald Pond, continuing with the painting.
Soon, painting after painting was completed.
After eleven paintings, upon completing the twelfth, the Painting Experience had increased by only 351 points.
Though it was much less than before, it was still substantial compared to painting other subjects.
“Let’s stop here for today.”
The Water Qilin received the latest painting, her face radiant with a smile.
“Is Senior not satisfied?” Li Hao, who was about to continue painting, asked.
The Water Qilin shook her head, “Today my attire is too plain; your painting is so exquisite. Next time I will dress up better, and then you can paint me.”
Li Hao was speechless; they say everyone has a love for beauty, but he didn’t expect that to include the Great Demon King.
She felt her attire wasn’t pretty enough today?
But Li Hao thought she was already stunningly otherworldly.
“Alright then.”
Li Hao didn’t insist. After all, there would be other days.
“What’s your name?” The Water Qilin inquired.
“Li Hao.”
The Water Qilin appeared slightly taken aback; the name seemed a bit presumptuous, though it would be fitting if Li Hao was from the Royal Family.
“Senior, what about you?” Li Hao asked, not missing the chance to make a connection.