All eyes turned to the entrance. A tall woman glided in, flanked by attendants. Her silver hair gleamed with a metallic luster.
Zhang Yu studied the hair, wondering if it was a dharma skeleton. He wondered how much a single strand cost.
Her red evening gown rippled with flowing patterns of fire — flames dancing across the fabric, radiating powerful mana waves. Zhao Tianxing realized the gown itself was likely a dharma treasure, worth a fortune.
The golden-skinned City Director of the Celestial Rhythm Group stepped forward to greet Li Xuelian. Two other Foundation Building cultivators joined them. Surrounding wealthy guests jostled for proximity, desperate to be noticed.
But Li Xuelian gave them little time. After brief pleasantries, she moved to the cloth-draped Celestial Combat Painting.
"Thank you all for attending tonight's exhibition."
Amid applause, she smiled. "In this moment of creativity and inspiration, we gather—"
Zhang Yu yawned. He considered meditating through the speech. Then he noticed his own growing diligence toward cultivation and wondered: was it the Ritual Contract's pressure, or had this society quietly reshaped him?
Fortunately, Li Xuelian's speech was brief. She arrived at the topic every young cultivator cared about.
"In recent years, my father has sought a disciple to inherit his legacy — his martial arts and Daoist techniques. But his standards are high. After years of searching, he found no one who met his requirements."
"So he personally painted the Celestial Combat Painting, hiding within it a martial art. If a young cultivator under eighteen can master it, my father will accept them as a direct disciple and cultivate them toward a top university."
"However — the painting contains a trace of my father's martial intent. Viewing it will subject you to the impact of this intent. There is a risk of damaging your Dao Heart."
"Please exercise caution during comprehension. Do not push beyond your limits."
With that, she pulled the cloth away.
Behind it stood a frame over two meters tall. A blurred figure slowly materialized within the painting.
*This was painted by a Golden Core master?* Zhang Yu squinted. It looked like a toddler's stick figure — a rough human shape scribbled in crayon.
Before he could judge further, someone bellowed, "Magnificent!"
"The qi rhythm is alive! The brushwork captures the bone structure! Senior Starfire's painting has reached the pinnacle of artistic achievement. Truly humbling!"
Others piled on: "Stunning! The painting appears simple, yet conceals profound depths. The longer you look, the more it reveals!"
As the chorus of flattery swelled, Li Xuelian coughed politely.
"Gentlemen, to prevent accidental injury, my father added a protective measure. The painting's true content can only be perceived within five meters. But within that range, you will also be affected by his martial intent."
"If any young cultivator wishes to attempt comprehension, please step closer."
The flatterers went red and shut up.
But one person was already walking toward the painting — Lian Tianji of Purple Cloud High.
"Let me, Lian Tianji, see what wonders this Celestial Combat Painting holds!"
He strode forward, grinning. Qian Shen watched, thinking, *Lian Tianji of Purple Cloud. 670 total score last month. One of the opponents I'll challenge after defeating Bai Zhenzhen.*
As Lian Tianji approached, the figure in the painting grew clearer. He could see a middle-aged man performing a profound martial art. His consciousness was drawn deeper, deeper —
Then the painted man threw a punch through the air. Straight at him.
*Boom.*
Lian Tianji stopped dead. His eyes went wide, locked on the painting.
The crowd assumed he was deep in comprehension, absorbing the painting's mysteries.
Li Xuelian explained calmly, "My father designed the painting to test resolve. During comprehension, the viewer confronts their inner terrors."
"Only by conquering your own weaknesses can you grasp the painting's essence."
The crowd murmured with fascination, staring at Lian Tianji's frozen form, wondering what horrors he faced.
---
In Lian Tianji's mind, the world dissolved. The exhibition, Li Xuelian, the painting — all gone. He was back in a classroom. His homeroom teacher was reading exam results.
Starting from first place, his name wasn't called.
Tenth place. Not called.
Twentieth. Not called.
Fiftieth. Still not called.
As the scores dropped lower and lower, Lian Tianji's heart clenched with dread.
---
Back in the exhibition hall, Li Xuelian spoke again. "The Celestial Combat Painting can be comprehended simultaneously. Any other young cultivators who wish to try, please approach."
Qian Shen and several others exchanged glances and walked toward the painting.
Zhang Yu looked at Zhou Tianyi. "You going to try?"
Zhou Tianyi shrugged. "I'm just here for the show. No point embarrassing myself."
Zhang Yu turned to Bai Zhenzhen. "What about you?"
She regarded the painting. "Still hesitating."
"About what?"
"I don't want a master."
She was thinking: *Becoming a disciple means signing a contract with Starfire True Person. Basically an indentured servitude agreement. He'd control which university I attend, which major I choose. And I'd owe another mountain of debt. God knows what the interest rate would be.*
Zhang Yu heard her hesitation and said, "Then don't master the martial art. Just don't complete it."
He looked at the painting, smiling slightly. "A martial art left by a Golden Core True Person — even if it's only useful at the Qi Refining stage, buying the usage rights would cost tens of thousands at minimum. A chance to learn for free? Why not?"
"If you don't want to be Starfire's disciple, just don't finish the technique today."
Zhao Tianxing overheard and silently scoffed. *These two are equally delusional.* He edged a few steps away, terrified someone would associate him with their arrogance.
Bai Zhenzhen stared at Zhang Yu, thinking, *What did the loan sharks do to him? How desperate is his mental state?*
Zhou Tianyi laughed. "Fair point. It's free to try. Let's all go."
Zhao Tianxing refused. The mere image of himself — in a security uniform — attempting to comprehend a painting before a crowd of elites was enough to make him wish for spontaneous combustion.
But watching Zhang Yu walk toward the painting, he felt a grudging admiration for that thick skin.
Then his walkie-talkie crackled. The captain's voice: "What are you doing? You're security guards! Who let him abandon his post to comprehend the painting? Go drag him back!"
Sweating, Zhao Tianxing sprinted after Zhang Yu, shouting his name.
As he closed in on the painting, the figure within grew clearer. And laughter erupted around him. Zhao Tianxing turned — every single person in the exhibition was staring at him. Pointing. Whispering. Mocking the pathetic security guard who dared approach the painting.
Countless sneering faces bore down on him. Zhao Tianxing froze. His hands flew to his ears, then his head, then back — he had no idea what to do with his body.
---
Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu and his group approached the painting, the blurred figure sharpened into a resolute middle-aged man who threw a punch through empty air at them.
Bai Zhenzhen's vision went black. Her phone buzzed violently.
She checked the screen. A debt collection message from a lending platform.
*"Regarding your defaulted 'Qianbei' loan — repeated collection attempts have failed. Please settle the outstanding amount within three days. If you continue to default, we will pursue legal action..."*
*"Continued default will result in a background investigation at your registered address..."*
*"Deadbeat. Owe this little money and still have no shame? Your whole family can collect bottles for all we care..."*
More messages flooded in. The content escalated — from routine dunning to insults, threats, and venom.
Bai Zhenzhen's body went rigid, sweat beading on her forehead. Then her phone rang.
She stared at the screen, unable to answer. But she hadn't touched it — the call connected itself.
An icy male voice came through the speaker.
"Your credit fraud and failure to repay constitute a severe breach of contract. Your position has been locked via the Heavenly Network. If the debt is not settled within three days, a Thunder Tribulation will descend."
A rumble of thunder rolled overhead.
Bai Zhenzhen looked up. Through the ceiling, she could see faint flickers of lightning.