I Can See Your Combat Power - Chapter 374: Becoming a Faction of One's Own

Hearing the endless praises and meaningless critiques, a trace of sarcasm arose in Xiao Ziyu’s eyes. He thought to himself: These fools can hardly discern the quality of a painting, their comments are nothing but a mockery Not to mention Xiling, even the entire Longzhou never boasted an unrivaled master of poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Yet this crowd is going along with the praises, unable to specify what’s so good about it. It’s just the same praises over and over again – ‘exquisite’, ‘spectacular’, ‘lifelike’, which is laughable. But one can’t blame them. These good-for-nothing young masters probably gave up on cultivating any skill that demands effort by the age of ten. They devoted themselves to enjoyment. After all, while they didn’t have great wisdom, they wise up to some things by exposure to it in their clan. Rather than praising a neglected piece of calligraphy, it was easier to flock to the grand finale – after all, if it was selected as the final masterpiece, it must be outstanding, so it was harmless to heap praises on it.

This was the truth of why the grand finale works always had the most followers. However, this craftiness of everyone brought a bit of trouble for those who wanted to genuinely appreciate the artwork. Xiao Ziyu frowned discontent with the crowd flocking around the display, forming about three layers.

Although these young masters lacked knowledge of martial arts, the plentiful Spiritual Food of their families endowed them with slender figures. They blocked the showcase tightly, not leaving even a small gap. Judging by the current situation, they had no intention of stepping aside anytime soon. Xiao Ziyu had to pave his way.

The formidable aura of the unity of spirit and intent was released in a mere moment. However, for the young masters in front of the showcase, a chill crawled up their spines, as though a ferocious beast was eyeing them with blood-thirsty eyes.

Feeling this, they all shuddered, and quickly turned around to discern the origin of this terrifying aura. Their faces showed anger since, being unacquainted with martial arts, they felt this kind of aura more intensely. They despised anyone displaying such martial aura before them more than being directly insulted. This mockery was even more provocative. They looked back prepared to rebuke the source of this intimidation.

“Who the heck is releasing this aura?”

Let this young master see which braggart it is.”

Where did this brute come from, spoiling the elegance of this gallery?” Even though they turned around due to the stifling fear, some of the aristocratic young masters still cunningly concealed their fear with anger and rebuked loudly. But when they identified the outsider standing a few steps away, they couldn’t help trembling.

Because the one releasing the formidable aura was the number one transcendent in Xiling – Xiao Ziyu.

He was dressed in a crimson satin robe, his long dark red hair flowing down, and his handsome eyes were indifferent. His tall and fit stature was extremely impressive. But his eyebrows were slightly furrowed, indicating his displeasure, presumably due to the people’s comments when they turned back. The previously bustling area in front of the showcase suddenly became quiet. The aristocratic young lords who had made audacious remarks felt their mouths dry. But these lords, even if they possess none other abilities, must be adept at finding ways to save face. As they turned their gaze, they knew how to smooth things over.

“Why are you all standing there frozen? Didn’t you see Mr. Xiao wants to appreciate the painting? Make way!” As if the comments they had made just before were just to make way for the incoming guest, several aristocratic sons spoke out, and the crowded audience promptly made way for two people to pass side by side.

The young masters of Xiling were all wearing flattering smiles, as if they had not taken the intimidating aura just now to heart.

’Heh, Young Masters.” Xiao Ziyu glanced at the people in front of him and sneered inwardly. He was just about to point out the aristocratic son who had slandered him, when he caught sight of the painting hanging in the showcase down the aisle.

With just one glance, he could no longer divert his attention. The fantastic clouds seemed tangible, a single scroll was able to capture the majesty of the endless ocean of clouds. The three young lords on the cliff, wearing white, was standing erect on the cliff, looking out over the ocean of clouds, a grandeur as vast as a tiger’s.

The young lord in black, although he seemed lazy as he leaned aside, had a pair of eyes that held the stars and myriad things, as if everything in the world was beneath his notice, superbly detached and extraordinary.

The young man in coarse clothes sitting cross-legged was the least noticeable of the three. Yet his presence created a peculiar harmony between the two differing young lords, making one wonder about his identity.

This was definitely a masterpiece like no other!

“Does Xiling actually have such a master?” Xiao Ziyu was shocked. Although he was specialized in calligraphy, he had a brief understanding of painting Although he didn’t consider himself a master of high-level appraisal, there were few in the whole of Xiling who could surpass him. With just one glance he affirmed that the painting before him did not belong to any existing schools’ It depicted a more realistic style, where each scene was vividly portrayed as if it was happening in real time. Though it was diametrically different from the current art school styles, it didn’t lose any aesthetic value.

Discovering such a piece of work defused his intention of picking a fight He had already grown impatient after seeing half of the subpar pieces. As long as the final piece was well-made, he would be satisfied, but this piece before him was beyond exceptional. It seemed capable of establishing a new school of art itself.

Xiao Ziyu disregarded the crowd and took a few steps forward to appreciate the work closely. With just one glance from a distance, he sensed a profound connection between the wavering red clouds. This level of artistry was truly astonishing, warranting a close examination.

Seeing Xiao Ziyu becoming completely engrossed in the painting, the people exchanged triumphant glances, feeling a sense of self- importance. In any world, people have a habit of peeking into a celebrity’s private life. Ever since Xiao Ziyu earned his name in a battle in Xiling, a lot of young masters unearthed a great deal of gossip about him.

For example, they knew that Xiao Ziyu had been practicing calligraphy for ten years and his level of appreciation for calligraphy and painting was extremely igh. They knew he was the youngest to reach the level of “Eight Dragons” in Xiao Family’s Monument Dragon Diagram, even two years earlier than Xiao Jinlm. They knew that Xiao Ziyu originally had black hair, which turned dark red after awakening the Fire God bloodline, and so on.

The authenticity of these rumors varied. Everyone formed a complete impression of a stranger through this aggrandized and intertwined gossip, even feeling a sense of familiarity and identification. Therefore, when they saw Xiao Ziyu being attracted by the painting they had been praising ceaselessly, they felt a profound sense of satisfaction.

They made exaggerated praises not because they discerned its merits, but because they found it appealing without understanding why. They wished they could itemize their praises but, while they adored it deeply, they didn’t know how to articulate this sentiment. They could only continue to assert that it was good, beautiful, and they wouldn’t tolerate any slander against it.

However sincere this admiration might be, it lacked a convincing argument That’s why having in-depth knowledge was important. When one looks at a painting, someone who possesses this knowledge could compliment it like this: Red clouds cover ten thousands miles, revealing its beauty; Red Cloud whirls around the cliffs in nine circles.”, rather than merely exclaming, “Wow, so many clouds, so beautiful.”