Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'-Chapter 728 - 477: Where the Great Omen Lies (High Energy - )

Chapter 728: Chapter 477: Where the Great Omen Lies (High Energy Chapter)

Fu Taiyue, Puluo State’s foremost master of colorful portraiture, appeared atop a mountain—a mountain that should not have existed in this territory.

Could he have drawn this mountain?

What cultivation level does this elder possess, to be able to draw such a large mountain?

What is his purpose for drawing a mountain on my territory?

Could it be that he’s realized something special about this territory and wants to seize it?

Li Banfeng looked toward Fu Taiyue’s hands. Fu Taiyue’s sleeves were long, his hands hidden within them. Li Banfeng suspected he was holding some kind of weapon or Magical Treasure.

If it comes to a confrontation, I absolutely cannot let him get the upper hand.

Fu Taiyue, looking at the scroll on the table, suddenly spoke, "Would you like to learn painting?"

Learn painting?

I once sought to learn painting from him; does he still remember that?

His style was too impressionistic, while Li Banfeng’s Golden House Hidden Beauty Skill required realism. Furthermore, learning from him without any fundamentals was too difficult, and the results too slow. Consequently, Li Banfeng ultimately did not learn from him. At that time, Fu Taiyue had even gotten quite angry about it.

But now, the old painter seemed to have changed his style. The figure depicted on the scroll on the desk was drawn very realistically. Having studied painting techniques with Clock Pendulum and Hong Ying for some time, Li Banfeng could discern many skills and methods in the artwork.

First, I’ll talk to him about painting, pave the way, and then I can get to the real question.

Li Banfeng said, "I particularly enjoy painting and would appreciate the elder’s guidance."

Fu Taiyue stared at the scroll on the desk, silent for a long while.

After some time, Fu Taiyue seemed moved. He picked up a brush and dipped it in the ink on the inkstone.

His sleeves were so long that Li Banfeng still could not see his hands. He only saw a brush extend from the sleeve cuff, sketching the face of the man on the scroll.

His handling of the details was admirable; with every added stroke, the character’s expression gained more vitality.

As Fu Taiyue painted, he explained, "The hair should drift a bit, to show there’s wind.

"Without wind in winter, it always feels insufficiently cold. If winter isn’t cold enough, this scarf would be pointless to paint.

"But the hair mustn’t drift too much, and the wind mustn’t be too strong; otherwise, one couldn’t open their eyes when facing it."

This was practical knowledge. Within just a few words, Li Banfeng learned a great deal from the elder.

Fu Taiyue was getting into the zone, the way had been paved; it was about time to get to the point. Li Banfeng asked, "May I ask, Elder Fu, what is the key if one wishes to draw mountains?"

Several minutes passed, but Fu Taiyue did not reply.

The setup is so perfect, why isn’t he taking the bait?

Does he have a way to guard against the Foolish Cultivation Technique? 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

That possibility is slim. Firstly, the Foolish Cultivation Technique isn’t easy to guard against, and secondly, not many people even know about it.

Li Banfeng was about to probe again when a cold wind blew. A dark cloud floated across the sky, looking as if it might rain.

Fu Taiyue put down his brush, his expression changing slightly.

Has he realized I’m trying to sound him out? Does he want to confront me?

Fight him?

If this mountain really was drawn by Fu Taiyue, I’d be essentially trapped in his painted world. That realm would certainly be dominated by him.

If I were to fight Fu Taiyue here, I’d be at a great disadvantage. Moreover, the Portable Residence isn’t with me; it’s in the cave, being set up as a station. In a critical moment, I’d have no escape route.

Li Banfeng said, "Farewell," and turned to leave.

From behind, Fu Taiyue said, "Leaving so soon? Don’t you want to learn a little longer?"

Li Banfeng replied, "I’ve learned enough for today. I’ll go back and thoroughly review it."

Fu Taiyue picked up his brush again, his eyes fixed on the scroll. "The moment I saw you, I knew you were a prodigy at painting," he said. "Study diligently with me, and you’ll have great prospects in the future."

Li Banfeng smiled faintly.

That remark makes it sound as if I currently have no prospects.

"I’ll visit again tomorrow." Li Banfeng descended the mountain.

Fu Taiyue continued painting on the mountain, saying, "I knew from the first glance that you were a prime candidate for this path.

"Our craft isn’t easy to learn. How many people practice their whole lives only to end up as mere painters, never becoming true artists?

"They don’t understand the Artistic Realm. This realm depends entirely on talent. Without talent, no amount of hard work will bear fruit.

"You have talent, a rare and remarkable talent. As long as you follow me, whether in Painting Cultivation or the Taoist Sect, you will surely become a Master!"

As he spoke, he made a few modifications to the scroll. The young man in the painting looked very excited, so moved that tears streamed down his face.

Fu Taiyue sighed. "You always talk about wanting to be a Literature Cultivator, but this world is full of them. Do you truly possess talent in that field?

"Don’t waste your prime years, or you’ll regret it later. The Way of Painting is your true path! Your master will never deceive you!"

The young man in the painting looked at Fu Taiyue, nodding vigorously.

「Back in the Portable Residence.」

Li Banfeng said, "Old Man, I have something to ask you."

The Old Man did not respond. Li Banfeng faintly heard a song: "Racing over flatlands, crossing mountains grand, CHUGGA CHUGGA, belching smoke! Add coal, add water, let’s hit the road! Once the train starts, its power is boundless..."

He was singing the Train Ballad.

The Phonograph said, "The Old Man has been singing since early this morning and hasn’t stopped. Building that large station has made him ecstatic! My dear husband, what is it you want to ask the Old Man?"

Li Banfeng said, "A Painting Cultivator has come into my territory. He’s at quite a high level. He drew a large mountain and can even paint while inside it. For a moment, it’s hard to tell what’s the painting and who’s the person."

His explanation was a bit convoluted, but his wife, the Phonograph, understood him perfectly. "It’s not unheard of for Painting Cultivators to infiltrate someone’s home using their art," she said. "Ying Ying has experienced it before."