417: Painting Saint Cui Yunzi

"Give it to me."

Wu Ning smiled and naturally took the paper umbrella from her hand, moving it over her head to block all the wind and snow. Luo Wuyou immediately moved closer, holding his sleeve.

The two continued to walk forward.

As dusk approached, various colorful lanterns were hung on both sides of the street, illuminating the surroundings brightly.

Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, and the streets were bustling with people. Laughter and conversations mingled, the sounds of vendors hawking their wares were endless, accompanied by the music of zithers and flutes.

The market did not become desolate because of the sudden heavy snow; instead, it became even livelier.

A woman dressed in apricot-yellow cloth came towards them, carrying a double pole. She walked and shouted, "Honey for sale! Spirit Source Honey fed by a hundred flowers, incredibly sweet, suitable for all ages, beautifies and nourishes the complexion, fragrant and sweet!"

Next to her, a wine shop owner, unwilling to be outdone, shouted, "Freshly brewed Immortal's Drunken! One bowl passes through the intestines, two bowls sever past karma, three bowls make you forget worldly sorrows! No charge if you don't get drunk!"

A tea stall opposite was even stranger; several teacups flew up on their own, beckoning passersby. On the tea stall, a purple clay teapot spoke in human language, "Cloud Mist Immortal Tea, one Immortal Stone per bowl. Even the noble Young Misses of Immortal Capital say it's good…"

The tea stall owner, meanwhile, lay leisurely in his chair.

Further away, a waiter from a restaurant loudly called out at the entrance, "Wan Sheng Restaurant's hundred-year anniversary! Tonight, enjoy 20% off all consumption! Esteemed guests, don't miss out as you pass by!"

Clang, clang—!

At the end of the street, a bare-chested big man swung a large hammer, striking a red-hot sword blank, creating a symphony of metal striking metal.

"Profound Gold Divine Sword, indispensable for slaying demons and killing enemies! Fellow Daoists who lack a handy weapon, come and take a look!"

The big man shouted as he hammered.

Luo Wuyou suddenly tugged Wu Ning's sleeve, pointing to a painting stall by the lake, "Uncle, shall we get a painting done?"

Wu Ning looked up. By the lake not far away, there was a painting stall where an Immortal Brush flew on its own, painting a portrait for a young couple by the lake.

The painting stall owner was a thin old man with a goatee, appearing like an Immortal Master, deeply hidden and possessing a cultivation Realm at the Peak of a Heavenly Immortal.

On Tianyang Ancient Star, he was definitely considered a grand master.

Wu Ning and Luo Wuyou walked over together.

Just then, the young couple's portrait was finished, and they took the painting and left hand in hand.

"Boss, how much do you charge for a portrait?"

Luo Wuyou stepped forward and asked.

Seeing them, the painting stall owner's eyes lit up, and he praised, "What a pair of peerless lovers!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Wuyou's face flushed, and her gaze couldn't help but secretly glance at Wu Ning. Seeing that he didn't seem to mind, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

But a faint, inexplicable bitterness also arose in her heart.

"Young Miss…"

"This old man's painting stall has two types of paintings. The first is drawn by my treasured Immortal Brush, and it only costs one Low Grade Immortal Stone."

"Don't think my Immortal Brush seems unreliable; it has followed this old man for a hundred thousand years, painting every day. Its mastery in the Dao of painting is no less than that of a grand master of painting!"

The old man said with considerable pride.

Luo Wuyou's gaze fell on the Immortal Brush beside them. The previous young couple's portrait was drawn by this Immortal Brush on its own. She had seen it, and it was indeed very well-drawn.

It was not much worse than her mother's paintings.

"It really is a treasure."

Luo Wuyou said in surprise. She had also studied calligraphy and painting with her mother, but she hadn't inherited her mother's talent, and her mastery was far inferior to this Immortal Brush.

Wu Ning also glanced at it. This Immortal Brush was a top-tier High Grade Immortal Artifact.

It was imbued with the Dao charm of calligraphy and painting, highly spiritual. If enlightened by a master, it might even have a chance to cultivate the Great Dao.

The old man stroked his beard lightly and continued, "As for the second type, naturally, it's done by this old man personally, and a single painting costs one High Grade Immortal Stone."

"High Grade Immortal Stone?"

Luo Wuyou's eyes widened slightly. This was a difference of ten thousand times! "May I ask for Senior's name?"

"Haha…"

The old man stroked his beard and laughed, "This old man is Cui Yunzi. Young Miss, you are young, so you probably haven't…"

"Painting Saint Cui Yunzi?"

Before the old man could finish, Luo Wuyou exclaimed.

She had heard Xie Yanqing mention that Painting Saint Cui Yunzi was a legendary figure from Tianyang Ancient Star. He had been obsessed with painting since childhood. Although his cultivation talent was not high, he pioneered a new path, entering the Dao through painting, and cultivated to become a True Immortal.

He was originally called a painting fanatic, but later he was revered by the world as the Painting Saint.

His painting skills were extraordinary and sacred, having reached a Realm unimaginable to ordinary people.

Legend has it that he once painted a True Dragon that leaped off the paper and killed an Immortal expert.

Since then, his reputation has soared.

She never expected that he would now be living in seclusion in this small market, painting for others.

And he only charged one High Grade Immortal Stone.

The paintings of Painting Saint Cui Yunzi were worth comparable to an Immortal Treasure. Not to mention just one High Grade Immortal Stone, even a million High Grade Immortal Stones would surely attract many buyers.

"Junior greets Senior Cui Yunzi."

Luo Wuyou quickly cupped her hands in a bow.

"Haha, no need for formalities." The old man raised his hand in a gesture of support. "I didn't expect Young Miss to have even heard of this old man."

"Well, since we are fated today, I will paint a portrait for the two of you for free."

"How can this be…"

"No matter, please stand still, or sitting is fine too." The old man waved his hand with a smile.

"Then thank you very much, Senior."

Luo Wuyou smiled brightly, immediately pulled Wu Ning into position, with their backs to the lake, looking at Cui Yunzi.

Cui Yunzi spread out a new sheet of painting paper and immediately began to paint with flowing movements. A lifelike and beautiful scroll gradually appeared on the paper.

Bang, bang—!

Just then, clusters of dazzling fireworks exploded in the sky on the opposite side of the lake.

Cui Yunzi smiled and depicted them in the painting.

About a quarter of an hour later.

After Cui Yunzi finished painting, he stepped back. A beautiful portrait was complete.

Luo Wuyou immediately stepped forward. With one glance, she was instantly captivated by the scene in the painting, staring blankly, unable to recover for a long time.

Wu Ning stepped forward and took a look, also showing a hint of surprise. The painting seemed to contain a world; the young girl smiled sweetly, and the young man's eyes were like stars, as if they were True Immortals.

If one injected a trace of Divine Thought, they could truly experience being there, seeing the splendid fireworks blooming in the sky.

"How is it?"

Cui Yunzi asked with a smile.

Wu Ning nodded slightly, "Senior's painting skills are superb, truly worthy of the name Painting Saint."

Although it was just a simple portrait, to achieve such a level in just a quarter of an hour was indeed very impressive.

"Thank you, Senior, I like it very much." Luo Wuyou recovered and smiled with curved brows.

"It's good that you like it. To meet is to be fated, so this painting is a gift to the two of you."

Cui Yunzi rolled up the portrait and handed it to Luo Wuyou.

The two thanked him and left.

Cui Yunzi smiled, but when he turned back, he found an Immortal Crystal had appeared beside the Immortal Brush at some unknown time.

"This…"

Cui Yunzi's face showed a hint of a bitter smile.

Immortal Crystals were generally only possessed by Immortal King level experts or people from major powers. For him, it was a rare treasure, many times more valuable than his painting.