Under the watchful eyes of the guests, a tall woman slowly approached, surrounded by a throng of people. Her long, silver hair shimmered with a metallic luster. Zhang Yu wondered if her exquisite hair was a magical relic, pondering how much a single strand might be worth.

The woman’s red evening gown was adorned with flowing patterns of light, resembling flames dancing within and emanating powerful spiritual energy. Zhao Tianxing mused that the gown itself appeared to be a magical artifact, likely worth an immense fortune.

Concurrently, the director of Xianyun Group, who shimmered as if covered in gold leaf, proactively approached Li Xuelian. Following suit, two other wealthy cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage joined their conversation. Surrounding them were numerous wealthy and influential figures, all eager to exchange a few words with the four and make an acquaintance.

However, Li Xuelian did not give them much of a chance. After a brief conversation with the three, she proceeded to the curtain concealing the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for attending the art exhibition today,” she said with a slight smile amid the applause. “At this moment, brimming with creativity and inspiration, we are all gathered here…”

Listening to Li Xuelian’s speech, Zhang Yu yawned out of boredom, wondering if he should just use the time for cultivation breathing instead. Suddenly, a thought struck him: he had become increasingly diligent in his cultivation recently. He wasn’t sure if it was due to the compelling force of ritualistic power, or simply the subtle influence of this world and society.

Fortunately, Li Xuelian’s speech was not lengthy. Even as Zhang Yu pondered, she had already moved on to the topic most captivating to the numerous cultivation prodigies present.

Li Xuelian continued, “For the past few years, my father has been searching for a disciple to inherit his mantle and pass on his martial arts and Taoist techniques. However, his requirements are quite stringent. After many years of painstaking searching, he has yet to find a disciple who truly meets his criteria. Therefore, he personally painted this Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting, embedding a set of martial arts within it.

“Should any young prodigy under the age of eighteen manage to master the martial arts depicted in the painting, my father is willing to accept them as a disciple and fully support their education to a top university. However, this painting contains a trace of my father’s martial intent. Viewing it carries the risk of being impacted by this intent, potentially harming one’s Dao heart. Therefore, during the comprehension process, please proceed with caution and act according to your own abilities, lest you be harmed by the martial intent within…”

As Li Xuelian concluded her introduction, her hand slowly drew back the curtain, revealing the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting. Within a two-meter-tall frame, a blurred human figure slowly materialized.

“Is this the painting by a Golden Core grand cultivator?” Zhang Yu gazed at the canvas, feeling as though someone had simply doodled a basic human figure, akin to a child’s drawing. No sooner had this thought crossed Zhang Yu’s mind than someone exclaimed, “What a magnificent painting!”

“The painting possesses vivid spirit and masterful brushwork! Master Xinghuo’s artistry truly reaches the pinnacle, putting us to shame.”

Immediately, another person followed up, extolling its virtues: “It’s truly exquisite! Though seemingly simple, this painting holds a profound artistic conception; the more you gaze upon it, the more endlessly fascinating it becomes.”

Just as an increasing number of people began to laud the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting, Li Xuelian could not help but clear her throat, interrupting their pronouncements. She then explained, “Ladies and gentlemen, to prevent this painting from inadvertently harming anyone, my father incorporated an additional mystical element. The true content of the painting can only be discerned within a five-meter radius, but those who approach will also be affected by the martial intent within. Any young prodigies wishing to comprehend the painting are invited to step forward.”

Upon hearing Li Xuelian’s explanation, the individuals who had just been praising the painting turned red with embarrassment and fell silent. Nevertheless, someone had already taken the initiative to approach the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting: Lian Tianji of Ziyun High School, who had just been speaking with ‘Urn’.

“Haha, let me, Lian Tianji, see what profound mysteries this Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting truly holds!” With a chuckle, Lian Tianji strode purposefully towards the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting.

Watching this unfold, Qian Shen’s gaze flickered as he thought to himself, “That’s Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School, a formidable character who scored 670 on last month’s monthly exam. He’s one of the opponents I plan to challenge after I defeat Bai Zhenzhen.”

As Lian Tianji approached the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting step by step, the figure within the scroll grew increasingly clear in his eyes. He seemed to perceive a middle-aged man slowly performing a set of profound martial arts. Lian Tianji’s mind was gradually drawn in, until he finally witnessed the man in the painting unleash a sudden punch through the air directly at him.

A muffled thud seemed to echo in the air. Lian Tianji abruptly halted, his eyes wide with fury, staring fixedly at the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting. Witnessing him standing frozen and motionless, everyone assumed Lian Tianji had become fully immersed in the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting, comprehending its mysterious martial arts.

Not far away, Li Xuelian calmly explained, “My father, in his quest to select disciples of resolute will and extraordinary courage… designed the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting so that during comprehension, observers would directly confront their deepest fears. Only by strengthening their spirit and conquering their inner weaknesses can they truly grasp the painting’s profound mysteries.”

Those who heard her words were once again surprised, gazing curiously at the motionless Lian Tianji, speculating about what he might be witnessing.

Meanwhile, in Lian Tianji’s perception, the world around him shifted. He had unconsciously returned to a classroom, seemingly having no recollection of the art exhibition, Li Xuelian, or the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting. His class teacher was at the podium, announcing the results of the last monthly exam. Yet, from the first-place announcement onward, he never heard his name called. Not in the top 10… Not in the top 20… Still not even in the top 50… As the scores announced steadily declined, Lian Tianji’s anxiety intensified…

Back at the exhibition, observing Lian Tianji still immersed in comprehending the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting, Li Xuelian stated, “The Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting can be comprehended collectively. Are there any other young prodigies interested in approaching the painting?”

Qian Shen and several of his classmates exchanged glances, then collectively moved towards the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting. Concurrently, other young people who had come to comprehend the painting also stepped forward, one after another.

Zhang Yu glanced at Zhou Tianyi beside him and asked curiously, “Aren’t you going to try it?”

Zhou Tianyi chuckled and shrugged, saying, “I’m just here to observe the excitement. I’d rather not go up and make a fool of myself.”

Zhang Yu then turned to Bai Zhenzhen, asking, “What about you? Are you not going up either?”

Bai Zhenzhen cast a brief glance towards the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting and calmly replied, “I’m still debating.”

Zhang Yu asked curiously, “Debating what?”

Bai Zhenzhen explained, “I don’t want to acquire a master.” She thought to herself, “Becoming a disciple would undoubtedly mean signing a contract with Master Xinghuo, essentially a bondage contract.” Bai Zhenzhen sighed inwardly, “Beyond everything else… simply choosing which university or major would likely mean being controlled by him. I’d also end up deeply in debt, and who knows how the interest would be calculated…”

Upon hearing Bai Zhenzhen’s hesitation, Zhang Yu immediately said, “Well, if you don’t fully master this martial art, then you won’t have to become Master Xinghuo’s disciple! Martial arts left behind by a Golden Core True Person, even if they’re for the Qi Refining stage, would cost at least tens of thousands of yuan if we were to purchase the usage rights ourselves, right? Why wouldn’t we seize the chance to learn martial arts for free? If you don’t want to be Master Xinghuo’s disciple, it’s no big deal—just don’t fully master the martial art today.”

Zhao Tianxing, standing nearby, secretly curled his lips upon hearing this. He felt that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were both speaking with excessive arrogance. He quietly took a few steps back, fearing that anyone observing might mistake him for being as conceited and foolish as them.

Zhou Tianyi smiled, “That makes sense. Comprehending it doesn’t cost anything anyway, so why don’t we just try it together?”

Zhao Tianxing, however, declined Zhang Yu and Zhou Tianyi’s invitation. The mere thought of himself, dressed in a security or waiter uniform, trying to comprehend the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting in plain sight, felt utterly humiliating. Yet, as he watched Zhang Yu walk forward, he suddenly found himself admiring the other’s audacity.

Just then, the walkie-talkie on Zhao Tianxing’s belt buzzed. The security captain’s furious voice came through: “What are you doing? You’re security guards! Who allowed him to abandon his post and go comprehend that painting? Get him back here, now!”

Sweating profusely from the scolding, Zhao Tianxing quickly ran forward, shouting as he went, intending to pull Zhang Yu back. As Zhao Tianxing approached the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting step by step, the figure within the painting gradually sharpened, and he began to hear bursts of derisive laughter from all around him. Zhao Tianxing turned to look and found that everyone in the entire exhibition was staring at him, pointing and whispering, mocking him for overestimating his abilities—a mere security guard attempting to comprehend the martial arts painting. Amidst the ridicule of countless onlookers, Zhao Tianxing slowly came to a halt, flustered and uncertain. He fidgeted, touching his head one moment, scratching his ear the next, unsure of how to even stand.

Concurrently, as Zhang Yu and his two companions approached the Heaven-Human Martial Arts Painting step by step, the blurred figure within it gradually sharpened, transforming into a resolute-faced middle-aged man who ultimately unleashed a punch at them from afar.

Bai Zhenzhen felt her vision darken, and her phone began to vibrate frantically. She picked it up and saw it was a debt collection text message from a lending platform.

“Regarding your overdue ‘Qianbei’ loan: due to multiple failed collection attempts, the situation is severe. Please settle the outstanding amount within three days of receiving this message. Should you remain overdue, we will proceed according to relevant laws… Continued non-payment will result in an investigation of your registered address… Deadbeat, you’ve lost all shame over such a paltry sum. Should your whole family join you in picking up bottles to pay it back, perhaps?”

More and more collection messages flooded in, their content growing increasingly unrestrained. What began as simple payment reminders quickly escalated into comprehensive insults, curses, and threats from every angle… Bai Zhenzhen stared at the relentless stream of collection messages on her phone, cold sweat beading on her forehead, her body tensed. Then, her phone began to ring. Yet, seeing the persistent ringing, Bai Zhenzhen hesitated to answer.

However, even without her touching it, the phone automatically answered. Under her terrified gaze, a cold male voice emanated from the phone.

“Due to your credit fraud and overdue payments, you have committed a serious breach of contract. Your location has now been pinpointed by Sky Net. Should the debt remain unsettled within three days, a lightning tribulation will be brought down upon you…”

A muffled clap of thunder sounded. Bai Zhenzhen abruptly looked up, and faintly discerned lightning flickering above her head.