Chapter 18: The Illustration of Celestial Martial Arts

Under the watchful eyes of the guests, a tall woman approached slowly, surrounded by a crowd.

Her long silver hair reflected a metallic luster unique to its kind.

Zhang Yu wondered if this hair was a Dharma Relic, thinking to himself how much a single strand might be worth.

The woman's red evening gown was covered in traces of flowing fire, looking like clusters of dancing flames, and it emitted powerful fluctuations of Dharma power.

Zhao Tianxing thought that the gown itself seemed to be a Dharma Treasure, likely worth a fortune.

At the same time, the Director of the Xianyun Group, whose entire body seemed coated in gold leaf, proactively went to greet Li Xuelian.

Then, two other wealthy individuals at the Foundation Establishment stage joined their conversation.

A crowd of socialites and elites gathered around, eager to exchange a few words with the four of them just to make a connection.

But they weren't given much opportunity; after a few words with the three, Li Xuelian walked toward the curtain of the "Heavenly Human Martial Arts Map."

"Everyone, thank you all for attending the art exhibition today."

Amidst the applause, Li Xuelian smiled slightly and continued, "In this moment filled with creativity and inspiration, we gather here together..."

Listening to Li Xuelian's speech, Zhang Yu let out a bored yawn, wondering if he should take this time to practice his breathing exercises.

Suddenly, his gaze shifted. He realized he had been becoming increasingly diligent in his cultivation lately, wondering if it was due to being forced by the power of rituals or the subtle influence of this society.

Fortunately, Li Xuelian's speech was not long. While Zhang Yu was lost in thought, she moved on to the topic that interested the many cultivation geniuses present the most.

Li Xuelian: "In recent years, my father has been searching for a disciple to inherit his mantle and pass down his martial arts and Daoist techniques."

"Unfortunately, his standards are quite high. Despite searching for many years, he has yet to find a disciple who truly meets his requirements."

"Thus, he personally painted this 'Heavenly Human Martial Arts Map,' hiding a set of martial arts within the painting."

"If any young hero under the age of twenty can master the martial arts within, my father is willing to take them as a disciple and devote all resources to training them for entry into top universities."

"However, this painting contains a trace of my father's martial intent. Viewing this painting will subject one to the impact of this intent, posing a risk of damage to one's Dao Heart."

"During the process of comprehension, I ask everyone to act according to their abilities to avoid being injured by the martial intent within..."

As Li Xuelian finished her introduction, her hand slowly pulled back the curtain, revealing the "Heavenly Human Martial Arts Map" behind it.

Within a frame over two meters high, a blurred figure slowly emerged.

"This is a painting by a Golden Core expert?" Zhang Yu looked at the painting and felt it looked like someone had just sloppily doodled a simple human shape, no different from something a primary school student would draw.

Just as Zhang Yu thought this, someone shouted, "A magnificent painting!"

"The rhythm is vivid, and the brushwork is masterful. Master Xinghuo's work is truly at its peak, leaving my generation feeling ashamed."

Immediately, others joined in the flattery: "It is too beautiful. Though it looks simple, it contains profound artistic conception. The more one looks, the more one finds endless meaning."

As more and more people began to praise the map, Li Xuelian let out a small cough to interrupt them.

She explained, "Everyone, to prevent the painting from accidentally harming anyone, my father added a subtle mechanism: one can only see the true content clearly when within five meters, though one will still be affected by the martial intent."

"Young heroes who wish to comprehend it, please step forward."

Hearing this, the people who were just flattering the painting immediately turned red and fell silent in embarrassment.

However, someone had already taken the lead and walked toward the map—it was Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School, the one who had just been talking to the "urn."

"Haha, let me, Lian Tianji, see what mystery this Heavenly Human Martial Arts Map holds!"

With a laugh, Lian Tianji strode quickly toward the painting.

Watching this, Qian Shen's eyes flickered as he thought, "It's Lian Tianji from Ziyun High. That beast who scored 670 on last month's exam. He's one of the opponents I intend to challenge after defeating Bai Zhenzhen."

As Lian Tianji approached the map step by step, the figure in the scroll became clearer in his eyes. He seemed to see a middle-aged man slowly performing a profound set of martial arts.

Lian Tianji's spirit was gradually drawn in, until finally, he saw the man in the painting suddenly throw a punch toward him through the air.

*Bang!*

A muffled sound seemed to echo through the air.

Lian Tianji abruptly stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide and staring intensely at the direction of the map.

Seeing him standing there frozen and motionless, the crowd assumed Lian Tianji had become immersed in the map, comprehending its mysterious martial arts.

Not far away, Li Xuelian explained calmly, "To select a disciple with a resilient will and extraordinary spirit... while comprehending the map, the observer will face the terrors within their own heart."

"Only by maintaining a firm spirit and overcoming one's inner weaknesses can one comprehend the mysteries within."

The crowd was once again surprised, looking curiously at the motionless Lian Tianji, wondering what he had seen.

At this moment, in Lian Tianji's eyes, the world around him was shifting. He had unconsciously returned to his classroom. He seemed to have forgotten the art exhibition, Li Xuelian, and the map entirely.

His homeroom teacher was on the podium, announcing the results of the last monthly exam.

But starting from first place, he never heard his name.

10th place... not him.

20th place... still not him.

50th place... still not him.

As the scores being read grew lower, Lian Tianji's heart grew increasingly anxious...

At the exhibition, looking at Lian Tianji who was still in his trance, Li Xuelian said, "The Heavenly Human Martial Arts Map can be comprehended together. Are there any other young heroes interested in stepping forward?"

Qian Shen and several classmates exchanged glances and walked toward the map together.

Simultaneously, other youths came forward one after another.

Zhang Yu looked at Zhou Tianyi beside him and asked curiously, "Aren't you going to try?"

Zhou Tianyi chuckled and shrugged. "I'm just here for the show. I'm not going up there to seek humiliation."

Zhang Yu turned to Bai Zhenzhen and asked, "What about you? Not going up?"

Bai Zhenzhen glanced toward the map and said indifferently, "I'm still hesitating."

"Hesitating about what?" Zhang Yu asked.

"I don't want to find myself a master," Bai Zhenzhen replied.

She thought to herself, *Becoming a disciple definitely means signing some contract with that Master Xinghuo, basically a deed of sale.*

Bai Zhenzhen sighed inwardly. *Forget everything else... just choosing a university and a major would likely be under his control. I'd end up in massive debt, and who knows how they calculate the interest...*

Hearing her hesitation, Zhang Yu immediately said, "If you don't master this martial art, you won't have to become Master Xinghuo's disciple."

Zhang Yu looked toward the map and smiled slightly. "A martial art left by a Golden Core expert—even if it's meant for the Qi Refining stage—if we were to buy the copyright ourselves, it would cost at least tens of thousands, right? Why not take the chance to learn it for free?"

"If you don't want to be his disciple, then just don't master it today."

Hearing this, Zhao Tianxing secretly curled his lip, thinking that Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen were equally boastful. He stepped a few paces away, fearing that people would look at him and mistake him for being just as arrogant and ignorant.

Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu speechlessly, thinking, *To push Yu-zi into this mental state... just how aggressive are the debt collectors from those small-platform loans?*

Zhou Tianyi laughed. "That makes sense. It doesn't cost anything to try, so let's all try it together."

Zhao Tianxing, however, refused the request of Zhang Yu and Zhou Tianyi. Just the thought of himself comprehending the map while wearing a security guard or waiter uniform in front of everyone was too humiliating.

But watching Zhang Yu's retreating back, he suddenly felt a hint of admiration for the boy's thick skin.

Just then, the walkie-talkie on Zhao Tianxing's waist rang. The security captain barked, "What are you doing? You're security! Who gave him permission to abandon his post to go comprehend the map? Get him back here, now!"

Sweating profusely from the scolding, Zhao Tianxing ran forward while shouting, trying to pull Zhang Yu back.

As Zhao Tianxing approached the map, the figure in the painting became clearer, and waves of laughter and jeering began to rise from the surroundings.

Zhao Tianxing turned around and found that everyone at the exhibition was looking at him, pointing and whispering, mocking his audacity—a mere security guard trying to comprehend the map.

Amidst the countless sneers, Zhao Tianxing slowly came to a halt, feeling awkward and lost. He kept touching his head and scratching his ears, not knowing how to stand.

Meanwhile, as the three of them approached the map, the blurred figure in the painting gradually solidified into a stern-faced middle-aged man, who finally threw a punch toward them through the air.

Bai Zhenzhen felt her vision darken as her phone began to vibrate violently.

She picked it up and saw a collection notice from a lending platform.

"Regarding your arrears on 'Qianbei Loans': due to multiple failed collection attempts, the situation is serious. Please settle your debt within three days of receiving this message. Continued delinquency will result in legal action..."

"Continued debt will result in a background check at your place of residence..."

"Deadbeat! You have no shame over such a small amount. We'll have your whole family picking up bottles for you, okay?..."

More and more collection messages arrived, the content becoming increasingly unhinged—moving from simple reminders to all-encompassing insults, curses, and threats.

Looking at the endless stream of messages, Bai Zhenzhen broke into a cold sweat, her whole body tensing up, until her phone began to ring.

Despite the ringing, she hesitated to answer.

But even without her doing anything, the call was automatically answered.

Under her terrified gaze, a cold male voice came through the phone.

"Due to your credit fraud and failure to pay, you have committed a serious breach of contract. Your location has been locked via the Sky Net. If the debt is not settled within three days, a Heavenly Tribulation shall be descended..."

A rumble of thunder echoed.

Bai Zhenzhen snapped her head up, only to see faint flashes of lightning flickering in the sky above.