Painting of the Nine Immortals
chapter-231

"So this is what a real man looks like."

The guard exhaled deeply and stared at Ling Xian full of admiration.

A huge group of powerful figures, out of whom included around 10 Clan Leaders, were chasing after Ling Xian to give him gifts. They begged, pleaded, and even mischievously played pity just so Ling Xian would accept their gifts. How honorable?

All they wanted was to leave a good impression in Ling Xian’s heart. They were willing to shout and fight until their necks were beet red. How unbelievable?

How could this guard not feel envious and admirable?

Sadly, he was not Ling Xian. He did not have overwhelming capabilities nor astonishing talents.

Therefore, he could only watch Ling Xian from afar and daydream about the day he can become like Ling Xian and enjoy all important figures giving him gifts and fighting for him.

Right now, the Sun has almost set. Only a smear of red and yellow was left in the sky.

On top of the tall peak, a huge line stood. Everyone was waiting for their turn in order to give away their meticulously prepared gift.

Ling Xian held onto the spiritual paper with his left hand and wrote down names with his right. He recorded everyone’s name and their respective clans onto the paper. As for those gifts, he couldn’t find the interest in himself to even look at them. He simply wanted to shoo these people away so he can take care of his own business.

After another long while, finally, everyone finished registering.

Ling Xian put the white sheet of paper into his storage pouch and stared at the ecstatic bunch. With a grin, he said, "Okay. I have accepted all your gifts and wrote down the forces you all belong to. Please return, everyone."

"I shall leave now, but if Master Ling ever visits the City of Yan, please tell the leader of the Wang Clan. We will definitely provide you with the best accommodation."

"What’s there to see in the City of Yan? Master Ling, don’t listen to him, come and hang out at the Zhao Clan. Hehe, in my clan, every woman is beautiful and puts flowers to shame."

"Oh, get out of here. Puts flowers to shame? Yuck! You can lie to others, but you lie to Master Ling? Everyone here knows that all the Zhao ladies look exactly like you. Everyone’s tall, wide, sturdy, with big waists. All the girls there are pitifully ugly."

"Exactly. You should visit us. Where we live is scenic and picturesque. It’s the best spot for training."

Everyone was speaking loudly and randomly, and each one of them were speaking lowly of their opponents, and speaking highly of themselves. Everyone had invited Ling Xian to visit by now.

"You all, how are you behaving like important figures? You are all just being morons." Ling Xian chuckled and teased, "Go quickly. If anyone stays behind and acts slow, I will erase your name from my list."

Frozen at this statement, nobody argued anymore. Using all the transporting techniques they know, in the blink of an eye, they all disappeared. Their speed was lightning fast, surpassing their normal level of capabilities.

It was obvious how influential Ling Xian’s words were.

In the blink of an eye, all those who came to give gifts disappeared. On top of the peak, only two people stood. One was Ling Xian, the other, the guard.

"Master Ling, then I shall leave as well."

The guard’s face lingered with admiration. He gestured a farewell to Ling Xian shyly and respectably before turning around and descending down the mountain.

He was merely in the meditational stage and cannot move as fast as those foundational cultivators.

"Wait a second."

Noticing the look on the guard's face, Ling Xian stopped him.

"Anything else I can do for you?" The guard was startled and a little frightened.

Ling Xian’s expression was complex. He remembered the way he was before he began his cultivation journey and he sighed, "What do you think I was like when I was little?"

"Obvious a genius whose name was known across the city," The guard said matter-of-factly.

"I knew you would say that. But you guessed wrong. I used to be a handicap who could not manipulate Qi." Staring at the shocked youth, he smiled. "Difficult to imagine right? Honestly, back then, I found it hard to imagine that a day would come where I can be in the spotlight. Even though luck and fate is a big part in one’s cultivation journey, I think even if I didn’t acquire all the external help, I would’ve worked my hardest all my life."

"The point is, I wanted to tell you not to give up and be stern about where you want to end up. One day, you will be the person someone else looks up to, instead of being the one who always looks up to others." Ling Xian concealed a smile. The youth before him reminded him of himself. This was why he spoke such words of encouragement.

"Yes, I will work my hardest!"

The youth felt a gush of hot blood rising in his chest. The way he looked at Ling Xian was now admirable and respectable.

Never once, not even in his dreams, did he think that such a prominent figure would personally speak words of encouragements to him. The warmth he felt made him feel the urge to take a fatal blow from a sword for Ling Xian.

"Good, even if you do not get exactly to where you wanted to go. You will still find that life is made up of very colorful and exciting chapters."

Ling Xian grinned faintly and left to go back to his home. The only thing he left behind was an echo of a statement that was full of hope and encouragement.

"Remember, success will never go out of its way to find you. Hard work and endurance is your only path."

"Thank you, Master Ling, for your words. I will absolutely do my best, and I will not let you down!"

The guard was getting emotional. Watching Ling Xian walking back to his home, other than admiration, all he could feel was determination.

He swore to himself that he would gain success and repay Ling Xian!

Sometimes, words of encouragement or praises from an important figure could make the small characters feel all the motivation they need.

There was no doubt that the Ling Xian today possessed this right and the ability to do so.

Of course, he didn’t intentionally try to gain someone’s heart and feelings. He simply thought of himself when he saw the guard.

He used to be a small character after all.

…

Back in his home, Ling Xian had no time to clean up the gifts given to him. He had an important task to take care of.

He didn’t forget about the physically dead, but still spiritually alive phoenix. The one that flew into the Painting of the Nine Immortals.

To him, the Painting of the Nine Immortals was his biggest secret. He couldn’t let anyone find out about it. Not even his closest family or friends.

When the soul of the phoenix entered the Painting of the Nine Immortals, he thought this whole event was very strange and did not make much sense. What surprised him more was that the two immortals in the painting did not utter a word, as if they had anticipated this all along.

This made Ling Xian very confused and curious. He has waited a few days, but the two immortals passed no messages to him. Therefore, he decided to enter the painting and investigate this whole situation.

"Now, let me figure out this strange situation." Ling Xian moved his body and immediately disappeared from his home.

In the next second, he was inside the Painting of the Nine Immortals. The moment he emerged, Feng Qing Ming’s chuckling pierced through his ear.

"Ling Xian, good timing. I was just about to ask you to enter."