The Spirit Painting Pavilion’s Dao of Ink

Crackling, sizzling…

A ball of flame slowly ignited, its orange hue tinged with white, making it incredibly conspicuous.

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing slowly made their way through the streets and alleys of the imperial city’s outer district. Wherever there was an open space around them, a Sky Fire would ignite. These fires, densely spread throughout the imperial city, illuminated the twilight as brightly as day.

“Sky Fire… I never imagined the Sky Fires within the imperial city would be like this.”

Chi Qiu took a deep breath, detecting not the scent of burning wood, but rather a faint medicinal fragrance.

“Does Little Chi also know about this winter custom?” Su Hanxing asked, a hint of surprise in his voice as Chi Qiu named the fires with just a glance.

“Is it strange?” Chi Qiu tilted her head, glancing at Su Hanxing.

“I thought Little Chi didn’t like going out…”

“I don’t go out because I need to cultivate,” Chi Qiu retorted, her tone slightly annoyed. “Before, when I wasn’t a cultivator, it wasn’t like this, naturally.”

“However, the Daqi Imperial Family truly possesses immense wealth and power, to actually burn Dao plants as Sky Fires.” Chi Qiu mused, smelling the faint herbal scent in the air. “The smoke released after these Dao plants are burned is quite beneficial to these mortals,” she added, feeling the vibrant spiritual energy within it.

The Sky Fire ritual was one of the most crucial ceremonies of the winter festival. Its purpose was to dispel the cold and welcome the new spring. By igniting Sky Fires with Dao plants and then dispersing the smoke with true qi, it was possible to cure mortal ailments and extend their lifespans. This explained why all those igniting Sky Fires within the imperial city were Daqi soldiers.

“Brother Su, what brings you to the outer district to partake in these winter festivities?”

Not far away, someone suddenly called out to Su Hanxing. From the voice, it sounded like a young man. Chi Qiu followed the sound with her gaze, seeing a man dressed in simple, thin white cloth robes approaching them. His face was as flawless as jade, his eyes held a subtle depth, and a gentle smile played on his lips, giving him the air of a refined scholar.

“Ah, Brother Zhou, so you’ve also come here?” Su Hanxing looked at the white-robed man, a smile quickly gracing his face as he cupped his hands in greeting.

“This is Xu Zhou, a disciple of the Myriad Sword Villa,” Su Hanxing whispered, seeing the questioning look on Chi Qiu’s face.

“To think that after only a few months, Brother Su already has such a beauty by his side! It truly makes one envious.” Xu Zhou’s steps were swift, bringing him before the two within three breaths. He turned his gaze to Chi Qiu, an expression of admiration crossing his face, and asked after bowing respectfully, “May I ask who this is…?”

“This is Chi Qiu. Do not underestimate her simply because she is a female cultivator; her strength is in no way inferior to my own.” Su Hanxing did not refute Xu Zhou’s comment about the ‘beauty by his side’, but he also did not wish for Chi Qiu to be looked down upon, thus he emphasized her capabilities.

“I have seen that name on the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings. It’s said that you show no quarter. When we meet at the grand assembly, I hope Xu Zhou might be shown some leniency.” Xu Zhou’s face registered surprise, and he quickly cupped his hands again towards Chi Qiu before speaking.

“Is Fellow Daoist Xu planning to participate in the assembly?” Chi Qiu returned his bow and inquired.

“It was precisely because I was too young to participate in the last assembly. I never expected that this year’s assembly would relax its requirements, so naturally, I must contend for a spot.” Xu Zhou nodded, then, with a peculiar smile, he swept his gaze over Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing. “I shall not disturb you two any further. Farewell.”

Xu Zhou smiled and, after a brief farewell, quickly departed.

Watching Xu Zhou’s retreating back, Chi Qiu felt a strange sense of bewilderment. She turned to Su Hanxing and asked, “What was he here for?”

“Most likely, just an acquaintance saying hello,” Su Hanxing speculated, shaking his head.

Since he’s a disciple of the Myriad Sword Villa, his strength is probably considerable; he should be a formidable opponent.

Chi Qiu recalled Su Hanxing’s mention of the Upper Three Sects, realizing that the disciples of the Myriad Sword Villa would undoubtedly possess exceptionally high skill.

“Xu Zhou’s strength is indeed impressive, but he shouldn’t be a match for you, Little Chi.” Su Hanxing chuckled, seeing Chi Qiu already pondering future battles. He reached out, playfully adjusting Chi Qiu’s coiled hair, and comforted her.

“Have you fought him before?” Chi Qiu asked in return, unfazed by Su Hanxing’s small gesture.

“We’ve sparred several times, and I’ve always been victorious,” Su Hanxing said with a touch of pride.

“Then, once we return home, remember to tell me about Xu Zhou’s cultivation methods and secret techniques,” Chi Qiu said eager, her eyes lighting up.

“No problem at all.” Su Hanxing naturally agreed with a cheerful laugh.

“There’s a painting pavilion ahead, Little Chi. Would you like to take a look?”

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing had wandered through the outer city for a long time. By now, night had fully descended. The moon hung high in the sky, and its crisp, cold light cast a layer of silver frost over the outer city’s buildings.

Not far ahead of them, a three-story pavilion stood tall, its entire structure illuminated by countless flickering candlelight. Above the pavilion’s vermillion main entrance, a black plaque hung, bearing the three grand, golden characters, ‘Spirit Painting Pavilion,’ written in a flourish.

“Within this pavilion, there is a fluctuation of the Dao.” Chi Qiu detected an unusual ripple. She closed her eyes, carefully sensing it, and realized it was indeed a fluctuation of the Dao.

“Oh? Do you wish to investigate?” Su Hanxing was startled by her words. His talent in the Dao was extremely poor, so he naturally couldn’t detect anything unusual within the painting pavilion. However, he trusted Chi Qiu’s judgment implicitly, and immediately asked.

“We can investigate,” Chi Qiu nodded.

The two quickly agreed and soon arrived beneath the pavilion. Before they even entered the main doors, an old man approached them. “What paintings do you wish to purchase from my Spirit Painting Pavilion?” he inquired.

“We wish to commission a painter to paint our portraits,” Su Hanxing replied with a smile.

“No problem at all. My Spirit Painting Pavilion has dozens of painters. Esteemed guests, you may first view their works before making your selection.” A smile bloomed on the old man’s face as he bowed and invited them into the pavilion. The price difference between buying an existing painting and commissioning a portrait was vast. Therefore, the old man was extremely pleased.

“That would be excellent,” Su Hanxing nodded.

The old man then led them into a tea room and invited them to sit, serving them tea. Soon, a series of scrolls were laid out before them.

“These are the works of my Spirit Painting Pavilion’s seventeen painters. Esteemed guests, please make your selection.” The old man presented the scrolls, then excused himself, leaving Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing alone in the tea room.

“Little Chi, you go ahead. I can’t discern any ‘Dao’ meaning in these,” Su Hanxing said, pushing the pile of scrolls towards Chi Qiu.

Chi Qiu nodded, picking up a scroll at random and beginning to examine it closely. Chi Qiu, of course, knew nothing about painting; she was merely checking for any fluctuations of the Dao. Thus, she flipped through them extremely quickly. Within a quarter of an hour, Chi Qiu had already found her target.

“This is the one,” Chi Qiu declared, picking up a painting and handing it to Su Hanxing.

Su Hanxing took the scroll. It depicted a woman sitting by a railing, gazing out at a river scene. He held the scroll, trying his utmost to perceive something, but failed to sense anything at all, only able to say with a sigh of resignation: “I can’t see anything at all.”

Chi Qiu let out a surprised laugh. Taking the scroll back, she examined it and found the signature in the bottom left corner: Chai Niang.

“Then let us go visit this Chai Niang,” Chi Qiu said, pointing to the signature.

“That doesn’t sound like a real name,” Su Hanxing remarked, his brow slightly furrowed.

“We wish for this Chai Niang to paint our portraits,” Su Hanxing stated, calling the old man over and pointing to the scroll Chi Qiu had chosen.

“Esteemed guests have excellent taste! This Chai Niang is the most skilled painter in my Spirit Painting Pavilion. Though young in years, her artistic prowess is already divine. Coincidentally, Chai Niang is present in the Spirit Painting Pavilion today. Please, follow me.” The old man said with a smile, leading Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing.

Once the three reached the third floor, the old man gently knocked on one of the doors. A clear, cold female voice responded from within.

“Please enter.”

Having received permission, the old man pushed open the door and invited Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing inside. After the two entered, the old man closed the door again and departed.

“What do the two of you seek me to paint?”

The room’s furnishings were simple yet cluttered. As soon as they entered, they were met with a strong scent of ink. Chi Qiu surveyed her surroundings. Stacks of Xuan paper lay casually piled by the doorway. Further inside, a few wooden chairs and a painting stand were arranged haphazardly.

A dark-haired woman, clad in a black and purple cloak, had her back to the door, painting with a brush. Scattered around her feet were numerous pure, fragmented gemstones. In Chi Qiu’s perception, the fluctuations of the Dao continuously emanated from the tip of her brush.

“We seek a portrait.” Su Hanxing’s eyes slowly focused on the figure with her back to them. He was using a secret technique to ascertain this Chai Niang’s cultivation.

“Esteemed guests, please take a seat and wait for a moment,” she said, gesturing towards the chairs.

Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing followed her instruction, finding wooden chairs and sitting down. Su Hanxing, having already discerned the cultivation of the person before them, now felt satisfied and surveyed the room. Chi Qiu, however, stared intently at Chai Niang painting, striving to capture the rhythm of the Dao within her work.

“You are… cultivators?” A few breaths later, Chai Niang completed her outline. She turned around, paused in surprise upon seeing Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing, then asked.

Su Hanxing wasn’t surprised that Chai Niang could discern their identities as cultivators. Her striking golden pupils were quite noticeable, easily mistaken for an outward manifestation of a cultivation technique. Now that Chai Niang had turned around, Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing could clearly see her appearance.

Very young, was Chi Qiu’s first impression of Chai Niang; she looked almost as if she had just come of age. On her face, a pair of striking purple eyes complemented her deep purple lips, making her quite distinctive.

“Are you not one as well, Fellow Daoist?” Su Hanxing replied with a faint smile.

“Then what are you doing here? I don’t believe I’ve offended either of you?” Chai Niang’s delicate eyebrows twitched slightly, and she secretly mobilized the true qi within her body.

“There’s no need to be nervous. I detected fluctuations of the Dao from outside the Spirit Painting Pavilion, which is why we came to visit,” Chi Qiu explained, raising a hand to stop Su Hanxing.

“The Dao?” Chai Niang paused, then realized. “Are you interested in learning my Dao of Ink Painting?”

Chi Qiu nodded.

“Are you Dao companions?” Chai Niang suddenly asked, seemingly out of nowhere.

“No,” Chi Qiu denied without thinking.

Su Hanxing slightly parted his lips, intending to say something, but ultimately gave up.

“To learn the Dao of Ink Painting, you must do one thing for me.” Chai Niang stated, her eyes scanning Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing with a peculiar gaze before laying out her condition.

“What is it?” Chi Qiu asked impatiently.

“You two are very strong. Which sect’s disciples are you?” Chai Niang inquired.

“I am Su Hanxing of the Tianyan Sect, and she is a rogue cultivator named Chi Qiu. Both our names are on the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings; if you don’t believe us, feel free to check.”

Su Hanxing had already discerned Chai Niang’s cultivation; she was merely a Heart Scripture Realm cultivator. If they were to fight, he could kill her in an instant, which was why he confidently revealed their true identities to her.

“I will verify that.” Chai Niang’s eyes widened in surprise, then she nodded and continued, “I need you to help me investigate someone.”

“Who?” Chi Qiu pressed eagerly.

“This person.” Chai Niang took out a painting, unfolded it, and then stood to hand it to Chi Qiu and Su Hanxing.