1 What Are You Gazing At

Xu Yan, with a flourish of his brush, completed the final stroke, bringing to a close his depiction of "The Seven Calabash Brothers Rescuing Grandfather."

In the painting, the seven calabash siblings embarked on a mission to save their grandfather captured by a snake demon and a scorpion demon. However, they ascended one by one and five had already fallen captive, nearing annihilation.

It resembled the unfortunate scenario of some teammates generously offering their heads in certain online games. Judging by the artistic standard of the painting, it had reached the pinnacle, as if it encapsulated the essence of the universe.

To those who understood the Tao of painting, a mere glance would reveal the artistic charm, offering significant benefits to cultivation. It even held the potential to directly break through realms for those with exceptional intelligence. Such a masterpiece was truly a priceless treasure. However, in the eyes of ordinary people, the meaning behind the painting remained elusive.

Adorning the walls of this humble establishment were numerous artworks of similar caliber. There was a teenage boy with a straw hat, an electrifying yellow mouse, a caped bald man, and even a wolf engaged in a fierce battle with five sheep. This small shop, inconspicuously located at the end of the street, bore the name "What Are You Gazing At."

Gazing at his own artwork, Xu Yan sighed, "A top-notch masterpiece, but in this world, it holds little value. In my past life, just based on the symbolism of the calabash brothers rescuing their grandfather, it could easily fetch seven to eight billion in an auction."

Xu Yan glanced at the system panel in his mind, disappointment evident on his face.

Host: Xu Yan

Age: 20

Cultivation: Mortal

Abilities: Sculpture (Supreme in All Realms), Painting (Supreme in All Realms), Tea Art (Supreme in All Realms), Calligraphy (Supreme in All Realms), Zither Art (Supreme in All Realms), Swordsmanship (Supreme in All Realms)…"

The so-called "golden finger" was commonplace among transmigrators in this era, and Xu Yan was no exception. Unfortunately, being a mortal who couldn’t cultivate, despite mastering various skills over the years, they proved to be of little use. In this world, strength was paramount, and cultivators coveted becoming cultivators. The status of mortals was low, and few cultivators paid attention to the worldly pleasures such as painting and calligraphy. Only some fellow mortals occasionally bought a few pieces, at modest prices just enough to sustain his livelihood.

Setting the painting aside, Xu Yan stepped out of the small shop, heading towards a blooming osmanthus tree outside. Every day, he would contemplate life in front of this tree, a form of self-isolation. He hung a small wooden sign on the osmanthus tree with three elegantly written words: "No Credit Given."

As soon as Xu Yan hung the sign, he noticed numerous streaks of light soaring towards Tianren Mountain.

"Huh? What's happening? Why are so many cultivators flying toward the mountain?"

This small city was closely situated to Tianren Mountain, hence the name Tianren City. Tianren Mountain was the gate of the top-tier sect, the Tianren Sect.

Today marked the auspicious occasion of the sect master successfully advancing to the first level of the Sea of Knowledge. Thus, the Tianren Sect host a grand celebration, inviting cultivators from various sects and families, big and small, to join the festivity.

The realms among cultivators were divided into: Spirit Condensation Realm, Spirit Awareness Realm, Spirit Embarking Realm, Spirit Forming Realm, Spirit Refining Realm, and the three levels of the Sea of Knowledge.

Within Tianren City, a young woman and a beautiful girl walked side by side, both bearing the true disciple insignia of the Tianren Sect. Along the way, they engaged in a conversation.

The girl spoke, "Senior Sister, with the sect master hosting a grand celebration today, should we also prepare a gift?"

It was her first encounter with such a celebration, and the presence of various powerful figures made her somewhat nervous.

The young woman smiled and replied, "As disciples of our sect, a heartfelt offering is all that's required. There's no need for extravagant gifts."

She was the granddaughter of the Tianren Sect's sect master, and was not particularly anxious about her grandfather's celebration.

"Alright…" Upon hearing Senior Sister Qin Yudie's words, Mu'er breathed a sigh of relief. Then, raising her head, she realized they had unknowingly reached the end of a small street in Tianren City. There, she noticed a peculiar shop at the street's end.

The store's plaque displayed five vigorous words: "What Are You Gazing At." To ordinary people, it might seem insignificant, but as cultivators, Mu'er sensed that these words contained a certain charm in the Tao of sword. However, her understanding of it was limited, and she couldn't quite grasp it.

With curiosity, she asked Qin Yudie, "Senior Sister, do you think the words on the 'What Are You Gazing At' sign carry the essence of Tao of sword?"

Qin Yudie, also unfamiliar with this street, responded, "This should be a shop owned by an ordinary person. Why would it display such a profound plaque? Could it have been inscribed by a passing expert in Tao of sword?"

In the cultivation world, some reclusive experts disliked fame and fortune, wandering or dwelling in seclusion. Encounters with such individuals often led to unimaginable opportunities.

Qin Yudie thought it was likely inscribed by a passing expert but also considered other possibilities. Spotting Xu Yan still in front of the osmanthus tree, she suggested, "That man should be the owner. Let's go and ask."

As Xu Yan finished lamenting and prepared to return to his shop, he noticed two attractive young girls approaching. He immediately put on a smile and said, "Ladies, would you like to come inside and have a look? We have a variety of calligraphy and paintings that won't disappoint you."

In his mind, he was thinking that these two well-dressed girls, exuding an otherworldly aura, were potential customers. Perhaps completing a transaction for a piece of artwork could cover his income for a month. He couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.