79. A Poetry Duel with the Prince

Chapter 79: A Poetry Duel with the Prince

The ink on the painting was still wet, and the water qilin knew that touching it now would smudge the artwork.

She took a closer look, liking it more and more with each passing second. The impatience from being disturbed was long gone. Her beautiful eyes turned to Li Hao, "Did you paint this for me?"

"Do you like it, Senior?" Li Hao saw the joy in her eyes and felt relieved, smiling as he said, "If you like it, I'll give it to you."

The water qilin smiled, brightening the entire cold pool. She chuckled, "I didn't expect a human to have such exquisite painting skills. This is indeed well done. It feels like I'm standing on the paper."

"I'm glad you like it, Senior."

Painting isn't just about replicating reality; there's also an element of artistic enhancement. It's like adding a filter, naturally making it look better.

Li Hao glanced at her, then asked softly, "Senior, would you like me to paint your current form as well?"

This time, the water qilin didn't refuse. Instead, she looked at Li Hao with interest, "Can you do that too?"

"Of course. As long as you cooperate, I can paint all day!" Li Hao said with a smile.

"Alright, then paint another one for me to see." The water qilin agreed.

"Great!"

Li Hao quickly agreed, seeing this as a rare opportunity to gain more experience points.

"Senior, please stand by the pool and turn your body slightly... yes, just like that..."

Li Hao directed her into a side-facing pose. With her beautiful face and the serene pool as a backdrop, she looked like a sorrowful, gentle woman standing by the water.

He quickly began to paint.

An incense stick's time later, the second painting was done.

[Painting Experience +1738]

The experience points hadn't diminished much, likely due to her transformed appearance.

Soon, Li Hao handed the painting to her.

The water qilin's eyes lit up as she looked at it. The woman in the painting appeared sorrowful, her brows filled with melancholy, exuding an otherworldly loneliness and elegance, like a water lily floating beyond the mortal realm.

Is this really me? The water qilin felt the woman in the painting was even more beautiful than her real self.

Moreover, the melancholy between her brows mirrored her own inner feelings.

Living in solitude by the cold pool for a thousand years, Tangong was a human place but not her home. Amid the bustling human city, she felt even more isolated.

Gazing at the painting, she became lost in thought.

Seeing her in a trance, Li Hao didn't disturb her. Instead, he quietly adjusted the painting board and once again captured her entranced state on paper.

In an era without photographs, his paintings could freeze moments in time.

He believed most people would appreciate that.

Soon, the third painting was completed.

[Painting Experience +1541]

The experience had diminished slightly, but it was still substantial.

Just three paintings had netted him over five thousand experience points, a huge gain.

When the third painting was done, the water qilin snapped out of her trance and asked, "Are you finished?"

So you noticed... Li Hao chuckled inwardly. Even though she was aware, she still maintained her pose, showing she was willing to cooperate.

"Yes, I'm finished."

Li Hao nodded and turned the painting board towards her.

Seeing the third painting, the water qilin's smile grew. The entranced look was lifelike, with the light reflecting in her clear eyes, full of thoughts.

She had indeed briefly reminisced about some past events from a thousand years ago. How did he manage to capture that?

This human boy can understand me?

The water qilin looked at Li Hao, her gaze much softer now. "Your painting skills are indeed impressive. You said you're from the Li family?"

"Yes." Li Hao nodded.

The water qilin said with interest, "The Godly General's Mansion Li family is renowned, but as far as I know, their rules are strict. How did they allow you to dabble in side skills?"

"Painting isn't necessarily a side skill."

Li Hao smiled slightly, "Besides, practicing and painting don't interfere with each other. Everyone needs a break from training."

"Oh?"

The water qilin raised an eyebrow.

Li Hao momentarily concealed his myriad attributes, releasing his fifteen-mile aura, then reactivated his myriad attributes.

The water qilin was stunned, her eyes widening in surprise as she looked at Li Hao.

Fifteen miles? But his blood and bones look so fresh and tender.

"Senior, since we have some free time today, how about I paint a few more for you?" Li Hao suggested with a smile.

The water qilin glanced at the paintings in her hand. She had already used her powers to dry the paper and nodded, "Alright."

Li Hao smiled inwardly and had her stand by the pool again to continue painting.

Quickly, more paintings were completed.

After painting eleven more, the twelfth only added 351 experience points.

Though less than before, it was still substantial compared to painting other subjects.

"That's enough for today."

The water qilin accepted the latest painting, smiling brightly as she looked at it.

"Are you not satisfied, Senior?" Li Hao asked, about to pick up his brush again.

The water qilin shook her head, "My outfit is too plain today. Your painting skills are so exquisite. I'll dress up next time and let you paint again."

Li Hao was speechless. He had heard that everyone loves beauty, but he didn't expect a great demon king to feel the same.

Does she think she isn't dressed beautifully enough today? But to Li Hao, she already looked ethereal.

"Alright then."

Li Hao didn't insist, knowing there would be more opportunities.

"What's your name?" the water qilin asked.

"Li Hao."

The water qilin was slightly surprised. That name was quite bold, suitable for someone of royal blood.

"And you, Senior?" Li Hao asked, not missing the chance to make a connection.

"I took the surname of the first Palace Master. My name is Song Qiumo," the water qilin said with a smile.

Song Qiumo... Li Hao nodded, "Senior Qiumo, I'll come to see you again next time. How should I call for you then?"

"Just touch the water lightly, and I'll know," Song Qiumo replied with a smile.

Li Hao memorized it and nodded, "Goodbye, Senior."

Song Qiumo waved gently and turned to leave, carrying the paintings back into the pool.

She used her power to protect the paper, keeping the water from touching it.

"That dive must be a perfect ten," Li Hao muttered, admiring her entry into the water without a splash.

He didn't immediately pack up his painting board but continued to paint the cold pool and cliffs.

Even without Song Qiumo in the painting, the beautiful scenery alone was worth many experience points.

Li Hao had tried creating grand scenes and fierce beasts in his mind, but painting them brought little experience.

He wasn't sure why, perhaps due to a lack of detail and spirit?

After painting four or five more scenes of the cold pool and cliffs, gaining five or six hundred experience points, Li Hao decided it was time to leave. Suddenly, he heard someone reciting a poem: "A lonely peak, a desolate cliff, the mountains are withered, White clouds drift, like the tears of heaven."

"A small path leads somewhere, but who knows my heart?"

As the voice approached, Li Hao turned to see a figure walking slowly. When the figure saw Li Hao by the pool, they recognized each other.

A prince?

Li Hao was surprised. This was one of the two princes from the First Courtyard, Jiang Hanxing.

Jiang Hanxing also recognized Li Hao. If anyone had been the center of attention in the First Courtyard lately, it was this Li family young master.

He had noticed Wang Han and the other children of the Godly General's Mansion when they entered the First Courtyard but hadn't approached them.

Reciting poetry just now, Jiang Hanxing's face flushed. Damn, why was someone here?

But this guy is a warrior's son; he probably doesn't understand poetry, right? After a brief moment of eye contact, Jiang Hanxing controlled his embarrassment and greeted with a smile:

"Young Master Li?"

"Hello."

Li Hao responded politely, not particularly interested in these royal offspring.

Earlier, another prince named Jiang Ye had approached him and Li Yuanzhao shortly after they entered the academy, trying to make connections.

But the ambition in Jiang Ye's eyes was too apparent. Li Hao didn't want to get involved with the complications of royal affairs, so he didn't engage much and advised Yuanzhao to keep his distance. This was not a pool they could easily navigate.

"What brings you here?" Jiang Hanxing asked, curious as he glanced at Li Hao's painting board. If Li Hao had been practicing martial arts, he wouldn't have been surprised.

But what was he doing with a brush and ink?

Considering that Li Hao had been promoted directly to the Black and White Hall, meaning he was at least in the Soul Refining stage, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Sketching," Li Hao replied casually, then turned his attention back to his painting, preparing to paint.

Jiang Hanxing was surprised and intrigued. He had observed this Li family young master closely in the First Courtyard.

After all, his name had been personally given by the Emperor.

Since he was a child, his mother had told him about it. He couldn't help but take more notice on the first day they met.

Li Hao's behavior was indeed different from ordinary people. Jiang Hanxing had felt regret, thinking Li Hao was too pampered and had become a wastrel.

But after hearing Teacher Su Yehua's words today, he realized this was a deeply hidden genius.

"Sketching?"

Jiang Hanxing walked over curiously and saw Li Hao painting. The lonely mountain and cold pool were vividly depicted, filled with a sense of life.

He was stunned.

Born in the royal family, although he practiced martial arts, he had a passion for poetry and books. He could see that this painting skill was quite exceptional.

When Li Hao finished, Jiang Hanxing couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Li, you can paint?"

Li Hao didn't even glance at him, continuing to prepare his ink, "You can write poetry, can't you?"

Speaking of poetry, Jiang Hanxing's face turned red again.

Liking it was one thing, but being good at it was another.

He did know a bit about it.

But the poem he recited earlier wasn't carefully crafted; it was just a spur-of-the-moment creation to express his feelings.

"Young Master Li, do you know poetry?" Jiang Hanxing asked.

"A bit."

"Oh?"

Jiang Hanxing was intrigued, "How about we compose a poem together?"

"Compose a poem?"

Li Hao looked at him. His poetry experience was already maxed out at three segments, but he hadn't comprehended the essence of poetry. Composing poems wouldn't gain him any experience.

"Indeed. How about we both compose a poem about this cold pool?" Jiang Hanxing suggested, feeling competitive. He wanted to compare himself with Li Hao to regain some face after his earlier impromptu poem.

Li Hao glanced at him, "A poem about the cold pool? You go first."

"No, no. Young Master Li, you go first. My talent is shallow; I need more time to think," Jiang Hanxing quickly said.

Li Hao didn't think he was being modest, recalling the poor rhyming in Jiang Hanxing's previous poem.

"Alright."

Li Hao didn't mind. He recited: "Li Bai rides a boat, about to depart, Suddenly hears the sound of song on the shore."

"The water of Peach Blossom Pool is a thousand feet deep, But not as deep as Wang Lun's friendship for me."

When the poem ended, he continued painting without stopping.

In the past, reciting a poem by the Immortal Poet would have earned him at least a hundred experience points, but now that he was maxed out, there was none.

For the sake of respecting the original, he didn't change a single word.

Doesn't match the setting? Well, that's not my problem.

Jiang Hanxing was a bit astonished. This poem had some charm to it.

"Young Master Li, did you come up with this on the spot?" Jiang Hanxing asked. The scenes depicted in the poem didn't match the current setting.

"Just tell me if there's a pool in it," Li Hao said.

"..."

Jiang Hanxing was speechless. There was a pool, but where were the peach blossoms? There weren't any here! He thought for a moment, then asked, "Did you write this, or...?"

His eyes were full of doubt.

"You won't find another author for it in this world," Li Hao said calmly and confidently.

Jiang Hanxing was surprised by his confidence, "Then may I ask, who is Li Bai in the poem?"

"Since the surname is Li, he must be one of my Li family ancestors."

"...And Wang Lun?"

"My ancestor's number one brother."

"?????"

Number one brother? What does that even mean?

Jiang Hanxing was bewildered.

"Your turn," Li Hao glanced at him.

Jiang Hanxing regained his composure, feeling awkward. But fortunately, he had a trick up his sleeve. He had written a poem about a cold pool waterfall earlier, which he could use now.

Though it might not perfectly fit the current scene, it was definitely better than Li Hao's unrelated poem