Global Game: I Can Choose Instance Rewards

"I apologize for not welcoming you all from afar upon your esteemed arrival today!"

Several esteemed literati guests came to the Martial Venerable Hall, and Wang Zhifan quickly exited the hall to greet them, bringing them swiftly into the inner hall to be seated.

"Venerable Martial One, we rarely get to come out like this, let’s dispense with the mundane pleasantries!

These are all illustrious painters from my sect. Ever since they heard that you possess an unmatched secret painting technique, they’ve been urging me to seek you out. Please don’t disappoint them!"

Qingfeng, still exuding his somewhat roguish charm at odds with his handsome appearance, introduced the few individuals he brought with a slight grin, indicating his purpose.

"Of course! Of course! I will divulge everything I know!"

Wang Zhifan’s gaze swept over the five literati Qingfeng brought. Though their attire was similarly elegant, their ages ranged from teenagers to those in their fifties, and their strengths varied from acquired to beyond innate. It was clear that Qingfeng had a diverse circle of friends.

He then reached out to accept a roll of pure white drawing paper that Qingfeng had prepared in advance, spreading it on the square table in the inner hall as he asked:

"Since you’ve come for the secret of painting, shall I first sketch portraits of you for reference? What do you think?"

If anyone were to closely observe Wang Zhifan’s actions as he turned to ask, they would notice his gaze briefly flick toward the outside of the inner hall, appearing slightly concerned as if pressed for time.

However, the six literati, including Qingfeng, did not notice this small detail, nor were they intrigued by the high-level project Wang Zhifan initiated.

"Venerable One, we are six people; drawing six portraits on this one sheet may be quite laborious, isn’t it?"

"A painting must have a central theme; drawing six at once could easily lead to compositional imbalance."

"Is it perhaps the colored illustrations Qingfeng mentioned? But where are the paints?"

...

For a moment, each of the painting masters discussed among themselves, with most thinking that Wang Zhifan was somewhat reckless by starting like this.

Before Wang Zhifan could explain, Qingfeng decisively waved his folding fan, making an immediate decision:

"Seeing is believing! Venerable One, go ahead and create one, either a six-person or a singular portrait! Let them witness the craftsmanship first-hand!"

"Well then, please wait a moment."

Seeing Qingfeng’s approval, Wang Zhifan didn’t hesitate. He was indeed in a bit of a rush since the person outside the hall was approaching rapidly.

"Perform... Memory Capturing Skill!"

The process of his art was extremely rapid, or rather it was not truly painting but using a specialized magic to capture and freeze a scene, then reproducing it exactly on paper.

In an instant, before the discussion between the five literati accompanying Qingfeng could cease, they saw an image, as vivid as reality, appearing abruptly on the white paper before Wang Zhifan.

It depicted a scene of them engaging in discussion, its lifelike quality far surpassing the mainstream expressive ink paintings of this world, a level akin to a dimensional reduction strike, leaving the five literati staring at the "photograph" on the table in wide-eyed silence.

"Ha Ha! Who dares to say I’m speaking nonsense now? Look at Venerable One’s painting skills, truly unparalleled in the world!"

Qingfeng, who brought the five, looked immensely proud. His words conveyed that bringing these five literati was indeed to have Wang Zhifan prove them wrong, which he successfully did.

Yet Wang Zhifan himself did not wish to dwell on the matter of painting. He merely knew how to "take photos" with Memory Capturing Skill and didn’t understand the way of painting in the least. So after finishing the artwork, he cupped his hands and said:

"Please take your time to enjoy the painting, a guest has come outside, I must excuse myself."

Upon finishing, he exchanged a greeting with the most familiar Qingfeng before hastily exiting the inner hall.

Instantly in the outer hall, sure enough, Wang Zhifan sighted the graceful shadow of someone superbly landing at the hall entrance from high above the sky. Who else could it be but the extremely distinguished beyond-innate Long Dao?!

Evidently, Wang Zhifan preferred to greet this esteemed guest rather than discuss painting skills he didn’t understand with a few grandmasters. This was not prioritizing romance over friends, but rather, it would be improper to leave someone who had come all this way unattended.

"Long Dao, it’s been so long even though it’s just one day! Please, come in!"

Since there were already guests in the inner hall, Wang Zhifan led Mieyue Long Dao toward the unoccupied side hall. Mieyue Long Dao understood his arrangements since she saw a group arrive at Martial Venerable Hall before her while in the sky, so she didn’t mind.

As the two walked through the grand and spacious Martial Venerable Hall, the usually fierce and aloof Mieyue Long Dao exuded a gentle smile, revealing her purpose:

"Fanyun Daoist, I’ve come this time firstly to congratulate your opening of Martial Venerable Hall and accept disciples, secondly to repay the assistance you provided in Huangzhou, and thirdly to thank you for the Cyan Dragon True Spirit Scroll you gave to our clan..."

"Haha, these are trivial matters, there’s no need for Long Dao to dwell on them."

Wang Zhifan responded with a smile. He hadn’t expected any recompense from this Dragon Maiden. During the battle against those Demon Venerables in Huangzhou, even if the Dragon Maiden hadn’t taken action, he would have sought a chance to try his hand, thus helping Mieyue Long Dao was merely incidental without taking extra risks.