Painting Grotto-Heaven

"Is that so?"

Thump, thump, thump, thump-

Yang Lingrui's heart suddenly pounded fiercely. Seeing that Feng Linghua was genuinely considering whether to take out the scroll, he quickly raised his hand and said, "Young ladies, matters of a woman's heart like this-it really wouldn't be appropriate for me to witness them."

"Now that I know this person's name today, after I return home from this trip, I'll go to Liuye and make proper inquiries. If I get any results, I'll send a letter to Miss Linghua. How does that sound?"

Feng Linghua had always treasured that portrait of "Young Master Lin" as a precious possession.

Hearing him say this, she also restrained her impatience.

"Young Master Yang makes a good point. Then I'll trouble you to look into it for Linghua."

"No trouble at all. It's a small matter."

Yang Lingrui had barely managed to calm his heart when he suddenly felt a suspicious gaze fall upon him.

Li Qingwan's willow-leaf-shaped brows furrowed slightly, her shimmering eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.

What Yang Lingrui had said was indeed correct, but something about it felt off.

"And Miss Qingwan? Do you think this arrangement is acceptable?"

As a seasoned actor, he knew he couldn't show the slightest sign of weakness at this moment. So he met Li Qingwan's gaze directly, his expression showing no unease, behaving very naturally.

"Oh, I have no objections. This is fine."

Realizing she had been somewhat indiscreet, Li Qingwan withdrew her gaze.

"It's getting late. Thank you both for showing me around the Chess Court today, especially Miss Qingwan for that excellent game-it allowed me to appreciate the profundity of the Dao of chess."

Seeing the sun setting in the west, Yang Lingrui took the opportunity to rise and bow.

"Young Master Lingrui flatters me. Qingwan only has a slight understanding of the minor aspects of it."

"Young Master Yang is too polite!"

After a round of pleasantries, the three concluded the day's activities.

Li Qingwan still had to go to the Affairs Hall with Feng Linghua, so Yang Lingrui returned to his lodgings alone.

"Linghua, you mentioned earlier that Young Master Lin practices wind arts, right?"

On the way, Li Qingwan still felt that Yang Lingrui's reaction in the pavilion earlier was suspicious. After some careful thought, she actually managed to piece together some clues.

"That's right! Young Master Lin's wind art mastery is extraordinary-he can even use the Clear Breeze Entering the Body method to draw out the essence from Mayfly Spirit Insects!"

"Clear Breeze Entering the Body-that is indeed impressive."

Li Qingwan murmured, recalling that her brother had mentioned Yang Lingrui also practiced wind arts.

Moreover, Feng Linghua had consistently emphasized how outstanding Young Master Lin's appearance was, which also matched Yang Lingrui's true features.

"Is it really just a coincidence?"

The more she thought about it, the more she felt something was off. But relying solely on these two overlapping points, she couldn't be certain.

Besides...

Li Qingwan turned to look at Feng Linghua, who was holding her arm, her face full of smiles.

If they were indeed the same person...

Then how should she handle this situation?

If Feng Linghua learned that the person she had poured her heart into admiring was merely Yang Lingrui in disguise, what would she think?

"Sigh..."

At this thought, Li Qingwan let out a soft sigh.

Recalling what Yang Lingrui had said today-'never had,' 'single-mindedly devoted to the Dao,' 'and never will in the future'-she felt a pang of sympathy for Feng Linghua.

She herself had long foreseen such an outcome. Moreover, having experienced many twists and turns due to her family's upheavals, her state of mind was no longer swayed by such romantic thoughts. At most, it remained a beautiful longing buried deep in her heart.

But given how deeply Feng Linghua admired her "Young Master Lin," learning the truth would likely deal her a heavy blow.

"What's wrong, Sister Qingwan? Why the sudden sigh?"

Feng Linghua, still unaware of the hidden circumstances, tilted her head and asked.

Li Qingwan shook her head slightly. "Nothing. I'm just a little disappointed that I didn't get to see your treasured portrait today."

...

Over the next two days, Li Qingwan did not accompany them on their outings.

Feng Linghua found two acquaintances from the Music Court and the Calligraphy Court to give Yang Lingrui explanations.

After touring these two courts, the first four days of free time came to an end.

The fifth day was set aside for everyone to rest, and after that came the main event.

Touching and sensing that Spirit Communion Dao-Comprehension Stone!

By the time the sixth day arrived, Yang Lingrui was already burning with impatience. These days of desperately suppressing his cultivation level had been utterly agonizing!

This Dao Comprehension Stone was hidden by Chengtian Academy within a Painting Grotto-Heaven, and its entrance was located in the Dotting-the-Eyes Pavilion, which had left a deep impression on Yang Lingrui on the first day.

Traveling with them were some outstanding disciples selected from the academy. As a rising star of the Painting Court, Feng Linghua was naturally among them.

These people were essentially riding on the coattails of Yang Lingrui and the others; otherwise, they would have had to wait who knows how many years for the next opening of the Painting Grotto-Heaven.

The group stepped into a landscape painting that covered an entire wall, and instantly found themselves in a fantastical, inverted landscape.

Their feet trod upon the sky, mountains hung above their heads, and rivers rested upon their shoulders.

Such a wondrous experience left everyone lingering in awe-a sensation that could only be felt within Chengtian Academy.

And in the center of this inverted world, a piece of white jade-like green stone, emitting a faint glow, hung silently in the middle of the grotto-heaven.

It was the very Spirit Communion Dao-Comprehension Stone that everyone had been longing for.

"Brother Yang, Chengtian Academy is truly extraordinary!"

Having arrived here, Xu Jian'an and Yang Lingrui met up again.

"Brother Xu speaks the truth."

Yang Lingrui nodded. "Just these few days alone have been an eye-opening experience. If any children in my family show promise in scholarship in the future, I'll do everything I can to send them here."

"That's a certainty!"

As the two were speaking, a tall, slender figure silently appeared before the green Dao Comprehension Stone.

"Disciple Shen Yue, pays respects to Uncle-Master Wei!"

"Academy disciples, pay respects to Mountain Lord Wei!"

"Junior pays respects to the Mountain Lord!"

As the leader of the academy's disciples, Shen Yue stepped forward and led everyone in greeting this Mountain Lord.

Seeing this man, even the usually proud He Shenglai and Su Lingyun showed admiration in their eyes and respectfully bowed to him.

This was because each of the academy's four Mountain Lords was a great cultivator at the Spirit Communion realm.

And the Wei Kangping before them was hailed as the foremost among the four, his Dao techniques profound and unfathomable, his combat power as vast as the sea and as deep as an abyss.

"No need for formalities. Please rise, young friends."

Wei Kangping's voice was full of warmth. With a gentle lift of his hand, everyone was brought before him by a light, buoyant force.

He then looked at the academy disciples who had entered with them and said, "Today, you have the opportunity to view the Painting Grotto-Heaven and receive the Fated Chance of the Dao Comprehension Stone. You owe this to the outstanding talents of the Wangchao. Keep this gratitude in your hearts."

"Yes! This opportunity is deeply engraved in our hearts!"

Wei Kangping smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping over Yang Lingrui and the others, a hint of pleasant surprise flickering in his eyes.

"The letter from the court wasn't wrong. There are quite a few interesting children this time," he thought to himself.

Yang Lingrui's disguise, along with the various concealing methods that other young cultivators thought were clever, all appeared to Wei Kangping like childish games. With just one glance, he saw through everyone's true nature.

He knew exactly who was hiding treasures, who was concealing their cultivation level, and who was wearing a disguise.

Of course, knowing was one thing; Wei Kangping had no intention of exposing them publicly.

For a cultivator of his level, his vision had long since transcended to another realm.

"Alright, I won't keep you young friends waiting any longer."

With a slight shift of his thoughts, the Dao Comprehension Stone emitted a series of hums, and rays of colorful light burst forth.

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