This item was very simple and also very strange. It was a jade pipe that was as thick as a finger and was stuffed with a bundle of animal hair. No one present recognized what this item was.

It was natural that no one recognized this was a writing brush as this world didn't have any writing brush.

“This item is called a writing brush, and it is something that I use to write and paint. I shall hereby offer it to Lord Qin as your 50th birthday present.” Yang Dingtian spoke respectfully.

Instantly, almost everyone laughed up their sleeves. Even Qin Wanchou couldn't help but twitch slightly.

Everyone here offered extremely valuable gifts, only him, Yang Dingtian, had offered a so-called writing brush. It was truly and extremely unpresentable. This item's value wouldn't be more than half a silver coin; it was indeed extremely unpresentable.

Seeing that her lover presented such an unpresentable gift after such a long time, Qin Mengli's heart was feeling both love and hate, “He really is a fool.”

Immediately after, Qin Mengli said, “Shen Lang, your gift is too unpresentable. Furthermore, no one knows what your so-called writing brush is used for. Quickly demonstrate and let everyone see the function of your writing brush.”

Qin Mengli knew that her lover was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with talent; hence, she gave Yang Dingtian the chance to perform.

“Oh. Understood!” Yang Dingtian responded.

He then asked the servant in the main hall, “I need a piece of white paper.”

The servant looked towards Qin Wanchou.

“Give it to him.” Qin Wanchou ordered.

“Yes.” The servant went out respectfully and brought back a piece of white paper that was about one square meter after about a minute.

Yang Dingtian received the white paper and lay it flat on the ground before taking out a bottle of wine to grind the ink.

Of course, this ink block was also personally made by him, and it was fortunate that this item wasn't hard to make.

After grinding the ink, Yang Dingtian took a deep breath.

The most crucial moment of the performance was here. This moment would decide if Yang Dingtian was able to obtain the other half of the Heaven and Earth Mystic Flame's map from Qin Wanchou.

After allowing the writing brush to soak up the ink, Yang Dingtian started to paint on the white paper.

There was complete silence in the crowd as everyone looked at the white paper in front of Yang Dingtian and the writing brush in his hand.

With a swish of the brush, there was an irregular curve on the paper.

Everyone was astonished and thinking about what exactly this thing was?

Immediately after, Yang Dingtian painted at a very fast speed.

A horizontal stroke, a vertical stroke, a bending stroke, a turning stroke.

In just a few dozens of strokes!

Everyone could see the rough scenery of the gra.s.sland.

Yang Dingtian's ink painting emphasized on the spirit and not the form. It might just be a few dozen strokes, but the s.p.a.cious and borderless gra.s.slands had appeared vividly on the paper.

It might not be very lifelike when purely looking at the painting, but it had a distant and extensive feeling that allowed everyone to recognize it was the gra.s.slands with a single glance.

This was the charm of the ink painting.

There were artists in this world, but everyone sought distinctive works; hence, everyone was meant to serve the martial art, and there was almost no relation to artistic values at all. Yang Dingtian's ink painting mastery might not be profound, but the artistic value of the gra.s.slands was enough to subdue anyone.

After painting the rough scenery of the gra.s.slands, Yang Dingtian took another few strokes to paint the gra.s.s that was blown by the wind.

Afterward, in just a few more strokes, he painted a few horses, cows and goats.

Of course, it was the horses, cows, and goats of this world.

Finally, with another few more strokes, Yang Dingtian painted the distant mountains, the sun, and the moon.

Finally, Yang Dingtian wrote a poem at an empty spot, using this world's wordings to write:

In the distant eastern river, there is a lush forest at the foot of the mountain.

Heaven is a dome that envelops the wilderness.

The sky is vast and hazy, while the wild is vast and obscure.

The wind blew on the gra.s.s so low that the cows and goats were visible.

After finis.h.i.+ng, some people clicked their tongues instantly.

This world didn't have any poems that existed solely for art. Almost everything in this world existed to serve the martial art.

After writing this poem, everyone was instantly amazed. They felt that it was good, but they couldn't understand what was good. But at the bottom of their hearts, they felt that it was extremely good and extremely breathtaking.

As for Qin Mengli, her beautiful eyes were mesmerized. She knew that her lover was different from everyone in this world, and she knew her lover was br.i.m.m.i.n.g with talent, but she didn't think her lover could be so stunning. As compared to Yang Dingtian, Yan Bieqin would look as though he had nothing underneath his good looks. Furthermore, Qin Mengli was even tempted by that man. Right now, Qin Mengli was feeling embarra.s.sed and felt that she was truly shallow at that time.

Everyone was amazed and astonished by Yang Dingtian's entirely new art form. But no one noticed that Qin Wanchou and Qin Huaiyu had a slight change in expression after seeing this painting and they had swiftly exchanged a glance with one another afterward.

Everything was somewhat subtle and fast as no one noticed, not even Yang Dingtian.

As soon as Yang Dingtian finished the artwork, he bowed and handed over the art without looking at Qin Wanchou and Qin Huaiyu's expression. He didn't dare to look either.

Because this painting he had produced had the remarkable resemblance of the other half of the Heaven and Earth Mystic Flame's map that he had, in fact, there were plenty of other similar things. If Qin Wanchou and Qin Huaiyu were to compare with their half of the Mystic Flame's map, they would surely be able to see or at least be able to feel the similarities.

These two individuals were undoubtedly outstanding individuals in this world and also one of the most intelligent people.

After finis.h.i.+ng the painting, Yang Dingtian handed it straight to the servant, along with the writing brush. Because this writing brush was the gift and this painting was just a subsidiary.

After handing it over, Yang Dingtian stood still with respect. He might not know if he should be standing here, but his back was bursting with cold sweat, and he was extremely nervous.

This was his plan to obtain the other half of the Mystic Flame's map. The success would depend on this moment, and this was entirely a risk that involved his life.

Right now, he had done everything he was supposed to do. Next, would be to wait for Qin Wanchou's judgment.

When Qin Wanchou received the writing brush and the painting, he glanced at it and immediately concentrated his eyes on Yang Dingtian's face for a bit.

Yang Dingtian desperately suppressed his anxiety to stop himself from trembling. Despite the case, his cold sweat was bursting with increasing speed.

This person in front was a Grandmaster, and it was the strongest enemy that Yang Dingtian had encountered.

A single flick of his finger was enough to crush Yang Dingtian. It didn't matter if Yang Dingtian had the Deep Sea Mystic Clothes, and it didn't matter what kind of mystic talisman Yang Dingtian had. Right now, Yang Dingtian was as weak as an insect in front of Qin Wanchou.

Qin Wanchou stared at Yang Dingtian coldly while Qin Mengli didn't even dare to let out a large breath. Her absolutely gorgeous face was turned pale, and her expression was getting increasingly terrified.

Yang Dingtian desperately controlled his breathing while suppressing his anxiety and fearful emotions.

After half a minute later, Qin Wanchou finally spoke.

“You have great innate talents. I was wondering why you are close to 30 years old but have just broken through to the Martial Mystic cla.s.s. Right now, I finally know the reason. You have invested all your efforts into such unorthodox things.” Qin Wanchou spoke and placed the painting down. He then said indifferently, “In the future, you will continue being Qin Mengli's guard commander.”

Immediately after, Qin Wanchou spoke again, “Let the feast continue.”

Everyone was shocked. What exactly did Qin Wanchou mean with this att.i.tude?

It seemed like Qin Wanchou had alienated Yang Dingtian but also seemed to have valued him.

But, Qin Wanchou was today's supreme host, and when he mentioned for the feast to continue, everyone instantly raised their cups and continued to drink and enjoy the delicacies.

Yang Dingtian walked behind Qin Mengli and continued a.s.suming the role of her guard commander.

The White Cloud City Lord, Ye Wucheng's expression changed a little as he said, “Senior Qin, I am weak with alcohol, and I'm rather drunk. I wish to leave and rest.”

It was obvious that Ye Wucheng wasn't happy with Qin Wanchou's att.i.tude.

“City Lord Ye, please do as you like.” Qin Wanchou spoke indifferently.

Ye Wucheng suddenly carried Ye Feng, who was on the ground and left without a second thought.

While Ye Wuzheng continued to remain in his seat with a dull expression as his face had lost all emotions.

Yang Dingtian stood behind Qin Mengli. He might be expressionless, but his mind was in a whirl.

What exactly was Qin Wanchou's att.i.tude? Was my plan considered a success or not?

Only Qin Mengli was delighted, and her beautiful face was filled with pride. She spoke pleasantly to win her elder brother's favor, but her speech had never once stopped mentioning Shen Lang. She still wished for her elder brother to approve of her relations.h.i.+p with her lover.

Qin Wanchou's expression still had impatience and doting love, but he was also half-hearted and using the pampering love to deal with Qin Mengli. Purely from this, Qin Wanchou was truly an admirable elder brother.

Yang Dingtian had a slightly better understanding of this person. He was a clever person but didn't wish to conceal his own emotions. He was an ambitious and ruthless person that was filled with sentiments.

Two hours later, the feast had ended.

Until the moment Qin Mengli boarded the carriage, Yang Dingtian didn't get the response that he wanted. Qin Wanchou and Qin Huaiyu didn't ask him to stay either. As for how Yang Dingtian defeated Ye Feng, Qin Wanchou didn't express any suspicion either.

Yang Dingtian might be filled with unease and disappointment, but he still had to meticulously protect Qin Mengli and, thus, left the inner city.

On the way back to the residence, Qin Mengli finally couldn't bear it anymore. She opened the curtain and spoke delicately, “Husband, come in.”

Yang Dingtian was slightly startled, but he immediately boarded the carriage.

As soon as he entered the carriage, Qin Mengli plunged into his embrace and spoke with utmost joy, “Baby, you really made me proud today, and I truly love you. I understand my elder brother very well. He might not have said anything, but his heart is filled with admiration towards you.”

Yang Dingtian laughed, “As long as he doesn't stop us, I am already very grateful.”

“He won't. I have already heard the unspoken intention behind his words. He has actually approved our relations.h.i.+p tactfully. It is just that he couldn't say it publicly in front of everyone. Didn't you see that he didn't stop Ye Wucheng from leaving the feast?” Qin Mengli spoke in a delicate voice.