### Chapter 18: The Celestial Martial Arts Diagram
Under the watchful eyes of the guests, a tall woman gracefully made her way through the crowd, accompanied by a group of attendants.
Her silver hair shimmered with a metallic sheen.
Zhang Yu wondered if this luxurious hair was a product of some magical artifact. He couldn't help but speculate how much a single strand might be worth.
The woman's red evening gown was adorned with flowing patterns of firelight, as if flames were dancing within the fabric, exuding a powerful aura of magical energy.
Zhao Tianxing thought to himself that the dress itself seemed to be a magical artifact, likely worth a fortune.
At the same time, the director of Xianyun Group, who appeared as if he were covered in a layer of gold foil, stepped forward to greet Li Xuelian.
Two other wealthy individuals at the Foundation Establishment stage also joined their conversation.
Surrounding them were numerous wealthy socialites, eager to exchange a few words with the four and make a favorable impression.
However, they were not given much opportunity. After a brief exchange with the three, Li Xuelian made her way to the curtain concealing the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram.
"Everyone, thank you for coming to today's art exhibition," Li Xuelian began with a smile, as applause filled the room. "At this moment filled with creativity and inspiration, we gather together..."
As Li Xuelian spoke, Zhang Yu yawned, bored, and considered whether he should use this time to meditate.
Suddenly, his eyes flickered. He realized he had been cultivating more diligently lately, though he wasn't sure if it was due to the pressure of the ritual forces or the subtle influence of this world and society.
Fortunately, Li Xuelian's speech was not long. Just as Zhang Yu was lost in thought, she began discussing the topic that most interested the young cultivation prodigies present.
Li Xuelian: "Over the past few years, my father has been searching for a disciple to inherit his legacy and pass on his martial arts and techniques."
"Unfortunately, his standards are quite high, and despite years of searching, he has yet to find a disciple who truly meets his requirements."
"Thus, he personally painted this Celestial Martial Arts Diagram, within which he concealed a set of martial arts."
"If any young hero under the age of 20 can master the martial arts within this painting, my father is willing to take them as his disciple and fully support their education at a top-tier university."
"However, this painting contains a trace of my father's martial intent. Those who view it will be subjected to this intent, which may damage their Dao heart."
"During the process of comprehension, I urge everyone to proceed with caution, lest you be harmed by the martial intent within..."
As Li Xuelian finished her explanation, she slowly pulled back the curtain, revealing the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram.
Within a frame over two meters tall, a faint human figure gradually emerged.
"Is this the work of a Golden Core expert?" Zhang Yu thought to himself, staring at the painting. It looked like a simple, almost childlike doodle, no different from something a grade-schooler might draw.
Just as Zhang Yu was thinking this, someone exclaimed, "What a masterpiece!"
"This painting is alive with energy, the brushwork is masterful. Starfire True Person's work is truly unparalleled, putting us all to shame."
Immediately, others chimed in with praise: "It's breathtaking. Though it appears simple, it contains profound meaning. The more you look at it, the more you appreciate its depth."
As more and more people began to extol the virtues of the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram, Li Xuelian coughed lightly, interrupting the chatter.
She then explained, "Everyone, to prevent unintended harm, my father placed a restriction on this painting. Only those within five meters can see its true content, but they will also be affected by the martial intent within."
"Any young heroes who wish to comprehend the painting, please step forward."
Upon hearing this, those who had been lavishing praise earlier immediately blushed and fell silent.
However, someone had already stepped forward toward the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram—it was Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School, who had just been speaking with the "ash box."
"Haha, let me, Lian Tianji, see what mysteries this Celestial Martial Arts Diagram holds."
With a laugh, Lian Tianji strode confidently toward the painting.
Watching this, Qian Shen's eyes flickered. He thought to himself, "That's Lian Tianji from Ziyun High School. Last month, he scored 670 points in the monthly exam. He's one of the opponents I need to challenge after defeating Bai Zhenzhen."
As Lian Tianji approached the painting, the figure within the canvas became clearer and clearer. It seemed to depict a middle-aged man slowly performing a set of profound martial arts.
Lian Tianji's mind was gradually drawn into the painting, until he saw the man suddenly throw a punch toward him from across the void.
*Boom!*
A dull thud seemed to echo through the air.
Lian Tianji abruptly stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with shock as he stared fixedly at the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram.
Seeing him standing there motionless, the crowd assumed he had immersed himself in the painting and was comprehending the mysterious martial arts within.
Li Xuelian, standing nearby, calmly explained, "My father designed this to select disciples with strong willpower and extraordinary courage... When comprehending the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram, the viewer will confront their deepest fears."
"Only by fortifying their spirit and overcoming their inner weaknesses can they comprehend the secrets within the painting."
Hearing this, the crowd was once again amazed, their curiosity piqued as they watched the motionless Lian Tianji, wondering what he was seeing.
At that moment, in Lian Tianji's eyes, the world around him had transformed. Unbeknownst to him, he had returned to his classroom. The art exhibition, Li Xuelian, and the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram seemed to have vanished from his memory.
His homeroom teacher was on the podium, announcing the results of the last monthly exam.
But from the first name onward, he never heard his own.
10th place... not him.
20th place... not him.
50th place... still not him.
As the rankings went lower and lower, Lian Tianji's heart grew increasingly anxious...
Back at the exhibition, Li Xuelian, watching Lian Tianji still engrossed in the painting, said, "The Celestial Martial Arts Diagram can be comprehended by multiple people. Are there any other young heroes who would like to step forward?"
Qian Shen exchanged glances with a few classmates, then walked toward the painting together.
At the same time, other young cultivators who had come to comprehend the painting also stepped forward.
Zhang Yu glanced at Zhou Tianyi beside him and asked curiously, "Aren't you going to give it a try?"
Zhou Tianyi chuckled and shrugged. "I'm just here to watch the show. I'd rather not embarrass myself."
Zhang Yu then turned to Bai Zhenzhen and asked, "What about you? Not going up?"
Bai Zhenzhen glanced at the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram and said indifferently, "I'm still hesitating."
Zhang Yu asked, "What's holding you back?"
Bai Zhenzhen replied, "I don't want to find myself a master."
She thought to herself, "Becoming a disciple would mean signing some kind of contract with that Starfire True Person, essentially selling myself into servitude."
Bai Zhenzhen sighed inwardly, "Not to mention... choosing a university and major would probably be under his control. I'd also end up buried in debt, and who knows how the interest would be calculated..."
Hearing Bai Zhenzhen's hesitation, Zhang Yu said, "Then just don't master the martial arts. That way, you won't have to become Starfire True Person's disciple."
Zhang Yu looked toward the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram and smiled slightly. "Even if it's just a martial art for the Qi Refining stage, if we were to buy the rights to use it ourselves, it would cost tens of thousands, right? Why not take advantage of this free opportunity?"
"If you don't want to be Starfire True Person's disciple, just don't master the technique today."
Zhao Tianxing, standing nearby, couldn't help but scoff inwardly at Zhang Yu and Bai Zhenzhen's boldness. He took a few steps back, afraid that others might mistake him for being as arrogant and ignorant as they were.
Bai Zhenzhen looked at Zhang Yu speechlessly, thinking, "What kind of mental state has the loan collectors from that small platform driven him into?"
Zhou Tianyi laughed and said, "That makes sense. It doesn't cost anything to give it a try, so why not join in?"
Zhao Tianxing, however, declined Zhang Yu and Zhou Tianyi's suggestion. Just the thought of standing in front of the painting in his security guard uniform, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, was too embarrassing.
But as he watched Zhang Yu walk toward the painting, he couldn't help but admire the other's thick skin.
At that moment, the walkie-talkie on Zhao Tianxing's belt crackled to life. The security captain barked, "What are you all doing? You're security guards! Who allowed him to leave his post and go comprehend the martial arts diagram? Get him back here now!"
Zhao Tianxing, sweating profusely, quickly ran forward, shouting as he tried to pull Zhang Yu back.
As Zhao Tianxing approached the Celestial Martial Arts Diagram, the figure within became clearer, and the surrounding crowd began to laugh and point.
Zhao Tianxing turned to see everyone at the exhibition staring at him, mocking him for overreaching, a mere security guard daring to comprehend the martial arts diagram.
Amidst the jeers, Zhao Tianxing slowly came to a halt, awkward and unsure of what to do. His hands fidgeted, now scratching his head, now tugging at his ears, as he struggled to find a comfortable stance.
Meanwhile, as Zhang Yu and the others approached the painting, the blurred figure within gradually sharpened into the image of a stern middle-aged man, who suddenly threw a punch toward them from across the void.
Bai Zhenzhen felt her vision darken, and her phone began to vibrate incessantly.
She picked it up to find a flood of messages from a loan collection platform.
"Regarding your overdue debt with 'Qianbei,' due to repeated failed collection attempts, the situation has become severe. Please settle the outstanding amount within three days of receiving this message. Failure to do so will result in legal action..."
"Continued delinquency will result in a background check at your registered address..."
"Deadbeat, you can't even pay back such a small amount? How about your whole family goes out collecting bottles to help you..."
The messages grew increasingly aggressive, shifting from simple reminders to outright insults, threats, and harassment...
Bai Zhenzhen stared at the endless stream of messages, her face pale and her body tense, until her phone began to ring.
But as she looked at the ringing phone, she hesitated to answer.
Yet, even without her input, the call connected on its own.
In her horrified gaze, a cold male voice came through the phone.
"Due to your credit fraud and failure to repay, you have committed a serious breach of contract. Your location has been identified via the Tianwang system. If the debt is not settled within three days, a thunder tribulation will be summoned..."
A low rumble of thunder echoed in the distance.
Bai Zhenzhen looked up to see faint flashes of lightning gathering above her.
(End of chapter...)
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
patreon.com/PenguinTL
🥳Joining Patreon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through Patreon.