Having cultivated myself into an immortal, all I want to do is raise female disciples.

Why the hell are you eating in such a serious setting?!

It smells quite nice, though.

But that's not the point—this is the Art Gallery, the largest and most prestigious venue in Maple Leaf City today, and the place where famous painters compete for the top prize. You're eating here?

Not only were the sect cultivators and shop owners present stunned, but even the worldly-wise Fairy Hua was completely dumbfounded.

She had seen many grand occasions, including battles involving tens of thousands of people and even clashes between armies, but she had never seen anyone eat in such a solemn setting...

This is similar to the situation when the princess of the Lantian Empire arrived and was chatting with the city lord in the city lord's mansion, and suddenly a cultivator sat down next to the city lord and asked him, "What are you having for dinner tonight?"

"Can I leave here for a bit? I'm thinking of going up there and shoving that old scoundrel's head into a cup of instant noodles."

Ye Yuchan's face was so gloomy that it was unbearable to look at; she looked completely blackened.

Fan Luokui silently tucked the scabbard into her waistband, stood beside Ye Yuchan, and said with a serious expression, "Please be sure to take me with you. I want to cut his head off."

“I don’t ask for much.” Zhang Ruoxue also raised her hand. “I just want to leave this academy. I don’t want to be the apprentice of this person with a mental problem anymore.”

The killing intent of the three female disciples converged, forming a terrifying storm that swirled in a corner of the venue.

Even Qin Shishi couldn't speak up for Yun Ping this time. She had seen people who didn't follow the rules, but she had never seen anyone who didn't follow the rules like this. He was probably the only person in the whole world who would eat in the Art Gallery.

Lin Yuan blinked, looking at her junior sisters with some curiosity, "Why are you all so angry? Isn't it normal to want to eat when you're hungry...?"

"Senior Sister Yuan'er... he... sigh, never mind, I won't explain."

Ye Yuchan sighed and rubbed her forehead in exasperation. Lin Yuan had been completely corrupted by Yun Ping's old rogue ways and had probably long since gotten used to his capricious behavior, which was why she didn't react at all.

Speaking of doing whatever one pleases, Ye Yuchan remembered that this old rogue used to be Emperor Wen.

Could it be that Emperor Wen used to eat a bowl of instant noodles before his battles with those sects?

Just imagining this scene is enough to shatter the beautiful dreams of those female cultivators who dream of Emperor Wen.

……

Good heavens, what kind of person have I ended up with?!

Inside the venue, many people began to denounce Yunping.

"Is this artist number one out of their mind? How can they sit down and eat like nothing's wrong in a situation like this?"

"Damn it, this kid's just here to cause trouble, isn't he? I can't stand it anymore, I'm going to twist his head off right now!"

"Fairy Hua, what's going on? How could you let someone like this in?"

"Yes, Fairy Hua, does Maple Leaf City not have any vetting process at all? How dare someone like this come to the Art Gallery?"

Seeing that she was about to be blamed, Fairy Hua was also itching to get revenge on Yun Ping. She also took the opportunity to curse the cultivator who was reviewing the case in the background, saying that he dared to let just anyone in!

Of course, she still had to wear a commercial smile on her face and said to Yun Ping apologetically, "This painter, could you please be a little more serious? Our Painting Gallery is a very serious venue for painting competitions. People from our City Lord's Mansion will also be watching this competition. Could you... please put that thing away for now?"

The meaning is clear: the people from the city lord's mansion are watching us. If you cause any more trouble, we'll throw you out.

Yunping blinked, lifted his mask slightly to expose his mouth, slurped up a big mouthful of noodles, wiped his mouth with a handkerchief with satisfaction, and then spoke.

"You didn't say anything about the participating artists not being allowed to eat..."

"Uh..." That's a very pertinent question. Fairy Hua was momentarily taken aback. "But instead of hurrying to finish your painting, you're eating here. Isn't that putting the cart before the horse?"

"You need to be well-fed to have the energy to paint."

Yunping chuckled and took another sip of sour soup. "Besides, I didn't want to do this in the first place. The main problem is that your time requirement is too long... I'm getting a little hungry while waiting."

Too...too long?

Fairy Hua thought she had misheard. What the hell? The time it takes for five incense sticks to burn is too short for other painters, and you're saying to us—it's too long, we're getting bored waiting?

Before Hua Xianzi could finish speaking, Chen Ran, hidden behind the second mask, mocked her.

"I've never seen anyone so boastful. For some painters, even completing a painting in the time it takes for five incense sticks to burn is uncertain, yet you say it's too long."

"It is indeed quite long." Yunping took another sip of noodles, glanced at the second illustrator, and said, "Don't you think so?"

"I don't mind. Five incense sticks' worth of time is enough for me to finish the painting, or rather, four incense sticks' worth."

Yunping said "Oh", "Then you'd better hurry, there's still... let me see, about half an incense stick's time left."

"Hehe—" Chen Ran chuckled, "And you, sir, since you find the time too long, how much time do you intend to spend completing your masterpiece?"

His deliberate use of the phrase "highly praised" was clearly an attempt to flatter Yunping to his detriment.

Everyone was waiting for Yunping's answer.

Meanwhile, the old rogue, who had suddenly become the center of attention, calmly ate his instant noodles, crossed his legs, and spoke as if nothing had happened.

"Probably half an incense stick's time. My skills have been a bit rusty lately, so I probably won't be able to draw quickly."

The room fell silent upon hearing this.

Three seconds later, another earth-shattering burst of laughter erupted.

Chen Ran laughed too, his gaze now no different from that of someone looking at a clown. "Half an incense stick's time, are you perhaps planning to spill all the ink onto the scroll, then point to that pitch-black scroll and say, 'This is your painting?'"

"Don't worry, I'm not as bored as you." Yun Ping glanced at Chen Ran's painting and chuckled. "Kid, you still have a long way to go in your art. Although you have some talent, you still need to hone your skills."

"Oh?" Chen Ran no longer took Yun Ping seriously. "I didn't expect you to be such an connoisseur. Since you think my painting is no good, then I can only wait for your masterpiece."

The words had barely left his mouth—

Then the cold voice of the artist number nine rang out.

"Don't be misled by him."

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention shifted back to the artist number nine, who had remained motionless for some time.

When they noticed the painting behind the little monk, they couldn't help but exclaim in amazement.

Because he started writing so late, he still managed to sketch out the shape of an extremely domineering azure dragon. Judging from its form and spirit, this azure dragon is definitely a masterpiece!

Chen Ran also noticed the little monk's painting. His eyes, hidden behind the mask, narrowed slightly, clearly indicating that he considered the little monk one of his true enemies.

Surrounded by onlookers, the young monk pointed to the number one painter and slowly spoke.

"This person is extremely treacherous and cunning. First, he used the aroma of food to distract the artists present, and then he said some completely nonsensical things. He was trying to mislead us and make us make mistakes."

"He probably already had time to think about the content of his next painting. Although he might not be able to finish it in half an incense stick's time, if he had an incense stick's time... he would likely be able to create a painting that, while not particularly high in skill, would be pleasing to the eye."

"In other words... he wants to lower the quality of our paintings in this way, and then use a mediocre painting to squeeze into the top ranks!"

These words shocked the entire audience!

Listening to what the little monk said, it seemed to make some sense!

Otherwise, how could anyone be so idle as to eat in such a setting and say something absolutely impossible?

At this moment, Chen Ran also realized what was happening. He looked at Yun Ping with anger in his eyes, "I never expected that you would be this kind of person... Such scheming is truly terrifying."

Yunping glanced at the little monk who seemed to see through everything and sighed silently.

He waved his hand, put the instant noodles back into his storage ring, and then stretched lazily.

"Say what you will. It's about time, and I should show you what I'm capable of."

In Hua Xianzi's hand, on the incense burner.

There was less than an incense stick's worth of time left.

"Hmph, I'd like to see what tricks you're up to!"

Chen Ran snorted coldly. With the little monk's reminder, he also realized Yun Ping's non-existent plan, and immediately began to devote all his energy to completing the next painting.

He absolutely must win first place this time!

The other painters were the same; after the little monk's reminder, they stopped caring about Yunping's paintings and focused on completing their own.

As for the little monk who saw through everything, he sneered. He was full of confidence in himself. Even if Yun Ping brought out a decent painting, it would be impossible for him to defeat him.

Besides... there are quite a few geniuses and talents present. Do they really think they can squeeze into the top three by using such a small trick?

What a pipe dream!

He could already picture Yunping taking out the Divine Sea Golden Feather Scripture only after he had defeated Yunping and brought him to the brink of death.

"Sigh~ What should I draw? Let me think... how about drawing a girl or something?"

Yunping stood before the snow-white painting and began to think about how he should paint it.

Yes... he really wasn't thinking about anything. During the time it takes for four incense sticks to burn, he was just spacing out and thinking about other things.

The urge to eat instant noodles was just a sudden whim, not some conspiracy at all.

With the most basic idea in mind, the old rogue began to pick up his pen.

His strokes all look very casual, like random scribbles, but the lines are clearly drawn and the thickness is very even.

And so, time passed by, second by second.

Ye Yuchan and the others also began to hold their breath and focus their attention on Yunping's painting.

They also wanted to know what the old rogue could possibly draw in his last few moments.

After a while.

hum-

A resounding bell rang throughout the entire venue!

"Time's up!"

The moment Hua Xianzi finished speaking, all five incense sticks in the incense burner were burned to ashes.

Among the sixteen artists below, two have not yet finished their paintings, but time has run out. If they continue painting, they will be disqualified.

It's worth mentioning that these two artists... do not include artists number one and number nine.

Hua Xianzi looked at the No. 1 painter, who sat calmly in place, having put down his brush a few seconds ago, with utter astonishment.

Could it be that he really finished it in such a short time?

Not only her, but almost everyone's attention was focused on the number one painter. Everyone was eager to know what kind of painting he had painted.

Is he a highly skilled artist?

Or is it just a charade, as Number Nine said?

Everything will soon be revealed.