The ink on the canvas had not yet dried, and the Water Qilin knew that touching it now would ruin the painting.
She took a closer look and found herself liking it more and more. The impatience she had felt earlier had long vanished, and she turned her beautiful eyes toward Li Hao:
"Did you paint this for me?"
"Do you like it, Senior?"
Li Hao noticed the joy in her eyes and couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. He smiled and said, "If you like it, Senior, I will give it to you."
The Water Qilin beamed, and the entire cold pool seemed to brighten. She laughed lightly and said,
"I didn’t expect there to be such a skilled artist among the Human Race. You’ve truly captured it well; it feels like I’m standing right on the paper."
"As long as you like it, Senior."
The painting was not just a recreation, but also had artistic enhancements, like adding a filter, naturally making it look good.
Li Hao glanced at her and whispered, "Senior, would you like me to paint a picture of your current form as well?"
This time, the Water Qilin didn’t refuse. Instead, she looked at Li Hao with interest, "Can you paint it?"
"Painting, well, as long as you cooperate, Senior, I could paint all day!" Li Hao laughed.
"Alright, then paint another one for me to see." The Water Qilin agreed.
"Sure!"
Li Hao eagerly accepted; after all, this was a rare opportunity to gain something effortlessly.
"Senior, please stand by the water’s edge, with your body slightly turned, yes, just like that..."
Li Hao instructed her to pose in a side profile, complementing her exquisite beauty, like a graceful woman standing sorrowfully by the Emerald Pond.
He quickly put pen to paper and began to draw.
Thirty minutes later.
The second painting was completed.
[Artistic Path Experience +1738]
The experience hadn’t decreased much, likely due to the change in form, showing a different aspect.
Soon, Li Hao handed the painting to her.
The Water Qilin took a glance, and her eyes immediately lit up. The woman in the painting appeared sorrowful, with melancholy brows, exuding an ethereal loneliness and frost-like clarity, resembling a water lily adrift from the world.
This is actually me... The Water Qilin felt that the woman in the painting was even more beautiful than her real appearance.
Moreover, the trace of unresolved sadness between her brows, wasn’t it exactly her inner feelings?
Alone in the cold pool, millennia of solitude, the Tan Palace was a place of humans, yet not her place... In this bustling Human Race city, she felt even more isolated.
As she gazed at the painting, she gradually became enchanted.
Li Hao noticed her entranced state but didn’t disturb her, only slightly adjusted the canvas and then took another opportunity to sketch her mesmerized expression.
In this era without photographs, his art could lock time in place.
Li Hao thought that most people would likely appreciate it.
Soon, the third painting was completed.
[Artistic Path Experience +1541]
The experience diminished slightly, but it was still substantial.
With just three paintings, he had amassed over five thousand experience points, a tremendous gain.
When Li Hao finished the artwork, the Water Qilin returned to her senses and asked, "Is it done?"
So, you noticed... Li Hao inwardly chuckled, realizing she had been aware but had maintained her trance-like pose, seemingly cooperating intentionally.
"Yes, it’s finished."
Li Hao nodded, turning the canvas toward her.
Seeing the third painting, the Water Qilin’s eyes smiled even more. Her dazed expression was lifelike, the light casting on her clear eyes as though reflecting myriad thoughts.
Had she momentarily recalled certain memories from a thousand years ago, and he had noticed?
This little human, could he actually understand her?
The Water Qilin looked at Li Hao with a kinder gaze and said, "Your painting skills are indeed impressive. Did you say you’re a member of the Li Family?"
"Yes." Li Hao nodded.
The Water Qilin said with interest, "The Divine General Mansion’s Li Family is renowned, but as far as I know, the Li Family has strict rules, and all family members are martial artists. How is it that you’re allowed to dabble in side skills?"
"The Artistic Path isn’t necessarily a minor skill."
Li Hao smiled slightly, "Besides, cultivation doesn’t interfere with painting. After all, one gets tired while cultivating."
"Oh?"
The Water Qilin raised an eyebrow.
Li Hao temporarily hid the All Phenomena attribute, released his presence out to fifteen miles, and then reactivated the All Phenomena attribute.
The Water Qilin was slightly stunned, unwittingly widened her eyes, and looked at Li Hao in surprise.
Fifteen miles?
Yet his vitality and bone structure still seemed so fresh and young.
"Senior, since we have some rare free time today, how about I continue painting more for you?" Li Hao smiled temptingly.
The Water Qilin glanced at the painting in her hand, used her power to dry the paper, and nodded, "Alright."
Li Hao chuckled to himself and immediately asked her to stand by the Emerald Pond again, continuing his painting.
Soon, painting after painting was completed.
After painting eleven in a row, on the completion of the twelfth, the Artistic Path Experience only increased by 351 points.
Although much less than before, compared to painting other subjects, it was still quite rewarding.
"Let’s call it a day."
The Water Qilin accepted the latest painting and, after taking a couple of glances, wore a brilliant smile on her face.
"Is it because you’re not satisfied, Senior?" Li Hao asked as he was about to lift his pen.
The Water Qilin shook her head and said, "Today, my attire is too plain. With your exquisite painting skills, let’s wait until I’m better dressed next time."
Li Hao was momentarily speechless. It was said that everyone loves beauty; he hadn’t expected this Great Demon King to feel the same.
Did she feel she wasn’t dressed beautifully enough today?
But Li Hao thought she was already extraordinarily ethereal.
"Alright."
Li Hao didn’t insist, knowing there was plenty of time in the future.
"What’s your name?" the Water Qilin inquired.
"Li Hao."
The Water Qilin was slightly taken aback; the name sounded ambitious. If Li Hao were from the Royal Family, it would make sense.
"Senior, and you?" Li Hao asked, not missing the opportunity to build a connection.