"I apologize, Feng Lin, but we cannot simply allow anyone to become a judge at the Myriad Dao Brush Assembly."

The surrounding elders immediately sensed the change in atmosphere.

"We need to verify your qualifications first," Daoist Profound Jade continued. "After all, this gathering is one of the Divine Ink Empire’s most important events. Every judge must possess sufficient ability and reputation."

Although her words sounded reasonable, those who knew her well could tell that she was intentionally setting a hurdle before Lin Feng. Yun Wanqing naturally noticed this as well.

A strange smile appeared in her eyes. She knew exactly how terrifying Lin Feng’s attainments were. If Profound Jade wished to test him, she was likely about to receive quite a surprise.

Lin Feng himself remained completely unbothered. In fact, he found the situation somewhat amusing.

He could already guess that Daoist Profound Jade was not particularly pleased with him. Unfortunately for her, he had never cared much about the opinions of others.

If they wanted to test him, then they could test him. It made little difference.

"Of course." Lin Feng nodded calmly.

"I would be willing to demonstrate my abilities before you or anyone else." His confidence did not appear arrogant. Instead, it felt as though he were merely stating a simple fact.

Then he smiled faintly.

"When do we begin?"

Daoist Profound Jade blinked. She had expected at least some resistance. Perhaps indignation. Perhaps an attempt to argue.

Instead, Lin Feng accepted the challenge without the slightest hesitation. For a brief moment, she almost wondered if he truly possessed the confidence to back up Yun Wanqing’s praise.

Then she dismissed the thought. The Myriad Arts were vast and profound. Even the greatest geniuses required countless years to master them.

No matter how talented Feng Lin might be, she doubted he could live up to the nearly unbelievable evaluation Yun Wanqing had given him.

Very soon, she intended to find out the truth for herself.

"We can begin at once, Feng Lin. If you follow me into the clan, I will arrange a proper reception and prepare everything necessary for you to demonstrate your skills."

Daoist Profound Jade spoke politely, though there was still a trace of skepticism hidden beneath her calm expression.

The Myriad Dao Brush Assembly was one of the most important events in this empire. The judges selected for it had to possess extraordinary attainments in the Dao of Painting.

Even now, she was not entirely convinced that this mysterious Feng Lin truly possessed the qualifications. However, she had not expected his response.

"Unnecessary."

Lin Feng shook his head.

"We can do it here instead. The fewer people who know, the more convenient it will be for me." His words immediately caused the surrounding elders to exchange glances.

Do it here? Without any preparation? Without even entering the clan? Was this confidence or arrogance? Before anyone could question him further, Lin Feng casually waved his sleeve.

A flash of light appeared. In his hand appeared a simple brush and an ordinary sheet of paper. Nothing more. The crowd stared blankly.

Throughout countless worlds and across the vast multiverse, Lin Feng had stolen enough treasures to make ancient immortal emperors go mad with greed.

They were buried and not used by their owners anyways.

If he wished, he could bury this entire clan beneath mountains of priceless artifacts.

Divine brushes capable of painting stars into existence, immortal inks refined from heavenly rivers, papers forged from the leaves of world trees... he possessed all of them.

Yet he took out the most common brush imaginable. Even the paper looked like something purchased from a roadside stall. Several elders immediately frowned.

Was he looking down on them? Lin Feng paid no attention to their reactions. Another flick of his sleeve produced a small pot of black ink. The ink was equally ordinary.

No heavenly fragrance. No divine light. No mysterious aura. Just plain black ink. Lin Feng dipped the tip of the brush into the pot once. Only once. Then the ink pot vanished. The entire area became silent.

Everyone watched him. Daoist Profound Jade watched him. Yun Wanqing watched him. The elders watched him.

Under countless gazes, Lin Feng slowly raised the brush. His expression became calm. His eyes became focused. At that moment, an indescribable change occurred.

Although he was merely standing there casually, everyone suddenly felt as if the heavens and earth had become his canvas. The mountains became still. The wind became silent.

Even the flowing spiritual energy in the surroundings seemed to pause. Lin Feng inhaled deeply. Then he moved.

Whoosh!

The brush descended. A single stroke. Nothing more. One simple vertical line from top to bottom. It was neither fast nor slow. Neither heavy nor light. Just a straight line. The most basic stroke imaginable.

Even a child who had only learned to write for a few days could reproduce it. The brush stopped. Lin Feng glanced at the paper. Then he nodded in satisfaction.

"It’s done." His voice was calm. The brush vanished from his hand. Only the paper remained. Upon it was a single black line. Nothing else. The surrounding crowd froze.

The expressions of the elders became strange. One elder rubbed his eyes. Another leaned forward to look more carefully. A third elder wondered if he had somehow missed the actual painting.

Daoist Profound Jade’s beautiful face stiffened. She stared at the paper. Then at Lin Feng. Then back at the paper. A grand masterpiece? A profound painting? A shocking display of artistic attainment?

A revelation of the Dao? None of those things appeared. There was only a single line. A very ordinary line. The atmosphere instantly became awkward.

One elder almost laughed aloud before forcibly holding himself back. This was the test? This was the demonstration that had been spoken of so confidently?

After a long moment, one elder finally could not contain himself. He pointed at the paper and asked cautiously.

"Senior... is there perhaps another page?"

Lin Feng blinked.

"No."

"Then... perhaps the true painting is hidden inside?"