All I see is the canvas.
A woman, her body wrapped in loose gauze, exuding an irresistible allure, is under a violent assault!
The man, hidden behind a black veil, has his features obscured, but for those familiar with Orion, they would recognize him instantly. The masked man is none other than Orion himself!
Zhu Keqing's skill with the brush is nothing short of miraculous. The painting is so vivid, it feels like sound echoes from it! Orion couldn't help but be impressed. This artistry transcends the ordinary—it's pure mastery.
Suddenly, the quiet is broken.
Startled, Zhu Keqing jumps up from her stool, her face flushed with panic. She looks like a frightened rabbit.
"Sit, sit, no need to be so formal," Orion says with a smile, clearly pleased with the painting.
Seeing his reaction, Zhu Keqing breathes a sigh of relief. If this man had been unhappy, there would have been serious consequences.
Orion takes the painting, admiring it closely, before looking at the flustered Zhu Keqing.
"So," he asks, smiling, "what reward do you want?"
Zhu Keqing's face turns bright red as she fiddles with the corner of her skirt. She finds it uncomfortable, seeing the very man she painted standing before her in real life.
"I... I..." she stammers, unsure.
"Well, if you can't decide, then I will," Orion says, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. His gaze sharpens. "The reason you can't cultivate is probably because your meridians are blocked from birth. This is not something just anyone could solve."
"But you're lucky—you met me!" With a sly grin, Orion flicks a pill into Zhu Keqing's mouth.
"Ahem!" Zhu Keqing coughs violently, startled by the sudden intrusion. Her thoughts race. Did he just drug her? Is this some kind of twisted punishment?
Orion, sensing her fear, would have scoffed if he knew. The idea was absurd. He had far better things to do, not to mention others, like Jiang Qianning, with whom he could practice dual cultivation if he wished.
He chuckles. "What I gave you was a seventh-grade elixir that will unblock your meridians. Consider it a reward for your painting."
Zhu Keqing's eyes widen in shock. A seventh-grade elixir?! That's a priceless treasure!
The warmth in her belly spreads quickly through her body. It's the elixir, taking effect. Within moments, she feels as though she's floating in a warm ocean, a feeling so comforting that her eyes flutter shut.
Time passes, though how much she can't say. When Zhu Keqing opens her eyes, everything feels different. The air around her hums with energy.
"Are these... auras?" she wonders aloud, reaching out. Without thinking, she begins the cultivation technique she has only heard about, and to her astonishment, she feels the energy flow into her Dantian.
"I... I can cultivate!" Her voice trembles with disbelief, and then joy. In this world, where cultivators are revered, those without the ability are nothing more than prey. Zhu Keqing's talent for painting had saved her from such a fate, but it was fragile protection. Now, with this newfound power, she could truly defend herself.
"Ah..." The thought of her benefactor—Orion—makes her blush. He was not always kind, but in some strange way, he had always helped her. Maybe his harshness masked something deeper?
She shakes her head, flushing as her thoughts spiral. She was only a novice cultivator now, hardly in a position to repay any debts. But one day, when she was stronger, she vowed she would return the favor.
What she failed to realize, however, was that what had just happened was no small feat. It takes most people weeks, even months, to grasp basic cultivation. Yet she had done it instantly, as though she was born for it. Even the spiritual energy in the air was visible to her—something that was typically impossible for a beginner.
But there was no one around to witness her incredible progress. And so, her secret remained just that—a secret, for now.