"This scroll truly is extraordinary. Why not let me, Li, give it a try?" Just as everyone was observing the scroll with great concentration, a pale-faced Third-rank Wu Lord stepped straight forward and, without a second thought, wrote the character "one" on the waterfall with his finger.
Sssszzzz— However, the moment he finished writing and retracted his hand, the scroll flashed with light. A bolt of lightning surged out from within the painting, entering his body through his finger.
BOOM— A muffled explosion resounded in the man's head. At the same time, he stumbled back several steps, nearly collapsing to the ground. His face had turned pale as paper, and his eyes had gone dull — clearly, he had suffered a severe impact.
Rather than showing even a shred of sympathy, Xia Yu shook her head with a hint of irritation. "Young Master Li, was this little stunt of yours meant to show contempt for my Master's Scroll of Boundless Mysteries?"
"I would never dare." Seeing Xia Yu's displeasure, Young Master Li quickly snapped out of his daze and bowed respectfully in apology.
Yet Xia Yu showed no mercy. Her voice was icy cold: "You didn't even observe it carefully, let alone use your Mental Power. You plainly wrote a random number just to test whether this scroll was truly special."
"But don't feel too smug. That bolt of thunder has permanently weakened your Mental Power. Unless you take rare and precious restorative medicines, your progress in the barrier technique will end here. That is the price for your disrespect toward this scroll."
"Lady Xia Yu, please show mercy! I truly had no intention of offending you. Please give me another chance!" Upon hearing this, Young Master Li panicked and bowed frantically, nearly dropping to his knees to beg.
After all, for a genius like him, being able to become a Spirit World Master was his pride. If he could never advance further in the ways of Spirit Realm, it would be a devastating blow.
"This is the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries' punishment for you. Not even I can save you, let alone my Master. Figure out how to repair your Mental Power yourself." Xia Yu waved her hand dismissively.
"Brother Li, I hate to say it, but this is entirely your own fault. Lady Xia Yu already made it perfectly clear how wondrous the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries is, but you just had to test it yourself. Now that you've been punished, who can you blame?"
"Exactly. You should go back and explain this to your Master. He'll certainly help you. But once he learns what you did, I doubt he'll let you off easily — because in the entire Eastern Ocean, no one dares disrespect Senior Piaomiao's treasures." Two other men stepped forward and chimed in.
After hearing all of this, Young Master Li's face had turned deathly gray. He knew he had landed himself in catastrophic trouble and was destined for a world of pain.
"Hehe, looks like Master's Scroll of Boundless Mysteries really is amazing! Let me try it and see for myself!" At that moment, Chunwu happily hopped over to the painting, reaching out to write a number on it.
"Chunwu, stop!" Before she could make a move, Xia Yu yanked her back. Xia Yu's face was stern, and her lips moved as if she whispered a warning. Chunwu immediately deflated like a punctured balloon, retreating to the side without another word.
"Everyone, tell me — how many waterfalls do you see in this scroll?" After stopping Chunwu, Xia Yu smiled and addressed the crowd.
"Well, after witnessing the power of the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries, nobody dared attempt anything on their own, terrified of ending up like Young Master Li.
"Young Master Gao Xiong, I've heard that your barrier techniques are exceptionally skillful — you became a Purple-Robed Spirit World Master as early as the Heaven Martial Eighth Level. Have you been able to discern the secret within?" Seeing no one answer, Xia Yu turned her gaze to a Fourth-rank Wu Lord.
Unlike the others, this man named Gao Xiong showed remarkably little change in expression. He spoke calmly: "The Scroll of Boundless Mysteries truly is extraordinary. It lives up to its reputation as Senior Piaomiao's treasure. Forgive my inability, but I genuinely cannot discern the secret within."
"However, I do know someone — the most favored disciple of the Wuyaguan Master. The Wuyaguan Master is one of the few powerful Spirit World Masters in the Eastern Ocean, so his disciple should be able to perceive something mystical here," Gao Xiong suggested.
"You wouldn't happen to mean… Zhu Tianming?" Dongxue interjected.
"Yes, Lady Dongxue, it is Zhu Tianming, Brother Zhu. Although Brother Zhu is only twenty-three, his barrier techniques are already remarkably advanced. It is said that he became a Purple-Robed Spirit World Master at the Heaven Martial Seventh Level. My cultivation is higher than his, but in terms of barrier techniques, I cannot compare."
"Brother Zhu also received Senior Piaomiao's Celestial Command and is currently here at Piaomiao Immortal Peak. Perhaps you ladies could invite him — he might be able to decipher the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries," Gao Xiong recommended.
"We sisters have never met Young Master Zhu. Inviting him so abruptly would be inappropriate." Dongxue hesitated, and Xia Yu and Qiuzhu wore the same uncertain expression.
"That's easily resolved. Brother Zhu and I are acquainted. I can accompany Lady Dongxue to invite him," Gao Xiong said.
"That would be perfect." Dongxue was delighted. She left with Gao Xiong, and before long the two returned — accompanied by a third person.
This man was plain in appearance, less impressive than anyone in the hall, and his cultivation was lower than Gao Xiong's — only Third-rank Wu Lord. But his bearing was no less confident than Gao Xiong's, brimming with pride. His gaze toward Chu Feng and the others carried more than a hint of disdain.
"Young Master Zhu, did you discover anything?" Xia Yu asked, sounding as though she truly hoped someone could see through the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries.
"I won't hide it from you, Lady Xia Yu. Since childhood I have cultivated a secret barrier technique that allows me to condense Mental Power in my eyes and perceive things invisible to ordinary people."
"After years of practice, I have achieved considerable mastery. The Scroll of Boundless Mysteries should not be beyond me." Zhu Tianming was brimming with confidence.
"How wonderful! Would Young Master Zhu allow us to witness this barrier technique of yours?" Xia Yu asked with a smile, her tone quite courteous.
"Of course." Zhu Tianming gave a faint smile. Then his gaze suddenly shifted, and two faint, shimmering beams of light shot from his eyes. After sweeping across the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries once, his expression returned to normal.
He was now fully assured. Without further ado, he extended his finger and began writing on the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries, ultimately inscribing the character "six."
In that instant, everyone present — Chu Feng excepted — tensed up, their eyes locked on the Scroll of Boundless Mysteries. The atmosphere was so thick with tension that one could almost hear their heartbeats.
Hummm— The Scroll of Boundless Mysteries began to transform, and six waterfalls materialized before them. Simultaneously, a beam of light burst forth from the painting, traveling along his finger and merging into Zhu Tianming's body.