My Master Knows It All

211: 130 211: 130 Cao Zhen adjusted his state to optimal, then lifted his brush and began to write on the plaque.

“Immortal Pen Peak!”

“Wonderful Pen Peak!”

Four people, watching the six characters on the wooden board in front of them, were completely mesmerized in an instant!

How could there be such fine characters in the world?

How could there be such calligraphy!

What are these characters?

Why have they never seen such script before?

The strokes were thin and forceful, so thin yet not lacking in substance; the technique was evident, clearly showing the traces of brush movement, lifting, and pausing—slender and neat, the side strokes like orchid bamboo…

The horizontal strokes ended with a hook, the verticals with a dot, the slants like daggers, the presses like slicing knives, the vertical hooks long and restrained…

The four were completely dumbfounded, and it took a long time for them to come to their senses.

“This…

I never imagined that such characters existed in the world; this is true writing.

Could what we wrote before even be called writing?”

“To witness such calligraphy in one’s lifetime, even death brings no regrets now.”

Song Xianbi and He Miaobi looked at the characters on the wooden board in front of them, and the more they looked, the more they felt irresistibly drawn to them.

The gap, the gap between their writing and these characters was far too great.

Even their understanding of writing, their understanding of the Calligraphy Dao, was far from fully grasping these few characters.

They even found they were not qualified to comprehend!

Calligraphy Dao also has its realms, and the higher the realm, the more one becomes aware of the gap between oneself and others.

This gap appears smaller at higher realms, yet even the tiniest discrepancy seems as wide as a chasm.

And now, the gap between them and these six characters was not just a minor point but a chasm within a chasm.

They truly felt that facing these six characters, they could only appreciate them like ordinary people.

However, if they could come to an understanding through these characters, such a revelation would sublimate their entire being.

After a long time, Song Xianbi, full of hope, looked at Cao Zhen and asked, “Peak Master Cao, these characters…” His voice had even lost its normal tone.

Cao Zhen pointed at the two wooden boards and said, “Writing the names of your peaks, naturally, they are gifts for you.”

“Thank you, Peak Master Cao, for your great kindness; Immortal Pen Peak (Wonderful Pen Peak) will never forget this favor for all eternity!”

The two saw the text on the wooden boards and guessed that it must be meant for them; but to actually hear Cao Zhen say that he was gifting the characters to them, they were so excited they couldn’t help but tremble.

“Quick, quickly preserve these two plaques, don’t let dust soil the immortal ink!”

“Careful, carefully store them!”

The two Peak Masters, treasuring the boards as if they were the greatest of treasures, directed their Disciples to preserve them well.

They looked at Cao Zhen with excitement, thanking him again, “Peak Master Cao, there is no way to repay this great kindness.

If there’s anything you need from us, please just command.”

As he spoke, He Miaobi suddenly had a thought and said to Peak Master Cao, “The ranking of the Hundred Peaks is about to be reshuffled.

Peak Master Cao, what ranking does Four Treasures Peak aim for?

And if there’s any peak that you feel you cannot surpass, or that poses a threat, Wonderful Pen Peak can offer some assistance too.”

“Yes, Immortal Pen Peak can also help,” Song Xianbi added quickly, “Peak Master Cao, maybe we can’t defeat some peak contenders, but the ranking of the Hundred Peaks isn’t just about combat, it also involves competition in the Six Arts.

Some disciples excel in one of the Six Arts, yet their Cultivation Base may not be very high.

We can help clear obstacles for Peak Master Cao.”

“Exactly, Peak Master Cao, please tell us, what is your targeted rank?”

The two Peak Masters were exceedingly proactive; aiding Peak Master Cao was effortless for them—a mere pretext for squabbling with a peak that threatened Cao would suffice, even if it meant confinement for years, decades, or even a century; it would be worthwhile!

Befriending a calligraphy expert like Peak Master Cao could greatly benefit their peaks’ future!

Cao Zhen was stunned as he watched the two Peak Masters.

Perhaps I should enlist them as part of the Hundred Peaks Eight Evils?

Is this even an option?

Nevertheless, this was good news.

After all, at the Golden Core Club today, everyone saw the two Peak Masters of Immortal Pen Peak and Wonderful Pen Peak courting his favor.

If they acted out later, others would guess it was because of him, and they might even cleverly deduce his peak’s targeted rank from that.

This way, others would be even more convinced that he was so desperate to climb ranks that they would bet more decisively and in larger amounts, meaning he could earn even more.

As for that rank…

After pondering, Cao Zhen said, “Upper Fifty Peaks, Chief Tu has demanded that we must at least reach the Upper Fifty Peaks.

And my goal is to rank around fortieth.”

“Fortieth?”

Song Xianbi and He Miaobi were both momentarily taken aback.

They knew Four Treasures Peak was aiming to rise in ranking but hadn’t expected such a lofty goal.

The gap between the Upper Fifty Peaks and the Lower Fifty Peaks was enormously significant, not to mention aiming for around the fortieth rank.

“Rank forty, Peak Master Cao, we will remember that.

We need to return and consider this matter thoroughly.”

The two Peak Masters quickly left with their Disciples and the two newly acquired plaques.

Cao Zhen returned to Four Treasures Peak and inspected the situation within the peak.

After watering the Spirit Field again, he instructed several mechanical men to continue Talisman Making according to plan.

Selling the talismans afterward, he left and returned once more to Hidden Dragon Observatory.