197: Chapter 128 Devoted Efforts_2 197: Chapter 128 Devoted Efforts_2 As she gazed at the few characters before her, her fascination grew; they were just a few simple strokes, yet they gave her a sense of overwhelming momentum, clearing away the sands and spanning thousands of miles, grand and sweeping.
These simple characters evoked the sensation of listening to a magnificent symphony— unrestrained, serene, stirring, peaceful…
Suddenly, beside her, three powerful surges of spiritual energy erupted violently, soaring into the sky, causing the air around them to tremble.
The crowd looked on in shock toward one side.
“Young Master Shi, the Ultimate Pen Peak Master, the Immortal Pen Peak Master—they have all achieved enlightenment!”
“All three gained enlightenment at the same time, just because of these few characters!”
Around them, the onlookers burst into an uproar.
Enlightenment was a rare and sought-after breakthrough.
That a single piece of calligraphy by Cao Zhen could enlighten three people who followed the Calligraphy Dao at the scene was a testament to its extraordinary quality!
They knew the writing was good, but they couldn’t have imagined it would be so profound as to induce enlightenment!
Chang Tiance and Xu Ruyi stood dumbfounded looking at the four large characters before them.
It took a long time for them to regain their composure, their eyes brimming with shock.
They had seen Peak Master Cao’s calligraphy before, and knew full well how astonishing it was.
But last time, Peak Master Cao’s writing was meticulous and neat, stroke by stroke, while the characters before them now were so wildly unrestrained and bold!
Peak Master Cao was also a master of cursive script.
This was the second time they witnessed Peak Master Cao’s calligraphy. New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novelFɪre.net
Though they hadn’t experienced enlightenment, they still felt they had gained much.
After a while, Chang Tiance was the first to snap back to reality.
Looking around at the dazed crowd, he called out with great pride, “What did I tell you?
Without Cao Zhen, the Calligraphy Path would be eternally plunged in darkness.
Do you believe it now?”
Around him, there were no objections, and not a single voice spoke.
Who could argue against him now?
Even those who had no understanding of calligraphy could see how extraordinary these few characters were, leading them to wonder how anyone in the world could produce such beautiful writing.
Just look at the three individuals who had entered a state of enlightenment next to them.
From their reaction alone, one could tell how astounding the calligraphy was.
Cao Zhen had yet another trick up his sleeve.
Tu Zhuque’s finely made-up face finally showed a trace of satisfaction.
Thankfully, this Cao Zhen was not entirely useless—at least in the art of calligraphy, he could outclass Shi Xiaolou.
She turned and asked Chen Qingluan challengingly, “Peak Master Chen, what do you think of these characters?” At last, she had regained some ground.
“In comparison to these characters, Little Lou falls short.” Recovered from his enlightenment, Shi Xiaolou gave a fist and palm salute to Cao Zhen, expressing his gratitude, “Thank you, Peak Master Cao, for bestowing upon me your calligraphy.”
He truly hadn’t expected that within the Hundred Peaks Sect, there would be someone capable of writing at such a level.
Not even his master’s cursive script could reach such heights!
How could Cao Zhen, a man from the lowest-ranked peak within the Hundred Peaks Sect, produce such a cursive script?
Thankfully, this man was not one who pursued the Calligraphy Dao.
The Ultimate Pen Peak Master, having recovered from his enlightenment, quickly thanked Cao Zhen, “Thank you, Peak Master Cao, for your guidance.
I didn’t expect you to have such mastery in the Calligraphy Dao.
I hope you will visit us at the Ultimate Pen Peak when you find time.”
Hearing this, the Immortal Pen Peak Master quickly added, “Yes, whenever Peak Master Cao is available, please visit us at Immortal Pen Peak.
I hope we can have the chance to exchange thoughts and appreciate your calligraphy.”
They now understood why their disciples had praised Cao Zhen so highly before.
If they had seen Cao Zhen’s calligraphy earlier, they would have done the same.
Cao Zhen sighed lightly at the two eagerly welcoming Peak Masters, “I would indeed like to exchange ideas with you, but the problem is, you are too poor.
If you had enough money, I could teach you the calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, Yan Zhenqing, Liu Gongquan, and Huai Su next time.”
He was willing to teach, but the problem was that both Ultimate Pen Peak and Immortal Pen Peak were among the bottom fifty peaks—too poor.
If these two peaks were as wealthy as Little Zen Peak, he wouldn’t have waited for them to ask; he would have approached them himself.
The two were astonished, “Wang Xizhi?
Why have we never heard of them?”
Cao Zhen looked at them with contempt, “You don’t know them?
These are the venerated forebears of historical calligraphy.
Wang Xizhi is an existence revered as the ‘Sage of Calligraphy’.”
They exclaimed in awe, “The Sage of Calligraphy?
What kind of realm must one reach in calligraphy to be called such?”
“Naturally, it is a very high, very high level,” Cao Zhen felt that his own calligraphy was at level ninety-nine, and if he had made a connection with Wang Xizhi back then, his calligraphy would definitely be MAX.
They inquired further, “What about Yan Zhenqing then?”
“Yan Zhenqing, along with Liu Gongquan, are known as ‘Yan’s muscle and Liu’s bone.’ Their brushwork is forceful…”
Watching the two Peak Masters incessantly praising Cao Zhen, a hint of dissatisfaction flashed in Shi Xiaolou’s eyes.
He had written a pair of characters as a congratulatory gift, which was unconventional, considerate, and would show the people of the Hundred Peaks Sect how exquisite his calligraphy was.
But Cao Zhen had also written a pair of characters, overshadowing his own.
Where did that leave his own dignity?
Now, with the characters from the two peaks’ masters being praised in front of him, what did that make of him?
Indeed, he had thanked Cao Zhen in front of everyone for his calligraphy, which had enlightened him.
That was just for the sake of appearances, to avoid being criticized for lack of upbringing.
He had no real need to be grateful to him, because he had bought those characters!
In fact, it was the masters of those two peaks who should be grateful to him.