Chapter 28: 28. Speak! What moved? ’Spend a month of time, using the Knife-beaked Finch before you as an opportunity, to comprehend the "Skin Painting Technique".’ ’Spend a month of time, using the Blood Blade Deer before you as an opportunity, to comprehend the "Skin Painting Technique".’ 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂 ’Spend a month of time, using the Earth Escape Lizard before you as an opportunity, to comprehend the "Skin Painting Technique".’ ’Spend a month of time, using the Earth Escape Crab before you as an opportunity, to comprehend the "Skin Painting Technique".’ ... ... Time passed day by day. At first, Song Yan lingered only before low level demon beasts. Besides the Double-headed Wolf, the most common ones on Shadow Puppet Peak, the "White Thorn Deer" and "Knife-beaked Finch", were also completed by him. Later, he began to sit from afar, observing those intermediate level demon beasts. When there were just a few days left before the half-month period ended, another huge specially made cage was brought over. This cage was unlike others, as if it was tightly wrapped. When the black cloth was lifted, it revealed a giant python with short horns, covered in strange patterns all over its body. As it moved, you couldn’t even discern where its eyes were because its body seemed to be riddled with eyes. As it swam, an oddly beautiful sound came through the cage, resembling a melody. "The Nine-eyed Python is skilled at leading people with its Demon’s Sound, confusing them with its magic patterns, poisoning them with its venom, and then devouring them alive. This python is growing horns, it might turn into a flood dragon soon. It’s impressive that Master Stone was able to obtain one," the young Elder Lü Hong said with a smile. Gu Rufeng also said, "The Nine-eyed Python is called a top-tier demon beast among intermediate level beasts. Catching one alive, and without harm, is several times harder than killing it directly, but... it’s also the most beneficial for our ’Skin Painting Technique’. Instantly, a group of cultivators gathered around, set up their drawing boards, and began sketching the Nine-eyed Python. Song Yan had nothing much to say. He directly gazed at that demon beast. ’Spend a month of time, using the Nine-eyed Python before you as an opportunity, to comprehend the "Skin Painting Technique".’ ’Invest another month...’ ’Invest again...’ Opportunities like this were rare, and Song Yan did not want to miss them. Previously, when he went to the Cuique Forest himself, he toiled for quite a while just to experience the "Double-headed Wolf". Relying solely on himself, seeing so many demon beasts, who knows how many years it would take? After spending another month, adding up the previous time spent, Song Yan had devoted exactly ten years to comprehending this "Skin Painting Technique". Before coming here, he had achieved Xiaocheng. Due to his limited experience and seeing only the "Double-headed Wolf", Xiaocheng was his limit. Now, after experiencing dozens of demon beasts, his "Skin Painting Technique" had finally reached Great Success. Seeing other disciples still deep in thought, Song Yan prepared to pack up and return to his cave mansion. He did not intend to display anything here. "Gu Rufeng and Lü Hong" clearly belonged to competing factions. If he were to stand out now, wouldn’t he be stirring up trouble for himself, voluntarily getting involved in the "faction dispute", directly running into their conflict? At this moment, two figures approached from afar, it was the beautiful master supporting Master Stone, walking towards the Nine-eyed Python. Master Stone coughed twice, seemingly about to speak. Song Yan sat down again. He had only comprehended in ordinary environments for ten years, but Master Stone had spent a lifetime wandering in various places, his experience as a Skin Master must be incredibly rich. Not to mention other places, such as skyships, were completely out of his reach. Besides, he had only learned a bit of the "Little Five Elements Hand", "Skin Painting Technique", and was completely unaware of the complete "Little Five Elements Silk Binding Hand" and "Skin Painting Soul Summoning Technique". Listening a bit more wouldn’t hurt. The surroundings quieted down at once, and Master Stone began to speak: "To draft first is the essence of skin painting, if one wants to draw the divine features in the drafting, what’s most important?" Gu Rufeng said: "Undoubtedly, it’s the eyes. Without a soul, if one desires to summon a soul, you must paint the eyes. Shadow Puppets are carved from drafts, if the draft lacks spirit, the skin painting will certainly lack spirit. If the draft has spirit, ultimately the eyes must still be painted... Only if the eyes are painted correctly can a powerful Shadow Puppet be achieved." Master Stone pointed at the Nine-eyed Python behind him and suddenly said: "Xiaofeng, tell me, what is its spirit?" Gu Rufeng replied: "The Nine-eyed Python is cunning, seducing people with its Demon’s Sound, confusing them with its magic skin, so its spirit is naturally cunning. When painting the eyes, just visualize cunning, and it will be true." As soon as he finished speaking, Lü Hong’s voice rang out. "That statement is incorrect." Gu Rufeng looked at him with a half-hearted smile and said, "So what is Elder Lü’s insightful opinion?" Lü Hong said, "Cunning is merely an exterior, ferocity is the interior. No matter how many methods the Nine-eyed Python uses to lure its prey, once it sees its prey, all disguises disappear, and it pounces with the fastest speed and the fiercest power! In fact, the Nine-eyed Python is not a demon beast with sufficient endurance; it excels in bursts of strength. Therefore, I believe one should start with cunning and end with ferocity, to be accurate. Gu Shidi’s conclusion was a bit biased." "Elder Lü speaks very well," the female cultivator nearby applauded in praise. Anyone could hear that Lü Hong indeed gave a better response. Gu Rufeng’s expression was somewhat displeased. And just then, Stone Seat Elder suddenly grabbed his cane and heavily struck the cage beside him. With a resounding boom, the cage did not shatter, but the Nine-eyed Python inside suddenly recoiled, showing a hint of fear. Then, the Nine-Eyed Serpent flared up with rage, moving swiftly within the cage, its body covered in eye patterns that were dazzling, causing anyone who merely stared to feel dizzy. Stone Seat Elder said, "Tell me, what is the divine characteristic of the Nine-Eyed Serpent now?" He pulled his hand from the arm of the elegant master lady and walked with hands behind his back, saying, "Cunning? Ruthless? Does this beast still possess such traits?" Everyone looked over. Lv Hong said, "Stone Master, these are just occasional reactions of the Nine-Eyed Serpent and don’t count as its divine characteristic. I believe...it does not have one at the moment, simply because it is hiding its true nature." As soon as he finished speaking... Gu Rufeng laughed, "Your words are mistaken. Elder Lv, I happen to believe this is also a part of its divine characteristic. Whether it is fear or anger, both can be considered a form of cunning. If you rashly approach because you think it is fearful, it might suddenly change and devour you; if you retreat due to its anger, perhaps it fears you and is contemplating escape. Though the demon beast lacks wisdom, it knows how to hunt and kill." The female cultivator beside him clapped her hands, saying, "Senior Brother Gu, you are so impressive." Gu Rufeng replied gracefully, "I wonder what the teacher thinks about my words." Lv Hong furrowed his brows slightly, glanced coldly at Gu Rufeng, then turned to look at the Stone Master. Just as he was about to speak, the Stone Master raised his hand, indicating he need not speak, then swept his gaze over the disciples, asking, "And what do you all think? Has the divine characteristic of the Nine-Eyed Serpent manifested?" However, after he finished speaking, no disciple spoke up; everyone either looked at Gu Rufeng or Lv Hong. Until the two nodded, did the disciples begin to discuss intensely. Some said, "It has manifested." Some said, "It hasn’t manifested." Some said, "It only manifested after being startled, the rest of the time it didn’t." There was an outlandish theory saying, "Perhaps the true nature of the Nine-Eyed Serpent isn’t cunning or ruthlessness, but rather fear; it’s just using ruthlessness to mask its fear." In conclusion, there were all sorts of opinions, varied and multi-faceted. Song Yan never expected it to evolve into a "philosophical" discussion, with "manifested," "didn’t manifest," and similar sayings echoing in his ears. Suddenly, some distant memories were triggered for him, recalling a small story he had read before transmigration: A temple where novice monks were observing a tree. A strong wind blew, causing the tree to move. Some monks said, "The tree is moving," but others said, "It’s clearly the wind that’s moving." The monks argued, one side shouting, "The tree is moving," another shouting, "It’s not the tree that’s moving, it’s the wind." And then, an unconventional voice sounded. That voice said, "The tree isn’t moving, nor is the wind; it’s the heart that’s moved." Looking at the scene before him, Song Yan linked it to the insight he gained from his contemplation of the Skin Painting Technique, and suddenly found himself enlightened, with his own answer in mind: Whether the divine characteristic manifests or not is irrelevant; what’s relevant is that...in answering this question, your heart moved. When the heart moves, how can one achieve the most perfect finishing touch? Cunning and ruthlessness are not the divine characteristic. Fear and anger are also not contained within that cunning and ruthlessness. The Nine-Eyed Serpent lies right there. Its divine characteristic is right there. If a name absolutely must be given, it would be "Nine-Eyed Serpent’s divine characteristic," and nothing else, for once you name it one thing, it is no longer accurate; you mentioned cunning and ruthlessness, but how can you account for everything else? His thoughts shifted in his mind, suddenly his body shook slightly, as a difficult-to-describe sense of opportunity surged into his heart, which seemed like a path to the perfection of the Skin Painting Technique. Yet he didn’t plan to answer, instead lowering his head further, intending to return to his cave mansion after this group’s discussion concluded, and after two more days, he could return to South Bamboo Peak. But at that moment, the voice of Stone Master unexpectedly came from afar. "Song Yan, you speak." Song Yan: ??? He was startled, unsure how he had come under attention. So he hurriedly stood up. Everyone turned their heads to look at him. Song Yan scratched his head, saying, "The disciple was contemplating the words of Elder Lv and Senior Brother Gu, for a moment...a moment...no answer yet..." Stone Seat Elder squinted at him, this elder’s eyes seemingly extraordinary, with the wear and tear of years rendering them aged, yet seemingly granting them the power to see through one’s heart. "Come forth." Song Yan lowered his head and stepped forward. Stone Seat Elder extended his cane, suddenly shouted sternly, "Everyone is discussing, yet you’re the only one with your head down lost in thought, you deserve a beating! Raise your hand!!" Song Yan extended his hand. Stone Seat Elder heavily struck it three times. Song Yan: ... Beside him, Gu Rufeng laughed, saying, "Master, this person is merely an auditor, how could he understand our discussions? Are you...not going down yet?!" Song Yan nodded, hurriedly descended. He was still recalling the three strikes from Stone Master in his mind, somewhat dazed. Nevertheless, tonight at midnight, he would definitely be in his cave mansion asleep, and not go find Stone Master. ... ... At night, Song Yan slept soundly in his cave mansion, and the Stone Seat Elder did not come to find him. Two days later, the "Exotic Beast Association at Linglong Valley" officially concluded, and a flying boat returned the disciple of South Bamboo Peak to where he was...