Volume 3 - Chapter 399: Perfect Match for a True Dragon, Crowned in the Sword Pool (Part 2)
The women on the lake were all visibly shaken, their voices murmuring in discussion. Yet despite the shock, none questioned the outcome—it was too clear. What truly stunned them was that outside of the famed Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy, Gusu City still held someone with such peerless painting skill.
Before long, many daughters of noble families began asking after Li Hao, hoping to secretly invite him to their homes to teach them the Painting Dao.
But after a few whispers exchanged, they learned something curious—he seemed to have ties to the Su family.
“Earlier, I misspoke,” the Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy said, approaching Li Hao. She lowered her head slightly, bowing in apology. “You were right. My earlier works were indeed unworthy of true acclaim.”
Li Hao scratched his head awkwardly. “I was just making an offhand comment. Don’t take it to heart. Everyone’s early works are a little plain.”
Hearing that, the Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy gave a wry smile. So, he was still saying her work was plain.
Still, she knew he wasn’t wrong. Those paintings were displayed only for beginners in the Painting Dao to admire. The skill they contained was more than enough for learners.
The two exchanged a few words and the earlier tension was eased. The Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy then invited Li Hao to the main hall for a painting discussion. But Li Hao’s gaze was already drifting—toward a girl standing among the crowd.
He hadn’t come here to paint. He came to be near her.
Though he did genuinely love the Painting Dao, just like chess or fishing, he could restrain that desire—for the sake of that figure he saw shattered beneath the Supreme’s feet.
Following Li Hao’s gaze, the Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy was taken aback. She was over twenty thousand years old and well experienced in the world. One glance into Li Hao’s eyes told her what he felt—deep affection and something even rarer: the purest devotion.
Understanding dawned. She smiled lightly. “Then I won’t disturb you, Young Master. I am of the Murong clan. This is my jade token. Should you ever need anything, you may present it at the Murong residence.”
She handed him a jade token—an offering of goodwill.
Li Hao accepted it and thanked her, then turned and walked toward Su Muqing.
Having overheard the hushed voices and seen the interaction between Li Hao and the Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy, Su Muqing’s face turned ever darker. The more this youth shone, the more irritated she became.
“Don’t think this will make me see you any differently!” she said coldly, then turned on her heel and returned to the main hall alone.
Su Wanqing glanced at the jade token in Li Hao’s hand. In Gusu City, outside the Su family, only the Jiang and Lin clans were on par.
Beyond those three, the Murong clan was unmatched—followed by families like the Lan clan.
“You’ve talent beyond compare, brilliance few can rival. You shouldn’t be like this…” she murmured.
Li Hao looked at her but said nothing.
Just as he was about to follow Su Muqing, a scent as fresh as spring drifted into the air. A girl with cascading black hair walked toward him, her steps as light as ripples on the lake.
“Young Master, may I know your name?” she asked, her voice soft and graceful.
“Lin Jinrou?” Su Wanqing’s expression shifted. The newcomer was a cousin of the Lin clan’s crown prince—the very one betrothed to Su Muqing—and herself one of Lin’s top prodigies, equal in fame to Su Wanqing.
Li Hao turned toward the new arrival, glanced briefly at her stunning features, and replied, “Haotian.”
“Young Master Haotian, I am Lin Jinrou of the Lin clan. Would you grace our home as a guest and teach me the Painting Dao?”
Her words were direct, her gaze steady.
Li Hao gave a small shake of his head. “Apologies. I don’t have the time.”
With that, he turned away and headed after Su Muqing.
Lin Jinrou stood still in surprise. It was the first time someone had refused her.
Even when she had invited the Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy for private tutoring, the Fairy hadn’t dared offend the Lin clan by saying no.
“Wanqing, do you know him?” she asked, withdrawing her gaze from Li Hao’s retreating back.
Su Wanqing hadn’t expected her to take interest in Li Hao. But after what he just displayed with the painting realm, it was understandable. She sighed softly. Though they were on good terms in private, this matter touched on Su Muqing’s reputation.
“He’s temporarily staying at our Su residence. Perhaps for a hundred years.”
“Temporarily staying?” Lin Jinrou’s eyes flickered. “What is his relationship with your Su family?”
Su Wanqing forced a smile and said nothing. If that news ever got out, the entire Gusu Imperial Star would erupt.
Inside the main hall.
Li Hao silently followed Su Muqing. While the Dragon Resonance Paint Fairy approached Li Hao to discuss painting, Su Muqing took the initiative to consult the Fairy herself.
The Paint Fairy noticed Li Hao nearby. Though she would’ve preferred to converse with him, Su Muqing was the true phoenix of the Su family. Offending her would be unwise. So, she patiently answered her questions.
Li Hao sat quietly off to the side, simply listening as they talked. His gaze, however, never left Su Muqing’s face—his thoughts drifting far away.
This scene did not go unnoticed. Other young ladies in the main hall, all daughters of noble houses, began whispering.
Su Muqing had never lacked suitors. But ever since her engagement to the Lin clan’s crown prince was announced, all those admirers had vanished.
After all, who would dare fight the prince of the Lin clan for his bride?
A true phoenix paired with a true dragon—it was a match made in heaven.
Yet now… someone was pursuing Su Muqing openly.
As time passed and her painting questions were resolved, Su Muqing couldn’t stand the whispered chatter anymore.
She huffed coldly, shot Li Hao a glare, then excused herself and soared into the sky, heading back to the Su residence.
Li Hao immediately followed.
As the two departed, the murmurs only grew louder.
“Who is this Young Master Haotian, daring to pursue Su Muqing so boldly?”
“Did you see the way he looked at her? So tender it was practically dripping off his face. I think he’s deeply in love.”
“Well, who wouldn’t love Su Muqing? But she belongs to the Lin clan’s crown prince!”
“If the Lin clan hears about this, I wonder if that Young Master Haotian will get into trouble. What a shame—his painting is so exceptional, truly a marvel!”
“Didn’t Miss Su say he only has a soul lifespan of a hundred years? If that’s true, someone powerful must be backing him. Maybe even an Emperor. He might not fear the Lin clan.”
The young women speculated in hushed voices. All of them were clever enough to sense that Li Hao’s origins weren’t ordinary.
Su Wanqing sighed as Su Muqing left without a word. She herself loved painting and chose to stay behind.
Lin Jinrou, learning that Li Hao had left, heard the whispered discussions. A subtle gleam flickered in her eyes.
So, that boy… actually intended to challenge Cousin Zhexuan for Su Muqing?
…
Gusu Imperial Star, Lin Clan.
Within a vast estate as splendid as the Su family's, deep in the inner courtyard, a cultivation array of chaotic immortal stone glowed.
There, a young man sat cross-legged. Dressed in green robes, with sharp, handsome features, he exuded quiet confidence.
Dragon energy coiled around him, and red dragon-like forms danced through the air. These weren’t illusions or spells, but the embodiment of his cultivated Immortal power.
Having trained in the Lin clan’s supreme Immortal Technique, he refined his power into Candle Dragon Immortal Energy—stronger than even the liquid state others strove for. It outmatched typical Immortal Lords by a hundredfold, allowing him to crush opponents several realms above him.
Where other geniuses barely refined their energy into mist, or at best liquid, his Candle Dragon energy was even greater.
As nine streams of that power circled and disappeared into his body, his aura grew even more formidable.
When he opened his eyes, he saw a figure waiting nearby.
“What is it?” he asked, his voice like a breeze over a blade—calm yet laced with quiet dominance.
“Young Master, we’ve just received news concerning Miss Muqing.”
“Oh?” At the mention of Muqing, a trace of softness entered the young man’s icy gaze. “What happened?”
“Miss Muqing attended the Dragon Resonance Exhibition today. We’ve heard… someone attempted to court her.”
The man bowed respectfully. Despite being at the peak of the Immortal Lord realm himself, he stood like a servant.
“Court her?” the youth murmured. Then his face returned to calm. “With her beauty and status, suitors are countless. Such trivial matters aren’t worth reporting.”
With that, he rose and walked toward the Lin clan’s secret training grounds, where he would spar with the clan’s elders.
…
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