Chapter 464: Painting the Vermilion Face

Chapter 465: Painting a Beautiful Face

"What method?" Chen Ling's eyes lit up.

"Do you know that the ranks of the Emperor God Path are fluid?"

"I know." Chen Ling nodded. "Second Senior Sister told me that the Emperor God Path has no fixed ranks; his rank depends on the strength of those who pledge allegiance to him."

"Exactly, that's the key."

Ning Ruyu continued, "The link between 'Ruler' and 'Subject' disregards distance. This means as long as someone in the world is loyal to him, the power boost will take effect, regardless of how far apart they are... but this link cannot disregard time."

"It can't disregard time?"

"Each dynasty has its own ruler and subjects. But if, one day, the ruler and subjects are separated into two different timelines, that link will break... A subject who has lost their ruler becomes a 'vestige of a former dynasty,' and a ruler who has lost their subjects becomes a 'lonely sovereign.'"

Chen Ling pondered for a moment, then understood Ning Ruyu's meaning. "Are you saying that after the Emperor God Path entered the era archive, his link with his 'subjects' in reality was severed? The reason he displayed fifth-tier strength within the era archive is because he found new 'subjects' there?"

"That's right. And not many hours have passed in that era since the archive began operating. No matter how capable he is, it's impossible for him to accumulate multiple 'subjects' in such a short time..."

"Most likely, he only has one 'subject' supporting him," a glint flashed in Chen Ling's eyes. "As long as we deal with that 'subject,' he'll lose his power and can be easily killed."

Ning Ruyu shrugged.

"Theoretically, yes... but I still don't recommend you go in now."

"Why?"

"For the Emperor to gain fifth-tier combat power, the 'subject' behind him must also be fifth-tier. Little Junior Brother, you're only third-tier right now. How can you fight two fifth-tiers?"

Chen Ling opened his mouth but ultimately had no retort.

"So, that means I can only wait?"

Ning Ruyu gave him a deep look, seemed about to speak, but then shook her head.

At the same time, the two had arrived at Third Senior Brother Wenren You's doorway. As soon as they pushed the door open, a rich aroma of food wafted out.

"Ruyu," Master said with some helplessness, holding his rice bowl, "didn't I tell you to have Sixth Junior Brother finish class early? Now that he's not here, Third Junior Brother won't even serve the dishes..."

Wenren You, busy in the kitchen, glanced at the living room and grumbled:

"You're the one who came early..."

Master had indeed arrived early. Apart from the Clown, who was more enthusiastic about eating than anyone else and sat drooling expectantly on a chair, End Horn and Luan Mei had yet to arrive.

"Eeyah!"

Seeing Chen Ling, the Clown hopped forward and gave him a high-five with a "slap," greeting him.

After their time together in Red Dust Main City, the Clown and Chen Ling had become very familiar. Even during Chen Ling's classes, the Clown would peek around the corner, occasionally jumping and clapping, truly enhancing the atmosphere.

As Chen Ling and Ning Ruyu took their seats, End Horn and Luan Mei soon pushed the door open and entered. Everyone then began their usual dinner.

"Oh, by the way, how's Sixth Junior Brother's basic training coming along?" Master asked, taking a few bites of rice, as if remembering something.

"Singing, reciting, and acting are complete, and he has a basic grasp of the secret arts. Only the fighting secret art remains," Chen Ling replied.

"Learning the fighting secret art can be life-threatening, so I plan for Little Junior Brother to learn it later," Ning Ruyu explained. "However, his fundamental skills are definitely solid."

Master nodded slightly after hearing this.

"Good, faster than I expected... Since your foundation is solid, it's time to start teaching you 'that' now."

Hearing this, the other senior brothers and sisters seemed to recall something, their eyes brightening.

"'That'?"

Chen Ling was momentarily stunned, then asked, "Is it the Secret Art of Theatrical Path?"

Chen Ling had joined the Ancient Repository of Theatrical Path precisely to learn the rumored Secret Art of Theatrical Path. According to Master, this art could dispel the confusion in his heart and even help him resist the Divine Path's backlash in the future...

Chen Ling would never forget the images he had seen through the True Self Mirror... the confusion hidden deep within his consciousness, capable of engulfing all his spirit and reason, was like a ticking time bomb, ready to detonate at any moment.

Chen Ling absolutely had to learn this secret art.

"That's right."

Master put down his chopsticks, a rare look of seriousness appearing in his eyes.

"Now that your fundamental skills are solid enough, and you've found an 'anchor point,' you can try to activate this secret art... Unlike the four basic secret arts of the Theatrical Path, this is a unique secret art I created myself, the essence I've distilled over my entire life."

Master's attitude towards the other four basic secret arts had always been casual, so his sudden solemnity proved the immense importance of this particular art.

"This secret art was created by Master himself?" Chen Ling was somewhat surprised.

He had always thought that secret arts were extensions of the Divine Path, like the Soul-Soothing Ballad and Cloud-Stepping Mantra he had learned, which corresponded to basic theatrical skills. However, the idea that a secret art could be self-created was something Chen Ling had never considered.

"It truly was created by Master," End Horn nodded slightly. "And none of us have learned this secret art."

Hearing this, Chen Ling was even more shocked.

"None of the Senior Brothers or Sisters have learned it?"

Ning Ruyu, Luan Mei, and the others exchanged glances and shook their heads helplessly.

"Indeed not."

In Chen Ling's impression, these five senior brothers and sisters were already top-tier existences in the Theatrical God Path. Their talent was naturally beyond question, and moreover, they were the disciples who had followed Master the longest. In terms of affection, it was impossible for Master not to teach them...

Just as Chen Ling was utterly baffled, Master chuckled softly:

"Of course, they don't need to learn it, because the inspiration for this secret art came from them."

Chen Ling froze in place.

A secret art created by Master, yet the inspiration... came from his senior brothers and sisters?

Chen Ling found it somewhat strange. No matter how he looked at it, the logic of that statement didn't seem to flow. After all, it was always the master teaching the apprentice; where was the logic in a master learning from an apprentice?

More and more questions filled Chen Ling's mind, and his interest in this secret art grew even stronger. He couldn't help but ask:

"What exactly is this secret art?"

Master paused for a moment, then slowly uttered three words:

"—Painting a Beautiful Face."