Gao Jianfei didn't linger long on the first floor of the Ghost Den, but rushed to the second floor without stopping. Following the room numbers, he found room 2-12. The door was ajar. He pushed it open and entered.
The scene before me is... well, an outdoor scene.
A thatched cottage, a pond, distant mountains, sunset, withered vines, old trees, and crows at dusk.
There are also small bridges and flowing water.
An old man wearing a straw hat sat fishing by a pond. The setting sun cast its glow upon him, as if draping him in a colorful robe. It was like a dream.
Overall, the room's ambiance is quite poetic and picturesque.
"Damn, it seems that the places artists stay are indeed different from those of ordinary people," Gao Jianfei muttered to himself as he walked towards the old man.
Suddenly, the old man's hand trembled, and with a flick of his fishing rod, he pulled a red carp out of the water and casually put it into the basket beside him.
He packed up his fishing rod, slowly stood up, faced Gao Jianfei, and said with a faint smile, "Hello, Xiao Gao."
He had a kind and approachable face; he was an ordinary old man, showing no signs of being an artist or a famous person. He gave off a very friendly and approachable vibe.
"Both are painters, but Qiu Ying's painting skills are clearly far superior to those of Ge Chunhou or Ma Junsheng, yet he's so approachable. It seems that artists are judged by their character and upbringing. True artists are actually quite unpretentious," Gao Jianfei secretly assessed. Then he walked over and greeted him, "Hello, Mr. Qiu."
"Come, Xiao Gao, please sit here." At this moment, Qiu Ying, like a hospitable old farmer, led Gao Jianfei to the small thatched hut.
Inside the thatched hut, the light was still quite good, and the sunset glow seeped through the windowpanes, casting a dappled, radiant glow over the small house. Qiu Ying brewed a pot of tea to entertain Gao Jianfei.
Gao Jianfei sat on a chair woven from tender bamboo, surveying the room. He saw that over a dozen paintings hung on the four walls!
There were landscape paintings, portraits, and paintings of ladies, among others. Although Gao Jianfei didn't know anything about painting, he was still slightly impressed by the lifelike quality of these works. He couldn't help but exclaim, "These paintings are truly wonderful!"
Gao Jianfei stood up and walked to a landscape painting. The painting was exquisitely detailed, with rich and vibrant colors, and possessed a grand and majestic air. Standing there, Gao Jianfei felt as if he were actually inside the painting!
"Tsk, wonderful!" Gao Jianfei couldn't help but reach out and stroke the landscape painting, muttering to himself, "If I were to take this painting out to compete with Ge Chunhou, needless to say, he would definitely be no match for it!"
Just then, the intelligent program reminded Gao Jianfei, "Dear user, if you wish to remove Qiu Ying's paintings from the haunted house, you will need to pay 2000 exorcism points. Each of Qiu Ying's works costs 2000 exorcism points!"
Damn, 2000 exorcism points?
The cost is too high!
Gao Jianfei was startled and quickly withdrew his hand, saying, "I never intended to take Qiu Ying's painting out of the haunted house!"
While Qiu Ying's paintings would be extremely valuable at modern auctions, for Gao Jianfei at this point, money has become merely a numerical concept. There's no need to expend exorcism points to acquire anything of value beyond monetary worth.
"Xiao Gao, I think I just heard that you're going to have a contest with someone? A drawing contest?" Although Qiu Ying was old, his hearing was still very good. He had heard Gao Jianfei's mutterings.
Upon hearing Qiu Ying's question, Gao Jianfei didn't hide anything and answered directly, "Yes, Mr. Qiu, I have an agreement with someone to compete in painting. I think your landscape painting is full of spirit and absolutely wonderful, so I just had a sudden thought: if I take this painting out for the competition, I'm sure I'll win!"
Qiu Ying smiled and said, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. If Xiao Gao wants to learn painting, I can teach him as much as I can."
Gao Jianfei was overjoyed. He had only come here to learn painting, not to take anything out!
Immediately, Gao Jianfei said directly to the AI program, "I want to learn Qiu Ying's painting skills right away!"
"As you wish! Super Ghost Instrument, Learning Space Open!"
As soon as the intelligent program finished speaking, the environment in which Gao Jianfei and Qiu Ying were located changed slightly.
They left the thatched hut and came to a stream. A jujube wood desk was placed in front of Gao Jianfei. On the desk was a sheet of Xuan paper, as well as the Four Treasures of the Study and various painting tools.
Qiu Ying was very practical and immediately began teaching Gao Jianfei how to paint.
Because Gao Jianfei knew absolutely nothing about painting, Qiu Ying taught him from the very basics. In reality, even someone with exceptional talent and aptitude would find it impossible to even begin to grasp the basics of painting without several years of instruction from a master like Qiu Ying!
However, the Super Ghost Device is different.
In just five hours, Gao Jianfei mastered Qiu Ying's landscape and figure painting techniques with remarkable fluency and sophistication! Qiu Ying's true strength lay in copying, specifically copying numerous masterpieces from before the Ming Dynasty, achieving a level of realism that was virtually indistinguishable from the originals. Gao Jianfei learned this technique with ease as well.
In other words, after just 5 hours, Gao Jianfei had mastered all of Qiu Ying's painting techniques, experience, creativity, and inspiration! Currently, if Gao Jianfei were to create a painting, even modern professional connoisseurs of antiques and calligraphy would, based solely on the style, absolutely mistake it for a surviving work by Qiu Ying!
Gao Jianfei was extremely satisfied. Through studying with Qiu Ying, Gao Jianfei developed a considerable interest in painting. His own temperament also underwent some refinement and transformation!
Gao Jianfei checked his phone; it was already around 6 a.m. He bid farewell to Qiu Ying and left Ghost Den. He told Qiu Ying that he would be going to Ghost Den in the next few days to complete a landscape painting in order to participate in the Chinese painting exchange competition on the 4th of next month.
After leaving the den of iniquity, Gao Jianfei lay in bed and slept for several hours, not getting up until the sun was high in the sky at noon. However, Gao Jianfei didn't have a job, so it was understandable that he occasionally slept in.
For the next few days, Gao Jianfei stayed at home, somewhat reclusive. Actually, he didn't really stay at home; he would often lock himself in his bedroom when Chen Xian, Yan Kui, and Xiao Xiao weren't looking, then go into the haunted house to find Qiu Ying to paint.
Gao Jianfei chose a painting for himself to participate in the competition on the 4th of next month, which is... "Red Cliff".
Strictly speaking, the Red Cliff painting also belongs to the category of landscape painting. Gao Jianfei particularly liked the grand and majestic feel of the Red Cliff painting. Therefore, he began to paint it himself. Of course, Qiu Ying would occasionally point out and teach him, correcting some of Gao Jianfei's mistakes in the details.
The standard dimensions of this painting, "Red Cliff," are 129 centimeters long and 23.5 centimeters wide. It's considered a relatively large work. Therefore, it's impossible for Gao Jianfei to complete it in just one or two days.
In short, it was in that haunted place that I worked continuously until the night of the 3rd to finish this painting!
The moment he finished the painting, after the last stroke was completed, Gao Jianfei felt a strong sense of accomplishment!
Take a closer look at this painting...
This painting depicts a mountain night scene, including reed-covered islets, stone bridges, winding streams, autumn forests thick with frost, and secluded cloud-shrouded chambers. Using azurite and malachite as the main colors, it portrays the ancient poet Su Shi and his friends boating on the Red Cliff at night. The style is delicate, with beautiful brushstrokes. It poetically blends a tranquil autumn night, with its clear skies and silvery moonlight, into a captivating artistic conception. The composition is bright and cheerful, the brushwork meticulous and dense, the colors elegant and refined, and the technique skillful and steady, possessing both brushwork and ink charm!
This was originally Qiu Ying's masterpiece. Now, Gao Jianfei has spent several days painting it, making it look just like a work that Qiu Ying himself completed!
Qiu Ying stroked his beard and laughed, "Little Gao, you've truly mastered my painting skills! Not bad! Not bad!"
Gao Jianfei smiled faintly. "Heh, I suppose my 'Red Cliff Painting' is quite presentable! Perfect timing, the competition starts tomorrow. I'll see what kind of work Ge Chunhou and his apprentice Ma Junsheng have to compete with mine!"
Tomorrow is the official start of the exchange competition, and Gao Jianfei can bring his work out of Ghost Nest tonight.
After chatting with Qiu Ying for a while, Gao Jianfei rolled up the painting into a scroll and prepared to leave the haunted place.
At this moment, the voice of the intelligent program said, "Dear user, you have completed this painting. The Xuan paper used is a level 2 ghost, Qiu Ying's. If you want to take this painting out of the ghost's den, you must pay 100 ghost-repelling points."
Gao Jianfei chuckled to himself... "I have to pay exorcism points even for taking a single piece of paper. How stingy!"
However, Gao Jianfei didn't say much about the mere 100 exorcism points and simply let the intelligent program deduct them for him. Afterward, he left the ghost den with his debut work.
Chapter 150 The Competition Begins!
Chapter 150 The Competition Begins!
After paying the promised 100 exorcism points, Gao Jianfei left the haunted house with his work, the Chibi painting, which he had painstakingly created over several days. He returned to his bedroom.
It was a little past 8 p.m. The bright, beautiful moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, filling the small bedroom with a soft and charming atmosphere.
Gao Jianfei chuckled, tidied up the small writing desk in the bedroom, and then took out his masterpiece, spread it out, and placed it flat on the writing desk.
Under the lamplight, every color, every stroke, and every detail of Gao Jianfei's painting of the Red Cliff reveals the style of a master. As Gao Jianfei sat on a stool in front of his writing desk, admiring and appreciating the painting, he truly felt the grandeur and heroism of reminiscing about the Red Cliff and the beauty of the landscape.
artistic conception.
This is what is meant by artistic conception.
In fact, purely in terms of painting techniques and skills, many painters, including modern ones, could reach the level of Qiu Ying, or even Tang Bohu. However, their works lack that certain artistic conception!
The essence of artistic conception can only be understood intuitively and cannot be expressed in words. This is the inspiration of a painter in a moment, and it is also the reason why painters are divided into high and low, noble and lowly.
To be precise, Gao Jianfei's painting of the Red Cliff is exactly the same as the several extant authentic paintings of the Red Cliff by Qiu Ying!
There is absolutely no difference!
Moreover, Qiu Ying's original painting of the Red Cliffs also lacks a signature and inscription!
Gao Jianfei was enjoying his work with ease when there was a knock on the bedroom door. Chen Xian's voice came from outside. "Jianfei, I made you a cup of tea. You can drink it tonight. Don't drink those carbonated drinks; they all have added coloring. Tea is better."
A very gentle and soothing voice.
Gao Jianfei felt a warmth in his heart and immediately got up to open the door.
Chen Xian wore a casual tracksuit, her long hair tied in a ponytail, exuding a feminine charm. A faint scent of shower gel emanated from her body. On such a night, a woman like this was indeed very likely to arouse a man's fantasies. Especially after Gao Jianfei's caresses, Chen Xian possessed an added allure. This allure, to put it bluntly, was simply womanhood.
Chen Xian smiled sweetly at Gao Jianfei and walked straight in.
Then, Gao Jianfei craned his neck and glanced into the living room outside. He found that Xiaoxiao and Yan Kui were still watching TV in the living room. Therefore, Gao Jianfei knew he could not do anything too intimate with Chen Xian in the bedroom.
Gao Jianfei then gently closed the bedroom door.
At this moment, Chen Xian made a sound of "Eh".
Gao Jianfei turned his head and was startled.
Originally, Chen Xian should have placed the teacup on the writing desk after brewing tea for Gao Jianfei. However, the painting of the Red Cliff was now spread out on the desk, taking up the entire space. Chen Xian stood there, holding the teacup, stunned, and exclaimed in surprise.
"Xiaoxian! Whatever you do, don't put the teacup on that painting! And don't splash water on it! Be careful, be careful," Gao Jianfei couldn't help but remind her.
Afterward, Chen Xian placed the teacup on the bedside table, staring intently at the painting for two minutes before smiling and saying, "Jianfei, you're into antique collecting?"
"Huh?" Gao Jianfei was taken aback by the question. "What kind of antique collecting?"
“Jianfei, this painting of yours is clearly an ancient one! Although my knowledge of antiques and calligraphy is limited, the brushwork and ink techniques of this painting are full of ancient style; it's definitely not a modern painting! I can say that with certainty,” Chen Xian explained. “However… Jianfei, I believe you wouldn't spend a fortune to buy a masterpiece. You're a practical person. Therefore, this painting must be from some relatively unknown painter of ancient times. But to be able to paint to this level, the skill is truly too high! Too high!”
Chen Xian looked at the painting and exclaimed in admiration.
She didn't understand painting, but she could tell that the painting was by an ancient artist. Why? Simply because of its artistic conception!
The artistic conception of this painting!
Ancient and desolate!
Gao Jianfei didn't explain, "Then, Xiaoxian, how much do you think this painting is worth?"
A thoughtful look appeared in Chen Xian's eyes. After a minute, she said, "I don't actually know much about antiques and calligraphy, as I've mentioned before. Also, this painting of yours doesn't have a signature or inscription. That makes it seem less formal. But this painting is truly exquisite; the artist's skill is absolutely comparable to some famous painters. Therefore, I think this painting should be worth tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands!" After a pause, Chen Xian added, "Of course, Jianfei, this is just my wild guess. Tell me, how much did you actually pay for it?"
Gao Jianfei chuckled, then hugged Chen Xian from behind. Chen Xian had an incredibly alluring figure, her shapely buttocks possessing a breathtaking curve and elasticity. Pressed against Chen Xian's delicate body, Gao Jianfei couldn't help but experience some primal male instincts, pressing himself firmly against her.
Chen Xian blushed and her breathing became rapid. She murmured a reminder, "Xiaoxiao and Uncle Yan are still outside, Jianfei, stop fooling around! Tell me, how much did you buy this painting for?"
Gao Jianfei laughed and said, "This painting is actually the famous work of Qiu Ying, a great painter of the Ming Dynasty, the Red Cliff! The original auction price was more than 70 million RMB."
"Huh?" Chen Xian exclaimed softly.
Gao Jianfei patted Chen Xian's cheek. "Of course, this isn't an authentic work by Qiu Ying, but I think it's worth hundreds of thousands or even millions." After a pause, Gao Jianfei added, "It was a gift from a friend."
Gao Jianfei didn't tell Chen Xian that the painting was his own work. If he did, she would inevitably become suspicious and ask questions. Tonight, Gao Jianfei wanted to get some rest in preparation for tomorrow's traditional Chinese painting exchange competition.
The exchange competition officially starts at 9:30 tomorrow morning, and Gao Jianfei has to go to the flower market in advance.
After embracing and kissing for a while, Gao Jianfei mischievously touched Chen Xian's entire body before letting her out of the bedroom.
Afterwards, Gao Jianfei carefully put the painting away, went to his study to surf the internet for a while, and then took a shower and went to bed at 10:30.
After these few days of recovery, Gao Jianfei's exorcism point has returned to "4560".
This was the first time Gao Jianfei had accumulated so many exorcism points since acquiring the Super Ghost Device software. However, he had been engrossed in learning to draw and completing his own artwork these past few days, and besides, he didn't have any particularly pressing skills he wanted to acquire. Therefore, Gao Jianfei didn't attempt to piece together any ghosts.
"Well, I'll try other level 2 ghosts after tomorrow's competition," Gao Jianfei told himself.
The repair of that task system became increasingly slow in the later stages, practically crawling along. Currently, it's only 64% complete.