Chapter 67 - Three Grand Rewards (1/2)

Ding!

“Congratulations. You obtained the grandmaster-grade ‘Character Painting Technique’.”

“Note: This is one of the three great branch techniques of Traditional Painting!”

Upon hearing the reminder of the system, Sun Mo had a dumbfounded look on his face. “What? You feel that I have no future on the path of being a masseuse; hence, you want me to become a painter? When I cannot stay in school any longer, do you want me to peddle my art on the streets for a living?”

Sun Mo understood that although great teachers in Middle-Earth encompassed many types of occupations, the occupations could be classified into different grades.

There were great teachers proficient in painting, but they were considered mid to low tier. After all, painting was simply too non-mainstream.

In the ancient eras of China, the best painter could become a court artist and create a portrait for the emperor.

A few hundred years after the death of the emperor, that portrait might become popular and could be sold for millions or billions of dollars. However, this no longer had anything to do with the painter. Besides, it might not be because the artist had drawn the portrait well, the portrait might simply be a means for the wealthy merchants to launder their money.

In the various countries of the nine provinces, due to spirit qi existing, the status of painters was slightly higher. The painting they created might occasionally have some extra effects that could influence the heart of those looking at it.

Naturally, only an extremely rare few could achieve such a high level as a painter.

The majority of the time, things such as appreciating art was the interest of the rich and powerful and also a method to display their ‘elegance’ and ‘unique taste’.

“It isn’t bad to have more skills. Even if you won’t be able to use it in your entire life, there wouldn’t be any negative points that come from learning it.”

The system’s words were correct. With an additional skill in hand, one wouldn’t hunger to death regardless of how difficult life was. In addition, this was a grandmaster-grade ‘Character Painting Technique’.

What was known as the grandmaster-grade?

It meant that one had very deep and solid expertise in this domain and was worthy of being called a grandmaster by everyone.

If Sun Mo mastered it, there would be no problems for him to set up a dojo and accept disciples. If someone came to challenge his drawing dojo, given his grandmaster-level of mastery, it should be sufficient to handle all sorts of challenges.

“What are the other two techniques?”

Actually, Sun Mo was very satisfied. When he was younger, interest classes were very popular. His family was poor and he couldn’t afford to join any, but he could still manage to buy some ink, paper, and brush. Hence, he practiced drawing on his own for a little while. Sadly, he didn’t have much talent in this field and eventually chose to give it up.

However, as for calligraphy, he did manage to persevere through, and his works could be considered not too bad. After he became a teacher in the No.2 High School, his beautiful works were deeply loved by the old headmaster as well as the students. His works helped him and deepened the impression of him in the eyes of others.

Now, as long as he read the skill book, his painting skill would be at the grandmaster-level. This was just too wonderful.

“Mountain and River Painting and the Flora and Fauna Painting Technique. Other than this, there’s still western painting and traditional chinese painting,” the system explained.

“Oh.”

Sun Mo nodded. The various countries of the Nine Provinces were still in feudal times. He would have to politely decline if the skill book was one pertaining to western painting. Even if he was Van Gogh or Picasso, the people in this world would most probably treat his painting as trash, and they wouldn’t be worth even a copper coin.

“So do you want to learn or not?” the system asked. If Sun Mo declined, it would take back the skill book.

“Learn, why would I not learn?”

When Lu Zhiruo went out to throw trash, Sun Mo took out the skill book and crushed it with a smack.

Pak!

When the skill book shattered, a golden light akin to fireflies flew toward the center of Sun Mo’s brows, entering deep into his mind.

Some knowledge and comprehension of painting instantly spread through his brain. A few minutes later, when Sun Mo thought about ‘painting’, it felt like he had been painting for several tens of years and he gained many insights.

Sun Mo couldn’t help it anymore. He squatted beside the pail of water. His hand dipped into the pail and he began painting on the ground. Before the water dried, an extremely vivid and life-like painting appeared on the ground.

It looked very real.

“Woah!”

Sun Mo whistled. Sadly, there was no forum in the nine provinces. If not, if he was to take a photo and sent it on the internet, he would definitely be able to show off and win respect and admiration.

Lu Zhiruo entered and glanced at Sun Mo in bewilderment. Did her teacher just pick up some money? Why was he suddenly so happy?

“Treasure chest on the right, open!”

Sun Mo felt that it would be more symmetrical and was in line with his view of aesthetics. After speaking the word ‘open’, he felt like an emperor choosing which concubine to sleep with during the night. How awesome.

The clicking sound rang out from the black-iron chest. When the glow disappeared, a fingernail-sized seed remained.

Ding!

“Congratulations on obtaining an unknown seed!”

Looking at the dark and swarthy seed, Sun Mo was taken aback, “You don’t know its name?”

“Didn’t I say it’s an unknown seed? Why is your verbal comprehension ability so bad?” the system questioned.

“Of course, my verbal comprehension is good. I’m saying that you, as the unmatched Absolute Great Teacher System, actually don’t know what this is?”

Sun Mo immediately shot back. At the same time, he was provoking the system, wanting to get an answer.

“Hehe, I really have no idea what plant this seed belongs to. I won’t be provoked by you.”

The system laughed.

“Is it possible to plant it?”

Sun Mo didn’t feel that the hopes were high. This seed was withered and dehydrated. There were even a few cracks on the surface. No matter how he looked at it, it seemed to be an inferior seedling.

“No idea!”

The system’s answer was simple and concise.

“Then why did you issue it as a reward? Are you not swindling me?”

Sun Mo was extremely dissatisfied. It was like he had spent a month’s worth of salary and bought a beautiful s*x doll online. In the end, when he opened the wrapping, the doll was uglier than a slimeball. Would he still feel any joy or mood to play with it?

“The rewards obtained from opening treasure chests are random. How can you resent me for having bad luck?”

The system counter-asked.

“Where are the human rights for unlucky people?”