Chapter 52: Merit Ranking
Li Hao summoned his Divine Soul. A brilliant golden soul aspect emerged from the top of his head, soaring through the sky.
Soon, at the edge of the village, he located two wandering children.
Without moving his body, Li Hao sent his Divine Soul diving down. With a casual sweep, the dust on the ground stirred, and stones shot through the air, piercing the last two stragglers.
Completion rate of the River of Death: 90%.
The Divine Soul returned. Li Hao took a single step, crossing fifteen li in an instant, and appeared directly behind the mountain near the village, beside the black-robed scholar.
The sudden appearance of Li Hao startled the black-robed scholar slightly.
Li Hao had already noticed that this black-robed scholar was different from the villagers outside. His expression wasn’t dull or lifeless but instead showed independent thought.
On the black-robed scholar's back crouched a female soul aspect, who suddenly raised her head, her cold gaze fixed on Li Hao.
“Someone at your level shouldn’t be here,” the black-robed scholar said softly.
Li Hao replied, “I didn’t mean to be. I just stumbled in by accident.”
The black-robed scholar was silent for a moment before saying, “Before we fight, can you let me finish my painting?”
Li Hao noticed that in his hands, the scholar held a palette smeared with paint and a blood-stained brush. On the easel before him was a painting of a woman.
The woman in the painting bore a striking resemblance to the figure on his back.
“You’re also interested in the Painting Dao?” Li Hao asked, surprised that even a deceased being could harbor such a refined interest.
The black-robed scholar didn’t respond, instead lifting his brush to add more strokes to the canvas.
Li Hao watched with interest, moving closer to observe.
The black-robed scholar’s painting skills were decent—among the people Li Hao had encountered, they were top-notch.
“You seem different from the villagers outside,” Li Hao remarked.
The black-robed scholar frowned. He didn’t like being disturbed while painting, but Li Hao’s strength left him no choice but to tolerate it.
“They’re just my slaves,” the black-robed scholar said calmly.
“So, you’re the obsession that gave rise to this River of Death,” Li Hao said. “If I deal with you, this River of Death should be destroyed, right?”
“You cannot kill me,” the black-robed scholar said coldly. “Even if this place is destroyed, I will return.”
“Since you’re already dead, why won’t you let go and move on?” Li Hao sighed.
The hand holding the brush paused for a moment. The black-robed scholar sneered, a mocking smile curling his lips as if he wanted to say something, but then stopped, as though wary of some unknown force.
He let out a few cold laughs and returned to his painting, ignoring Li Hao.
Li Hao strolled around him, glancing at the surroundings. Seeing that the black-robed scholar was ignoring him, his gaze returned to the scholar’s artwork.
The ink wasn’t ordinary but blood, giving the painting a grotesque and horrifying appearance.
Yet, Li Hao focused on the artistry beneath the surface.
“Your brushstrokes here are too weak.”
Unable to resist, he pointed out a flaw: “There’s not enough blood here. Dip the brush deeper and let the stroke flow naturally. It’ll blend better.”
“…”
The black-robed scholar froze, turning his head to look at Li Hao with an eerie expression. “You understand painting?”
“Just a little,” Li Hao replied humbly.
The black-robed scholar scrutinized him. Despite only being at the Soul Fusion Realm, the scholar had been bound here for centuries, relying on the unique power of the River of Death.
During those centuries, many martial artists had entered this place. Some were weak, dying miserably in the village, while others were terrifyingly strong, capable of destroying the entire village with a single gesture.
He had encountered all kinds of people but rarely someone like this youth.
Young, terrifyingly skilled in martial arts, and even knowledgeable in the Painting Dao.
“The Painting Dao is profound and unfathomable. No matter how talented you are, you can’t master it with a little effort,” the black-robed scholar said, then ignored Li Hao and continued painting.
Seriously? I’m just being modest, and you’re taking it seriously? Li Hao thought, his eyes narrowing. Does this guy actually think his painting skills are amazing?
If you’re strong in martial arts, fine. But better at painting?
“The Painting Dao may be profound, but unfortunately, you’re an amateur,” Li Hao said bluntly.
“What?”
The black-robed scholar frowned and turned to glare at Li Hao.
“This painting has at least sixteen flaws. It’s so lifeless. You lack spirit!” Li Hao criticized mercilessly, no longer sparing the scholar’s pride.
“You’re spouting nonsense!” The black-robed scholar’s calm demeanor broke. His ghastly pale face flushed faintly with anger as he glared at Li Hao.
“Here, here, and here…”
Li Hao pointed at various spots on the canvas. “These are all mistakes. You can’t see them because your skills are too poor!”
“You!”
The black-robed scholar trembled with rage. The female soul aspect on his back began to surge with black mist, as if ready to fight.
Li Hao remained unperturbed. An angry Soul Fusion Realm individual was still just that. Did he think he could suddenly transform into something greater?
“Give me the brush.”
Without waiting for a response, Li Hao snatched the brush from the scholar’s hand, tore the painting off the easel, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it aside.
The black-robed scholar’s face twisted in fury. He howled, his once-handsome features contorting into something monstrous.
Blood seeped from his eyes, nose, and mouth as his black robe flared. Beneath the robe, a crimson hue emerged—a garment stained with centuries of blood, now darkened to black.
Li Hao didn’t spare him a glance. His Divine Soul easily pinned both the scholar and his soul aspect to the ground, rendering them immobile.
A painting this bad, and you dare get angry? Li Hao couldn’t comprehend it.
He should be the one annoyed!
...
Li Hao’s expression turned serious. When it came to the Painting Dao, he approached it with genuine respect.
With swift, precise strokes, he began to paint. Blood flowed from the brush, creating natural, layered lines with seamless transitions between light and heavy strokes.
The painting was soon finished.
The image depicted a lifelike woman, standing in profile, her head lowered with a gentle, elegant demeanor.
It was the same woman as before, but this time, she was truly brought to life.
The best way to silence someone arrogant about their craft was to utterly outshine them in their area of expertise.
Li Hao released the black-robed scholar and said indifferently, “Compare it now. If you still can’t see the difference, then you should give up painting altogether and join the villagers in farming.”
The black-robed scholar nearly coughed up blood. Farming?
He was about to erupt in fury and lunge at Li Hao, but his body froze mid-motion. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of the painting. He couldn’t look away.
“A Yue...”
The black-robed scholar stood as if struck by lightning, staring at the painting with wide, unblinking eyes. His body, which had been ready to attack, trembled slightly.
Then, twin streaks of bloody tears trickled down his face.
“A Yue... Is that you?”
His voice cracked with emotion. Staggering forward, he stumbled to the painting, his steps unsteady. He reached out, wanting to touch the woman in the painting, but hesitated as his fingertips approached. Afraid of sullying her image, he stopped just short of contact.
His shoulders trembled as the blood tears continued to fall.
On his back, the female soul aspect also stared blankly at the painting. Her dark, menacing eyes seemed to flicker with faint recollections.
“Well, how does it compare to yours?”
Li Hao’s voice shattered the black-robed scholar’s trance.
Startled, the scholar looked at Li Hao. The youth’s slightly smug expression didn’t irritate him this time. Instead, with a sudden thud, he knelt before Li Hao, bowing his head.
“Thank you...”
The black-robed scholar’s voice quivered with gratitude. “Thank you for letting me see A Yue again.”
So, the woman in the painting was named A Yue? Li Hao raised an eyebrow but didn’t dwell on it. Seeing the scholar’s capitulation, he helped him to his feet.
“The Painting Dao is profound and requires not just skill but spirit as well...”
Li Hao began explaining his techniques, but the black-robed scholar had already turned back to the painting, gazing at it with rapture.
Li Hao’s words, though earnest, became background noise to the scholar, who had entirely tuned him out.
...
After some time, the black-robed scholar finally turned to Li Hao with a faint smile. His black robe began to shift, its dark hue gradually lightening. From black, it turned to crimson, then to pale red, and finally, into a white scholar’s robe.
His appearance transformed into that of a refined and elegant young man. Judging by his attire, he must have been a scholar during his lifetime.
“My wish is fulfilled. Thank you, benefactor...” The now-refined scholar’s face radiated peace.
The soul aspect of the woman on his back also changed, shedding its dark mist and transforming into a figure identical to the one in the painting. She stood in the air, bowing gracefully to Li Hao, her gaze filled with gratitude.
Moments later, both figures began to fade.
“A Yue...”
The scholar’s voice lingered as his figure disappeared, his expression serene and content.
Li Hao froze in place. What just happened?
Suddenly, his palm grew hot. The golden page appeared once more, etched with gleaming text:
[Completion: 100%. Fengshan River of Death cleared. Reward: 100 Merit Points.]
[You have entered the Merit Ranking.]
[The River of Death will soon vanish. Please leave immediately.]