52. Merit Board

Chapter 52: Merit Board

Li Hao summoned his spirit. A golden, radiant avatar flew out from the top of his head, patrolling the skies.

Soon, Li Hao found two wandering children at the edge of the village.

Without moving his body, his spirit dove down, stirring up dust and pebbles from the ground, piercing through the two remaining stragglers.

Mie River completion: 90%.

His spirit returned, and Li Hao took a step forward, traveling fifteen miles in a blink, appearing next to the black-robed scholar in the back mountain of the village.

Noticing Li Hao's sudden appearance, the black-robed scholar was slightly taken aback.

Li Hao had already noticed that this black-robed scholar was different from the other villagers. His expression wasn't dull but showed independent thought.

The female spirit lying on the scholar's back suddenly lifted her head, staring coldly at Li Hao.

"Someone of your level shouldn't be here," the black-robed scholar said softly.

Li Hao replied, "I didn't want to be here either. I ended up here by accident."

The black-robed scholar was silent for a moment, then said, "Before we start fighting, could you let me finish my work?"

Li Hao saw that he was holding a palette in one hand and a brush in the other, stained with blood. Before him was an easel with a painting of a woman.

The woman in the painting bore a strong resemblance to the female spirit on his back.

"Do you also have a passion for painting?" Li Hao was quite surprised, not expecting an undead to have such an interest.

The black-robed scholar didn't answer, instead picking up his brush and adding details to the painting.

Seeing this, Li Hao, interested, stepped closer to observe.

The black-robed scholar's painting skills were quite good, among the best Li Hao had encountered.

"You seem different from the other villagers," Li Hao said.

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 are merely my slaves," the black-robed scholar said indifferently.

"So, you're the obsession that gave birth to this Mie River," Li Hao said. "If I eliminate you, this Mie River should be destroyed."

"You can't kill me."

The black-robed scholar replied coldly, "Even if you destroy this place, I will return."

"Since you're already dead, why not move on?" Li Hao sighed.

The black-robed scholar's hand paused briefly, a mocking smile forming on his lips. He seemed about to say something but then stopped, as if fearing something.

He sneered a few times, then ignored Li Hao, focusing on his painting.

Li Hao paced around, looking everywhere. Seeing the scholar ignoring him, his gaze returned to the painting.

The brush was dipped in blood, making the painting appear rather sinister.

But Li Hao focused on the painting technique.

"Your brush strokes here are too soft."

He couldn't help but point out, "There's too little blood here. You need to dip more, letting it spread naturally with a single stroke."

"..."

The black-robed scholar's hand holding the brush paused. He turned his gaze towards Li Hao. "You understand painting?"

"A little."

The scholar scrutinized Li Hao. Though he was only at the Spirit Continuation Realm, he existed thanks to the unique powers of the Mie River. He had been trapped here for hundreds of years, in a place known as the Tanguo Academy.

Many warriors had entered this place over the centuries, some strong, some weak. The strong ones were terrifying, able to destroy the entire Mie River village with a flick of their hand. The weak ones were like the villagers outside, many having died tragically over the years. Some more exceptional ones reached him, only to be killed without mercy.

He had seen all kinds of people, but young men like the one beside him, who were terrifying in martial arts and knowledgeable in other fields, were rare.

"Painting is a profound art. No matter how clever you are, it's not something you can master with just a little effort," the black-robed scholar said, then resumed his painting, ignoring Li Hao.

What the heck? I was being modest, and you really took it seriously? Li Hao was slightly annoyed. This guy actually thinks he's a painting expert?

If you excel in martial arts, I can accept that, but comparing painting skills? "Painting is indeed profound, but unfortunately, you're just an amateur," Li Hao said bluntly.

"What?"

The black-robed scholar raised his eyebrows, turning to glare at Li Hao.

"This painting has at least sixteen mistakes. It's so lifeless, you seriously lack spirit!" Li Hao criticized unreservedly, not holding back against a fellow artist.

"You don't know what you're talking about!" The scholar's previously calm, deathly pale face turned slightly red with anger, glaring at Li Hao.

"Here, here, and here..."

Li Hao pointed out the flaws, "All these are defects. You can't see it because your skill level is too low!"

"You!"

The scholar trembled with anger, the female spirit on his back emanating black mist, ready to fight.

Li Hao wasn't afraid. An angry Spirit Continuation Realm was still just Spirit Continuation Realm. Did he think he could transform into something more powerful? "Give me the brush."

Without waiting for a response, Li Hao grabbed the brush from his hand, tore off the painting, crumpled it, and tossed it aside.

Seeing his hard work being treated so disrespectfully, the black-robed scholar couldn't hold back any longer, screaming in rage.

His once calm and handsome face twisted grotesquely, with terrifying blood seeping from his seven orifices.

The black robe flew up, revealing its blood-red inner side.

This robe had been stained with blood for countless years, turning it black.

Li Hao didn't even look, his spirit flew out, easily pressing the scholar and his spirit to the ground, immobilizing them.

Painting like that and still having the nerve to get angry, Li Hao couldn't understand it.

He should be the one angry! His eyes became focused, showing his dedication to the art of painting.

With swift strokes, Li Hao's brush moved, the blood on the tip creating natural lines, with distinct layers of light and shadow.

Soon, the blood on the brush ran out. Li Hao lifted the scholar, wiped the brush on his face to re-dip it in blood, and continued painting.

In no time, a lifelike woman, side-turned, gentle and lowered her head, appeared on the paper.

It was the same woman from the previous painting, but this time, it was vivid.

The best way to punish arrogance is to defeat it in their proudest field.

Li Hao released the black-robed scholar, saying calmly, "Compare it. If you still can't see the difference, you should give up painting and start farming in the village."

The scholar nearly coughed up blood. Farming?

He was about to attack in anger but suddenly froze. His eyes caught the painting in the corner of his vision and couldn't look away.

Ah Yue...

The scholar seemed struck, standing dumbfounded.

He stared blankly at the woman in the painting, his previously aggressive stance trembling slightly.

Then, two lines of bloody tears flowed from his eyes.

Ah Yue, is it really you...

Is it really you...

The scholar stumbled towards the painting, his steps faltering. He reached out to touch the woman in the painting, but just before his fingers made contact, he stopped, afraid of dirtying her face.

His shoulders shook lightly, tears of blood streaming down.

The female spirit on his back also stared at the painting, her dark, fierce eyes gradually showing signs of thought.

"So, how is it compared to yours?"

An untimely voice broke the scholar's immersion.

He was momentarily stunned, then looked at Li Hao.

Seeing the young man's slightly proud expression, he didn't get angry this time. Instead, he suddenly knelt before Li Hao.

"Thank you..."

The scholar lowered his head, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you for letting me see Ah Yue again."

So, the woman in the painting is called Ah Yue? Li Hao raised an eyebrow but didn't care. Seeing the scholar had admitted defeat, he helped him up. "Painting is profound. You need heart and spirit..."

As Li Hao continued to explain, the scholar turned his head, staring at the woman in the painting, tuning out the noise.

For a long time.

Li Hao spoke until his mouth was dry, seeing the scholar daydreaming. Anger flared up. "Are you listening?"

The scholar snapped out of it, smiling at Li Hao. His black robe gradually changed, turning from black to blood-red, then light red, and finally to a white scholar's robe.

Judging by his attire, he seemed to be a scholar when he was alive.

"My wish is fulfilled. Thank you, benefactor..." The scholar, now in white, had a relieved and contented smile.

The female spirit behind him dissipated the black mist, transforming into a gentle woman, bowing gratefully to Li Hao.

Then, their figures gradually faded.

"Ah Yue..." The scholar's figure grew faint, murmuring with a smile.

Li Hao was stunned. What was going on? At that moment, his palm burned, and the golden paper appeared.

Golden characters engraved themselves on the paper:

[Progress 100%, Fengshan Mie River cleared, reward: 100 merits.]

[You have entered the Merit Board.]

[The Mie River will soon disappear. Please leave quickly.]