[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity":3,"chapter-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-52":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Name That Echoes Through Eternity",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2282601,4466,"Chapter 52: Merit List","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-52",52,"\u003Cp>Li Hao unleashed his primordial spirit, a golden soul form soaring from his crown and circling the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Li Hao found two wandering children in a corner at the village’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without moving his body, his soul dove downward, swept its essence, and stirred the dust on the ground—pebbles shot forth, piercing the two remaining stragglers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo River completion: 90%.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His soul returned, Li Hao took a step—fifteen li spanned in an instant, his figure appearing directly beside the black-robed scholar at the village’s rear mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar startled slightly at Li Hao’s sudden appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao had already noticed: this black-robed scholar differed from the villagers—his expression was not numb, but possessed independent thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s soul form clinging to the scholar’s back suddenly lifted her head, fixing Li Hao with a cold, hostile gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone of your realm shouldn’t be here,” the black-robed scholar said softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao replied: “I didn’t intend to be. I stumbled in by accident.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar fell silent for a moment, then said: “Before you act, could you let me finish my work?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao saw he held a palette of pigments in one hand and a brush in the other, its tip stained with blood; before him stood an easel with a portrait of a woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman in the painting bore a striking resemblance to the one on his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You also favor painting?” Li Hao was surprised—never expected a dead man to have such leisurely refinement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar said nothing, merely lifted his brush and added strokes to the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Li Hao leaned in curiously to observe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar’s painting skill was decent—among those Li Hao had encountered, it ranked among the best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You seem different from the villagers outside,” Li Hao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar frowned—he disliked being disturbed while painting, yet Li Hao’s strength left him powerless to resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They are merely my servants,” the black-robed scholar said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you are the obsession that gave birth to this Mo River,” Li Hao said. “If I eliminate you, this river should be destroyed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You cannot kill me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar spoke coldly: “Even if you destroy this place, I will return.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since you’re already dead, why refuse rebirth?” Li Hao sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar’s brush paused slightly; a mocking sneer curled his lips—he seemed about to speak, then suddenly remembered something fearful, his words dying on his tongue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He laughed bitterly a few times, ignored Li Hao, and resumed his painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao paced around him, scanning the surroundings; seeing the scholar no longer acknowledged him, his gaze turned to the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The brush was dipped not in ink, but blood—making the painting grotesque and terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Hao focused on the underlying technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your brushwork here is too soft.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spotting the flaws, he couldn’t help but advise: “There’s too little blood here—dip more. Let each stroke bleed and blur naturally.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar’s grip on the brush stiffened; he turned slowly to stare at Li Hao: “You understand painting?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar studied Li Hao for a moment—he possessed only Soul-Binding realm power, yet existed through the Mo River’s peculiar force, trapped for centuries within this place called Tan Gong Academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over centuries, countless warriors entered this place—some strong, some weak. The strong were even more terrifying than this boy, capable of destroying the entire Mo River village with a gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weak were no different from the villagers outside; many had died here over the centuries. Some more talented reached him, only to be killed without mercy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had seen all kinds of people—but someone like this boy was rare indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Young, terrifying in martial prowess, yet even familiar with esoteric arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Painting is a profound art—no matter how clever you are, you cannot master it with mere casual effort,” the black-robed scholar said, then ignored Li Hao and resumed painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, I was being modest, and now you’re taking advantage? Li Hao glared—this kid actually think his painting was impressive?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he wanted to boast about martial skill, I’d tolerate it—but painting? “Painting is indeed profound, but unfortunately, you’re an outsider,” Li Hao said bluntly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar raised an eyebrow, glaring coldly at Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your painting has at least sixteen flaws—it’s rigid, lifeless—you lack true spirit!” Li Hao spoke without mercy, no longer sparing this fellow practitioner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re lying!” The scholar lost his composure; his corpse-pale face flushed with fury as he glared at Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Here, here, here...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao pointed to various spots on the painting: “All are flaws—you can’t see them because your skill is too low!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar trembled violently; the woman’s shadow on his back surged with black mist, as if ready to fight Li Hao to the death. Li Hao was unafraid—a furious Soul-Binding cultivator was still just a Soul-Binding cultivator. You think you’ll turn into a golden-haired beast? “Give me the brush.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, Li Hao snatched the brush from his hand, tore the painting off the easel, crumpled it, and tossed it aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing his painstaking work so desecrated, the black-robed scholar could no longer contain himself—he screamed in rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His once calm, handsome face twisted into a grotesque mask; blood seeped from all seven orifices, gurgling forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire black robe billowed open, revealing its inner lining—drenched in crimson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a blood-soaked robe, stained for countless years; only the dried, sedimented blood made it appear black.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao didn’t even look—he sent his soul forth, effortlessly pinning the scholar and his soul form to the ground, immobilizing them both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To get angry over a painting this bad? Li Hao couldn’t comprehend it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The one who should be furious was himself! His gaze sharpened—his heart held reverence for painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted the brush and painted swiftly—the blood on the tip flew, lines flowing naturally, layered with perfect weight and contrast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the blood on the brush ran dry; Li Hao lifted the scholar, rubbed the brush across his face to soak it in fresh blood, then resumed painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In moments, a lifelike woman appeared on the paper—gracefully turned sideways, head bowed gently, as if standing within the painting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still the same woman’s portrait—but now, it was alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best way to silence arrogance is to defeat someone with their own pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao released the black-robed scholar and said calmly: “Compare them. If you still can’t see the difference, never pick up a brush again—go plant crops in the village.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar nearly spat blood—plant crops?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to lunge in fury, but suddenly froze—his peripheral vision caught the painting, and he could not look away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayue...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black-robed scholar stood frozen, as if struck by a thunderclap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes stared blankly at the woman in the painting; his body, poised to attack, trembled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, two trails of blood tears streamed from his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ayue... is that you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is it really you?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar rushed forward, stumbling, desperate to touch the woman on the paper—but as his fingers neared, he recoiled in panic, afraid of smudging her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His shoulders shook gently; blood tears flowed endlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s soul form on his back also stared blankly at the painting; her dark, vicious eyes slowly softened, as if awakening to thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well? How does it compare to yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A voice, utterly out of place, shattered the scholar’s reverie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He blinked, snapped back to awareness, and looked at Li Hao beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the boy’s faint pride, he felt no anger—instead, he suddenly dropped to his knees before Li Hao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thank you...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar bowed his head, eyes filled with gratitude: “Thank you for letting me see Ayue again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the woman in the painting was named Ayue? Li Hao raised an eyebrow but paid no mind; seeing the scholar had surrendered, he helped him up: “Painting is profound—you must not only enter it with your heart, but also with spirit...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Li Hao spoke on his own, the black-robed scholar turned his head, gazing spellbound at the woman on the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The noise beside him was automatically muted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long, long time passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao’s throat was dry from talking; seeing the man lost in thought, he grew furious: “Did you hear me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scholar snapped back, smiled suddenly at Li Hao—and his black robe gradually faded, turning from black to crimson, then pale red, finally becoming a white scholar’s robe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His attire suggested he had once been a Licentiate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My wish is fulfilled. Thank you, benefactor...” The scholar—no longer black-robed—smiled with peace and release.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him, the woman’s soul form also dissolved her black mist, transforming into the exact likeness of the painted woman; in midair, she bowed gracefully to Li Hao, her eyes filled with gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, both figures gradually faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ayue...” The scholar’s form grew faint, whispering softly, lips curled in a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Hao froze—what just happened? At that moment, his palm burned; a golden scroll appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the golden scroll, golden characters carved themselves into the paper:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Completion: 100%. Passed Fengshan Mo River. Reward: Merit 100.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【You have entered the Merit List.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Mo River will vanish soon. Depart immediately.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1539,"2026-06-20T02:15:40.176Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","640ad061d9a81638ac290135b9aa1efa4e7a835b2ef5014dd101dfc3060dc877","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-53","the-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-chapter-51",929,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-name-that-echoes-through-eternity-cover.jpg"]