Chapter 528: Ink Drips, Suppressing; Contemplating

Li Hao immediately picked up his brush and bent over to paint.

Soon, another figure appeared beside the mural of the Heavenly Stele's heroes—Qinglu Wang himself—his presence causing the crowd in the painting to step aside, all showing him deep reverence.

After finishing the painting, Li Hao received an experience prompt: fifty-five thousand experience points!

Remember, Emperor Canghai Emperor, a half-sage, earned only a little over forty thousand.

This meant the young man before him possessed overwhelming suppression over half-sages—even easily defeating them!

Among all heavens, one who reached such a level could only be among the top prodigies; no wonder countless heavenly prodigies and saintly heirs feared and avoided him.

Qinglu Wang glanced at Li Hao, then turned and flew toward the heavenly stele.

The noble maidservants accompanying him halted their steps—these maidservants were all Realm of Hearing the Dao cultivators.

Amid the thunder and lightning outside the stele, Qinglu Wang arrived before it and raised his hand to inscribe his name.

"Is Qinglu Wang inscribing his name again?"

"Ten years ago, his golden light flashed twice—now it should be even more terrifying!"

"He can inscribe his name again?"

"Any mortal below sagehood may inscribe their name again within a thousand years."

The crowd murmured among themselves, all fixing their gazes on the green silhouette.

They saw lightning gather in Qinglu Wang's palm, growing increasingly brilliant, countless silver threads intertwining and flickering.

Simultaneously, at the peak of the heavenly stele, a golden light slowly condensed, then flashed twice in succession! After the glow faded, it fell silent.

The crowd snapped back to awareness, both astonished and bewildered.

They had expected Qinglu Wang's second inscription to trigger three golden flashes, perhaps even surpassing that to ignite the dazzling crimson blood-light—but it was still only two golden flashes?

Qinglu Wang, seeing the result, was also surprised; he furrowed his brow, then seemed to recall something, his eyes softening slightly with understanding.

It seems my master was right—the heavenly stele can only detect physical strength and realm, not technique or Dao comprehension!

As for practical combat experience and other factors, they're entirely beyond its scope.

Otherwise, the Supreme Prodigy Contest would be unnecessary—everyone could just come here to verify their strength and be ranked immediately.

Over the past decade, his techniques have grown purer, his Dao comprehension deeper; though his ultimate realm hasn't increased, his combat power has surged dramatically after wandering through several forbidden zones.

Seeing the stele couldn't verify this, he shook his head slightly and flew back into the crowd.

"My Lord."

Several maidservants hurried to surround him, whispering softly like birds chirping.

Qinglu Wang was born into the imperial family of a divine dynasty; since childhood, he had no interest in imperial power, devoting himself to martial cultivation, and after studying under a famed master of a holy sect, he accepted the idle title of Prince.

Though a prince, even his imperial brothers and emperors within the dynasty treated him with trembling respect and utmost courtesy.

The dragon throne and the harem—he could sit upon it whenever he wished, enter whenever he pleased; though not an emperor, he towered above emperors.

Qinglu Wang ignored the maidservants beside him, his gaze falling on the distant boy, who was still bent over painting, seemingly oblivious to his display; a faint chill flickered in his eyes.

Blood-character inscription, suppressing all heavens—he disliked anyone rising above him.

But unquestionably, this boy's physical strength and realm were also terrifying.

"Go, inform him—I wish to spar with him."

Qinglu Wang instructed a woman beside him.

The maidservant, beautiful in appearance, bowed obediently and glided gracefully toward Li Hao.

"Young Master, my lord wishes to spar with you—please grant us this favor."

The maidservant smiled.

Li Hao, still bent over painting, didn't lift his head. "No time."

The maidservant's smile stiffened; she lowered her voice. "My lord is Qinglu Wang, a holy disciple of the Kunqian Holy Land in the Heaven's Chaos Realm. Young Master, don't bring ruin upon yourself."

Compared to her previous polite invitation, this carried a hint of threat.

Li Hao gave no reply. Hongyue, who was grinding ink for him, saw Li Hao was fully absorbed in painting and spoke up: "My master has no time. Please leave."

The maidservant's face darkened; if she failed Qinglu Wang's order, she'd face dire consequences. Seeing Hongyue interject, her expression turned icy. "Who do you think you are? A mere maidservant of the Fifteen Li Realm—when did you earn the right to speak?"

Her shout carried a trace of law power; Hongyue felt her pupils contract, countless shadows surging into her vision, a terrifying sensation as if seawater flooded her lungs, choking her.

She felt her consciousness splitting, terror and dread overwhelming her, as if she were being torn apart.

"Hmph!"

Suddenly, a cold snort rang out, snapping Hongyue back to reality.

The illusory shadows vanished; Hongyue gasped for breath, her face pale, eyes filled with fear as she stared at the female attendant.

"A maidservant—who gave you the audacity to flaunt your power?"

Li Hao set down his brush, his gaze turning icy as he looked at the maidservant.

His eyes held a sharp edge; the moment she met his gaze, dazzling light flashed before her, her Dao consciousness severed—her pupils, throat, all sliced open! A sensation of death engulfed her; she opened her mouth, face ashen, eyes filled with despair, as if trying to scream—but her throat was cut, no sound emerged.

"Heh, bullying servants—what kind of skill is that?"

At that moment, a calm, gentle voice spoke; Qinglu Wang approached.

Li Hao turned his gaze from the maidservant, glanced at Qinglu Wang, and didn't bother arguing that the woman had started it. "Don't come here seeking humiliation."

As his gaze shifted away, the maidservant felt her severed throat regain sensation—like choking after drowning—she gagged, then snapped back to awareness, her face turning ghastly.

Just one glance had filled her with mortal dread—this boy was terrifying! "Oh?"

Qinglu Wang smiled, but his eyes narrowed slightly.

"You're the Hao Tian, aren't you? Do you think your blood-character inscription lets you dominate all heavens? If you're truly so confident, let's spar—I'll test your worth!"

Seeing the two in conflict, surrounding onlookers turned their attention, expressions filled with surprise and interest.

"Qinglu Wang and Hao Tian are clashing—do they plan to fight here right now?"

"Both are candidates for the top three in all heavens—is this a preview of the final battle?"

"But Qinglu Wang is unwise—Hao Tian triggered a blood-character inscription, rare in a thousand years; he only achieved two golden flashes—the gap is too vast."

"Though inscription levels differ, they're not absolute—steles can't detect technique or Dao comprehension. Qinglu Wang had two golden flashes ten years ago; his technique and Dao comprehension must be far deeper now."

"Qinglu Wang's move may be to probe Hao Tian's true strength before the Supreme Prodigy Contest."

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

Chi Guang, Lin Lin Shuhai, and others also turned in surprise; seeing the impending clash, their eyes gleamed.

Though unfamiliar with Qinglu Wang, and not close to Li Hao, they still hoped Li Hao would win—he hailed from Canglan Realm.

Li Hao, hearing Qinglu Wang's words, softened his cold gaze and said coolly: "You're not worthy to measure me."

Qinglu Wang laughed. "Do you truly believe your blood-character inscription makes you lord of the universe? If you think I'm unworthy, prove it—do you only have a sharp tongue?"

Li Hao didn't take the inscription seriously, but hearing the man keep mentioning "blood-character," as if jealous, he smiled. "If you're so confident, leave a blood-character yourself."

At these words, Qinglu Wang's smile vanished—he felt as if he'd swallowed a fly.

"No wonder you're a lowborn from the lower realms—you actually think the stele reflects absolute power? Blood-character? Within a thousand years, I'll inscribe again—and I'll top it with blood!"

Qinglu Wang's face turned cold; his words sparked uproar among the crowd.

After all, he'd declared this publicly—if he failed, it would become a laughingstock.

"Then speak again when you leave a blood-character."

Li Hao glanced at him, then ignored him entirely.

Qinglu Wang nearly choked on rage, his face reddening, fists clenched: "Fine! Let me test just how powerful this blood-character truly is!"

Seeing Li Hao lift his brush to paint again, he suddenly struck—a green light shot toward Li Hao's painting, aiming to tear it apart.

Li Hao's expression turned icy.

"You seek death!"

Li Hao looked up, his piercing gaze piercing through the green light.

Then he raised his hand, ink swirling from the brush tip, infused with the power of a Dao domain.

Eternal Dao Domain!

Boom! The Dao domain erupted instantly, crushing down.

Qinglu Wang had prepared—he unleashed his own Dao domain: a hundred layers, refined into a unique domain through Dao domain cultivation techniques, within which the cosmos floated, filled with wondrous scenes.

Dao domain cultivation methods were exceedingly rare, possessed only by top factions—but no such method compared to the Eternal Dao Domain!

This was the Ultimate Realm; all other Dao domain techniques were crude imitations.

Instantly, Qinglu Wang's Cosmos Dao Domain shattered, an immense force crushing down upon him.

Boom! Qinglu Wang felt his throat surge with blood—he spat it out; a single drop of ink weighed ten thousand jin, condensed by the Eternal Dao Domain, pressing upon him.

He staggered backward, his skin cracking rapidly as if scorched.

Remember, once trapped in an opponent's Dao domain, you're fish on a chopping block—helpless.

Qinglu Wang's green hair flew wildly; his robe shimmered with brilliant green light—a divine artifact robe, shielding him from the Dao domain's sword-like laws.

Simultaneously, a colossal stag silhouette appeared behind him—an ancient bloodline, profoundly mysterious; the stag opened its eyes, shooting two beams of green light.

The green light carried the force of a great Dao, possessing killing power comparable to Technique-into-Dao level—striking Li Hao's Dao domain.

But he still underestimated the Eternal Dao Domain's dominance—Technique-into-Dao was useless against it!

"My heart reaches heaven!"

Qinglu Wang roared suddenly; his body erupted with green veins and cracks, his skin shattering as he unleashed countless Ultimate Realm powers.

Simultaneously, he activated his nascent Saint Dao.

This was half-sage-level power—now fully unleashed, he sought to shatter Li Hao's Dao domain and carve a path out!

But Li Hao remained expressionless, like a divine being seated aloft, unmoving; yet the power of the ink's Dao domain surged violently.

Boom! The Dao domain crushed down, crushing even his vow to reach heaven.

The ground cracked open, shaking violently; the Green Deer King was utterly suppressed by the Eternal Dao Domain, a single drop of ink behind him coalescing like ten thousand mountains, pinning him face-down to the earth.

"Your Highness!"

The maids around him gasped in horror, crying out urgently.

At the same time, the might of the Dao Domain spread, suppressing these maids as well, rendering them motionless.

The giant deer apparition behind the Green Deer King vanished; he lay prostrate, his face grim, the divine radiance on his robes dimmed, completely crushed by the Dao Domain's laws.

The grand battle they had anticipated never came; everyone stared, stunned, as the Green Deer King—who had been subdued in an instant, unable to move—then looked on in disbelief.

That boy sat calmly, merely lifting his brush and flicking ink—yet that single drop of ink had suppressed the Green Deer King!

The ink droplet hovering above his head spun endlessly, but everyone could see: the boy had concentrated his power into this external object to suppress the Green Deer King.

"This, this…"

"The Green Deer King's Qiankun Dao Domain shattered in an instant."

"Is this the Eternal Dao Domain? The legendary Eighth Ultimate Realm!"

"My heavens, I heard you need to cultivate 360 layers of Dao Domain to condense it—and even then, you require other insights when forming the Ultimate Realm. It's incredibly difficult!"

"To participate in the Supreme Prodigy Battle, yet cultivate for less than a hundred years—and condense 360 layers of Dao Domain?!"

Those gathered near the Heavenly Stele stared in shock at this scene.

Though rumors outside had spread wildly that Li Hao possessed eight Ultimate Realms, the Eternal Dao Domain was something they'd only heard of; apart from Chi Guang and others from Canglan Realm, no one had ever seen it with their own eyes.

Now, seeing Li Hao reveal it, they realized just how terrifying the Eighth Ultimate Realm was—merely the domain's pressure had subdued the Green Deer King; if he unleashed other Ultimate Realm powers, it would be even stronger. "In that projection stone, he suppressed half-sages with his Dao Domain alone… this is the power of the Eighth Ultimate Realm…"

Among the crowd, those who had seen the projection stone gazed with deep, intense eyes—filled with awe and burning desire, their hearts now firmly resolved: they must cultivate the Eighth Ultimate Realm in this lifetime.

As long as they spent enough time, they might yet achieve it before death.

Even if it took ten years to cultivate one layer of Dao Domain, 3,600 years would surely suffice.

"Aside from those old Holy Sons, this man is likely invincible among the younger generation!"

Someone whispered.

"Don't jump to conclusions yet—several others haven't fought in a long time, and they're all competing in this battle; they must have made tremendous progress."

"True. Those few are all disciples of the Holy Ones, and themselves reincarnated sages."

When someone mentioned those few, their expressions grew far more solemn.

Though the Green Deer King was also a disciple of the Holy Ones, and Hun Tian Sacred Land was a Holy One's domain, he himself did not seem to be a reincarnated sage—this was precisely why the Green Deer King held such lofty pride.

Aside from reincarnated sages, he considered himself unbeatable!

Yet now, he had been suppressed effortlessly by Li Hao, his eyes reddening with murderous intent.

"Since you enjoy seeking humiliation, I'll grant your wish."

After suppressing the Green Deer King, Li Hao did not stop—he had been provoked; defeating him wasn't enough.

He stood up and walked toward the Green Deer King.

The Green Deer King's eyes suddenly flared with shock and fury: "What are you doing?"

A chill spread through his heart—this was the Multiverse Battlefield, where sages could not appear in person. If this man truly intended to kill him, even if his sect later avenged him and his master intervened, that was still a future matter—he was dead right now.

But he couldn't believe Li Hao would be so insane—to trade lives like this!

Li Hao had no intention of killing him. To provoke a Holy One over a mere underling he could crush with a flick of his wrist was unnecessary. He walked up to the Green Deer King, turned around, and sat down squarely on his back: "Your physique isn't bad—more comfortable than my soft mat."

Li Hao said to Hong Yun and Xi Yan: "Bring me brush, ink, and paper. I'll paint here."

Upon hearing Li Hao's words, everyone stared at him as if seeing a ghost.

Using the Green Deer King as a chair? Sitting directly on his back? The Green Deer King was nearly driven mad with rage, roaring: "You humiliate me like this—do you want to die? I swear eternal enmity with you!"

"Chatterbox. Slap his mouth."

Li Hao spoke calmly; the air solidified into a whip and lashed across the Green Deer King's face.

He screamed in fury, even more frenzied.

Since childhood, he had never suffered such humiliation—even his imperial brother, who ascended the throne and ruled the Divine Dynasty, had always treated him with reverence and courtesy.

"You—!"

The Green Deer King, enraged beyond reason, publicly humiliated like this, wanted to peel off his skin and bury his head in the earth.

But soon, he regained composure, suppressing his emotions, gritting his teeth, eyes red, silently vowing: You're dead. You're dead. After today, I will kill you!!

His mind was filled with these mad thoughts, yet his face remained stoic—he did not dare hurl further threats. If Li Hao's murderous intent was truly stirred, he'd be the one who lost everything.

After the Green Deer King fell silent, those nearby looked at the boy seated atop him—and their gazes changed.

Such a ruthless character—using the Green Deer King as a stool. Is this the power needed to leave blood-written characters? "The Eighth Ultimate Realm is this powerful? Even a half-sage like the Green Deer King is no match!"

"Ten years passed, the Green Deer King became a half-sage—yet he was effortlessly suppressed. This is terrifying."

"Such humiliation has forged a mortal feud. When these two become sages, they'll surely clash again—but sages are hard to kill; they'll likely wage endless war."

Many were stunned. Such peerless prodigies truly acted without restraint.

Others might have hesitated, fearing the Green Deer King's sect and that Holy One—but Li Hao dared this humiliation.

Chi Guang watched in silence.

He then thought: I'll stay far away from this man in the future.

Previously, at Fomen, he dared step on a Holy Son; now, before all the prodigies of the realms, he sat astride the Green Deer King—a Holy One's direct disciple. Though the Green Deer King provoked first, Li Hao's brutal retaliation was audacious and terrifying.

Lin Lin Shuhai glanced silently, then looked away, sighing softly. He felt the gap between himself and this boy was growing ever wider.

Lin Lin Qingying watched Li Hao seated calmly, painting as if unaffected, and felt no urge to persuade. Though she worried about the Green Deer King's sacred sect, it was he who initiated the provocation—if his sect was reasonable, they should have disciplined him.

Yet thinking of how her Dao Embryo had been publicly destroyed within the Sword Ancestor's Sacred Land, her heart fell silent again.

In this world, how many true experts ever truly acted by reason?

If one insisted on reason, every step would be fraught with hardship—how could one ever reach the pinnacle?

She suddenly felt weary, sighed, and whispered to Li Hao:

"The Green Deer King's sect is Hun Tian Sacred Land. His master may seek revenge—be careful."

Li Hao paused his brush slightly, glancing at her. Her eyes held hidden concern.

Li Hao smiled brightly: "No need to worry. You can't let fear of death make you endure humiliation silently. Some people—even if you reason with them—will still harbor unspoken hatred and malice, which only grows fiercer."

Lin Lin Qingying fell silent, then nodded slightly.

"Don't waste even a single thought worrying over such things."

Li Hao smiled, unwilling to let her fret over his affairs. Better to use that energy to cultivate and contemplate.

No one walks through life without stirring dust.

Mountains do not reject dust.

High mountains never avoid dust—that's why they become high mountains.

Hearing Li Hao's words, Lin Lin Qingying's face slowly softened into a smile, and she nodded.

Li Hao, seated atop the Green Deer King, focused on his painting.

His painting cultivation advanced rapidly; he also painted the Green Deer King beneath him into the scroll. The second painting yielded over forty thousand experience points—even though the gain had diminished.

But in this second painting, the Green Deer King was no longer the revered figure others avoided—he lay prostrate, disheveled and humiliated.

As Li Hao painted in silence, murmurs filled the arena, yet many glances toward him now carried deep caution; when they spoke of Li Hao, their voices instinctively lowered.

"Sir, you've sat long enough. The Green Deer King merely sought to spar with you—why such humiliation?"

When Li Hao finished his second painting, his experience nearly full, several tall figures stepped forward from the crowd, approaching Li Hao.

Leading them was a young man with sword-like brows and starlit eyes, his posture straight. His gaze was sharp, and though he usually wore cold indifference, he now frowned at Li Hao.

Li Hao lifted his head slightly: "Who are you?"

"Hun Tian Sacred Land, Zhao Zhao Feixing!"

The youth bowed, but his expression remained cold.

"You're here to reason?"

Li Hao asked.

Zhao Zhao Feixing replied coldly: "All things must follow reason."

Li Hao smiled slightly: "He came to spar with me. I refused. He attacked me directly. What does that constitute?"

Zhao Zhao Feixing froze, his expression shifting: "The Green Deer King enjoys sparring—he meant no harm."

Li Hao said: "I asked what this act constitutes."

Zhao Zhao Feixing fell silent.

Li Hao didn't bother lifting his eyelids: "If you don't want the same fate, don't bother me. Reason? Hmph."

Some claim to value reason—but only when they're powerless.

"The Green Deer King is a Holy One's disciple. Sir, treating him like this—do you mean to disrespect Hun Tian Sacred Land?"

After a long silence, Zhao Zhao Feixing took a deep breath, his face darkening, his tone laced with clear threat.

Li Hao knew the man had torn off his false mask. He gave a faint cold smile, unwilling to waste another word—talking to such a man was pointless.

"Kneel!"

He uttered a soft command; the Dao Domain surged instantly, slamming into the three of them with a thunderous crash.

Zhao Zhao Feixing's face changed instantly: "You dare!"

To suppress one was to suppress all—Li Hao dared. It wasn't arrogance; it was simple truth: some people, even if you treat them kindly, still despise you and will strike.

Courtesy first, then force—force, and they die! Thud! Thud! Thud! Three muffled groans echoed; the ground cracked, and Zhao Zhao Feixing and the two other Holy Sons were all pinned to the earth, motionless.

"We are from Hun Tian Sacred Land…" another Holy Son glared with hatred, hiding murderous intent.

Before he finished speaking, sword qi shot forth, piercing his mouth and shredding his tongue.

Li Hao didn't turn around—he continued his work.

Seeing three more people collapse beside Li Hao, those watching from afar knew that when the Supreme Prodigy Battle began, there would be great drama—Huntian Holy Land had lost face and would surely seek revenge.

Right or wrong, no one cared; once face was lost, it must be washed away in blood. "To leave one's name on the Heavenly Stele and suppress the direct disciple of the Huntian Saint—this man is utterly mad!"

"Even within the Divine Dynasty, I dared kick the imperial family and seize the princess—but that's because my backer is a Holy Land, a Saint. Who is his backer?"

"I heard the Thief Saint has close ties with him."

"The Thief Saint? What's he? Before the Huntian Holy Land, only another Supreme Saint could intervene."

"It's just young disciples sparring—would a Supreme Saint really descend? Years ago, the Dragon Clan's Holy Son even killed the Huntian Holy Son, yet neither of their masters intervened."

"The Green Deer King provoked first—he deserved it."

"I thought I was reckless enough, but there's someone even more audacious."

Many were discussing.

When Li Hao finished his third painting, his experience finally reached full capacity.

Next, he only needed to comprehend the painting realm's inner state to transcend the mortal world, reach the Tenth Stage, and enter Sainthood. Li Hao stopped painting, collected his brush, ink, and scrolls into the Heaven-Earth Space, then stretched lazily.

The murmurs around him drifted into his ears. He heard them, but merely shook his head. To live peacefully in this life, there are only two paths: first, grow stronger; second, learn to bow.

But neither path guarantees true peace.

After all, even the strongest can be killed, can attract even stronger foes.

And bowing and yielding only invites those who take advantage.

Peace is simply a matter of fate.

In this Multiverse Battlefield, Saints cannot enter. If all else fails, Li Hao would have to abandon the incense of the Supreme Prodigy Battle.

Thinking of this, Li Hao looked at the Green Deer King beneath him and smiled faintly. "For now, you'll accompany me."

The Green Deer King froze, his expression changing instantly. "What do you intend?"

Li Hao ignored him, turning instead to Lin Lin Qingying. "I'll wander around. You focus on your cultivation. We'll meet again if fate allows."

Lin Lin Qingying nodded softly. "Be careful."

Li Hao looked toward Lin Lin Baichuan and the others in the crowd. He held genuine fondness for Feng Lao's direct disciples, treating them as family, and sent them a mental message: "I'll be wandering off. Farewell."

Lin Lin Baichuan and the others wore complex expressions. Li Hao's performance had shaken them deeply, but now that he'd provoked the Huntian Holy Land, even their master couldn't protect him.

After bidding farewell to familiar faces, Li Hao sent Xi Yan back to his wrist, then released a surge of power to lift Hong Master Yue up.

At the same time, he spoke to the Green Deer King beneath him: "If you don't want to humiliate yourself here, move. Follow my guidance."

The Green Deer King's face flushed with shame and fury. Was Li Hao using him as a mount? He was a heavenly prodigy, a human! But Li Hao's words stirred him—he wasn't afraid Li Hao would kill him in some secluded place. If anything happened to him, regardless of whether Li Hao was responsible, blame would fall on him. Countless eyes watched here; Li Hao couldn't escape.

With a grim expression, he turned his back to Li Hao and, guided by Li Hao's mental instructions, flew toward one corner of the Heavenly Stele, leaving the crowd gathered outside.

Once away from the Heavenly Stele, Li Hao casually pointed in a direction and told the Green Deer King to proceed.

He had no particular goal—just wanted to wander, for he was unfamiliar with this Multiverse Battlefield.

Many saw the Green Deer King carrying Li Hao away and fell silent. The one who had arrived on a dragon palanquin, so noble and proud, was now a defeated underling, turned into a mount, ridden off by another.

The news spread swiftly, reaching the Huntian Holy Land.

Amid the growing uproar across the land, Li Hao, seated atop the Green Deer King, arrived at a solitary peak.

He rested here temporarily.

This place lay far from the Heavenly Stele. Along the way, some had tried to follow, but were driven back by a casual flick of Li Hao's sword qi—none dared pursue further.

"The Painting Dao…"

Sitting atop the Green Deer King, Li Hao's thoughts turned to the Painting Dao.

He was only one step away from comprehending the inner state.

His mind returned to the Crimson Bell of Dao Sound within his spiritual sea.

He had sensed earlier that the bell could still resonate further.

Now, with a gentle thought, he touched it—and the bell rang again, emitting waves of Dao sound.

These Dao sounds stirred his thoughts, as if countless sparks of insight gathered, and the Dao rhythms of the surrounding heavens and earth converged around him.

Hong Master Yue felt no Dao rhythm, only that Li Hao's body had grown ethereal, transcendent—as if he might ascend on clouds at any moment.

But the Green Deer King beneath him felt it deeply. His eyes widened in shock. Enlightenment? Just by sitting there, the other had achieved enlightenment?!

He was stunned, unable to believe it.

Yet the Dao rhythms gathering around Li Hao were undeniably real.

A surge of anger rose in him. Could it be that carrying Li Hao had altered his thoughts, triggering this enlightenment?

Feeling his thoughts surge, Li Hao seized the moment, focusing his mind entirely on his understanding of the Painting Dao.

Memories of countless paintings surfaced in his mind—the sketches he'd made carelessly, the scrolls he'd painted before the Heavenly Stele, the discussions with Hearing Zhan Tan over months, the prodigy portraits within the Sword Ancestor Holy Land…

Li Hao's spirit settled. He closed his eyes, sinking into deep contemplation.

Long. Very long.

Finally, Li Hao opened his eyes again. The surrounding Dao rhythms slowly faded; the countless gathered sparks of insight vanished.

Li Hao now understood the Painting Dao more deeply—but he had not yet touched that inner state.

The enlightenment brought by the Crimson Bell was slightly inferior to natural enlightenment, yet this surge of insight still gave Li Hao profound understanding.

Painting was not merely brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. Not merely appearance and spirit.

Painting skin and bones is hard; painting the heart is harder.

He had only reached the level of painting bones—he had not truly touched the heart.

Li Hao exhaled softly, feeling mentally weary. He rubbed his temples, calming his spirit.

Countless starlight poured down from above, dazzling and breathtaking.

Li Hao's mood instantly lifted.

He gazed up at the star-strewn sky, feeling the vastness of the cosmos.

This Multiverse Battlefield lay above the Thirty-Three Realms, extremely close to the stars of the heavens.

Gazing far away, he could almost make out the pitted craters upon those stars.

"What a beautiful sight…"

Li Hao murmured to himself. Suddenly, his eyes flickered—a spark of insight flashed through his mind.

Li Hao murmured to himself, then suddenly his eyes flickered, a flash of inspiration passing through his mind.

(End of chapter)