The Name of Eternals

Chapter 238: Drawing Dao into Spirit, Vital Qi

The two Ji family members were surprised by Li Hao's request but fulfilled it without hesitation, quickly bringing paper and ink.

Li Hao took the ink and brush, letting the paper float in the air, using his power to support it as he swiftly ground the ink.

As the ink flowed from his brush, Li Hao meticulously depicted the gradually clear outline of the woman from his memory on the paper.

Draped in fine silk, her graceful silhouette stood still. Li Hao immersed himself fully, quickly completing one drawing.

But he didn't stop, continuing to dip the brush in ink and draw again.

Each painting grew more detailed, from the woman to the courtyard, to the civil and military officials at the hundred-day banquet.

The drawings captured his thoughts, resembling a continuous comic strip until he depicted the couple leading troops out of the house.

Li Hao's brush paused only briefly, then resumed, illustrating all the blurred, dusty memories.

A child gazing alone in the courtyard.

A child looking up at the falling snow.

A stooped old housekeeper in a distant pavilion, smiling kindly but with a look of concern.

Servants and maids sweeping fallen leaves, occasionally glancing at the young master with affectionate smiles.

The snowy courtyard, the short child playing snowball fights with the servants.

A noblewoman lifting the child and taking him to another courtyard to watch a four- or five-year-old child practice swordplay.

Lying in bed, peering beyond the door where two shadows seemed to linger.

The noblewoman lifting the child with a loving smile, though her curved eyes hid sharp blades…

Each scene was vividly depicted.

A little shadow followed the child, together taking medicinal baths, dissolving blood, and an additional middle-aged man in green clothing appeared in the courtyard.

Under the night sky, an adult and a child drank together beneath the stars.

Finally, a severed green sleeve hand lay on the hall floor.

Li Hao's brush paused, tears dropping onto the pen handle.

Master...

No one knew his name anymore, but Li Hao remembered him as his first master, Lin Haixia.

A gentle name for a man of steel.

Li Hao felt something break in his mind, the previously saturated sixth segment of his drawing Dao now showing notifications.

[Drawing Dao Experience +726...]

[Drawing Dao Experience +682...]

Immersed in past memories, Li Hao didn't notice that his drawing Dao had entered the spirit realm.

Only those moments became clearer in his mind.

But when Li Hao drew the severed hand, he stopped.

After a long time, Li Hao's thoughts calmed, and he noticed the notifications of his drawing Dao experience, his eyes flickering, though he felt no great joy.

Seeking but not getting, versus not seeking and getting, are two different states of mind.

When his culinary Dao entered the spirit realm, Li Hao realized that the more he desired a breakthrough, the more it became a shackle.

When the state of mind changes completely, there is no longer such an obsession, so even rapid improvement doesn't bring excitement.

It's like picking up a fallen leaf, everything follows naturally.

Li Hao paused briefly, noticing the ink on his brush had dried.

His brief distraction had apparently lasted a long time outside.

Li Hao didn't stop, glancing at the lively girl in the painting, then picking up the brush again to draw the woman who had fully emerged in his memory.

Using the superlative seventh segment drawing skill, Li Hao painted with ease, and the figure on the paper seemed to leap out, her eyes gazing gently at the boy beyond the paper, almost lifelike.

This wasn't realistic painting but ink painting, where the traces of ink could be seen in her sleeves, but the woman's expression was vivid and alive.

Li Hao put away the brush and ink, seeing the scattered paintings on the ground. With a thought, he used his power to gather them neatly, checking that the ink had dried before stacking them.

On top of the stack of memory paintings was the gentle, lively woman.

After this, Li Hao covered his surroundings with a barrier to prevent prying eyes, though no one could see his interface. He planned to allocate his points, which would likely significantly increase his energy.

Currently, Li Hao's interface displayed: Physical Dao 7th Segment, Control Dao 6th Segment, Sword Dao 6th Segment, Fist Dao 6th Segment, Movement Dao 6th Segment.

These had used up 31 skill points.

His various arts were: Chess Dao 5th Segment, Fishing Dao 6th Segment, Music Dao 4th Segment, Poetry 3rd Segment, Sculpture 3rd Segment, Culinary Dao 7th Segment, Drawing Dao 7th Segment!

This totaled 35 skill points.

He still had 4 points left, which he couldn't currently use unless he mastered another martial art, like sword or spear, but it seemed unnecessary to him.

Mastering parallel weapons wouldn't add much strength.

Moreover, there were many weapon types in the world, roughly categorized into eighteen types, and it wasn't feasible to master them all.

Now, having obtained a second spiritual realm, Li Hao planned to use it for his Control Dao.

Although the Sword Dao was also crucial, significantly enhancing his attack power and boosting various sword techniques, Li Hao preferred to improve his cultivation level first.

With higher cultivation, it would be easier to overpower techniques with sheer strength.

Additionally, the Control Dao involved energy channeling and refining.

[State of Mind: Drawing Dao Entered Spirit (Usable)]

Li Hao didn't hesitate, choosing to allocate points to his Control Dao.

As the notification disappeared, the "Usable" label beside Drawing Dao Entered Spirit changed to "Unavailable."

Simultaneously, vast amounts of information flooded his mind.

The information was still overwhelming. If he were a two- or three-year-old child, he would likely be overwhelmed and become a simpleton.

The intricacies of the Control Dao, from the mundane to the extraordinary, unfolded before Li Hao, being absorbed by him.

Li Hao gradually digested and integrated these insights.

Once absorbed, he noticed significant transformations in his various energy channeling, refining, and controlling techniques! However, the most notable change was not in the anticipated refining and controlling techniques but in the energy channeling methods! The previously top-tier techniques Hundred Battle Zhou Tian Jue evolved into Star Zhou Tian Jue!

Dragon River Divine Vein transformed into Dragon Abyss Divine Vein!

These transformations elevated his understanding of energy channeling to a new level.

108 meridians, plus the dual yin-yang meridians, represented the pinnacle of major meridians.

But with the seventh segment of Control Dao, transcending into the saintly realm, Li Hao reached a new understanding.

The pinnacle of mortal meridians could transcend the ordinary. Li Hao sat cross-legged, circulating his internal celestial energy through his major meridians, then extending beyond the 108 meridians.

Celestial energy coiled and condensed, gradually forming a new, ethereal meridian within his body.

Vital Qi Meridian!

This ethereal meridian connected the 108 major meridians, integrating them.

The Vital Qi Meridian was thin but functioned as a new major meridian! As this meridian formed, Li Hao felt his energy increase again. Each new meridian brought substantial power boosts.

Furthermore, the energy circulation method improved, with each meridian capable of circulating two thousand cycles, adding over 400,000 pounds of force with each new meridian.

This Vital Qi Meridian could hold more and circulate faster than ordinary meridians!

"108 major meridians aren't the limit. Beyond mortal meridians, there are Vital Qi Meridians…"

Li Hao's eyes gleamed, merging various techniques and insights from the seventh segment of the Control Dao, glimpsing the path of transcending the ordinary in the Zhou Tian realm!

The pinnacle of mortal meridians was the Heaven and Earth Meridian. What was the pinnacle of the Vital Qi Meridian? Li Hao couldn't imagine. Extreme realms had already stopped many prodigies, and this transcendent extreme realm likely had no records even among ancient holy clans.

Thinking of this, Li Hao felt he could explore further if given the opportunity.

At this moment, he continued circulating celestial energy, forming more Vital Qi Meridians.

One, two, three! When he formed twelve Vital Qi Meridians, his techniques and Dao realm had reached their limit, unable to form more.

These twelve meridians significantly boosted Li Hao's strength, not a qualitative change, but a new beginning.

The path beyond extreme realms.

When fully cultivated, its terrifying transformation would be revealed!

Besides energy channeling, Li Hao examined his refining and controlling techniques.

Time passed quietly.

The transformations in refining and controlling techniques pushed Li Hao's God-Walking Realm and Fifteen-Mile Realm to higher states, though he didn't have many top-tier techniques in these realms. The God-Walking Realm extended from 50 miles to 90 miles.

Controlling techniques similarly extended to nearly 100 miles.

But they hadn't reached the limit.

Li Hao felt it was close.

Finding a few more top-tier refining and controlling techniques should break through the extreme realm.

Immersed in refining and deduction, Li Hao heard three knocks on the hall door.

Without a response, the door fell silent again.

Two days later, having absorbed and integrated all insights from the seventh segment of Control Dao, familiarizing himself with various techniques, Li Hao lifted the barrier.

"The extreme states of the God-Walking Realm and Fifteen-Mile Realm aren't far."

Li Hao mused, wondering what abilities these extreme states would bring.

He opened the door to see numerous Ji family members outside.

Before Li Hao could speak, the elders waiting outside brightened upon seeing him, quickly saying, "Young Master Ji, you're out."

Seeing their drastic attitude change, Li Hao was surprised, nodding slightly, "What's the matter?"

"Previously, the younger generation offended you. We've brought them to apologize."

Beside these elders stood some bruised men and women, both old and young.

Li Hao frowned slightly, shaking his head, wondering if they had purposely made themselves look pitiful for sympathy.

Sensing their genuine desire to apologize, Li Hao didn't pursue the matter further.

"It's all in the past. You may leave."

Li Hao said.

"Young Master Ji, if you're angry, feel free to vent. These young ones are at your disposal." An elder quickly said.

Li Hao frowned, "Just don't disturb my cultivation."

Seeing Li Hao's displeasure, the elder awkwardly smiled, not daring to say more, and signaled everyone to leave immediately.