After some time.
Li Ye sat atop the enlarged white fox as it walked through the world within the painting, with a black cat radiating towering resentment trailing far behind them.
He stroked the white fox's soft, snowy fur and smiled.
"You're quite capable yourself."
"Back when you were before that senior—your old master—did you also vie for favor and flatter him like this?"
The Painting Fox bounded forward lightly. With every step, lush flowers of ink wash bloomed beneath its paws, perfectly supporting its body.
"You are correct."
"Apart from Jade Rabbit Sister, this was the purpose we Painting Spirits were born for."
There was not the slightest trace of nostalgia in its tone, only weariness and relief. "The old master was a genius of the Painting Dao. Even at the Golden Core stage, he could turn illusion into reality and bring the living beings in his paintings into the present world.
His talent brought him endless resources and patronage. Even immortals descended personally to answer his questions. Thus, he was very confident—so confident that he became somewhat arrogant.
He believed that every beautiful thing in the world that he desired ought to belong to him.
But beauty would always one day fade.
Only paintings could make beauty eternal."
By this point, Li Ye knew some tragedy was likely about to unfold. Obsession was truly terrifying when it came to geniuses.
Especially powerful geniuses.
"Later..." The white fox's voice remained calm. "He wanted the living beings in the paintings to truly become existences that could endure in the present world and reproduce.
So he found a Nascent Soul True Person from the Four Seasons Sect."
Li Ye's heart instantly tightened at those words. A Nascent Soul True Person from the Four Seasons Sect?
"That Nascent Soul True Person and