Spring rain fell without end.
Beyond the pass, distant mountains and nearby woods lay shrouded in rain like silver beads.
Raindrops pattered against the Hedge-Enclosed Courtyard, splashing into the cracks between its bluestone slabs and stirring up the scent of earth.
A pot of tea stood by the stove; two people sat at the table.
One was Li Hao. The other was also Li Hao.
That was right.
The two figures drinking tea and playing chess in the little courtyard were both Li Hao.
In appearance, they were identical.
Only the other Li Hao seemed a little dull, his eyes somewhat wooden.
"As expected, your brain isn't nimble enough either."
Li Hao placed a piece and won another game, yet gained no experience.
Even a match played in this form was judged by the panel to be him playing against himself.
But no experience was fine. Li Hao had achieved Heart Entry in the Chess Dao, and even without experience, he thoroughly enjoyed playing.
The clone before him, identical to him in appearance, had come from cataloging the famous painting that painter had sent.
The painting was titled Two-Faced Person.
It depicted a girl in a long skirt, gazing sideways into the distance at the sunset's lingering glow.
The seemingly simple painting contained countless details, blending techniques of light, shadow, and symmetry with supernatural mastery.
With variations in line thickness, just a few simple strokes outlined the swaying skirt. The gradations of light and shadow in every fold were natural and symmetrical, frighteningly accomplished.
The sunset was pale red, and its colors were equally remarkable, like a furnace of flames melted onto the paper, truly burning.
Even with his sixth-dan Painting Dao skills, Li Hao felt far inferior, unable to reach such a level.
He thought it might take ninth-dan