I Am Your Natural Enemy

Faced with Wen Yan's relentless pressure, of course he would fight to the death. The worst outcome would be getting killed on the spot, which was still better than losing his intelligence. These wild demons always valued their Spiritual Intelligence more than their lives.

Wen Yan paid no attention to He Changfeng on the ground, who clearly still had some consciousness. Instead, he went to Xiao Wu's side, touched his forehead, and blessed him with Yang Energy. Looking at Xiao Wu, whose eyes were now dull and his expression somewhat dazed, Wen Yan spoke in a soft, comforting voice.

"With a soul that doesn't belong to you, you will never be able to create a soulful painting, nor will you ever mend your own soul. I think, from your perspective, if you could choose for yourself, you would certainly choose this way. Come on, I'll take you to paint."

Xiao Wu's eyes only showed a hint of focus upon hearing the word "paint," and he let Wen Yan lead him out of the room.

Behind them, Zhang Laoxi silently used a Jade Stone to collect He Changfeng, resealing him with three layers of Talismans.

Wen Yan led Xiao Wu along, gesturing for Wu Tingsheng to hold his speech.

They went all the way to the studio. There, Xiao Wu, despite his blank and dazed eyes, immediately showed more life. Without a word from Wen Yan, he walked to the desk and began to grind the ink with practiced ease, calm and unruffled. Once ready, he immediately started to paint.

As his brush touched the paper, the quality of his painting had plunged several notches compared to the last time, resembling a child's scribbles. He painted a small figure leading another figure out from a vast expanse of darkness. It was a simple, childlike doodle, but its meaning was conveyed very clearly.

Xiao Wu looked at this piece, its quality having plummeted, yet he grinned, laughing with genuine happiness. He held the paper, a hint of anticipation in his eyes, and took it to Wen Yan, handing it to him with both hands.

"For me?"

"Yes." Xiao Wu nodded, still looking dazed but smiling very happily.

"Good, I'll accept it. Thank you." Wen Yan solemnly accepted the doodle. He could clearly feel the most sincere and pure emotions emanating from it—something completely absent from Xiao Wu's previously technically proficient paintings.

After Wen Yan stored the painting, he looked up and received a prompt:

"Painter → Soul Painter (In Transition)"

"A deficient Soul, a diminished intellect—neither impedes a young man's most sincere and pure emotions.

He simply doesn't know how to express them, but his pure Soul radiates a light unseen in ordinary people.

Thanks to you, the definition of Soul is no longer confined to a single state.

A profession never before seen is beginning to emerge.

And he has finally created his first painting imbued with Soul.

However, he did not use this first spark of Soul to mend his own.

Instead, he gifted it to you, an expression of his deepest gratitude.

It is advised not to betray his kind intentions; acceptance is also a form of goodwill."

"Temporary Ability: Silver Mirror."

Wen Yan heeded the advice, abandoning the idea of having Xiao Wu absorb this first soul-imbued painting himself. He solemnly stored it and, taking Xiao Wu's hand, led him out of the studio.

Wu Tingsheng stood at the door. Watching his son laugh so happily, he was overcome with a mixture of tears and laughter.

Even though he could see that his son's intellect was lower than before, he felt very content now.

He had sensed his son's previous agony—not from a lack of intellect, but from the inability to create what he desired, a suffering worse than death.

He actually had many questions he wanted to ask, but now, he decided against seeking clarification.

There was no need. Things were already very, very good as they were.

And they would surely get even better in the future.

"Fortunately, the mission was a success," Wen Yan said to Wu Tingsheng. "The outcome is much better than expected, and he will surely continue to improve.

"I suggest that if you find a teacher for him, don't try to suppress his individuality.

"Just focus on teaching him the fundamentals."