Ne Zha's brush with success spread

For Wang, the inspiration behind the mural was deeply personal.

"Ne Zha's expression is resolute, his eyes gleaming with unyielding determination. Despite his small stature, he embodies immense power. That's the spirit I wanted to convey through my artwork," he said.

The creative process, however, was far from easy, with February temperatures dropping to — 4 C.

"The cold was our biggest challenge," Wang said. "When we were sketching the outline, my hands were so numb I could barely hold the chalk."

Undeterred, Wang and his team carefully selected a bridge underpass in an urban village as the location.

"The wall here has good quality, ample space, low traffic flow and a safe surrounding environment, making it an ideal place for painting," he said.

To complement the mural of young Ne Zha, they also painted a larger, 3-meter-tall depiction of an adult Ne Zha nearby, creating a striking contrast that invites viewers to reflect on themes of growth and transformation.

Bi Haibo, another member of the team, said, "We hope to celebrate the global success of Ne Zha 2 in our own way, closely linking our city with the animation, while also inspiring us to continue exploring the field of art."

The completed murals quickly won the hearts of locals. Wang Shiyi, a devoted Ne Zha fan from Gaoping, couldn't contain her excitement.

"It's incredible to see such amazing artwork right here in my hometown!" she said.