"It's a good thing she didn't get stuck in her stubbornness. Saves me a lot of trouble."
Outside the shattered wooden cabin, Nian watched the green dragon soaring in the sky with a relieved smile. As sisters who had known each other for centuries, Nian was well aware of Xi's tendencies and understood why she had been hiding in her paintings all these years.
"Is this enlightenment? But I didn't expect them to be able to transform into dragons. Well, they are fragments of the Sui beast, after all, so it makes sense."
As Daniel watched the green dragon rise into the sky, feeling the immense aura emanating from it, he couldn't help but think this. However, he was still surprised that Xi could transform into a dragon.
"Thank you for this. She's finally broken free." Nian, for once, spoke seriously, expressing her gratitude to Daniel.
"What happened?" Daniel asked curiously.
"Another world is both an opportunity and a trial for Xi," Nian explained slowly.
"So this is the Dao of Painting. Xi's abilities are quite impressive. Given enough time and strength, she might even be able to create a real world."
After listening to Nian's explanation, Daniel understood why Xi had undergone such a transformation. Xi had been hiding in her paintings for so long, refusing to sleep, fearing that she might become like the characters in her paintings—existing or not existing entirely at her whim.
At the same time, Xi had always harbored doubts about whether the world she lived in was just another painting. This doubt stemmed from her abilities and her Dao. It was impossible for her not to think this way, but she had no way to prove whether her world was real or not, so she remained in a state of uncertainty.
Now, knowing that another world—or even countless worlds—existed, Xi had to face two possibilities. One, she could believe that all worlds were false, just like her countless paintings, leading to a mental breakdown and despair. The other possibility was that she could break through her mental limitations and view the world from a new perspective, including her own painted world. This would be a breakthrough in her realm, and if Xi could achieve it, the benefits would be immense. As Daniel had said earlier, breaking through this realm meant her paintings had the potential to become real worlds.
For example, if Xi were to trap the Floating Rain Master Shen Lou of Shangshu in her painting now, he wouldn't be able to escape.
"You didn't mention this earlier. Weren't you afraid she might take the other path?"
Daniel was somewhat speechless about the fact that Xi had to face such a dilemma. It was something he hadn't anticipated at all. For him, existence was reality, and he didn't dwell on questions of truth or falsehood. Even if his own existence was orchestrated by someone, he wouldn't stop living because of it.
But this was just him. For some people, this question was of utmost importance. Some couldn't accept the idea that their existence was controlled or manipulated.
"Don't worry, I was here," Nian said with a smile. Even if Xi had taken the wrong path, Nian could have saved her.
"Congratulations, little sister."
As Xi transformed back into her human form from the dragon, Nian immediately walked over. Breaking free from the shadow of the Sui beast was a cause for celebration for their sisterhood.
"Little sister? Nian, have you forgotten how our rankings were determined? I'm the older sister now."
"Oh? You want to be the older sister? Do you really think you can beat me now?"
"Of course."
With a wave of her hand, Xi summoned a figure onto the empty ground nearby. It was a female Perro with long black hair.
"Is that Sagano?"
With just a glance, Daniel recognized her. Sagano, the six-star Vanguard operator, was a determined wandering monk from Higashi. She had likely been thrown out of Xi's painted world.
After summoning Sagano, Xi drew a sword from her side—a black scabbard with a red blade.
"Let's see how much you've improved," Nian said with a smile, taking a step forward. In an instant, the world seemed to shift, and both Nian and Xi disappeared.
"Xi is getting overconfident. Unfortunately for her, while she may have had a breakthrough due to a stroke of luck, Nian hasn't been idle either. Plus, Nian's abilities counter Xi's."
Watching Nian and Xi disappear, Daniel shook his head slightly. During her time with Daniel, Nian hadn't just been playing mahjong or making movies. She had also been learning about artifact crafting and magical tools from him, which had significantly improved her abilities.
"Sir, I am Sagano. Where did those two ladies go?" Sagano, finally regaining her senses, looked around and, not seeing Nian or Xi, turned to Daniel to ask.
"They have some personal matters to settle. They'll be back soon."
If Nian and Xi were to fight in the real world, the destruction would be catastrophic. If things got out of hand, the Yan government might intervene.
Unlike Daniel, who didn't see Nian, Xi, or Ling as threats, Yan couldn't afford to take such risks. As a nation, Yan had too much at stake. Moreover, among the fragments of the Sui beast, there were indeed those who caused trouble. But more importantly, Yan feared the reappearance of the Sui beast.
Even though Yan's power had grown significantly and the Sui beast's strength had weakened, if the Sui beast were to reappear, Yan would still pay a heavy price to suppress it.
With the Seaborn threatening the south and the Demons in the north, any significant losses within Yan could destabilize the defenses on both fronts.
Among the nations of Terra, Yan faced the greatest pressure, dealing with threats from three fronts, each of which was no ordinary enemy.
Countries like Ursus and Sami only had to deal with the Demons in the north, while Sargon and Iberia only faced the Seaborn in the south. Yan, however, had enemies on all sides.
"Those two ladies, are they the owners of the paintings?" Sagano asked again.
"Yes. If you have any questions, you can ask them when they return."
As Daniel spoke, a burst of flames appeared in the air, and Nian and Xi reappeared. Nian had a triumphant smile on her face, while Xi looked frustrated.
"Call me 'older sister,'" Nian said with a grin.
"Never," Xi snapped, turning her head away as if she didn't want to deal with Nian anymore.
"I am Sagano. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." Sagano walked over to Xi.
"It's you. You're quite persistent."
Facing Sagano, Xi quickly regained her composure. No matter what, she was still a deity. The only ones who could rattle her were Nian, Ling, or perhaps the old Heavenly Master who could enter her paintings. No matter how weak Xi might seem, she wasn't someone ordinary people could mess with.
"Someone's coming. It seems they've finally reacted."
As Xi and Sagano conversed, Daniel noticed someone approaching rapidly. The person wore a red cloak and a strange mask—likely someone from the Sushitai or an inspector.
"Nian, there's something I'm curious about. Why does it seem like no one is monitoring you? Do they think you're not a threat to Yan?" Daniel asked, curious.
"How do you know they're not? They just haven't shown themselves. What should we do now? Should we confront them?" Nian replied with a smile.
"There's no need for that now. We'll deal with them in Shangshu." Daniel walked toward the approaching figure.
"Sushitai." The person stopped a short distance away and began to introduce himself, but Daniel didn't let him finish.
"I know who you are. Send someone who can make decisions to Shangshu. I'll be waiting for you there."
With that, Daniel formed a hand seal, and a golden portal appeared behind the Sushitai agent. Before the agent could react, Daniel pushed him through the portal and closed it.
"Thank you for your guidance, sir."
After Daniel sent the Sushitai agent away, the conversation between Xi and Sagano also concluded. Under normal circumstances, Sagano would have learned a lot from Xi's paintings, while Xi would have gained some insights from Sagano. For example, Sagano could see the flaws in Xi's paintings and escape on her own.
However, now that Xi had broken through her mental barriers, the subsequent paintings she showed Sagano were incomplete. In the original storyline, Xi had shown Sagano many possible futures, each based on different choices. While Sagano didn't dwell on them—after all, every version was still her—the version of her that became a gambler left even her shaken.
Given that Sagano had spent ten years in Xi's paintings without losing her resolve, the fact that the gambler version of her left her so unsettled spoke volumes about how terrifying that path was.
Sagano's spiritual cultivation was high, as was her master's. Unfortunately, the world limited them. Just like Nian and Xi, before Daniel's appearance, it was difficult for them to break free from the shadow of the Sui beast without the help of Rhodes Island.
Despite their long lives, Nian and Xi might not have been able to match Kal'tsit and the Doctor in terms of experience.
In the original storyline, after joining Rhodes Island, Xi had been very curious about the Doctor and Kal'tsit. Nian's decision to bet on Rhodes Island was likely for the same reason.
"I still wish to continue my journey. Perhaps we'll meet again, sir."
"Perhaps we will."
Originally, Daniel had planned to take Sagano directly to Lungmen, but she insisted on continuing her travels. After bidding her farewell, Daniel, Nian, and Xi stepped through the golden portal.
Even with Daniel's presence in this world, Sagano would likely still end up joining Rhodes Island. However, among all the operators who joined Rhodes Island, Beanstalk had the best luck. While others joined through connections with existing operators, Beanstalk had simply wandered onto the deck of Rhodes Island's landship, fallen asleep, and woken up as an operator.
"The Road to Shu is treacherous. I never thought I'd see it here too."
The Road to Shu, so treacherous it's harder than reaching the heavens—Daniel had seen it several times before, in both the Qin and Tang dynasties. Now, he saw it again in Yan's Shangshu. However, the previous two versions of the Road to Shu had been resolved by him.
"Putting mountains on a moving city is truly a feat."
Among the moving cities Daniel had seen, Shangshu was the most beautiful. Other moving cities didn't have such lush mountains and rivers. After all, space on a moving city was limited, and every inch had to be utilized efficiently. It was no wonder Wei Yenwu wanted to clear the slums in Lungmen—it was all about land.
"It's been a long time since I've been here. I wonder how Sister Ling is doing?"
"Probably the same as always."
Although Xi refused to acknowledge Nian as her older sister, she had no problem referring to Ling as such. Nian was the same.
"Boatman!"
At the ferry dock in Shangshu, Daniel waved to a wooden boat that had just pulled in, signaling that he needed to cross the river. Due to the difficult terrain, taking the water route was the most convenient and time-saving way to reach Shangshu.
Although he could have flown directly into the city, Ling's location wasn't in the wilderness like Xi's. Out of respect for Yan, it was better not to barge in unannounced.
Besides, he needed to give Yan time to react. After arriving in Shangshu, there was no need to rush.
Even if Yan had advanced aircraft, they couldn't compare to Daniel's. Not to mention, he had used a portal earlier. Yan needed time to respond.
In the meantime, Daniel could take the opportunity to explore Shangshu and experience Yan's culture, something he couldn't do in Lungmen. Lungmen was like a special administrative region in Yan, with a large influx of outsiders that had altered many of its customs.
"A straw raincoat and a fisherman. Could this be the so-called Floating Rain Master?"
As Daniel glanced at the old fisherman rowing the boat, he couldn't help but wonder. While Yan's officials might not have reached Shangshu yet, the news had likely arrived. This world had telephones, after all.
Although Yan had an emperor, six ministries, and a grand tutor, it wasn't a closed-off feudal society. Modern technology was everywhere. Most of the boats on the river leading to Shangshu were modern, equipped with motors.
The reason Daniel suspected the fisherman was the Floating Rain Master was that this wooden boat had no motor, yet it moved just as fast.
"Magistrate Liang Xun of Shangshu and Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites Ning Ciqiu greet the three of you."
As soon as the boat docked, a stern-looking young man in Yan's official robes and a young woman walked over together.
"They didn't bring any backup. Is it because they trust us not to cause trouble, or do they know they can't win and see no point? But why is Ling being monitored so heavily? Isn't this favoritism?"
Ling was being watched by the old Heavenly Master and several other Heavenly Masters from the Heavenly Master's Office. This was a level of surveillance that Nian and Xi had never experienced.
"Please don't be so formal. We have no intention of causing trouble or harming anyone here."
Thinking of Liang Xun's character, Daniel immediately gave his assurance. Liang Xun was someone who dared to stand up to the Sushitai for the sake of Shangshu's people. If not for the Grand Tutor's intervention, he might have lost his position.
The Sushitai's orders weren't something that could be easily ignored.
"We're just sisters who haven't seen each other in a long time and want to catch up. There's no need for such a fuss," Nian chimed in.
However, neither Liang Xun nor Ning Ciqiu paid her any attention. While Nian's words were true, given their identities, Yan had to take every precaution.
"The Grand Tutor has sent word that he will arrive in Shangshu soon. Magistrate Liang has prepared a banquet to welcome the three of you. Please, this way." While Liang Xun remained silent, Ning Ciqiu spoke up.
"Since Magistrate Liang is so kind, we won't refuse."
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