Zeng Anmin stared solemnly at the phantom image of the Dragon Inspection Map.
It was still the same map, without a doubt. Why did the words change, then?
Zeng Anmin carefully observed that line of text. He immediately concluded that the person on the other side was talking to him! A look of sheer astonishment washed over his face as a profound sense of absurdity struck him. Yet, this was happening right before his eyes.
From the other person's tone, Zeng Anmin deduced that they must be from Jiang Country in the south. Only people from Jiang Country would refer to the Holy Dynasty as the "Northern Holy Country." Because they were surrounded by the Demon Race, the relationship between the Great Saint Dynasty and the Great Jiang Dynasty wasn't hostile. The two nations had always interacted as allies, standing together against the Demon Race.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind. "Fortunately, the person on the other end doesn't seem to know my identity," he thought.
After a long while, Zeng Anmin narrowed his eyes and slowly wrote two words behind the phantom image of the Dragon Inspection Map:
[Who are you?]
Misfortune might be a blessing in disguise; this wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Zeng Anmin had a premonition that if he could have a good chat with this person, he would inch closer and closer to unraveling the secrets of the Dragon Inspection Map.
He had originally expected the other party to take a long time to reply. Surprisingly, as soon as his brush left the surface, the line of text before him changed:
[You seem very vigilant.]
[But that makes sense. Emperor Xi's Map in your hands is one of the Four Great Celestial Dao Maps. It's completely normal that you wouldn't want such a supreme treasure to be discovered.]
Emperor Xi's Map?!
Zeng Anmin's heart jolted violently. Earlier that day, he had read the records in the *Marvels Record*. There were only Four Great Celestial Dao Maps in the world, and they were all supreme treasures. Among them, the Phoenix Strategy Map was in the possession of Jiang Country's royal family.
But why was this person so certain that he was holding Emperor Xi's Map? Zeng Anmin knew perfectly well that the map in his hands was absolutely not Emperor Xi's Map!
According to the *Marvels Record*, Emperor Xi's Map depicted Emperor Xi, the leader of the ancient Human Race! This was common knowledge that anyone could find just by flipping through historical texts. But this map in front of him...
Zeng Anmin looked up at the fierce, dragon-like creature drawn on it. "You're telling me this thing is Emperor Xi? There's nothing wrong with my eyes..." he thought.
However, the corners of Zeng Anmin's mouth curled up slightly as a scheme formed in his mind. He didn't refute the other person's assumption. The more wildly inaccurate the other party's guesses were, the more beneficial it would be for him.
[Can the owners of the Four Great Celestial Dao Maps converse with each other through this?]
After writing this, Zeng Anmin stared earnestly at the phantom image of the Dragon Inspection Map. This was his genuine question. The *Marvels Record* hadn't mentioned anything about this feature.
[Smart. However, that simpleton from the Southern Wilderness is probably still sleeping. That quiet brooder from the Daoist Sect occasionally chatted a bit at the very beginning, but nowadays, they barely speak at all.]
It seemed the other party had completely bought into his identity as the owner of Emperor Xi's Map. Zeng Anmin felt a subtle wave of realization, but he wanted to bait out more information. So, with a faint smile, he wrote:
[Then why isn't this recorded in the books?]
[Heh. From ancient times to the present, the number of people who could awaken a Celestial Dao Map can be counted on one hand. A situation like ours, where all four maps have been awakened simultaneously in the same era, has never happened before.]
So that was it!
Zeng Anmin transformed into an eager-to-learn junior and probed:
[In other words, anyone capable of awakening a Celestial Dao Map must be a chosen one, blessed by heaven with extraordinary talent! Why don't we join forces? If one of us is in trouble, the other three can provide support. Wouldn't we grow much faster this way?!]
As soon as those words appeared, the Illustrated Catalog instantly fell silent. The other person didn't reply for a long time. Just when Zeng Anmin thought the other party must have gone to bed, two more lines of text suddenly popped up.
[Acceptable.]
[I reckon that works.]
?
This distinctly different tone of voice caught Zeng Anmin a little off guard.
[Simpleton, Brooder, when did you two pop up?]
Seeing this sentence, Zeng Anmin smiled. This felt right.
[Just woke up. I reckon this little brother from the Northern Holy Dynasty is right. Since we managed to awaken the Celestial Dao Maps in the same era, it proves we're destined by fate!]
Zeng Anmin quickly typed out his response: [It's too hard to tell who is who when chatting like this. Why don't we each give ourselves an alias?]
[What is an alias?]
[North: This is an alias, see? I am from the Northern Holy Dynasty, so I will call myself North.]
Zeng Anmin, acting like a max-level internet chat ambassador, began his instructions.
[South: Then I, from Nanjiang, am naturally South!]
[Wilderness: This idea is exactly what I was thinking!]
[Dao: Mm.]
As expected of high-end talents, they were incredibly disciplined! Zeng Anmin gave the other three a mental thumbs-up. With this setup, a temporary organization was officially established! However, he felt he needed to push a little harder:
[North: In the future, if anyone has something they don't understand, we can ask it here and discuss it together. Once the four of us fully grow into our power, the entire continent of Kyushu will tremble and crawl at our feet!!]
*Basic Sales Principles*, Rule 33: First, brainwash the client to mobilize their enthusiasm!
[North: Furthermore, I suggest we give our organization a domineering name—a name that is destined to go down in history!!]
*Basic Sales Principles*, Rule 69: Make the client feel a sense of belonging.
[South: Good, good, good!! Exceptionally well said!!]
[Wilderness: Mother of goodness, reading that cured my sleepiness!]
[Dao: Mm.]
[South: Then what should the name be? North, you are a master of the Confucian Dao. Why don't you come up with it?]
It worked!!
A smile surfaced on Zeng Anmin's lips. Sure enough, once you master the art of sales, you can conquer the world! After pondering for a long time, he solemnly wrote down:
[North: Since we were brought together by the Celestial Dao Maps, why don't we call ourselves the Celestial Dao Alliance?]
[Wilderness: Great name!! Domineering!! Perfect for me!!]
[South: Barely satisfactory, but it will do.]
[Dao: Acceptable.]
...
The group members' first cheerful chat lasted for quite a while.
[South: By the way, North, I have a favor to ask. I wonder if it's convenient for you to help me out?]
Seeing this, Zeng Anmin immediately furrowed his brows. It was just like making a good friend online in his past life—they'd be having a great conversation, and then suddenly, the other person would ask to borrow money. Did netizens these days have no sense of boundaries whatsoever?
However, in order not to ruin the persona he had just established within this organization, Zeng Anmin suppressed his impatience and wrote on the map.
[North: Tell me about it. If it's something I can help with, I certainly will.]
After all, he was the one who had shouted the slogan of group members helping each other out. He couldn't go and smash his own signboard now.
[South: It's about that poem you wrote last time. It was only half a stanza. Could you write out the full poem so I can borrow it for a bit?]
Seeing this, Zeng Anmin breathed a sigh of relief. He had thought it was going to be something major. This was way too easy. But as the saying goes, a thief never leaves empty-handed. You scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours—that was the foundation of harmonious human coexistence.
[North: Naturally. It just so happens that I also have a matter I need assistance with. Why don't we help each other out?]
[South: What is it?]
[North: I have a friend who wants to enter the Martial Art, but he hasn't been able to find the Techniques. Would it be convenient for you to get a copy of the Energy-Introducing Atlas?]
[South: That's simple. Jiang Country's Armory has countless copies of the Energy-Introducing Atlas. Wait a moment, I'll draw them right on here for you.]
Next, a series of human-shaped diagrams appeared on Zeng Anmin's chat interface, accompanied by corresponding breathing techniques.
[South: Every single diagram can draw energy into the body. Is this enough? If not, I have more.]
As expected of Jiang Country's royal family—they were practically swimming in wealth! Zeng Anmin wished he could give South a double thumbs-up! After memorizing all the diagrams, he replied:
[North: That's enough! Now, watch closely!]
Zeng Anmin took a deep breath. Hesitating no longer, he wielded his brush with unbridled passion:
[North: When the sea reaches its end, the sky becomes the shore; when I scale the highest mountain, I am the peak. Like the sun rising from the eastern mountains once more, the great roc spreads its wings, only regretting that the heavens are too low.]
After a very long moment of silence.
[South: Great poem!!! It is written with truly majestic grandeur! As expected of the Holy Dynasty, where the Confucian Dao flourishes!]
[Dao: The poem is indeed good.]
[Wilderness: Mother of goodness!! Reading that made my blood boil!! I can't take it anymore, I'm going to the Desolate Mountain to kill some Demon Beasts!!]
...