"Miss Jiu Mu, were you just here?" Yun Mo pointed to the corner with the tip of his wing, curiously asking, "Can you move around inside?"

"What is it like inside?"

"Are there other people inside the painting?"

"Is the world in the painting flat or three-dimensional? Can you fly in there?"

......

Faced with numerous curious inquiries, Jiu Mu took a moment to calm her excitement and patiently explained, "Just now I slipped into the painting and indeed appeared on a large rock in the corner. It seems that this painting by Mr. Jiang only captures a fragment, while the actual world inside the painting is vast and boundless.

I am here..."

She pointed to the large rock with her back turned, "Looking further back, there is a vast prairie, bordered by a dense forest; the edge of the painting slightly reveals something red, which should be an abandoned palace that looks quite ancient. I haven't had the chance to explore it yet.

Upon entering, an elderly man calling himself the Painting Immortal appeared on the painting boat, saying that since I could become a person in the painting, it means we are fated.

He instructed me to go to a little valley hidden by the mountain behind the lake and find the giant multi-clawed worms lurking there, kill them, and collect fifteen golden claws to bring back to the Painting Immortal, who would then give me a Magical Treasure to orient myself in the painted world..."

Jiang Yuan couldn't help but slightly raise an eyebrow, isn't this a setup from an online game?

So the so-called Mountain and River Map is a standalone monster-fighting game?!

Initially, you explore a small area to get familiar with the map and receive some useful gadgets, but as you gradually take on more tasks, the exploration area expands, the monsters become tougher to defeat, yet the rewards also get better, perhaps even leading to Realm advancement.

Indeed, this is a system that makes the whole world a game!

Presumably, the First Volume of the Mountain and River Map that Gongxi Jin received was another standalone minigame of the same nature.

Upon entering, they too likely got "datafied" to a certain extent by the system. Leveling up, just allocate points, and then you can indulge, unable to extricate yourself while gaining practical experience and quickly advancing in Realm to boost combat capabilities.

Quite interesting, huh!

The other members of the small courtyard also found it fascinating, each becoming more envious of Jiu Mu.

Unfortunately, their opportunities hadn't arrived yet. The previous time, the First Volume was given to Gongxi Jin, and this time the Ninth Volume went to Jiu Mu, which means Mr. Jiang has at least seven volumes left!

Who knows who will be the next lucky one to receive such a training Treasure.

Jiu Mu quickly became absorbed in the "Scroll Game," unable to extricate herself, mainly because of the immediate feedback she received.

No matter how challenging the tasks were, she knew that once completed, she would receive generous rewards, and regardless of how much frustration she experienced, she wouldn't be disheartened but instead would become more persevering.

Whereas embarking on the path of Cultivation presented an uncertain future, where it was common to toil away for decades or even centuries without seeing any results.

Compared to that, the difference is clear.

Within the scroll, the Demonic Energy was dense, and the painting boat where the Painting Immortal resided was an absolutely safe place. No matter where you were, as long as you weren't in a battle, you could use the Magical Treasure granted by the Immortal, which could only be used in the painted world, to teleport back to the boat.

Once Magic Power was exhausted, you just returned to meditate and recover;

Once "full of Energy," you set out again according to the tasks assigned by the Painting Immortal, with the difficulty gradually increasing, the exploration area expanding, and through continuous various battles, Jiu Mu's use of the Power of Space became increasingly proficient.

Addicted to the "game," she was reluctant to leave, and everyone could only search for her shadow on the Mountain and River Map.

Sometimes she was sitting cross-legged on the painting boat; sometimes she was flying in the air; sometimes she was amidst monsters, and every so often the Mountain and River Map "refreshed," and sometimes the scene presented many things that weren't there before, such as monsters in the lake, flowers on the cliff, or fireflies in the forest.

It seemed like a dynamic scroll with a unique flow of time, occasionally offering little surprises.

Qu Luming soon heard the news and ran to his physical body to lament, complaining that he had urged him to leave too early and missed the opportunity, otherwise he might also be fated with the Mountain and River Map.

"You can't even see through this trick, can you?" Du Li listened to him mumble for a while, thinking to himself that what he feared had come true, as even his avatar was tempted to follow Mr. Jiang!

Quickly, he needed to pull him back, otherwise, it would ruin his big plans, forcing him to grit his teeth and completely destroy his avatar.

"What?" Qu Luming was still immersed in regret and looked at his physical body with a blank expression.

Du Li rolled his eyes, "Mr. Jiang is clearly cultivating Death Warriors! Now he's giving resources and opportunities, but in the future, he'll be reaping lives!"

"So what?" the other party retorted, "At least Mr. Jiang doesn't mess around; he gives out Divine Artifacts and Supreme Treasures as promised, much better than those who just have empty promises trying to trick others into risking their lives."

"Moreover, Mr. Jiang has the capabilities and skills; do you think you have so many treasures?"

Speechless, Du Li's mind buzzed with anger.

However, his avatar continued, "Just take you for example, driven into hiding by a Heart Demon for hundreds of years with no solutions. Alas, Mr. Jiang has Supreme Divine Artifacts and a way to help you control the Heart Demon.

Ask yourself, occupying his time four times a day and using his Supreme Divine Artifact, does your paltry contribution really compensate for it?

Don't you feel indebted at all? If Mr. Jiang needed help, wouldn't you weigh your options to assist him?"

With a heavy sigh, Du Li reluctantly closed his eyes.

"Actually, I think you're judging a noble person with a petty heart." Qu Luming savored a sip of tea, "Based on my understanding of Mr. Jiang, he's simply someone with deep foundations and a good heart.

To him, gifting a Treasure or helping you control the Heart Demon is just a simple way to create Good Karma. It's not necessarily true that he requires Death Warriors to do anything..."

Pausing, he added, "Of course, if Mr. Jiang truly had needs, he wouldn't need to voice it himself; there would naturally be cultivators willing to repay him for his guidance and appreciation."

Du Li began to rub his temples slowly, with both a headache and a toothache!

"Hmph! It's just buying loyalty." He muttered softly. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Qu Luming immediately widened his eyes, showing dissatisfaction with his physical body's attitude, "Hey, that's too much! You still need to occupy his time four times a day to restrain your Heart Demon, and your return is so minimal it's almost negligible.

Taking advantage of someone's help and then speaking ill of them once unneeded is the behavior of an Evil Cultivator. Du Li, have you been entangled by the Heart Demon for too long that you're going to become a Fallen Evil Cultivator?"

Angered to the core, Du Li slammed the table fiercely, "We are one and the same, yet now, as a guest of his, you're siding with outsiders? We're discussing things privately, and you still stand up for others!"

"I am addressing the matter, not the person." Qu Luming didn't back down, "A proper cultivator values honesty and integrity. If you don't like it, you can refrain from using his benefits and find your own way to restrain your Heart Demon.

Don't do these disgusting things, outwardly flattering while badmouthing behind someone's back. Needing help, you call him Mr. Jiang respectfully, yet when no longer needed, you privately accuse him of buying loyalty. Did Mr. Jiang beg you to be loyal?

You might want to inquire, including yourself, which member of the small courtyard doesn't depend on Mr. Jiang? You have needs, Mr. Jiang fulfills them, and you're happy behind closed doors, yet you remain dissatisfied and complain in private.

Either you become a Fallen Evil Cultivator, as only such filth in the shadows would exploit situations and take other's aid for granted. Otherwise, be straightforward, even cultivating Death Warriors is a mutual agreement voluntarily, what's it to you?"

After a long silence, Du Li finally said softly, "I'm afraid you might be swayed over, you don't know my plans, the Demon Realm Alliance..."

Almost letting slip his plans, he clenched his teeth to suppress it, "Just remember, don't always think about exploiting resources from Mr. Jiang, you're my avatar, and I won't let you suffer losses. Once I ascend, I can take you to the Upper Realm!"

Ascension?

Qu Luming's eye twitched, thinking that you sure dream big, solve your Heart Demon first before talking about it.

Mr. Jiang already mentioned it might take years to treat your Heart Demon, yet you still dream of Ascension? And taking me to the Upper Realm? Trusting you, I'd rather believe Mr. Jiang might ascend with the whole courtyard in tow!

However, the words earlier were a bit harsh, always confronting the main body isn't good.

So he vaguely agreed, looking out at the cloudy sky with thunder rumbling, waved his hand, "We're one and the same, sharing glory and loss, I understand perfectly. You continue with your work, I dislike the thunderstorm, I'll find a place to hide."