Heavenly Dao Alliance

Zeng Anmin stared gravely at the Dragon Survey Map's phantom.

It was still the same map, no mistake.

Why had the words changed?

Zeng Anmin carefully examined that line of text.

He immediately determined that the person on the other side was talking to him???

A stunned look crossed Zeng Anmin's face, and he found it utterly absurd.

Yet it had truly happened right before his eyes.

From the other person's tone, Zeng Anmin guessed that they were likely from the southern Jiang Kingdom.

Only people of Jiang Kingdom would call the Holy Dynasty the "Northern Saint Kingdom."

With the Demon Race watching like tigers from all sides, the relationship between the Great Sage Dynasty and the Great Jiang Dynasty was not poor.

The two nations had always treated each other as allies, joining forces against the Demon Race.

Countless thoughts churned in his mind.

"Fortunately, the person on the other side seemed not to know my identity..."

After a long while, Zeng Anmin narrowed his eyes and slowly wrote two words behind the Dragon Survey Map's phantom:

Who are you?

Fortune lay in the midst of misfortune, and misfortune in the midst of fortune. This might not necessarily be a bad thing.

Zeng Anmin had a premonition: if he could have a pleasant conversation with the person on the other side, he would draw ever closer to the Dragon Survey Map's secrets.

He had thought it would take a long time for the other person to reply.

Yet the moment he finished writing, the line before him changed into:

You seem quite wary, sir.

Fair enough. The Xi Huang Diagram in your hands is one of the Four Heavenly Dao Diagrams. It is only natural that you would not wish such a supreme treasure to be discovered.

The Xi Huang Diagram?!

Zeng Anmin's heart jolted violently.

Earlier that day, he had read about it in the Record of Strange Items.

There were four great Heavenly Dao Diagrams in the world, all supreme treasures...

Among them, the Phoenix Strategy Diagram, one of the Four Heavenly Dao Diagrams, was in the Jiang State Imperial Family's possession.

But why was that person so certain that the map in his hands was the Xi Huang Diagram?

Zeng Anmin knew that the map in his possession was absolutely not the Xi Huang Diagram!!

According to the Record of Strange Items, the Xi Huang Diagram depicted Xi Huang, the ancient leader of humanity!

This was something anyone could find simply by looking through the records.

Yet this map before him...

Zeng Anmin raised his head and looked.

That imposing dragon-shaped creature on it...

And you were telling him this was Xi Huang??

It was not like he was blind...

Still, Zeng Anmin's lips curled faintly as a plan came to him.

He did not refute the other person's words.

The more absurd the other person's assumptions became, the more beneficial it was for him.

Can the owners of the Four Heavenly Dao Diagrams speak with one another through this place?

After writing that, Zeng Anmin fixed his gaze on the Dragon Survey Map's phantom.

This was also a question in his heart.

The Record of Strange Items had no record of this.

Smart. But that fool from the Southern Wilderness should still be sleeping, while that stuffy gourd from the Dao Sect only spoke a few words occasionally at the beginning. Now, he basically never says anything.

It seemed the person on the other side no longer had the slightest doubt about his identity as the owner of the "Xi Huang Diagram."

Zeng Anmin came to a slight realization.

But he still wanted to pry out more information.

So he wrote with a smile:

Then why is there no record of it in the books?

Heh. Since ancient times, those who could awaken a Heavenly Dao Diagram were as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. And people like us, who could awaken all four diagrams at the same time in the same era—there had never been a single instance.

So that was how it was!

Zeng Anmin turned himself into a humble little brother seeking guidance and tentatively asked:

In other words, anyone who can awaken a Heavenly Dao Diagram must be a favored child of heaven, blessed with unparalleled talent!

Then why do we not join forces? If one party encounters trouble, the other three provide support. Would that not let us grow even faster?!

The moment those words appeared, the diagram fell silent.

That person did not reply for a long time.

Just as Zeng Anmin thought the other party had gone offline to sleep, two more lines suddenly emerged.

Can.

I reckon it'll work.

?

The clearly different manner of speech caught Zeng Anmin completely off guard.

When did you two, the fool and the stuffy gourd, show up?

Seeing those words, Zeng Anmin smiled. Now this was more like it.

Just woke up. I reckon this little brother from the Northern Sacred Dynasty is right. Since we can awaken the Heavenly Dao Diagrams in the same era, that proves we have fate between us!

Zeng Anmin quickly typed: It is too hard to tell us apart when chatting like this. How about each of us sets a note?

What is a note?

Bei: This is a note. See it? I am from the Northern Sacred Dynasty, so I call myself Bei.

Zeng Anmin transformed into a max-level QQ chat ambassador and began instructing them.

Nan: Then I, Nan Jiang, am naturally Nan!

Huang: This idea is exactly the same as what I was thinking!

Dao: Mm.

As expected of top-tier talents—so disciplined!

Zeng Anmin gave the other three a thumbs-up.

With that, a temporary organization had been established!

But he felt he needed to add more fuel to the fire:

Bei: From now on, if anyone does not understand something, we can all ask here and discuss it together. Once the four of us grow strong, the entire Nine Provinces Continent will crawl beneath our feet and tremble!!

Article 33 of the "Basic Principles of Sales."

Brainwash them first and stir up the customers' enthusiasm!

Bei: Also, I suggest we give our organization an imposing name, one that will surely be remembered throughout history!!

Article 69 of the "Basic Principles of Sales."

Make the customers feel a sense of belonging.

Nan: Good, good, good!! Well said!!

Huang: Mother of mine, those words have chased all the sleep from my eyes!

Dao: Mm.

Nan: What should the name be? Bei, you are a great Confucian Path scholar, so why not name it?

It was working!!

A smile appeared at the corner of Zeng Anmin's lips.

Sure enough, once he mastered sales, he could roam the world unrestrained!

After pondering for quite some time, he solemnly wrote:

Bei: Since we gathered because of the Heavenly Dao Diagrams, how about calling ourselves the Heavenly Dao Alliance?

Huang: Great name!! Imposing!! It suits me!!

Nan: It is barely passable, but fine.

Dao: Can.

The group members' first cheerful conversation lasted for a long while.

Nan: By the way, Bei, I have a favor to ask. Would it be convenient for you to help me?

The moment Zeng Anmin saw this, his brows immediately furrowed.

It was just like meeting a friend online in his previous life and chatting merrily, only for them to suddenly ask to borrow money.

What was wrong with netizens these days? Did they have no sense of boundaries at all?

But in order not to ruin the persona he had just established in this organization, Zeng Anmin still patiently wrote on the map.

Bei: Go ahead. If I can help, I certainly will.

After all, he was the one who had shouted the slogan about group members helping one another. He could not smash his own signboard.

Nan: It is that poem you wrote last time. There is only a half-verse. Could you write the whole poem so I may borrow it for use?

Seeing this, Zeng Anmin let out a breath of relief.

He had thought it was some major matter.

This was far too easy.

But as the saying went, a thief never left empty-handed.

You help me, I help you—that was the foundation of harmonious coexistence among humans.

Bei: Naturally. It just so happens that I have something to ask as well. How about we help each other?

Nan: What is it?

Bei: I have a friend who wishes to enter the martial path, but he lacks the method. Would it be convenient for you to get me a Qi Guiding Diagram?

Nan: That is easy. There are countless Qi Guiding Diagrams in Jiang Kingdom's martial treasury. Wait a moment; I will draw them for you directly.

Then, one humanoid illustration after another appeared in Zeng Anmin's chat interface.

Each was accompanied by its corresponding breathing method.

Nan: Every diagram can guide qi into the body. Is that enough? If not, I have more.

As expected of the Jiang State Imperial Family—truly rich beyond measure!!

Zeng Anmin wanted nothing more than to give Nan a double thumbs-up!

After memorizing every illustration.

Bei: Enough, enough! Watch closely!

Zeng Anmin drew a deep breath. No longer hesitating, he swept his brush with grand abandon:

Bei: At the end of the sea, heaven becomes the shore; atop the highest mountain, I become the peak. Should the sun rise again from the eastern mountain, when the great roc spreads its wings, it shall resent the sky for being too low.

After a long stretch of silence.

Nan: Fine poetry!!! It is truly vast and majestic! As expected of the Holy Dynasty, where the Confucian Path flourishes!

Dao: The poem is indeed good.

Huang: Mother of mine!! My blood is boiling just from reading it!! No, I am going to Wild Mountain to slaughter demon beasts!!