A World Within the Painting

"Huh? What's going on?"

Qiu Yan felt a rotating force emanating from the Travel Journal Picture, which affected his own Living Soul, causing it to feel as if it was being pulled out of his body!

"This is so weird!"

In an instant, Qiu Yan was filled with surprise and doubt. With a thought, passages of text rolled out from his soul, swirling and circling, fixing his soul in place.

However, a sliver of perception was still partially extracted from the Living Soul, falling into the vortex, spinning and, along with the various moods in the three paintings, falling into the Travel Journal Picture.

In an instant, hazy light and shadow appeared in my perception, and a feeling like entering water arose in my heart.

"Um?"

Qiu Yan was surprised. Then he focused his mind, calming his soul and concentrating on his senses, feeling the information transmitted back from the few strands of senses that had been pulled away.

These subtle feelings have already seeped into the Travel Journal Picture.

Qiu Yan had previously tried to infiltrate this painting with his Living Soul, but unlike the Spirit-Locking Picture, he couldn't allow his Living Soul and thoughts to enter. There was no space of consciousness in the painting. However, now, the situation has changed.

Those few wisps of perception slowly sank, just like floating and sinking in water, surrounded by Qingliang, obscure fluctuations, seemingly unchanging since time immemorial.

Qiu Yan remained calm and focused, concentrating on sensing and feeling.

Sinking! Sinking! Sinking!

After about half a cup of tea's time, just as the last vestiges of perception were about to be exhausted, a change finally occurred!

Shock!

He sensed the vibrations around him, followed by the feeling of being released from the water, giving Qiu Yan a light feeling of escaping from a confined space, as if he had instantly passed through a barrier.

After that, the information and scenery changed dramatically. A gentle breeze blew, sunlight spread everywhere, wisps of water mist drifted, streams of crystal-clear spring water danced in the air, and layers of clouds rose and fell. In the distance, there were pavilions and towers one after another, with wisps of smoke rising, a beautiful sight to behold.

What's even more astonishing is that these pavilions are all suspended in mid-air, floating and drifting among the clouds and mist.

"What are these?"

Feeling the beauty of these sights, Qiu Yan was deeply shaken, and a jumble of thoughts began to churn within him.

Suddenly, a sharp pain erupted in his Living Soul, and the next moment, Qiu Yan's connection with those few strands of perception abruptly ended.

The stinging sensation brought him back to his senses, and he looked at the travelogue.

The invisible vortex in the travelogue has dissipated, and the Votive Thoughts that lingered on the last picture have thinned to almost nothing.

Turning his head to look to the side, Qiu Yan then noticed that the three paintings left by Ma Yang had also changed. The three different moods and ideas that filled them had disappeared, and they had become three ordinary paintings.

Upon seeing this, Qiu Yan couldn't help but frown.

"I never expected this to happen. That travelogue actually absorbed the essence of those three paintings. It's such a pity that three masterpieces have been lost. The old prime minister probably left these paintings to help me calm down. Now that this has happened, I should apologize to the old prime minister and make amends when I have the chance."

The thought faded, and his gaze returned to the travelogue. He took a deep breath to calm himself, then recalled the fleeting glimpse he had just caught, and a question arose in his mind.

"What just happened... I wonder if it was an illusion, some kind of Technique Method, or something else entirely... If it is, then the secrets hidden in this travelogue are far more extraordinary than I imagined..."

Qiu Yan recalled the results of his previous investigations.

"Now it seems that this picture doesn't contain the world of consciousness, but is very likely a door. However, it won't be easy to explore it. This time it was a coincidence that we had Elder Ma's three pictures to help us. Who knows when we'll be able to open it again? But this incident has also given me a wake-up call. At least we have a direction now. However, we shouldn't be too distracted now and should stick to the Original Edition plan."

Thinking this, he put the travelogue back into his pocket, took out a few books from the bookshelf next to him, and began to study them carefully.

Ma Yang's collection is extensive, covering Classics, Histories, Masters, and Anthologies, history, philosophy, and literature. Over the past two years, Qiu Yan has visited several times to organize and compile the books, leaving him little opportunity for quiet study. Therefore, this casual reading is all the more precious.

For the next ten days or so, Qiu Yan stayed in the study, and even his meals were prepared by the cook in the courtyard and delivered by the guards.

In the blink of an eye, it was early April, and the Dao Examination was scheduled for mid-April, leaving less than ten days to go.

At this point, Qiu Yan finally stopped studying, came out of the study, tidied himself up, and left the Ma Family Courtyard.

Before leaving, he exchanged a few words with the two guards.

Over the course of two years, Qiu Yan had visited the Ma Family Courtyard many times. He knew that the two guards were actually experts in the Dao of Life Cultivation. They had entered the compound to investigate after hearing Ma Yang recite official history at night, but were subdued by Shen Weisheng. After that, for some reason, they became guards of the Ma Family Courtyard one after the other.

As instructed by Ma Yang, Qiu Yan was to prepare to go to Yuanning Prefecture to participate in the Dao Examination, while the two guards were freed.

However, the two were worried that something might happen to Ji after they left, so they insisted on staying for a few more months.

"Lü He and Feng Yue, these two are truly loyal to their mission and their character is admirable."

As Qiu Yan was thinking, he arrived at his own courtyard. Liu Huai and the others were all there. The family reunion was lively. Not long after, Zhang Zhen, who had received the news, also rushed over. He first relayed the prefect's and Mr. Sun's condolences, and then asked for the calligraphy.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Yan shook his head. "My calligraphy is not perfect yet, but after a month of hard study, I have found its flaws. After this Dao Examination, it should be qualified to be framed."

"Oh?" Zhang Zhen was taken aback at first, then his face lit up with joy. "Excellent! Brother Qiu, your writing skills have already reached such a level. I truly look forward to seeing how much you can improve after you've mastered it. In that case, I won't force you. I have another matter to discuss with you. You're leaving for the prefectural city in a few days to participate in the Dao Examination. I also need to go to Yuan Ning. How about we ride together?"

Two years of friendship had made Qiu Yan realize that Zhang Zhen's Lineage was incredibly wealthy, and that the other party's words were well-intentioned, saving him from unnecessary trouble.

Having figured this out, Qiu Yan didn't stand on ceremony and thanked him on the spot. After the two agreed, Zhang Zhen chatted with Liu Huai and Liu Yue for a while. Then, a servant from the Zhang Family came over and whispered a few words in Zhang Zhen's ear. The latter's expression changed slightly before he left.

Not long after Zhang Zhen left, the sun set and the moon rose, and the family sat around a table.

During the meal, Liu Huai repeatedly inquired about Qiu Yan's studies. Since Qiu Yan was illiterate, his most frequent questions were about...

"Are you confident about passing this Dao Examination? Will you be able to pass?"

Two years have passed since Liu Huai arrived in Qingchang. Because of Qiu Yan, Liu Huai is respected by others, and Liu Yue has also found a leisurely job in the County Government Office, making them truly realize the benefits of "studying".

However, people often bring up the fact that Qiu Yan doesn't have the title of Xiucai a scholar who passed the lowest level of the imperial examinations), which inevitably makes Liu Huai and others worry that if Qiu Yan doesn't do well in the exam this time, everything will go back to the way it was before. Not only Liu Huai, but even Qiu Yan's aunt and uncle stopped eating when they heard this question, and their faces showed tension.

The atmosphere at the dinner table instantly froze.

"No problem," Qiu Yan said calmly. "Don't forget, I have often studied with Chancellor Ma these past two years. The Prime Minister Grand Confucian in the literary world and has given me guidance many times. How could I be stumped by a mere Dao Examination?"

He knew that at this moment, nothing could be more persuasive than mentioning Ma Yang. Ma Yang's reputation and People's Prestige were undeniable, and his authority was more convincing than any reasoning.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the family immediately felt relieved, and all their worries vanished.

"His reputation has reached such heights." Qiu Yan smiled and said no more.

As they chatted and laughed, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Suddenly, Qiu Yan's expression changed slightly. He put down his chopsticks and stood up.

"What's wrong?" Liu Huai asked.

"It's nothing, you guys eat first, I'll be right back." Qiu Yan said, pushing open the door and walking to the corner of the courtyard. He pushed off the ground, leaped up, and then landed on the roof with a twist.

Under the moonlight, on the rooftop, a figure holding a sword stood.

This person had his back to Qiu Yan, and only turned around after Qiu Yan stepped onto the roof tiles.

Qiu Yan recognized him at a glance; this was the person he had met once before.

Upper Spirit Sect, Xi Yun.

P. S.: Thank you "Princess Sword" for the donation!

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