Eastern Continent

The sibling's travel towards Jiang City was relatively smooth in that apart from occasional encounter with demonic beasts, no major fights occurred.

And so after few days, Qai and Shu Liang finally reached Jiang City. While it was Qai's second time to visit the place, it was Shu Liang's first--and as planned, they went to look for the city's library first. However, even before they got to ask anyone where it was located, a sudden call resonated.

"If it isn't Shu Qai and Shu Liang."

It was none other than Mo Shui. And she was already standing a meter away from behind the two.

But before the siblings could even dare to turn their heads to look at where the familiar voice came from, Shandian suddenly appeared through a burst of lightning bits from the spatial pendant and jumped towards the sibling's back while beaming with defensive stance and sage aura.

'Grrrrrrrrrrr.'

Mo Shui was apparently taken aback by the striking entry of the familiar lightning black tiger and instantly took three steps backwards.

"Mo Shui," Shu Liang called after they saw the figure of the person who called them.

Qai then tapped Shandian's head and mentally communicated trying to make the black tiger recall about Mo Shui.

"Hi hi hi," Mo Shui chuckled. "I knew the three of you are coming."

"Eh."

The siblings showed a confused look as they obviously had not informed anyone about their trip to Jiang City. Mo Shui, meanwhile, saw their doubting expression so she calmed their suspicion and explained why.

"My team's scout saw you in the woods," she described. "He said he saw a lightning black tiger together with two young cultivators.. so i figured they must be the two of you and Shandian."

Qai instantly gauged Mo Shui's strength and shook his head when he realized she was already at the peak of Earth stage Sage realm.

"I just broke through the peak Earth stage the other day," Mo Shui embarrassingly said as she felt that Qai was trying to keenly estimate her level with a weird look.

Qai and Shu Liang then explained briefly their visit and that they plan to see the city's library and an auction house before they finally go on their separate journey.

"How about I accompany you to the library and auction," Mo Shui said. "I heard there's gonna be something special to be auctioned tomorrow."

The siblings nodded and instead of staying in an inn for the night, Mo Shui invited them to stay in the Mo Clan's estate instead to which the two readily agreed.

**************

After several minutes, the siblings finally reached Jiang City's library.

"We're here," Mo Shui proudly said.

Qai was about to say something in reply, but when he glanced at Shu Liang, he noticed that his sister's eyes were evidently glowing bright in amazement.

What actually bared them was a huge five-story building beautifully constructed in a way that it would evidently out-stand its neighboring edifices. And it's entrance had an arc with the city's insignia crafted creatively at the center.

"The topmost floor were exclusively for the use Emperor realm cultivators," Mo Shui informed.

She then showed the chief librarian her clan's insignia upon entry who eventually restricted them to use only the first three floors.

Shu Liang moved closer to Qai with surprised look and tried to whisper something.

"I thought we would be able to enter at will..," she softly said.

"Yeah..," Qai sarcastically replied, "..good thing Mo Shui found us earlier.. saving us the trouble of you recklessly barging inside."

Qai then looked at the old librarian and shyly threw an inquiry.

"Esteemed Elder," he said, "I'm actually looking for a detailed map of the continent."

The old librarian was surprised at Qai's question. In his entire life as the keeper of the library, none had ever entered the building and taken an interest in a map.

He looked queerly at Qai and tried to ascertain how serious the young cultivator in front of him. But when he saw that Qai appeared to be not messing around, he sighed and told the direction right away.

"Second floor, left side of the building..," the old librarian said. "You'll find what you're looking for."

'Interesting..,' he thought, 'I should better check what this kid is up to.'

Shu Liang, meanwhile, did not know what to find so she decided to just look around and see what would interest her.

The three young cultivators thus went their separate locations and agreed to be back at the entrance after a couple of hours.

Qai immediately went up to the second floor and picked up two large scrolls which he thought were what he wanted. But when he rolled them open over a table, he was surprised to see that they referred to two different places.

'What!?' Qai said to himself obviously confused at the sight of the conflicting maps.

"Ha ha ha."

A familiar voice suddenly echoed from behind.

"You look confused young one," it was the chief librarian.

Qai was stunned but replied anyway.

"I never thought there would be two maps..," he replied, "..and they appear to be completely different."

"Well of course," the old man said lightly as if the answer to Qai's question was too obvious.

The old librarian pointed at the map on Qai's left.

"That's because we are in the Eastern Continent."