Deep Sea Hunter, but Deep Sea Titan

Chapter 206: The Eldest Brother is Like a Father

Out of basic goodwill, Luo Ting still asked Laurentina to inform the three people staying in the Mountain and Sea Scroll that their eldest brother was coming to see them.

After all, when you're renting an apartment and relatives or friends come to visit, you always need some buffer time.

"The world in this painting is so different from the one in the evening."

"Even the most realistic objects in a painting are still fakes, but the world here makes it impossible for me to distinguish between the real and the fake."

This was Chongyue's first time truly entering the world of the Mountain and Sea Scroll. Although it was also a world within a painting, Xi's painting and this place were worlds apart.

"What the Grandmaster said is true; otherwise, how could this place have caught the eye of those gentlemen?"

The Scroll of Mountains and Seas can devour giant beasts, but it can also nourish them. The environment within can be artificially shaped, making it a perfect place for the three Sui sisters, who are not keen on serving the court, to escape to relax.

"Haven't you siblings seen each other in a long time, have you?"

"Our family is not an ordinary family after all."

When this topic came up, Chongyue also sighed. In the midst of chaos, they awakened an independent consciousness that was different from the Sui beasts. With human emotions and desires, they naturally developed the need for sibling affection.

However, is Gonggong such a being who can understand human emotions and desires? In the memories left to Chongyue by the old man, human emotional needs do not seem to exist in "Gonggong".

"It seems that Lord Gonggong has also become like us, craving the pleasures of the human world."

From Chongyue's perspective, Gonggong was originally like the Sui beast, without human emotional needs. It was only through being touched by something over a long period of time that it developed human joys and sorrows.

Luo Ting only thought that Chong Yue's statement was half right.

The demise of Terra's civilization and the return of the land to silence may indeed bore Loting, but it is clear that Chongyue's understanding of him is somewhat flawed; he was never considered an arrogant and indifferent being like the behemoths from the beginning.

"I'm quite curious about how captivating this world is to you that you'd be willing to abandon your own powers to immerse yourself in it."

This is probably the difference between Luo Ting and Chong Yue. Both of them are interested in this mortal world, but Luo Ting, like the Time Beast, appreciates it from a detached perspective, while Chong Yue is so obsessed that he wants to become part of it.

Therefore, he abandoned his identity as "Shuo" and instead presented himself only as "Chongyue".

"Because only in this way can we maintain our existence."

"I sealed away my powers and instead became proficient in human martial arts, also in order to maintain my self-awareness."

Rather than saying he used "martial arts" to deny the old man's existence, it would be more accurate to say that he used "martial arts" to achieve the ultimate affirmation of himself and find the answer to "who am I".

Otherwise, the main consciousness of a 30-year-old may not be able to continue to sleep peacefully.

"Unlike you, old man, who is not a giant beast, yet is more than a giant beast, without these troubles."

Like his sisters, Chongyue also expressed a hint of envy towards Luoting.

"I just feel that Yan's control over you has long exceeded the promise of the God-Slaying Dragon to offset the merits and demerits."

"Even Zuo Xuanliao, who went to the battlefield with you, may not regard you as a brother who can be trusted to share life and death."

"It goes beyond the scope of offsetting merits and demerits, which is somewhat unworthy of consideration."

This can be seen as a hint of regret and sympathy from Loting. Besides, the witnesses of Kazimierz had also tried to use small favors to control him, and their fate was predictable.

"That reminds me of another younger brother of yours, who is also a good accountant."

Chongyue learned from the memories he inherited from the old man that "Gonggong" placed extreme importance on promises and their fulfillment.

"It's just a pity that my obsession ran too deep and that time was too long."

"Is Your Excellency Chongyue implying that I see my obsession as too deep?"

Luo Ting didn't feel offended by this. Everyone has their own way of life, and it's normal for people with different views to comment on each other.

Nautilus, the deep-sea titan, was born from an obsession with hatred for betrayal. If Lotin were to completely relinquish this obsession, wouldn't that be tantamount to severing his own foundation?

He could choose not to dwell on the betrayal itself, but he could not relinquish his hatred for the person who betrayed him.

"I wouldn't dare. After all, there's a saying that 'a gentleman seeks harmony but not uniformity.' It's just that I haven't taken these things that seriously."

"However, you are right, I am also tired of this killing and fighting. I want to step down and get out, but I find myself too deeply involved."

During their conversation, Chongyue and Luoting arrived at a foundry that she had set up there years ago, where she planned to gradually build her own photography studio.

"Your younger sister will stay here temporarily."

As soon as Luo Ting finished speaking, Nian Bian, looking haggard, pushed open the door and poked half his head out.

"Brother, there's really no need to go to all that trouble."

Luo Ting could tell that Chong Yue really wanted to see his sisters, but Nian didn't seem to want to see her eldest brother.

"What's the trouble? We just came to see if you're having too much fun."

Chongyue also noticed Nian's haggard appearance. Logically speaking, even if Ninth Sister played wildly, she shouldn't be this tired.

"Play?"

Nian sneered, then let out a sharp, explosive sound.

"Big brother, do you know how I've been these past few days?"

Nian, on the verge of collapse, almost burst into tears.

"Nian, speak properly, what exactly happened?"

Who on earth could cure his playful Ninth Sister like this?

"That young Sarkaz standard-bearer girl by his side is no pushover."

From three-digit addition and subtraction to advanced Originium explosives, it was a challenge not only for W himself, but also for Nian.

She originally thought W would give up due to the immense difficulty of learning, but this Sarkaz crazy girl, whose thirst for knowledge had inexplicably become exceptionally strong, became more and more courageous, spending a lot of time studying repeatedly.

W has absolutely no talent for this area of ​​learning, but she is very willing to spend time on it, and she is stubborn and persistent, which has made her quite tired over the years.

"Let's put aside the tithe for now. With your connections, surely getting me some filming equipment shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Also, could you persuade that Sarkaz ghost to be an actress for me?"

In 2010, while in a state of mental distress, he suddenly had the idea to venture into the horror film genre.

Obviously, when the actress is actually a female ghost, there's no need for composite special effects.

"It should be... not a big problem."

As for Theresa, she knew that W had caused Nian so much trouble, so she probably wouldn't refuse. The filming equipment that Nian requested could be purchased with gold—in Lotin's case, gold was the lowest priority resource.

However, it was indeed something that Lotin hadn't anticipated that W would enter this state of rampant knowledge acquisition.

"It seems your sister has been misunderstood, Grandmaster."

"You shouldn't overwork yourself."

Nian was truly exhausted, both physically and mentally, and Chongyue noticed this, so he turned to comfort his younger sister.

Luo Ting felt that, compared to his elder brother, Chong Yue was clearly more like a father to the other members of the Sui family.

The saying "eldest brother is like father" applies perfectly to Chongyue, after all, the other members of the Sui family were also separated from the Sui beast by him.

As for Xi, who is so engrossed in the painting that he refuses to see the real world with his own eyes, he probably won't escape a lecture from his elder brother like Nian, who just happened not to have much fun.

Chapter 207: The Down-on-His-Luck Chess Player

The wondrous scenery in the Mountain and Sea Scroll inspired Xi, and she completed a new painting here.

This painting is a true artistic creation, unlike the previous one, which was more of a hiding place for her to escape the signs of aging.

In Xi's new paintings, exquisite palaces extend hundreds of feet out of cliffs without falling, land beasts lie on lotus leaves only a few feet wide and cross great rivers, and the weapons on ancient battlefields have accumulated rust into mountains that have not been completely destroyed even after a thousand years.

"Simply indulging in ink and brush to create images will never produce anything truly meaningful."

Xi's biggest worry came from her eldest brother's scolding, which arrived as expected.

"Since you've come all this way to the frontier, why not go and see for yourself?"

Chongyue knew perfectly well that Xi had confined herself to the world within the painting. He simply hoped that his younger sister, who preferred staying at home too much, could go out more and see the world with her own eyes.

For ordinary people, this may only involve the academic method of learning through practice, but for those in their families, it is also a means of maintaining self-awareness.

As usual, Xi's eyes wandered, knowing that her elder brother was right, but because of her own personality and habits, she was reluctant to leave the painting.

She came to the world of mountains and seas so that she could better stay in her own little world. If she came all the way here and was dragged out by her older brother to run around, then she would have come for nothing!

However, Yu also admitted that her older brother's teachings were not entirely without merit, but being immersed in illusions would naturally prevent her from creating truly excellent works.

Her previous attempts to avoid the signs of aging created an extremely vicious cycle.

The inability to solidify one's self-awareness through experiencing the world makes one's age-related transformations stronger. As Xi's age-related transformations became stronger, she became even more afraid to leave her world within the painting.

Over time, Xi developed a more timid personality and a dislike for going out while living in this self-imposed confinement.

From Lotin's perspective, the existence of Ya and the Time Beast proves that it is not inevitable for a behemoth to split into several different parts after being severely damaged.

Chongyue and his brothers and sisters seem to have something fundamentally different about them. As the first consciousness separated from the Sui Beast during its slumber, he seems to have existed in some form before the Sui Beast fell asleep.

It's like a hidden alternate personality of the Year Beast.

Otherwise, Loting simply couldn't understand why, while the Year Phase was asleep, a consciousness would divide its power into 12 independent entities with self-awareness and consciousness.

Perhaps it was because of this that Chongyue became more cautious in drawing a clear line between himself and the Sui Beast, sealing his beast body and powers, making himself more like a real human than his brothers and sisters.

As the eldest sister, Ling made things much easier for Chongyue.

He was simply reminding Ling not to drink too much and to set a good example for his sisters.

"As I said before, my sisters are causing you a lot of trouble by living in this place."

Chongyue clasped his hands in greeting to Luoting. He himself felt that the world in the Mountain and Sea Scroll was indeed a good place to recuperate. If it weren't for the imperial court's orders to him, he would also like to live in seclusion and become a hermit in this world within the painting.

"Tit has already been paid, so what's the trouble?"

"What are your plans after becoming a Grandmaster? Yan's focus is no longer on the giant beast issue, so he shouldn't be restricting you in every way."

Unlike the original storyline, Luo Ting's intervention in Wang's game actually lowered the priority of the giant beast issue, allowing Yan Chao to focus more on defending against evil spirits.

This is exactly what Lotin wanted to see.

"His remaining power resists evil spirits, but his power has declined, and evil spirits will become more active than ever before."

"I think this is also why the imperial court is asking you to build fortifications outside the Tianji Pavilion with tribute."

"I'm afraid I won't be able to enjoy the same leisurely life as my sisters anytime soon."

Originally used for hunting giant beasts, Yumen Pass will continue to play a role in the battle against evil spirits, and Chongyue will probably not be able to get the opportunity to recuperate on Rhodes Island like in the original work.

"The Scroll of Mountains and Seas is always open to you, Master."

At least on the issue of resisting evil spirits, everyone is on the same side. Therefore, Luo Ting generously expressed his welcome to Chong Yue to come to the Mountain and Sea Scroll for recuperation when convenient.

Compared to Rhodes Island, which simply provides him with a place away from military and political affairs, the Scroll of Mountains and Seas is more likely to help him cultivate his mind and body.

"Your Excellency's strength is evident to all, far exceeding the power of a single nation, but I still hope that Your Excellency will take good care of yourself."

"If I'm not mistaken, the fierce waves and evil spirits you are trying to confront are threats that no single nation can match."

Inherited from the memories of the Year Beast, and combined with his experiences traveling to Sargon and other places, Chongyue has a certain understanding of the threats that Loting is facing.

"Grandmaster, please take good care of yourself."

After bidding farewell to Chongyue, Luoting also prepared to leave Yumen for Dahuang City.

As he was leaving the city, Luo Ting suddenly saw a down-on-his-luck chess player teaching chess at a chess stall on the street.

"Another chess piece has been crushed by you, are you satisfied now? Are you happy?"

The sharp, manic, trembling, low voice made Luo Ting stop in his tracks.

Luo Ting is not trying to hide his aura right now; most people wouldn't be able to remain so calm in front of him.

"You're such an arrogant and ignorant chess player."

"What, you're too ashamed to face your elder brother, but instead you're gossiping behind his back?"

The shadow of the bronze colossus loomed over the mysterious chessboard, and the figure was clearly Wang, or rather, part of Wang.

"You don't understand my deep-seated obsession; instead, you pity my older brother who can let go of everything."

"If you had obediently paid your tithes back then, I might have already put an end to your desires."

"Foolish boy, you're a fool."