The Nine Realms Continent wasn't particularly large, but it wasn't small either. Meng Wanwan felt that before reaching the Divine Realm, the area probably wasn't much larger than Earth.

However, its population is no less than that of the Earth.

The road from the town to Jiutian City isn't far. Perhaps because Jiutian City is the largest city in the east, this section of the road is exceptionally well-constructed. The wide, flat road is strictly divided into inbound and outbound sections, and the halfway leading to Jiutian City alone is estimated to be over a hundred meters long.

And on this wide road, there was a bustling crowd of cultivators heading into the city.

Some people did arrive by flying on swords, but once they reached the city walls, they would land and walk into the city.

Although Nine Heavens City is a major city in the cultivation world, it was also built upon the land inhabited by mortals, making it a rare mixed-use city. To protect these mortals, flying on swords is prohibited within the city.

Meng Xiuyi had basically realized Meng Wanwan's tendency to cause trouble, so she put her in a basket and had Yun Zhao carry her on his back.

Bored in her basket, Meng Wanwan secretly practiced the new spells that Nian Nian had taught her.

She had already mastered the Hundred Treasures Seal and the Lightness Technique, and the cultivation she gained from Bai Changxue's battle with Helian Xiao was enough for her to learn new spells. Therefore, Meng Wanwan was very enthusiastic about learning new spells.

"We've reached the city gate." Meng Wanwan was practicing a trapping formation talisman when Chu You suddenly exclaimed.

Meng Wanwan quickly crawled out of the basket, leaned on Yun Zhao's shoulder, and looked ahead.

"Wow!" Meng Wanwan couldn't help but exclaim.

Nine Heavens City truly lives up to its name; the city walls, hundreds of feet high, are no exaggeration. The majestic, pristine white walls stand tall, and the faint shimmering light of the array formations atop them is clearly visible. From Meng Wanwan's angle, the Nine Heavens City guards patrolling the walls look like tiny ants.

The Nine Heavens City sits almost in a stepped fashion beneath the clouds, and even with the city walls surrounding it, the buildings are clearly visible. Sunlight falls, bathing the pristine white buildings as if they are being shrouded in holy light.

"How magnificent!" Meng Wanwan exclaimed again.

Only then did Meng Wanwan notice that in the vast sky, streaks of light flashed by, heading straight for the tallest building in Nine Heavens City. When they came into contact with the array of light on the city wall, they only paused for a moment before disappearing.

Meng Wanwan squinted and it took her a while to realize that the person who went in was actually a cultivator who was flying on a sword.

Meng Xiuyi said softly, "Those are disciples of major sects and aristocratic families. Nine Heavens City trusts them greatly, so the protective array on the city wall will automatically open for them, allowing them to directly enter the Shangguan family's territory."

Meng Wanwan felt a little envious. She thought about how others who transmigrated into the cultivation world, even if they were useless, were still useless people who could turn their lives around, and they were useless people with cultivation resources.

She's an oddball; she's penniless.

Before Meng Wanwan could even start to feel depressed, a warm hand patted the top of her head.

She turned to look at Meng Xiuyi.

Meng Xiuyi smiled gently: "There's no need for comparison or jealousy. Everyone has their own destiny and path to walk. The path of cultivation is originally about following the will of heaven, yet it is also about struggling against the heavens. Even if you and I were in their positions, we would not become them."

"Since that's the case, I might as well keep my head down and walk my own path, and not let anything else disturb my Dao heart."

"The path to immortality is long and arduous. Sometimes, the order in which you take it doesn't determine anything. Even demonic beasts can become saints, and mortals can fall into demonic ways. What matters is that every step you take is rewarded, so that when you look back, you have no regrets."

Meng Wanwan blinked as she looked at Meng Xiuyi.

Is this the reason why Meng Xiuyi has been able to maintain her calm and peaceful mind over the years?

So, this is his path?

Seeing that Meng Wanwan seemed to be thinking, Meng Xiuyi said nothing more, handed over the spirit stones at the city gate, and entered the city.

In Nine Heavens City, cultivators and mortals live together, but they can actually keep their distance.

Ordinary people lived in ordinary houses, located at the lowest point of the city. The families of cultivators lived on higher ground, connected by bridges that allowed them to travel between the mortal realm and the city.

The painting appreciation event was held at the Shangguan family's residence, and the building they saw outside the city was the Shangguan family's.

So the group went straight to the connecting bridge of the Shangguan family after entering the city.

There's no need to worry about not recognizing them. All these people crowding into the city are heading to that place; just follow them.

After entering the city, there were even more people around, and Meng Xiuyi, afraid of losing her, simply hugged Meng Wanwan tightly. As for the two apprentices…

He's so old now, if he gets lost he can go to the Shangguan family, he doesn't need to worry.

With more people around, there was more information, so Meng Wanwan began to carefully analyze people's conversations, trying to find some clues about the painting.

"Hey, a friend of mine's third uncle's son's playmate has been working as a servant in the Shangguan family for twenty years. He said the painting we're going to see this time is really eerie."

"What kind of weird method is it?" the other person quickly asked.

The man clicked his tongue twice and continued, "It's just... no matter what you do, you can't achieve your goal. What exactly is the goal? I don't know, but I heard from the disciples of the Shangguan family that they've tried every possible solution to the riddle over the past few hundred years, and none of them have been able to achieve the goal."

"So that's why they called us together? This... Why does the Shangguan family insist on solving the riddle? Logically speaking, if they keep it at home, someone will solve it someday, right? There will definitely be a reward for solving it, which is better than letting outsiders solve it, isn't it?"

"What's so good about it? If you can't solve the riddle, you'll be punished." The man smacked his lips again.

Meng Wanwan looked over and, sure enough, it was an elderly man who was quite old.

He stroked his beard and continued, "If the puzzle cannot be solved, everyone involved in solving it will have to pay the price of a minor cultivation level."

Another person said, "Then why not just not try to solve the mystery?"

The old man sighed, "No, this painting is only opened periodically."

Upon hearing this, some people who had been walking and eavesdropping immediately stopped in their tracks.

Those who didn't hear this continued walking forward and bumped into the person in front of them.

The road was immediately blocked.

Then came a chorus of curses.

Meng Wanwan was also somewhat surprised. She looked at Meng Xiuyi and asked, "Father? Are we still going?"

She didn't care; as long as she got beaten up, she could level up.

But my father and my two senior brothers were all trained through their own hard work.

Although his family had been neglecting their duties for the past month, both of his senior brothers had advanced to a higher realm. If they were to drop their cultivation level, they would definitely feel the pinch.

Meng Xiuyi did not stop walking; she continued walking forward with even steps.

"Go ahead, if your cultivation level drops, you can just cultivate it back," Meng Xiuyi said casually.

Meng Wanwan looked at her two senior brothers and saw Yun Zhao smiling and saying, "Junior sister, don't be afraid. We rogue cultivators always seek opportunities amidst danger."

Chu You also looked indifferent: "Even if I drop, I'm still in the Qi Refining stage, so what?"

Meng Wanwan immediately gave them a thumbs up.

This thought, this awareness, is indeed very much in line with the Meng family.

The opportunities available to independent cultivators are inherently fewer than those of aristocratic families and sects. As long as they receive news and there is no absolute danger to their lives, they are willing to give it a try.

Meng Xiuyi thought she was scared, so she comforted her: "Besides, what they say may not be true. They said it's just hearsay. We'll know for sure once we go and see for ourselves."

Meng Wanwan nodded firmly: "Okay! Let's go then!"

A family should be together all the time.

Since this is the Meng family's style, she naturally has to follow suit.

If you don't get anything, consider it a trip to broaden your horizons and an adventure.

However, she still secretly asked Niannian about the painting, but unfortunately, Niannian had no information to share about it.

An hour later, the group finally arrived at the gate of the Shangguan family.