Forgotten canvas - A Place Not on the Continent

"Of course we keep going."

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Xuanming didn't hesitate at all.

His tone was so casual, like he was deciding whether to take a small detour to grab food.

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"What's the point of heading back so early?

We'll just tell them the crystal collection wasn't enough."

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As he spoke, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly,

revealing a smile that was clearly… not very kind.

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"Besides—"

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He turned his head and glanced at Little Draft,

who was sitting quietly in the back seat, holding her pencil close.

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"Let's take her around and show her this world.

She looks like she knows absolutely nothing about it."

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Mu Jiu opened his eyes and looked at him.

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"You think headquarters won't notice?"

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"So what if they do?"

Xuanming shrugged.

"Just a few extra days. It's not like this is the first time."

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The car fell silent for a brief moment.

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"…Alright."

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Mu Jiu finally said.

"But you'd better keep things hidden."

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His voice wasn't loud,

but the warning in it was clear.

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"After all—

you don't have any combat ability."

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Xuanming's smile only grew wider.

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"Relax, Captain."

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"I value my life more than any of you."

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Mu Jiu said nothing more.

He turned to the driver and gave an order.

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"Find a place to settle down.

We'll rest tonight and decide where to go tomorrow."

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"Yes, Captain."

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With the command given, Mu Jiu leaned back into his seat and closed his eyes,

as if slipping into light sleep.

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The low hum of the moving vehicle filled the cabin again.

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"By the way."

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Xuanming suddenly leaned a little closer, curiosity in his voice.

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"Have you awakened any abilities yet?"

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Little Draft instinctively hugged the pencil tighter.

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"Or—what kind of ability do you think you might awaken?"

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"I…"

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She hesitated, then shook her head.

"I don't know."

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"Hm…"

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Xuanming's gaze settled on her hands.

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"I noticed it from the start."

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"You've been holding onto that pencil the whole time."

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Little Draft looked down at it.

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The pencil wasn't complete.

Its shape felt like a rough sketch—

the outline clear, the details blurred, yet strangely real.

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"I had it from the beginning," she said softly.

"This is all I have."

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"Is that so."

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Xuanming seemed thoughtful.

"A pencil… that's interesting."

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The next moment, a thick book appeared out of nowhere in his hands.

Its cover was blank, without a single word.

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"Why not try it?"

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"Draw something. Or write something."

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Little Draft froze for a second, then nodded.

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She gently placed the pencil against the page.

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But no matter how she drew,

no matter how much force she used,

the paper remained completely blank.

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"…That's strange."

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She stopped.

"Why doesn't it work?"

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"Maybe…"

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Xuanming narrowed his eyes slightly.

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"Because its use isn't meant for here."

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He tilted his head.

"How do you think that pencil is supposed to be used?"

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Little Draft couldn't answer.

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"No rush."

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Xuanming closed the book, his tone relaxed.

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"Some abilities aren't meant to show themselves right away."

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"Take your time."

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"Let your imagination run a little wild."

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"…Okay."

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Little Draft nodded, though unease quietly crept into her chest.

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—Was this pencil really just a tool?

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The car fell into silence again.

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After a while, Little Draft finally gathered her courage and asked softly,

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"Captain Mu Jiu…

did you awaken a really powerful ability to become the leader?"

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Xuanming smiled.

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"Yes."

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He had just said the word—

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When the vehicle suddenly jolted.

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A sharp screech of brakes cut through the empty street,

everyone lurching forward with the momentum.

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"What happened?"

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Mu Jiu opened his eyes immediately.

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The driver sounded clearly confused.

"Sorry, Captain… there's suddenly a… huge mountain in front of us?"

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"A mountain?"

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Before anyone could react, the surroundings began to change.

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The gray city was wiped away as if erased by a single stroke.

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The ruined buildings, cracked streets, gloomy sky—

all vanished in an instant.

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In their place appeared clear lakes, rolling mountains, lush green trees.

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The air turned fresh.

The wind carried the scent of damp grass and leaves.

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The place was quiet, bright—

beautiful in a way that didn't feel real.

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"…A hidden paradise?"

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Someone murmured.

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Mu Jiu was the first to step out of the car.

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He scanned the surroundings cautiously.

There was no trace of zombies,

not even signs of recent combat.

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"This place… doesn't look invaded."

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"It's not an illusion."

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Xuanming said from behind him, unusually certain.

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At the same time—

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Back in the original city, the other vehicles noticed something was wrong.

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"Wait—where did the Captain's car go?!"

"It was right in front of us!"

"How did it just disappear?!"

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The communication channel instantly descended into chaos.

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"Xiao-jie, should we report this to headquarters?"

"Of course we should."

"The captain's car vanished out of nowhere—this is serious."

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Elsewhere—

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Xuanming somehow produced a small folding fan and strolled over to Mu Jiu.

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"Well then."

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"Today's getting interesting."

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Mu Jiu ignored him and instead glanced at Little Draft,

who was staring at the scenery, clearly stunned.

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"Don't forget,"

Mu Jiu said quietly,

"what my ability is."

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"This kid isn't the problem."

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Xuanming chuckled.

"But who's to say you aren't?"

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"You know me," he said, spreading his hands.

"I don't have a reason."

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"We only met today, after all."

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Mu Jiu didn't respond.

He walked around the vehicle, checking the area.

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"Don't bother."

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Xuanming snapped his fan shut.

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"This is teleportation."

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"Some powerful being just casually tossed us here."

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"If it were an illusion, I'd know immediately."

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"I wouldn't gamble my life to lie to you."

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Mu Jiu frowned.

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"But it makes no sense."

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"I don't believe there's anywhere in this world that hasn't been invaded."

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Xuanming's smile slowly faded.

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With a flick of his wrist, the fan vanished.

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"Then what if—"

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His voice lowered.

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"This place

was never on the continent to begin with?"

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The wind passed over the lake, rippling the surface.

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Standing nearby, Little Draft suddenly felt a tightness in her chest.

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She had a faint feeling—

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That coming to this world

was never an accident.

ns216.73.216.33da2

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