[centre][img]https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/divinus-iii/images/d/df/Shengshi-logo.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/310?cb=20190112093445[/img][/centre]
[centre][h1]Shengshi[/h1][/centre]
[centre]MP:0/FP:0[/centre]

Shengshi had turned Istais on its head in search of Xiaoli and concluded that, wherever in the world she may be, it was not here. The snake still felt the knife of betrayal in his chest, though the hands of reason were gently tugging at the handle in an effort to pull it out. He had perhaps been unreasonable with her, yes, unadaptable and unwilling to change his ways - ultimately leading to her decision to escape. Perhaps a change of scenery would do his divine self some good, too, the snake thought absentmindedly.

The trek back to Jiangzhou was spent in a deep trance of thought. Sparks of concern for Xiaoli burst into existence between elaborate plans for the Classic of Wisdom. A change of scenery, yes - it may just give him that flash of inspiration needed for the next chapter, as well as some possible leads on where that girl had gone. The snake looked up through the foliage and saw the golden decorations of Jiangzhou blink in the light of Heliopolis. He let out a sigh. How could Xiaoli leave all of this? He could possibly maybe show some understanding for her leaving because of his own behaviour at certain times, but to leave this life of luxury - that poor thing! Shengshi hoped she was eating well, at least. Perhaps he should make her some rose petal cakes for her eventual return. She really did like those. As did Shengshi and he snapped one into existence and put it in his mouth, humming happily at the flavour. 

The riverlord climbed aboard and cleared his throat loudly. A servant zoomed up on deck and circled the snake as to not disappear. The snake tossed his eyes down at the speeding globule and let out a ponderous hum, plucking his beard in thought. 

“Servant - bring your master a pot of green tea, a cup, some rice paper - make sure you do not make it soggy - a brush and ink.” The servant circled him once more and zoomed off. 
“Oh, wait! I forgot one thing.” The globule stopped, immediately exploding into a cloud of droplets. Shengshi winced, sighed and snapped his fingers. The globule reformed, turned around and zoomed back into orbit around its master.

“I swear, these creatures are more trouble than they’re worth… Yes, one more thing: Tell your comrades to secure everything aboard the ship - we are leaving.” As before, the globule circled the snake one more time before speeding off into the palace. The snake turned to the bow of the ship. He slithered over and placed a tapping hand on the dragon’s head.

“But where to go, I wonder… Perhaps we should return to the Dragon’s Foot, mmm?” He looked at the dragon’s head as if it would answer him. To absolutely nobody’s surprise, it didn’t. The snake sighed.

“Come back to me, Xiaoli, I am lonely!” he shouted and raised his fists ominously. No! No time to sulk again, he thought. Some time back in Fengshui Fuyou ought to inspire his writing! Yes! That is what he would do!

And look for Xiaoli along the way, of course.

	The snake warmed up his joints with some quick stretching. He rolled his shoulders, stretched his hip, bent his back a few times and craned his neck around. Then, after drinking a few cups of reinvigorating, though poorly made tea, he slapped his palms together. The clash spawned a soundwave that rustled the surrounding woods and sent flocks of birds flapping away from the river in a panic. Part of the river underneath the ship began to climb upwards, sending the boat off on a diagonal path into the sky. Soon thereafter, the skyriver was cut off and a small portion carried the ship to their destination. Shengshi had admittedly not spent his time sulking on practicing this method of travel, as he had been, well, sulking. Therefore, even though they had barely just left Istais heading east, the snake could already feel the strain on his mind from carrying the colossal ship. It was easier than the first time, but he really ought to take some time in the future to just condition his mind. He would have to take a break along the way. He shuddered as he weighed his options.

	So, he could either stop in the-... He retched mentally. The ocean… 

	Or, take the long route, sailing northwards and stopping in… Kalgrun…

	The snake took a deep breath and counted to ten. That was -not- an option.

	Well, where else could he stop, then? Perhaps he should just go for it? Go all out for once? He could always try, though he was uncertain of what to do if he potentially failed-

	The ship groaned as something ground against the hull. The snake lost focus for a spell, causing the ship to drop onto yet another unidentified object, making a deafening crunch as divine wood conquered mortal stone. Still, there was not supposed to be anything but sea here! What on Galbar had he-...

	The snake slithered over to the edge and saw the vast, unending forest of peaks, tall and short. In the very, very little smidge at the end of the horizon, he saw hints of dry rocklands that stretched for what remained of even his divine perception range. When had this been made? He sniffed the empty air around him and closed one eye. Yes, certainly - this was fresh land, divine essence still clinging to the surrounding stone like smoke clings to clothing. The essence was strong and smelt oddly of crab, making the snake a little peckish. He dismissed the thoughts about as soon as they had appeared - this was perfect! A place to rest after a long arduous journey. He could keep going for a little while, he thought, take in the sights and whatnot. 

	The mountains soon gave way to hills, which themselves eventually gave way to empty plains for stone. How big was this continent? It had to be the biggest in the world! How perfectly, well, perfect! Another land to bring the glorious Flow to! The question was, where to introduce it first?

	The boat soared across the landscape for what seemed like an eternity, the continent’s size being truly immeasurable. Alas, however, Shengshi spotted the sea at the other end of the continent’s eastern mountain range. Finally, he thought, my eyes were going blind at the sight of all that bright beige. At the food of the mountain range, Shengshi saw a long stretch of bays in all manner of shapes and sizes. He hummed pensively to himself and sent the ship on a gentle dive towards the ground.

	As he had suspected these plains seemed almost annoyingly similar to those on the other side of the mountain. However, he had a haunch that this part of the continent would eventually turn into a green bastion of fertility - with some divine aid, of course. He snapped his fingers rhythmically and bobbed his torso as if to hype himself up. He sampled the earth around and shot the mountains another glance. In time, they would fill with snow and feed many thousand rivers - for now, however, he would have to kickstart the process on his own. 

	The snake took a globule of water from underneath the ship with an elongated “thaaaank you!” and tossed it up and down in his hand playfully as he slithered his way over to an ideal spot. In a barely-curved ravine between two elevated rocks by the shore, he measured an estimate. He then slithered up next to the mountains and did the same. No, something did not feel right. He took a moment to dive into his soul and sample what power he had left. He had not properly rested for some time - blackouts did not count, after all, he thought with a sigh. Whatever he could squeeze out of this globule, it would not form a river to rival Nanhe, sadly. However, he could the very least make a start. 

	With a joyous whistle, the snake rolled the globule around in his hands; he bounced it on the ground a few times like some ball; finally he chucked it at the stony ground some distance away with so much force that it broke through the top layer of stone. Shengshi pointed casually in the direction he wished for the river to go, and so it did. The ball dug its way through the weakest parts in the stone, leaving behind a track of water. The snake rubbed his chin ponderously - a name for his creation. Something that would inspire creatures to settle by it. He inspected the quality of the river and frowned. The sand and clay in the ground left the waters beige and unappetising - healthy to plants, no doubt, but it was not the sort of water he would brew anything with. He tasted a sample. Certainly, the waters were packed with nutrients for all manner of plants. It would need a name to denote health, in that case. The snake snapped his fingers.

	“You, little river, shall be known as Kangjiang.”

Before long, the snake’s creation had snaked its way all the way to the ocean - or had it? There was something odd here. His power was spent, yet he smelt no brackwater in the distance. He slithered into the water and swam downriver. 

	Upon arriving at the edge, he saw that there was an obstacle in the way that he had not accounted for - a basin, which now slowly was becoming a lake. Shengshi, abhorred at the sight, cast his hand forward, but was greeted with nothing but a small spark from his palm. 

	“Suppose I am spent, then,” he mumbled angrily to himself. “Worry not, my dearest Kangjiang - I will come back for you and help you escape this midway prison. As for -you-, little lake!” He pointed a condemning finger at the lake, which almost seemed to recoil somewhat. “You will remain exactly where you are - should not be too hard for a static thing like you.” Laughing smugly, the snake slithered back to his ship.

	Back at the ship, the snake walked into his chambers. His servants had fixed his door - that was nice, he supposed. The god sat down at his desk, snatched a sheet of rice paper and dipped his brush in ink.

[centre][i]Wicked is the one
Who dams up the Lord’s river;
Guard ever the Flow.[/i][/centre]

He hummed in approval at the passage. A fine thing to encourage his followers to do - guard the Flow. What else should he tell them to do? Heh, writing laws was a good source of entertainment.

[centre][i]
Loyalty is key;
Servants will obey their lords;
Lords will protect them.[/i][/centre]

A tear plopped the surface of the rice paper. The snake slowly raised a finger to his eye and poked another salty globe out of its corner, studying it some distance away from his face.

“Practice what you preach, you foolish drunk,” he said with a sigh. “Then perhaps she will come back.”

[hider=The Journey to the East]
Snek travels homewards while looking for Xiaoli. Happens upon crabland. There, he makes a river named Kangjiang on the eastern shore. 
[/hider]

[hider=Might Summary]
MP/FP at start of turn = 0/1

Kangjiang - 1FP.

MP/FP left = 0.

[/hider]