Chapter 310 - 169: True Monarch Guangcheng Preaches the Chess Dao

Chapter 310: Chapter 169: True Monarch Guangcheng Preaches the Chess Dao

Xuzhuang mused, "If I’m not mistaken, he seems to have already reached the third layer, achieving Great Accomplishment in the Nascent Soul realm."

Hearing Xuzhuang’s confirmation, Cen Fenghong nodded. "You’re right. For a True Disciple of Taiyi Palace, this level of cultivation is to be expected."

Zhong Shenxiu suddenly asked, "Fellow Daoist Chang, do you happen to know how long Jin Yuanzai has been cultivating?"

"Hm? That I do not know," Changhua replied. "Is there some issue, Fellow Daoist?"

Zhong Shenxiu simply shook his head. Cen Fenghong, however, was startled by the question. He thought to himself, ’Jin Yuanzai, a True Disciple of Taiyi Palace, has suddenly appeared in the Guangyuan Realm. It’s quite unexpected. Could it be that he’s also one of the chosen participants?’

After thinking it over, he felt there was a high probability of it being true, and the situation immediately seemed much more troublesome.

One had to understand that Great Accomplishment in the Nascent Soul realm was entirely different from being a Nascent Soul Second Level Cultivator. If it were a Nascent Soul Cultivator who had advanced without a Top-grade Golden Core, Cen Fenghong was confident he could handle them. But a cultivator who had reached Great Accomplishment with the foundation of a Top-grade Golden Core was on a completely different level.

And if Jin Yuanzai really was one of the chosen participants, didn’t that mean he had been cultivating for less than three hundred years?

Reaching the Nascent Soul Third Layer in under three hundred years was no simple boast; it was an incredible feat.

Li Chengzhen, hailed as the number one of the younger generation in the Cyan Sky Realm, hadn’t even reached the third layer. Zhong Shenxiu, whom he had personally witnessed single-handedly fight and easily suppress six True Disciples from four different sects, was still stuck at the bottleneck before consummating his profound art. And according to Jide Taoist, even Xuzhuang, who had once been a cut above Zhong Shenxiu during their Golden Core days, was still at the Nascent Soul Second Layer...

’Li Chengzhen alone is already a handful, and now we have this man too... I wonder if Brother Zhong and Brother Xu are any match for him?’ Cen Fenghong couldn’t help but look over at his two companions.

But he saw that Zhong Shenxiu’s expression was impassive, as if he found nothing strange about the situation. Xuzhuang was equally composed, and even had a smile of keen interest on his face.

Cen Fenghong didn’t believe that something he could figure out would escape Zhong Shenxiu and Xuzhuang. He just couldn’t tell if their composure was a testament to their excellent self-control, or if they were genuinely confident and had a plan up their sleeves.

After a moment’s thought, Cen Fenghong suddenly shook his head and smiled.

’I’ve never considered myself some sort of genius, but I’ve always been quite proud. Am I going to lose my confidence just from coming here at my uncle’s invitation and seeing these peerless prodigies?’

’We’ll only know who’s superior after we’ve actually competed.’

While Cen Fenghong was reflecting, people continued to arrive, gradually filling the forest clearing. Soon, aside from a few cushions in the very front row, not a single spot remained, forcing the latecomers to take the front seats in their awkwardness.

Just then, a sudden clamor erupted from the path leading into the forest, drawing everyone’s attention.

This was, after all, the place where True Monarch Guangcheng was giving his sermon. Even though no explicit rules had been set, no one dared to be loud. Who were these newcomers? Did they lack all etiquette, or were they just arrogant and ignorant, daring to cause a commotion in such a place?

Xuzhuang and his friends were naturally curious as well, and they all looked over. They saw the Immoral Taoist, dressed in a washed-out, tattered Daoist Robe. His usually messy hair and beard had, surprisingly, been neatly combed. He was bickering with a tall, skinny Daoist built like a bamboo pole and a short, stout Daoist who looked as plump as Maitreya as they all walked into the forest.

Cen Fenghong whispered, "Those two Daoists, the tall skinny one and the short fat one, are Da Ji Zhenren and Great Evil Zhenren from the lineage of the Divination Dao."

"So that’s who they are..." Xuzhuang nodded. He never imagined these two were the generational rivals of Jide Taoist and the Immoral Taoist’s lineage.

Just then, the short, stout Daoist must have said something that struck a nerve, because the Immoral Taoist’s voice suddenly shot up. He bristled, glaring, "Great Evil! A Primordial Spirit True Man is about to speak. This is no place for you to be talking!"

Great Evil Zhenren erupted in fury. Of the four successors from the two lineages of the Yi Bo Daoist, he was the only one to have achieved the Dao through an unorthodox path, an insult he could not bear. "Old beggar, is that the only thing you know how to talk about?" he roared. "Then again, you’re no match for me in the divination arts either!"

The Immoral Taoist replied with an air of nonchalance, "From an unorthodox path comes nothing but crooked farts."

’This...?’ ’Primordial Spirit True Men really do as they please.’ Xuzhuang, Zhong Shenxiu, and Cen Fenghong exchanged a look, all three struggling to hold back a laugh.

Just then, a middle-aged Kun Dao with striking features and her hair tied in a high, square bun slowly entered the forest. "This is a True Monarch Dojo," she snapped. "What is all this ruckus about?"

The Immoral Taoist’s expression immediately grew solemn. "Master Baiyun is right," he said gravely. "These two brats, Da Ji and Great Evil, have no sense of propriety."

Master Baiyun didn’t bother with them, walking straight to the front and sitting down on a cushion. A nearby Nascent Soul Cultivator quickly bowed. "Junior greets Master Baiyun."

Master Baiyun gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. The cultivator was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor and didn’t dare to disturb her further.

Changxin whispered, "Master Baiyun is a renowned master of the divination arts in the Guangyuan Realm. She also has the venerable status of a Primordial Spirit True Man. The Baiyun Pavilion, which she founded herself, is one of the eleven Heaven-Reaching Treasure Pavilions in Weiyun Immortal City."

"So that’s her." Xuzhuang’s eyebrow twitched. He finally knew what the Master Baiyun the Immoral Taoist was always talking about looked like.

Seeing Master Baiyun take her seat alone, the Immoral Taoist lost his appetite for arguing with Da Ji and Great Evil Zhenren. He hurried forward and sat down. Da Ji Zhenren snorted, led Great Evil Zhenren to the front row, and saw only two seats remaining. He frowned at a Nascent Soul Cultivator and said, "Young friend, would you mind switching places?"

The Nascent Soul Cultivator didn’t dare refuse, so he had to switch, ending up seated next to the Immoral Taoist. This put him right between the two rivals, Da Ji Zhenren and the Immoral Taoist.

"Thank you, young friend." Da Ji Zhenren smiled and nodded as he sat down. He didn’t forget to add to the Nascent Soul Cultivator, "If you ever find yourself lost in the future, feel free to seek me out. I will gladly perform a divination for you."

"What level of skill does he have to be offering divinations so freely?" the Immoral Taoist immediately interjected. "Young friend, instead of looking for him, you should seek out this Daoist Lord. For the favor of separating me from this stinkbug, I’ll be sure to give you a good price on your divination."

The Nascent Soul Cultivator was at first overjoyed, then deeply exasperated. He could only beg them to stop, saying it was a minor effort for which he wouldn’t dare ask for a reward...

By now, every cushion in the forest clearing was finally occupied—not one too many, not one too few. A moment later, two Daoist Children emerged from the trees, pushing a Jade Chime before them.

At this sight, all the cultivators in the forest grew solemn. Even the Immoral Taoist and Da Ji Zhenren stopped their squabbling. A Daoist Child lightly struck the Jade Chime and chanted, "We respectfully invite the True Monarch to begin his sermon."

The instant the words were spoken, True Monarch Guangcheng appeared silently at the front of the crowd. He was of average build and wore simple green robes. With red lips, white teeth, and eyes like stars, he looked like a handsome young man. He offered the assembled cultivators a faint smile.

With no one needing to take the lead, the crowd bowed in unison. "We juniors and disciples greet the True Monarch!"

"Every time inspiration strikes, there are always so many fellow Daoists willing to listen." True Monarch Guangcheng’s voice was not loud, yet it drifted clearly to everyone’s ears. "It brings me great joy."

He casually sat down on his cushion and seemed to ponder for a moment before smiling. "I’ve had a sudden flash of inspiration today. How about we all have a game of ’hand-talk’?"

The cultivators present were instantly galvanized. A True Monarch’s sermon was always thought-provoking, regardless of the topic, but how could that compare to an opportunity like this?

To play a game of "hand-talk" with a Pure Yang True Monarch—playing the Chess Dao—was that not the same as receiving personal instruction in the Dao from the True Monarch himself?

Thus, at his words, everyone present felt a surge of excitement. True Monarch Guangcheng did not delay. With a flick of his sleeve, a green stone table, a gridded game board, and a bowl each of black and white "cloud" stones silently appeared before every person.

Xuzhuang glanced at the table and saw the two bowls of stones naturally separate to either side. The black stones landed by his hand. Only then did he hear True Monarch Guangcheng say with a slight smile, "Fellow Daoists, you have the first move."

Xuzhuang had no time to watch anyone else. He let out a soft breath, picked up a black stone, and placed it on a point in the lower-right corner.