The Mecha Driver Is a Cultivator

"A Taoist temple?"

"Or is it the name of a cultivation sect from that era?"

This place forbids taking to the skies, and Qin Jin was exceedingly patient. He immediately proceeded to walk up the stone steps, preparing to ascend the mountain and explore the true nature of this ancient land.

Dragon Gate Peak gave him a tremendous surprise, filling him with anticipation for these ancient lands.

As he stepped onto the first step,

Qin Jin’s movements suddenly halted.

Because he heard footsteps, footsteps coming from above the stone steps.

The footsteps were not alone; there was an unknown presence descending along the stone steps. Qin Jin looked up, and soon, a figure stepped down the steps. His brows and demeanor were youthful, not entirely free from the innocence of youth. Dressed in a Taoist robe, upon seeing Qin Jin, his eyes lit up slightly.

"Are you here for our Cyan Wood Temple’s Ancestor Yi, benefactor?"

"May I ask benefactor’s name?"

A person!

Qin Jin encountered a living person in the ancient land.

Moreover, judging by his words, he was indeed a native of this Cyan Wood Temple.

In that instant, numerous thoughts surged in Qin Jin’s mind. From what he could see with the naked eye and perceive, the person in front of him truly existed, not a conjured creation.

"Not only preserving the ancient land, could it also preserve the ancient people?"

"What kind of method is this?"

Amid internal upheaval, Qin Jin had initially intended to explore out of habit, not expecting such changes. He calmed his mind and answered earnestly, "Qin Jin."

Since he was here, he might as well proceed.

The ancient land was preserved till now by the Mountain and River Divine Cauldron, which belonged to the Immortal Dynasty. Qin Jin had been bestowed the True Scripture by the Immortal Dynasty Princess, making his origins legitimate.

Given that, he decided to truly explore the essence of this ancient land.

"So it is Benefactor Qin."

"Please follow me."

"The Ancestral Master said, as long as one ascends to the peak, they can participate in this game."

"Benefactor Qin, keep up."

After saying this, he turned around, bouncing as he walked upward.

Qin Jin stepped forward to follow. After the first step, there was no abnormality, but upon reaching the second step, he clearly sensed pressure descending upon him.

"Is ascending the peak also a challenge of this ancient land?"

Qin Jin didn’t speak, only increased his speed, following behind, stepping up one step at a time.

His own accumulation was already substantial; such a level of test was insignificant to him.

As he continued to ascend, Qin Jin asked, "What should I call you?"

"Su Changqing."

The young Taoist in front glanced back at Qin Jin with surprise in his eyes and smiled, "It seems Benefactor Qin will surely participate in the Ancestor Yi."

"Benefactor Qin, you and I can choose a side, don’t forget to help me."

He smiled easily.

The two figures continued upward along the stone steps.

Along the way, they saw well-constructed buildings, quite elegant.

The pressure increased with height, but it did not hinder Qin Jin or Su Changqing, who was leading the way. They ascended smoothly. Su Changqing jumped slightly, Qin Jin followed with a stride, having already reached the peak.

On the peak,

The ground was paved with unknown stone slabs, and on the slabs, long lines were engraved with gold-colored ink, forming nineteen lines in both directions, resembling an engraved chessboard.

"Ancestor Yi..."

"Is it a game of chess?"

Qin Jin’s gaze fell to the two sides. The entire peak was nearly covered by this chessboard, and on the meditation mats placed on either side, two figures sat cross-legged, eyes partially closed as if in a meditative rest.

One was a middle-aged man, with bushy eyebrows and large eyes, dressed in shorts and a half-shirt, and had an axe at his waist, looking like a woodcutter.

The other was an elderly figure, hair and brows white as frost, exuding an extraordinary immortal aura.

"Is this the Ancestor he mentioned?"

On this peak, there were other figures in Taoist robes, all vividly lifelike. In Qin Jin’s perception, they were like real people, utterly fantastical.

At that moment.

Qin Jin truly felt he had returned to antiquity, gazing upon people of ancient times, ascending to Cyan Wood Temple, participating in the Ancestor Yi.

However...

There were subtleties he keenly noticed, highlighting some unreality.

For instance, the little Taoist who led him up only asked for his name and not anything else before bringing him to this core place.

While Qin Jin was contemplating this,

Beside him,

Su Changqing tugged at Qin Jin’s clothing, showing no surprise at his attire. Instead, he lowered his voice and said, "Benefactor Qin, do not gaze so directly at the two Ancestors. Although they won’t blame you, it’s a sign of disrespect."

"Come."

"Let’s go choose a spot. If we’re late, we won’t be able to get one."

With these words, he pulled Qin Jin away from his spot, heading towards the chessboard on the peak.

With his actions, Qin Jin suddenly reacted.

"This Ancestor Yi..."

"Are we the pieces?"

Around them, other figures in Taoist robes were also entering, each with a look of anticipation.

Upon closer inspection, Qin Jin finally obtained evidence of their illusory nature.

Because.

Among those stepping onto the chessboard, some faces were blurry and indistinct, while others continuously changed, making them impossible to discern clearly.

This scene resembled recalling certain people and events in one’s mind.

The chessboard, with nineteen lines, appeared like a game of Go, but it was entirely different. Each person entering the board also became a piece, and as time passed, they nearly filled the board, leaving only a few empty spaces in the center.

And at this moment.

On both ends of the board, the two [Ancestors] nearly simultaneously opened their eyes.

Everything within Qin Jin’s sight changed in an instant. The board below seemed like the ground, while overhead, a new dome emerged. The entire board was akin to a small world, where each grid formed by the intersections housed a distinct environment.