Chapter 1565 1477: The Game Within a Game

Since Jiang Yikang became the Venerable of the Three Realms, nothing had truly disturbed him, but upon hearing Hongjun's mention of "Human-Chess Unity," the long-dormant unease resurfaced.

Yet, he couldn't discern the source of this anxiety.

At this moment, although he intended to replace Wang Yan, seeing Wang Yan already seated at the stone table, he could only suppress his unease and look at the two.

Now, Wang Yan was carefully surveying the chessboard before him.

Back on the Three Principles Mountain, the Dragon Emperor Zuo Hong had taught Wang Yan numerous times, exploring arts such as music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Thus, upon seeing this chess game, Wang Yan immediately comprehended it.

Wang Yan then smiled and said, "Though the chess game is complex, it also has many flaws. Sir, will you play black or white?"

Hongjun shrugged and said blandly, "Of course, the choice is yours. Whether black or white, you make the first move."

Wang Yan said, "Alright, then I won't hold back. I'll play white and move first."

Hongjun said nothing, merely gesturing for him to proceed.

Wang Yan raised his hand to take a white piece from the chess basket beside him, poised it between his fingers, and said, "Looking at this chessboard, although black holds a slight advantage, with this single move, I can sever nine pieces and reclaim the Central Plains. Then, white will gain the upper hand."

As Wang Yan spoke confidently, those around him, including Dragon Emperor Zuo Hong and chess masters such as Wu Ancestor Li, nodded in agreement.

Only Jiang Yikang shook his head slightly, knowing that although Wang Yan was correct, Hongjun wouldn't set up such a simple game. Yet, what wonders lay within this chess game, Jiang Yikang couldn't discern for now.

At this moment, there was a "snap" sound as Wang Yan placed the white piece onto the chessboard.

Indeed, this white piece landed and immediately surrounded the center black pieces, with nine black pieces falling into a deadlock, vanquished by Wang Yan's strategy.

The defeated nine black pieces ascended themselves, returning to the chess basket.

A large blank space appeared at the center of the chessboard.

Wang Yan smiled slightly; this move was the game-changer and victory seemed within reach as white reclaimed the Central Plains.

However, Hongjun remained unperturbed, slowly lifting a hand to pick up a black piece, softly saying, "Do you know the name of the nine pieces you just took?"

"What?" Wang Yan asked nonchalantly.

"Called Buzhou Mountain!" said Hongjun, dropping the black piece as he spoke.

Unexpectedly, Hongjun's black piece didn't fall into the fierce battlefield but rather on the irrelevant edge of the chessboard.

Wang Yan found it odd, wondering why Hongjun chose to place the piece in the corner when the central area was the focus of contention. Additionally, there was no need to place a piece on the edge.

At this moment, Hongjun had already raised his hand with the black piece resting steadily on the chessboard.

Simultaneously, Wang Yan suddenly felt his vision blur, and the chessboard on the stone table became indistinct, transforming before his eyes into an entire world.

Black pieces turned into mountains, white pieces into water, and the center became the sky. The grid lines of the chessboard morphed into earth where both humans and beasts, insects and birds, countless living beings thrived.

Wang Yan immediately sensed that what he saw was indeed the world he inhabited.

Yet, now this world was thousands of years in the past, where advanced technology didn't exist, and life was confined to pastoral male-farming and female-weaving.

As Wang Yan observed, he suddenly noticed a gigantic black mountain before him, towering into the sky, its peak unreachable.

Even if it was Wang Yan's first encounter with the mountain, the name "Buzhou Mountain" instantly arose in his mind.

Was this the legendary Buzhou Mountain?

No, earlier when I took away his nine black pieces, Hongjun mentioned Buzhou Mountain.

Could it be that the nine black pieces and Buzhou Mountain are somehow connected?

At that moment, a powerful force materialized in the void, sweeping towards Buzhou Mountain. With a gentle sweep, Buzhou Mountain toppled over.

As Buzhou Mountain collapsed with a roar, a massive hole opened in the sky above, and ferocious winds and torrents of rain poured from this hole, rushing towards the earth.

The furious winds first fell around Buzhou Mountain, uprooting trees instantly, sweeping people and animals into the air.

With the violent winds, torrential rain poured down, flooding the land immediately, demolishing houses, sweeping away trees, leaving fragile humans helpless in the floods.

As these storms and rains increased, they spread further, plunging the entire world into chaos.

The diligent humans and the resting animals either being swept up by the winds or washed away by the floods.

Seeing such a shocking scene, Wang Yan couldn't help but tremble.

With this tremble, the vision vanished, returning to the sight of the chessboard before him.

"What... what's happening?" Wang Yan asked in fright, looking at Hongjun before him.

Hongjun, unable to conceal a smug expression, replied, "I've spent these last twenty years crafting this game. You've seen for yourself, this game connects to the world. Every move you make alters the world's path. Therefore, it was you who toppled Buzhou Mountain, and the millions of beings that perished are due to you. Moreover, this piece represents an era. What you saw is from the era ninety cycles ago. After ninety pieces, you'll witness the present world. However, if the hole in the sky remains unpatched, I don't think you'll see the current world."

Upon Hongjun's remarks, Wang Yan's body went weak, his strength depleted.

Although what he saw was shocking, he merely considered it a vision.

But with Hongjun's explanation, Wang Yan realized it was real.

Every action he took could alter the present world.

Meaning, if he doesn't patch that hole, after ninety pieces, the world will change irreversibly.

In such a flood-ridden environment, humans couldn't survive the ninety cycles, and the earth will become desolate.

While Jiang Yikang spoke from behind Wang Yan, "Yan'er, Hongjun has indeed set a trap, get up, I'll deal with him."

Due to witnessing countless beings' demise, Wang Yan's mind was in chaos. Hearing Jiang Yikang's words, he instinctively tried to stand.

Yet though Wang Yan attempted to rise, he felt as if his body adhered to the stone stool, unable to stand.