The mysterious old man drove away the chess-playing elders around, making room.

Those old men were stubborn and refused to leave, but the old man with the fishing rod didn't get angry and tossed out a handful of Magic Coins.

Suddenly, the onlookers all took the Magic Coins and left happily.

The chessboard under the coral tree was left with only Ning Zheng and the old man.

"Who are you?" Ning Zheng sat down confidently and asked directly.

His character was that of a Puppet Emperor, possessing governance skills.

But in combat power, he was merely at the Two-Phase Realm.

There was no need to pretend to be profound; just ask directly.

"Play a game of chess with me first." The fishing old man smiled.

Ning Zheng knew these old guys all had peculiar personalities, so he said no more and played a game of chess with him.

After all, Ning Zheng himself was quite idle.

The various tasks were being handled by the blacksmiths, and he was waiting to solidify his foundation for a few days before progressing to the next realm.

Although he was extremely diligent and frequently broke through to a new realm, the path of cultivation requires both tension and relaxation. After each breakthrough, he would reward himself with a five or six-day rest to unwind a bit.

So it was.

Ning Zheng played chess with him from day into night.

He didn't use any other tricks to cheat, not even in a mere game of chess; he wasn't that thick-skinned.

Relying solely on his own intellect to play chess, due to his basic chess skills, he didn't win a single game at first.

Because the old man's chess skills were truly outstanding.

By dusk, Ning Zheng gradually started to hold his own against him.

"A genius indeed."

The fishing old man mused, placing down the chess piece in his hand and exhaling a long breath of Muddy Qi:

"It's the first time I've seen someone learn as swiftly as you. No wonder you're an Emperor governing a country. Your wisdom is exceptional. If you continue to grow, you might indeed have a chance to step into the Self-Transformation Realm and break free of the forces behind you."

He initially thought the other was just a puppet, but didn't expect him to have a bit of skill.

"You overpraise me, elder."

Ning Zheng's talent was not low, and moreover, he had awakened the perfect Ghost King, underwent a life transition, and saw a significant increase in various basic attributes. He was considered a genius even in any major sect.

If aided a bit by Qi Fortune, it would be even more extraordinary. Earlier, he had instantly cracked the Pseudo-human's hidden door, performing the heroic deed of saving the world, which was no simple feat.

"Since you're not a puppet and a smart Emperor, I can have a discussion with you."

"After all, some of our combat cultivators, after conquering the world, always need someone to manage things. I think you're quite suitable... Once I settle a score with them, I'll know who the true ruler of this world is."

The old man smiled, evidently showing that playing chess was just a test. "If you were truly a puppet, I would have sought out Detective Yan Shuangying. Perhaps he is the one really in charge."

Ning Zheng understood.

This mysterious figure pulling strings from behind was about to make a move.

And to take over a power, it's naturally essential to find an agent to help manage affairs.

Does he really believe he can win against the current strongest Phoenix Race?

The first big fish, biting the hook.

However.

It's good the old man found him.

If he sought out Yan Shuangying to verify his true skills, this old man would doubt his own life after being killed.

After all, they heard that group of blacksmiths had a Divine Beast, Alpha Go, who played unfairly.

"Dare I ask your name, elder?" Ning Zheng asked.

"I have many names in history."

He smiled, "If Xian was called an Immortal in history... then they initially called me a Divine Spirit because divine spirits live by consuming Qi."

Ning Zheng was shocked in his heart.

He continued, "Later, they called me the Rising Sun, as I was the first sun in history... All creatures' fear of the sun initially originated from me."

"They also called me the Golden Crow because, when the Nursery was upside down, I built an inverted ancient tree there, lived on it, and fished for the living."

"But sometimes, they called me the Yin Crow, leading death and misfortune, bringing calamities wherever I went... Little did they know, I was only taking those potential dying heroes, past kings, heroes, even emperors... into the dreamland cemetery I established, to enjoy the tranquil utopia, cut off from the world."

"So you are the neutral lord behind the Nursery," Ning Zheng showed an appropriate amount of surprise.

"Now indeed, I live in seclusion behind the Nursery, becoming the leader of the Ghost King race, just to find a peaceful land amid the chaotic battles over the graves."

He paused, showing a slight smile, "But I prefer you to call me Cursed."

Cursed?

Ning Zheng showed a look of contemplation.

There are no wrong nicknames, only poorly chosen names.

The cursed old man obviously contains some kind of calamity, an evil power.

And the Golden Crow, the sun, the Yin Crow... it seems that its true form is some kind of bird-based being.

Throughout history, it has had many names, clearly a very ancient king.

The appearance of the master behind this nursery seems rather inevitable.

Because he is not completely hidden, showing up directly is not a big deal.

This person still has a good name in history, leading geniuses without ambition who pursue peace in each era into the Neutral Cemetery.

After all.

Some people had no ambition in their lifetimes, like floating clouds and wild cranes. After death, they also wish for no disputes, simply finding a place to be buried, untouched by grave robbers.

Being free from grave robbers, resting in peace after death, is a simple matter on Earth, but here... after death, not only do you risk having your grave robbed, but you also need to maintain your earthly behavior, protect descendants, venture out for resources, becoming an eternal Treasure Basin for countless years.

"To leave a pure land for the living after death."

Ning Zheng showed admiration, "In this regard, you are a brave fighter against enslavement, capitalism, and exploitation."

"You're too kind." The cursed old man laughed.

If others praised him, he wouldn't care so much, but the person in front of him shares his ideology and also works for the peace of the world, having dreams and ambition, building the Sea Race Dynasty to this extent.

Being recognized by someone he sees as a kindred spirit carries a different weight entirely.

"With all these tombs around, I cannot save the living, let them suffer, only some of the dead can be saved." The old man stated, "To be undisturbed after death, to keep people's graves from being robbed."

"But seeking peace doesn't mean we're at the mercy of others, this world is too chaotic, so our Neutral Nursery force is going to officially emerge and attempt to take over the world."

Ning Zheng nodded in agreement and continued talking about ideologies, beliefs, and such topics.

Although this old man indeed seems to have dreams, who dictates that all ancient saints must be evil people who take things with them when they die?

Surely, there are good people too.

The old man may or may not be a good person, Ning Zheng does not know.

But on the surface, he appears good, at least having done good deeds, judged by actions, not intentions.

He has a very good name in history.

"I've heard that the Pseudo-human Ancestors, the Demon Gods, have had major incidents... that one has returned." The cursed old man suddenly said, "Can you show me an image to confirm the identity?"

"Certainly not a problem." Ning Zheng replied frankly, taking out a crystal, which recorded the projection of the Jungle Tree-man's Holy Land.

The figure in the image was indeed peculiar.

It seemed that without using any strength, as if a mortal walked straight into such a perilous place, heavily guarded, with unexpected circumstances clearing the way.

"This should be... that one." The cursed old man said.

"How can we be sure, maybe it's just a disguise?" Ning Zheng asked tentatively.

"You see, the aura exudes an air of perfect harmony, blending with the surroundings yet seemingly not on the same plane, like a divine spirit descending to the mortal realm!"

The cursed old man praised so much that Ning Zheng felt a bit embarrassed, "This mysterious and unique elegant air, a darling of heaven, favored by the world... is nearly impossible to imitate."

"I see." Ning Zheng humbly absorbed the experience, just aiming to imitate it more accurately.

That special aura...

It should be accompanied by a tremendous Qi Fortune.

I should be able to perform a high-grade imitation.

However, my high-grade imitation comes with a huge price, like now, with the cost of a constant 500,000 Qi Fortune Value.

Spending 500,000 a day, for what reason could it not be done?

A Ghost King only costs 5,000,000, he can spend that in ten days, showing the high price paid.

But Ning Zheng had no choice, preserving life is crucial, as always treating one-third of a day's income as consumption cost, to protect his industry and life.

If it is viewed this way.

That Qi Fortune Divine Beast, born with high Fortune Qi Value.

The Qi Fortune Value of an ordinary person is 10, and he might be born with tens of thousands, or even higher.

This should be a special life form?

Yet it is innate, while Ning Zheng's is postnatal and man-made.

Now he himself has a branch of his wealth, having created a Golden Mud race with similar characteristics.

"Look again..." The cursed old man continued to explain.

Ning Zheng began to chat incessantly.

The cursed old man also recounted about that ancient one, giving him face, and said, "This ancient information, do not tell the Human Race, very confidential... especially Xin Xichen, that guy attacked my tomb recently, not a good person."

"The Human Race indeed is not a good thing." Ning Zheng concurred.

The cursed old man showed a smile, "It was quite a satisfying encounter, once the Pseudo-human Calamity ends, I will come to visit again."

He casually tossed a post onto the table, obviously a battle invitation.