Chapter 108: Chapter 106: Life Is Like a Game of Chess

(A plea for recommendation votes, library adds, ratings, donations, and all your wonderful support ^_^) 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Brother Ning’s Qi Cultivation Skill truly lives up to its reputation. Su Wu," Yanm Yuyue said.

Su Wu immediately walked up to Ning Zhiquan, bowed slightly, and said, "Brother Ning, please forgive me. I was just spouting nonsense earlier. It’s clear that Dao Guang Hall didn’t make any special preparations, yet a single Sub-Hall has this level of skill. The Holy Hall’s strength truly lives up to its reputation."

Ning Zhiquan smiled faintly. "Junior Brother Su, there’s no need to be so polite. Heaven-Dominating Hall’s Reversed Moon One-Line Heaven is where the true elites are gathered. If I have the chance, I must see it for myself."

Mingren, Liangyuan, and the others looked at each other in confusion. Crescent Sky? They had never even heard of it. This was the difference between them and Ning Zhiquan, and it wasn’t a small one.

Su Wu was slightly taken aback. He hadn’t expected the other party to even know about that.

"Brother Ning, if you’re interested, you can come at any time. Anyone else who is interested is also welcome. Yuyue will be sure to offer you all our best hospitality."

Yanm Yuyue said, "Little Xue, you’d better remember this."

"Yes, Senior Sister."

Shen Xue replied respectfully.

Everyone was left dumbfounded by these three Evil Cultivators. Why were they being so roundabout?

"Brother Ning, I’ve heard the other Sub-Halls also have their own unique characteristics, but I don’t think it’s necessary to make such a big fuss. For the remaining few days, we’d like to look around on our own. Would that be alright?"

Yanm Yuyue said.

Ning Zhiquan didn’t hesitate. "Of course. There are no Forbidden Lands in the Holy Hall Pavilion. You are free to look around as you please."

Ning Zhiquan had expected as much. ’In the Holy Hall, only the Main Hall has restricted access. It wouldn’t be so easy for Yanm Yuyue and her group to get in anyway.’

Just then, Mingren smiled faintly and received a message from a Tiger Eagle.

"Junior Brother Tianyi is at Thunderlight Hall right now."

The moment Mingren finished speaking, the others stared at him reproachfully. ’What’s wrong with this guy? Why bring up the one thing he shouldn’t? It’s one thing for Thunderlight Hall to have its fun behind closed doors, but why embarrass ourselves in front of outsiders?’

"Heh heh, I have long heard of the great fame of Thunderlight Hall’s decennial Sword Tomb event," said Yuyue.

"I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed, Senior Sister Yanm. The Sword Tomb has already been taken away by Master Lei." Hu Jing altered the truth slightly.

"Then I’ll have to trouble Junior Brother Ming to make the introductions."

Even though Li Tianyi hadn’t shown up, the kid was the center of attention wherever he went. Although the others weren’t exactly happy about it, there was nothing they could do. They couldn’t start infighting in front of outsiders.

"Junior Brother Ming, Junior Sister Hu, I’ll leave our honored guests in your hands." Ning Zhiquan made no attempt to make them stay, nor did he intend to follow.

The proper etiquette had been observed, and that was enough. There was no need for the Holy Hall to be overly courteous.

The others were slightly disappointed. Hearing that this Yanm Yuyue was coming, they had all made some preparations, hoping to show off a bit when she arrived. The disciples of Hengshan Hall, in particular, were already in formation, ready to display their steel-hard muscles and "dazzle" the Evil Cultivator Demoness to death.

Meanwhile, behind the Thunderlight Exhibition Hall, Li Tianyi and Wang Meng were locked in a world-shaking battle.

Not with swords, but over a game of chess.

Most Sword Cultivators shared this hobby. The way of chess and the Sword Dao truly shared a similar underlying philosophy. Ancestral Master Li Xiuwen was a master of the game, and as the heir to the Li Family, Li Tianyi was naturally a prodigy in his own right.

The two of them battled fiercely. It had to be said, Li Tianyi was leagues better than a dabbler like Zhou Feng.

His way of chess was like his Sword Dao—just as sharp and filled with Spiritual Attribute.

Before meeting Wang Meng, Li Tianyi had never met his match in a sword duel, let alone in a game of chess. But after encountering Wang Meng, he was intimately acquainted with the damned feeling that there was always someone better.

At first, Wang Meng wasn’t too familiar with Li Tianyi’s style, so they could still have a decent fight. But after two games, Li Tianyi was starting to buckle. He had thought Wang Meng had a reserved personality, but through this chess battle, Li Tianyi learned the clear truth: on the surface, Wang Meng was all smiles, gentle and easygoing, but deep down, he was filled with a terrifyingly aggressive spirit. The only reason it hadn’t shown itself before was probably that he’d never met a worthy opponent.

Zhang Xiaojiang and Liuu Mei were so engrossed they had nearly fallen asleep. ’...But seriously, can you two not cuddle up together like that? Have a little decency in front of other people.’

Ever since getting together with Liuu Mei, Zhang Xiaojiang’s life had become a straight line between two points: cultivation and Liuu Mei.

Li Tianyi held a game piece in his hand, having deliberated for a long time, yet he still couldn’t make a move.

Ma Tian’Er, watching from the side, was getting a little anxious. A true gentleman watches a game in silence, but she was a girl.

"Here! Here!"

"Xiaotian, whose side are you on?" Wang Meng laughed.

Ma Tian’Er only then realized her mistake. "Ah, oops." She stuck her tongue out, a little embarrassed.

"Senior Sister Ma has a natural sympathy for the weak. Damn it... let’s pause. I need to think this through. He has complete control of the board."

Li Tianyi had, of course, found the Hundred Treasures Hall Meeting boring. When he learned that Wang Meng also played chess, he had sought him out to test his skill. At the same time, he had hoped to find his opponent’s weaknesses through the game. In the end, he didn’t find any weaknesses, but he did manage to choke on his own medicine.

’This level of skill... it seems like he’s no worse than the old man.’

"Brother Wang, let’s play a game, okay?" Ma Tian’Er said.

Li Tianyi stood up with a wry smile. "Senior Sister Ma, don’t go looking for a beating. This guy Wang Meng is the classic type who shows no mercy to a fair lady."

"You’re not a beautiful woman, so why would I show you any mercy? I’ll crush you every time we play!"

Wang Meng said.

Li Tianyi shrugged helplessly. Ma Tian’Er sat down opposite Wang Meng and cleared the board.

"I’ll go first." Ma Tian’Er was very excited and immediately placed a stone.

A Tengen opening!

Li Tianyi couldn’t help but cry out, "Senior Sister Ma, that move looks cool, but it’s not practical! Don’t be fooled by how gentle this guy Wang Meng looks on the surface, his moves are absolutely ruthless!"

Ma Tian’Er just smiled sweetly and gazed at Wang Meng, clearly enjoying the feeling. She was acting as if Li Tianyi didn’t even exist.

Li Tianyi felt a headache coming on. ’How does everyone from Thunderlight Hall know this move—acting like no one else is here?’

"You can’t play like that! Here, here... sigh. Why must you torture yourself!"

Watching Ma Tian’Er’s moves, Li Tianyi couldn’t help but jump up in frustration. ’Isn’t she just giving her pieces away?’

Wang Meng shot Li Tianyi a glare. "A true gentleman watches a game in silence. You’re not a beautiful woman, so you don’t get special privileges!"

Li Tianyi was momentarily speechless. ’You win this round.’

Ma Tian’Er played in a very relaxed and carefree manner. After each move, she would just gaze at Wang Meng.

But after playing for a while, Wang Meng started to feel that something was off. ’How is her style countering me so perfectly???’

Li Tianyi also figured out what was happening, and he was absolutely delighted. ’This is really interesting. Wang Meng’s chess style is incredibly formidable—a needle hidden in cotton. His counterattacks are like a great, surging river that’s impossible to stop. But Ma Tian’Er’s way of playing is even more fascinating. I’ve never seen such a "gentle" game.’

"What kind of style is this?" Wang Meng finally asked, unable to hold it in any longer.

Ma Tian’Er smiled faintly. "I’m not too sure myself. My family used to like playing with me, but later on, none of them wanted to play with me anymore. I gave it a name myself: Non-aggression."

Li Tianyi slapped his hands together. "A brilliant ’Non-aggression’! ’Let him be strong as he may, Mingyue still shines upon the great river.’ Senior Sister Ma, you’re full of surprises!"

Li Tianyi was firmly on the side of Wang Meng’s opposition. He was always looking for some way to land a blow against him. As long as Wang Meng revealed the slightest opening, he would seize it.