Chapter 2139: Playing Chess

"Of course!" Nodding, Zhang Xuan sat down, picked up a chess piece with his left hand, and extended his right hand: "Please!"

The Three-Whiskered Daoist said no more and placed his piece.

With a slight smile, a book appeared in Zhang Xuan's library.

It was densely covered with content, each position on the chessboard annotated with flaws and such.

"First move, first position, flaw: ... Second move, second position, flaw: ..."

Each position on the board had flaws, some more, some less, except for one spot that showed no content.

"It really works..."

His eyes brightened, and the corners of Zhang Xuan's mouth lifted.

After learning the rules, he integrated this knowledge with the board before him and indeed found the flaws in the moves. As long as he played according to the perfect positions, good results would surely follow.

"This move... is very steady!"

Seeing him make his move, Zhang Jia and Qi灵儿 both looked over, exchanged glances, and each breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing that the other had just understood the rules, they no longer harbored any hope of victory, only hoping that he wouldn't lose too disgracefully.

Although both sides had only placed one piece, it was all standard placement, traceable in chess manuals, without the awkward situation of an amateur playing randomly.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

In the early moves, the layout was just beginning, requiring little thought; experience sufficed. The Three-Whiskered Daoist played quickly, and Zhang Xuan followed closely, almost without any deliberation. The faster the opponent played, the faster he played.

In less than five minutes, each side had already made over thirty moves.

"This..."

Seeing the situation on the board, Zhang Jia and Qi灵儿 were stunned.

Although Zhang Xuan's moves seemed simple, lacking much experience or method, each step appeared calculated, orthodox, firmly sealing the opponent's pieces, making it difficult for them to break free.

"How can there be no flaws?"

While the others were puzzled, the Three-Whiskered Daoist was full of disbelief.

The number of moves was not large, but this was the most frustrating game he had ever played.

Every move by the opponent seemed calculated, completely annihilating all his intentions. If he were compared to a general leading troops, it was as if his every move was seen through, no matter how he moved, he was blocked, chased, surrounded in advance... not giving him the slightest chance!

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

He had successively changed eight powerful playing methods and twelve chess manuals. Normally, this would confuse the opponent, making it hard to discern the goal and direction... but as soon as he finished a move, the opponent, without thinking, immediately placed his piece.

At first, he couldn't see the usefulness of that move, but after three moves, he realized its subtlety, like a fishbone stuck in his throat, unable to spit it out, making even breathing difficult.

"Impossible..."

His fingers trembled slightly.

He had great confidence in his chess skills; he was unmatched in Ye Hui City, and even in the Imperial City, those who could defeat him could be counted on one hand!

Even those chess masters whose names he could recall, if they could win, it would be after at least a hundred moves. This young man, after only about thirty moves, had pushed him into such a corner, at a loss—it was simply unbelievable, unimaginable.

Most crucially, the opponent seemed to have no loopholes; every move completely cut off his retreat, giving him no chance at all.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he made a few more moves.

The opponent still didn't think, playing casually.

The Three-Whiskered Daoist's pace grew slower and slower.

"Not here... not there either..."

Holding a piece, unsure where to place it, he was already hesitating.

"The young master's chess skills..."

Zhang Jia now also sensed something was off, and looked again at Qi灵儿, eyes wide.

He had thought that since the young master had just learned the rules, his chess skills must be poor. Seeing it with his own eyes, he realized how naive that idea was.

Every move seemed calculated countless times, without any flaw or loophole. Although the old man's chess skills were very high, he still had no way out, embarrassed at every step.

"Did he really just learn?"

Qi灵儿 also blinked her beautiful eyes, an expression of disbelief.

Zhang Jia was a divine beast; even if he understood chess a bit, he couldn't know too much. She, however, came from a large family; although she hadn't studied chess specifically, she knew quite a bit.

The Three-Whiskered Daoist's chess skills, even in the Qi family, could be considered peak existence. Yet facing this young man, he not only failed to gain any advantage but was also suppressed...

It was like a Sealed Divine King fighting a lower-grade deity; the latter had no ability to fight back...

How could this be?

Hadn't she just taught him the rules?

Playing for the first time, and he was this good?

Before their shock subsided, the Three-Whiskered Daoist finally put down his piece, tossed it aside, and smiled wryly: "I lose..."

He had to admit defeat. The opponent had completely sealed off all his paths forward, leaving no flaw. Continuing would only bring humiliation.

"You're too kind! Actually, I just learned, and I still don't understand many rules."

Zhang Xuan cupped his fists.

In truth, even now, he didn't really understand how to play; he just followed the perfect steps in the library, placing pieces one by one.

And then... the opponent conceded!

Thinking about it, he felt a bit embarrassed.

"You're too kind? Don't understand..." The Three-Whiskered Daoist thought he was being modest, his face reddening: "Young friend, saying that really humbles me. Actually, by the tenth move, I knew I would lose; the rest was just a desperate struggle! To lose so badly... don't say things like 'you're too kind'! With your chess skills, if you say you don't understand the rules, what am I?"

If the difference was one or two pieces, saying 'you're too kind' would be acceptable. But now... they weren't on the same level. A Divine King defeating a lower-grade deity and saying 'you're too kind'... modesty must have limits.

Brother, you're overdoing it...

"You flatter me, senior..." Zhang Xuan was embarrassed.

"Alright, I admit defeat. Whatever request you have, just say it!" The Three-Whiskered Daoist waved his hand grandly.

"I would like to purchase some mid-grade Divine Origin Pills from you, senior. I hope you can sell them!" Zhang Xuan said.

"Just buying mid-grade Divine Origin Pills?" The Three-Whiskered Daoist was startled.

He had thought that the other had come specifically to play chess with him and won so brilliantly, expecting some difficult request. He didn't expect it to be so simple!

Mid-grade Divine Origin Pills, though hard to find in Ye Hui City, were still obtainable. Some wealthy merchants and large families had stocks... A grandmaster of chess, just for this trivial matter?

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"No need to buy. I have thirty mid-grade Divine Origin Pills here; I'll give them to you directly, no need to pay..."

With a flick of his wrist, the Three-Whiskered Daoist handed over three jade bottles.

"Give them to me? How can I accept this..." Zhang Xuan quickly waved his hand.

He had inquired about the price of mid-grade Divine Origin Pills; they were a hundred times more expensive than lower-grade ones, and almost impossible to buy. To receive so many as a gift was truly unacceptable.

"They are all self-refined; the price isn't as high as you imagine. If... you feel embarrassed, you can play a couple more games with me!" The Three-Whiskered Daoist said.

"I'd be happy to, but... didn't you say you only play three games a day?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

"That's when there's no worthy opponent. When there is, thirty games is fine..." His face reddened, the Three-Whiskered Daoist quickly said.

Zhang Xuan smiled slightly.

The other had directly given him so many pills; he had no way to repay, so playing a few games of chess was nothing.

After all, he just followed the steps in the library, which didn't require much thought.

They set up the board again and placed pieces one after another.

Five minutes later, the Three-Whiskered Daoist's face reddened again: "Another game..."

Four minutes later: "Again!"

Three minutes later: "Again..."

One minute later: "Alright, I admit defeat..."

After several consecutive games, the Three-Whiskered Daoist began to doubt his life.

He had thought that the opponent was just lucky to have played those moves, but no matter how he opened or what method he used, it was like hitting a wall; he had no room to resist.

Losing once could be attributed to poor skill, but losing every time was enough to show that the gap between them was too vast, incomparable.

"With your chess skills, there are few in the world who can beat you. You could participate in competitions to earn rewards or cultivation resources..."

Knowing that continuing would only bring more humiliation, the Three-Whiskered Daoist stopped dwelling on it, looking at the young man before him with eyes full of anticipation.

No matter the profession, reaching the peak brings great benefits; chess is no different.

"No need!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

As for chess, he was a layman; he only won by relying on the library, nothing worth mentioning.

"What a pity..." Seeing that he truly didn't want to pursue this path, the Three-Whiskered Daoist shook his head regretfully.

After taking leave of him, they walked back onto the street. Qi灵儿 looked at him: "Do you want to find a quiet place to refine the mid-grade Divine Origin Pills first?"

She could see that his purpose in seeking the pills was likely to break through in cultivation.

If so, he would certainly need a quiet place to go into seclusion.

"No need!" Zhang Xuan shook his head.

Qi灵儿 was puzzled.

What did he mean?

Wasn't the purpose of finding these pills to break through, but for something else?

Just as she was wondering, she saw the young man, while walking, pour the thirty pills from the jade bottles and toss them into his mouth one by one, like eating candy beans.

Her eyebrows jumped.

Mid-grade Divine Origin Pills were effective even for Heavenly God realm experts. An ordinary upper-grade deity, after swallowing one, would need at least a month to fully refine the energy. This guy was eating them like candy...

Was he sure he wouldn't explode?

Just as she was wondering, she saw his aura rapidly increase.

Upper-grade deity mid-stage!

Upper-grade deity late stage!

Upper-grade deity peak!

In less than two breaths, he had broken through three minor levels, only one step away from the Heavenly God realm.

"..."

Qi灵儿 trembled, feeling like she was going crazy.

As a member of a large family, she had seen many geniuses and countless powerhouses...

But this method of casually swallowing pills and easily advancing... was a first for her!

Was the bloodline of the Divine Lord really so terrifying?