Undying Life

Chapter 846: The Chess Soul Selection

In the center of Qingqiu Holy Capital stood the tallest mountain, Qingqiu Mountain. At its peak, swirling clouds of fortune roared ceaselessly, housing the celestial court of the Taichu Holy Court and its divine ministers. This mountain was the seat of the Taichu Holy Court and the residence of the Taichu Holy King.

Inside the study of the Taichu Holy King:

The Taichu Holy King sat behind a white jade desk, with a group of close ministers standing before him. Leading them was 'Mr. Li,' who had accompanied the Holy King to the Lingxiao Heavenly Court.

The Taichu Holy King, reading a memorial, suddenly spoke, "Mr. Li, has the emissary been sent off?"

"Yes, he was sent off two days ago. Daoist Feng Xingyun from the Serpent Queen's dojo came in person. This matter is of great importance!" Mr. Li replied, frowning.

"Feng Xingyun? Knowing the Serpent Queen sent him, I expected this to be significant. We should prepare in advance. Any disciples of the Kong family who arrive in the Fengzhong Domain are to be killed without mercy!" the Taichu Holy King commanded.

"Understood!" the ministers responded in unison.

"Smack!"

The Taichu Holy King closed the memorial in his hands.

"Is this the information you gathered on Zhong Shan?" he asked, holding up the document.

"Yes, this Zhong Shan is no ordinary man. Although his cultivation is not high, his methods are astounding. In the Lesser Thousand World, he almost always triumphed. One or two victories could be luck, but he has never failed in hundreds of years. His intelligence, strategies, and tactics are extraordinary," Mr. Li confirmed with a frown.

"Holy King, is he too strong?" a close aide asked, frowning.

"Anyone who becomes a Holy King is strong," Mr. Li shook his head.

"Holy King, do you intend to recruit Zhong Shan?" another minister inquired.

"I have my plans for Zhong Shan," the Taichu Holy King said solemnly.

"Understood!" the ministers nodded.

"Holy King, did you hand Zhong Shan over to Sima Zongheng to curb his arrogance?" Mr. Li asked.

"Indeed. I saw his arrogance when I was in the Great Zheng. He faced 231 great immortals with calm arrogance. Since he is here as a hostage, that arrogance must be tempered. Letting Sima Zongheng handle him will serve that purpose," the Taichu Holy King explained.

"But Holy King, I heard that Zhong Shan was thrown into the eighteenth level of hell by the Sima family right after arriving in Qingqiu," Mr. Li said calmly.

"The eighteenth level of hell?" the Taichu Holy King said, his expression serious.

"Yes, letting Sima Zongheng vent his anger is one thing, but it seems he has gone a bit too far," Mr. Li said gravely.

The Taichu Holy King fell silent for a moment.

"Reporting to the Holy King!" a loud voice suddenly called from outside the study.

"Come in!" the Taichu Holy King said, puzzled.

The close ministers looked towards the door with concern. No one should disturb the Holy King without significant cause.

A court official quickly entered and knelt, "Holy King, there's been a major incident at Qingqiu Great Prison. A million prisoners have escaped, and a fierce demon is seizing control of the eighteenth level of hell. The armies of Qingqiu are mobilizing to capture the fugitives."

"Absurd!" the Taichu Holy King roared.

"Holy King!" The ministers all turned to the Taichu Holy King.

The Taichu Holy King stood up, his wide sleeves flowing as he exited the study, the ministers following closely behind.

Outside, the Taichu Holy King looked towards the distant Qingqiu Great Prison. The once-imposing structure was now a scene of chaos, with black and green lights clashing in a tumultuous display. The massive breakout had turned Qingqiu Holy Capital into a battlefield, and the Holy King knew this was just the beginning of a much larger crisis.

In the distance, the dazzling lights of the impact made the area resemble a radiant sun. Above this sun, black qi billowed, creating a scene of chaos. Strong cultivators were flying all around Qingqiu, hunting down the escaping prisoners.

"Holy King, it's true! There's indeed a fierce demon attacking, trying to seize the eighteenth level of hell!" the official continued to shout after coming out.

"Silence!" Mr. Li barked.

"Uh!" The official was confused.

"The eighteenth level of hell is connected to the grand formations of Qingqiu. Any attempt to seize it would trigger attacks from these formations. Even moving it away would cause the formations to respond. The fact that the formations remain inactive means the eighteenth level of hell is untouched!" Mr. Li explained.

"Uh!"

"You mentioned a million prisoners escaped?" Mr. Li asked sternly.

"Yes, we caught one, and he said all the prisoners have fled. The eighteenth level of hell is now empty!" the official reported.

"This is bad. Zhong Shan is in the eighteenth level of hell. Holy King, this matter requires—" another close minister's face turned pale.

"Find him!" the Taichu Holy King ordered.

"Yes, sir!"—

With the million prisoners causing chaos, the entire focus of Qingqiu was on capturing the fugitives. Meanwhile, Zhong Shan effortlessly made his way out.

Zhong Shan did not choose to flee Qingqiu Holy Capital. As a representative of the Great Zheng Holy Court and a hostage, his escape would bring disaster to the Great Zheng. He also knew the Taichu Holy King would anticipate he wouldn't leave, so it was only a matter of time before they found him.

Qingqiu Holy Capital's center was undoubtedly Qingqiu Mountain, the location of the Taichu Palace.

Zhong Shan headed straight for Qingqiu Mountain. The most dangerous place is often the safest, the most obvious place the hardest to find.

Soon, he arrived at the base of Qingqiu Mountain, surrounded by bustling market areas. Zhong Shan entered one of these areas.

Qingqiu Holy Capital was vast. The chaos at Qingqiu Great Prison had not significantly impacted this part of the city. The buildings were grand and majestic.

As Zhong Shan admired Qingqiu's architecture, he skillfully located an area of interest.

Erqi Square, the Chess Soul Selection!

Chess Soul Selection?

Zhong Shan was slightly surprised. The Taichu Holy Court had such refined interests? An actual Go tournament? Was this real?

Curious, Zhong Shan headed towards Erqi Square.

Erqi Square was large, with about five to six thousand people gathered there, most dressed in scholarly attire, participating in the Chess Soul Selection.

While waiting for the Taichu Holy King to find him, Zhong Shan decided to pass the time here. It wasn't the right moment for cultivation, and he wasn't in the mood for leisure activities.

Chess Soul Selection?

Zhong Shan stepped into Erqi Square, planning to spend the next few days here.

Besides the participants, there were also officials managing the Chess Soul Selection.

In the center of the square were a hundred Go tables, with two hundred people playing. Many others watched. Strangely, each person held a peculiar small folding fan. Intrigued, Zhong Shan walked over to take a closer look.

"Wait, is this your first time participating in the Chess Soul Selection?" an official approached Zhong Shan and asked.

"Oh? Yes, it is," Zhong Shan replied.

"To participate in the Chess Soul Selection, you must first solve ten endgame puzzles. Only after solving them can you qualify for the Chess Soul Selection. After that, you need to achieve a hundred consecutive victories to qualify for the 'Chess Soul Duel' at Yunhai Mountain," the official explained.

A hundred consecutive victories? Zhong Shan was slightly surprised. A hundred consecutive victories meant winning a hundred matches in a row without a single loss.

Zhong Shan wasn't particularly concerned about the Chess Soul Duel. He was mainly here to pass the time and find some amusement.

"Alright, how do I solve the puzzles?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Follow me!" The official was quite responsible.

Soon, Zhong Shan was led to the edge of the square, where many tables were set up. About a dozen officials were waiting idly.

"Hey, Lao San, another newcomer? It's been ten years since we've had a newcomer, hasn't it?" one official laughed.

"The Chess Soul Selection has been going on for a hundred years. Those who qualify have already participated. But it's nice to see a newcomer," another official laughed.

"Alright, Lao Liu, as usual, draw ten endgame puzzles!" the official accompanying Zhong Shan instructed.

"Got it!"

One of the officials quickly took out a small jade mountain with nearly two thousand square jade plates. The official randomly selected ten plates and put the rest away.

The ten jade plates were laid flat. Each jade plate had a Go board pattern with many pieces already placed, as if the game was halfway through.

"You play as black. Place your piece on the board, and the board will automatically display your move," the official explained.

Zhong Shan nodded and stepped forward.

Looking at the first endgame puzzle, Zhong Shan smiled. He pointed to the board, and immediately a black piece appeared on the board. At the same time, a white piece also appeared, clearly prearranged by the puzzle's creator.

Although Zhong Shan cultivated the Dao of the Emperor, he was also familiar with Go. Go emphasized strategy and layout, and Zhong Shan was a master strategist. His chess skills were not as exceptional as Nangong Sheng's, but few in the Great Zheng could surpass him.

Zhong Shan continued placing his pieces.

"Lao San, is he really playing Go? He's so fast! Is he just messing around?" an official remarked, puzzled by Zhong Shan's speed.

"Poof!"

At that moment, Zhong Shan's board emitted a puff of green smoke.

"He solved it?"

"So quickly?"

"Is this for real?"

The officials were filled with astonishment.

Ignoring them, Zhong Shan proceeded to the second puzzle.

"Poof!" "Poof!" "Poof!"...

One after another, the puzzles were solved. The officials watched in amazement.

"A master!"

When Zhong Shan solved the last puzzle, the officials couldn't help but regard him as a master.

"This is your foldable plaque! With this, you can participate in the Chess Soul Selection," the official called Lao San said, handing Zhong Shan a small foldable item.

Zhong Shan took it and gently unfolded it. It resembled a folding fan but was clearly a magical artifact, with a large 'zero' inscribed on it.

"Before playing, place the plaque in the slot on the table. When you win a game, it will record your victory. Each win adds a number, but a single loss resets it to zero," Lao San explained.

"Thank you!"

Zhong Shan nodded and stepped towards the game area.

The hundred Go tables were surrounded by many players, who were not only waiting to play but also observing the games. Watching others play could improve their own skills and enhance their understanding.

Among the hundred tables, one had the largest crowd. As Zhong Shan approached, a loud voice suddenly called out from that area.

"Sima Qianjun, ninety-nine consecutive victories!"