Undying Life

Chapter 855: The Heavenly Calamity Chessboard

"That white-haired old man is the First Chess Sage of the Feng Tomb Domain and an elder of the fox clan. He is the Chimei Chess Sage! This Soul Game was organized by him," the Nine-Tailed Princess pointed out.

"Chimei Chess Sage?" Zhong Shan looked at the distant chessboard. The arrangement of the black and white pieces was incredibly intricate. As Zhong Shan gazed at the board, he felt his vision blur, and he saw the so-called chessboard illusion.

A starry sky, infinite in its expanse, with countless stars revolving according to special rules, creating a grand and complex pattern. Within this starry sky, it was impossible to distinguish friend from foe; it seemed that even one's own pieces could be utilized by the opponent.

This enigmatic chessboard was like a vortex, drawing in everyone's mind. Zhong Shan tried to peer into the depths of this starry sky but found it unfathomable, too mysterious.

This chessboard was even more complicated than the one he had played against Sima Zongheng. It was so complex that Zhong Shan found himself deeply immersed.

As Zhong Shan's mind delved deeper, it felt as if two stars were rushing towards him.

"Boom～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"

The two stars exploded with a violent force, shaking Zhong Shan's spirit. Suddenly, a massive void black hole appeared, and in his astonishment, a powerful suction drew Zhong Shan's spirit in and ground it into dust.

"Whoosh!"

Zhong Shan snapped back to consciousness, drenched in sweat.

"What intense killing intent!" Zhong Shan exclaimed in shock.

He glanced deeply at the Chimei Chess Sage in the distance. The First Chess Sage of the Feng Tomb Domain?

While Zhong Shan was engrossed in the chessboard, a figure suddenly rushed towards him from a distant peak.

Turning his head, Zhong Shan saw a chubby man in yellow clothes.

"Strong man, you really tricked me last time!" The chubby man yelled as he landed near Zhong Shan.

"Afo, what are you talking about?" The Nine-Tailed Princess glared at him.

"I mean...!" Afo seemed to fear the Nine-Tailed Princess.

"Su Afo?" Zhong Shan recognized him.

"You remember me? Strong man, that trip to the eighteenth level of hell was so thrilling! Also, I heard you recently humiliated Sima Qianjun on the chessboard, making him ponder over a stupid move all night? And that old guy Sima Zongheng, who stood up for Sima Qianjun, got forced by you to spit blood? Is it true? You always cause a stir wherever you go!" Su Afo chattered on excitedly, his eyes gleaming.

"Hehe, I don't go by 'strong man.' My name is Zhong Shan," Zhong Shan replied with a faint smile.

"Zhong, Zhong Shan? Alright, Zhong Shan it is!" Su Afo quickly nodded.

"We just arrived. Su Afo, how have you been doing in the chess games these past few days?" the Nine-Tailed Princess asked.

"Oh, this is the 'Heavenly Calamity Chessboard' set up by the Chimei Chess Sage, challenging people to break it. Unfortunately, most people only make it to the fourth move before they start hallucinating and retreat in madness. That Sima Zongheng, still injured from the beating you gave him, tried to play and made it to the sixth move before his old injuries flared up, causing him to cough up blood and get carried back to that mountain to recuperate," Su Afo said, pointing to a distant peak.

Zhong Shan nodded. Sima Zongheng's Dao heart had been shattered by him and couldn't recover quickly.

On that mountain, Sima Qianjun and several others stood respectfully behind a young man. The youth wore a white robe, his face was as fair as snow, and he had an exceptionally handsome look that could captivate many young hearts.

"Who is that?" Zhong Shan asked, noticing the youth's commanding presence.

"That's the Young Prince of the Sima family, Sima Yi. He's the most talented member of their family and is said to be on the verge of becoming a Saint himself," Su Afo explained.

Zhong Shan observed Sima Yi, sensing a powerful aura about him. This was clearly no ordinary young man.

"Who is that?" Zhong Shan asked calmly.

"Him? He's Sima Qing, the Young Prince of the Sima family. He's reputed to be the top chess master in the Sima family and entered the Dao Conception realm a long time ago. He's one of the top contenders this time," the Nine-Tailed Princess explained.

"Dao Conception?" Zhong Shan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, he hasn't made a move yet. From what I can tell, the ordinary players have already tried, and now only the real masters are left to challenge the Heavenly Calamity Chessboard. After Mr. Li finishes, it should be his turn," Su Afo added.

"Mr. Li? When did he start?" Zhong Shan asked.

"Last night. Mr. Li has already placed fifteen pieces, the most anyone has so far! His chess skill is the strongest," Su Afo replied.

At that moment, on the distant terrace, Mr. Li suddenly closed his eyes, then placed his chess piece down and took a deep breath. "The Heavenly Calamity Chessboard, the heavenly Dao is elusive, I am not worthy!"

"Mr. Li, you are too modest. Placing fifteen pieces shows your profound chess skills. Even in the Dao Conception realm, you have a place. Besides, you have kept your mind clear and not deeply immersed. Why stop now?" the Chimei Chess Sage asked with a hint of confusion.

"The Soul Game captures the soul and spirit. I cannot delve deeper," Mr. Li said calmly.

"Mr. Li does not primarily practice the 'Way of Chess,' yet he has reached the 'Dao Conception' in chess. I am impressed. After this Soul Game, I hope you will stay and discuss a game with me," the Chimei Chess Sage said.

"Very well," Mr. Li nodded.

With that, Mr. Li stepped off the terrace and flew to a nearby peak.

The Chimei Chess Sage waved his hand, and thirty pieces on the chessboard vanished, restoring it to its original state.

"Who else?" the Chimei Chess Sage asked, looking at the numerous chess players on the surrounding peaks.

"Strong... Zhong Shan, why don't you give it a try?" Su Afo suddenly suggested.

"Why should we go right after arriving? Let Zhong Shan observe a few more games, understand the chess path, and then thoroughly defeat the Chimei Chess Sage!" the Nine-Tailed Princess declared, holding her head high.

Su Afo opened his mouth, unsure what to say. Defeat the Chimei Chess Sage thoroughly? Even joking shouldn't be this outrageous!

"Sima Qing requests the honor of a game, esteemed elder!"

As expected, Sima Qing, having watched for over ten days, finally stepped forward.

Everyone's eyes turned to Sima Qing. The Young Prince of the Sima family, their foremost chess master, was now stepping up.

Dressed in white, Sima Qing walked out with graceful steps, arriving at the terrace in an instant. With a flourish of his robe, he sat down with an unparalleled elegance.

The Chimei Chess Sage nodded. "The Young Prince of the Sima family? Although I reside in Yan Hai Yun Mountain, I have long heard of the Young Prince's renowned talent. Please, make your move."

Sima Qing nodded, picked up a black piece, and placed it on the board.

"Snap!"

"It's different from Mr. Li's approach?" Su Afo remarked, surprised.

"Chess players at the Dao Conception level do not follow anyone else's path. They don't need to mimic previous moves," Zhong Shan shook his head.

Everyone focused on the chessboard, watching as the Chimei Chess Sage and Sima Qing continued to place their pieces.

The higher one's chess skill, the more intricate the illusion they saw. For Zhong Shan, an expert, each move revealed a vision of exploding stars, shattered voids, and a collapsing universe.

The Heavenly Calamity Chessboard, a divine calamity? The Chimei Chess Sage's prowess was indeed formidable.

Two hours later.

"The fifteenth move," Su Afo said in surprise.

"Boom～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"

Suddenly, a massive thunderclap erupted in the sky. Lightning flashed, and thunder roared as dark clouds enveloped the entire island. An aura that pierced the soul pressed down on everyone.

"Playing a chess game can cause celestial phenomena? Is this for real?" Su Afo exclaimed.

In the distance, the game continued.

Sima Qing spent more and more time contemplating each move, his eyes fixed on the board, his mind deeply immersed.

The sixteenth move!

When Sima Qing placed the sixteenth piece, a fierce wind rose, and the air became filled with a murderous aura. It pressed directly into everyone's hearts. Above, the sky was filled with continuous flashes of lightning and thunder.

"Snap!" The Chimei Chess Sage placed another piece.

Half a day later.

"Snap!"

The seventeenth move. The black clouds in the sky grew thicker, and the illusion became increasingly oppressive.

The Chimei Chess Sage remained unfazed, continuing to play.

Two days later.

Sima Qing held the twenty-first piece but couldn't place it. His eyes were bloodshot, his hair disheveled, and his face filled with madness.

"Going forward is destruction, turning back is also destruction, what should I do?" Sima Qing murmured.

He seemed trapped in an inescapable illusion, his entire mind and soul ensnared.

"Why is this happening? Why is this happening?" Sima Qing muttered continuously.

"Is heaven determined to destroy me? Is heaven determined to destroy me?" Sima Qing's lips turned purple, and he appeared deranged.

"Roar～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～!"

Sima Qing suddenly stood up and let out a long howl towards the sky. Instantly, the storm clouds transformed into a massive void vortex, seemingly absorbing everything below.

A violent aura emanated from Sima Qing.

"Crack, crack, crack!" Many of Sima Qing's long hairs snapped off.

"This is bad!" A voice of alarm came from beside Sima Qianjun in the distance.

"Buzz!"

The deranged Sima Qing was suddenly encased in a block of ice, his entire body covered, leaving only a faint silhouette visible.

Next to the ice block, a figure appeared suddenly—it was Sima Zongheng.

"Boom!"

The ice shattered, and Sima Qing, who had been frenzied, had returned to his senses, though his face was still deathly pale. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Are you all dead?" Sima Zongheng shouted angrily at the Sima family disciples.

Sima Qianjun and the others didn't dare say a word.

"Huff!"

Sima Qing exhaled and slowly opened his eyes.

"The Heavenly Calamity Chessboard, I am not worthy," Sima Qing said softly.

"Young Prince, your talent is exceptional. To reach this point under the Heavenly Calamity is commendable. However, one must act within their means. What is meant to be yours, no one can take away. What is not yours, do not covet too much. Take care," the Chimei Chess Sage said with a hint of meaning.

Sima Qing's expression changed, as if the Chimei Chess Sage had seen through something, but he quickly composed himself and respectfully said, "Thank you, elder."

"Hmm!" The Chimei Chess Sage nodded and said no more.

Turning to Sima Zongheng, Sima Qing nodded, "Thank you, Second Uncle."

"It was my duty," Sima Zongheng said immediately, showing a great deal of respect for his nephew.