Wansong Daoist watched incredulously as Lu Zheng went from being slightly inferior in chess skills to slightly superior.
And this transformation took merely a month.
Wansong Daoist was astonished, and Lu Zheng was equally surprised.
Because in this month, the Light of Fortune he poured into improving his chess game was nearly two hundred, almost approaching that of a Thousand-Year-old Great Demon.
Moreover, the further he advanced, the harder it became, unsure whether it was a lack of foundation or just natural depletion.
If the Light of Fortune derived from Wansong Daoist this time didnât reach two hundred, heâd suffer immense loss.
However, it seemed Lu Zheng was a bit worried too soon, because on the twenty-third of February, when Lu Zheng once again defeated Wansong Daoist by a margin...
"Buzz!"
The Jade Seal instantly accrued one hundred and eighty-eight strands of Light of Fortune.
Oh, covered the costs directly!
No matter what the result of the dream chess game on the third of March, as long as the fortune is credited, itâs pure profit for him.
"Hahaha! Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable! There are talented chess players like you, Xiaoyou, in the world. Iâve really underestimated everyone!"
Wansong Daoist laughed heartily, his eyes shining like stars, and with a wave of his right hand, the chessboard in front was reset to emptiness, "Come, come, Iâve gained some insight. Lu Xiaoyou, letâs play another game."
Lu Zheng swallowed nervously, feeling an ominous premonition.
Sure enough, one day later, Wansong Daoist again triumphed over Lu Zheng by a margin.
Lu Zheng, "..."
Damn it, youâve been a demon for thousands of years, how come you still play the sudden breakthrough trick?
If it goes on like this, how can newcomers like us ever counterattack!
"Hehehe!"
Seeing Lu Zhengâs bewildered and twisted expression, Wansong Daoistâs face, full of wrinkles and a greenish hue, for the first time displayed a genuine smile of inner joy and happiness.
Patting Lu Zhengâs shoulder, Wansong Daoist said sincerely, "Young man, take it easy. Iâve lingered outside this Dao gate for two thousand years, and now with a sudden enlightenment, could I be any less than your rapid progress in a month?"
"Certainly, certainly," Lu Zheng could only nod in agreement, "Youâre right."
Since Wansong Daoist has made progress again, doesnât it mean his chances to crack the dream chess game have increased a bit?
If so, then he needs an equally matched opponent to help consolidate this realm, so...
"Jade Seal, enhance!"
"Buzz!"
This is not the time to be stingy with the Light of Fortune; Lu Zheng believes if Wansong Daoist can genuinely crack the dream chess game, his own gains will not be small.
Feeling the feedback from the Jade Seal, reviewing and recognizing again the recent chess game, and gaining more insight into the way of chess...
Lu Zheng waved his hand, and the black and white chess pieces on the chessboard returned to their places, "Predecessor, please!"
...
After three draws in a row, time finally reached the first of March.
"Alright, no more playing," Wansong Daoist waved his hand and said, "No more time, even if playing further, there wonât be any more growth."
Wansong Daoist chuckled, "Truth be told, Iâve been playing that dream chess game for two thousand years, gaining quite a bit, and this year I indeed have confidence.
Besides, even if this year still doesnât break that dream chess game, donât we have one chance every year afterwards? With Xiaoyouâs help, I ultimately have confidence to crack it."
Lu Zheng nodded, though Wansong Daoistâs words made sense, human power is indeed limited sometimes, and without foundational basis, gaining chess skill out of thin air isnât very easy either.
And both Wansong Daoist and Lu Zheng have actually reached the near-limit condition where short-term progress is difficult.
"Dream chess game, cannot be demonstrated?" Lu Zheng couldnât help but ask.
Previously when playing chess, upon Lu Zheng first defeating Wansong Daoist, heâd asked about the dream chess game, but according to Wansong Daoist, the dream chess game couldnât be demonstrated.
"Cannot be demonstrated," Wansong Daoist shook his head and said, "I donât know whether itâs an immortal entering my dream or me entering the immortal realm; overall itâs just like a fantasy, that chess game is hazy. I can play against the immortal in the dream, but upon waking, itâs as if shrouded in a light veil, only recalling a rough idea, difficult to remember the gameâs details."
According to Wansong Daoist, no one in this realm could affect him like this, so if something caused him this illusion, it truly must be a genuine Upper Realm True Immortal.
Chi Songzi!
Left Saint of the South Pole and South Yue Zhenren!
Left Immortal Taixu True Man!
Master Shanggu!
These are notable figures also well-known in Huaxia Immortal Legends.
Lu Zheng rubbed his chin, speaking of Chuandong Dao Pan Shui Cave also claims the legacy of Master Shanggu, could it be Chi Songzi?
Shaking his head to bring back scattered thoughts, Lu Zheng regrettably said, "Originally I wanted to see the immortal chess game myself, but immortals do not mix with mortals, albeit unfortunate, I cannot force it."
Wansong Daoist can only recall the rough idea; in the way of chess, a slight difference can lead to a huge error, so thereâs absolutely no need for restoration.
Because...
In all the games Wansong Daoist and Lu Zheng played over the months, there were shadows of that dream chess game.
"Xiaoyouâs temperament is openhearted!" Wansong Daoist chuckled and then glanced at Song Kaichuan, "Unlike this old fellow in the cave, who dares to dream of winning a game against me."
Song Kaichuan raised an eyebrow, "Does my desire to win a game against you mean a lack of openhearted temperament?"
Wansong Daoist laughed, "Then you must recognize your own abilities."
Song Kaichuan, "..."
Song Kaichuan blew his beard, "Arenât you glad I brought Lu Xiaoyou, otherwise I think itâd be another two thousand years before youâd make further progress!"
Wansong Daoist didnât actually refute, instead nodded, "Indeed, I feel my chess skills havenât progressed for two hundred years. Without Xiaoyouâs stimulus, I wouldnât necessarily be able to advance further, or if I could progress, itâs uncertain when that would be..."
Lu Zheng hurriedly waved his hand, "This is older generationâs gradual accumulation and eventual breakthrough; the junior doesnât dare to take credit."
Wansong Daoist and Song Kaichuan couldnât help but glance at each other, and both laughed heartily.
Lu Zheng was bewildered, Wansong Daoist laughingly said, "Have you told Old Song the same thing?"
Lu Zheng: ???
It seems, perhaps, maybe, possibly, I really did say that?
Wansong Daoist returned the chess pieces to their positions on the table, solemnly told Song Kaichuan and Lu Zheng, "Iâm going to seclude myself for three days to enter the dream and play chess; there are Spirit Fruits in the caves on Wansong Mountain, feel free to enjoy."
Song Kaichuan waved his hand, "Go on, go on, do I need your hospitality?"
"Predecessor please!" Lu Zheng cupped his hands and said.
Wansong Daoist smiled, nodded, and then suddenly disappeared, transforming into a verdant light joining the ancient pine tree behind.
Song Kaichuan looked at Lu Zheng, "Iâm going to the cave halfway up the mountain to rest, how about you?"
Lu Zheng bowed and said, "Predecessor, go ahead; as I just arrived, Iâll take a look at the scenery."
Song Kaichuan nodded, "Alright, Iâll be off then. By the way, there are some ancient trees with Spirit Fruits on the mountain, donât be shy."
Lu Zheng smiled, "The junior understands!"