A misty, ethereal grove of purple bamboo.
In the central position stands a chessboard crafted from natural tree stumps, where two individuals are engaged in a ga.
One is approximately thirty or forty years old, dressed in a moon-white scholar’s robe, with a square headscarf, exuding a scholarly aura.
The other appears sixty or seventy, wearing a golden-yellow robe, with a string of ebony prayer beads around his neck. His face is compassionate, with no hair—a monk in appearance.
Behind them, there is a row of disciples in various attire, respectfully waiting.
All their eyes are fixed on their hands moving the pieces, seemingly trying to discern so sort of thod.
Each ti one of them places a piece, the surrounding dust either trembles rapidly or floats toward the edges, and nearby flowers and grass sway constantly, clearly affected by the Qi emitted from them inadvertently.
The ability to influence external objects with Qi, it seems, indicates that these two have reached mastery of creation.
’Clack!’
As a chess piece is heavily placed, the surrounding Qi changes once again.
A monkey that inadvertently wandered in let out a mournful cry as it was swept by the vast Qi, falling straight from the tree, with life or death unknown.
"Sect Leader Yu, you lost!" The old monk laughed.
"Grandmaster Lou, you are fixated. Victory and defeat are left to fate; why be so attached?" The middle-aged scholar said indifferently.
"Victory or defeat on the chessboard can be overlooked, but what about the struggle involving the fortune of the realm?"
"Isn’t it said that a new Grandmaster has appeared in Danzhou? The contest for the fortunes of the two countries—victory or defeat is yet unknown." The middle-aged scholar suddenly sneered, "However, this Grandmaster seems to have sprung from a stone.
With our identities, we didn’t even notice a trace."
"Om Mani Pad Hum, whether true or false, once we go, we shall know."
...
Wanma Country, National Master’s Mansion.
At the opulently grand National Master’s palace, a formidable aura soared into the sky.
A flock of black geese flying several hundred feet high fell one after another.
Nurous armored and sword-bearing guards were alard and quickly ran to the scene, but dared not easily intrude on the palace.
Soon, a deep yet ethereal voice faintly echoed, as if resonating within everyone’s hearts.
"In the Central Plains, there truly still exists a Grandmaster..."
...
Yunjin Manor.
"Brother Wang, may I have the honor of eting the Grandmaster?"
"Apologies, my master is always elusive. I myself am not quite aware of his current abode."
"Brother Wang, what is the Grandmaster’s na, if you don’t mind? He must have already gained a great reputation in the martial world?"
"Senior Li, you are mistaken. My master has always lived in seclusion away from worldly affairs.
This ti, he ca out because he knew that our Central Plains martial world is about to face a catastrophe."
"Brother Wang..."
In the spacious hall, dozens of round tables stood, adorned with all manner of chicken, duck, fish, geese, cattle, sheep, pig, rabbit, and drinks and teas, steaming and fragrant.
Yunjin Manor was hosting a banquet for many martial comrades who ca either to lend a hand or attracted by its fa.
Manor Master Li Weizhou had gone to Fenglei Sect for the funeral of their sect leader and disciples.
Thus the responsibility of entertaining these martial comrades fell upon Wang Yukai and his wife.
Wang Yukai had just handled another elder’s inquiry, unconsciously wiped the fine sweat from his forehead.
Turning his head, he saw Lou Yi, Green Jade Hand, and Smiling Tiger sitting in the corner, eating and drinking heartily, chatting and laughing, and sighed.
’Brother Liu, Brother Liu, you have truly brought to ruin!’
Wang Yukai had asked Lou Yi countless tis whether a Grandmaster truly existed.
However, Lou Yi’s answers varied every ti: definitely yes, maybe not, roughly, perhaps...
Driven him to the brink of cursing, yet he dared not get angry at Lou Yi.
Every day he must deal with so many martial guests probing, thoroughly exhausting him.
He realized he had greatly underestimated the influence of a Grandmaster.
Or perhaps, given the current special situation, the ambitious movents of the Wanma Country army, the Central Plains martial world urgently needs an unparalleled Grandmaster to stabilize the scene.
"I am Yelu Feng, here to learn from the divine sword Scholar’s skills, kindly enlighten !" A clear voice called out from outside the mountain manor.
At these words, the eyes of martial folks present brightened.
"Yelu Feng, the second disciple under the National Master, acknowledged as a longstanding top-tier expert, having defeated ’Jade Sea Saber’ Mo Wuyai and ’Invincible Iron Fist’ Cheng Lin, with impressive records.
Far beyond comparison with his junior disciple, Tuoba Hong!"
"We have yet to witness the divine sword Scholar in action, today is a perfect opportunity."
"A duel between the disciples of two Grandmasters is bound to be a titanic clash!"
In the eyes of all expectant martial folks.
The National Master’s second disciple Yelu Feng, surrounded by nurous steppe n, arrived at the open ground in the center garden of Yunjin Manor.
Yelu Feng appeared to be in his thirties.
Sporting tightly woven little braids, with a robust build, bronze skin, bulging and fierce muscles, his Blood Qi abundant.
"Wang Yukai, do you dare to duel with ?" Yelu Feng roared, like thunder erupted.
His gaze fierce, with an incredible aura, like a fierce tiger bursting into the manor, causing intimidation.
"Why should I not dare?" Wang Yukai replied with a light smile, fearlessly stepping forward.
Soon after, Wang Yukai drew his treasured sword, while Yelu Feng brought forth a silver tal treasure wheel, and the two instantly engaged in fierce combat.
’Clang, clang, clang!’
’Boom, boom, boom!’
The piercing tallic sounds rang continuously, sparks flew, white airwaves spread, fake mountains shattered, flowers, grass, and leaves scattered across the sky...
In a fierce duel.
Wang Yukai poised a sword horizontally against Yelu Feng’s bleeding neck, with a proud expression: "You lost!"
Yelu Feng’s face turned pale, with disbelief still in his eyes.
Even now, he couldn’t believe he lost.
Reflecting on the battle just now, he did indeed make reckless moves, as if he was enshrouded.
Though exerting full force, whether it fell on the opponent was hard to say.
"Go back and tell your National Master to send so more formidable individuals.
Whoever can defeat may then take Tuoba Hong and Yelu Feng away.
Otherwise, they shall remain as guests at our manor." Wang Yukai said to those steppe n.
The implication being, even the National Master’s second disciple Yelu Feng had beco his prisoner.
Upon these words, the people present were both shocked and excited.
Capturing the two main disciples of the National Master’s residence consecutively, this act was akin to formally challenging the Wanma Country National Master’s Mansion!
In martial world rumors, National Master Mu Yun has already reached the unparalleled Grandmaster level.
And the divine sword Scholar Wang Yukai had such confidence, it seems his Grandmaster master cannot be fake!
The two Grandmasters are bound to engage in a world-shaking duel!
"The divine sword Scholar captured the National Master’s second disciple Yelu Feng in just a few moves, and defeated two National Master’s disciples consecutively!"
"Does the fact that the National Master’s disciples are not as good as the mysterious Grandmaster’s disciple imply that the National Master might not match up to our Central Plains martial world’s Grandmaster?"
"The National Master’s Mansion has been thoroughly embarrassed. What kind of expert will they send next to rescue Tuoba Hong and the others?"
"Exhilarating, truly exhilarating, I must go to Yunjin Manor to witness it firsthand, gain knowledge!"
With the news of Wang Yukai capturing Yelu Feng and issuing threats spreading.
The rumors that he is backed by a Grandmaster are gaining credibility, drawing more martial folks to Danzhou.
For a ti heroes gathered, waves surged, as a massive invisible vortex brewed...
...
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