Summit of Wenda Mountain.
Amidst the gaze of thousands, the duel between Li Hao and the incarnate of Chess Tao had menced.
This match left most of the participating disciples bewildered; only a handful, though fond of Chess Tao, had not delved deeply into it, possessing merely a Third Stage chess realm, barely able to spectate, yet unable to grasp the subtleties of the duel.
High above, however, Emperor Chu and other celestial emperors watched with keen interest.
Aside from them, among the sect masters and elders of various Immortal Dynasties, there were also those skilled in and fond of chess, who stroked their beards in appreciation.
Li Hao’s expression was solemn; in just a few moves, he discerned that the chess skills of the Chess Tao’s incarnate were not weak, approaching an Eleventh Rank standard.
This meant he needed to be fully prepared, wholly concentrated to win this game; any mistake, despite the gap in chess ability, would result in an utter loss.
"The Flying Knife Formation, the Zhenlong Formation, truly marvelous!"
Emperor Tianzhao couldn’t help but applaud as he gazed at the board.
The astonishment was evident in Emperor Chu’s eyes; the previous game Li Hao played at the mountain’s base seemed just standard to him. Although such a chess skill level far surpassed that of other participants, it did not yet reach first-class.
But now, in this summit duel, the chessboard transformed in an instant; every move harbored multiple solutions and corresponding paths, like two unparalleled swordsmen exchanging continuous moves, each imbued with endless changes, with flawless offense and defense, intricately interlocking - exquisitely brilliant!
Such a battle brought immense enjoyment, even just to watch.
"Such chess ability, if told he spent ninety-six years studying chess, I would believe it!"
Emperor Jiang remarked as well.
With a long lifespan, naturally, he had researched Chess Tao considerably, but he couldn’t claim to be passionately fond of it.
Yet truly evaluating chess ability, his was not inferior.
"Ninety-six years can’t yield such skill, nine thousand six hundred years might be more plausible!"
Emperor Chu shook his head, speaking softly, "If he hadn’t wielded a sword before, such chess ability could be considered the talent of a peerless Chess Tao genius!"
"Third Level situation, borrowing pieces to play chess, indeed impressive."
The Heavenly Venerable spoke slowly, giving his assessment.
As they conversed, in the hall at the mountain’s summit, dozens of disciples from various dynasties were gazing at the duel between Li Hao and the incarnate of Chess Tao.
"Is this truly a duel? Could it be a ruse?"
"If one could reach the summit just by playing chess, it’d be far too easy."
"Ha, ignorance! Don’t underestimate this chessboard, an average player would certainly lose!"
"I heard the incarnate of the Tao Realm on Wenda Mountain manifests randomly according to its various Tao Realms; for it to have achieved such a level in Chess Tao to display a Tao Realm incarnate, I recall his soul life is supposedly only ninety-six years?"
Watching the chess duel, they couldn’t prehend it, but they saw the young man’s expression extremely focused and stern, as if engaged in a life-and-death bat duel!
"Interesting."
Di Lincen saw this scene, a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, lifting his head to drink from his wine vessel.
He did not understand Chess Tao, but could see that the chess scenario was anything but simple.
As time passed, at the mountain’s base, a few more figures gradually ascended.
These were individuals who had previously waited for sect disciples in Forget Heart Hall, now having passed through the Dao Pavilion, they too reached the summit.
Upon reaching the top, they saw Li Hao seated in front of the steps, engaged in the duel.
Seeing Li Hao battling his own Tao Realm incarnate with Chess Tao, they were taken aback, eyes wide in surprise.
But soon, their own Tao Realm incarnates manifested, each entering their own trial, no longer able to divide their attention further.
With the duels of these figures, other disciples finally encountered matches they could prehend, diverting their gaze to casually observe.
Soon, among the four, three defeated their Tao Realm incarnates and ascended successfully, only one was defeated, falling into a peculiar state of reverence in place.
Meanwhile, Li Hao’s game had yet to determine a victor.
The time stretched on, stars rose, the moon emerged, the trial on Wenda Mountain continued into the night.
This also signified the end of a day.
Starry light scattered down, the duel before the chessboard persisted, with the pace of moves from both sides being slow.
Seeing this scene, the other disciples had long lost patience, each closing their eyes to rest, some even deploying their Dao Domain, utilizing the summit’s time to cultivate.
"What a prolonged duel, could it be that even when the trial ends, a victor remains undisclosed?"
"I’ve heard tales of one game taking ten years, it seems such things truly occur."
The starlight shimmered, scattered upon the chessboard, and Li Hao’s mind immersed within the game, having forgotten time.
He carefully sensed the opponent’s chess path, akin to his own but lacking some depth and contemplation, though this chess style was overly serene, lacking a certain fierce offensive desire.
"Is this the flaw of my Chess Tao..."
Li Hao thought to himself, the pieces in his hand began to fall with vicious cunning.
He regarded the chess incarnate before him as a reference for himself, taking heaven and earth as teachers, prehending ancient and present!
When a ray of the rising sun illuminated the chessboard, Li Hao’s move landed precisely at that beam of light’s location.
"It’s over."
At that moment, the Heavenly Venerable softly spoke amidst the clouds.
Beside him, Emperor Chu also nodded slightly, having watched this intricate duel with great interest, noting the subtle changes in this young man’s chess path throughout the encounter, now, with this decisive move, he had finally pushed the duel to its conclusion.
"Didn’t anticipate enjoying such a fine chess game here, it’s made my hands itch to play."
Emperor Tianzhao sighed lightly.
"Has the victor been decided?"
Emperor Chi expressed surprise; she didn’t appreciate Chess Tao and couldn’t discern the winner.
Now, before the chessboard, the Tao Realm incarnate gazed at the spot where Li Hao’s piece landed, its tense expression suddenly seemed to show a sense of relaxation.
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