A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Upon seeing Duan Rong approach, Lü Yinlin immediately stood up and said with a smile, "Junior Brother Duan, come, let me introduce you. This is Senior Brother Zhuang Tairu from the Divine Intent Sect. This is Senior Brother Li Kuli from the Heavenly Evolution Sect."

Duan Rong clasped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Zhuang, Senior Brother Li, I have long admired your names, they are like thunder in my ears."

Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku's divine senses had already been released and penetrated into Duan Rong's dantian. Wherever their divine senses passed, they found that Duan Rong's dantian was completely empty.

The nascent soul is a condensation of divine sense, which cannot be detected by any divine sense. More importantly, Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku discovered that there was not a trace of fluctuation of law power within Duan Rong's dantian.

In fact, before they came, they all thought that the news of Duan Rong condensing his Nascent Soul was completely false. Especially recently, Zhu He has started to take strong action on the interests bordering the sects, and they felt that this was a series of schemes by the Taiyi Sect.

Li Ku, with his fiery temper, went directly to Zhuang Tairu, wanting to come to Taiyi Sect with him, all to expose this scheme. In Li Ku's words, going directly to Taiyi Sect to force Duan Rong to show himself was like striking at the heart of the enemy's lair and cutting off their supply lines.

But now that Duan Rong has actually arrived, the two men's expressions changed drastically upon sensing him with their divine senses, and they couldn't help but exchange a glance.

Li Ku initially didn't believe it at all, and there was another very important reason for that: he had already investigated and found that Duan Rong was the guy who had taken Lü Qingzhu as his concubine.

Several years ago, the marriage alliance between the Taiyi Sect and the Tianyan Sect caused quite a stir. Lü Qingzhu, fierce and resolute, committed suicide in the Fish and Dragon Hall to demonstrate her resolve.

At that time, Li Ku had people investigate Duan Rong.

After this incident, he investigated both sides and discovered that the so-called new patriarch of the Taiyi Sect was Duan Rong, who was none other than his son-in-law from the Lü family.
And this kid is only in his early thirties. To condense a Nascent Soul at just over thirty? That's absurd!

Based on the deductions made during the investigations, Li Ku dragged Zhuang Tairu directly to the Taiyi Sect.

In truth, Zhuang Tairu also had this thought in mind. Zhu He's side was making a strong push over the interests bordering their sects, and without clarifying whether Duan Rong's Nascent Soul was genuine, Zhuang Tairu would find it difficult to strike a proper countermeasure. What if he retaliated too harshly and angered a formidable enemy? Wouldn't that lead to endless trouble?
Duan Rong came straight over, and the two men immediately began to have doubts. After all, if the news was false, Lü Yinlin would definitely make excuses and prevent Duan Rong from showing himself easily.

But now, the moment they arrived in this secluded valley, less than the time it takes to play a game of chess, Duan Rong appeared. More importantly, there wasn't a trace of law power surging within his dantian.

Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku were initially quite certain that the news of Duan Rong condensing his Nascent Soul was false, a smokescreen by the Taiyi Sect, but now their hearts were filled with turmoil.

Zhuang Tairu said, "Brother Duan has already condensed his Nascent Soul at such a young age. In front of Brother Duan, Lao Li and I are nothing more than firecrackers that fail to light up. How dare we call ourselves thunder?"

Zhuang Tairu was following up on Duan Rong's earlier statement that they were household names. After he finished speaking, he gave Li Ku a meaningful look.

Li Ku sat there, his heart pounding with shock. His expression hadn't even recovered from the sudden change in his face. His investigation into Duan Rong was more in-depth than Zhuang Tairu's, which was why his thoughts had been churning even more intensely.

When Li Ku saw Zhuang Tairu winking at him, he suddenly realized what was happening. He put the black chess piece he was holding into the chess basket and laughed, "Damn it, Old Lu, I've played chess with you for so many years and I've never won. I think the situation in this game is even more precarious. Forget it, I'm not playing anymore."

As Li Ku spoke, he stood up.

At this moment, both Lü Yinlin and Li Ku left the stone chessboard, leaving both seats empty in front of it.

Lu Yinlin stood there smiling without saying a word; he had already guessed what Li Ku and Zhuang Tairu meant.

Sure enough, Zhuang Tairu looked at Duan Rong and said, "Brother Duan, I've been itching to play chess while watching them play. And what you said when you entered the valley just now, that even half a point is a win, is truly impressive. Could you please teach me a game?"

Duan Rong glanced at Lü Yinlin's silent smile. He knew that Zhuang Tairu's invitation to play chess was a pretense; his real intention was to test Duan Rong's cultivation level.

Duan Rong naturally sensed Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku's divine sense penetrating his dantian, but the divine sense probe was not completely certain, because if someone had no cultivation level, their dantian would also be empty, without any fluctuation of the power of law.

The dantian of a Nascent Soul cultivator is essentially the same as that of an ordinary person.

Therefore, Zhuang Tairu had to personally test the waters by playing chess in order to make a final decision.

Lü Yinlin smiled without saying a word, indicating that he had no intention of stopping them. Duan Rong himself did not want to hide his abilities at this moment. If he could not let Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku ascertain his true cultivation level, Zhu He's side might suffer a setback.

Once Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku understand their true strength, Zhu He's side, the Divine Will Sect and the Heavenly Evolution Sect will not dare to act rashly.

In fact, Duan Rong and his group had their cards on the table from the very beginning.

Unfortunately, this revealed hand was too incredible, making it seem like a bluff.

Now, not only does Zhuang Tairu want to test Duan Rong, but Duan Rong also wants to use Zhuang Tairu's test to tell the various sects of the Nine Provinces that he, the patriarch of the Taiyi Sect, is a genuine Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

Duan Rong said, "A guest is a guest. The host should follow the guest's lead."

Zhuang Tairu said, "Then, Brother Duan, please."

Duan Rong said, "Brother Zhuang, please."

Zhuang Tairu took his seat first, sitting in the place where Li Ku had just been, and held the black pieces.

Duan Rong also took his seat, sitting in the same spot where Lü Yinlin had just been, and held the white pieces.

The reason the guest plays black is because the rules of Kyushu Go dictate that black moves first. Black stones are considered yin, and white stones are considered yang; yin moves first and yang responds later. This is the principle of yin and yang.

Zhuang Tairu made the first move.

Duan Rong placed the white pieces down.

Zhuang Tairu was a skilled chess player; one could say he grew up with a chessboard. At this moment, he deliberately placed his pieces quickly, almost without thinking.

Duan Rong, through devouring the spirit of the artifact, had already reached the pinnacle of chess skill, like a gazelle hanging its horns on a cliff. He could place a piece without even blinking.

In an instant, the sound of their pieces striking the ground was like raindrops pattering on banana leaves; dozens of moves had passed in the blink of an eye. Watching from the sidelines, Li Ku was dazzled and couldn't help but mutter, "Are you two playing chess or performing acrobatics?"

As soon as Li Ku finished speaking, Zhuang Tairu's hand, which was holding a black piece, suddenly stopped there and remained there for a long time. He looked at the game on the chessboard with a solemn expression, and his heart was like a surging tide.

The two had been playing quickly, like rain pattering on banana leaves, but suddenly stopped. Zhuang Tairu was shocked to find himself surrounded on all sides of the chessboard.

Although Duan Rong's surrounding forces were not yet fully formed, a murderous aura was already surging within him.

Zhuang Tairu's pieces, however, were scattered everywhere, and Duan Rong broke through them at key points, making it difficult for him to gain an advantage.

Zhuang Tairu's lips trembled slightly. He raised his head, looking at Duan Rong with astonishment. Even though he considered himself quick-witted, his moves had been scattered and disorganized, despite his rapid pace and responsiveness to the opponent's moves.

But Duan Rong's game of chess, viewed at this moment, was actually a well-planned and interconnected strategy from the very first move to the entire situation, with the potential to spread like wildfire.

If they had made their moves after careful consideration, it could have been considered a brilliant move. But what's more, they were making their moves as fast as raindrops hitting banana leaves.

Zhuang Tairu said, "Brother Duan's chess skills are truly unpredictable. Swift as thunder, aggressive as fire, and brimming with killing intent." Duan Rong replied, "The way of chess is unpredictable. It all depends on the timing and circumstances. It's like a battle between masters; only when the opponent is strong enough can their potential be forced out. This game wasn't played by me alone; it was played by Brother Zhuang and me together."

"Well done!" Zhuang Tairu's eyes flashed with a deep light as he stared intently at Duan Rong. He had always been obsessed with chess, and after just this one game, he had developed a great liking for Duan Rong. "Meeting Brother Duan today, I feel as if we have known each other for a long time. If it were a few years earlier, after just this one game, I would have been willing to become friends with Brother Duan."

Duan Rong's heart stirred slightly. He could see that Zhuang Tairu's eyes were clear and sparkling, and that his words were full of genuine emotion. So he said, "It is often said that old friends can remain as good as new friends, and strangers can remain as good as old friends. Brother Zhuang loves chess so much, he must be a man of true feelings."

As the two were talking, Li Ku, who was watching from the side, was completely confused. He coughed and gave Zhuang Tairu a wink.

It was Zhuang Tairu who suggested testing Duan Rong earlier, so why are these two now showing a sense of mutual respect and appreciation?

Li Ku's cough jolted Zhuang Tairu awake from his reverie.

Zhuang Tairu gave Duan Rong an awkward smile. Although he admired Duan Rong's chess skills, he was the patriarch of the Divine Intent Sect, and the sect's interests outweighed everything else. He then smiled and said, "Brother Duan, let's finish this game first."

As Zhuang Tairu spoke, he placed the black piece in his hand on a spot.

After Zhuang Tairu made his move, Duan Rong reached for the chessboard and picked out a white piece.

Just as Duan Rong made a white piece, Zhuang Tairu suddenly stretched out his right hand on the right side of the chessboard, placed his left hand horizontally on the edge of the chessboard, and began to gently tap the stone plate with the index fingers of both hands.

The rhythms of the two hands are not the same, and there is a sense of interlude and echo.

Faint, ancient ripples emanated from the tips of his index fingers.

The two ripples suddenly intersected and disappeared from each other, as if the water waves were merging, but the surging force remained undiminished.

The chessboard appears to be empty, but in reality, two intersecting ripples cover it.

Upon seeing the two ripples that emanated from the water, which were both real and tangible, Li Ku's eyes lit up, and he was filled with admiration.

Lu Yinlin's expression was grave, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes. He couldn't help but glance at Duan Rong. Zhuang Tairu's move was quite ingenious; even if he wanted to break it, it would take some effort.

Duan Rong sensed the powerful force of the hidden ripples. A faint golden light suddenly flashed from the fingertips holding the white piece. Then, he placed the white piece on the chessboard.

When Duan Rong's fingertips touched the hidden ripples covering the chessboard, a faint golden light emanated from his fingertips and splashed out. At that very moment, the white piece in his hand landed steadily.

With a "ding," the piece landed on a spot slightly to the right of the center of the chessboard. This move connected two groups of white pieces, resembling a white dragon winding and dancing...

Duan Rong immediately curled his fingers.

Zhuang Tairu's index fingers also stopped moving on their own.

The scene fell silent instantly.

Lü Yinlin was amazed by the ingenuity of Duan Rong's response.

Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku were even more shocked.

Duan Rong's move clearly confirmed his mastery of the art.

The fact that he could break through the hidden ripples on the chessboard by Zhuang Tairu with a single touch means he is undoubtedly at the Nascent Soul Realm!
A Nascent Soul cultivator in his early thirties!?

Early thirties!? Another Spirit Origin?

Zhuang Tairu and Li Ku both looked at Duan Rong with astonishment, remaining silent for a long time.

A few breaths later, Zhuang Tairu's eyes suddenly darkened, and he said, "Brother Duan, I've lost this round."

Duan Rong smiled and said, "Winning and losing in chess is the norm. If fate allows, I would like to compete with Brother Zhuang again in the future."

Zhuang Tairu's eyes lit up, and he laughed, "Good. If we are truly destined, I, Zhuang, will definitely play ten rounds with Brother Duan."

Duan Rong laughed and said, "Haha, Brother Zhuang, you really have an addiction. If you're willing, I'll definitely keep you company."

Zhuang Tairu immediately stood up, first clasped his hands in greeting to Duan Rong and said, "Today's meeting has been worthwhile." Then he clasped his hands in greeting to Lü Yinlin and said, "Brother Lü, Brother Duan, Lao Li and I have disturbed you, so we will take our leave now."

Li Ku was slightly taken aback and said, "You're leaving already?!"

But Zhuang Tairu had already gotten up and walked towards the mouth of the valley.

Li Ku could only clasp his hands in a fist salute to Lü Yinlin and Duan Rong and say, "Then I will take my leave."

Duan Rong and Lü Yinlin watched the two men walk out of the valley.

Duan Rong said, "Senior Brother Lü, Zhuang Tairu seems to be an interesting person."

Lu Yinlin said, "Zhuang Tairu only advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm a few years ago. He had been cultivating in seclusion within the Divine Will Sect and rarely came out to socialize. Come to think of it, this is the first time I've met him."

Duan Rong said, "I see."

Lu Yinlin said, "I see that you two are quite compatible. Your advancement to the Nascent Soul stage is not only a matter for my Taiyi Sect, but will also affect all the sects of the Nine Provinces. Some things, as you just said, are like old friends who have known each other for a long time. Perhaps you could consider how to deal with the sects of the Nine Provinces?"

Duan Rong's eyes flickered, and he said, "Senior Brother Lü, are you saying that I should form an alliance with Zhuang Tairu?"

Lu Yinlin smiled slightly and said, "Having more friends means having fewer enemies. Why not?"

Duan Rong pondered for a moment, his eyes flashing.

Lu Yinlin said, "Alright, Junior Brother Duan, that's your business. I was just saying something. Now I need to go in and cultivate in peace. Please do as you please."

Duan Rong said, "When we come here, senior brother, are we not even allowed to have a sip of water?"

Lu Yinlin ignored him and had already entered the cave.

Duan Rong smiled slightly, pondering Lü Yinlin's last suggestion. He felt he should discuss this matter with Zhu He first. In recent years, he had focused solely on his spiritual cultivation, neglecting worldly affairs, and was not familiar with the specific circumstances of the various sects throughout the Nine Provinces. Zhu He, however, possessed extensive knowledge in this regard. (End of Chapter)