The Cycle of Reincarnation in the Four-Courtyard House: A Journey Through the Heavens

Su Xinghe stroked his graying beard and said to Li Xiao with a hint of admiration, "Young Master's chess moves may seem ruthless, but in reality, you deeply understand the true meaning of the game!"

"Everyone is afraid of losing a game, but they don't know that some obsessions can only lead to a brighter future by letting go of them completely."

Li Xiao showed no delight at Su Xinghe's praise. He simply smiled calmly and said, "I have merely stood on the shoulders of giants and seen through the illusions of the game."

"This intricate chess game has never trapped chess skills, but rather the human heart. If one is unwilling to give up the 'life' that one has gained, one will never escape the 'death' that lies before one's eyes."

As soon as he finished speaking, the white piece landed gracefully, like the finishing touch, instantly revitalizing the entire game.

The previously lifeless situation on the chessboard suddenly became clear. Black's encirclement collapsed, and White, in a completely new form, was reborn from the ashes in a desperate situation.

Su Xinghe stared at the chessboard, remaining silent for a long time.

The open space in front of the stone house was silent. Zhong Ling stood behind Li Xiao, blinking her big eyes, completely unable to understand the situation before her.

Li Xiao knew that he did not follow the same path as Xu Zhu in the original work, but instead understood the true meaning of "to be reborn from the ashes" in his own way.

Breaking the deadlock is never about passively waiting for a turning point, but about actively breaking free from constraints and creating your own path to survival through sacrifice and choice.

Su Xinghe stood up and smiled confidently, "Young friend, please come in!"

"Thank you so much, senior!"

Li Xiao whispered to Zhong Ling, "Ling'er, wait for me outside. Brother Li will be right back!"

"Um!"

Zhong Ling nodded obediently.

Contrary to expectations, the stone house was not damp and gloomy. Instead, it was filled with a refreshing sandalwood scent, which mingled with the grass and wood fragrance clinging to the gravel, creating a sense of ethereal tranquility.

Li Xiao walked slowly to the stone bed at the end of the stone chamber, where an old man was sitting.

He did not lean back, but sat cross-legged. Upon closer inspection, Li Xiao discovered that the old man's entire body was wrapped in a thin rope and he was hanging from a beam on the roof of the stone house.

The old man's legs were pressed together, and he showed no intention of moving, clearly having already lost consciousness.

But this disability did not diminish his demeanor in the slightest; on the contrary, it made him appear even more otherworldly and dignified.

Wu Yazi's three-foot-long black beard, as black as ink jade, hung down to his chest, each hair distinct and without a trace of frost. His face was as smooth as jade, without a single wrinkle. His brows and eyes carried a sense of leisure and indifference, as if he were not a cripple who had been trapped here for thirty years, but an old immortal who had hidden in the deep mountains and quietly observed the affairs of the world.

"Truly worthy of being the leader of the Free and Unfettered Sect!"

Li Xiao was naturally familiar with the Xiaoyao Sect's standards for accepting disciples.

Legend has it that when the Xiaoyao Sect recruits disciples, the first requirement is that the men be handsome and the women be beautiful; as for martial arts aptitude, that is secondary!

It is said that this rule was set by the founder, Xiaoyaozi. He is definitely a member of the appearance association!

It is said that Wu Yazi was an extremely handsome man when he was young, otherwise Li Qiushui and Tianshan Tonglao would not have been enemies for him for their entire lives.

However, Wu Yazi didn't like either of them, but rather Li Canghai, who had no feelings for him!

Could this be considered a Northern Song Dynasty version of a tragic love triangle?

When Li Xiao's gaze met Wu Yazi's, he felt as if he were bathed in a spring breeze, yet there was also a hidden air of authority.

Wu Yazi's eyes were as clear as autumn water, without a trace of turbidity, yet deep within them seemed to hold mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas. They possessed both the vicissitudes of life and the clarity untouched by worldly dust, as if they could cleanse the impurities in people's hearts.

"Li Xiao?"

When the old man spoke, his voice was not as hoarse as expected, but rather clear and melodious, with a unique rhythm.

"The Zhenlong Chess Game has remained unsolved for thirty years. Your ability to solve it demonstrates your profound wisdom and your affinity with my Xiaoyao Sect."

In the original story, after Xu Zhu solved the Zhenlong Chess Formation, he met Wu Yazi, only to be described by the old man as "a truly ugly little monk!"

Li Xiao's appearance is now one in a thousand or even ten thousand, and he also has a clever and capable aura, which makes Wu Yazi particularly satisfied.

Therefore, the moment Wu Yazi saw Li Xiao, he had already decided in his heart that he would be the next leader of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Li Xiao bowed respectfully and said, "Junior Li Xiao greets Senior!"

"I have been fascinated by martial arts since childhood and have long admired the reputation of the Free and Unfettered Sect. Senior is a renowned figure in the martial arts world. Today, I am honored to meet you. Your demeanor is even more impressive than I have heard of. However..."

His gaze swept over Wuyazi's motionless legs, and he paused, ultimately unable to say more.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yazi's lips curled into a bitter smile.

"Are you saying that someone with such an ethereal and otherworldly appearance is a cripple with two disabled legs?"

He shook his head with a self-deprecating smile, but his aura rippled slightly.

A faint yet powerful true energy circulated around him. Li Xiao could clearly feel that this true energy was far more terrifying and profound than that of the Shennong Gang's vice leader he had fought before!

At this moment, the elderly man, who was paralyzed from head to toe, was like a dragon lurking in the deep sea; when he was still, he was calm, but when he moved, he was terrifying.

"Thirty years ago, when I took charge of the Xiaoyao Sect, I recruited many disciples, and Ding Chunqiu was one of the most talented among them."

Wu Yazi's voice was calm, yet it carried an uncontrollable rage.

"I saw that he had an extraordinary appearance and a unique physique, and I intended to train him to be the next leader of the Xiaoyao Sect. However, I never expected that he was a wicked person, so I never taught him the Beiming Divine Art, which only the leader could cultivate."

"This Ding Chunqiu secretly colluded with my wife Li Qiushui, attempting to seize the sect's most treasured manual and this token of sect leadership from the Xiaoyao Sect."

He raised his hand and stroked the antique-style ring on his thumb, which was inlaid with gorgeous gemstones, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Ding Chunqiu and Li Qiushui attacked me at a crucial moment in my cultivation of the 'Northern Darkness Divine Art.' My cultivation was abruptly interrupted, and my true energy reversed. In the end, they knocked me off the cliff."

"Although the bottom of the cliff is deep, it is entwined with ancient vines that have lasted for thousands of years. I was lucky to survive, but most of my meridians were damaged, and my legs were crushed by huge rocks. I will never have the chance to stand up again."

Wu Yazi's tone had returned to calm, as if he were telling someone else's story.

"Over the years, I have been using my inner energy to regulate my meridians and maintain my life. Although I am unable to move, I have used these thirty years of quiet recuperation to push my martial arts skills to a higher level. However, the heavy responsibility of cleaning up the sect and revitalizing the Xiaoyao Sect must ultimately be entrusted to you."

Upon hearing this, Li Xiao immediately clasped his hands and said, "Such treacherous and ungrateful scoundrels deserve to be killed by everyone. If I ever achieve great mastery of my skills, I will personally cleanse the Xiaoyao Sect of its evil ways!"

Wu Yazi slowly raised his hand, feeling greatly gratified by Li Xiao's determination.

"Alright, I admit I misjudged a villain like Ding Chunqiu, but I still have confidence in my judgment."

"Your ability to solve the Divine Chess Puzzle demonstrates that we share a master-disciple relationship. I hope you will keep your word in the future!"