Gou Zai Xi You Dao Chang Sheng

The moonlight was clear, a mountain breeze blew gently, and the bamboo leaves rustled softly.

In the courtyard, Li Yan was figuring out how to adjust the Minor Five Elements Life-Generating Array to better align with the flow of Qi between the meridians.

Suddenly, a muffled thud was heard from outside the courtyard.

"Clang!"

This was followed by the monkeys squeaking and squawking.

"Senior brother! Senior brother!"

Li Yan pushed open the door and went out.

Under the moonlight, the monkey was in a sorry state, its Taoist robe torn at the hem and covered in mud and grass clippings.

Holding a fluffy thing in both hands.

The thing remained motionless, only undulating slightly in the palm of the hand, its breath faint.

Upon closer inspection, it was a mink.

However, it was not as snow-white and round as the jade rat.

This mink is more slender and elongated, with a silver-gray body.

There is a faint, frosty white line running down the center of its back, extending from the tip of its forehead to the tip of its tail.

Its eyes were closed, and there was a deep laceration on its left hind leg that exposed the bone.

Its fur was stuck together with dark red bloodstains, and it was barely alive.

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly, and he took two steps forward, his eyes naturally reflecting the light.

It was the gray sable that had once given him the three-leafed red jujube herb.

When it was attacked in the back mountain, it carried grass to repay the kindness, showing its cleverness and agility.

After a long separation, I never expected to see this scene again.

"What's going on?" Li Yan asked in a deep voice, stepping aside to let the door open.

Sun Wukong, carrying the gray sable, darted into the courtyard:

"Tonight I went to the back mountain to pick fruit wine brewed with night dew. On my way, I passed by Shattered Star Stream to the north and heard fighting noises in the woods."

Upon closer inspection, two iron-beaked owls were attacking the little guy.

That hairy beast feeds exclusively on the brains of the sable; it's extremely ferocious.

I couldn't stand it, so I swung a stick and chased them away.

But the little guy was badly injured, and my rudimentary healing methods weren't working, so I quickly came to find my senior brother!

Shattered Star Gorge?

Li Yan felt a slight chill.

That was one of the most dangerous places deep in the back mountains.

The valley is shrouded in mist year-round, and the bottom is littered with jagged rocks.

The remnants of stellar energy and the yin energy of the earth veins have eroded the land, giving rise to many ferocious monsters.

Ordinary students who follow the teachings without prior registration dare not delve into the depths, and even those who receive the true teachings rarely set foot on them.

How did that sable end up there?

Thoughts raced through his mind, but his hands never stopped moving.

Li Yan gestured to Sun Wukong to place the gray sable on the stone table in the courtyard.

He turned around and went back to the quiet room, quickly fetching several items.

A small bottle of refreshing liquid made from a mixture of lotus leaves and calming flower dew.

A packet of Yuji Powder for stopping bleeding and promoting tissue regeneration.

There are also three newly drawn talismans for rejuvenation.

First, carefully rinse the sable's wound with the cleansing liquid to remove the blood and dirt, revealing the rolled-up flesh.

The sable shuddered in pain and let out a mournful cry, but it still did not wake up.

Upon closer inspection, a faint black aura emanated from the edges of the wound, suggesting a degree of corrosion.

"It's the Shadowy Claw Poison of the Ghost-Faced Owl."

Li Yan frowned slightly. "This poison is cold and insidious, invading tendons and bones. We need to remove the poison first."

He took out a Minor Thunder Talisman and used his true energy to activate a trace of the residual heavenly thunder within it, controlling it with extreme precision.

He transformed the lightning energy into fine streams of hair, slowly channeling them into the wound to burn away and dispel the black energy.

"Hiss..."

The black mist turned into blue smoke and dissipated.

The sable's body convulsed again, but thankfully its breathing calmed down a bit.

Sun Wukong watched nervously from the side, but dared not utter a sound to disturb him.

After the poison was removed, Li Yan applied Jade Skin Powder.

When the powder touches the wound, it quickly turns into a thin, light blue film, sealing the wound and stopping the bleeding.

Finally, a talisman for rejuvenation was placed on the gray sable's forehead.

The talismanic power transformed into a warm, life-giving force, slowly seeping into his body to nourish his depleted blood and energy.

After doing all this, Li Yan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Then I took a small piece of soft cloth, dipped it in the cleansing liquid, and wiped away the other stains on the gray sable.

"His life should be safe, but his vital energy has been greatly depleted, and he needs to rest for several days."

Li Yan said, "This Yin Corrosion Claw Poison is most damaging to the soul. The fact that it is unconscious is most likely due to damage to its soul."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyes were filled with annoyance:

"It's all my fault for being late! Those two hairy beasts, next time I see them I'll pluck all their fur off!"

Li Yan shook his head, his gaze falling on the unique frosty white markings on the gray sable.

Why would it go to such a dangerous place as Shattered Star Gorge? There are no things there that the spirit sable likes to eat.

Sun Wukong scratched his face:

"When I rescued it, it was clutching something tightly in its paw. I pried it open and saw this."

As it spoke, it took something out of its bosom and placed it on the stone table.

It was a pebble the size of a pigeon's egg, and it was completely black.

Its surface is covered with silvery-white spots, as if a miniature starry sky has been created within it.

Under the moonlight, those silver spots flickered slowly, seemingly breathing in starlight.

Li Yan observed it through his eyes, and his mind reflected it in his mirror:

[Meteorite Marrow (Fragment)]

After falling from the sky, the fragments of stars were nourished by the earth's veins for thousands of years and transformed into pure star power and a trace of ethereal spiritual energy.

It has a remarkable effect on nourishing the eyes and eye sockets when practicing celestial-related techniques.

This substance is usually formed only in the depths of extremely dangerous places where stellar energy converges and earth veins intersect.

The name "Shattered Star Stream" also originates from this.

No wonder the sable would risk going there.

"I almost lost my life for this thing," Li Yan sighed softly.

"Senior brother, this little guy..." Sun Wukong stared longingly at the gray sable.

"Please stay with me to recover for now."

Li Yan said, "I use Rejuvenation Talismans and Cleansing Elixir daily to help it recover. As for the injury to its soul..."

He hesitated for a moment, then said, "Once it wakes up, we'll use soothing incense and moonlight to gently nurture it."

Sun Wukong breathed a sigh of relief and grinned, "With my senior brother here, I'm relieved!"

Looking at the monkey's sincere appearance, Li Yan said, "If you encounter similar situations again in the future, do not be reckless."

The Ghost-Faced Owl is a gregarious demon with an extremely strong desire for revenge.

Although you have condensed the seed of Dao, you cannot fight against overwhelming odds. Caution is the best policy.

"Okay, okay!"

Sun Wukong readily agreed, but his eyes darted around...

"Senior brother, speaking of this, I encountered a strange thing in my cave yesterday."

"Oh?"

"I don't like that mixed fruit wine."

Yesterday I opened a jar that had been buried for fifty years, and in a moment of indulgence, I drank several bowls too much.

Sun Wukong scratched his cheek, a look of confusion in his eyes.

"I eventually drifted off to sleep."

When I woke up, it was already dark.

I rubbed my eyes and sat up, then turned my head, and guess what?

The venerable Patriarch, I don't know when, is sitting on that stone stool in my cave, reading a tattered book!

Li Yan was shocked.

Sun Wukong continued, "I was so startled that I sobered up completely! I quickly got up and bowed."

The patriarch didn't blame me for being drunk; he just handed me that tattered book and said:

"You monkey, your mind is restless. This is for you. Study it carefully; it will help you calm your mind. It may be useful in three days."

"I took it and saw that it was a chess manual."

Li Yan raised an eyebrow slightly: "A chess manual?"

"Yes, it's a chess record!"

The cover is tattered; I only recognize two of the four characters: "天" (tian, meaning sky) and "弈" (yi, meaning chess).

Sun Wukong took out the chess manual from his pocket and handed it to Li Yan.

Li Yan took it; the pages of the manual were yellowed and the edges were worn, indicating that it was indeed quite old.

The cover is inscribed with the four characters "天弈残局" in ancient seal script.

Turning the pages reveals a series of scenes sketched with simple lines.

Each game is accompanied by a few words of annotation, written in archaic language, subtly reflecting the principles of Yin and Yang, and the mutual generation and restraint of the Five Elements.

The mirror of the heart reflects.

【The Endgame of Heavenly Chess (Handwritten Copy)】

[Note: This work appears to be the work of a highly accomplished scholar who has studied the profound principles of the universe. It contains forty-nine mysterious chess games.]

Each game subtly reflects the workings of the universe, the entanglement of cause and effect, and the ebb and flow of destiny.

The purpose of studying this manual is not to win or lose at chess, but to understand the potential, logic, variations, and opportunities inherent in the game.

This item is related to the quinquennial Go (chess) discussion at Fangcun Mountain.

Discussing the principles of chess?

A few years ago, when I first entered the mountain gate, I overheard a few words from a senior monk.

The senior disciple looked at the main peak with longing on his face and said that every five years, an old friend of the patriarch would visit Fangcun Mountain.

The two did not discuss scriptures or preach; instead, they sat facing each other and played chess on the cloud platform in front of the Three Star Cave.

Disciples in the mountains can observe whether they are receiving the true teachings, registering their names, or simply sweeping and cleaning.

If you have the opportunity and the courage, you may also step forward and play a game of chess with that guest.

The game played was an unconventional game.

Legend has it that divine thought was used as the child, and heaven and earth as the chessboard, to evolve a small world where yin and yang were balanced, and all things were born and died.

It is called the Game of Heaven and Earth.

If a player loses a game, they must give the other player an item.

It could be spiritual materials and elixirs, cultivation techniques and incantations, or one's own insights into a certain path of cultivation.

The patriarch's old friend was a mysterious figure with unfathomable cultivation, yet he was extremely generous.

Anyone who can play a game with him, win or lose, will gain some benefit.

Therefore, this discussion of the Dao and the game of chess became a rare opportunity for the disciples of Fangcun Mountain.

only……

Li Yan frowned slightly.

If the five-year period is followed, the next one should be in a year.

"Did the patriarch say anything else?" Li Yan asked.

Sun Wukong thought for a moment: "After the Patriarch gave me the chess manual, he also said something else:"

"Your senior brother, Li Yan, is calm and collected; you can discuss this with him."

Then, the old man got up, took a step, and disappeared.

Li Yan's heart trembled again.

He held the book "The Endgame of Heavenly Chess" in his hand, feeling the pages were slightly warm, as if there were hidden secrets within.

"Junior Brother Sun," Li Yan pondered, "this score must have a significant history."

The patriarch said it might be useful in three days, and that we should discuss it together. Could it be...?

The voice just fell.

"clang!"

A clear and resonant bell rang out from the direction of the main peak of Sanxing Cave, piercing through the clouds and splitting the rocks, cleansing the mountains.

The bell tolled nine times in succession, each one more magnificent than the last.

Its influence not only spread throughout the seventy-two peaks and thirty-six streams, but also subtly extended beyond the mountains.

"Nine chimes?"

Sun Wukong's golden eyes widened. "This is a signal that a distinguished guest has arrived, or that the sect has an important announcement!"

Li Yan looked up.

Above the main peak, a sea of ​​clouds surged.

A rainbow bridge descended from the heavens, spanning dozens of miles, and landed precisely on the cloud platform in front of the Three Star Cave.

Above the Rainbow Bridge, a pure and refreshing atmosphere pervades, and the Taoist spirit flows freely.

A blurry figure stood at the end of the bridge, its clothes fluttering, yet it was impossible to see clearly.

On the high platform, the figure of Patriarch Bodhi had appeared at some unknown time.

Her cloak fluttered in the wind, a whisk draped over her arm, as she smiled at the visitors arriving at the Rainbow Bridge.

"Old friend, how have you been?" The patriarch's gentle voice echoed throughout the mountains and fields.

On the Rainbow Bridge, the figure nodded slightly, her voice high and clear:

"I have a sudden feeling that things have changed. In three days, we shall meet for a game of chess."

As the words fell, the rainbow bridge and the figure gradually faded away.

Only that clear, melodious voice still echoed through the mountains.

The echoes of the nine chimes lingered.

Disciples had already gathered around the Cloud Platform upon hearing the commotion, and were discussing it animatedly.

"He's an old friend of the Patriarch! That guest who discussed the Dao with him while playing chess!"

"Why a year earlier? Isn't it supposed to be a five-year term?"

"Three days later...doesn't that mean the Daoist Chess Tournament will start ahead of schedule?!"

The disciples were both astonished and excited.

Li Yan stood in the courtyard, his hand holding "The Endgame of Heavenly Chess" tightening slightly.

Suppress the turmoil in my heart.

Opportunity is at hand, but fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

These three days are crucial.

"Senior brother! It's a debate on the Dao! It starts in three days!"

Sun Wukong excitedly did a somersault, "Our ancestor gave us the chess manual so we could prepare in advance!"

Li Yan nodded slowly: "That's right. These past three days, you and I have often studied the chess manual."

Discussing the principles of chess is no small matter; if one can gain some insight, one might be able to seize an opportunity.

He paused, then looked towards the main peak.

"However, according to the old custom in the mountains, the discussion of Taoism and chess should be held a year later. Now that it has been brought forward, there must be a reason."

Sun Wukong didn't care at all: "Who cares about the reason! If there's an opportunity, we'll seize it! Senior brother, let's look at the score first!"

The two returned to the quiet room.

Li Yan placed "The Endgame of the Heavenly Chess Game" on the table and read it together with Sun Wukong.

The album pages are simple and elegant, with a rich combination of pictures and text.

The first scene is titled "The Beginning of Chaos".

The drawing is done with just a few strokes.

A hazy vortex, with a faint light in the center, and clear and turbid energies slowly separating around it.

Side note: When the sky was clear and the earth was turbid, yin and yang were first distinguished.

The one who moves first places their piece in the center of chaos; they should then consider how to establish order and distinguish between the pure and the impure.

Li Yan focused intently on the painting, his mind clearing and shimmering with light, attempting to immerse himself in the image with his spiritual senses.

In a daze, I seemed to see a primordial world, where the clear and the turbid were not yet separated, and yin and yang were in one.

And I am the one who takes the first move, and I must make a move to establish the initial order for this chaos.

Where to place the piece?

clear?

turbidity?

central?

edge?

Every choice seems to point to a different future evolution.

He pondered for a long time but still couldn't grasp the key point.

Sun Wukong, watching from the side, scratched his head and said, "What is this thing? Why do we have to think so much about something as simple as a hair?"

I think the middle one is the brightest, so I'll place it there!

As it spoke, it stretched out its furry claws and pointed to the faint light in the center of the chaos in the picture.

Li Yan's heart stirred.

Yes.

In the beginning of chaos, everything was uncertain.

That faint glimmer of light in the center may not be the best place to place a piece, but it is the most natural place.

Like an embryo in a chicken egg, the core of the world about to be born.

Going with the flow might be the true meaning of this situation.

He nodded: "What my junior brother said may make sense. Let's watch the next game."

The second panel is called "The Five Elements Revolve".

The image depicts five colored dots arranged in five directions, connected by rays of light to form a slowly rotating ring.

It is noted that the five elements (metal, wood, water, fire, and earth) are mutually generating and mutually restraining.

Those who hold the latter must break the chain of mutual generation and sever the momentum of its rotation.

Li Yan watched this game with even greater focus.

He has recently been studying the Minor Five Elements Generation Array and has gained considerable insight into the generation and restraint relationships of the Five Elements.

The trajectory of the five-colored light spots in the picture corresponds to the generating cycle of the five elements.

Life goes on and on, endlessly revolving.

To break the deadlock, a counterforce must be introduced at a crucial juncture to disrupt this perfect cycle.

But where is the key?

Li Yan's eyes reflected the image, and his mind's mirror held the trajectory in the diagram, attempting to deduce its meaning.

Wood fuels fire, and when the fire is at its strongest, water can temporarily extinguish it.

But if fire is weak, earth will weaken; if earth is weak, metal will be weak; if metal is weak, water will be weak; if water is weak, wood will wither... A single hair can affect the whole body.

unless……

His gaze fell on the point where earth generates metal and metal generates water.

Earth is heavy and solid, while metal is sharp and angular; there is a slight sluggishness in the transition between the two.

If a piece can be placed here, the wood element's spiritual energy can permeate it, slightly weakening the earth element.

This could disrupt the smooth flow of gold, thus affecting the entire cycle.

"The five elements cycle in a seemingly perfect manner, but in reality, due to their different characteristics, there are bound to be varying degrees of strength and slowness in their transformations."

Li Yan slowly said, "Find the weak point in its transformation hub, and use the opposing force to slightly disturb it, which may break the deadlock."

Sun Wukong only half understood what he was hearing, but he found it quite reasonable and nodded repeatedly.

The two continued flipping through the pages.

The third round involves entanglement of cause and effect.

The fourth game's ko attack manifests.

The fifth game, the river of time...

Each game is more mysterious and more difficult than the last.

It involves the highest principles such as the operation of the heavens, the threads of destiny, and the changes of time and space.

Li Yan was deeply moved, feeling as insignificant as dust.

However, with each contemplation of a game, the understanding of the great principles of heaven and earth becomes clearer in the mirror of the mind.

My comprehension of the "Shouzhuo Jing" and the "Jiuqiao Zhelong Pian" also gradually increased.

By studying "The Chess Game Endgame," one can comprehend the principles of creation and creation, the rotation of the five elements, and deepen their understanding of the origin of heaven and earth.

[Comprehension of the "Shouzhuo Jing" +2, Current: 100/100 (Perfect)]

[Comprehension of "Nine Apertures Hidden Dragon Chapter" +20, Current: 100/100 (Perfect)]

[The nine orifices are nourished by the Daoist energy, the Niwan Palace gradually brightens, and the signs of the Daoist seed sprouting become increasingly apparent.]

Reflected in the mirror of his mind, Li Yan's mind was calm and serene.

He vaguely sensed that this chess manual was not a simple guide to playing chess, but rather a secret manual for cultivating the Dao.

The patriarch bestowed it at this time, and the discussion of Taoism and chess was brought forward...

These three days require us to race against time.

Day 1.

Li Yan and Sun Wukong secluded themselves to study chess scores.

Aside from the necessary breathing exercises and tending to the ferret, he spent almost all his time immersed in those profound chess games.

The sable was still unconscious, but its breathing was gradually stabilizing.

Li Yan changed its Rejuvenation Talisman every three hours and moistened its mouth and nose with Cleansing Liquid to help it recover.

At noon, Zhou Ming came to visit.

His expression was solemn as he entered, asking, "Senior Brother Li, have you heard about the matter of the pre-arranged discussion of the Daoist chess game?"

Li Yan nodded: "The bell tolls nine times, and the sound can be heard throughout the mountains and fields."

"This matter is suspicious."

Zhou Ming whispered,

"I've inquired, and according to tradition, the discussion of Dao and Chess should take place a year later. The fact that it's been brought forward has surprised several elders in the sect."

"Moreover, the atmosphere surrounding that guest's arrival this time was different from usual."

"What's the difference?" Li Yan asked.

"A rainbow bridge spans the sky, and a pure air fills the air; this has never happened before."

Zhou Ming looked longingly at the rumors, saying, "There are rumors that this guest's status is even more distinguished than I imagined."

Li Yan's heart stirred slightly, but he did not show it:

"Since we're here, let's make the best of it. Discussing the Way and playing chess is a matter of chance. Whether it's earlier or later, it may not be a bad thing for us disciples."

Zhou Ming glanced at him and smiled:

"Senior brother is quite composed. However, the Weapon Pavilion has already made its move."

"Oh?"

"Senior Brother Zhao Yuanqing went into seclusion yesterday, reportedly to study a chess game related to the sharpness of the metal element."

Zhou Mingdao said, "In the alchemy room, talisman pavilion, and array formation academy, true disciples have also begun preparations."

This debate is likely to be more intense than ever before.

Li Yan understood.

While understanding is important in chess, preparation naturally provides an advantage.

The fact that the patriarch bestowed the manual in advance may have given Sun Wukong and himself a head start.

"Thank you for informing me, Senior Brother Zhou." Li Yan cupped his hands in thanks.

Zhou Ming waved his hand: "Senior brother, you're too kind. I hope you'll achieve something on the Cloud Platform in three days."

After seeing Zhou Ming off, Li Yan continued studying the chess scores.

As night deepened, he had already comprehended the twelfth chapter, "The Shifting Stars and the Changing Constellations."

This situation involves the movement of stars and changes in spacetime, subtly echoing the meteorite marrow brought by the gray sable.

Li Yan seemed to be deep in thought.

Day two.

The sable finally woke up at dawn.

It opened its eyes, its amber pupils blank for a moment, then recognized Li Yan and let out a weak cry.

Li Yan mixed a small piece of Yangqiao Dan powder with Qingling Liquid and fed it to the animal.

The sable swallowed the medicine, felt slightly better, and tried to get up, but because its injuries had not healed, it fell back onto the cushion.

"Don't worry, take good care of yourself."

Li Yan gently patted his back, "You almost lost your life for that meteorite marrow, was it worth it?"

The sable understood, a hint of stubbornness flashing in its eyes, then lowered its head and gently rubbed against Li Yan's palm.

Then, with a faint divine thought, it transmitted a blurry image to Li Yan.

Deep within Shattered Star Gorge lies a rocky beach shrouded in mist.

In the center of the rocky beach, there is an inconspicuous crack that is bottomless.

The aura of the meteorite marrow emanated from the cracks.

Around the crack, there were more than one pair of masked owls.

There were at least five or six of them, hiding in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike.

The sables sneaked in while the animals were out foraging and took a piece of the metal.

However, as they were leaving, they were discovered by the two returning to their nest and were chased all the way...

The video cuts off here.

Exhausted, the sable closed its eyes and fell asleep again.

Li Yan felt a chill run down his spine.

Make a note of the details of the scene for future exploration.

With the discussion and chess game about to begin, it's best not to get distracted.

On this day, Li Yan and Sun Wukong reached the twenty-fourth stage of their comprehension, where Yin and Yang reversed.

This situation involves the transformation of Yin and Yang energies. If one is not careful, it will lead to a reversal of the Qi mechanism and be extremely dangerous.

It took Li Yan three whole hours to barely sort out his thoughts.

The last day before the discussion on chess.

The atmosphere at the entire Lingtai Fangcun Mountain became subtle.

Across the seventy-two peaks, streaks of light occasionally flashed across the sky, all belonging to disciples heading towards the vicinity of the main peak.

Around the cloud platform, the disciples in charge have begun to set up formations and clear the area.

After adjusting his breathing, Li Yanchen first went to check on the cultivation of the Wutu refined seed.

The Small Five Elements Life Array is functioning well; all six seeds have sprouted tender shoots, with pale yellow young stems breaking through the soil, full of vitality.

Reflection in the Mirror of the Heart:

The seeds grown from the Wu Earth soil are germinating well and are expected to develop into seedlings in about twenty days.

The formation continues to operate, significantly increasing the concentration of spiritual energy in the meditation room and boosting cultivation efficiency by 20%.

He nodded in satisfaction, then changed the talisman on the gray sable and fed it pills.

The sable is in much better spirits today and can now stand up with difficulty and take a few unsteady steps.

It crouched at Li Yan's feet, looking up at him with eyes full of gratitude.

In the afternoon, Li Yan and Sun Wukong began to study the second half of "The Endgame of the Heavenly Chess Game".

From the twenty-fifth cycle of the birth and death of all things to the forty-ninth cycle of the return of the Great Dao to oneness.

The game of chess is more expansive and increasingly complex.

Li Yan could only barely grasp the surface of many situations; the deeper mysteries were beyond his current level of understanding.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

The more you understand, the more you gain.

The way to remain humble lies in accumulation and in letting things take their natural course.

By dusk, the two had roughly read through all forty-nine game records.

Although I haven't fully understood it, I have a general framework in mind.

"Senior brother, I think..."

Sun Wukong scratched his face, looking thoughtful. "These chess games seem to be teaching me how to see the world."

Li Yan nodded slightly:

"Playing chess is like cultivating oneself; one must first understand the board before making a move. Understanding the board means observing the situation, and making a move means responding to the situation."

He closed his eyes and savored the memory. In the mirror of his mind, the outlines of the forty-nine chess games were faintly connected, forming a grand picture.

In the beginning of chaos, the five elements rotated, cause and effect became intertwined, calamities manifested, time flowed, stars shifted, yin and yang reversed, all things were born and died... Ultimately, everything returned to the Great Dao.

This is not just a chess score, but also a concise history of the evolution of the universe.

"clang--"

The evening bell tolls, its sound long and heavy.

The three-day period has expired.

At Chen Shi (7-9 AM), the discussion on chess will officially begin.