Chapter 345: The Sealed Dao Heart - Part 1
At the summit of the Mountain of Inquiry.
Amid the watchful gazes of all present, Li Hao's chess match against the Chess Dao incarnation of the Dao Realm had begun.
This contest was inscrutable to most of the participating disciples. Only a sparse few, though fond of chess, had not studied deeply—at best reaching the second or third rank in the Chess Dao—and could only barely follow the game, unable to grasp the intricate brilliance of the confrontation.
However, in the skies above, Emperor Chu and the other sovereigns of various immortal dynasties observed with great interest.
Aside from them, among the sect leaders and elders of the other immortal dynasties were several who were either skilled at or fond of the game, stroking their beards as they watched with appreciation.
Li Hao wore a solemn expression. After merely a few opening moves, he had already discerned that the chess incarnation's skill was not weak—approaching the eleventh rank.
This meant he had to be on full alert, concentrating his entire mind to secure victory. Even if there was a gap in strength, one misstep could cost him the entire game.
“The Flying Dagger Formation, the Zhenlong Setup—this is truly spectacular!”
Emperor Tianzhao clapped his hands in praise as he gazed upon the board.
Even Emperor Chu’s eyes showed surprise. To him, the earlier game Li Hao played at the foot of the mountain was merely average—far better than the other contestants, yes, but not yet first-class.
But now, this battle atop the mountain, the board changed from moment to moment, each move offering numerous variations and countermoves. It was like watching two peerless swordmasters trading blows, every strike filled with infinite subtleties, with attack and defense tightly interlocked—absolutely exquisite!
This match, in terms of sheer spectacle alone, was an immense delight.
“With skill like this, I’d believe it if someone said he spent ninety-six years studying chess.”
Emperor Jiang also spoke up.
With a long lifespan, he had studied the Chess Dao himself—though he wouldn’t claim to love it.
But in terms of skill, he wasn’t lacking either.
“Ninety-six years wouldn’t be enough. Nine thousand six hundred years might do it!”
Emperor Chu shook his head and softly remarked, “Were it not for the fact that he wielded a sword earlier, with this kind of chess skill, he could be called a peerless genius of the Chess Dao!”
“A triple-layered setup, borrowing pieces to form the board… truly impressive.”
The Supreme Sovereign of the Celestial Palace spoke slowly, offering his evaluation.
While they conversed, in the hall atop the mountain, dozens of disciples from various dynasties watched the match between Li Hao and the Chess Dao incarnation from afar.
“Is that even a match? Could he be going easy?”
“If someone can reach the summit just by playing chess, this trial’s far too easy.”
“Hmph, ignorant fools! Don’t underestimate this game. Ordinary players would surely lose!”
“I heard that the Dao Realm incarnations on the Mountain of Inquiry manifest randomly based on one’s various Dao attainments. For his Chess Dao to reach such a level and evoke a chess incarnation… didn’t I hear his soul age was only ninety-six years?”
Though they couldn’t understand the intricacies of the match, they could see the young man’s solemn and focused expression, as if engaged in a life-or-death duel!
“How interesting.”
Di Linchen saw the scene and let a faint smile curl at his lips, tilting back his wine flask and taking a swig.
He didn’t understand chess, but even he could tell that this board was far from simple.
As time passed, more figures began to ascend from the foot of the mountain.
They were those who had previously waited for their sect’s disciples outside the Hall of Forgotten Hearts. Now, having passed through the Dao Pavilion, they had reached the summit.
Upon arriving, they saw Li Hao seated on the steps, locked in battle.
When they realized he was locked in a chess duel against his own Dao Realm incarnation, their eyes widened in stunned disbelief.
But soon enough, their own incarnations emerged, drawing them each into their own trials, leaving no time for distraction.
With these new duels underway, the other disciples finally had something they could follow. Their attention shifted, now casually observing the battles they could understand.
Soon, among the four, three defeated their Dao incarnations and successfully reached the summit. Only one failed and fell into a strange state of reverent stillness on the spot.
Nearby, Li Hao’s game still had no victor.
Time stretched on. The stars rose and the moon ascended—night fell over the trial at the Mountain of Inquiry.
It marked the end of one full day.
Starlight scattered down, illuminating the board where the game continued. Both players’ movements had slowed.
The other disciples, now weary of watching, had lost interest. Some closed their eyes to rest, while others activated their Dao Domains, seizing the chance to cultivate atop the mountain.
“What a drawn-out match. Could it be that they still won’t have a winner even by the end of the trial?”
“I’d heard that some matches could last ten years… now I believe it.”
Starlight glimmered on the board. Li Hao’s mind was completely immersed in the game, oblivious to the passage of time.
He carefully sensed the opponent’s strategy—it was strikingly similar to his own, but lacked some depth and introspection. This style was overly gentle, missing a fierce desire to attack.
“So this… is the flaw in my own Chess Dao…”
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