Immortals of the End Times

"The Qingzhou Cauldron!"

Huang Chang clenched the Daoist Scroll of Longevity tightly, his old eyes narrowed to slits as he stared intently at the Qingzhou Cauldron at Zhao Wuji's waist, and said in a deep voice, "Boy, how did you obtain this Qingzhou Cauldron?"

Zhao Wuji's external sword domain was like a light veil brushing against his body. Hearing this, he smiled faintly and said, "After breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, I took it casually. It's not bad to use."

He lightly touched the body of the cauldron with his fingertips, and amidst the flowing storm and cloud patterns, thunderbirds cried out, as if in response.

"What a waste! This cauldron is not meant to be used like this."

Huang Shang, his Taoist robe fluttering, said with a determined look in his eyes, “This cauldron is useless to you. You might as well give it to me.”

This old man is willing to bestow upon you the six supernatural powers from the *Wanshou Daozang*, including "Shrinking the Earth to an Inch" and "A World in a Foot!"

As he spoke, he flipped his palm and revealed three jade slips, their surfaces covered with Daoist patterns that resembled dragons and snakes.

"No need."

Zhao Wuji shook his head slightly with his sleeves, "I have learned a lot and a wide variety of things. I can't bite off more than I can chew. I also really like this cauldron."

Huang Chang's face darkened, and the white hair beneath his Taoist crown stood on end: "I have devoted half my life to the Nine Cauldrons, and now you have so easily taken a bite from me."

He suddenly pointed to the nine-leaf sword grass on the mountaintop that was absorbing spiritual energy, "If you hand over the cauldron, I can help you reach the summit!"

A sudden gust of mountain wind arose, but Zhao Wuji smiled without answering, and stomped his foot on the Demon Roc Sect Master.

"Wait outside."

The four words were uttered softly, but they made the Demon Roc Sect Master's feathers tighten, and he quickly lowered his head in agreement.

Zhao Wuji's figure descended.

The Mountain Entry Token transformed into a stream of light and disappeared into the mountain path, instantly silencing the sword energy restrictions along the entire path.

He stood with his hands behind his back, took a step forward, and the sword energy beneath his feet seemed to yield as if it were a subject, automatically parting to create a path.

With such unhurried steps, each step seemed to be stepping on the nodes of the mountain path's restrictions, and amidst the flowing sword mist around him, the image of a rotating sword domain could be vaguely seen.

Each wisp of mist contained a completely different sword intent, sometimes like a gentle spring breeze and sometimes like a thunderbolt.

Such mastery of swordsmanship even astonished and terrified Cang Yunzi, who had also comprehended the concept of "one sword transforming into a domain."

Before long, Zhao Wuji's figure had reached the chessboard halfway up the mountain, his clothes fluttering as if he were strolling leisurely.

"This guy was just a junior before entering the Sword Domain, but now... he actually..."

On the mountain path halfway up the mountain, the demon kings, covered in sword wounds and bleeding profusely, stared wide-eyed with demonic eyes.

They watched helplessly as Zhao Wuji's sword domain swirled around him, rendering the mountain path's restrictions ineffective.

That composure and strength alone transformed its last trace of killing intent into a bone-chilling cold.

Zhao Wuji's gaze swept across the mountain path not far away, and he could see at a glance that the demon kings were tightly imprisoned by the sword realm formed by the restrictive sword energy, but he did not linger.

His gaze was suddenly drawn to the ancient stone table halfway up the mountain.

On the chessboard, black and white pieces were scattered like stars.

It bears a striking resemblance to the game of chess played by wandering immortals that I witnessed at the Jianmu Immortal Court years ago!
Zhao Wuji pondered, and the shocking scene he had witnessed years ago suddenly flashed into his mind.

At the end of the Rainbow Bridge amidst the vast expanse of green leaves of the Jianmu tree, two cultivators resembling Daoist boys were playing chess.

Each time a piece was placed on the chessboard, it caused the stars in the sky above to shift. One person said, "When the sun first rises, it is as large as a cartwheel, but at midday it is as small as a plate. Is this not because things that are far away appear small and things that are close appear large?"

Another person said, "When the sun first rises, it is cool and refreshing, but at midday it is as hot as boiling water. Is this not because it is hot for those nearby and cool for those far away?"

He was shocked and immediately strode toward the stone table.

"Oh, I don't know whether to live or die."

Near the mountain peak, the Nine Nether Demon Lord swept his divine sense over the area and saw that this junior, who had just entered the Nascent Soul stage, dared to approach the Starry Chess Game. A mocking look appeared in his eyes.

This chessboard is an ancient, unfinished chess game, said to be a manifestation of the Daoist essence left behind by the Jianmu Immortal Court.

The chessboard is crisscrossed with star trails, and each piece corresponds to the movement of the stars in the celestial sphere.

Ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, let alone comprehend it, will have their primordial spirit shaken even if they just glance at it. At best, they will lose their Dao heart; at worst, their soul and spirit will be destroyed.

In the past, countless Nascent Soul True Monarchs, confident in their talents, sat here to meditate, only to find themselves lost in a dream, unaware of the passage of time in the outside world.

Some people sit in meditation for a hundred years, only to wake up with white hair.

Some people become so engrossed in the game of chess that they eventually perish from exhaustion.

This game is fraught with danger, comparable to the legendary "Rotten Chess Fate." Before the game is over, the world has changed, and one cannot leave the Sword Domain.

"Little friend, wait a minute!"

Below the mountain's neck, Cang Yunzi hastily waved his whisk, and a divine sense immediately warned, "This is the incomplete Star Luo puzzle, which contains profound truths of heaven and earth. It cannot be touched by anyone without great opportunity and great enlightenment!"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Wuji paused, smiled, and cupped his hands in greeting: "Thank you for the reminder, Sect Master Cangyunzi. I have only taken a brief look, but I already have some confidence in my abilities."

Before he finished speaking, he had already lifted his robe and sat down.

In an instant, the stone bench suddenly burst forth with chaotic, clear light.

Two profound thoughts, like children debating scriptures, exploded in his dantian: "The northeast of the heavens is missing; what should be added to fill this gap?"

"The land slopes to the southwest; what method should be used to govern this town?"

Both of these questions are in accordance with the principles of Heaven and Earth, extremely profound, and point directly to the origin of Heaven and Earth.

If an ordinary cultivator were to force an answer, they would either give an irrelevant response or suffer damage to their primordial spirit.

However, Zhao Wuji had lingered in the ancient immortal court behind the Gate of Mysterious Female, and had even personally observed the scattered immortals playing chess and listened to the Great Vehicle Heavenly Venerable preaching. Even though it was like listening to heavenly books, he had already gained some understanding of the ultimate principles of heaven and earth.

After a moment's thought, he already had an answer in his mind.

"Where the sky is broken, my sword shall hang as the moon."

Within Zhao Wuji's third inner space, the illusory image of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass trembled slightly, "Where the earth sinks, a cauldron should be erected as a pillar."

The Qingzhou Cauldron at his waist emitted a sound of wind and thunder, and the runes on its body flowed, seemingly possessing the power to suppress mountains and rivers.

This answer was not empty talk, but a reflection of his own Taoist principles.

The sword represents the moon in the sky, and the tripod represents the pillar of the earth.

It subtly embodies the true meaning of cultivation: "A sword to challenge the heavens, a cauldron to stabilize the earth."

In an instant, the stone bench transformed into a lotus platform, steadily supporting his figure, as if he had been recognized by the chess game!

"What!?"

The Nine Nether Demon Lord's demonic eyes showed surprise.

Cang Yunzi's eyes also flashed with an incredible light.

Zhao Wuji had only just broken through to the Nascent Soul stage, yet he had actually managed to sit firmly in front of this Starry Chess Game.

How could this child have such a profound understanding and deep knowledge of the Dao?

It should be known that the profound knowledge involved in this star-studded chessboard points directly to the Great Dao and may hold the secrets to breaking through to the Divine Transformation stage.

Even cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, who have accumulated knowledge over many years, can only barely scratch the surface of the matter, yet they still worry about becoming trapped in the game.

But now look at this child
At this moment, not only were Cang Yunzi and Jiuyou Demon Lord astonished, but Huang Chang was also shocked by Zhao Wuji's performance. He was filled with doubt and uncertainty, and could only suppress his eagerness to seize the Nine Cauldrons.

Zhao Wuji sat upright on the stone bench, and suddenly felt dizzy, as if he were in the vast starry sky.

Stars were scattered in all directions, and the brilliant stars floated like chess pieces. With a slight thought, he placed a piece and saw the distant stars move accordingly, their trajectories changing.

"boom!"

When the chess pieces collide, stars crumble, and blinding beams of destruction burst forth. The energy surges violently, enough to annihilate even a Nascent Soul True Monarch in an instant, a sight that sends chills down one's spine.

At that moment, the sixth Yang Pearl in his sea of ​​consciousness suddenly became agitated, and the tadpole-like characters on its surface lit up on their own, faintly revealing mysterious patterns.

"The art of astrology?"

Zhao Wuji's heart stirred slightly. Although he could not yet decipher the specific techniques because the Yang Pearl was not fully unlocked, judging from its trajectory, it must be related to the celestial deduction.

Before he could think it through, the starry sky opposite him suddenly distorted, and a huge star crashed into him like a meteor!
"not good!"

His mind was shaken violently, and he had no time to resist. In an instant, he was crushed by the stars, and his primordial spirit was struck as if by lightning, leaving him listless and dispirited.

What's even more terrifying is that he couldn't extricate himself from this game of chess; instead, he became increasingly entangled, as if he were sinking into a quagmire.

At this moment, his primordial spirit was injured, and he lost even the ability to manipulate the star chess pieces. Faced with the destructive stars attacking again, he was unable to attack and was also struggling to defend.

"If this continues, my primordial spirit will surely be crushed by the game of chess..."

Zhao Wuji's gaze was deep and focused; though in a perilous situation, he remained calm.

There are only two ways to break this deadlock.

Either decipher the art of astrology and use the power of the Yang Pearl to solve the game.

Or... use a summoning spell!

Zhao Wuji's primordial spirit solemnly adjusted his hat in the Purple Mansion, clasped his hands together at eyebrow level, and performed the three bows and nine kowtows to the childlike phantom in the inner landscape of his dantian.

With each bow, the incantation spell secretly made in the sleeve would light up a little, and golden runes would flow like swimming fish within the sleeve.

Each rune that lit up caused the branches and leaves of the Jianmu tree in the inner realm to tremble slightly, releasing wisps of ancient spiritual energy.

"This junior, Zhao Wuji, humbly requests the favor of the immortal!"

During the third bow, the runes suddenly burst forth with brilliant golden light, like the rising sun.

The magical fluctuations pierced through the inner realm, drawing a golden trajectory in the void, reaching the rainbow bridge atop the Jianmu tree.

The branches and leaves of the Jianmu tree move swiftly without wind, as if echoing this call that transcends time and space.

The figure of the Taoist boy sitting cross-legged on the rainbow bridge suddenly opened his eyes, his pupils reflecting a galaxy of stars, each star seemingly containing a world within it.

His body exuded a Daoist aura as solid as gauze, and his every move was surrounded by celestial energy. Even his breath transformed into golden lotuses that bloomed in the void.

"what?"

Before the young Taoist could finish his light exclamation, Zhao Wuji's consciousness had already merged into his body like a weary bird returning to its nest.

In an instant, the view from the top of the Jianmu tree suddenly opened up.

At the end of the Rainbow Bridge, a star-studded chessboard floated in the void, each piece seemingly formed from a real star, its black and white colors subtly reflecting the principles of Yin and Yang.

The young Taoist boy playing chess opposite him held the black pieces. He wore a purple-gold crown and a robe with the Eight Trigrams on his body. With a light touch of his fingertips, he caused the Big Dipper to shift, and when he placed a piece, the Milky Way seemed to hang upside down.

At this very moment, in his primordial spirit's perception, the vast immortal power within this Daoist boy's body was as deep as the ocean, and every strand of magical power was as heavy as a mountain.

Zhao Wuji felt as if he had been stuffed into a primordial furnace. Every inch of flesh and blood in this seemingly tender body contained a terrifying power that made his primordial spirit tremble.

The mere wisp of aura unconsciously flowing from the Daoist boy nearly caused his consciousness to collapse, as if an ant were facing a towering mountain.

The energy exhaled with each breath did not seem to be ordinary spiritual energy.

It is more like an immortal aura imbued with the spirit of immortality and containing a certain will.

Each wisp of energy entering his body felt like a surge of mercury. If it weren't for the protection of divine arts, his primordial spirit would have been overwhelmed and shattered on the spot by this extraordinary energy.

Looking up, the ancient celestial court atop the Jianmu tree presents a magnificent sight.

Seventy-two suspended fairy mountains surround the Tongtian Jianmu tree, just like the legendary seventy-two grotto heavens.

On the mountainside, a powerful Daoist was practicing his supernatural abilities, moving mountains and filling seas with every gesture.

But in the eyes of this wandering immortal, it was nothing more than a 'minor path' like a child playing around.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators were comprehending the Dao at the foot of the mountain, yet they didn't even have the right to look up and gaze directly at the Rainbow Bridge.

"Looking at the mountains, they appear; gazing at the clouds, they rise."

As Zhao Wuji's thoughts stirred slightly, from the perspective of the Daoist boy, Daoist charm spontaneously manifested in the void wherever his gaze fell.

When you look at a mountain, its shadow appears both real and ethereal.

Looking at the clouds, the rosy clouds themselves create a beautiful picture.

What kind of supernatural power is this?
It's more like the Tao of nature reaching its ultimate state, with the laws of heaven and earth responding to it on their own!

"Even a mere wandering immortal has come into contact with the level of the Dao and the natural way?"

Zhao Wuji could not fully understand, but was deeply shocked.

If it weren't for the profound mystery of the Immortal Summoning Technique, he would never have been able to reach this level.

Even now, when I come into contact with things, it's like a frog in a well barely managing to climb out and look at the world. I'm deeply shocked, but there are many things and principles that I simply can't understand or comprehend.

Suddenly, his pupils contracted sharply.

All that could be seen was four golden suns hanging in the sky above the top of the Jianmu tree.

A figure in black robes could be vaguely seen in the blazing sun at the very center. Even a fleeting glance from the corner of his eye sent a jolt through him, as if his mind had been struck by lightning.

"The Black-Robed Celestial Venerable!"

"In the eyes of a wandering immortal, even a Celestial Venerable is like a blazing sun suspended in the sky."

Before the shock could even begin, the Starry Chess Game had already undergone a complete transformation from the Taoist boy's perspective.

The original stone table and chessboard suddenly transformed into an endless sea of ​​stars suspended beneath their feet.

Each chess piece is a real star, and the interplay of black and white subtly reflects the principles of Yin and Yang.

The chessboard was actually a miniature version of the celestial map.

White pieces represent the celestial bodies of Yang, while black pieces represent the celestial bodies of Yin returning to their origins.

As the opposing Taoist boy placed his piece, the Po Jun star actually shifted from the Big Dipper and crashed down with a destructive trajectory!

"I see!"

Zhao Wuji's primordial spirit trembled, both shocked by this earth-shattering method and delighted by glimpsing a trace of the true meaning of the Great Dao.

But many more mysteries remain elusive, like trying to see flowers through a fog.

It's like an ant looking up at a dragon; it can see its form but cannot understand its spirit.

He was both shocked and enlightened.

Immediately, they pointed their fingers out as if holding an invisible chess piece.

The starlight falling from the branches and leaves of the Jianmu tree automatically condensed into white stones. With a gentle push of a fingertip, Tianxuan Star shifted and transformed into a stream of light, crashing into Pojun Star. "Clang!"

The clear, resonant sound of stars colliding echoed throughout the Purple Palace.

On the stone table outside, Zhao Wuji's fingers were pinching a white jade chess piece that had appeared out of thin air.

Under the watchful gaze of the Nine Nether Demon Lord's divine sense, it landed with a 'thud' in the Heavenly Origin Position.

Suddenly, the chessboard burst forth with chaotic, clear light, and all seventy-two black pieces trembled simultaneously.

The nine-leaf sword grass on the mountaintop moved swiftly without wind, and the sword intent of the drooping grass leaves perfectly matched the trajectory of the falling pieces.

"This is impossible." The Nine Nether Demon Lord's demonic body trembled violently.

He once forced himself to place a piece there, and then coughed up blood.

And this kid was able to make a move and be unharmed, even causing the sword grass to resonate.

From the perspective of the Daoist boy, Zhao Wuji is frantically devouring the true meaning of the Way of Chess by using the insights gained from the wandering immortals.

With each collision of stars, the tadpole-shaped astrological symbols on the surface of the Yang Pearl become brighter.

When the third incoming star, Greedy Wolf, was intercepted by the Star of Heavenly Pivot, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration. The sleeves of the Immortal Child fluttered, bringing up the entire Milky Way!

Outside, starlight erupted from the chessboard with a 'boom,' and Zhao Wuji's right hand, which had placed the piece, had already become a blur.

Each move was precisely placed at the point of sword intent, actually carving a miniature celestial map on the stone table.

Zhao Wuji's divine sense trembled violently within the body of the wandering immortal Daoist boy.

The scene before me was a world of Daoist charm spread out from the vast sea of ​​stars.

On the chessboard where the two young Taoists were playing, each chess piece was a real star.

The interplay of black and white embodies the profound truth of the cycle of Yin and Yang.

"When the sun first rises, it is as large as a cartwheel, but at midday it is as small as a plate. Is this not because things that are far away appear smaller and things that are close appear larger?"

At this moment, the purple-crowned Taoist boy opposite smiled and gently stroked the chess piece, his voice as clear as a flowing spring.

The Taoist boy possessed by Zhao Wuji paused, and the white jade chess piece, suspended in the starry sky, hesitated to fall.

He followed the boy's gaze.

In the center of the chessboard, a blazing sun star was suspended, its golden light dazzling and its heat scorching.

"When the sun first rises, it is cool and refreshing, but at midday it is as hot as boiling water. Is this not because it is hot for those nearby and cool for those far away?"

The Taoist boy he possessed responded, but his voice carried a hint of confusion.

"Is watching chess no longer considered chess?"

Zhao Wuji's primordial spirit trembled violently.

From the perspective of a wandering immortal, that sun chess piece is not an inanimate object, but rather contains a kind of life rhythm that transcends the mortal world.

What surprised him even more was that the two young Taoists saw completely different things.

In the eyes of the Purple Crowned Taoist boy, the sun was as huge as a carriage canopy.

However, to the Taoist boy who possessed him, it was only the size of a plate.

"Seeing a mountain as not a mountain"

Zhao Wuji's consciousness trembled, and he suddenly realized, "The two children are arguing about the sun. It seems that they are arguing about the sun, but in fact they are arguing about their understanding of the Dao. The purple-crowned boy opposite them seems to have a better understanding of the Dao?"

In an instant, the rainbow bridge atop the Jianmu tree trembled, and all seventy-two suspended fairy mountains resonated in unison.

Through the Taoist boy's eyes, Zhao Wuji saw the black-robed figure faintly visible behind the sun chess piece.

That was actually the embodiment of the Black-Robed Celestial Venerable of Mahayana Buddhism!

"I see."

A storm raged in Zhao Wuji's heart.

That blazing sun was not a real star, but a manifestation of the Daoist aura of the Mahayana Celestial Venerable.

The two wandering immortal disciples seemed to be arguing about the size and distance of the sun, but in reality they were debating the profound mysteries of the Mahayana realm!

They were wandering immortals who had failed their tribulation.

They may never truly understand the realm of the Mahayana Celestial Venerable, thus creating this unsolvable impasse that has lasted for ten thousand years.

With a flick of his finger, the purple-crowned Taoist boy caused the Big Dipper to shift, and the star Tianxuan transformed into a streak of light that crashed into the sun.

However, the blazing orb of light remained motionless, instead completely devouring the illusory starlight.

"The Starry Chess Game seems to only point to the Daoist insights of the Tribulation Transcending stage, but it does not contain the true essence of Mahayana Buddhism."

A sudden realization flashed through Zhao Wuji's mind: "The Mahayana Daoist teachings may be hidden in the Black-Robed Celestial Venerable's Corpse-Severing Technique, but for me, it is still too far away."

His mind raced, and he remembered listening to the Celestial Venerable preach behind the Gate of the Mysterious Female.

Those obscure and difficult-to-understand words about "severing the three corpses" now subtly resonate with the chess game.

Unfortunately, it was like listening to gibberish back then, and it remains a mystery to me now.

"Alright, let's solve this Big Dipper puzzle first!"

Zhao Wuji stopped worrying about the mystery of Mahayana Buddhism and focused on the star map in front of him.

From the perspective of the wandering immortal, the trajectory of the Big Dipper is clearly visible.

Each star corresponds to a Daoist principle.

He pointed his fingers like a sword, drawing upon the light of the star Dubhe.

The illusory image of the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass in the inner vision of the dantian trembled slightly, and as the grass leaves unfurled, they burst forth with sharp sword intent, perfectly matching the star trails.

"The move of Tianquan!"

As the boy activated his divine sense, the white jade chess piece in his hand landed with a 'thud' on the Tianquan position of the chessboard.

In an instant, the entire Sword Immortal Mountain trembled. The nine-leaf sword grass on the mountaintop moved without wind, and the cascading sword energy poured down like a silver river, seemingly stirred by the chessboard halfway up the mountain.

Outside, in front of the stone table, Zhao Wuji's fingers trembled slightly, and the star-shaped chessboard in front of him burst forth with chaotic light.

"Ok?"

The Nine Nether Demon Lord's black robes fluttered, and his demonic eyes suddenly shrank to needle size.

The surging demonic flames around him were suppressed by the sword intent and collapsed inch by inch, and a look of surprise appeared on his usually gloomy face.

"It actually triggered the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass?" In the distance, Huang Chang's old eyes narrowed into a dangerous arc, and his hunched body unconsciously leaned forward.

At the mountain's ridge, Cang Yunzi, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, paused slightly. A strange light flashed in his usually indifferent eyes as he murmured, "The sword grass echoes... Could this young man perhaps have some connection to the ancient sword immortals?"

In the world of chess, Zhao Wuji has gradually reached a high level.

Although they cannot comprehend the Mahayana Taoist teachings and the insights of wandering immortals into the Tao, from the perspective of wandering immortals, the mysteries of the Tao are as clear as the lines on the palm of their hand.

Each collision of stars deepened his understanding of the true meaning of the Dao.

This understanding may be useless now, but it will definitely be of great use when you break through to the Divine Transformation stage in the future.

Inside the Purple Mansion, the three-colored Nascent Soul was surrounded by Dao patterns, and the phantoms of the Qingzhou Cauldron and the Yangzhou Cauldron intertwined behind it to form a mountain and sea Dao diagram.

The cauldron patterns feature a thunderbird's cry and a leaping dragon, exuding a majestic aura that suppresses mountains and rivers.

Deep within the sea of ​​consciousness, the primordial spirit, a small golden figure, sat cross-legged like a mountain.

The six divine rings revolved like the sun, each rotation devouring the Daoist energy overflowing from the chessboard.

The power of the primordial spirit solidified at a speed visible to the naked eye, and the faint phantom of the seventh divine ring appeared between the eyebrows!
At a certain moment, the primordial spirit suddenly burst forth with dazzling divine light, and the burst of golden light dyed the entire ocean of divine consciousness into a dazzling gold.

Amidst this dazzling golden light, the illusory image of the seventh divine ring appeared faintly between the eyebrows, like a newly born star!
The phantom resembled the Big Dipper, its seven points of light swirling and emitting vast starlight. Each flash caused a monstrous surge of soul energy to rise in the sea of ​​consciousness.

The golden primordial spirit was made entirely of glass, and now it was showing fine star patterns, as if the entire starry sky was imprinted on its spiritual platform.

"clang!"

When Zhao Wuji's last white piece landed at the Yao Guang position, the entire Big Dipper chessboard resonated loudly.

The starlight emanating from the seven star-like chess pieces surged like a reversed Milky Way, flowing into the Purple Palace along the meridians.

The three-colored nascent soul in the dantian suddenly opened its eyes, and three divine lights of cyan, gold and blue erupted like a volcano!
"Boom!"

His dantian trembled violently as if the heavens and earth were being created, and the Dao patterns around the nascent soul figure flickered wildly.

A thunder dragon roared amidst the wind and thunder patterns entwined on his left arm, while a dragon-like creature leaped among the tidal runes inscribed on his right arm. The branches and leaves of the Jianmu tree phantom on his chest stretched out like a canopy supporting the sky.

Most astonishingly, the seven Dao patterns between his brows now intertwined with the illusory images of the seven divine rings of his primordial spirit, emitting a dazzling spiritual light.

"This is."

Zhao Wuji looked inward and saw that the magical power of his nascent soul had condensed into liquid stardust, each drop as heavy as a mountain.

The surging power of the nascent soul surged through the eight extraordinary meridians.

Under the influence of this force, the meridians gleamed with a jade-like luster, and patterns resembling Daoist symbols appeared on the surface of the bones.

With a casual grasp, ripples spread across the void like water, a testament to the ultimate purity of magical power!

"I've broken through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage?!"

He was shocked to discover that the barrier that might have taken sixty years of arduous training to overcome was now pierced through by the starlight as easily as paper.

The three-colored nascent soul swelled three times in size, and the spiritual pressure it exerted with every move was breathtaking.

However, before they could even feel joy, the scene before them suddenly distorted.

The rainbow bridge atop the Jianmu tree crumbled inch by inch, and the figure of the wandering immortal Daoist boy vanished like a bubble.

Zhao Wuji's consciousness was forcibly ejected and returned to his physical body.

"call!"

Before the stone table, Zhao Wuji suddenly opened his eyes, and his spiritual pressure gathered like a tide.

He was startled to realize that his clothes were covered in dust, but he was still spreading powerful spiritual energy, shaking off the dust.

“Young friend, you have been sitting in front of the Starry Chessboard for seven years.”

Cang Yunzi's voice came from the mountain neck. The sect leader of the Immortal Saint Sect had undisguised amazement in his eyes, "Seven years of comprehension, and a sudden enlightenment in one day, congratulations."

Seven years?!

Zhao Wuji's pupils contracted sharply, and his fingers unconsciously crushed the white jade chess piece in his palm.

Powder fell softly from between my fingers, like the passing of time.

He scanned himself with his divine sense and found that not only had his cultivation level greatly improved, but his physical body had also undergone a certain transformation in the past seven years.

The dark gold lines beneath the skin are even deeper, each one seemingly containing surging power.

"The legendary tale of the chess game at Rotten Axe Handle is actually true."

Zhao Wuji muttered to himself, his heart filled with unparalleled shock.

Seven years may have passed in the outside world, but within the game of chess, it feels like only a moment.

This experience of time displacement gave him his first real understanding of the idiom "seven days in the mountains, a thousand years in the world."

"Seven years of sudden enlightenment saved me nearly seventy years of arduous practice."

Zhao Wuji looked up at the mountain, his eyes reflecting the swaying nine-leaf sword grass on the summit.

As the seemingly delicate blades of grass unfurled, a chaotic sword aura cascaded down like a waterfall.

Each blade of grass seems to carry a world of swords, exuding an ancient sword charm that makes one's heart tremble.

This intricate chessboard

Zhao Wuji's eyes flashed like lightning as he gazed at the fading starlight on the stone table, a clear understanding flowing through his mind like a spring.

"Although it's an unfinished game, I've only solved one corner of the Big Dipper."

He gently stroked the chessboard with his fingers, feeling the lingering starlight and Daoist energy.

Each line seems to be telling a profound truth about the universe.

However, even with his current level of understanding, it's like looking at flowers through fog; he can't fully grasp the whole picture.

"A more profound game of chess"

He looked up at the Nine-Leaf Sword Grass on the mountaintop, which seemed to be breathing in and out sword energy like chaos, and a hint of anticipation flashed in his eyes.

"Perhaps we can only reach that level after our cultivation level has improved."

Although I have not been able to glimpse the Mahayana Daoist teachings, I have no chance to comprehend the wonders of the immortals' tribulations and union with the Dao.

But the gains from this Big Dipper Chess Game alone were like a beacon in the darkness, giving him a vague yet clear understanding of the true meaning of the Daoist arts in the Nascent Soul stage.

"This child."

On a distant mountain peak, the demonic body beneath the black robe of the Nine Nether Demon Lord suddenly tensed, and the ghostly flames in his demonic eyes surged.

He stared intently at the faint Daoist aura emanating from Zhao Wuji's body, his heart churning with turbulent emotions.

"He only broke through to the Nascent Soul stage not long ago, yet he was able to comprehend the Dao from the Starry Chess Game? What kind of talent and comprehension is this!"

Demonic flames surged wildly within his sleeves, a mixture of killing intent and apprehension.

Deep within those demonic eyes, a chilling light, like the cold iron of the deepest hell, pierced to the bone.

"This son must not be kept!"

Zhao Wuji stood up, and with a light flick of his sleeves, the dust vanished.

Seven years have passed in the blink of an eye, yet they have transformed him completely.

At this moment, he raised his head and looked up at the mountain peak, his gaze piercing through the clouds like a sword, staring directly at the swaying nine-leaf sword grass.

Now, facing the potential tigers blocking his path on the mountain, he no longer had any hesitation in his eyes.

"It's time to go up the mountain!"
(End of this chapter)