The work of the Go master

[Perfect state activated?]

So that's how it is; this is the real treasure chest.

You can enter a perfect state anytime, anywhere, without having to figure out where to get buffs like before.

Are you ready? The moment to witness the universe has arrived.

This message, which suddenly came from the model, surprised Ke Zhiguang.

This... could it be... the universe that Saito was talking about?

So this thing really does exist!

"Of course... I'm ready!"

Without hesitation, I pressed the "yes" key.

Consciousness was severed instantly.

The sensation of rising air currents surrounded me, and my consciousness began to deepen.

Ke Zhiguang slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw... was indeed the universe.

The vast blue starry sky unfolded around him like a curtain painting, or a ribbon inlaid with jewels.

The magnificent sea of ​​light stretched from within reach all the way to the distant, lake-like galaxy, its center shrouded in particles of light and dust.

Like migrating schools of fish, meteors crashed into distant planets. The enormous spheres fused with light in the vacuum, radiating across constellations. Milky white galaxies traversed the darkness, shattering the universe with their stars.

Cold and hot, dark and bright, quiet and noisy, countless contradictions intertwined, the scene containing life and death, was like a massive data flood into Ke Zhiguang's field of vision.

Ke Zhiguang floated in this deep vacuum, as if immersed in an ocean, with small meteorites slowly swirling around him like ancient sea turtles.

This is not a movie; this is the most real universe. You can feel the real existence of this space on every inch of your skin.

So that's how it is... Was this the scene Saito saw back then?

I spent the whole night wandering in space.

It was like the surprise of a mortal entering a temple, the awe of religion, the deepest and most primal longing of the soul resonating with everything around, a symphony of ethereal sounds.

A grand destiny, a distant distance, and the highest aspirations are all hidden within this treasure-like light and darkness.

Ten seconds passed, consciousness was instantly severed and then instantly reconnected, a clear sparrow chirping pulled me back to the city.

After a long while, Ke Zhiguang finally came to his senses from this short trip, and the excitement in his heart slowly subsided.

“What a beautiful world,” Ke Zhiguang said involuntarily.

They weren't quite sure which world they were referring to.

Perhaps it was that ten-second journey just now, or perhaps it's the reality of this world today.

It's a kind of gratitude for being born into this world.

Ke Zhiguang touched the trophy again, but there was no longer any display.

Perhaps they were worried that he might have been cursed by some cosmic curse for no reason, since its effects had already ended.

But that's enough.

There are many sights that you can see in a single glance.

The spoils have been inventoried, and everything is officially over.

The next day, the sun rose in a bright morning light, and the clanging of the city's trains roused time from its slumber.

Although the Dragon Throne Battle has been over for a long time and the excitement has subsided, it doesn't stop Ke Zhiguang from becoming a new hot subject for material.

So the next morning, a group of reporters came to visit.

"Mr. Ke Zhiguang! When this maritime accident occurred, were all the girls in your team standing with you? This is a very important question, as it relates to future film and television adaptations!"

"Last time, your Nova Battle caused a power outage in the entire hotel. This time, the Dragon Throne Battle has capsized the ship. May I ask where your next attack location is... oops, where the next match will be?"

"In the latest round of popularity polls for Go players, you have officially surpassed Ms. Harushima Kaori to take the top spot. You may become the new source of jokes. Do you have any feelings about this?"

All sorts of bizarre and unusual questions were thrown at them, and the Peach Blossom Pavilion was bustling with activity.

This lively scene lasted for a long time before it stopped. It was a week later before Ke Zhiguang officially reported to the chess academy.

"Now, the title of 9th Dan of Ke Zhiguang is officially conferred in recognition of his bravery in the Dragon Throne Battle!" Xia Fuying announced loudly.

The ranking ceremony was held in the auditorium of the chess academy, with thousands of people in attendance. Celebrities and leaders were oblivious, and the air was thick with the smell of capitalism so strong that lighting a cigarette could cause a massive explosion.

This year, at 18 years old, I officially earned the title of 9-dan and entered the power center of the Go world in Hawaii.

The rest of the teammates also received rank promotions. Harushima Shika consolidated her position as the top female player, Taketsuka Touken rose to the eighth dan, Hoshino, due to her status as a female player, also entered the ninth dan ranks, and Hoshino symbolically rose to the sixth dan.

One day, Ke Zhiguang met Xingcai in front of a beverage shop.

"Oh, what a coincidence," Ke Zhiguang greeted.

"Really? It feels like you're deliberately waiting for me in front of my usual beverage shop, senior," Xingcai said, sipping a cup of strawberry milk. She was also swayed by the taste.

"Okay, actually I just wanted to ask about your family relationships," Ke Zhiguang asked frankly.

Xingcai shrugged gently: "It's basically resolved. The family has reconciled, which is great. By the way, after the Dragon Throne Battle, Dad and Mom seem to have come to terms with it and started a round-the-world trip, as if to make up for the regret of not having a honeymoon. They haven't come back yet."

"This...this is great..." Ke Zhiguang was speechless for a moment. He never expected that the Inoue couple, who seemed so old-fashioned, would actually have the mood to reminisce about their honeymoon.

That said, according to the theory of enhanced fortune, a couple of this age should be full of energy.

Maybe after these two come back, they'll be a family of five...

"So, you've changed your address for your father from 'my father' to 'dad'?" Ke Zhiguang asked.

Xingcai was stunned for a moment, then noticed the matter and couldn't help but smile knowingly.

"Yes, I'm a father now... Thank you, senior."

"To be honest, I didn't do anything except get you to join me," Ke Zhiguang said.

“That’s right, what I’m grateful for is that you didn’t do anything. I was actually always afraid that you would suddenly jump out and say that you would defeat Dad on my behalf, but you did nothing and let me handle everything myself.” Xingcai nodded, her bangs falling in front of her eyes.

This time, it was Ke Zhiguang's turn to be stunned.

Indeed, he remained an observer throughout Xingcai's affairs, showing great interest but refusing to get involved.

“Of course, you have to solve your own problems,” Ke Zhiguang said.

"That's right, I admire your awareness, senior."

"Have you considered continuing to focus your main energy on Go? You're already very strong, and if you keep playing, you'll achieve great results," Ke Zhiguang asked.

Xingcai made an "X" with her arms in front of her chest and shook her head resolutely, "No, absolutely not, no, no, the arena is too scary, please let me go."

"To be honest, capsizing a boat is an occasional occurrence..."

"I mean, I'm not suited to the high-intensity pressure of winning and losing in professional esports. After all... my only wish is to lie on the sofa in the living room, petting my dog ​​with one hand, drinking Coke with the other, watching aerobics, and imagining that I have a similar perfect body."

She said it with a mix of relief and helplessness.

It's back to that lazy vibe from a few months ago.

That's what she said, but she is still striving to move forward in a three-pronged approach: chess, academics, and work.

Striving to achieve the dream of a carefree, laid-back life, is that right?

"Then let's do our best, we're all in the same boat." After buying the drinks, Ke Zhiguang waved his arm and swayed away.

Ke Zhiguang set off to find his next target.

This is how it is after a big competition ends. Besides a group of people coming to his door, he also goes to see some people to chat about his recent situation and so on.

As for teammates and friends, you can find them anytime, but you can't always find opponents.

Ke Zhiguang chose Xuan Yuzhi as his supplier.

He mainly wanted to see what the consequences would be if this person was defeated after his symbolic spirit had become corrupted and overflowed.

After being miraculously reversed by Bamboo Sword Forger's artistic skill in the final stage of the Dragon Throne Battle, this person remained unconscious until he woke up in a hospital in Hawaii.

"I've made up my mind. I'm going to retire for a while, travel around the world, and see different countries," Xuan Yuzhi said, looking haggard.

"You're at the prime of your competitive years, are you really going to retire just like that?" Ke Zhiguang asked.

“I’ve thought it through. I’ve probably been plagued by resentment lately, so I need to get away for a while… This is also the advice that Yuechuan Longji gave me. He told me to travel after the Dragon Throne Battle, like the swordsmen of old, who believed that some things could only be understood and grasped amidst mountains and rivers.” Genyu Zhishang said, looking at his cherry blossom tree, which had already passed its blooming season.

"Like Shi Xiangxia? He went on a trip and suddenly had an epiphany?"

After this explanation, Xuan Yu suddenly realized that there was no need to cite examples of swordsmen who were from different disciplines; there were already examples in the world of chess.

"Yes, just like Shi Xiangxia. Before the age of sixteen, his chess skills were very ordinary, but after he went on a trip at the age of sixteen, he immediately became equal to Fan Xiping."

Perhaps Shi Xiangxia encountered the same thing as Yuechuan Longji back then, facing a life-changing battle, and after successfully overcoming it, a generation of Go masters was born.

This is really something; there's a good chance that all sorts of strange and unusual events might be happening in the chess world back in our motherland.

"And what about your family business? I heard that your whole family relies on your good fortune to make a living?" Ke Zhiguang asked.

"As for this... I can only put it aside for now. Perhaps from the very beginning, such a thing as fortune should never have existed... at least it doesn't belong to me." Xuan Yu sighed softly, with a touch of ancient sadness in his voice.

"But I'm only temporarily retiring; I will eventually make a comeback."

"Ok."

Seeing that the person seemed to have returned to normal on the surface, Ke Zhiguang conducted a deeper investigation—a game of chess—to study the underlying situation.

Behind Xuan Yuzhi, the symbolic spirit still exists, but it is no longer the [Black Warrior].

It actually turned into a seed, a seed encased in black metal.

The Soul of the Samurai

Looking forward to your return.

Hmm...it seems like there's quite a story behind it.

Perhaps this is an allusion that the person's fighting spirit has not been extinguished and there is still room for revival.

After concluding his visit to Xuan Yu's family, Ke Zhiguang immediately began visiting his next target.

This time, he chose to visit Tatsumi Koshikawa.

There are still many questions that I don't understand, and I need to find the answers in him, although I don't know if he can still speak.

After consulting with some people, Ke Zhiguang arrived at the location where Yuechuan Longji was.