Xuanling Palace might be named a palace, but its vastness rivals that of a large city.
Today marks a momentous and bustling occasion at Xuanling Palace as experts from across the solar system gather.
However, the event’s historical significance stems from the Chess Paragon taking a disciple – an occurrence not seen in hundreds of thousands of years.
The Chess Paragon stands apart from others; rumored to have existed during Dong Jue’s reign, some even speculate he was a nominal disciple of Dong Jue.
Despite being an ancient entity who seldom leaves solitude, it’s believed that he has resided here long before the Alliance’s rise.
Numerous attempts by the Alliance’s experts to recruit him failed, leading to the ancient paragon’s declaration of neutrality in the ongoing faction conflicts.
"The energy here is palpable."
"This is the only vibrant spot near the Abyssal Mountain Range."
"Hmm, Dong Rui is yet to arrive. Is she too fearful to make an appearance?" Dong Xian’er remarked with a hint of sarcasm.
"Appear for what purpose? The last we saw of her, she was merely at the Runic Embodiment Realm," Lin Xue, the Surging Ocean Paragon, replied with a dismissive shake of his head.
"Her father is merely providing her another opportunity. Should she fail, she’ll be stripped of her saintess title," Dong Xian’er said, her lips curling in amusement.
"Lin Xue, you’re here!" A thunderous voice abruptly interrupted them.
Standing before them was a robust man with a clean-shaven head, draped in a yellow robe.
"Murong?" Lin Xue’s expression soured.
"I didn’t expect you’d show up here!" Murong snorted disdainfully.
"And you? Aiming to become a disciple of the Chess Paragon?" Lin Xue retorted with a sneer.
"Hmph, my presence here is merely to support my brother-in-law."
"Brother-in-law?" Lin Xue’s brow furrowed slightly. "Is he here too?"
Murong nodded. "Yes, he is—and he’s determined to win."
"Best of luck with that," Dong Xian’er responded icily.
"Dong Xian’er, are you representing the Dong Clan alone today?" A piercing voice cut through, drawing everyone’s attention.
Dong Xian’er’s expression darkened as she turned toward the source of the voice.
"It seems the Dong Clan fears Solitude, even with the Chess Paragon’s protection." Another voice taunted.
One by one, ten figures made their imposing entrance.
"The Alliance’s members!" Murong’s eyes narrowed.
"Sky Wolf Paragon, mind how you address my wife!" Lin Xue’s voice was cold, his gaze filled with lethal intent.
"Lin Xue, do you truly believe you can withstand all of us by yourself?" the voice of Azurefeather Paragon emerged from behind Sky Wolf Paragon.
"Who said she’s alone?" A voice, confident and clear, overshadowed the others.
A man in white robes, his long brown hair cascading down, and eyes of the same hue, stepped forward beside Dong Xian’er.
"Dong Zi Long, you’ve decided to show yourself at last!" Sky Wolf Paragon chuckled menacingly.
"He’s not the only reinforcement," a chilling voice declared.
A woman clad in battle attire, her black hair cut short, made her presence known.
"War Goddess!" Several of the gathered experts exclaimed in surprise.
Among the prominent figures of the Dong Clan’s current generation, Dong Wan’er was a name many would acclaim.
"The Dong Clan really seems to take this gathering to heart!" Laughter thundered through the air, resounding with significance.
"Lolas Mast?" Dong Wan’er’s voice was a sharp, cold slice through the merriment.
The Mast clan, ranking just below the prestigious Dong clan within the Nexus hierarchy, boasted of Lolas Mast as its most remarkable luminary of the current generation.
Murong’s voice, barely above a whisper, betrayed his awe. "So many powerful individuals... But why?"
"This gathering is far from ordinary," Lin Xue declared, his tone turning grave.
"I doubt the Mast Clan has any ground to challenge their betters," came a soft, taunting retort.
Lolas Mast’s eyes flashed dangerously as he pivoted to face the source.
"The Dong Clan’s little saintess?" A frown quickly marred his expression.
"Dong Rui! You’ve arrived!" The place buzzed with fresh excitement as Dong Rui stepped into the palace.
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"Clearshadow Paragon?" Dong Rui’s gaze sharpened at the recognition.
"Dong Rui, oh, how many times must I remind you? Call me Orian," Clearshadow responded, his warmth enveloping the space as he materialized before Dong Rui.
"Oh, I’d almost forgotten about him, hehe. Imagine his reaction upon learning his beloved is in the arms of another," Dong Xian’er remarked, her lips twisting into a wicked grin.
Lin Xue, head shaking slightly, scanned the array of formidable figures around him. A spark of confusion danced in his eyes.
In the secluded corner of the grand palace, shrouded in shadows and solitude, there stood a captivating woman with enchanting azure eyes. She was gracefully adorned in a gown of iridescent silk that cascaded down her figure like liquid moonlight, making her seem as if she had stepped out of a celestial realm.
"The paragon should emerge any moment now to pacify the tense atmosphere," she mused softly.
Suddenly, a robust laughter erupted, resonating from all corners of the vast chamber. Its force was so powerful and unexpected that it made everyone’s heart leap in surprise. All eyes swiftly turned in search of the source, their gazes eventually locking onto an old man dressed in an elegantly tailored robe of the purest white.
Despite his age, the man commanded attention. His hair, though sparse, flowed down his back like a cascading waterfall, its color a stark contrast to his beard, which was as white as freshly fallen snow. His presence was both intriguing and formidable, a living paradox that mesmerized all who beheld him.
"Fellow prodigies, esteemed guests!" the Paragon’s voice boomed, its resonance echoing through the grand hall, quelling the tense atmosphere like a gentle breeze calming a tempestuous sea. "I gather you all here today on an extraordinary occasion, one that transcends faction conflicts and personal ambitions."
The Paragon’s piercing azure gaze swept across the assembled crowd, pausing briefly on each individual as if assessing their innermost thoughts and aspirations. "For eons, I have observed the domain from this secluded palace, and I have witnessed the rise and fall of countless civilizations."
The crowd listened intently, their hearts stirred by the Paragon’s words.
"Esteemed guests," the Chess Paragon declared, his voice resonating through the grand hall, "in three hundred years, I shall depart for the Yin and Yang Harmony Temple."
His words sent a ripple of awe and anticipation through the assembly.
"I have chosen this gathering as the proving ground for my future disciple," the Paragon continued, his gaze sweeping across the assembled crowd.
"In three hundred years, I shall depart for the Yin and Yang Harmony Temple," the Paragon reiterated, his voice echoing with finality. "And when I do, My disciple won’t only inherit my techniques and treasures but also my will."
With a gentle wave of his hand, a colossal Chessboard began to materialize from the void, shimmering with an ethereal glow. It was a symphony of pure Yin and Yang Qi coalescing into existence, its massive form hovering in the air.
An inexplicable energy emanated from the Chessboard, permeating the grand hall and enveloping every soul present. It was as if the board itself possessed a consciousness.
It occupied half the expanse of the grand palace, Its squares alternating between an inky darkness and a radiant brilliance. The darkness seemed to light itself, while the brilliance radiated with an otherworldly glow.
Each square was larger than a large room, and the pieces that adorned them were equally impressive. They were crafted from radiant stars, imbued with potent energies that pulsed with life. The black pieces were forged from obsidian stars, their surfaces as smooth as a lake, reflecting the light in an eerie and mesmerizing way. The white pieces, on the other hand, were carved from pure white stars, their surfaces glowing with an inner radiance that seemed to illuminate the darkness.
The Paragon’s voice boomed once more, "This Chessboard is a manifestation of the Origin itself. It contains the wisdom of the ages and the secrets of the Path. To become my disciple, you must conquer this board. You must navigate its complexities, unravel its mysteries, and emerge victorious against your fellow prodigies."
"The rules are simple, You will each be given a set of pieces, black, white or gray, Your task is to outmaneuver your opponents, control the board, and ultimately checkmate your adversary’s Monarch."
The Paragon flicked his finger, and countless lights shot from the board, each light corresponding to a chess piece. With another wave of his hand, the pieces descended randomly upon the experts below.
"Each piece possesses a unique ability," the Paragon explained, his voice echoing through the hall. "These abilities can grant you strategic advantages over your opponents. However, you may only use each ability a maximum of three times during the competition."
The experts eagerly examined their pieces, their eyes wide with curiosity and anticipation. Some of the pieces emitted a faint glow, while others pulsed with a vibrant energy.