Chapter 95: Life is Like a Chess Game

Chulan knew her two beloved disciples were safe and sound, so she was no longer worried.

Although Tian Tian was also her disciple, she had mainly followed Confucian teachings and only learned the "Overlord Unarmored" technique from Chulan. The two of them were not as close, and Chulan had mostly taught her for Gao Ziqi's sake.

Only Shi Yun and Sun Ling were truly and genuinely from the military tradition, worthy of her full dedication and cultivation.

After Meng Ziyang, Gao Ziqi, Chulan, and others achieved great success, they did not vie for dominance in the world. Instead, they joined forces to establish an academy, passing on their supreme skills to future generations, selflessly contributing and becoming the pillars of the Divine Dynasty of Nine Provinces.

Ignoring Chulan's contempt, Meng Ziyang kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, as if he hadn't heard anything. Gao Ziqi, on the other hand, took a big gulp from his wine gourd, completely unconcerned.

"Ziqi, go and bring them back. It's time," Meng Ziyang waved his hand and said.

"Sure thing!" Gao Ziqi was delighted. Tian Tian had made great progress, and he was the happiest about it. With one step, he disappeared and reappeared in the Heavenly Wasteland Forest in the next moment.

Xu Daoyan was in the large pit where the fierce beast's soul was suppressed. He held an ancient bronze staff, which trembled violently. He immediately let go, and the staff shot into the air, transforming into a streak of light and plunging into the deep pit, sealing it so that ordinary souls could no longer escape!

At that moment, Gao Ziqi descended from the sky, took a sip from his wine gourd, and grinned widely, "Hehe, Ziyang sent me to bring you back. Get ready!"

Tian Tian was overjoyed, jumping around. She had finally waited for this moment. She looked at Yun Wu, bowed, and said with a smile, "Miss Yun Wu, thank you for your care these past days. But all good things must come to an end. We'll meet again if fate allows it!"

"Master Ziyang has ordered that Miss Yun Wu, who shielded Junior Brother Daoyan from a sword, be brought back to Fulong Academy to thank her properly. So you don't have to worry about being separated for now!" Gao Ziqi's words made Tian Tian's smile freeze, and her eyelids twitched. What was going on?

If Gao Ziqi had said it, Tian Tian might have argued, but if Meng Ziyang said it, there was no room for change!

"Lord Tian seems to be unwelcoming, but it's fine. As long as Lord Daoyan doesn't dislike me, I want to stay with him for a while!" Yun Wu smiled, her eyes narrowing into crescents, looking very beautiful.

Tian Tian's lips twitched a few times, and she remained silent. Shi Yun, standing nearby, was also surprised, completely caught off guard.

"Let's go!" Gao Ziqi waved his hand, and a beam of light descended, covering everyone's eyes, making it impossible to see anything!

In an instant, they found themselves in a snowy landscape, with a chessboard, a few bamboo houses, and a water wheel that had stopped turning.

They had returned to the back mountain of Fulong Academy!

Meng Ziyang was sitting cross-legged on the chessboard, playing a game by himself, fully focused.

Almost the moment Tian Tian returned, a man descended from the sky, bowed, and said, "Sir Meng, Sir Gao, I apologize, but Lady Tian has asked for the young master to return!"

Tian Tian had wanted to stay a bit longer but had no choice but to go back, "Master Ziyang, Master Ziqi, I'll go home first!"

"Go ahead!" Meng Ziyang, still playing chess, knew that Lady Tian would eventually interfere, but it was within his tolerance. After all, they were mother and daughter, and she had the right to make any decision.

"Sir Meng Ziyang and Sir Gao Ziqi, I have long admired your names. I also have some knowledge of chess. How about a game with Sir Ziyang?" Yun Wu was graceful and confident, her smile sweet, and her demeanor extraordinary.

"Hehe, that would be great. Playing chess with the young can help broaden one's thinking," Meng Ziyang laughed calmly.

"Sun Ling, Shi Yun, go find Chulan. She has been waiting for you and has important matters to discuss. Junior Brother Daoyan, you and Bai Shi do what you need to do. Don't interfere with Master Ziyang and Miss Yun Wu's game!" Gao Ziqi waved his hand and laughed.

"Yes!"

Sun Ling and Shi Yun left first. They indeed needed to find Chulan, as she had something important to discuss with them.

Xu Daoyan, having gained much, was eager to sell his items and had no interest in watching the game. He immediately left Fulong Academy with Bai Shi, asking a passerby for directions to the Shilong Chamber of Commerce.

Back at the back mountain of Fulong Academy.

Yun Wu took the white pieces and started the game. She and Meng Ziyang were fully focused, each move countering the other.

Yun Wu's style was light and ethereal, graceful and fluid, like a divine maiden dancing, filled with a mesmerizing charm that made one's thoughts wander.

Meng Ziyang's style was solid and steady, peaceful and upright, able to handle any situation, remaining unmoved no matter how Yun Wu tried to confuse him, making him unshakable and impregnable.

"Miss Yun Wu, from the Yun family, with extraordinary bloodline, it's rare for you to take a liking to Daoyan. This boy is truly blessed," Meng Ziyang, gentle and refined, extended his hand, and a cup of tea appeared beside Yun Wu, inviting her to taste it.

Yun Wu picked up the cup, took a sip, and felt as if she were floating in the air, her cultivation improving significantly. Her eyes sparkled, and she smiled softly, "Let's be frank, Sir Ziyang. You must have known the truth long ago. My relationship with Xiao Yan was a deal, each doing our own thing. Daoyan's pure heart suits me, and even a pretend relationship can become real!"

"Miss Yun Wu, with your beauty and wisdom, and your willingness to save Daoyan, your first encounter might have been fake, but the second was genuine. I won't stand in your way. I just want you to know that you can follow your heart. We won't harm you in any way. Tian Tian is young and pampered, sometimes arrogant. I hope you can be strict with her, not holding back, to temper her spirit!" Meng Ziyang placed a black piece on the board, and the game was over, the white pieces collapsing.

"Sir Ziyang, your chess skills are outstanding. I admire you. As for Lady Tian Tian, it's none of my business, but I won't back down when it comes to Daoyan!" Yun Wu, playing chess with Meng Ziyang, experienced a game that changed with each move, each step filled with tension. She finally understood that life is like a chess game, and Meng Ziyang was no different, setting up a grand chessboard of life.

"Ah, Miss Yun Wu, there are few among the younger generation who can play like this with Ziyang. How about a game with me?" Gao Ziqi, who had been beaten by Meng Ziyang every day, felt it was nice to have Yun Wu join, acting as a troublemaker.

"Sure, Sir Ziqi, you have to let me win!" Yun Wu smiled brightly, her smile like melting snow.

"Ha ha ha, no problem..." Gao Ziqi laughed heartily.

At the Tian residence.

Tian Tian rushed back as soon as she could. She had already reached the Celestial Immortal realm.

Her rapid progress in such a short time left many of the Heavenly Capture Guards amazed and baffled.

She entered the palace where Lady Tian resided, bouncing in joyfully, "Mother, I'm back!"

Lady Tian, with a stern expression, sat majestically. She waved her hand, and the many maids bowed and slowly retreated, closing the palace doors.

Tian Tian sensed the tense atmosphere and said with a playful smile, "Mother, what's wrong? Did Master Ziyang hurt the Heavenly Capture Guards you sent? You're upset about that? Actually, you can't blame Master Ziyang. Every time they interfered with my cultivation, I couldn't get the real training. Over time, they naturally got angry!"

"Do you still consider me your mother? Calling Master Ziyang all the time and defending them. If you want to stay at Fulong Academy, don't come back. I've wasted my love on you!" Lady Tian huffed.

"Of course, I do, Mother. Master Ziyang was just very angry that time. I knew you would worry about me going to the Heavenly Wasteland Forest, but I'm fine now. In such a short time, I reached the Celestial Immortal realm. If you had sent the Heavenly Capture Guards to protect me, I wouldn't have made such great progress!" Tian Tian tried to smooth things over between her master and her mother, her improved strength being the best proof.

"Alright, I'll let this slide for now!" Lady Tian's expression softened, "Tian Tian, you're not young anymore. You'll be sixteen this year. Do you have a crush? Don't hide it from me!"

Tian Tian was startled and quickly denied, "No way! Mother, who told you that?"

"Whether it's true or not depends on what you say. Tell me about Xu Daoyan. I want to hear it from you. Is it just a rumor?"

"Uh? You mean him? Xu Daoyan is just a soldier from Shilong City. What's there to say?" Tian Tian's heart raced when she mentioned him, but since he had been close to Yun Wu recently, she spoke with a hint of displeasure.

"Tian Tian, come, sit down. You've always told me everything. Do you like him? Maybe I can help you," Lady Tian's tone softened, her voice gentler.

Seeing her mother's improved mood, Tian Tian sat beside her and pouted, "Really, Mother, he's just a soldier. I don't like him. He's like a fool, still thinking I'm a boy. Who would like such a dolt?"

"Tian Tian, do you think you can hide anything from me? Tell me, do you really like him? Maybe I can give you some advice," Lady Tian, seeing Tian Tian's expression, felt something was off. She knew her daughter's character well; the more she denied, the more likely it was true.

"Alright, I do like him a little. How did you know? Who told you? I've never told anyone!" Tian Tian, feeling bitter from Yun Wu's recent behavior, saw that her mother wasn't strongly opposed and decided to seek her advice. They had always been close, as Tian Wen was often busy with official duties and rarely spent time with Tian Tian.

Seeing Tian Tian admit it and showing a shy demeanor, Lady Tian was sure she was telling the truth. She suddenly became furious, slammed the table, and shouted, "Tian Tian, you're getting more and more out of control!"

(PS: There were some errors earlier. In my setting, True Immortals live for 60,000 years. From 60,000 to 70,000 years, they are Lower-Grade True Immortals; from 70,000 to 80,000 years, they are Middle-Grade True Immortals; and from 80,000 to 89,999 years, they are Upper-Grade True Immortals. So, the initial entry into True Immortal is 60,000 years. I apologize for the mistake. Also, I've set up a reader survey in the book review section. Please vote!)

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