In the heart of the Eastern Region, above the Highest Heavens.
A vast sea of clouds stretched out, filled with thousands of streaks of auspicious light.
A towering immortal palace hung in the Nine Heavens, appearing and disappearing intermittently.
This place was one of the five luminaries of the Eastern Region, presiding over the imperial seat of mars, associated with warfare, and known as the orthodox sect of the Mysterious Gate—
Yujing Tower.
It was unlike the foul atmosphere of the mortal world, nor was it like the demonic aura that soared through the Spirit Mountain region.
This was a place of true tranquility and non-action, where all laws returned to one.
However.
Deep within the Yujing Tower.
Inside a solitary peak wrapped in layers of Restrictions.
Rumble—!!!
The Spiritual Qi that originally filled the world was now rioting frantically, like boiling water.
The violent Spiritual Qi transformed into visible astral winds, raging within the Immortal Cave.
At the center of the storm.
A thin figure sat cross-legged.
The man had a handsome face, but his sword-like brows were tightly furrowed, and his face, pale as paper, showed an abnormal flush.
"Pfft—!!"
Finally.
The man's body shook violently.
A mouthful of dark, stagnant blood sprayed wildly from his mouth.
The blood fell to the ground like rolling lava.
With the expulsion of this stagnant blood.
The extremely violent Spiritual Qi around him also slowly calmed down, eventually returning to a dead silence.
The man slowly opened his eyes.
He tremblingly raised his hand and wiped the blood stains from the corner of his mouth.
Looking at the crimson on his fingertips, a self-deprecating bitter smile rose on his lips.
Inside the Immortal Cave.
A ripple suddenly appeared.
The newcomer wore a dusty grey Daoist robe and had two pieces of finely trimmed mustache.
The middle-aged Daoist looked at the mess in the Immortal Cave, then at the man who was in a wretched state.
A hint of complexity flashed in his eyes.
"Foolish child..."
The middle-aged Daoist sighed softly and waved his wide sleeve.
An extremely gentle breeze blew past.
The restless Qi mechanism within the man's body was instantly smoothed out.
"Why force it like this?"
The Daoist stepped forward slowly, sat cross-legged beside the man, and said earnestly:
"Canglan, you are a Prodigy of my Chunyang Lineage that is rarely seen in ten thousand years. With such Aptitude, let alone the Eastern Region, you would be one in a million even looking across the Heavens."
"You only need to follow the steps and build a solid Foundation. Perhaps within a thousand years, you can Breakthrough... The Chess Master Realm is only a matter of time for you."
Speaking of this, the Daoist shook his head, his tone carrying a bit of reproach.
"Since the Great Dao is at your feet, why go down that Evil Path and perform such Heaven-Defying acts?"
"Forcing a Breakthrough not only damages your Foundation, but if it disturbs your Dao Heart..."
Listening to his Master's teachings.
Wang Canglan slowly straightened his body.
"Master, do you think the current state of the world will give your Disciple another thousand years?"
The middle-aged Daoist was slightly taken aback upon hearing this.
Wang Canglan supported his body and slowly stood up: "The world says I, Wang Canglan, have peerless talent and am the leader of the younger generation in the Eastern Region."
"With boundless glory and a bright future."
"But how could they know..."
"Without entering the Chess Master Realm, one doesn't even have the qualification to sit at the table!"
"In the eyes of true chess players, this so-called peerless Prodigy... is just a slightly larger chess piece!"
The middle-aged Daoist fell silent.
As one of the Seven Sons of Chunyang, Zhuge Qing naturally knew what the qualification his apprentice spoke of referred to.
"Canglan..."
Immortal Master Zhuge opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but was interrupted by Wang Canglan's wave of his hand.
"Master, you don't need to say more. The Star Palace... is about to be born."
"Only by entering the Star Palace and obtaining the Inkstone-Suppressing Object..."
"Is it possible to become the only one in this world—the Painting Realm!"
If it's said that chess players are gaming on this heaven and earth chessboard.
Then those in the Painting Realm... are the ones holding the brush to paint this world!
The mountains, rivers, and all living things are but a stroke of ink under their brush.
"If not for this..."
The light in Wang Canglan's eyes dimmed: "When that great painting unfolds... you and I, Master and Disciple, and even the thousands of Disciples in Yujing Tower..."
"Will be nothing more than a small embellishment on that scroll."
A long time passed.
Immortal Master Zhuge silently looked at his Disciple who had fallen into an obsession and let out a long sigh.
How could he not understand this logic?
It was just... "Actually, you don't need to put too much pressure on yourself."
Immortal Master Zhuge stood up, patted his apprentice's shoulder, and spoke with a somewhat desolate tone.
"Someone will eventually achieve the Painting Realm... Even if that person isn't you, our Jade Capital should be able to preserve its life..."
"No!!!"
Before he could finish, Wang Canglan snapped his head up.
His eyes were bloodshot, the veins on his forehead bulged, and there was no trace of his usual gentleness left.
"Entrusting our lives to the whim of another?"
"Master, you are wrong. Not everyone who becomes a Painting Realm expert can protect this world..."
He slowly raised his head, his face flashing with obsession.
"Only me!"
"Only I, Wang Canglan!"
"Have the heart to benefit the whole world!"
"Have such... qualification to save the world!"
Immortal Master Zhuge looked at his Disciple's back.
He opened his mouth, but in the end, he couldn't say a single word.
This child was ultimately driven mad by that heavy pressure.
Cultivating the Dao, cultivating the Dao.
In the end, what one cultivates is a clear and unblocked mind.
If you can't even deceive yourself, how can you deceive this world and achieve the Painting Realm?
"Forget it..."
Immortal Master Zhuge shook his head and turned to walk out.
Since he couldn't be persuaded, then let him be.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, it was all fate.
"Since your mind is made up, I will say no more."
Reaching the entrance of the cave, Immortal Master Zhuge paused.
"But regarding that exquisite dream flower pill, you must be aware of the dangers within. If you truly get lost in the dream..."
"Even I... cannot save you."
With that.
His figure flashed and disappeared into the vast sea of clouds.
After his Master left.
Wang Canglan finally turned around slowly.
He walked into the nearby ruins, found an intact prayer mat, and sat down again.
He flipped his palm.
A communication jade talisman appeared in his palm.
"Soon..."
Wang Canglan stroked the jade talisman, a sickly expectation flashing in his eyes.
"As soon as the Medicinal Pill is completed... I can use the dream Reincarnation to cultivate another life!"
"With two lives of cultivation superimposed, plus my talent..."
"The Chess Master Realm... will be within my grasp!"
However.
Just as he was about to send a message.
Crack—
A crisp sound echoed in the silent Immortal Cave.
Wang Canglan was slightly stunned.
He looked down.
Then.
Snap!
The jade talisman completely shattered, turning into a handful of powder that slipped through his fingers.
"..."
The smile on Wang Canglan's face instantly froze.
The jade talisman broke.
That meant... the person was dead.
Junior Brother Liu... is dead?
Dead in Spirit Mountain?
How is that possible?!
Who dares to touch Wang Canglan's people?!
After a brief moment of shock.
An indescribable rage instantly filled his chest.
"What audacity!!!"
Boom—!!!
The Spiritual Qi that had just calmed down rioted again.
This time.
It was several times more violent than before!
The entire solitary peak trembled violently under this terrifying fury.
"No matter who you are..."
Wang Canglan slowly stood up, surrounded by crimson flames.
A look of madness appeared on his lips: "Anyone who dares to hinder me from saving this world shall have their... Divine Soul completely extinguished!!!"