Jiang Yuechu narrowed her eyes slightly.
She indeed had a deep impression of that Demon Emperor.
Up until now.
The number of opponents who could survive her hands was truly few and far between.
Even the top three Demon Emperors of Spirit Mountain, facing her storm-like slaughter, couldn't even leave behind a whole corpse.
A mere 18th Cave Demon Emperor had actually used some strange secret technique to slip away right from under her nose.
This made Jiang Yuechu, who had always believed in cutting weeds and digging up roots, feel somewhat annoyed.
Hearing the Tiger Demon mention it now.
A hint of annoyance rarely appeared on her indifferent face.
"So it was him..."
Running Ox, on the side, looked as if he had lost his parents.
His massive body shook twice, and he nearly slumped down onto the ground.
"It's over..."
"If Big Sister was still in Spirit Mountain, even if I had to dig three feet into the ground, I could have found her."
"But if she was taken out of Spirit Mountain by that old dog Hunyuan..."
If she was taken out of Spirit Mountain, what could he do?
Most likely she was offered to the people of the Dao Lineage behind him!
In fact, for demons.
In this cruel cultivation world, possessing a special Bloodline talent was often not a blessing.
Whether for the higher-ranking demons or for those self-righteous Human Race Cultivators.
An exotic demon carrying the Bloodline of an ancient Divine Beast.
Was undoubtedly the most nourishing medicine in this world.
Various methods would make it ten thousand times more miserable than death.
Running Ox didn't dare think further.
If his Big Sister really fell into the hands of a Dao Lineage Immortal Master.
With such a proud personality, what kind of torture would she suffer?
But how to save her?
Could it be...
Running Ox subconsciously looked up at Jiang Yuechu.
Only to see the young girl frowning slightly, seemingly pondering something.
A moment later.
Jiang Yuechu slowly turned her head and asked flatly: "The Wuxiang Lineage... how is their strength?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Running Ox's copper-bell-like eyes instantly widened.
Holy crap.
Is she really going?
Killing a few Dao Lineage Immortal Masters in Chang'an City was one thing.
Now...
She actually wanted to directly storm the mountain gate of a Dao Lineage?!
What kind of arrogance was this!
Although Running Ox was worried about his Big Sister, he didn't want to see Jiang Yuechu go to her death.
He hurriedly waved his hands to dissuade her: "Your Highness, you mustn't! Let's... let's take a long-term view. If it really doesn't work, I'll go back to the Great Marsh to beg the Lord. The Lord possesses great magical powers; if he knows Big Sister is in trouble, he certainly won't sit idly by..."
Jiang Yuechu glanced sideways at him upon hearing this.
"Beg?"
"If that Lord you speak of was truly reliable and cared about your lives... why was your Big Sister alone in the Spirit Mountain region back then?"
"This..."
Running Ox knew that such self-deceiving words couldn't fool her at all.
His tall body instantly hunched over.
He lowered his head hesitantly, his voice as faint as a thread: "Actually... the Lord wasn't like this before..."
"Since the Lord's disposition changed, he only knows to stay in seclusion every day. All the affairs of the Great Marsh were pressed onto Big Sister's shoulders alone..."
His voice grew smaller and smaller.
Clearly, he also knew.
Expecting the Lord cowering in the Great Marsh to offend Wuxiang Mountain for Big Sister was a pipe dream.
"Enough, enough."
Jiang Yuechu waved her hand impatiently, interrupting Running Ox's rambling: "Save these family trivialities for when you go back."
"First, tell me about the Wuxiang Lineage."
The Tiger Demon lying on the ground shuddered upon hearing this.
With these two's methods, slapping it to death would be a casual matter.
If it didn't quickly show some utility value, today next year would be its death anniversary.
Thinking of this.
It quickly straightened up and rushed to answer: "This small demon knows! This small demon knows!"
Though it was a crude demon, it loved reading those travelogues and miscellany left by human Cultivators.
To save its life, what little knowledge it had surged out.
The Tiger Demon adjusted its posture and spoke rapidly, fearing interruption: "Seniors, please listen. Although Wuxiang Mountain is listed among the five luminaries, five manifestations, and Twenty-Five Lineages Dao Lineages, its heritage and strength are actually at the bottom. Its Legacy is mostly based on water methods, specializing in hiding one's aura and Water Escape techniques for survival. As for frontal combat, they aren't very impressive."
At this point, the Tiger Demon paused, carefully glancing at Jiang Yuechu's expression before continuing: "According to ancient records, the The Main Seat Immortal Master of Wuxiang Mountain, who remains in seclusion year-round, has a cultivation Realm that has barely reached the Chess-Player Two-Piece Realm..."
As the words fell.
Silence fell briefly before the cliff.
"Chess-Player Two-Piece?"
Jiang Yuechu turned her head slightly.
A trace of doubt flashed in her pitch-black eyes.
Ever since stepping onto the path of cultivation.
She had heard of Lamp Lighting, Mountain Gazing, and Ascending the Tower.
Even the Chess Master Realm had been mentioned to her in passing.
But what exactly was this "Chess-Player Two-Piece"?
This cultivation Realm.
How did it get related to playing chess?
Jiang Yuechu crossed her arms and looked down at the Tiger Demon.
"Explain in detail."
"What exactly is this 'Chess-Player Two-Piece'Mingtang?"
Seeing Jiang Yuechu ask, the Tiger Demon was overjoyed.
It wasn't afraid of her asking, only afraid of her not being interested!
As long as it was still useful, its life was safe.
It hurriedly organized its thoughts: "As the saying goes: A tower ten thousand feet high rises from the ground; plucking stars by hand is as if casual."
"The words 'Ascending the Tower' symbolize us Cultivators, whether human or demon, continuously climbing upward on this long immortal path, seeking the pinnacle of the Great Dao."
"However, a tower eventually has a top, and strength eventually has a limit... When a Cultivator reaches Tower Ascent Perfection, it's as if they are standing at the absolute peak of heaven and earth. To go further, there is no path; at this point, if one wants to advance, they must have an Epiphany."
"Realize what?"
"Uh..."
It only saw a mention in a book.
How would it know what to realize?
Besides.
If it knew.
It would have been a Chess-Player Great Demon long ago.
Why would it be here for this woman to act so high and mighty?
However.
It didn't dare show any hesitation and forced itself to say: "Realize that this world is like a board, and all living beings are like pieces..."
Jiang Yuechu's brow twitched, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
Seeing this, the Tiger Demon worked even harder: "Only by understanding this can a Cultivator use the rules of heaven and earth as the board, seat themselves in the Nine Palaces as the General, remaining as unmoved as a mountain. Their vast spiritual power must be condensed into Dao Chess Pieces—Rooks, Knights, Cannons, Pawns—to fight on the Great Dao for them."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly.
This explanation was quite interesting.
Compared to simple killing, this so-called Chess Master Realm indeed sounded more like it had the flavor of the Dao.
"Then how are these pieces condensed?"
Jiang Yuechu spoke flatly, pointing directly to the core.
The Tiger Demon smiled bitterly: "This is the most difficult part and the highest threshold of the Chess Master Realm."
"To condense Dao Chess Pieces, cultivation alone is not enough; one also needs the legendary—Chess Condensation Method."
"This method is so precious it's a closely guarded secret."
"Looking at the entire Eastern Region, except for the high and mighty Twenty-Five Lineages Dao Lineages and a few deep-rooted hidden powers, ordinary Loose Cultivators, even if they reach Tower Ascent Perfection, might exhaust their Lifespan and spend their whole lives without finding even half a book."
"As for the order of condensing..."
The Tiger Demon recalled the records in the ancient books and continued: "According to legend, there are also extremely strict requirements."
"Entering the Chess Master Realm, most first condense the Pawn."
"Though the Pawn moves slowly and can only advance, not retreat, it has the advantage of being the most numerous and having the momentum of pressing forward once it crosses the river. It is the Foundation."
"Once the Foundation is stable, one can attempt to condense the Rook, Knight, and Cannon."
"The Rook moves in straight lines, charging through; the Knight steps diagonally, unpredictable; the Cannon strikes across mountains, its power startling."
"These three are Sharp Weapons for slaughter."
The Tiger Demon paused, its tone becoming increasingly solemn.
"Further on, there are the Elephant and the Advisor."
"The Elephant flies in a field pattern, and the Advisor provides support, mainly for defense and protection. If one can condense these two pieces, they can be said to be in an invincible position."
"Only by condensing all these pieces to Perfection and finally completely lighting up the General or Marshal seated in the central palace within one's Divine Soul..."
"Will one reach—Chess-Player Perfection!"
Speaking the last few words, the Tiger Demon's voice trembled slightly.
That was a Realm that a low-level demon like itself didn't even dare to imagine in its dreams.
After listening, Jiang Yuechu had a general idea.
The so-called Chess-Player Two-Piece.
Presumably, that The Main Seat of Wuxiang Mountain had condensed two pieces.
As for whether they were two Pawns, one Pawn and one Rook, or some other combination, the Tiger Demon clearly didn't know.
"Then what is the combat power of the Chess Master Realm like?"
Jiang Yuechu asked the most critical question.
The Tiger Demon took a deep breath, its eyes full of fear.
"Senior... this is no longer a gap that can be bridged by numbers."
"A Chess-Player sits in the central palace and doesn't even need to move their hands personally."
"They just need to sacrifice a Dao Chess Piece. Even the weakest Pawn contains terrifying power sufficient to easily suppress a Tower Ascent Perfection Cultivator!"
"If the Wuxiang Mountain The Main Seat truly possesses two Dao Chess Pieces..."
The Tiger Demon swallowed its spit and didn't dare say more.
But the person and the ox present both understood its unspoken meaning.
Two Dao Chess Pieces.
Were no longer something a Denglou Realm could hope to challenge.
Running Ox's face turned pale as he listened, clearly understanding the difference of the Chess Master Realm systematically for the first time.
He originally thought that entering Tower Ascent made him a powerhouse.
But after the Tiger Demon's explanation, he felt like a toddler who had just learned to walk.
"Your... Your Highness..."
Running Ox's voice trembled as he tugged at Jiang Yuechu's sleeve: "That old geezer has two pieces. What if..."
"What if what?"
Jiang Yuechu glanced at him, her expression still as calm as water.
She wasn't scared by the Tiger Demon's words.
On the contrary, she was somewhat interested.
Just as well.
She could test the quality of her current Ninth Level of Tower Ascent cultivation.
Jiang Yuechu murmured softly, a chilling light flashing in her eyes: "As long as I kill the person playing chess, won't the game be broken?"
Running Ox: "..."
Tiger Demon: "..."
What kind of bandit logic was this?!
They are Chess-Players! Mighty beings sitting in the central palace controlling the universe!
How did it sound as simple as flipping an old man's chessboard at the village entrance when it came from her mouth?
"Enough."
Jiang Yuechu didn't want to waste words.
She picked up the Tiger Demon kneeling on the ground like she was lifting a chick.
"Stop playing dead."
"Since you know Wuxiang Mountain so well, you must know the way, right?"
The Tiger Demon's body stiffened, and it almost said it didn't know.
But meeting those pitch-black eyes devoid of any emotion.
The words at the tip of its tongue were forced back down.
"I... I know..."
The Tiger Demon said with a crying tone: "This small demon... will lead the way for Senior."
Jiang Yuechu nodded with satisfaction.
Subsequently.
She turned her head and looked at Running Ox, who was still in a daze.
"What are you still standing there for? Don't you want to save your Big Sister?"
"Oh... Huh?!!!"
Before the voice fell.
Boom—!!!
A brilliant golden light, accompanied by rolling black mist, soared into the sky.
It instantly tore through the clouds.
Leaving Running Ox standing in the wind, bewildered.
Wait...
Did this Jinx still think it was the old days?
He had stayed in Chang'an and naturally heard of Jiang Yuechu's deeds.
Something about Ink Dot Realm fighting Seed Lotus, Seed Lotus killing Mountain Gazing, Mountain Gazing beating up Lamp Lighting...
And now, she actually wanted to use Tower Ascent to fight a Chess-Player?!
But no matter how incredible it was.
A trace of hope couldn't help but arise in his heart...
With Her Highness's talent... what if?