Chapter 110: The Chess-Watching True Lord

A gamble? Jiang Min certainly did not think so.

After all, the opportunity before her was the most important thing, something she must seize firmly. Everything that awaited her back at the sect was still unknown—like flowers in a mirror or the moon’s reflection in water. Given that, why would she give up such a good chance to risk the uncertainties of the future? She dared not gamble.

Moreover, for her, whoever could offer a better future, she would choose them.

Unless the Dongling Sect’s favor was so great that she was willing to repay it, only then would she sacrifice such an opportunity for the sect.

Jiang Min considered herself a person of deep loyalty and sentiment.

Yet, looking back over the past ten years, aside from a few old friends at the Flowing Cloud Peak—Senior Sister Xue Yiniang and Master He Liang—no one else had aroused such feelings in her.

Flowing Cloud Peak was heavily guarded, serene, and free from disturbance. Those days of monotonous, year-after-year menial labor were undoubtedly the hardest, yet in retrospect, they were the happiest.

After that, there were no more such simple and carefree days, nor such warm and kind people.

A middle-aged man saw Jiang Min perform the formal apprentice ceremony, smiled gently in approval, nodded, and then raised his hand, using spiritual energy to help her up. “This Yin-Yang Transcendence chess set is my gift to you as a welcome present. This time, don’t refuse it again.”

“Thank you, Master,” Jiang Min replied with a smile, naturally no longer refusing and carefully putting away the chessboard.

“Regarding your cultivation training at Dongling Sect, what support have they given you?” the middle-aged man asked.

At this, Jiang Min thought for a moment and said, “I have a foundational cultivation method called ‘Spirit Communication Technique,’ I participated in the menial labor group Qingyun Assembly, gaining a ten-day cultivation opportunity in the Spirit Gathering Valley and a pill that enhances cultivation, once had the chance to attend the Sword Forum at the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, and over ten years, the sect provided a total of 280 low-grade spirit stones for cultivation resources.”

The middle-aged man, surprised that was all, asked, “That’s it?”

“That’s it,” Jiang Min confirmed after a moment’s reflection.

Faced with such meager support, the man’s expression showed genuine astonishment, then he questioned, “Not even a Foundation Establishment Pill was given?”

Among the nine great sects, any disciple who completes Qi Refinement would be given a Foundation Establishment Pill.

“I cultivated my foundation during my travels outside. I obtained the Dao foundation through my own fortune,” Jiang Min explained.

The man’s expression grew somewhat strange.

He had assumed there would be some expenses for the sect’s cultivation investment in Jiang Min, but to find it was so little, even the old man Cheng Qiu would probably be embarrassed to ask for reimbursement.

He looked over at Yan Ming Zhenren, who was kneeling, and said calmly, “Your Dongling Sect is truly stingy. Ten years and this is all you’ve given.”

“A decent sect disciple reduced to a scattered cultivator appearance—aside from wearing the Dongling Sect’s guise, what else has the sect provided?”

“Stingy to this extent is bad enough, but coveting the disciple’s possessions? Tell me, you like this chess set?”

Raising an eyebrow, the middle-aged man’s tone was mocking.

Hearing this, Yan Ming Zhenren knelt in fear and quickly said, “No, no, it is this junior’s greed. I am a greedy person. Besides coveting my junior disciple’s chess set, I once coveted his fire jade agate.”

With that, he hurriedly produced a bottle of Thunder Jade Agate, cupping it respectfully in both hands and presenting it to the man. “This is what I owe my junior—a bottle and a half of Thunder Jade Agate. Please forgive me, True Lord, and my junior disciple!”

Yan Ming Zhenren clearly understood.

Rather than having Jiang Min complain and dig up old grievances, it was better for him to admit his fault first, which might reduce trouble.

The middle-aged man took the Thunder Jade Agate without a word, inspected it briefly, then handed it to Jiang Min. Looking at Yan Ming Zhenren in an ordinary tone, he said, “I have cultivated myself for many decades and have not killed anyone for a long time.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Ming’s face turned pale, as if facing death.

“But today, I must see some blood to celebrate gaining a new disciple properly.”

With Yan Ming’s terrified gaze upon him, the man solemnly said, “Since you like to fly, stay in the sky from now on. These legs of yours are no longer necessary. Do it yourself.”

Faced with such a cruel demand, Yan Ming sighed in relief, tears of gratitude flowing, “Thank you, True Lord, for sparing my life! Your mercy is boundless!”

He immediately formed his fingers into a sword shape, gritted his teeth, and summoned spiritual energy to slash at his own legs, acting nervously as if afraid of being slow.

Swoosh!

Both legs were severed instantly, blood gushing and splattering the ground with a vivid crimson, truly a festive color.

Yet Yan Ming did not even blink. After severing his legs, he floated in midair and respectfully cupped his hands to the man.

“Junior disciple congratulates True Lord on gaining a worthy student!”

Jiang Min stood behind the man, utterly astonished.

“What kind of master have I just sworn allegiance to...”

The man then took out a communication jade talisman and called out, “Cheng Qiuzi.”

Jiang Min’s gaze paused.

Cheng Qiu True Lord—this was the name of the Dongling Sect’s sect leader.

Soon, the talisman flickered with light, and a voice inquired, “Chess Friend Guanqi? What urgent matter?”

The old voice sounded somewhat anxious.

True Lord Guanqi replied, “There is an outer sect disciple of your Dongling Sect I found interesting, so I accepted him as my apprentice and brought him back to Taiji Mountain.”

The reply came quickly from the talisman.

“True Lord Guanqi’s esteem honors that disciple. I will immediately dispatch my senior disciple, Zong Xiu, to handle the related matters for your disciple.”

True Lord Guanqi was quite pleased with Cheng Qiu True Lord’s attitude and continued, “Her name is Jiang Min, born with five spiritual roots. According to your sect’s rules, she should have transferred from menial labor to outer sect disciple status, so she should be easy to locate.”

“Originally, I planned to compensate your Dongling Sect for the cultivation expenses, but after inquiry, this disciple has only received a cultivation method book and 280 low-grade spirit stones from your sect in ten years. The rest of her opportunities were earned herself. Have Zong Xiu come see me, and I will return the ‘Spirit Communication Technique’ and the 280 spirit stones to you.”

“...”

On the other end of the talisman, sweat broke out in a cold sweat.

If they really demanded those 280 spirit stones back, it would be a joke.

“You jest, Friend. The ‘Spirit Communication Technique’ is just a book that can be destroyed at will. As for the spirit stones, consider them a small gift from me, an old man. Once Zong Xiu handles the matter, I will send him to Taiji Mountain to formally present a congratulatory gift to you and your disciple.”

True Lord Guanqi added, “There is one more thing. Yan Ming is foolish. I crippled his legs and inform Yuan Ming to discipline his disciple properly. Otherwise, I won’t hesitate to ‘discipline’ him myself.”

“Thank you, Friend, for your leniency. I will inform him, and Yan Ming will be punished upon his return to the sect.”

True Lord Guanqi put away the talisman and finally said to Yan Ming Zhenren, “This ancient chessboard here was created by me to manifest in this world for worthy players to challenge. No force or individual may claim this place. Otherwise, should I find out, don’t blame me for unleashing a massacre.”

Yan Ming Zhenren dared not question, hastily cupping his hands in respect.

“Junior disciple will obey, True Lord.”

True Lord Guanqi smiled faintly and said to Jiang Min, “Let us go.”

Considering Jiang Min’s cultivation level, he waved his hand, and a delicate small flying vessel appeared. He stepped aboard first, and Jiang Min hurried to follow, glancing sideways at Yan Ming Zhenren, who bowed in farewell. His expression showed not a trace of displeasure, only the relief of one who had narrowly escaped death.

The flying vessel soared straight into the clouds.

True Lord Guanqi set out a new chess set and gestured to Jiang Min, kindly saying, “Sit.”

Jiang Min sat properly at the chess table, hesitated for a moment, then asked with some confusion, “Master, treating Yan Ming Zhenren like this—won’t he harbor resentment?”

Severing both legs—for a Golden Core Zhenren, although it could be regenerated or continued—was a humiliation beyond words.

Shouldn’t there be a milder punishment, just enough to discipline him?

Or, if harsher, to cut off the root entirely.

Hearing this, True Lord Guanqi looked at her with bright eyes and a playful smile. “It seems you truly do not know my background.”

He picked up a black chess piece from the box and calmly placed it on the board.

Clack.

The piece struck the jade chessboard with a crisp sound. No sharp aura leaked out, yet Jiang Min inexplicably felt a hidden killing intent within.

“My Dao name is Guanqi. I wasn’t always called that. Once you reach Taiji Mountain, you can ask around and learn my history.”

True Lord Guanqi raised his hand, signaling Jiang Min to place a piece as they began a game.

Jiang Min nodded and took a white piece, placing it on the empty board.

“You only need to know this: they are all terrified of me.”

Hearing this, Jiang Min looked up in surprise.

Terrified of killing?

What kind of slaughter could make a sect leader and Nascent Soul cultivators so fearful?

Seeing his new apprentice’s astonished gaze, True Lord Guanqi smiled leisurely, like a gentle and approachable elder, picking up another black piece and placing it with flair.

Clack.

Soft and warm, yet with a concealed sharpness.

“But Yan Ming and the others dare not gamble. They don’t dare to gamble who will be the first I kill if I break my vow again.”