*Hua la la!*

Waves surged, a tempest rising to blot out the sun and moon. This vast chessboard realm, like a canvas stripped bare, seemed ready for any brushstroke – naturally, only the truly mighty held the qualification to wield such power. To stir the waves, to cloak the sky and sea…

Witness the dishevelled Li Mao, like a seasoned fisherman, standing proudly atop a towering wave crest. His gaze, sharp and vigilant, scanned this expanse of “ocean.” With a sweep of his left hand, a fishing net unfurled, expanding infinitely, as if reaching the ends of the sky to completely shroud this watery domain. A flick of his right hand straightened the bent tip of his fish fork, its sharp point glinting with a cold, piercing light before plunging fiercely into the water!

This fish fork, much like water itself, possessed no fixed form, flowing as freely as a river. Upon entering the liquid realm, it drew upon infinite reserves of water essence, finding no resistance but only boundless assistance.

Among the twelve protectors of the Equality Country, aligned with the twelve earthly branches – Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li; Zi, Chou, Yin, Mao – Li Mao held the fourth position. Four True Persons and eight God Arrivals comprised their ranks, and he was one of the True Persons. His Dao was simple: a single net. Yet, this one net ensnared heaven and earth, leaving no escape! Every single drop of water was, in that moment, caught within his fishing net.

Meanwhile, Qian Chou, now free from the fishing line, stood upon a tiny leaf-boat. The boat, tossed by the colossal waves, rode the terrifying swells with effortless grace. A kindly smile graced his face as he ceaselessly shook a wave drum, as if hawking his wares. This child’s plaything, a small drum, swelled in size with the wind, its sound growing ever louder, its volume expanding. And as the wave drum grew, so too did the weight of the seawater, the waves becoming more urgent, more ferocious.

In the Fishing Sea Tower, there was a disciple named Bao Song who had cultivated the divine ability ‘Heavenly Intent True Water,’ allowing a single drop of water to transform into a river, a lake, or a sea. Yet, the treasure Qian Chou now offered, a mere wave drum casually taken, summoned forth lakes and seas. This was no divine ability; it far surpassed one. The water was no ordinary water; each drop weighed a hundred *jin*. The crashing waves were heavier than mountains. Even if Bao Song stood as a God Arrival, he could never have urged his Heavenly Intent True Water to such a degree.

Two great True Persons, joining hands, instantly formed a deadly killing momentum.

Shi Ming Li, submerged in the water, felt infinite pressure grinding against him from all directions. When True Persons of this realm shook their wave drums, they truly wielded the power of mountains and seas! He, of course, felt heaven and earth like a net, imprisoning his entire being. He understood clearly that he was a “big fish,” already ensnared by the fisherman. He also knew that the sharp fish fork was unavoidable. But he simply stood there.

Standing in the high sky, standing amidst the surging waves in the high sky, as if standing on flat ground. At this moment, he did not resemble a general facing his enemies, but rather one reviewing his soldiers. He was a Ninth Rank Commander of the Great Qi Empire’s Military Affairs Hall! Though surrounded by a forest of spears, dense flags, and a million brave soldiers, they awaited only his inspection! Facing these surging waves, this fish fork, this giant net, he simply flipped his five fingers and raised his palm. Formless power, without shape or substance, directly pushed the space a *zhang* around his body into a vacuum state. Not a single drop of water, not a single wisp of air could be seen.

He, amidst the crushing pressure of the surrounding seawater, was like one who had hidden within a naturally formed sphere. At this moment, his defensive capabilities were pushed to their limit. No matter how fiercely the undercurrents collided, he remained rooted to the spot. The sharp fish fork, slicing through the water, was also blocked before him.

The Dao of Shi Ming Li, commander of the Great Qi Empire’s Winter Silence Army, was the ultimate Dao! Extreme force, extreme speed, extreme defense. With every thought, every change, he pushed relentlessly towards the end of this path.

At this moment, the entire sky of the chessboard realm was swept by the ocean waves. Muddy waves towered into the sky, and a single fist, like an angry dragon emerging from the water, roared and shattered this expanse of sea! *Dong!*

His fist, wrapped in extreme force, slammed onto the wave drum, emitting a world-shaking roar. The iron fist, like a mountain, punched directly through the drum face, then, still wrapped around the broken drum, continued its forward surge. Amidst the surging waves, Shi Ming Li was like a giant supporting heaven and earth. His body was still covered by the fishing net manifested by the Dao rules, but he forcibly charged out, as if wearing the net as clothing! This fish could be netted, but not caught. To whom the net belonged remained to be seen!

As Ming Li’s force and Li Mao’s force violently collided on his body’s surface, the clash of their two Daos never paused for a moment. But his fist had already broken through everything, carrying the wave drum, and was rushing directly towards Qian Chou’s face! He was like a warhorse pulling ten thousand *jin* of weight, still sprinting. His fist carried ten thousand *jin* as it advanced!

Just at this moment, a hair tie drifted down lightly, and though he knew not how, it bound Shi Ming Li’s messy hair, helping him tidy his appearance, then pulling his hair straight up! A makeup mirror flipped open in Qian Chou’s hand, held upright to reflect, its surface refracting a blazing light that instantly enveloped Shi Ming Li. And with a single point of his foot, the small boat shot away like an arrow released from a bow, riding the waves afar in an instant. This series of actions, executed without any visible effort, showcased the demeanor of a master who could lift heavy as light. As the protector of the Equality Country second only to Zhao Zi, Qian Chou’s Dao, and his divine ability, lay in his hundred treasures.

The renowned cultivation classic, “Zhao Cang Wu,” described this divine ability thus: “Ten thousand changes all by me, a hundred schemes with no self-labor!” Borrowing from his “hundred treasures,” Qian Chou could unleash a near-infinite array of abilities. While each treasure’s ability had its limits, the sheer number of combinations made anything possible. He could truly be called the True Person best equipped to handle complex situations in the present world; no matter what predicament he faced, he could always find a corresponding “solution.”

*Boom boom boom!*

Shi Ming Li threw a series of fists, shaking heaven and shattering the ground, displaying unmatched power. He instantly shattered the sea, broke the hair tie, and smashed the makeup mirror, but Qian Chou’s figure was already far away.

“To be able to live in the gutter for so long, the Equality Country is indeed not bad,” Shi Ming Li laughed loudly instead, his voice shaking the heavens as his body broke through the air. “Come! Let me smash your skulls, see your real identities, see you rats, exactly who is who!”

“We walk in the world’s shadow, live tortured lives, endure hardships and tests, live in uncertainty, not knowing what tomorrow holds. Not because we cannot, like you, reside in high positions and feed off the common people! But because we uphold our ideals, follow our Dao!” The small boat carrying Qian Chou swiftly moved through the surging waves, and he spoke in a loud voice: “We thirst and drink gutter water, our aim is to cleanse the world’s filth. You greedily eat the fat and cream of the people; have you ever considered who, exactly, is the big rat among the commoners!”

“If you want to describe yourselves more grandly, we have more professional people for that. Deceive others, yes, but no need to deceive yourselves.” Shi Ming Li continuously advanced with powerful blows, breaking through all obstacles before him. “Come, come, come, come closer! Before this old man’s fist, verify your ideals!”

In the high sky, three True Persons of this realm were locked in battle. Shi Ming Li, fighting alone against Qian Chou and Li Mao, fought until the sky and earth were dark.

Before the chessboard, Su Guan Ying merely smiled faintly. “Continuously dropping two pieces is against chess principles, a naked act of cheating in this all-white, one-black opening. Protectors of Equality, I ask you, is this fair?”

“Then I’ll phrase it differently,” Zhao Zi said. “In Noble Yi City, you are the master; here, I am the master. If I want to drop two pieces continuously, I will. If I’m in a good mood, three pieces are also fine. Fairness? We don’t want it.”

“True fairness does not exist in this era. Until the decayed old world is overturned, until a brilliant new world arrives, we must all strive for it. If you live long enough, perhaps I can bring that ideal era to you.”

Su Guan Ying slowly picked up a piece and dropped it onto the chessboard, simply saying, “Is that so?” *Pa!* As the black piece landed on the chessboard, heaven and earth changed in an instant.

Upon the chessboard, centered around this black piece, large swathes of white pieces were dyed black. And corresponding to this, vast numbers of those holding white within the chessboard realm rapidly converted to holding black. This change was like a mountain collapsing, like waves rolling, completed in a single moment. When Su Guan Ying lifted her finger, leaving the piece in place, this side of the chessboard realm had only three left holding white – Zhao Zi, Qian Chou, and Li Mao.

Seated, after playing two pieces against Zhao Zi, she had already completed her invasion of this side of the chessboard realm! “Truly worthy of Su Guan Ying!” Zhao Zi couldn’t help but praise. Her hand dropped another piece.

Upon the chessboard, large swaths of black pieces turned white once more. Within the chessboard realm, those holding black also rapidly turned into those holding white. Su Guan Ying, holding black, dropped another piece. Zhao Zi, holding white, dropped another. The two played several continuous moves, the black and white pieces on the chessboard constantly changing, those cultivators who had fallen into this side of the world abruptly turning black, then white, without end. For a time, all stopped; the moment before, they charged forward to kill, the next, they retreated to kill, ultimately becoming unable to move a single step.

On the chessboard, black and white now held equal power, each occupying positions, making victory or defeat difficult to discern. Within the chessboard realm, those holding black and those holding white were also equally matched, you in me, I in you.

And just at this moment, that black piece on the chessboard that had been constantly advancing, stepped exactly into the *tian yuan* (center point). After blasting all the white pieces out of its way, Jiang Wang finally arrived at this place! Without hesitation, he sent out a horizontal sword, pointing it at Zhao Zi’s brow: “This piece, should fall for this!” A killing move upon the board!

This side of the chessboard realm, though a stage for True Persons to clash, he, Jiang Wang, could also hold the brush! This sword, since entering the chessboard realm, had been suppressed to this point, its force unable to be released, its momentum unable to vent. Accumulated and piled, sinking deeper and deeper. Exploding now, it was magnificent, covering heaven and earth, a counter-kill against a True Person!

The brilliance of this sword almost split the chessboard realm open – *Dang!*

Zhao Zi lifted her left hand, joining two fingers together, precisely clamping down on the sword tip. The long sword, carrying its sword qi, roared madly, yet it was like being trapped in a sealed room, unable to break free, not even a wisp leaking out. Not only the sword qi.

At this moment, Jiang Wang’s entire body was sealed and suppressed, even the light in his eyes was locked within their sockets. The world had closed its doors to him, locked its windows, making him a lonely prisoner! And Zhao Zi simply lifted her eyes, glancing at him faintly. “True gentlemen watching chess do not speak. Wu An Hou’s abruptness is not appropriate.”

Having spoken, she flicked her two fingers effortlessly, and Jiang Wang, along with his sword, flew far away. At the same time, her right hand picked up another white piece, placing it properly on the chessboard. She said to Su Guan Ying, “Come, let’s play chess properly now, one person one piece per round, no cheating allowed. Agreed?”

As this white piece fell, a man dressed as a laborer suddenly emerged from the intersecting squares. He wore a short jacket crossed at the chest and knee-length shorts, exposing a body of rock-hard muscles. The position he appeared was precisely where Jiang Wang had flown back and fallen.

“Equality Country Protector Chu Xu greets Wu An Hou.” He leaned back, drawing a fist as if pulling a bow taut! Terrifying force made the air itself tremble like a hidden bowstring. At this moment, Jiang Wang’s physical body was still under Zhao Zi’s clamp-seal. All his qi, blood, and true essence were sealed and suppressed. He could not flash, could not evade, could not counterattack.

“Is this the fairness you pursue? To our Wu An Hou, it may not be too fair.” Su Guan Ying did not turn her head, but her left hand lifted, just about to urge her power to unseal Jiang Wang. But Zhao Zi’s left hand, unbeknownst to her, had already reached over and held her left hand. Su Guan Ying’s hand was more slender. Zhao Zi’s hand was colder.

At this moment, the two looked at each other. Zhao Zi said somewhat awkwardly, “As I said, that fair era is still far from coming. So for now, we will temporarily use the methods of this era.” Su Guan Ying flipped her five fingers, pressing down on Zhao Zi’s left hand in return. “If that era is like this, I think it’s better it doesn’t come.”

“We were born in the wrong era. To correct the wrong, we naturally have to put in more effort. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand now; I believe one day, all sacrifices will be proven worthwhile, all misunderstandings will be met with understanding.”

“Uh, very good self-comfort.”

The left hands of the two True Persons of this realm then engaged in a back-and-forth exchange above the chessboard, using their palms as the battlefield and their ten fingers as soldiers, fiercely clashing and grappling. And their right hands, each picking up pieces, continued to place them on the chessboard.

This time, as the pieces fell, the chessboard realm did not change. Those cultivators holding white or holding black remained stiffly in place, their initiative stripped away. They were truly playing chess! The end of the game might decide victory or defeat. But in this game of chess, Zhao Zi held an absolute advantage. Because regardless of whether black pieces or white pieces were captured, the dead were the people of the Southern Frontier. How many levels of chess skill would Su Guan Ying have to surpass Zhao Zi by to maintain parity in a game where she couldn’t capture pieces? Such a chess player simply did not exist!

She could only disregard sacrifice to have a possibility of winning this game, only then could it be considered a foundation for fair play. And this sacrifice, did it include her not attempting to rescue Jiang Wang at this moment? Perhaps only she herself knew the answer.

Within the chessboard realm, several battlefields simultaneously erupted, killing never ceasing. At this moment, the protector named Chu Xu, drawing his fist like a full moon bow, stepping forward like a crossbow string released, threw a fist without reservation, aiming directly at Jiang Wang’s heavenly spirit. His momentum intended to extinguish and kill the Great Qi’s Wu An Hou at this moment. And Jiang Wang—

His eyes suddenly shot out red light! In the world of his divine soul, a fierce battle, extreme in its intensity, immediately drew back the curtain!

In the vast sea of his primordial spirit, Chu Xu’s divine soul manifestation stood sturdy and solid, surveying his surroundings with heroic self-assurance. He stepped out of the nurturing god hall, lifting his foot to tread upon the Dao pulse true dragon. *Roar!* The Dao pulse true dragon roared in anger. A strong dragon does not压 down a local snake; how could this body’s true dragon not press down upon a divine person who treads on a true dragon?

He truly controlled everything, horizontally suppressing the eight directions, his thoughts leading the law, making heaven and earth his to use. He was the clear master of this realm, fearless of any external challenge.

However, precisely at this moment, as Chu Xu’s divine soul manifestation rose upon the true dragon he trod upon, in the sky above the sea of his primordial spirit, a magnificent gate tower suddenly appeared, extreme in its grandeur. Its magnificence was not in gold and jade splendor, not in flowing light and overflowing color, but in its towering height, reaching the nine heavens. It was ancient and majestic, possessing a supreme noble aura that made people involuntarily bow in worship. It was as if the master of heaven and earth would emerge from this gate, and upon emerging, would overlook the human world. It forcefully framed itself in the sky, demanding the submission of ten thousand nations.

This realm, of course, had its master, but with the descent of this gate, this world would appear to have only one master. All under heaven were the king’s land, within the four seas, all were the king’s subjects! This was the divine soul secret technique: Chao Tian Que!