The day after Zhang Yufang sent the title match promotional video to Yu Shao, it was released online and immediately sparked heated discussions.

"Damn, this hits different! Director Zhang never disappoints!"

"Just a promo but it's got blockbuster quality! The stark confrontation and sense of destiny are so palpable!"

"Haven't even seen the match yet but I'm already hyped! The lighting, the color grading - absolutely perfect!"

"The clash of old and new - a modern-day Mount Hua sword debate!"

The online frenzy further amplified the already intense anticipation for the National Champion title match. Even a content creator on a certain video platform rode the wave by making a "Ranking All Title Match Promos" video that skyrocketed to the top of trending searches!

This year's title match had reached unprecedented hype levels unseen in the past decade. On one side was Yu Shao - the hottest rising star revolutionizing modern Go. On the other stood Jiang Changdong - the Dragon-Slaying Sage who had dominated professional Go for over twenty years with an illustrious international reputation.

Both were renowned for their aggressive playing styles, leading many to predict their upcoming match would be a spectacular battle of wits. As masters of complex board positions who crushed opponents with precise calculations, victory would ultimately come down to whose analytical prowess proved superior.

As the match date approached, attention wasn't just domestic - the entire global Go community had turned its gaze toward this championship challenge.

Three days passed in a blink, leaving just one final day before the title match...

---

New York, USA

"I'm not coming to the office tomorrow. Something came up," said a pajama-clad blond man while staring at his computer screen during a phone call.

"What? Boss, we have that crucial meeting tomorrow!" came the pained groan from his assistant. "God help me for having a boss like you! That contract is worth millions!"

"God will forgive me," the man chuckled before exhaling deeply. "The Almighty is omnipotent, so He surely plays Go. And if He plays Go, His eyes must be on this match!"

"Or perhaps every move Yu Shao makes carries divine wrath itself!"

The assistant fell silent before finally sighing, "Boss, that's blasphemy. Any priest hearing this would challenge you to a duel."

"Blasphemy?" The blond man laughed, eyes still glued to his screen displaying Yu Shao's match against Li You. "When I first saw this game, I shouted 'The cherubim have unleashed God's fury!'"

Though some time had passed since that match, and he'd reviewed it countless times, the profound awe still resonated in his soul.

"No, it's precisely because I revere the divine that I say this - every move is a miracle!"

---

Jiangling

"Yiming, are you really going to Beijing?" A middle-aged woman with delicate features asked worriedly. "Your title match preliminaries aren't over yet. Shouldn't you focus on preparing instead of traveling to watch a game?"

Su Yiming shook his head with a smile. "It's fine, Mom. My next preliminary is in four days. I'll return the same day after watching tomorrow's match."

"But..." His mother still looked uneasy. "Can't you just watch the livestream at home? Why go all the way there?"

"It's not the same, Mom." Su Yiming chuckled. "Like playing online Go versus face-to-face - they're completely different experiences."

"To truly appreciate a game's essence, you need to hear the stones clack in person, to be physically present and comprehend the board's mysteries."

"For this title challenge match... I feel I must be there."

His mother opened her mouth but ultimately sighed in resignation. "I don't understand Go, but you're grown now. Go if you must, just call me when you arrive."

"Will do. Bye, Mom." With a wave, Su Yiming finally left home.

---

Chuhan City, Central Go Academy - Lounge

Zhuang Weisheng gazed intently at the board before finally reaching into his stone container. With precise fingers, he placed his stone.

Click!

Column 7, Row 12 - the clamp!

His young opponent's expression shifted instantly, reflexively biting his thumbnail as he stared frozen at the board. The sheer pressure radiating from that single move was palpable.

Several other young players observing behind the opponent also tensed up. Even they recognized the move's brilliance - imagining themselves in his position, they too felt overwhelming pressure.

Among the spectators was none other than An Hongshi.

"A sacrifice here?" An Hongshi glanced subtly at Zhuang Weisheng, recalling the bold claims this Korean player had made before coming to China: "Zhuang Weisheng lost his 10-dan title - he's past his prime. The legend has fallen. This exchange at China's Central Go Academy will show him our skills!"

"These are all young players who've reached the main tournaments of Korea's major titles - already first-rate professionals though not yet internationally prominent," An Hongshi mused. "Eager to prove themselves, they're giving their all despite this being just an exchange program. But now..."

After a long deliberation, the young player finally placed his stone through gritted teeth.

Zhuang Weisheng remained composed, resting his chin on his hand in thought before eventually countering.

Click... click... click...

The rhythm of stones filled the lounge.

Finally, after Zhuang Weisheng's decisive move, the young player's face twisted in bitter resignation, fists clenched tight. But reality couldn't be denied - with a bowed head, he conceded: "I... lose."

"Your center play was good, but this area's handling was careless, leaving weaknesses I exploited," Zhuang Weisheng pointed out, demonstrating variations during the review.

Though the Korean didn't understand Chinese, Go transcended language. Seeing Zhuang Weisheng's variations, he quickly grasped his mistakes.

After finishing the review, Zhuang Weisheng looked up at the other players. "Who's next?"

"Next is Jung Wooho, but Teacher Zhuang," An Hongshi interjected in fluent Chinese, "you've already played three consecutive games. Even if they were blitz, you should rest."

"Three already?" Zhuang Weisheng blinked before laughing. "They played so well I couldn't let my guard down. Lost track of time. Impressive young talents from Korea."

An Hongshi shook his head with a smile, taking the seat opposite and beginning to clear the board. "Yet you won all three. Typical of you - now I feel pressured."

As part of the exchange program, today was Zhuang Weisheng against Korean players;

tomorrow would be An Hongshi against Chinese players. With Zhuang's three-win streak, An Hongshi couldn't afford to underperform.

"Is that so? Coming from Teacher An Hongshi, that's high praise indeed."

An Hongshi paused before chuckling at the playful jab. "You haven't changed."

"It's been two years since your last visit to China, hasn't it?" Zhuang Weisheng asked while clearing stones.

"Indeed," An Hongshi nodded. "I've missed mapo tofu and kung pao chicken terribly. Finally getting to eat them again."

"Ah, but we're at Central Go Academy, not Western. Our specialty here is hot dry noodles - equally delicious. You might prefer them."

"Is that so? Then I must try them." An Hongshi smiled before turning serious. "With summer approaching, international tournaments will follow one after another. Is this exchange program preparation for those?"

"Exactly." An Hongshi nodded. "They're talented but lack experience against foreign players. This exchange helps them adjust."

"International competitions differ greatly from domestic ones. Strong local records don't guarantee overseas success."

Zhuang Weisheng nodded thoughtfully. "True enough. But they're quite skilled - no prior international experience? Even team events?"

"Many Korean players focus solely on domestic titles until achieving satisfactory results before venturing abroad," An Hongshi explained. "You know how fiercely competitive our scene is."

Zhuang Weisheng couldn't help but laugh in agreement.

Suddenly, An Hongshi studied Zhuang Weisheng intently. "But Teacher Zhuang... have you changed somewhat?"

Zhuang Weisheng looked up questioningly.

"The old you wouldn't have played that sacrifice. Too risky. You were always more methodical - calculating thoroughly before acting, not this aggressive."

After a pause, Zhuang Weisheng smiled. "And do you think this change is for better or worse?"

"I... can't say." An Hongshi hesitated. "You feel different - stronger in some aspects, yet weaker in others."

"Stronger yet weaker?" Zhuang Weisheng's smile deepened. "Then my goal is simple - to surpass my former self in every way."

"Isn't that every player's aspiration?" An Hongshi chuckled before growing serious again. "But... there's more to it, isn't there?"

Zhuang Weisheng fell silent, staring at the empty board before murmuring, "I look forward to... a rematch with a certain player."

"A certain player?" After a moment, An Hongshi ventured, "Would that be... Yu Shao?"

Zhuang Weisheng didn't answer.

An Hongshi already knew.

"Tomorrow's the title match main event," Zhuang Weisheng finally said. "Teacher An Hongshi, since you're here, why not postpone the exchange and come watch the match in Beijing?"

"With pleasure." An Hongshi grinned. "I was thinking the same."

Just then, several young players passing by the lounge did double-takes upon spotting the two legends inside.

"It's Sage An Hongshi and Teacher Zhuang Weisheng!"

"Why's An Hongshi here?"

"Rumors said some Korean players were visiting for exchanges - is he leading them?"

"Are they about to play? Quick, let's watch!"

Soon the lounge filled with eager spectators.

"They're all watching us," An Hongshi noted amusedly.

"Probably expecting a game." Zhuang Weisheng smiled. "Shall we oblige before heading to the airport?"

"Very well." An Hongshi opened his stone container. "Then let me witness the new Zhuang Weisheng."