CHAPTER 563: CHAPTER 501, THE GAME OF CHESS

Eight Heavenly Dragons Guangtian Bodhisattva firmly watched the Sea Eye, as a water dragon gradually emerged within his gaze. His eyes suddenly brightened—the Dragon Vein of the Sea Eye had appeared.

Eight Heavenly Dragons Guangtian Bodhisattva shouted, "Slas.h.!.+"

The Big Array covering the Sea Eye instantly transformed into a Dragon Slayer Treasure Saber and ruthlessly descended, striking the East Sea Dragon Vein hidden in the Sea Eye. With a loud bang, the Dragon Vein shattered, and the Sea Eye erupted in turmoil.

The East Sea Dragon Queen’s eyes widened in anger as she screamed, "Ao Tian, by cutting off the East Sea Dragon Vein, you’re cutting yourself off from the Dragon Clan!"

"I am saving the Dragon Clan!"

The entire East Sea turned upside down in an instant; the seafloor shifted with thunderous roars, dark currents spewed forth, the East Sea Sky was enveloped in dark clouds, and violent winds swept through, causing massive waves to surge throughout the entire East Sea.

Many hidden Immortal Gods of the East Sea watched in horror as the surrounding scene changed. The qi of the East Sea was in chaos, and the Spiritual Energy was more violent than ever before.

The same changes were happening in the South Sea and the North Sea as well.

Inside the Heavenly Court Bird’s Nest, Bai Jin, who was lying in the hot spring, suddenly sat up and rushed out of the pool. A luxurious bath towel flew over from afar, draping itself over his shoulders as he landed beside the pool.

Bai Jin’s eyes twinkled faintly as he looked down, his vision piercing through the Nine Heavens and focusing on the Four Seas of the Earth Immortal Realm, sweeping over the East Sea, South Sea, and North Sea. Finally, he fixed his gaze upon the calm West Sea—something must have happened in the West Sea.

Inside the Turquoise Pool, the Jade Emperor also gestured to stop the music and dance. With a flick of his finger, a beautiful mirror flew out, displaying scenes of the Four Seas. The East Sea, South Sea, and North Sea—what are they up to? Could it be they are dissatisfied because I gave the King’s Divine Pearl to the West Sea?

The Jade Emperor immediately fell into deep thought. What else can be dismantled in Heavenly Court? It seems like I’ve mortgaged everything valuable to the bank!

If the bank hadn’t refused the Palace of the Polestar, I would have wanted to mortgage it as well—spending money is just so thrilling, continuously exhilarating.

As the Jade Emperor muttered to himself, Hao Tian and the Queen Mother of Yaochi, who were traveling and enjoying the Lower Realm, both stopped in their tracks, shocked by the tumult of the Four Seas.

Queen Mother spoke gravely, "The Dragon Veins of the East Sea, South Sea, and North Sea have all been severed. It’s likely that something has happened in the West Sea."

Heavenly Emperor closed his eyes and then suddenly opened them with a furious shout, "How dare the West Sea!"

Queen Mother quickly asked, "What happened?"

"The Calamity has begun, and the Heavenly Secret is obscured. The West Sea took this opportunity to rebel against Heavenly Court and join forces with Buddhism.

"Now within the West Sea, the East Sea Dragon King, South Sea Dragon King, and North Sea Dragon King are engaged in a great battle with the Buddhist Eight Heavenly Dragons.

"Gold Star Taibai, Shen Gongbao, and others are also fighting for the dignity of our Heavenly Court."

"The Jade Emperor?"

Heavenly Emperor’s face darkened as he said, "Don’t mention him."

Queen Mother spoke with displeasure, "Is this your Good Corpse? Always indulging in music and dance?"

Hao Tian said irritatedly, "Wasn’t Zhang Bai Ren raised by you?"

"I guess this is just your true nature."

"Fine! If you say so, then so be it!"

"We have only been together for a few Calamities and you’ve started to treat me so perfunctorily?"

"I haven’t. Let’s talk about this later."

"So, you’re at a loss for words with me now?"

"Don’t be unreasonable!"

"You’re accusing me of being unreasonable now?!"

Heavenly Emperor looked at Queen Mother speechlessly—truly tired at heart. Suddenly, he envied the Jade Emperor a bit; it was better to stay nestled in Heavenly Court.

"Do you have anything else to say?"

Heavenly Emperor’s expression changed, and he suddenly looked up to say, "A Fellow Daoist has come!"

Queen Mother immediately regained her graceful and genial demeanor, her face wearing a gentle smile.

Silently, above the heaven, a thin old man appeared, stepping down towards them. Arriving below, he clasped his fists and said, "I’ve seen Heavenly Emperor and Queen Mother of Yaochi!"

Hao Tian and Queen Mother of Yaochi simultaneously performed a fist and palm salute and said, "We have seen Kunpeng senior brother!"

The three of them stood up and faced each other, and the atmosphere between Heaven and Earth instantly became heavy and stagnant, as if this expanse of Heaven and Earth could not accommodate the existence of the three, ready to collapse at any moment.

The Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian said with a smile, "Did senior brother Kunpeng come to stop me?"

Kunpeng Demon Master laughed heartily and said, "It’s not about stopping.

I’m just here to discuss the Tao with my junior brother. A mere game between juniors does not warrant your intervention."

The heavy atmosphere between Heaven and Earth suddenly relaxed.

The Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian pointed his hand, and a pavilion in the forest erupted from the ground with great rumble, with flying eaves and upturned corners, exquisitely carved dragons and painted phoenixes, quite splendid. Inside the pavilion, there was a board game set up.

Hao Tian said with a smile, "I heard that senior brother is skilled at strategizing. I also wish to have a match with senior brother."

Extending his hand and beckoning, he said, "Senior brother, please!"

The two entered the pavilion and began their game, each holding the black and white pieces.

The virtuous Queen Mother of Yaochi stood by Hao Tian’s side, silently watching the game.

The Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian said, "Since it is a match, how can we do without good tea. Queen Mother, go and brew a pot of tea."

The gentle Queen Mother responded, "Alright!" and turned to walk away with small steps.

Kunpeng Demon Master praised, "Junior sister is virtuous and gentle, tender and graceful. Junior brother is indeed fortunate."

The Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian laughed heartily and said, "This requires teaching. If she doesn’t listen, a scolding should be in order. Over time, she will get better."

"Senior brother, it is your turn to play."

Kunpeng Pharmacist looked at the board and said, "Junior brother’s pieces are sharp and aggressive, it seems you aim to slay the dragon!"

"Senior brother is steady and experienced, with lethality hidden beneath your play. I truly admire you."

"Junior brother, who do you think will win this game?"

"That depends on the person outside the game."

"All creatures of the Three Realms are within the game, where would be someone outside of it? Junior brother, you are going to lose."

"Senior brother uses the creatures of the Three Realms as pawns, but there are some pieces you can’t control."

The Heavenly Emperor Hao Tian placed a white piece with his finger.

A crane’s cry faintly emerged from the board, a white crane fluttered its wings and soared upward, several black pieces around it shattered one after another under the envelopment of the white crane.

Kunpeng Demon Master said with a smile, "If it can’t be controlled, then just render it useless."

Kunpeng Demon Master carelessly dropped a black piece, with a snap next to the white piece, a golden light burst from the black piece, forming a golden net that enveloped the white crane and pulled it into the board.

...

In the Heavenly Court, Bai Jin stepped out of the Bird’s Nest and stretched his hand toward the West, a cyan palm piercing through the Nine Heavens, reaching for the West Sea.

The cyan palm suddenly twisted and disappeared, a Buddha with a full head of wraps condensed from the void, appearing before Bai Jin.

Bai Jin said solemnly, "Duo Bao Tathagata!"

The grand voice of The Buddha resonated, "Emperor Gouchen, with your status, why must you trouble the younger generation?"

Bai Jin raised his head to look at The Buddha, and with an ugly expression said, "Senior brother, is there really a need to make it so unpleasant?

The West Sea’s open rebellion leaves the Heavenly Court’s face tarnished. This is also a slap in the face to our master!"

The Buddha showed a hint of a smile on his face and his immense figure faded, disappearing into the sky.

The next moment, wearing simple robes, Duo Bao appeared in front of Bai Jin and said, "Junior brother, would you care to have a game with me?"

Bai Jin was silent for a moment, sighed, and then gesturing with his hand said, "Senior brother, please come inside!"