Play Against Me

Chen Xia stretched out his hand and touched his nose, his expression still calm.

He was not scared by the name of Shanshui Quasi-Emperor. He was just a Quasi-Emperor, not a Great Emperor.

Moreover, Shanshui Quasi-Emperor's aura was not as arrogant as Golden Lotus Great Sage. His attitude was quite low. Since he had come to discuss matters, Chen Xia asked first.

"What's the matter?"

Shanshui Quasi-Emperor slowed down his divine abilities and smiled gently at Chen Xia, "Chen Chief has extraordinary talents. There is no need to stay in this realm that cannot produce emperors."

"My Heavenly Rain Realm is willing to invite Chen Chief to join. The sincerity we offer is definitely more than this Holy Temple, more than this realm. As long as Chen Chief nods and agrees, your status in Heavenly Rain Realm will be no less than mine in the future!"

His sincerity was indeed sufficient, but Chen Xia was not interested in these things. He shook his head.

"Heavenly Rain Realm and realms look the same to me. What you said is useless to me. Status is something trivial in my opinion. I don't like being high up."

"So please leave."

Shanshui Great Emperor's expression was calm. He seemed to have expected this result. He chuckled softly and held up four fingers, continuing,

"You don't care about these things. I know you have attained the Fourth Dao and are one of the most outstanding prodigies since ancient times across all realms. But don't you want to attain the Fifth Dao?"

"Once you become the Fifth Dao and then a Great Saint, you will be the most dazzling Five Dao Great Saint across all realms."

"I believe you must have heard the legend that the Five Dao Great Saint can rival Great Emperors. Although it's not as exaggerated as the legend says, the Five Dao Great Saint can indeed exchange blows with ordinary Great Emperors. Moreover, you were already at the Fifth Dao as a Great Saint. What about as a Great Emperor?"

Chen Xia frowned. "What are you trying to express after saying so much?"

Shanshui Quasi-Emperor waved his sleeve and confidently said, "As long as you join Heavenly Rain Realm, Heavenly Rain Realm will do its utmost to help you attain the Fifth Dao, even cultivating you to become the first ever Great Emperor of Heavenly Rain Realm!"

"These are things this realm cannot give you. This realm cannot produce emperors, even the Lord of the Forbidden Zone is just the focal point set up by the Great Interface."

He looked at Chen Xia confidently and firmly. This was an extremely tempting invitation, and it should be even more attractive to Chen Xia.

Seeing that Chen Xia did not respond, Shanshui Quasi-Emperor added,

"Only Heavenly Rain Realm can give such good treatment. Even if you go to the Great Interface, it may not be as good as Heavenly Rain Realm, because competition is intense in the Great Interface. Although you as a Fourth Dao Saint will still be valued, it definitely cannot compare to being in Heavenly Rain Realm."

This was the truth. But Chen Xia still did not react, not even glancing at Shanshui Quasi-Emperor. After a while, he glanced slightly at Shanshui Quasi-Emperor and replied,

"What you said makes sense, but I'll have to decline."

Shanshui Quasi-Emperor was stunned, frowning in puzzlement, "Why? Even if you're the most outstanding prodigy, Heavenly Rain Realm will not disappoint you."

If Chen Xia was likened to the best swordsman in the world, then Heavenly Rain Realm was the sharpest sword in the world, certainly a good match for him.

Well...

Neither side was wrong.

It's just that they were simply incompatible.

Chen Xia also shook his head, "I like a free and unfettered life. I really don't want to join any Heavenly Rain Realm. Also, I don't need your help to attain the Fifth Dao."

Shanshui Quasi-Emperor pursed his lips. After a long while, he sighed and shook his head, "I'll be returning to Heavenly Rain Realm soon. If you change your mind, feel free to come to Heavenly Rain Realm and find me anytime."

"Alright." Chen Xia nodded slightly.

When Shanshui Quasi-Emperor left, he encountered others at the door. He glanced slightly and made out that it was a beautiful woman.

She practiced water techniques and was skilled at controlling water to command the sea.

Shanshui Quasi-Emperor silently remarked to himself and exchanged glances with Qiu Yi before leaving extremely quickly.

Qiu Yi stepped into the room and curiously asked,

"Who was that?"

"A salesman." Chen Xia replied briefly.

"Huh?" Qiu Yi had many question marks in her little head, not quite understanding, but she didn't ask further. Her beautiful face carried a light smile.

"The mid-level of the realm has stabilized. Fighting has decreased a lot now."

"That's good news." Chen Xia stretched and walked out from leaning against the wall, sighing, "I'm really sorry to trouble you with taking care of the Zhang family."

"No worries, no worries." Qiu Yi waved her hand, smiling gracefully, "With the battles settled, I'll be completely leaving the Zhang family..."

"Wandering?" Chen Xia asked.

"No no, I've wandered far and wide already. Having reached this realm and met you, I'm already very content now."

She revealed a gentle smile on her cold yet charming face, and softly said,

"So I want to return to Qing Province. I came today to bid you farewell. I don't know if we'll meet again in the future."

"We should be able to." Chen Xia said lightly with his arms crossed.

"Yeah, we should." Qiu Yi uncharacteristically stuttered.

"You really haven't changed." Chen Xia suddenly laughed.

Qiu Yi also laughed. The early autumn wind blew at her, lifting her skirt. Her green eyes shimmered slightly, reflecting Chen Xia's figure in them. With her hands behind her back, she revealed a shallow smile and asked,

"My Dao glyphs have condensed eighteen layers. Not bad huh?"

"Very impressive." Chen Xia nodded.

A withered yellow leaf floated down from the tall tree in the little house, fluttering, fluttering, as if the wind was lifting it up, yet also pulling it down.

"Will you remember me?" Qiu Yi suddenly looked up and asked.

"Probably." Chen Xia gave an ambiguous reply.

This was their last conversation, on the first day of early autumn, in the slightly cool season.

Qiu Yi left, alone, just as she had come, searching for the road home.

They really didn't know if they would meet again in the future.

Meeting was always once less than before.

Chen Xia sat alone in the little house, his lone figure facing the wall of the yard where a newly planted banyan tree stood, the small tombstone tilted, as if cocking its head looking at him.

The early autumn wind brought a slight chill.

Chen Xia took out a chess set and neatly laid it out before him, unhurriedly, playing alone.

The banyan tree watched him.

He watched the chessboard.

Light sounds of pieces being placed arose, me playing against myself.

No voices.