One Move of God

"It's rare to see you so courteous. It seems you recognize our efforts."

Cui Changsheng smiled with aged contentment.

Based on his understanding of Chen Yi, this man knew nothing of humility—he saw everyone as mere prey, unworthy of respect. Only matters concerning the Purple Star Continent could elicit such politeness from him.

Though the dwelling was small, he truly treated the Purple Star Continent as his home!

"Of course. I’ll have to trouble you seniors further..." Chen Yi replied humbly, placing a black stone at the "3-3" point, tightening the encirclement against the white stones.

Cui Changsheng gave a slight nod, countering with a white stone in the "push-and-retreat" formation to secure the corner territory. Calmly, he said, "Naturally. Though our paths differ, we share the same goal."

Unhurried, Chen Yi expanded his black formation with a "two-space extension," then asked,

"Earlier, you mentioned that from the moment I first escaped the Immortal Ascension Tribulation, my past and future became obscured. So how did you predict my arrival today?"

Cui Changsheng replied evenly, "You were bound to come. Once the Purple Star Continent reached its bottleneck, only the ruins of the Divine Realm could offer aid."

"I simply didn’t know when you’d arrive, so I began waiting long, long ago."

Chen Yi’s eyes brightened. "So, Senior left traces in every fragment of the collapsed Divine Realm?"

"Not so." Cui Changsheng shook his head. "I only left the Celestial Stele here. If you ever came to the Divine Realm, you’d inevitably uncover the mystery of the Divine Realm’s Heavenly Key. In your search for its nine fragments, you’d eventually find me. But I never expected your first stop to be here!"

"Ah, so Senior only found one fragment of the Divine Realm’s Heavenly Key?" Chen Yi sighed regretfully.

"What are you disappointed about?" Cui Changsheng’s spiritual projection twitched at the corner of its mouth.

"Though the Divine Realm has collapsed, a starved camel is still larger than a horse. If I made too much noise, the Immortal Realm would surely take notice!"

"Need I remind you, I’m a fugitive wanted by the Immortal Realm? Leaving behind this projection to guide you is already my limit. My true self is still being chased—I can’t afford distractions!"

"Of course, that’s me. But you’re different. Your concealment is excellent, and you’re operating through an avatar. Even if it’s lost, it’s no great loss. High risk, yes, but the rewards are immense!"

"If you can secure the Divine Realm’s legacy under the Immortal Realm’s blockade—perhaps even aid the Divine Realm’s Heavenly Dao in secretly recovering, forging an alliance to oppose the Immortal Realm together... our chances of victory would grow. The Immortal Realm would no longer be the sole homeland of immortals!"

"Can you do it, Chen Yi?"

Chen Yi raised a brow, feeling as if a weight had been placed on his shoulders.

Admittedly, the sensation was novel.

After all, he was usually the one burdening others—this was the first time someone had done it to him!

Yet, this was a burden he was willing to bear.

For one simple reason...

It was the only path for the Purple Star Immortal Realm’s ascension!

The current Immortal Realm stood unchallenged. Among the myriad worlds, realms capable of sustaining immortals were rare—and those that existed were weak, their decline irreversible.

Take the Azure Cloud Continent, for instance. Once glorious, it had been gutted by the Immortal Realm and left to wither.

Had it not been for Han Qianxue’s emergence, stabilizing its dissipating laws, it would have long fallen from its True Immortal rank.

Chen Yi’s actions against the Azure Cloud Continent were born of necessity. With the Purple Star frail, he had no choice but to borrow from the still-resilient Azure Cloud’s Heavenly Dao.

This was a karmic debt—one he’d repay once the Purple Star flourished, lifting others as he rose.

To take without giving... wouldn’t that make him no better than the Immortal Realm?

His true ambition was to safeguard universal peace, foster shared prosperity, and forge a community of shared destiny for all living beings—a world of lasting harmony, security, openness, and beauty.

Wait...

Why did the Azure Cloud Continent’s plight feel so familiar?

Had he not toyed with the Immortal Ascension Tribulation or bound himself to the chat group early on... wouldn’t Han Qianxue be a reflection of his past self?

Just as Cui Changsheng had once planned—a pawn to plunder the Epoch Vault and fuel their world’s rise?

If the Purple Star’s people could stir trouble in the Immortal Realm, why not those of the Azure Cloud?

In its prime, the Azure Cloud had produced prodigies aplenty!

As for the Divine Land... best not mention it. Wealthy, yes, but inherently flawed. Even if its cultivators ascended, they’d likely end up as mere miners...

"Senior, the Immortal Realm absorbs ascendants from all worlds. The Purple Star’s people form their own faction—but is there one from the Azure Cloud Continent?" Chen Yi asked bluntly.

"There was." Cui Changsheng confirmed, sighing. "They were bold and unyielding. A pity they backed the wrong side. Their pillars all fell in that upheaval."

"Truly, all of them?" Chen Yi’s gaze darkened. "Yet on the Azure Cloud, another pawn—one much like myself—is still looting the Epoch Vault."

Karmic debts would be repaid. But if hidden schemers lurked behind the scenes, for the Purple Star’s stability, he’d have no choice but to act—even if it meant their downfall.

"You truly are meticulous." Cui Changsheng chuckled wryly. "Do as you see fit. My words wouldn’t sway you anyway. Now, focus on the board—you’re about to lose."

With that, a white stone descended, reigniting the assault on Chen Yi’s black dragon.

Chen Yi: "..."

Seriously?

I’m no master player—just an amateur. Must you insist on crushing me?

Seeing no path to recovery, Chen Yi paused... then delivered a divine move.

"Senior’s skill is unmatched. I concede."

With that, he swept his hand across the board, scattering the stones—denying his opponent the final blow.

"Your sportsmanship is lacking, boy." Cui Changsheng sighed, rising slowly. "Enough. I’ve told you all you need. The rest, seek for yourself. The game is over, and so is this wisp of divine sense."

Chen Yi frowned. "Senior, you know I act with caution. Without clarity, how can I avoid future blunders?"

His subtext was clear: Don’t try to manipulate me. It won’t work. Fail to explain properly, and don’t blame me if chaos follows.

Cui Changsheng’s projection smiled faintly. "Precisely because you’re too cautious. At best, you’d trust only a fraction of my words. Better you witness the truth firsthand."

"You’ve longed to step into the River of Time, haven’t you?"