Lanke Mountain: The Unfinished Chess Game

The Li Manor in Qinghe County.

Amidst the night, fine snowflakes drifted through the air, yet a beam of clear moonlight seeped through the dark clouds, casting a frost-like glow over the side chamber. It also carried fleeting glimpses from a place thousands of miles away—scenes from the Joyful Hotpot Restaurant.

A young girl, who had just celebrated her seventeenth birthday, bathed in the moonlight as she quietly observed the shimmering images before her.

"Dream God..."

Ying Bing's eyes, reflecting the moonlight, rippled slightly.

She knew this was one of the Three Ancestral Gods worshipped by the Summoning Demonic Sect. Yet in her memories, the Dream God had always remained dormant, with no signs of awakening.

In her past life, after joining the Qingyuan Sect, she weathered countless storms before returning to Qinghe County—by then, she had already reached the Palm Mystic Realm and become the Mistress of the Cassia Palace.

Even when she returned as a Palm Mystic cultivator, she had never encountered that black Nian beast...

Could it be that the one truly seeking her was the Dream God?

She had only intended to use her past life’s knowledge to act as Li Mo’s safeguard. Never did she expect that, after twists and turns, she might once again be entangled with the massacre of the Ying family...

"Whether there’s a connection or not, I’ll have to take it step by step."

Suppressing the turmoil in her heart, Ying Bing turned her gaze back to the vision. But upon seeing what was happening, her furrowed brows relaxed into a helpless expression.

He really knows how to spin a tale.

And now she had to help him spin it.

This wasn’t her first time—Cold Fairy had already teamed up with him once before to deceive the Summoning Demonic Sect.

In the moonlit projection—

"Since we’ve settled everything, let’s head out after the meal... Huh?"

Luo Yexian reached out with his chopsticks, only to find all six plates on the table empty.

"Who ate so fast?"

"Hmm? I’m sure I ordered plenty."

Li Mo wiped his mouth with a solemn expression.

As everyone knew, young Li was a quick learner—a genius who often dined with Elder Qian in Yunzhou and had mastered a third of his skills.

"Well then, no time to waste. Let’s set off."

"But we haven’t even eaten... Ahem, the mission comes first."

"Waiter, the bill."

"Elder Luo, you’re too kind."

Li Mo smiled in thanks.

Luo Yexian froze. He had only called the waiter—he never said he’d pay! But since the Black Earth Immortal had already thanked him, he had no choice but to fork over the silver.

As they walked out, Luo Yexian tried to smooth things over with flattery:

"No need for formalities! Why thank me? Our two factions share deep ties—we’re practically family."

"Hahaha, true. Elder Luo, why don’t we address each other as brothers from now on?"

Immortal Black Earth Li was in high spirits.

A full meal, not a coin spent, and even ten taels of silver earned—how could he not be happy?

"Elder Brother, this Luo has wandered half a lifetime, yet meeting you feels like reuniting with a long-lost sibling."

Luo Yexian, ever the opportunist, even teared up with emotion.

"Nephew Saint, come, call him Uncle."

Tan Zhuyin: "?"

He had excused himself to the restroom to discuss matters with the two Law Body experts. How, in the span of a toilet break, had he dropped a generation?

Glancing between the white-bearded Luo Yexian and the youthful-looking Black Earth Immortal, he couldn’t fathom how his "uncle" had managed to call him "brother."

Were these two even from the same era?

"Nephew, this one’s age is likely as deceptive as his cultivation. We might even be getting the better end of the deal."

Luo Yexian felt no psychological burden in addressing him as "brother."

Tan Zhuyin shot him a glare before composing himself.

"Rotten Ke Mountain lies about five hundred li ahead. We should depart now."

"Tch, youngsters and their pride. We who walk the path beyond the mundane need not fuss over worldly titles."

"Let’s go."

As he spoke, Li Mo silently asked the moon:

"Ice Block, what kind of movement technique would look most like a supreme expert?"

His imagination was certainly up to par. But with two Law Body experts watching, even his grand displays had to follow the basic principles of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths—otherwise, it’d be too fake and raise suspicions.

"Experts of the Penglai Star Sect tread upon the seven stars."

"Those of the Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor ride their swords, sometimes summoning ten thousand blades in their wake."

"Those who cultivate the Moon God’s Intent to the Law Body realm can transform into moonlight..."

Li Mo descended the stairs while listening to Ice Block’s whispers in his ear.

He understood now—it had to align with a specific divine intent.

Outside the hotpot restaurant—

Tan Zhuyin, the Saint of the Summoning Demonic Sect, boarded a palanquin carried through the air by his followers—each one an Inner Landscape expert.

To think even Qingyuan Sect’s elders were only at the Inner Landscape level—this showed just how extravagant the Saint’s entourage was.

Luo Yexian whistled, summoning a massive vulture with a wingspan of several zhang, its fierce appearance anything but benevolent.

"Black Earth Imm—Elder Brother, my bird is big enough. Plenty of space."

He invited Li Mo aboard.

"No need."

The Illusion God Pearl in Li Mo’s bosom trembled.

Roar—

A dragon’s cry echoed as a streak of light tore through the sky, circling above. Its resplendent feathers shimmered with moonlight, and breezes flickered around its form.

Its oppressive aura loomed over all, surpassing even the mightiest of spirits.

Its nobility was like the moon given form.

A phoenix.

Or more precisely, a True Phoenix—

A Moon Phoenix.

Ice Block: "..."

Immortal Li Mo stepped onto the Moon Phoenix’s back in a single motion. Riding the celestial creature under the moonlight, he spoke with detached grace:

"This one prefers not to draw attention, but since we seek the legacy of the Dream God, a measure of solemnity is warranted. Let us proceed."

With those words, the Moon Phoenix soared, cutting across the heavens like a second moon, its wings scattering starlight with every beat.

"Well now, that’s Elder Brother Black Earth’s style."

Luo Yexian clicked his tongue, suddenly regretting his choice.

Maybe he should’ve gone with "Godfather" instead.

"An existence rivaling the True Dragons during the Great Shang Dynasty."

Tan Zhuyin gazed at the ethereal figure riding the phoenix, his eyes burning with longing.

An hour later.

Amidst the snow-laden clouds, the group began their descent.

The outlines of distant mountains emerged beneath them, equally shrouded in mist, blurring the line between sky and earth.

They landed atop a peak enveloped by the sea of clouds.

"We’ve long suspected Rotten Ke Mountain might hold ties to the Dream God’s legacy," Tan Zhuyin said, gazing at the swirling mist below.

"But without the Ancestral God’s response, we dared not intrude."

More like you couldn’t find the door.

Li Mo didn’t call him out, instead studying the sprawling Rotten Ke Mountain range—its blocky, jagged peaks arranged like tiles in the night.

"Immortal, what do you make of this mountain’s feng shui?"

Though Li Mo had claimed he’d "show a little skill," he knew nothing about geomancy.

Fortunately, Ice Block’s guidance was as reliable as ever.

After a glance at the moon, Li Mo answered coolly:

"A chessboard. And an unfinished game at that."