Xiao Li the Immortal's Confidence, Enter the Game

"As expected of elder brother, you saw through it at a glance."

Luo Yexian nodded, affirming Li Mo's observation.

Tan Zhuyin and the group of Demon Summoning Cult disciples intently watched the scene below, as if trying to discern whether there had been any changes after the Dream God sensed the power of the masses. Unfortunately, there were none.

To be fair, they couldn’t perceive much on their own either.

The Demon Summoning Cult was not a sect particularly versed in the principles of Yin-Yang, the Five Elements, or geomancy.

The knowledge they possessed had been researched by the former members of the Yin-Yang Hall.

However, there was a rising young prodigy in the Yin-Yang Hall who harbored ambitions of usurping Tan Zhuyin’s position as the Holy Son.

Naturally, Tan Zhuyin and his group had no intention of waiting for their rival to join them in investigating.

Their gazes once again turned to Li Mo.

Li Mo chuckled. "You’ve known about this place for so long, yet you haven’t uncovered even a hint of its mysteries?"

"That’s precisely why we seek your guidance, Immortal."

Tan Zhuyin shot a glance at Luo Yexian, silencing him before he could speak.

Li Mo pretended to ponder over the chessboard.

In truth, he was listening to the voice transmitted from the Frosty One through the Divine Intent of the Lunar Goddess:

"This place has been arranged through grand means, using the mountain’s energy as chess pieces to form a layout that has gathered the spiritual and baleful energies of this geomantic treasure land for thousands of years."

"If you recklessly venture deeper without breaking this formation, you’ll be devoured by the spiritual-baleful formation."

"At the same time, the spiritual-baleful energy can also nurture rare treasures—or something far more sinister."

As he listened, Immortal Li Heitu relayed the message.

The faint amusement in his eyes grew even more pronounced.

From the Frosty One’s tone alone, it was clear that this formation wouldn’t be easy to dismantle.

No wonder these demonic cultivators gazed at the Rotten Ke Mountain Range with not just longing for opportunity but also deep wariness.

The Demon Summoning Cult had clearly explored this place multiple times.

Yet, just as clearly, they had returned empty-handed each time—likely having suffered many setbacks in the process.

"Brother Heitu, let me be frank with you."

After receiving a glance from Tan Zhuyin, Luo Yexian spoke up:

"Long ago, our sect sent people into the Rotten Ke Mountain Range. But no matter which direction they took, they always ended up before a massive chessboard."

"If they tried to force their way in without playing, they would be struck down by the spiritual-baleful energy."

"If they played… well, the outcome wasn’t much better."

Luo Yexian recounted the tale in detail.

According to the sect’s records, a Dharma Body expert from the Yin-Yang Hall—a master of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, and a peerless chess player—had once played against the Grand Yu’s Prime Minister for three days and nights, ultimately winning by two moves and earning the title of "Sage of Chess."

Confident in his skills, this Chess Sage had come to challenge Rotten Ke Mountain.

He stayed for seven years.

When he returned, his Dharma Body was withered, and he was half-mad, muttering incessantly about "breaking the formation."

From his fragmented words, it seemed he wasn’t the first chess master to come here.

The stronger the player, the deeper they fell.

Among the remains was even the skeleton of a long-deceased Xuan Profound expert who had played until death, becoming a "chess slave."

"Frosty One, can you handle this chess formation?"

Li Mo still wanted to go home for the New Year. He wasn’t about to get trapped here for a decade—or even ten days.

"This formation is indeed unpredictable."

"Is it that difficult?"

The Frosty One paused before replying in a clear, melodious voice:

"Well, I might not win by too many points."

"…"

So the Frosty One wasn’t even considering whether she could win—just how much she could win by?

This damn sense of security!

Thankfully, the Frosty One was reliable.

Otherwise, after boasting about "making a slight move," if he had to backtrack with "sorry, I can’t do it either," wouldn’t his image as the disciple of the Heavenly Venerate and Immortal Li Heitu be utterly ruined?

"Hah! As they say, Heaven never seals off all exits—let alone for a mere chess game."

Immortal Li Heitu clasped his hands behind his back, gazing at the star-like arrangement of the mountains below, his voice brimming with unshakable confidence.

Even after hearing those stories, he showed no fear. If anything, he seemed genuinely intrigued.

"You can break this formation?!"

The Demon Summoning Holy Son’s eyes flashed with intense excitement.

"I’ll try to win by a few more points."

"!!!"

The demonic cultivators exchanged stunned glances.

This chess formation had stumped their sect for millennia—yet this man didn’t even consider the possibility of losing?

"However… my master has recently been in need of some power of the masses…"

The Immortal’s tone shifted meaningfully.

Luo Yexian immediately understood—this was a request for tribute—and glanced at Tan Zhuyin for confirmation.

Tan Zhuyin quickly weighed the options and nodded.

"If you truly break this formation, our sect will owe you an immense favor. Naturally, we should repay kindness with kindness."

The power of the masses could always be gathered again.

Even a fool knew which choice mattered more.

"After you."

Tan Zhuyin stepped down from his palanquin and personally escorted him.

"Oh ho, you’ve learned some manners."

Li Mo wore the pleased expression of an elder acknowledging a junior.

Honestly, being the senior really did feel great.

Tan Zhuyin: "…"

He felt like he’d just been subtly insulted, but he had no proof.

And why was Luo Yexian looking at him with such envy?

Thus, the group entered the Rotten Ke Mountain Range.

Thick white mist instantly rose, so dense they couldn’t see their own hands. Even spiritual senses couldn’t penetrate it, leaving them completely disoriented.

With visibility this poor, even the best sense of direction would fail.

Fortunately, moonlight still filtered through.

The group remained calm, knowing panic wouldn’t help.

No matter which way they went, they’d end up in the same place.

And since none of them were chess players, they wouldn’t be trapped.

In the eyes of the demonic cultivators, the only one at risk was Li Mo.

But they didn’t know—Li Mo wasn’t even a mediocre player. At best, he understood a little about Gomoku.

Little Immortal Li was in charge of maintaining appearances.

The Frosty One handled the actual chess.

One managed external affairs, the other internal—a perfect division of labor between man and woman.

Completely reasonable.

Half an hour later.

After passing through layers of mist, the scenery suddenly opened up. The stars above seemed to brighten, illuminating the scene before them with startling clarity.

A vast, ancient chessboard lay flat on the ground, its black and white stones interlocked in a complex struggle.

The board was enormous—like a plaza.

Li Mo recognized the arrangement: it mirrored the mountain range outside.

But it wasn’t just the board.

There were also skeletal remains seated in meditation.

"That must be the Yin-Yang Hall’s elder…"

One of the cultists recognized the robes on one of the skeletons!

Clearly, this person had been extraordinary in life. Despite the passage of countless years, their garments remained intact.

Li Mo scanned them with his Heavenly Fate Divine Eye.

One thing was certain—these chess masters had long since perished, their deaths occurring at different times, evident from the era-specific details of their clothing.

"This place has existed since the late Shang and early Great Yu dynasties," Li Mo concluded.

"These experts won’t… come back to life, will they?"

Luo Yexian had spent enough time with Han Zhen to always feel as though these long-deceased corpses might suddenly rise at any moment...

No sooner had the words left his mouth than—

Rustle, rustle—

From the hollowed-out eye sockets of the skeletal remains, emerald-green flames flickered to life, and one by one, the corpses stood up.

As if synchronized, their gazes turned toward the group.

It was as though they were waiting for a thrilling game of chess to unfold.

"Tsk..." Luo Yexian's scalp prickled with dread.

Tan Zhuyin's face twitched, a faint flush creeping across his skin as thin scales emerged along his neck, exuding a faint draconic aura.

"What's happening?"

Li Mo remained cautious, not acting rashly.

After the figure within the moon whispered to him, he relaxed slightly and spoke with calm indifference:

"No need to worry. These bones mean no harm."

"They’ve simply lingered for years, nourished by spiritual miasma, unable to let go of the obsession in their hearts."

"They just... desperately wish to see this game resolved, even in death."

........

When you esteemed readers remember this book and return for a visit, this humble author will still be here waiting for you all. Heh.