Evergreen Island.
Ancient banyan trees towered over the island. Beneath one of them, Wood Daoist sat quietly beside a stone table, a black stone in his hand glimmering like a star.
His eyes were fixed tightly on the board, as though contemplating the mysteries of heaven and earth.
Across from him, Nangong Xian'er sat with graceful poise and dignified composure. Her gaze likewise followed every shift upon the board, not daring to slacken in the slightest.
"...It is said that Seven Souls Daoist's soul collapsed, while Fire Wing Immortal and the Four Directions Killing Gods all fell into Yuan Ming's hands. Afterward, he even killed Zhong Tuhu, and then..." At the side, a Black Robe Cultivator spoke in a low voice, reporting intelligence sent back from the Ten Thousand Monster Mountain Range.
At that moment, a gleam flashed through Wood Daoist's eyes. He raised a hand and gently set down a piece. It struck the board with a crisp click, like a jade pearl falling onto a platter, clear and pleasing to the ear.
Nangong Xian'er stared at the board, her willow-leaf brows drawing together slightly as she seemed to ponder how to respond to that exquisitely ingenious move.
"Senior's chess skill is superb. This move has laid out a plan stretching far into the distance; Xian'er truly cannot withstand it." After a long while, Nangong Xian'er gave a soft sigh, shook her head, and lightly returned the piece in her hand to the stone bowl.
Wood Daoist smiled faintly and turned his gaze toward the disciple standing nearby. "The Myriad Immortals Alliance has only just been established, so Evergreen Island should also make a gesture. Prepare a generous gift and send it over."
"Senior, for this journey to the Myriad Immortals Alliance, do you need Xian'er to personally lead