"Cloud Dragon Mountain," Xuan Qing Peak.
Inside a stone pavilion by the pool, Huang Siyuan and Li Xuanyi sat facing each other at a stone table. A square wooden Go board lay between them, already covered in many black and white stones.
Holding a white stone, Huang Siyuan stared at the perilous center of the board. After pondering for quite some time, she finally placed her piece in an inconspicuous corner position.
"The outcome has yet to be decided. Why did Fellow Daoist Siyuan take the initiative to yield?"
Seeing her suddenly abandon the contest and choose a move that avoided the sharp edge, Li Xuanyi, seated across from her, looked somewhat puzzled and raised her head to ask.
Hearing this, Huang Siyuan remained perfectly calm.
"It has been many years since we last met. I did not expect Senior Sister Li's Go skills to improve so much further, while mine have grown rather rusty over the years.
"This game may seem evenly matched, but in truth, my momentum has already run its course. If I continue, my eagerness to win will only make me sink deeper and deeper into a dead end.
"Rather than that, I might as well take a step back. Perhaps I can find another path to victory."
"Oh! I did not see any of that. Fellow Daoist Siyuan clearly saw farther than I did, yet you still praise my Go skills so highly. Xuanyi is truly flattered."
Li Xuanyi gently shook her head. After considering the stone in her hand for a moment, she still did not choose to attack, instead following Huang Siyuan's example and placing it toward a corner of the board.
But before Li Xuanyi's stone could land, Huang Siyuan immediately spoke up to stop her.
"Life is like a game of