At the same time—
Outside this killing game, atop that inconspicuous small hill.
"Fellow Daoist, you're truly remarkable. You actually invited all those old guys from the Unknown Lands. Doing this... must have cost you dearly, right?"
The black-clad youth with a strip of black cloth covering his eyes sighed.
"Hardly dearly. I merely paid some merit and favors accumulated over many years."
The wrinkled old man answered truthfully.
"Favors? What a pity. Favors are thin as paper; in the end, they can neither be relied upon nor withstand the wind and rain."
The black-clad youth shook his head.
"What do you mean by that?"
The old man frowned.
"Just keep watching, Fellow Daoist."
The black-clad youth picked up his teacup and took a light sip.
"Why haven't they started fighting yet? This is driving me crazy!"
Qi Wei muttered.
She and Li Sanjiu had arrived before this chess game began, only to conceal themselves among the distant spectators.
"Miss, in a contest between great figures, no one will rashly make a move before the final step."
Li Sanjiu transmitted his voice. "Playing chess is all about strategy and planning—pressing forward layer by layer, continually hemming in one's opponent, before finally delivering the killing blow and determining victory or defeat."
"Otherwise, whichever side rashly strikes to kill will suffer consequences it cannot bear."
Qi Wei rubbed the space between her brows. "What a nuisance! I still prefer a real fight with blades and steel."
Li Sanjiu fell silent for a moment. "When the snipe and clam fight, the fisherman profits. Once battle begins and both sides suffer grievous casualties, outsiders will only reap the gains without lifting a finger."
"Outsiders?" Qi Wei was puzzled.
Li Sanjiu said, "At present, the Three Purities Dao Court has only deployed forces it