Chess Player and the Way, the Name of a Witness

The training ground was deathly silent.

Huo Yuhao and Wang Dong stood frozen in place. Ji Juechen's "Chess Game Theory" rang through their minds like a great bell, shaking their very souls.

The martial souls, lucky encounters, and talents they had been so proud of were merely "interesting Chess Pieces" in his eyes. That struck harder than any insult, because it revealed a cruel truth—the dimensions in which they and Ji Juechen thought had been different from the very beginning.

"Let's... go." Only after a long while did Huo Yuhao find his voice again. He tugged at Wang Dong, who was still stunned, his voice carrying a trace of exhaustion and confusion.

They needed time to process the earth-shattering realization this battle had brought them.

Watching the two of them leave, Ji Juechen's gaze gradually lost its former sharpness and returned to calm.

"Clear Sword Heart truly is the right path. Data is no longer a cold external aid—it is the Tentacles extending from my sword intent. Every analysis, every 'breaking of techniques,' makes my sword purer."

He felt more fulfilled than ever before. It was the solid sense of having tightly connected his own Way to the entire world.

Then, a faint wave of dizziness suddenly struck him.

"This is... a sign of Spiritual Power depletion?"

[Warning: The host has performed two consecutive high-intensity 'Clear Sword Heart' operations. Spiritual Power consumption has exceeded the current threshold. Recommendation: Rest immediately, or replenish mental energy through methods such as 'snarking.']

Ji Juechen frowned slightly. He realized that while this new fighting style was powerful, it consumed an utterly terrifying amount of Spiritual Power. His body still could not keep up with the pace at which his "Way" was growing.

"Juechen, are you all right?"

Jing Ziyan hurried over, her face full of concern. She had seen everything just now. Ji Juechen's final, miraculous display had stunned her, but the fleeting exhaustion on his face after the battle had not escaped her notice either.

"I'm fine." Ji Juechen shook his head, but Jing Ziyan keenly caught that instant of weakness.

"You're still saying you're fine!" Jing Ziyan shot him a mildly reproachful look. Without giving him a chance to refuse, she took an exquisite thermos from her Soul Tool Storage Device and handed it to him. "This is Spirit Calming Flower Tea I brewed. It'll help restore your Spiritual Power. Drink it quickly."

Ji Juechen stared at the thermos held out before him and froze.

He was used to being alone, used to bearing everything by himself. This was the first time someone had so naturally offered him a cup of hot tea after a battle.

He silently accepted it and twisted open the lid. A delicate fragrance wafted toward him. He took a sip, and the warm tea flowed down his throat, its warmth dispersing the fatigue in his mind. His Spiritual Power did indeed recover a little.

"Thank you," he said quietly. This was the first time he had spoken those two words to Jing Ziyan.

Jing Ziyan's cheeks reddened slightly, and she hurriedly waved her hands. "What are you thanking me for? We're partners."

She looked at Ji Juechen, hesitated for a moment, but could not resist asking the question In Her Heart. "Juechen, what did you mean by that 'chess game' today?"

Ji Juechen fell silent for a moment. He did not know how to explain the sensation of turning the world into data to someone without a system.

"System, generate a simple, easy-to-understand explanation."

[Generating options... Please choose:]

A. "My eyes can see patterns." (Too simple; unable to explain its depth.)

B. "It is an advanced battle instinct." (Too vague; likely to cause misunderstandings.)

C. "Have you ever watched people play chess? I can see my opponent's next move, the move after that, even the moves they plan to make ten turns from now. My sword moves one step ahead of his." (Vivid and easy to understand.)

Ji Juechen chose "C" in his mind.

"Have you ever watched people play chess?" he asked.

Jing Ziyan nodded.

"I can see my opponent's next move, the move after that, even the moves they plan to make ten turns from now." Ji Juechen looked into her eyes and spoke seriously. "My sword moves one step ahead of his."

Jing Ziyan's heart was struck hard.

She finally understood!

Ji Juechen's strength was not because his sword was fast, nor because his Soul Power was powerful.

It was because he possessed wisdom that bordered on "foresight"! He could see through his opponent's entire tactical system, then use the simplest and most effective method to end the battle before it had even begun!

This was not battle. This was... art!

It was the God's Hand of a Chess Player who had already seen the endgame before placing a piece!

"I understand now..." Jing Ziyan murmured, unprecedented radiance bursting from her eyes. It was a gaze filled with admiration, pride, and profound understanding.

"So that's it... so that's it! This is the true sword way! Not a collision of strength, but a clash of wisdom!"

She looked at Ji Juechen excitedly, as though she were looking at a grandmaster who had created a new era.

"Juechen, you... you really are a genius!"

Faced with Jing Ziyan's heartfelt praise, an unusually awkward expression appeared on Ji Juechen's face. He turned away, avoiding her gaze.

"System, analyze my current physiological reaction."

[Analyzing... Heart rate slightly elevated, facial capillaries dilated, body temperature increased... Conclusion: The host is currently in a 'shy' state.]

Ji Juechen: "..."

For the first time, he felt that this system was somewhat unnecessary.

"Let's go back." He tossed out those words, then turned and left, his steps a little faster than usual.

Jing Ziyan watched his slightly hurried back and could not help letting out a soft laugh. She quickly caught up to him and walked beside him.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long, long behind them.

From this day onward, she was no longer merely his partner.

She was the first witness to his God's Hand.