The Heavenly Earth Chessboard! The Eternal Grand Game! A Missing Corner of the Great Dao

The Shore Flower requires extremely pure ghostly energy to activate.

Now, Little Array Spirit and Starfall Old Ghost are both Ghost Lord Below the Yin Spring and are not by his side. Fortunately, Senluo, a natural Netherworld Beast, still lives within Chen Dengming's mental world.

With the help of Senra's pure demonic energy, it is still possible to activate the Shore Flower.

After a few breaths.

The petals of the Shore Flower bloom like dragon claws, shaking and tearing the void to create tiny claw-like cracks. Its roots, like a rotating vortex of cracks, rapidly penetrate deep into the void.

"Walk!"

Chen Dengming pointed a finger at his brow, his eyes shining brightly. A wisp of his Primordial Spirit, radiating a golden light, shot out, entered the petals, and then traveled along the petals to the root that had pierced into the void.

Beside him, Qu Shenzong also sent out a wisp of his divine sense, following closely behind.

The dragon claw-like petals withered and fell rapidly, and the roots quickly turned to ashes.

However, another section of the root, extending into the void, carried the two people's distractions swiftly through the clouds imbued with Immortal Power, penetrating deep into the mist.

Both Chen Dengming and Qu Shenzong focused their minds on the distraction, using the power of the Shore Flower to travel through time.

I felt as if I were in complete darkness, but the next moment a dazzling light appeared in front of me.

A tiny vortex of cracks emerged from within the Dao Field's Inner Domain, deep within the clouds and mist.

Two separate spirits emerged from the crack, one after the other, transforming into two beams of spiritual light.

An incomparably powerful and terrifying pressure instantly descended upon their divided minds.

Chen Dengming felt distracted and trembled, experiencing an extremely intense pressure.

Controlling his distraction to look forward, he could clearly see the boy's back turned, and the huge chessboard formed by the clouds spreading out opposite the boy.

The boy seemed to be staring intently at the huge chessboard opposite him, deep in thought.

Behind the chessboard, there was another figure of a boy with an equally terrifying and powerful aura, but due to the obstruction of the cloud-shrouded chessboard, only his figure could be seen, and his specific features could not be seen.

Chen Dengming and Qu Shenzong wanted to observe the child immortal in front of them carefully, but they found that it was difficult for them to move even if they wanted to.

Under such intense pressure, their distractions were like insects trapped in amber; the slightest movement felt like being crushed to pieces, leaving them no choice but to remain obediently suspended in mid-air.

Even so, the distracted spirit was still constantly losing power under the intense pressure.

"Quickly observe the chessboard!"

Qu Shenzong gave a reminder, and immediately began to observe the huge chessboard formed by the clouds and mist opposite him.

Chen Dengming also seized the opportunity, quickly glancing at the chessboard opposite him.

On the chessboard, there are many black and white pieces. The black pieces clearly have the upper hand, while the white pieces are like a white tiger with one leg being torn apart by a black dragon, trapped in a tight encirclement, and the situation is very precarious.

As he observed this, he gradually became engrossed in it, feeling as if the huge chessboard opposite him was shrouded in shifting clouds and mist, with one cloud resembling a giant chess piece flying towards his mind and crashing into it.

Boom--

Chen Dengming was jolted, feeling as if his thoughts had come into contact with an unparalleled power, instantly elevating his consciousness to infinite heights, his entire split spirit seemingly transforming into a chess piece.

At almost the same moment, the boy immortal raised his hand and grabbed at the air.

The chess piece he transformed into immediately fell into the immortal's hand and was pressed onto the enormous chessboard.

Chen Dengming suddenly felt as if his body had been ignited, and he was rapidly traversing through time and space, his thoughts shifting and changing at an even faster pace.

The realm of thought is virtually boundless, seemingly capable of traversing billions of miles in an instant, sensing things of different times and spaces, and at different levels.

In that instant, he felt as if he were seeing a scene from his previous life, before he transmigrated, on a blue planet.

The bustling street scene, the colorful neon lights of the skyscrapers, the sounds and lights, the beautiful college girls in short skirts, the internet celebrities posing provocatively on the street—all sorts of familiar yet unfamiliar scenes flashed by quickly.

The next instant!

Boom!

The chess piece he transformed into landed on the chessboard, instantly finding itself in an inconspicuous corner, as if it had landed at the tail of a great dragon.

The scene shifted again, and he saw himself transported to a dilapidated family home in Nanxun, where he struggled and fought his way up in the Martial World, gradually becoming the Nanxun Saber King.

These changing circumstances nearly made him lose his way.

In a daze, he thought that he was originally a chess piece, and that his transmigration was just a chess piece that an immortal casually picked up and threw into a corner of the chessboard of heaven and earth called Nanxun.

Even though he has grown stronger and become Spirit Transmutation Dao Lord, he still cannot escape the fate of being a pawn. He has only come here and seen the truth of his being a pawn.

These truths are almost maddening, plunging one into an inescapable state of self-doubt.

However, at that moment, Chen Dengming felt a burning sensation between his eyebrows.

A flame of inner fire emerges from between the eyebrows, calming the mind.

The phantom of the Human Heart Hall appeared between his brows.

Chen Dengming immediately snapped out of his self-doubt, his strong State of Mind quickly stabilizing, and his spirit reconnected with the almost lost fragment of his consciousness.

But the distracted spirit remained suspended in mid-air, almost completely dissipated.

The dissipated part flew into the hands of the boy immortal in front, and together with the completely dissipated mind of Qu Shenzong beside him, they formed the prototype of a chess piece.

"Using my distraction as a game of chess? Reviewing my life story, is this an attempt to draw me into the game and establish a predetermined fate?"

Chen Dengming's gaze suddenly turned cold, and the Human Heart Hall shone brightly. An indomitable will of an Ancient Immortal of humanity was born from his heart.

The dissipated distraction immediately stabilized completely, and the confusion subsided.

In that instant, the boy immortal let out a soft exclamation, turned his back to Chen Dengming's mind, picked up the chess piece with a missing corner in his hand, laughed, and said leisurely.

"Divine Void, one of my chess pieces is missing a corner. Could this be the Heaven's Will?"

No, this is not the Heaven's Will, for the Heaven's Will is also my will. This appears to be the missing piece of the Great Dao, and this missing piece becomes the variable. This move can determine the fate of the world, the grand scheme of things throughout history!

After he finished speaking, he suddenly raised his hand and, to Chen Dengming's astonishment and shock, pressed the chipped chess piece onto the huge chessboard.

Chen Dengming immediately turned his attention to that direction.

The white stone with the missing corner suddenly landed in the center of the board, surrounded by the most black stones.

This single move instantly brought the entire chessboard to life, drastically changing the scene. The white tiger, whose leg was being bitten by the black dragon, suddenly bared its teeth, revealing its ferocious fangs, and fiercely retaliated against the black dragon.

The dragon screamed and roared in agony, its blood staining the chessboard. A blurry scene suddenly appeared in the crimson light.

Chen Dengming's mind was in turmoil. He suddenly saw a terrifying scene of widespread suffering and devastation, and witnessed the catastrophe that had occurred when he used divination to predict the future.

A gray-black aura, resembling the power of calamity, rose from the depths of the earth. Any cultivator who came into contact with this power suffered a drop in cultivation or died suddenly.

Even Nascent Soul Spirit Transformation cultivators suffer tragic ends after being tainted by tribulation power. Even those as powerful as Spirit Transformation cultivators prematurely enter the Lifespan Limit stage of the Five Decays of Celestial Person, ultimately dying a miserable death.

However, at this very moment, Rainbow Bridge and Immortal Sect suddenly appeared between heaven and earth, guiding the suffering people into them.

Beyond the Rainbow Bridge and the Immortal Sect, however, lay a vast realm.

All those who enter it are as if they have entered a paradise, escaping calamity. Within that paradise, there is a figure whose features are extremely blurry and whose specific appearance cannot be clearly seen. With each hand gesture, Rainbow Bridge fly out, crossing time and space, and landing in the Human World.

"This is."

Chen Dengming was shaken. Seeing this scene, he had a vague idea in his mind.

But at that moment, the image began to rapidly become blurry.

His distraction was almost completely exhausted and was about to dissipate.

Suddenly, another scene appeared in the mottled landscape.

The scene that appeared was a starry sky, with Qu Shenzong's figure flying swiftly through it like a streak of light.

Flying deep into the starry sky, a gigantic celestial body resembling a nebula appeared. The moment Qu Shenzong saw the celestial body, a look of joy appeared on his face, and he quickly flew towards it.

The scene didn't end there, but Chen Dengming's distraction could no longer be sustained, and he completely collapsed.

"Well!"

Beyond the clouds and mist, Chen Dengming suddenly snapped out of his daze and let out a muffled groan.

"Nephew Disciple Chen, how was it? What did you see?"

Qu Shenzong, who had already woken up when his distraction dissipated, immediately asked.

As he spoke, he looked quite annoyed. His attention had been so quickly distracted that he hadn't been able to see the specific situation on the chessboard.

Witnessing the spectacle of immortals playing chess is truly no easy feat. Only the true self can personally enter the depths of the clouds to observe it for an extended period; a mere wisp of the spirit can hardly remain there for long.

Chen Dengming steadied himself, looked at Qu Shenzong, and immediately told him everything he had just seen and heard.

Qu Shenzong looked astonished. "The Great Dao is flawed, and the missing piece of the chessboard is the variable, capable of determining the fate of the world, and the future?"

Nephew Disciple, does this immortal mean that you are the missing piece in the game, the variable that can determine the fate of the world and the future?

"It's hard to say; that might not be the case."

Chen Dengming frowned and shook his head, saying, "Both of us were observing the game with our minds divided, so it's hard to say whether what we saw with our minds divided was just an illusion."

"Hey!" Qu Shenzong immediately raised his hand to stop him, and said solemnly, "Nephew Disciple, you did have the ability to keep your attention focused on the game before, and observe the chess pieces. I, at least, was not able to do that."

The immortal failed to capture your distraction in the game, perhaps you truly are the variable. After all, you are the only extraordinary person throughout history to have simultaneously inherited both the paths of celestial and human immortals, and even forged your own path. To call you a variable is not an exaggeration, and you should not underestimate yourself."

Chen Dengming was speechless for a moment, but he couldn't refute it. He wanted to be humble, but his current strength did not allow him to be low-key. This was not the time for humility, but a time to take responsibility.

Qu Shenzong paused for a moment and said, "According to your description, the scenes you saw seemed to be the visions of someone who has attained Dao."

Even those who have attained the Dao find it difficult to control such a vast realm. Could the scene you saw be the Shattered Heavenly Immortal Realm?

Chen Dengming frowned in thought, "It's somewhat similar, after all, I saw the Immortal Sect, but it's also somewhat different."

Qu Shenzong pondered and nodded, his eyes flashing with a strange light as he looked at Chen Dengming. He solemnly said, "Perhaps that is the Shattered Heavenly Immortal Realm. Do you remember what I once said? You can use the Shattered Heavenly Immortal Realm or the Human World to achieve Dao Integration when you step into the Dao Integration stage."

You have created your own Heavenly Human Dao. If you are in harmony with the Dao, you truly have the ability to accomplish the great feat your ancestor hoped for during the great calamity of heaven and earth, which is to protect all people under heaven.

Upon hearing Qu Shenzong's words, Chen Dengming couldn't help but believe it, and said with a strange expression, "It seems that the scene depicted in the chess game is the way to resolve the Eternal Great Tribulation in the future."

But this method, the Unseen, leads to the same destination as the path we once envisioned for breaking through to the Dao.

"Not bad." Qu Shenzong took a deep breath, walked around with his hands behind his back, and said, "To resolve the great calamity, we need strength. Breaking through our current strength is the same path that you and I are planning for the future breakthrough."

Unexpectedly, my desire to seek a new path beyond the realm was also revealed on the chessboard.

A game of chess between immortals—truly a calculation that encompasses the entire world, a scheme that spans eternity, with all living beings as pieces, every move predetermined! No—"

He suddenly turned around, his thick eyebrows and big eyes staring at Chen Dengming as he smiled, "You are not a fixed destiny; you may be the variable that even the High Antiquity celestial beings need."

Your change has brought his seemingly hopeless game back to life. Future changes on the board may all be due to you, and even the Eternal Great Tribulation may be averted and resolved because of you."

Qu Shenzong's words did not excite or delight Chen Dengming; instead, they added pressure and made him feel a greater sense of responsibility and duty.

He wanted to refute it, but found himself speechless.

He is a time traveler.

He even possesses something illogical like a life-extending panel.

He cultivated both the Celestial Person and Human Daoist traditions, and combined them to forge a new path— the Heavenly Human Dao.

These are experiences and fortunes that no other mortal or cultivator has ever had.

Perhaps he truly is a variable in the universe, a variable needed by immortals.

Chen Dengming nodded solemnly, "Things have come to this point. Regardless of whether I am a variable or not, we are the most promising people in the Four Seas Four Regions to achieve the Dao."

Since the solution opportunity revealed in the chessboard of the immortals is the path to enlightenment, our future goal is to quickly break through and enter the path of enlightenment.

No matter what the future holds, we can only decide the present. We must become stronger now in order to change the future.

"Right!"

Qu Shenzong nodded with satisfaction, let out a long breath, and looked at the immortal's back in the clouds, saying, "Although I did not get to see the chessboard, my trip was still worthwhile."

At least we now know which path to take and what to do in the future, and that's enough.

The most painful and confusing thing is having a road under your feet but not knowing which way to go. Now, we can move forward.

He suddenly turned around, looked at Chen Dengming, and laughed heartily, "Nephew Disciple, I have decided to set off immediately for the outer realms."

To leave this realm, I need to pass through the Outer Heaven. I need your help!

Chen Dengming's expression turned solemn, and he immediately nodded, "I am willing to see you off, senior!"

He did not try to persuade Qu Shenzong not to leave, nor did he mention the dangers beyond the borders.

Because the immortals are playing chess on the chessboard, the outcome for their opponent has already been decided to be outside the realm.

That was an opportunity created by change.

Since we believe in variables and not in fixed outcomes, let's act in the direction we believe in.

Chen Dengming left several clones behind at Lan Ke Mountain to comprehend the Heavenly Timing and the Heavenly Immortal Dao Domain, while continuing to cultivate the Shore Flower.

The two then left Lan Ke Mountain together.

Two months later.

After Qu Shenzong finished dealing with the affairs of the Tiandao Sect, he appointed Xuan Chenxiao as the Supreme Elder of the Tiandao Sect, and Qiao Zhaoxian as the new sect leader of the Tiandao Sect.

After finishing these matters, he immediately flew to Outer Heaven with Chen Dengming.

The only way to reach beyond this realm is to pass through the Outer Heaven.

The Outer Heaven are extremely vast, resembling a giant eggshell that envelops the Shattered Heavenly Immortal Realm and the Human World.

The only way for Outer Domain Evil Cultivator to enter the Ancient Realm is through the crack in the curtain or by traversing the Outer Heaven.

However, any Evil Cultivator who traverses the Outer Heaven must face the deadly threat of the Heavenly Dao and the Divine Void that drift within the Outer Heaven.

The Heavenly Dao was formed from the High Antiquity celestial immortals who failed to overcome the Eternal Great Tribulation. It has been in a state of slumber for countless ages, and is therefore referred to as the Hun Tian or the Blind Heaven by Outer Domain Evil Cultivator.

The Divine Void is the transformation of a High Antiquity immortal who failed to survive the Eternal Great Tribulation. It is also in eternal slumber, sometimes waking up and sometimes in a daze. When it is in a daze, it is more dangerous than the Heavenly Dao, comparable to the mad Heavenly Dao.

Therefore, among the Outer Domain Evil Cultivator the realm, those capable of entering the Outer Heaven dare not rashly venture into them.

Even if the High Antiquity immortals have fallen from their immortal ranks, they are still beings as powerful as Dao Venerable. With two Dao Venerable guarding the gate, who would dare to force their way in?

Even now, those within the Qu Shenzong Sect who wish to slip away quietly face great risks, requiring Chen Dengming's assistance to leave via the Outer Heavenly Dao Outer Heaven, hoping to avoid encountering wandering Divine Void.