Playing Chess

Xu Yan saw that the old man was no longer as calm and composed as before, and said with a smile, "Of course, I painted it myself. Are you satisfied, old sir?"

It seemed that even the old man found his painting to be very good, but this was within his expectations.

The old man looked at Xu Yan with uncertain eyes, and finally believed that the painting was indeed done by Xu Yan.

This was because only Xu Yan frequently came here to see the green-haired turtle and him. Those who hadn't seen him and the green-haired turtle with their own eyes naturally couldn't have painted it so realistically.

He hesitated for a moment and said apologetically to Xu Yan, "Senior, I was short-sighted. I will gift this turtle to you as compensation for my rudeness."

This time, it was Xu Yan's turn to be surprised.

Why was the old man suddenly calling him senior and wanting to give him the green-haired turtle? Had he been conquered by his talent again?

However, no matter what, he was very happy and said, "Old sir, you must have some understanding of calligraphy and painting. Please accept this painting."

The old man hesitated for a moment and said, "This... then I will respectfully accept your offer."

He took the painting, Old Man and the Green-Haired Turtle, with trembling hands, filled with excitement and joy.

This painting, which contained the Supreme Great Dao, was actually given to him. It seemed that the person before him was truly a reclusive expert. He thought to himself, his gaze towards Xu Yan became even more respectful.

Xu Yan pointed to the green-haired turtle in the water tank and said, "Then I'll take this green-haired turtle?"

He felt it was quite worth it to exchange a painting for a green-haired turtle that was priced at a hundred thousand copper coins.

The old man closed the painting and said, "The green-haired turtle is fated to be with you, senior. It is its honor to follow you."

He couldn't wait to leave. The Supreme Great Dao contained in this painting would be of great help to him.

Perhaps his cultivation realm, which had been stagnant for a thousand years, could break through.

Xu Yan felt that the old man's words were a bit strange, and said, "Old sir, you are very eloquent."

Saying that the green-haired turtle was fated to be with him was meant to be a good thing, but why did it sound so odd?

However, he didn't dwell on it and left the market with the small water tank.

After Xu Yan left, the old man instantly shot up into the sky and disappeared above Tianren City without attracting any attention.

After Xu Yan returned to his Small Shop, he placed the small water tank on the table in the outer hall. This was considered his first Pet.

He was quite satisfied to have obtained the green-haired turtle without spending a single coin. The only jarring thing was the turtle's conspicuous green color.

Outside the Small Shop, a young woman walked to the door, poked her head in to look at Xu Yan inside, and called out, "Senior Xu, may I come in?"

Xu Yan looked towards the door and, seeing that it was Qin Yudie, said, "Miss Qin, please come in."

He also admired Qin Yudie quite a bit. She had come again today, truly showing her deep love for calligraphy and painting. She would definitely achieve great things in the future.

After Qin Yudie entered, her eyes immediately fell on the glowing green green-haired turtle. She walked over with great interest and looked at the green-haired turtle in the water tank, smiling, "What a cute green-haired turtle."

She thought to herself: As expected of Senior Xu, his pet is so close to nature. This is the demeanor of a reclusive expert.

Xu Yan asked, "Miss Qin, are you here today to learn calligraphy and painting, or...?"

If someone asked him to teach them calligraphy and painting, he would be very willing, as calligraphy and painting also needed to be passed down.

Qin Yudie felt a little nervous and said, "I just came to visit Senior Xu, I don't have any other intentions."

She didn't understand calligraphy and painting very well. If Xu Yan really taught her, he would surely see through her pretense as a calligraphy and painting enthusiast.

Therefore, she had to find a way to make Xu Yan give up this dreadful idea. At the same time, she should also properly learn about calligraphy and painting after she went back this time.

Xu Yan didn't think there was much to visit here. The shop was so small, and it would be boring to just sit there, so he said, "Why don't we play Chess?"

He also had a fondness for Chess. In the beginning, he often played with the people here, but they were too far below his level and were no match for him. Later, they rarely sought him out to play.

After all, Chess requires a good match. If the gap is too large, the game loses its meaning.

Hearing about Chess, Qin Yudie's spirits lifted, and she said proudly, "Okay, I'm quite skilled at Chess. In our Sect... Family, I'm at the top level."

In her excitement, she almost said "our Sect," but she reacted quickly and immediately changed it to "our Family."

What she said was also the truth. In the Tianren Sect, only one person could beat her at Chess.

Hearing this, Xu Yan felt a little expectant and said, "Please wait a moment!"

He walked into the inner hall and, after a moment, brought out a Chess set and placed it on the table in the outer hall.

The two sat opposite each other at the table. Xu Yan said, "You go first."

He hadn't played Chess in a while, and he was very happy to be able to play today. He hoped to have a good, exhilarating game.

"Okay!"

Qin Yudie did not refuse. Since Senior Xu let her go first, she had to show her strength and impress Senior Xu.

Without much thought, she made her first move.

Then, Xu Yan also made a move.

At this moment, Qin Yudie realized how naive she was. When Xu Yan made his move, the Great Dao manifested and impacted her body and mind.

This was not a Chess match at all, but a confrontation of the Great Dao.

Countless thoughts flashed through her mind. She wondered if Senior Xu was guiding her cultivation? That's right, how else could she feel the Great Dao so intimately, let alone have a confrontation of the Great Dao?

She put away all her complacency and made a move with extreme caution.

However, in Xu Yan's eyes, Qin Yudie's move was terrible, truly amateurish.

He even doubted if Qin Yudie lived alone; otherwise, with her chess skill, she dared to claim she was top-tier in her Family? Unless everyone else in her Family was even worse at chess.

The game ended after only six moves from the start.

Even though Xu Yan had held back an ocean's worth of water, he had won in a crushing victory.

He couldn't even think of ways to hold back more water, yet Qin Yudie still played disastrously, to the point where it was painful to watch.

Qin Yudie's mood was the opposite of Xu Yan's; she was very excited. Her cultivation had improved significantly during the recent match.

As expected, senior Xu was guiding me. I absolutely cannot disappoint him, she thought, then proactively spoke, "Senior Xu, another game!"

What? Another one? Doesn't this lady know that the water I've held back could flood all of Tianren Mountain?

Xu Yan really wanted to say that, but Qin Yudie had kindly come to visit him, and besides, he was a handsome and elegant young man, so he held back.

This time, with him trying his best to hold back, Qin Yudie only lost on the seventh move.

Yet, he felt more drained than if he had played against a peerless master, utterly exhausted. He really wanted to ask, Who did you learn chess from, miss? Can I take them hiking?