Chapter 1285: Chapter 1285: Only Regret Never Meeting in Life

Within the Soul-Seizing Chessboard, darkness is like the sea.

Even though blazing butterfly fire lights up the vast darkness, that fire will inevitably extinguish as the butterfly vanishes.

Like a human life, beginning and ending in darkness. Yet, the start and end are so long, while the glimmer in between is too brief...

The gaze of the Northern Barbarian God is scorched by the butterfly shadow.

She doesn’t understand where this searing pain comes from; before her consciousness comprehends everything, her body is already rushing toward the butterfly shadow.

Unwilling to lose, desiring salvation, yet she no longer remembers what she wishes to save, leaving only instinct...

She attempts to move forward, but sudden collapse blocks her way.

As a sword light pierces through the Soul-Seizing World, the collapse of the Soul-Seizing Chessboard has begun, with secondary collapse sweeping forth.

Thus, where there should be no sky, the fragmentation of the Dao occurs, and the perpetual darkness of the Soul-Seizing World extends an unspeakable azure wind; the desolate body sustaining the world collapses, followed by an inconceivable black rain.

Wind and rain batter like a siege, more immense than any immeasurable catastrophe in the world; the Northern Barbarian God, like an orchid swaying unsurely in the storm, is powerless against the world’s might, forced to retreat constantly by the world’s blows.

She reaches out her palm, yet the butterfly shadow grows further away...

She longs to save him, yet can only watch him fade away slowly...

Again it is like this, again it is... like this...

Powerless to change, powerless to resist, unable to struggle, unable to flee...

"Ancient Moment Divine Words, Return!"

The Northern Barbarian God chants incantations, and at this moment, a strand of green hair turns snow-white, her life force ignites within her at this moment!

She wishes to pour everything to salvage, but the world’s storm instantly extinguishes her insignificant flame...

The wind grows wilder, the rain more intense, the will of the fourth stage collapse, more rampant, cleansing all who do not conform!

The world’s storm washes over her consciousness, rendering her unable to utter a word; all thoughts in her mind become forgotten...

Unable to chant more incantations...

Unable to lift even a single finger...

Unable to recall... his name...

Finally, the black despair engulfs her eyes; she is unwilling to close them, yet sees nothing. Before her, there is nothing, as if returning to before life arose, as if coming to after death has passed...

Subsequently, even the heart falls into silence, like a ship unfit for storms sinking continually towards the world’s sea, losing all sensation at the endless depths of solitary ocean, leaving only cold...

The world, so cold...

[Drink more hot water, and it won’t be cold]

Who is speaking?

In this unspeakable world, it is impossible for anyone to make a sound, much less have that sound reach the inconceivable deep sea...

The despair before her dissipates bit by bit, with it comes a piercing light, traversing the river of time, shining into her eyes.

Light...

Then a hand, against the backlight, grasps another hand.

But how could this be possible...

In this unattainable world, someone actually touches her...

[Is it still cold?]

No sound can travel in the unspeakable, but this voice echoes directly in her heart!

[Have you regained consciousness? Then hold my hand tightly next. Time, must speed up!]

Accelerate, what acceleration... hiss!

No time to understand everything, the endless unfathomable waves of suffering have already surged in, one of the secondary disasters triggered by collapse.

And at this moment, a brief instant of time is stretched into the long reincarnation of a hundred eons by those waves.

[The defiant one must endure the suffering of a hundred lifetimes!]

Some existence lets out an angry sound!

Pain sufficient to fill a hundred lifetimes is surging toward her to engulf!

But she does not truly sense the descent of the hundred lifetimes of suffering before being flung out of the Soul-Seizing World by someone...

Then, under the influence of the Soul-Seizing rules, forgets all...

...

The Spirit Chess Event was resolved in less than a day.

The innocent caught up in it all escaped with their lives, but due to forgetting everything about the chessboard, they couldn’t remember who their benefactor was.

Their memories were erased, but their bodies bore marks.

Almost every survivor carried injuries created by someone; each one looked bruised and battered.

"I can’t remember! I can vaguely recall being caught in some disaster, as if there was some kind of justice present, and in the boundless darkness, someone punched me in the face, knocking me out of endless calamity... I still remember the pain and kindness of that punch for some reason!" said one survivor.

"Same here! Amidst endless darkness, it felt like someone kicked me hard, directly kicking me out of the disaster... Even now, there’s a bruise on my butt. What? You want to see the bruise? No way! It’s private, and it’s a gift from my benefactor, how can I... What, you’re willing to pay more?" another survivor said.

"Sixteen of my teeth fell out... though I can’t remember who the benefactor is, I will never forget the life-saving grace!" said one survivor who nearly lost their teeth.

"My brother and I got punched back to our original forms... for this grace, we will repay as bulls or horses!" said a pair of bull demon and horse demon brothers.

"It must have been the North Barbarian God who saved us! I heard that the North Barbarian God entered after we were trapped in the disaster!"

"So it was the deity who took action! She’s truly a good person! Although her ways were a bit rough, this kindness, I will remember!"

"But from what I know of the North Barbarian God... would she really use such rough methods to save people? The image is too strange, a bit hard to imagine..."

"I always feel like there was someone else who saved us... Damn it, I can’t remember the most crucial part!"

"Regardless of who the benefactor is, we will all remember this kindness! Even though we don’t remember who the benefactor is..."

...

The individuals involved forgot the experience with the Spirit Chess and didn’t realize what resolving it in a day meant.

But those powerful beings watching Northern Barbarians Kingdom from the shadows were all moved, unable to figure out what formidable entity managed to break through Soul-Seizing Chess in just one day!

The greatest power of the Northern Barbarians Kingdom should be only three people!

Firstly, the North Barbarian God.

Secondly, the North Barbarian High Priest, Yi Zun.

Thirdly, the Savage Saint of the Ten Nations, Landao Feng.

Was it Landao Feng who took action? No, it couldn’t have been him, he has already accepted the solicitation of the Hongjun Holy Sect and wouldn’t defy the sect’s orders for one of the ten nations under his rule...

Is it Yi Zun? Although this person has the identity of the North Barbarian High Priest, those with insight know that this person is actually a pawn planted by the Dust Realm and wouldn’t interfere in this matter...

Could it really be that the North Barbarian God resolved the Spirit Chess in one day? But this is full of suspicion, as although this woman has the strength to handle Spirit Chess, she couldn’t possibly break it in one day... The difference between resolving it in one day and ten-plus days is as great as a Desolate Saint to an Initial Saint... Is this woman that powerful?

Or is there some unknown power hidden within Northern Barbarian Kingdom, enough to disrupt this Immeasurable Catastrophe...

Pondering this, all those plotting against the Northern Barbarians Kingdom frowned and tried to calculate the cause and effect, but because the Spirit Chess erased everything, nothing could be deduced.

...

The North Barbarian God equally forgot everything.

She couldn’t remember what she experienced after entering the Spirit Chess, nor did she remember seeing the burning butterfly figure or the despair of watching it dissipate...

Despite forgetting everything, she was very sure that it wasn’t herself who broke the Spirit Chess.

If it were her who took action, the survivors wouldn’t all be battered, and neither would she have gained a single strand of white hair among her black hair...

It’s impossible to resolve such a calamity without any cost...

If the cost didn’t fall upon her, then it was another existence who withstood everything alone...

Because the catastrophe of Spirit Chess erupted, the Dao Fruit Conference naturally couldn’t continue.

The entire venue was sealed off by the Northern Barbarian cultivators, and now within the venue, only the North Barbarian God remained guarding the place.

Outsiders just assumed the North Barbarian God was sealing away the remaining disaster after its collapse.

Yet they didn’t know she was merely there, waiting for someone.

Under the influence of the inconceivable, the causes and consequences of Spirit Chess were masked, with few remembering that Xuanji God General was the one who brought Spirit Chess, and even fewer recalling that this calamity started with a match.

As the Spirit Chess was disrupted midway, Xuanji God General did not die, but neither was he far from death. Upon returning to the outside world, Xuanji God General was imprisoned in Punishment Mountain, awaiting the final judgment from the North Barbarian God.

Yet the North Barbarian God did not rush to deliver the judgment.

She stayed there, because she always felt that there was still one person missing who should have emerged...

Not remembered, but by instinct.

"Ziwei Devil Lord will soon arrive, an Immeasurable Calamity is inevitable, yet Your Honor still has the leisure to stand here?"

A voice came from behind, but the North Barbarian God did not turn around.

She knew who it was; the one who came was the North Barbarian High Priest, Yi Zun! He is the second most powerful figure in the kingdom after her.

She also knew the purpose for which he came to seek her, but unfortunately, she couldn’t provide the answer he wanted.

"Your Honor is waiting for someone? So indeed, there was someone else who cracked the Spirit Chess..."

The eyes of Yi Zun Daoist remained steady, yet his words hinted at probing.

This man had red hair, a wrinkled face, and his sleeves were covered in red clouds. His gaze was equally scarlet, as if endless red thunder echoed deep within his soul.

He was not displeased by the Northern Barbarian God’s rudeness; evidently, he was very familiar with the personality of the Northern Barbarian God, who always maintained a cold and indifferent attitude towards everyone.

The Northern Barbarian God did not reply, nor did he deny.

Seeing he couldn’t extract any vital information, Yi Zun Daoist didn’t persist in this topic but instead revealed his purpose.

Yi Zun Daoist: "My master sincerely invites you. As long as you nod, you can occupy one of the positions among the Eight Divisions of the Dust Realm."

Northern Barbarian God: "Sorry, there’s something here I cannot abandon..."

Yi Zun Daoist: "Still the same answer, huh? Before the Tribulation of Measure arrives, you still have some time to consider..."

Yi Zun Daoist did not continue to pester; he was merely following orders to deliver the message, and he didn’t care about the response.

As if it were arranged, shortly after Yi Zun Daoist left, another person came to deliver a message.

This time, it was a Golden Arhat.

Golden Arhat: "Little monk Four Aspects, here to convey a message from my ancestor. If the Divine Transformation Realm nods, my ancestor is willing to grant you the merit position of the Poluohua Saint."

But this invitation was also declined.

Soon after, a disciple of the Hongjun Gate arrived.

"My ancestor has said, if you nod, you can choose between the Hongjun Snow Valley and the Aolai Blessed Land as your sanctifying dojo."

Still, he refused.

Then, it was the messenger from the Shanhai Arbiter.

"My master Shanhai is willing to grant an Immortal Dao Fruit..."

Following that,

"My master Northern Dipper is willing to grant one of the sword marks of the Four Sword Taos..."

Finally,

"My master Ancient is willing to grant the position of the Ninth Mountain Lord..."

Today, the Northern Barbarians Kingdom was quite lively.

Not only was the Rebel Saint inviting people, but numerous holy sects had also come to extend invitations.

Sects like the Ancient Heaven Sect, Worship Spirit Sect, Underworld Sparrow Sect, and Endless Sect, to name a few.

However, since the Northern Barbarian God didn’t agree to the Rebel Saint’s invitation, how could these third-step invitations be agreed upon?

The conditions offered couldn’t sway her heart because she had a more important reason to stay in the Northern Barbarians, even if ultimately, she might perish with this country...

Until the final messenger left, the wind and snow returned to silence, and no one disturbed her waiting anymore.

She had been waiting there for sixteen days, yet she still hadn’t seen the person who was supposed to appear...

But then came a white-haired Demon Lord!

"I am named Zi Wei, here today to seize a mountain. Those who block my path to enlightenment, die!"

It was the arrival of the Ziwei Demon Monarch!

At this moment, the Demon Monarch made his choice; he wanted to follow the heavens and use the North Pole Mountain in the Northern Barbarians Kingdom to become saintly!

...

So, where was Ning Fan, who had yet to emerge from the Soul-Seizing Chess?

At this moment, he was in the settlement space unique to the Saint Heir trials, a gap in space between the trial world and the outside, where rewards were given to those who passed the trial.

Yes, in this Saint Heir trial, Ning Fan was unfortunate enough to complete the task, and it all started when he shattered the Soul-Seizing Chess.

At that time, though he collapsed the Soul-Seizing Chess with a single sword, he was also engulfed by the secondary effects of the chess. At the last moment, to safely send away the Northern Barbarian God, he had no choice but to stay behind alone, enduring the hundred lifetimes of suffering brought down by the Soul-Seizing Chess.

Ten lifetimes of suffering were enough to distort the Ant Lord beyond recognition.

A hundred lifetimes of suffering meant even Ning Fan couldn’t endure it without damage.

He was merely a strand of Heart Spirit entering the trial, unable to withstand suffering capable of wearing down ten Ant Lords.

Even if this strand of Heart Spirit was as tough as steel, it couldn’t surpass the Ant Lord at his peak by tenfold with just a single strand.

Ultimately, his Heart Spirit withstood forty-two lifetimes of erosion before it was obliterated.

With that, Ning Fan’s Saint Heir trial concluded completely, transitioning into the settlement phase.

Ironically, this trial tested how long the Ziwei Saint Children could survive the boundless catastrophe in the Northern Barbarians Kingdom, yet Ning Fan perished before the calamity even arrived...

But what was incredible was that, even though he hadn’t lasted until the Tribulation of Measure, Ning Fan’s settlement score astonishingly reached an outrageous 1,020 points!

If the score exceeds five hundred, there is a chance to be granted a Purple Tinge Taoist Method upon clearing, and with that method, Duowen Wushuang can be restored.

If the score reaches one thousand, according to Duowen’s explanation, one can be one hundred percent granted a Taoist method sufficient to restore Duowen Wushuang.

In any case, the purpose of coming to the trial this time is considered to have been achieved.

However, there was no trace of satisfaction on Ning Fan’s face.

Instead, he seemed regretful...

He still had unfinished business in the Saint Heir trial: for instance, he promised to help Shi Gui find his eldest brother but did not fulfill the promise; he promised to help Bai Ling find a Go master, and that wasn’t done either; and, he painstakingly rescued the Northern Barbarian God from the Soul-Seizing Chess but didn’t get a chance to have a cup of Enlightenment Tea afterward to chat a bit...

The trial was cleared, but not completely...

It’s not just Ning Fan feeling regretful, even Duowen looked regretful.

He finally got to see his master again but didn’t even have a chance to speak a word to him, truly hard to reconcile.

But Duowen also understood, one couldn’t blame Ning Fan for this, when the suffering of a hundred lifetimes surged forth, if it were him, he surely wouldn’t bear to let his master be attacked by that sea of suffering.

Though unwilling, the once-in-a-lifetime Saint Heir trial could only end here...

"But I still find it unreasonable! Why is the Saint Heir trial only allowed a single thread of Heart Spirit to enter! Predecessor can endure the pain of forty-two lifetimes with just a single thread, if three or four threads were allowed, how could the mere suffering of a hundred lifetimes not be bearable!" Duowen protested.

"It doesn’t work that way, the difficulty of the sea of suffering is like ocean waves, the hardships only overlay, the power of the latter waves could be calculated as the sum of the former waves...the farther it goes, the heavier the suffering, three or four threads of Heart Spirit are definitely not enough, but if he put all his Heart Spirit in, perhaps it could resist the pain of a hundred lifetimes...that being said, he used just one thread to withstand forty-two lifetimes, it’s still somewhat unbelievable..." The Ant Lord had an inexplicable sense of defeat.

In her prime, how far could she withstand the pain of a hundred lifetimes?

If she bore it now with a single residual soul, how far could she make it?

She was unwilling to admit it but had to acknowledge, the gap between people could sometimes be even larger than the gap between a person and an ant!

"By the way, wasn’t the Saint Heir trial rules changed for the predecessor so that revival through score was possible? With one revival per hundred stars, the predecessor could at least revive ten times, why wasn’t there any opportunity for revival in the trial! It’s unreasonable! Unfair!" Duowen protested again.

"The reason for no revival is probably the same as why the black screen kill didn’t occur..." Ning Fan speculated.

Within the Soul-Seizing Chess, he brought out both Endless Sea and Immeasurable Mountain, nearly triggering a mountain-sea war!

According to previous rules, such actions would have been preemptively dealt with by black screen killing to prevent irrevocable situations.

But, the black screen didn’t appear, it was interfered by some kind of power.

Thus, the revival also didn’t happen, it must have been interfered by that power too.

Unlike the indignant Duowen, although Ning Fan felt regret about the Saint Heir trial, he wouldn’t blame the heavens and others.

In the moment he chose to single-handedly bear the pain of a hundred lifetimes, he had already resolved to have no regrets even in death. Failure was only due to his lack of strength, not others.

So, he did not regret, just felt regretful.

This once-in-a-lifetime Saint Heir trial, he could no longer participate a second time, nor could he witness the outcome of the Northern Barbarian God and the Northern Barbarians Kingdom.

"In the many pieces of intelligence I collected, the Northern Barbarians Kingdom is about to face a great catastrophe..."

"If my guess is right, the root of this catastrophe may be the Immeasurable Catastrophe of becoming a Saint by Ziwei Demon Monarch... obstructing one’s Tao is like killing one’s parents, from the perspective of Ziwei Demon Monarch, he wouldn’t possibly give up becoming a Saint... but becoming a Saint would trigger an Immeasurable Catastrophe, I’ve never seen one, but I can guess, this catastrophe would be a disaster for the Northern Barbarians Kingdom..."

"Does she have a way to face this catastrophe..."

Ning Fan sighed softly.

How could there be a way, her enemy is Ziwei Demon Monarch, and Ziwei Demon Monarch was once the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor before becoming a Saint...

The Saint Heir trial he experienced was merely a reenactment of past events.

The past is gone, what remains is the indelible fact that ultimately, the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor refined North Pole Mountain into a cave dwelling and became a Saint.

This is the cause and effect of Ziwei Beiji Palace!

Ziwei Beiji Palace is North Pole Mountain, the mountain taken by Ziwei Demon Monarch from the Northern Barbarians Kingdom.

So, the Demon-Encountering Stele left on North Pole Mountain is... her tombstone...

At the moment he realized this, the fury in Ning Fan’s eyes was hard to contain, and a killing intent surged.

But then, that fury transformed into immense pain and emptiness, filling his heart, more weighty countless times than the forty-two lifetimes of suffering he experienced in the sea of suffering.

Yes, the past is gone...

Even if he wanted to save, it was already far too late, he could only mourn a Demon-Encountering Tombstone.

Even if he wanted to avenge her, at whom should he direct his anger, at the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor? But the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor had long perished... at the Roasted Chestnut Elder, who seemed like the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor? But the Roasted Chestnut Elder claimed not to be Ziwei, and Ning Fan also felt this person was not entirely so...

This person should have a significant connection with the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor, but they are not the same person, because the world has long since lost the Purple Rose Celestial Emperor, yet this person still exists, that is solid evidence...

The causality of Ziwei indeed doesn’t apply to this person...

Then, how should this immense and empty fury be expressed, how should it...

"Young man, your heart is in turmoil."

A voice suddenly came.

At the moment this voice echoed, time within the Settlement Space ceased to flow, and everyone’s consciousness seemed to fall into silence, leaving only Ning Fan and the speaker unfettered.

It was the Roasted Chestnut Elder; he had finally dealt with the Immeasurable Mountain, returning with some injuries.

"Senior actually got hurt?" Ning Fan was startled.

He thought that such an exalted being as the Roasted Chestnut Elder would never be injured.

"The opponent is the Immeasurable Mountain; calming their fury with just a few injuries is well worth it. After all, I am not the person you think I am. If I were that person, perhaps I could have come out unscathed..."

"I never considered Senior to be the Ziwei Xian Huang..." Ning Fan shook his head and said.

"Then why do you have such a furious look, as if you wish to perish together with this old man?" The Roasted Chestnut Elder said incredulously.

"I’m not angry at you, Senior. I’m just somewhat angry at myself..." Ning Fan’s gaze darkened.

He had always been resolute at heart, and such a dejected expression was rare in his life.

In the past, his firm heart was because he believed he could change a future he disapproved of.

But how was he to change the predetermined past that he was unwilling to accept...

Those established facts had turned into heavy gravestones, resting in unknown corners of the Sea of Reincarnation, silently mocking him for arriving too late.

"So, you’re just angry at yourself for not having the chance to rewrite everything, is that it?" The Roasted Chestnut Elder smiled and said.

"Who says you don’t have a chance!" His statement was resolute and forceful.

"Young man, you’re still young, and youth is capital; only in youth can you have infinite opportunities. Can a gravestone or a trial mirage make you deny the path you’ve trodden all along? If you’re only at this level, I must say, I am deeply disappointed..."

"Do not forget, this is a world where believing makes it exist!"

The Roasted Chestnut Elder ceased giving further guidance.

For Ning Fan’s gaze had already regained its composure, clearly having understood something.

Indeed, Ning Fan always knew, this is a world where...believing makes it exist!

Whether it’s the past or the future, there is never a certain dictum. In matters of the world, one should only discuss difficulty, not possibility.

For everything he practiced was precisely to find possibility within what the world deems impossible!

The previous setbacks and discouragements were merely swayed by emotions, luckily, with the guidance of the Roasted Chestnut Elder. Otherwise, even if Ning Fan would eventually understand these principles, he might struggle to let go in a short time.

"That gaze is not bad; now, you can choose your reward. You came for the Purple Tinge Taoist Method, correct? If you were only at a 500-point level, whether or not I’d grant you the Taoist Method would depend on my mood, but since you achieved a 1000-point score, I grant you a special privilege."

"There are six Purple Tinge Taoist Method inheritances here, and you may choose one!"

Allowing a trial-taker to choose which Taoist Method to learn is against the rules!

Yet, considering the trial rules had preemptively altered, and Ning Fan’s "fall" was due to rule malfunctions, leading to no revival.

The days when flowers bloom again, but people do not regain their youth. The Saint Heir trial has no chance of reopening, even if he wanted to give Ning Fan another shot at the trial, he already couldn’t accomplish it.

Thus, compensating Ning Fan in another way was the only option.

Letting him select the Taoist Method to cultivate was the compensation.

If Duowen knew of this, he would be greatly shocked, astonished at the Chiwei Demon Lord’s rare leniency toward an outsider.

Unfortunately, Duowen did not know, for the Roasted Chestnut Elder named Chiwei did not like others watching him like a monkey show!

"My name is Chiwei, born as one with Ziwei, but was severed by Ziwei. Since you’ve passed the test, you should know my name!" The Chiwei Demon Lord said with a smile.

His eyes were full of recognition for Ning Fan!

Although Ning Fan acted recklessly and loved causing trouble, it was those traits that Chiwei once adored, wasn’t it?

If it weren’t so, how could he have been severed by Ziwei? If Ziwei had not severed him, with him around, would Ziwei have been that easily defeated by Purple Dou?

Ha! Ziwei, indeed a truly hopeless fool of the world! Severing his own wings, he got what he deserved!

Acting only in the pursuit of fortune and avoiding disaster, following the trends, yet unaware that without a warrior’s blood, even upon achieving the Dao, one couldn’t defy destiny!

Regrettably, he was severed by Ziwei, and in order to linger here, he had no choice but to obey Ziwei’s orders as the guardian of the Saint Heir trial.

In testing the Saint Heirs, he must also adhere to Ziwei’s disciple selection standard, prioritizing those adept at seeking fortune while avoiding disaster.

But deep down, he still favored younger generations like Ning Fan, who are reckless but persevering and would not regret even in face of death.

"You are reckless, but I do not dislike courageous young individuals, for without courage, one lacks even the possibility to confront destiny. In you, I see such potential, like seeing myself of yesteryear. Once, Ziwei also possessed such potential as I did, but he chose to abandon it..."

The Chiwei Demon Lord’s eyes dimmed, yet held no resentment. He neither liked Ziwei’s choices nor refrained from berating Ziwei’s foolishness, but it never reached hatred, for he too was akin to Ning Fan, sharing similar thoughts.

Being severed by Ziwei was merely due to his lack of strength, not something to blame others for!

But he also felt regret, just as Ning Fan might regret the imperfect outcome of the Saint Heir trial.

He similarly lamented Ziwei’s end.

Zi Wei and the Northern Dipper, two Immortal Emperors, two against one, yet they were defeated by a single Purple Dou... What is shame, this is shame!

If Zi Wei hadn’t been beheaded by him, or if he had been the one to behead Zi Wei, then when facing Purple Dou, it would not be Zi Wei, but him, Chiwei, would he lose?

Unknown!

But if it were him, he would never end up like Zi Wei, losing like a stray dog, fearing defeat before even fighting, and teaming up with others!

He would only stand proudly and compete with Purple Dou!

"Are you going to choose the reward first, or play a game with this old man first?"

The Chiwei Demon Lord’s gaze suddenly turned serious, filled with boundless fighting spirit, looking at Ning Fan.

But he wasn’t really looking at Ning Fan, rather at Purple Dou.

Who in this world does not have regrets!

He too has regrets, all he sought in life was to have a duel with Purple Dou, but he was born in the wrong era, never to have the chance to cross paths...

He could still survive in the Saint Child trial, but Purple Dou no longer existed in the world...

Fortunately, he met Ning Fan, and from Ning Fan, he could vaguely see the shadow of Purple Dou.

If he could duel with this young man, would it ease the regret in his heart?

Considering that in a real duel, he would instantly defeat Ning Fan, which held no joy... no significance, he then resorted to a chess game with Ning Fan as a second option...

Ning Fan: "?"

Was it not his turn to choose a reward?

How did the topic suddenly shift to playing chess?

"Junior wishes to select the reward first..."

"Fine! Finish this game, and then you can choose at leisure!" Chiwei Demon Lord chuckled, ignoring Ning Fan’s choice.

Seeing Ning Fan’s speechless expression, the frustration he felt from an inexplicable fight with the Immeasurable Mountain finally was offset.

What a relief!

Because of the chess game, Chiwei Demon Lord made a single thought, and the scenery of the Settlement Space instantly changed.

Ning Fan’s gaze froze, then he was shocked! He could feel the surrounding space-time altering, and the change instilled an unprecedented sense of unease in him.

As if numerous rivers of time were rapidly flowing away around him...

When the transformation finally settled, Ning Fan and Chiwei Demon Lord appeared in a Mountain and Sea World filled with Chiwei Flowers.

Ning Fan instantly understood everything!

Chiwei Demon Lord wanted to play chess, hence he brought him to a place suitable for a game, which was not the Settlement Space of the Saint Child trial, nor did it belong to the Purple Dou Illusion Realm.

This place... was Chiwei Demon Lord’s One Realm, infinitely distant from the Purple Dou Illusion Realm...

"This realm was arduously obtained by this old man after being cut down, but since I was trapped in the Saint Child trial, I have rarely managed it, and it has been abandoned for countless years. You are the first guest I have invited during all these long years, welcome to my Chidou Mountain and Sea..."

What Chidou Mountain and Sea, you named it like it was hard not to imitate the Purple Dou Immortal Sovereign, right?

Seeing Ning Fan’s face full of astonishment, Chiwei Demon Lord was even more satisfied; this was precisely the effect he desired.

Did you not like to surprise this old man, now it’s my turn to surprise you!

Having left the Purple Dou Illusion Realm, having left the cheerful tomb prepared by Purple Dou for his descendants, are you scared, are you anxious!

You seem to have significant karma in the Real Realms, now that you have left the Purple Mountain Dou Sea, are you worried about being observed?

Ning Fan was indeed very concerned.

Thankfully, he instantly understood everything, knowing that he could not be observed.

"Comparable to the Fourth Step’s One Realm, no one here can observe casually, unless they transcend the Fourth Step, but such people do not exist..."

"Heh heh, theoretically, indeed so, but as this old man may have said, this realm has been abandoned for a long time, the outside cannot observe the inside easily, but what change might occur inside, it’s hard to say... Will you not come out unless I invite you?"

The Chiwei Demon Lord stood with his hands clasped behind his back, speaking solemnly toward a certain direction.

One word, myriad methods arise!

The myriad methods turn into a myriad of stars, and the myriad stars in turn fall from the sky.

Where a star falls, a flower blooms, countless Chiwei Flowers bloom amongst the mountain and sea, and from the Chiwei Flowers flies forth an endless killing intent.

Seeing the Chiwei murderous intent arise, the few unfortunate ones hiding in the shadows no longer dared to stay hidden and emerged, pleading for mercy.

"Rebel Venerable, calm your anger! We didn’t know this was Senior’s One Realm; we will leave at once!"

Good heavens!

There were actually three Saints who had transferred their own One Realm into Chiwei Demon Lord’s One Realm, taking this "suspected to be severed by some Rebel Saint" as a paradise of green hills and fresh water for cultivation and realization!

"Hold on! I only called for you to come out, did I tell you to get out?" Chiwei Demon Lord said discontentedly.

If he didn’t want it, how could others observe his realm, and how could they occupy this place to cultivate!

This was the result of his intentional guidance, so he wouldn’t drive the Three Saints away for this kind of reason. After all, who would manage this realm for him if he did? Where could he find such free labor?

"Yes, yes, whatever instructions the senior has, we juniors will not dare disobey!" The Three Saints, knowing they were in the wrong, said nervously.

Heavens have mercy, this realm is clearly abandoned, and desolate for countless cycles of reincarnation, why is there still a master—this is truly terrifying!

Could it be that we have fallen into the trap of this Reverse Saint, who sold this karma to lure us... a misstep!

But who is this Reverse Saint! Such a person doesn’t exist in the Real Realms! Otherwise, as Saints, we wouldn’t have never heard of him...

"Enough! You three, report your names!" Chiwei Demon Lord demanded impatiently.

"I am the Clan Leader of the Crimson Panther Clan, named Chi Biaonu, Senior can call me Little Chi or Little Anger..." This is a Nirvana Saint.

"I am the Clan Leader of the Mole Cricket Clan, named Bai Zhaoju, Senior can call me Little Bai or by my title Little Taibai..." This is an Initial Saint.

"I am the Sect Master of the Han Sect, named Feng Jiuhan, Senior can call me Little Seal or by my title Little Heaven Seal..." This is another Nirvana Saint.

Huh?

Ning Fan was slightly surprised.

He felt that the names of these three were somewhat familiar...

As this thought arose, he suddenly understood everything.

The Chi Yi he picked up seemed to be from the Crimson Panther Clan, and the Saint called Chi Biaonu in front of him was the strongest of the Crimson Panther Clan... there is fate in the unseen.

As for the Saint named Bai Zhaoju, with the title Taibai, from the Mole Cricket Clan... isn’t this the Mole Cricket Clan’s Saint Taibai? He indeed had heard of that name.

And the Sect Master of the Han Sect, Feng Jiuhan... Han Sect, Little Heaven Seal...

[This Soul Manipulation Token, seals the soul of the Initial Saint of the Mole Cricket Clan—Saint Taibai]

[This Soul Manipulation Token, seals the soul of the Han Sect Nirvana Saint—Heaven-Sealing Sect Master]

[The last Soul Manipulation Token, seals the soul of a half-step Desolate Saint... its name is Landao Feng, the Sect Hierarch of the Four Saints Sect]

He had heard the last two names before, when the senior from Dao Barbarian Mountain asked him to choose a Soul Manipulation Token!

So, these two were the saint slaves subdued by the senior from Dao Barbarian Mountain during his lifetime...

Unfortunately, he could only choose one Soul Manipulation Token back then, hence he chose the Landao Feng Soul Manipulation Token, otherwise, encountering these two today...

"Hiss! Who is this young man, why does a glance from him send fear deep into my bloodline!" Saint Taibai and Heaven-Sealing Sect Master were shocked.

Initially thought to be the junior of Chiwei Demon Lord, yet unexpectedly, this young man’s gaze was more oppressive than the Reverse Saint, for reasons unknown...

"Hmm? On this young man, there is the scent of my Crimson Panther Clan..." Chi Biaonu also noticed Ning Fan but dared not look more before understanding Ning Fan’s relationship with Chiwei Demon Lord.

"Huh, Little Chi, Little Taibai, Little Heaven Seal, don’t be afraid. After all, I am not a demon who will kill you just because of your vile act of trespassing into my realm. I am not often here, stay to refine Origin Qi or avoid disasters, I won’t interfere."

"The older generation is merciful, we juniors are immensely grateful!" The Three Saints expressed gratitude, yet were further convinced that their accidental entry into this realm was a deliberate setup by the other party.

"Mm, well, there’s nothing more for you, just stand aside and observe. I am about to have a decisive battle with this lifelong rival!" Unlike his superior demeanor with the Three Saints, Chiwei Demon Lord looked towards Ning Fan with unprecedented wariness, as if facing a formidable adversary.

But that gaze was not directed at Ning Fan, it was towards a once existent, unparalleled opponent!

But how could the Three Saints know the intricacies?

This scene thus left them speechless!

What’s happening!

This young man, no, this elder-looking young man, who on earth is he to make the Reverse Saint so cautious, could it be he is stronger than that old Reverse Saint?

Hiss!

Terrifying! Terrifying!

That there are two unrecorded Reverse Saints in the world, if this story were to spread, what a great upheaval it would cause in the Real Realms...

"Oh? Do you intend to let this matter spread?" Chiwei Demon Lord smiled kindly, as if seeing through the Three Saints’ thoughts.

But to the Three Saints, that smile looked like a precursor to murder, truly terrifying!

"Don’t dare!"

"Injustice!"

"We are already taking refuge in the Reverse Venerable’s realm to avoid calamity, how dare we invite trouble!"

The Three Saints cried injustice, the Fourth Step matters, who dares to speak out recklessly, do you not want to live!

If they had the Fourth Step backing them, perhaps they dared return and tell their ancestor something, but... they’re ordinary Saints with shallow backgrounds in the Real Realms!

Who dares to meddle in Fourth Step matters!

Who dares to care about why there are two Reverse Saints hidden in the world unknown to others!

"Alright! Serve aside, don’t delay my chess game with the Daoist!"

The Three Saints trembled, thinking indeed!

This old Reverse Saint calls that young man Daoist friend, confirming that they are indeed of the same level.

Goodness!

How fortunate we are, to witness a battle between two Reverse Saints!

Even if the battle is just a chess game, they might gain supreme enlightenment from it!

"The two seniors please play chess here, we juniors will prepare the finest Enlightenment Tea for the seniors!"

"We juniors have also obtained some Huang Zhongli, please enjoy!"

"This wine is brewed from Three Radiances Divine Water, please use!"

"Go away! Don’t disturb us!"

Chiwei Demon Lord, after burning incense and changing clothes, sat opposite Ning Fan with trembling fingers picking up a chess piece.

This is a battle he has anticipated for countless reincarnations!

He must determine victory against Purple Dou!

...

Two hours later.

The chess game concluded.

Chiwei Demon Lord won by half a piece.

However, this does not mean his chess skills are only slightly above Ning Fan, it’s just that...

Winning only requires half a piece, doesn’t it?

This was not an evenly matched battle, but a complete guiding game...

With Ning Fan’s calculating power, at most he could only have a reciprocal match with an ordinary first grade Chess Master. Against a being like Chiwei Demon Lord, his calculating power was futile.

"Sorry, I’ve tried my best..." Ning Fan said apologetically.

Because he saw disappointment in Chiwei Demon Lord’s eyes.

That disappointment was not blame for Ning Fan. The Chiwei himself knew even if it were just a chess game, this young man was not his match.

But he still harbored a faint unrealistic hope to feel the essence of Purple Dou from Ning Fan’s chess pieces...

However, he overthought it.

This boy might be worth a fight in the future, or perhaps, this boy’s future may even surpass him, yet...

Regardless...

This boy is not Purple Dou...

"No worries, it’s my own hopeless desire, nothing to do with you... that person won’t return, in this life, there won’t be a fated battle..."

Chiwei Demon Lord laughed to the sky, laughing until tears fell.

If encountering a worthy opponent is a joy in life, then what a pity it is to never meet the most desired opponent in life...

Saddened to the extreme, Chiwei sang to the wine.

That wine was, of course, presented by the Three Saints.

At this time, the Three Saints wore bewildered expressions, not understanding why the duel between two Reverse Saints ended in a one-sided massacre...

Whether they comprehended something or not, it seemed that they learned nothing.

But if they claim to have learned nothing, it felt as if there was profound mystery, involving great causation and great terror...

Listening to Chiwei’s song, the Three Saints became more uncertain, feeling the Daoist thought within the song was piercing, far beyond what could be glimpsed at the Third Step!

To attain a bone with an immortal demeanor, I, the demon, achieve boundless Daoist nature!

A thousand blossoms bloom incarnating thousands of stars, myriad stars fall fading ten thousand reds.

Looking up, I feel my heart like snow; brushing away the snow, I realize the game is over.

Extinguishing one against two matters not, only regret never meeting in life!

"Could it be that this game... is related to the legendary Five Spirits Chessboard!" After exchanging glances, the Three Saints had a vague suspicion.

Looking again at the one-sided chessboard, they felt it was even more profound and mysterious...

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