Looking at the scene, the young talents appeared calm on the surface, but their hearts were restless. If it were them, they would definitely not be able to hold back.

The female disciples of Pear Blossom Palace were not only exceptionally talented, one in a million, but also naturally beautiful without any artificial enhancements.

“Such a show-off.”

A woman in a plain dress glanced at Daochen Buddha’s child, teasingly.

“The Buddha’s child chosen by the Buddhist Sect of the Eastern Land has immense self-control and won’t easily break his vows.”

The women knew this well and were merely teasing Daochen Buddha’s child to pass the time.

“Senior Sister is here, stop messing around.”

The women had been teasing Daochen Buddha’s child, but upon seeing Wang Shutong approaching slowly, they quickly straightened up and stood respectfully to the side.

Wang Shutong walked towards Daochen Buddha’s child, her white long dress trailing on the ground without a speck of dust. Her attire was simple, devoid of bright colors, entirely white, like an untouchable ice lotus.

Her black hair was pinned up with a jade hairpin, a silk ribbon at her waist fluttering in the breeze. Her jade-like hands gently rested below her chest, exuding classical elegance, nobility, and purity.

The women stepped aside, bowing respectfully to Wang Shutong.

Wang Shutong’s expression was indifferent as her gaze fell on the Buddha’s child. She spoke softly, “High monk from the Eastern Land, do you dare to play a game of chess with me?”

As she spoke, Wang Shutong lightly waved her left hand, and a stone table and stools appeared before her, with a chessboard imbued with strange laws on the table.

Although Daochen Buddha’s child was reciting scriptures with his eyes closed, he could still hear Wang Shutong’s words.

After a moment of hesitation, Daochen Buddha’s child opened his eyes.

He stood up, took a few steps forward, and exchanged a glance with Wang Shutong. Looking down at the chessboard, he said softly, “A chessboard and pieces made of the extremely rare Ming Stone, quite a treasure.”

“Sit.”

Wang Shutong understood Daochen Buddha’s child’s meaning; he had agreed.

The two sat down, their eyes meeting.

After a moment of silence, Wang Shutong waved her hand again, setting up a barrier to prevent their conversation from being overheard and to avoid any disturbances.

The women of Pear Blossom Palace sensibly turned away, not daring to peek.

“Please.”

Daochen Buddha’s child picked up a black piece, indicating for Wang Shutong to make the first move.

Wang Shutong did not hesitate, picking up a white piece and placing it in the center of the board.

“Do you know why the people of Pear Blossom Palace treat you this way?”

They chatted as they played.

“I do not.”

Daochen Buddha’s child was genuinely unaware of this matter and shook his head.

“Do you want to know?”

Wang Shutong looked down at the chessboard, a strand of hair slipping from her temple, brushing past her pink ear and hanging in the air, smooth as water.

“Please, tell me.”

Daochen Buddha’s child said sincerely.

“The Holy Lord of Pear Blossom Palace and the abbot of the Buddhist Sect once had a forbidden romance.”

Wang Shutong summarized.

Hearing this, Daochen Buddha’s child was visibly shocked, his expression changing, his brow furrowing. The hand holding the black piece trembled slightly, suspended in the air, unable to place it on the board.

After a long while, Daochen Buddha’s child placed the piece, looking up at Wang Shutong, who was close at hand, and asked, “Is what you said true?”

The abbot was Daochen’s revered master, highly respected, with boundless Buddhist teachings.

Daochen could not imagine his master ever having worldly desires and found it hard to believe.

“Many people know about this. If you wish to investigate, it won’t be difficult to verify.”

Wang Shutong said.

The conversation left Daochen Buddha’s child at a loss for words, and he remained silent.

Knowing this greatly affected the Buddha’s child’s state of mind. Consequently, he hesitated with each move, and the game clearly turned against him.

Half an hour later, the game reached a deadlock.

Daochen Buddha’s child stared at the board for a long time, unable to find a way out for the black pieces. Finally, he put down his piece, sighed softly, and with hands clasped, said, “I have lost.”

“In your eyes, the abbot is virtuous and his Buddhist teachings supreme. Learning this must be hard to accept.”

Wang Shutong felt no joy in victory, knowing that the Buddha’s child’s state of mind was temporarily damaged and his focus scattered.

“Yes.” Daochen Buddha’s child did not hide it and nodded in acknowledgment.

“There are many things you don’t know. Take your time to understand.”

Wang Shutong stood up and walked away.

In truth, Wang Shutong had often thought of challenging Daochen Buddha’s child.

Thus, she deliberately tested his strength through a game of chess.

The chessboard was no ordinary one, made of the extremely rare Ming Stone, imbued with numerous laws and principles. The game tested not only chess skills but also personal strength.

Even though Wang Shutong had affected Daochen Buddha’s child’s state of mind, it still took her half an hour to win.

Had the Buddha’s child’s state of mind not been affected, the outcome of the game would have been uncertain.

Through this, Wang Shutong developed a sense of caution towards Daochen Buddha’s child and dared not challenge him rashly.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Daochen Buddha’s child closed his eyes, Wang Shutong’s words echoing in his ears, unable to regain his peace for a long time.

Time flew by, and four years passed quickly.

There was less than a year left until the battle between Chen Qingyuan and Fu Dongliu.

At this moment, thousands had gathered on the ancient star of Yanchang, all eager to witness the battle firsthand.

In a secret chamber, Chen Qingyuan was still cultivating.

During this period, he had consumed thousands of top-grade spirit stones to stabilize his cultivation level.

Despite absorbing a large amount of spiritual qi, he still couldn’t break through.

“Let’s try again!”

Chen Qingyuan calculated and knew that time was running out.

In the remaining days, Chen Qingyuan still wanted to strive to reach the peak of the Elemental Infant realm. If he could cross that threshold, his strength would significantly increase, giving him greater confidence in the upcoming battle.

Meanwhile, the Heaven’s Pride of the Eighteen Veins of the Western Border arrived at the ancient star of Yanchang, making the scene exceptionally lively.

“This battle can be considered the pinnacle duel of the younger generation.”

Everyone was curious about the strength of Fu Dongliu, the number one in the Western Border, without exception.

“Let’s hope Chen Qingyuan can withstand a few more moves.”

Few believed Chen Qingyuan had a chance of winning; they just hoped he wouldn’t lose too badly.

“Fu Dongliu is here!”

A month later, Fu Dongliu, dressed in black, arrived, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Standing high above, Fu Dongliu closed his eyes lightly, hands behind his back, an invisible pressure emanating from him, making it hard for people to look at him for long.

He was ready, waiting for the day of the duel.