https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-220-Missed-Opportunity-Changing-World-Spirit-Energy-Emerges/12619311/
Chapter 219: Spirit Pearl Cultivation, Leisurely Times
"Old Doctor Chen, to be honest, my disciple and I are not here for sightseeing. We are actually being pursued by someone..." Fang Tao candidly explained their dire situation to Old Doctor Chen.
"Old Doctor Chen, I'm not sure when those disciples from Flowcloud Sect will catch up with us. But they are not good people. If they track us here, I fear it may bring trouble to you and your companions. So, if possible, it might be best for you all to leave sooner rather than later."
"I never expected that you, Master Fang, would encounter such a tragic event. However, the weather outside is terrible, with strong winds and heavy rain, and the roads are surely filled with puddles and mud. Our carriage will have difficulty traveling. Even if we leave now, we won't get far," Old Chen replied, offering reassurance. "Besides, since we are already here, we might as well stay. As Flowcloud Sect is a major sect in Yunzhou, they probably won't be so unreasonable. We have no grudge or enmity with them, so even if they do come, they shouldn't take their anger out on us. There's no need to worry, Master Fang."
Contrary to Fang Tao's expectations, Old Chen did not panic after hearing his story but instead tried to calm him down.
However, Da Shi, who was standing by, interjected, "Old Doctor Chen, you don't know the true nature of Flowcloud Sect. While they claim to be a righteous sect, their actions are domineering and ruthless.
In Yunzhou, any family or small faction that goes against their wishes, even slightly, will be met with beatings and warnings at best, and their properties may even be looted and annexed at worst.
You really shouldn't have high expectations of their character."
"It's surprising that such a domineering sect exists in Yunzhou. Don't the other sects try to keep them in check?" Lu Qing asked curiously.
Fang Tao sighed, "There are three major top-tier sects in Yunzhou, and Flowcloud Sect is the most powerful among them. It is said that there is more than one elder in the sect who has reached the Nascent Soul Realm. That's why no one can do anything about their arrogant behavior."
"I see," Lu Qing nodded.
"So, Old Doctor Chen, now that we've offended Flowcloud Sect, it's hard to say if it will bring trouble to you as well. Please be extra cautious," Fang Tao earnestly added.
"Alright, we'll depart once the rain stops," Old Chen agreed.
Fang Tao opened his mouth as if to say something—he wanted Old Chen to leave as soon as possible—but then he looked at the pouring rain outside and realized it wasn't practical. He couldn't very well send his benefactor out into the storm.
So he closed his mouth again and worriedly stared blankly at the weather outside.
Seeing his expression, Ma Gu found the situation amusing.
These people had no idea just how formidable the person before them was.
It was no wonder, though, as Lu Qing and his brother, along with Old Chen, were extremely skilled at concealing their auras.
The two brothers were currently only displaying the cultivation base of the Qi Condensation Realm, and the most powerful person among their group, on the surface, was Ma Gu himself, a master at the Great Perfection stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, followed by Zi'an, who had reached the Small Perfection stage.
This level of strength was insignificant to a major sect, so it was understandable that Fang Tao felt worried.
However, Fang Tao was a decent person who didn't forget a kindness shown to him. He wasn't about to turn on those who had helped him.
Due to Fang Tao and his group's silence, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat gloomy.
However, Xiao Yan and Xiao Li didn't share the same worries. Bored, they asked Lu Qing for permission to play a game of Beast Chess, which they had retrieved from their luggage.
Old Chen also took out a medical book and started reading leisurely.
Even Lu Qing and Ma Gu busied themselves with their own matters.
Lu Qing, for instance, immersed his mental energy into the Spirit Pearl in his glabella, silently cultivating it.
Although he had previously imprinted his spiritual mark on the Spirit Pearl, claiming ownership of this treasure, he was still far from achieving complete control over it and needed to constantly cultivate it with his mental energy.
Moreover, as the Spirit Pearl was an earth-attribute treasure, it inherently carried a unique 'Dao Rhythm'.
As Lu Qing engaged in his ritual refinement, he was also absorbing and comprehending the unique Dao Rhythms.
Lu Qing had a hunch that if he could unravel even a fraction of the mysteries within, it would greatly benefit him.
With Lu Qing and the others remaining silent, the great hall fell into a profound quiet.
However, the pitter-patter of chess pieces soon caught the attention of Fang Tao and the others.
At first, they thought Lu Qing and his group were playing, but when they turned to look, they saw Xiao Yan and a small black beast sitting opposite each other, intently focused on their game. Their mouths slowly dropped open in surprise.
They vaguely remembered seeing the black beast, as it often rested in Xiao Yan's arms.
However, they had assumed it was just a pet she doted on.
After all, from their attire, it was evident that Old Doctor Chen and his companions were not of ordinary means.
It wouldn't be unusual for a wealthy family to have a pet or two.
But now, seeing the black beast concentrating on a game of chess with Xiao Yan, they were utterly bewildered.
A beast that could play chess? They had never even heard of such a thing, let alone seen it!
"Please don't mind them," Old Doctor Chen said, looking up from his medical book and noticing the astonished expressions on their faces. "Little Li has been Xiao Yan's playmate since she was young. They often play together, and if they're disturbing you, I'll ask them to keep their voices down."
"No, not at all," Fang Tao quickly waved his hand.
But his curiosity was piqued, and he couldn't help but ask, "Old Doctor Chen, does this beast truly know how to play chess?"
"Her name is Xiao Li," the old doctor explained. "Because she possesses a high level of intelligence, she has been able to pick up some human knowledge and skills through observation."
Fang Tao and the others couldn't help but exclaim in wonder.
They were astonished that a beast could have such high intelligence. Legends spoke of spiritual monkeys in the famous mountains who could communicate with humans, and this black beast didn't seem far off from that.
Driven by curiosity, they gathered around Xiao Yan and Xiao Li to watch their game.
However, after observing for a while, they were surprised once more.
The chess they were playing was completely unfamiliar to them.
"Miss Xiao Yan, what kind of chess is this? Why are there tigers, mice, and other animals?" Da Shi asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer.
"It's called Beast Chess, and it's a lot of fun!" Xiao Yan replied cheerfully, casually moving a piece and capturing one of Xiao Li's leopards.
The black beast's eyes widened in surprise, seemingly caught off guard by the move.
"Beast Chess?" Fang Tao and the others were even more perplexed, as they had never heard of such a game.
"It's a game my young disciple invented in her spare time," Old Doctor Chen explained with a smile. "The rules are simple; it's just a pastime for Xiao Yan and the others, not meant for the erudite. Please don't mind it."
"I see," Fang Tao said, continuing to watch for a while longer. Indeed, the rules of this Beast Chess seemed straightforward, based on the concept of larger beasts capturing smaller ones. One didn't need any prior knowledge to grasp the basics.
No wonder even a beast like Xiao Li could learn it; it was designed to be simple and accessible.
Fang Tao shook his head, amused by his earlier reaction. He had been genuinely startled, thinking that Xiao Li possessed an extraordinary level of intelligence to understand complex board games.
Although Beast Chess was simple, Da Shi and the other young disciples found it captivating.
They usually spent most of their time training in martial arts, with limited access to entertainment. This novel game intrigued them, and they found it highly enjoyable.
While Lu Qing and his companions passed their time in tranquility within the Taoist temple, awaiting the cessation of the rain, a disheveled figure in a distant cave, hundreds of miles away, gazed at scattered stones before him, his eyes wild with madness.
(End of Chapter)
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