Chapter 3740: Heavenly Human Chess Formation
"Senior Sister Luo, try using the Mixed Element Brush!" Zhang Ruochen said.
One hundred thousand years ago, when the Fourth Confucian Ancestor left the Kunlun Realm, he clearly sensed the danger of his journey. Thus, he left behind the Mixed Element Brush and a strand of his inheritance power, which was later inherited by Luo Shuihan.
Luo Shuihan stepped before Zhang Ruochen and Candeng, took out the Mixed Element Brush, and mobilized strands of righteous qi, channeling it from her jade-like fingers into the brush.
Holding the brush in one hand and draping her wide sleeve with the other, she gently swept it across the scorched black remnant scroll.
"Sizzle, sizzle!"
Strands of light scattered from the brush tip, like clear water washing away filth, causing the surrounding blackened areas to dissipate. The markings on the scroll gradually became clear.
Before long, the markings were fully revealed.
On the painting were two figures.
One of them, identifiable by her hair ornaments and flowing sleeves, was a woman. Most of her face was damaged and unrecognizable. However, Zhang Ruochen recognized the string of prayer beads in her hand!
This painting was done by the Fourth Confucian Ancestor, naturally lifelike and exquisitely crafted, fully capturing the essence and spirit of the subject.
Thus, even with the face shattered, Zhang Ruochen could confirm her identity from the painting's aura and spirit, along with that string of prayer beads.
"Qishier Pin Lian!"
Zhang Ruochen's eyes were filled with cold intent.
The other figure in the painting was none other than the Hall Master of the Space Divine Temple, the former Third Elder of the Inverse God Clan.
Why did the Fourth Confucian Ancestor leave behind such a damaged painting?
What exactly happened back then?
Zhang Ruochen said, "May I ask, Master, why are you certain that the Heavenly Human Academy is where the Fourth Confucian Ancestor fell?"
Seeing Zhang Ruochen regain his composure so quickly, hiding his emotions seamlessly, Candeng's eyes showed approval. He stood up and said, "Please, follow me!"
The evil cultivators, including the Vulture Great God, both revered and feared Candeng, quickly stepping aside to clear a path.
Zhang Ruochen and Candeng walked side by side along a gravel path through the bamboo forest.
The ground was covered with withered branches and fallen leaves.
Luo Shuihan, Nalan Danqing, Zhang Yuyan, Grand Minister of Works, and Second Minister of Works followed behind them.
Candeng sighed, "This great world was once a rare cultivation treasure realm, a higher-level plane. Unfortunately, most of it has been destroyed, and the cultivation environment is far inferior to before!"
Clearly, the great world he referred to was the Heavenly Court.
Zhang Ruochen said, "I believe the cultivation environment is only most important for lower-level cultivators. For those who have entered the Infinite Realm, opportunities, enlightenment, willpower, and tempering are what truly matter."
"The chaotic great era has arrived, with dangers everywhere, but opportunities are also everywhere. The suppression of heaven and earth rules on cultivators has loosened."
"The current Heavenly Venerables are in no way inferior to the ancient ones, and may even be stronger."
Candeng had clear brows and bright eyes, his entire body constantly emitting a faint layer of sacred white light. He smiled, "Zhang benefactor, with such an unyielding and competitive spirit, your future achievements will surely be immeasurable. We have arrived!"
Exiting the bamboo forest, they came to a cliff.
Below the cliff, clouds and mist shrouded everything, extending far into the distance, with the entire view a vast expanse of white.
"Whoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen exhaled a breath, turning it into a wind that blew away the mist.
Below, the cliff face was several hundred zhang high, extremely straight, as if cut by a blade or sword.
The land beneath the cliff was a series of hundreds-of-zhang-tall green hills, uniform in size and round in shape, like steamed buns. Some hills had stone paths and roads, with academies built of green tiles and white walls, though most were dilapidated.
The hills were countless.
Rivers flowed between the hills, like white ribbons winding around their bases.
Zhang Ruochen's perception was extraordinary. He saw through the various formations and spatial veins in the Heavenly Human Academy, taking in the full view. "This area of hills spans ten thousand li, but it has sunk by several hundred zhang as a whole. It must have suffered an attack from above."
"Oh! The hills are like chess pieces, the rivers like lines on a board—it resembles a chessboard."
Zhang Ruochen extended his right hand, his fingers rotating as he formed a large hand seal a hundred meters long, striking toward the nearest hill below.
"Boom!"
The moment the hand seal flew out, the hills below erupted with brilliant rays of light.
Every stone in the hills seemed to transform into divine stones; every ancient tree seemed to become a deity; every blade of grass seemed like a sword capable of cleaving the heavens.
Zhang Ruochen's hand seal was torn apart in an instant, and he himself was knocked back half a step.
"What a powerful chess formation. Was this left by the Second Confucian Ancestor?" Zhang Ruochen said, slightly startled.
"This is the legendary Heavenly Human Chess Formation. It is said that even the Minor Calamity one hundred thousand years ago could not destroy it, and even the Heavenly Venerables could not breach it. Some speculate that the Second Confucian Ancestor's Ancestor Realm might be deep within this chess formation," Luo Shuihan said.
Candeng said, "That half-remnant scroll was excavated from beneath the Heavenly Human Chess Formation. Inside the formation, there are traces of battle from one hundred thousand years ago, but the surface has been repaired by the formation itself, invisible to ordinary cultivators."
If he truly wanted to breach the Heavenly Human Chess Formation, Zhang Ruochen believed he could enter, at least the outer perimeter.
After all, the Second Confucian Ancestor had passed away long ago, and the formation had not been reinforced or repaired for one hundred thousand years, so there must be weak points.
"It seems that one hundred thousand years ago, it was the Third Elder of the Inverse God Clan who lured the Fourth Confucian Ancestor to the Heavenly Human Academy," Zhang Ruochen said.
Back in the Void God Mansion of the Thousand Star Civilization, the Three Fiend Emperors had used puppets to return the Fourth Confucian Ancestor's blood robe and the chess pieces from the Heaven and Earth Chess Platform, indicating that this bloodshed was the work of the Quantity Organization, or at least related to it.
The Fourth Confucian Ancestor had specifically left behind the portraits of the Inverse God Clan's Third Elder and Qishier Pin Lian, hidden underground, undoubtedly to reveal the identity of the murderer.
The identity of the Inverse God Clan's Third Elder as a Quantity Venerable was now confirmed.
With this evidence, Zhang Ruochen could silence the mouths of the Heavenly Court gods from the Heavenly Palace, Five Elements Temple, Truth Divine Temple, Red Cloud Flying Immortal Valley, and others, allowing him to act more freely.
Of course, Zhang Ruochen would not take Candeng's word at face value. He personally entered the Heavenly Human Chess Formation and went to the underground site where the remnant scroll was excavated to investigate. He also walked through the hills on the formation's periphery, searching for traces of battle from one hundred thousand years ago.
After confirming everything, the killing intent in Zhang Ruochen's heart continued to build. He only wanted to rush to the Space Divine Temple now and engage in a life-or-death battle with that Hall Master.
Old and new grievances would be settled together.
Just as he reached the edge of the chess formation, standing by the white riverbank, the Ancestral Divine Qi in Zhang Ruochen's Xuan Embryo stirred.
"Why is this happening? Did the Great Venerable come here back then? What secret is hidden within this Heavenly Human Chess Formation?"
With a heavy heart, Zhang Ruochen returned to the cliff and said, "Master Candeng, have you been to the depths of the Heavenly Human Chess Formation?"
Candeng gently shook his head. "This formation is extremely profound, concealing Heavenly Intent. Only by fully understanding the chess game can one unravel the Heavenly Intent. Within the formation lies a world-shaking secret, or perhaps... great terror."
Nalan Danqing said, "So-called Heaven refers to the laws of nature. Man refers to the self. Heavenly Intent is the path of spiritual power that the Second Confucian Ancestor cultivated throughout his life—a path of spiritual cultivation that can directly reach the Ancestor Realm. To fully comprehend the chess game he left behind and unravel the Heavenly Intent, only an Ancestor can do it."
A voice, light as the wind yet filled with great confidence, rang out: "It may not be that difficult!"
Everyone's gaze turned to Candeng.
Candeng smiled faintly. "In this chess formation, I see three realms."
"The first realm: using people as chess pieces, heaven and earth as the board, alone, playing against all living beings. This is contending with others!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "This first realm already possesses the aura of a Heavenly Venerable!"
Candeng continued, "The second realm: using all things as chess pieces, playing against Heavenly Intent. This is contending with Heaven!"
Zhang Ruochen said, "This should be the state of mind when the Second Confucian Ancestor was assaulting the Ancestor Realm! With no equal in the world, only contending with Heaven remains."
Candeng said, "The third realm: unity of Heaven and man, not contending yet not losing, acting without action yet accomplishing everything."
This realm sounded easy to understand, but Zhang Ruochen felt he was far from achieving such a state of mind. He could not yet refrain from contending, nor could he act without action.
Zhang Ruochen said, "May I ask, Master, which realm have you reached?"
Seeing it did not mean fully comprehending it.
Candeng did not directly answer Zhang Ruochen's question. "Zhang benefactor, I have fulfilled the promise I made to Master Indra. Now, I will stay here to comprehend the three realms left by the Second Confucian Ancestor, striving to unravel the chess game, and I do not wish to be disturbed by anyone. How about this: you deliver the 'Fate Heavenly Scripture' to the gods of the Fate Divine Temple on my behalf."
Zhang Ruochen took the "Fate Heavenly Scripture," feeling somewhat bewildered. What riddle was this unfathomable master playing now?
Who would come to disturb him?
Was it related to the "Fate Heavenly Scripture"?
He had to admit, Candeng's character of being detached from worldly affairs and single-mindedly pursuing the Great Path earned Zhang Ruochen's admiration.
Being alone, without attachments, made Zhang Ruochen envious.
Zhang Ruochen thought of something and said, "Danqing, Senior Sister Luo, Yuyan, why don't you stay at the Heavenly Human Academy and cultivate with Master Candeng?"
Zhang Ruochen had entered the Heavenly Human Chess Formation earlier and found that the cultivation environment inside was immensely beneficial for Confucian cultivators.
Moreover, the formation contained many ruins and relics, hiding Confucian opportunities. With a master like Candeng to guide them, their cultivation paths would surely be smoother.
Candeng did not show any displeasure. "All three are cultivators from the Kunlun Realm. The Heavenly Human Academy is your Dao field. If you wish to stay, you need not seek my permission."
The three women were all of a calm and refined nature, without any hesitation or loss, their expressions unchanging.
Seeing that Candeng had no intention of taking disciples, Zhang Ruochen did not press further.
Candeng said, "Zhang benefactor, you will return the 'Fate Heavenly Scripture' on my behalf, severing the karmic ties. In return, I will protect them within the Heavenly Human Academy. We will be even. What do you think?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled. "If the Master could guide them a little, that would be even better!"
"Opportunities lie within the academy itself. They are all exceptionally intelligent, rare extraordinary women in this world. Why would they need my guidance?"
Candeng stepped into the air, walking toward the chess formation.
Nalan Danqing's almond-shaped eyes fixed on Zhang Ruochen. Compared to failing to become Candeng's disciple, not being able to stay by Zhang Ruochen's side saddened her more. Her heart was not as pure as Luo Shuihan's or Zhang Yuyan's; it had long been tied to someone.
When Zhang Ruochen looked at her, Nalan Danqing's gaze had already become detached from all worldly affairs, clear as water.
Only by knowing when to advance and retreat could one avoid putting pressure on the other.
Zhang Ruochen seemed to ponder something. "Danqing, would you rather return to the Time Divine Temple to cultivate?"
Nalan Danqing gently shook her head and smiled. "No, the Time Divine Temple is crowded and noisy. I prefer quiet. If the heart is not still, how can one cultivate?"
The emotion in these words was so evident that even Zhang Yuyan could sense it.
Zhang Ruochen could only sigh helplessly. Yes, the Time Divine Temple had Chi Yao, Ling Feiyu, Yu Chenjing, Ao Linglong, and perhaps in her mind, even Han Qiu and Murong Yue. It was indeed crowded and noisy.
Sometimes, Zhang Ruochen truly felt he did not deserve Nalan Danqing's feelings. He could only hope he was overthinking things and that she merely saw him as a close friend.
Zhang Ruochen asked Grand Minister of Works about Xu Rulai's situation and, learning he was in seclusion, left with peace of mind.
Zhang Ruochen still had many unanswered questions. For example, how did the Inverse God Clan's Third Elder lure the Fourth Confucian Ancestor to the Heavenly Human Academy? What was the purpose of luring him there? Could it have been just to kill him?
All of this might be related to the secrets hidden within the Heavenly Human Chess Formation.
This journey had yielded great gains.
Not only had he obtained evidence to justify taking action against the Inverse God Clan's Third Elder, but he had also learned of the close connection between Qishier Pin Lian and the Quantity Organization.
He only needed to wait for Xiao Hei to bring the Universe Cauldron, and then he would directly attack the Space Divine Temple.
He could ignore the blood debt of the Fourth Confucian Ancestor—that was a matter for the previous generation of the Kunlun Realm.
But the blood feud of Chi Kunlun had to be avenged.
Just as Zhang Ruochen stepped out of the Heavenly Human Academy, a divine light descended from the sky, condensing into Chi Yao's true form.
Chi Yao's expression was grave. "Xiao Hei has been taken away by the Space Divine Temple's Ninth Elder, Xiahou Jie!"
"What? How is this possible?" Zhang Ruochen's expression changed.
Chi Yao said, "He was targeted by the Space Divine Temple's cultivators as soon as he crossed the Heavenly River."
Zhang Ruochen frowned. "Xiao Hei is cautious. He also has the talisman seal bestowed by Void Heaven on him. How could Xiahou Jie have discovered him?"
"This time, he was not cautious. He did not change his appearance or conceal his cultivation. He probably thought that in the Heavenly Court, you would surely protect him, so there was no need to be overly cautious," Chi Yao said.
"The Space Divine Temple's Hall Master obscured the heavenly secrets; otherwise, I would have gone to the Heavenly River to pick up Xiao Hei myself. I didn't expect him to act so quickly. I miscalculated," Zhang Ruochen said, deeply worried.
The Space Divine Temple Hall Master's preemptive strike had disrupted all his plans.
Chi Yao said, "Actually, there is no need to worry about Xiao Hei for now. The Hall Master had him taken away to force you to come to the Space Divine Temple."
"But if the Universe Cauldron is on Xiao Hei... In any case, this trouble is huge. I must come up with a solution that covers both sides. By the way, has Uncle Long been informed of this?" Zhang Ruochen said.