Chapter 372 Twenty Years in a Blink of an Eye

Lu Zhou did not place his stone onto the chessboard. Instead, he looked at Yun Tianluo who sat opposite him. His eyes seemed devoid of emotion.

It was quiet and still

The disciples of the Three Sects only saw that the two old men were having a game of chess. When the energy blades in the skies vanished, they saw them maintaining their strange posture for a long time.

This continued for a very long time.

They saw Yun Tianluo’s index and middle fingers starting to tremble. The black stone between his fingers slipped out of his grip and fell onto the chessboard.

Clack!

The Formation veins on the chessboard dimmed. The golden radiance faded as well.

The stones on the chessboard seemed to be eroded by the wind. The 19 lines were still clearly visible, but the Formation veins had vanished.

“Patriarch!”

When Feng Zhi, the Sect Master of Luo Sect, saw this, he was so anxious that he wanted to rush to his patriarch’s side.

Yun Tianluo said tonelessly, “Nan Gongwei.”

“Yes, patriarch?”

“Deal with anyone who dares approach us with the heaviest punishment of the Three Sects,” Yun Tianluo said.

Nan Gongwei was taken aback. He was confused. Nevertheless, he bowed and said, “As you command.”

Nan Gongwei planted himself in front of the old men.

The disciples of the Three Sects and Elder Yu could only stop in their tracks. They sighed and shook their heads.

Yun Tianluo looked at Lu Zhou and said, “I’ve lost.” He shook his head lightly. His mental state seemed to have deteriorated compared to before. “I had two reasons for having a game of chess with you... First, it was to spar with you, Brother Ji. However, you weren’t affected by the 19 lines at all. Second, I hope I’d be able to see what’s sealed in the chessboard. There are many things that I can’t remember clearly anymore... I’m not sure if I was any help to you, Brother Ji.” He seemed to be mocking himself. “Play your piece, then.”

Lu Zhou looked at Yun Tianluo with a calm expression and said, “I’ve already seen what you’re trying to show me. Is there a need to continue this game?”

“It’s only right to accept a loss in a game of chess... 30 years... Gone in the placement of a stone,” Yun Tianluo said. To be more precise, he had sealed his memories regarding his attempts to attain the Nine-leaf stage in the chessboard. Finally, he decided to unseal it with a game of chess. The price of unsealing the memories was... his life.

Lu Zhou could guess as much when he saw Yun Tianluo’s obvious exhaustion. “Regardless of where I place my stone, are you certain you’re willing to pay the price?” Lu Zhou asked as he studied Yun Tianluo.

“My defeat is certain. Whether you place the stone or not, the outcome is the same.” There was a pleading look in his eyes as he met Lu Zhou’s gaze. “I might have a chance at living if you play the piece.” Lu Zhou shook his head. ‘He’s as foolish as Gong Yuandu.’

However, the difference was Gong Yuandu was actively seeking death while Yun Tianluo wanted to live. ‘Only a person who’s willing to pay 30 years of their life have the right to overcome the chessboard... What a foolish setting.’

Lu Zhou looked at the eroded chessboard. He brought his arm down slowly.

Just when Yun Tianluo thought that Lu Zhou would place the stone on the appropriate spot, Lu Zhou moved to the left and placed the white stone in between four black stones.

Ｔａｐ!

Yun Tianluo was taken aback.

There was a gust of energy before the chessboard dissolved.

There was a flash of light on the veins of the holy land under their feet. Then, everything went quiet.

Yun Tianluo leaned backward.

Nan Gognwei was baffled. He asked in a hoarse voice, “Patriarch... why?”

Yun Tianluo did not answer him. He looked at Lu Zhou and said, “Thank you for being merciful, Brother Ji.”

“This way, you’ll lose less... 30 years... I left ten years for you to live,” Lu Zhou replied. He could clearly sense that much of Yun Tianluo’s life had been taken away by the veins of the chessboard.

For the disciples of the Three Sects, merely half a day had passed. However, for Yun Tianluo, 20 years had gone by in just a blink of an eye.

“I didn’t expect you to make this move, Brother Ji...” Yun Tianluo was slightly moved. He could not understand why Ji Tiandao, who was older than himself, would give up on a stone like that.

After a moment’s silence, Yun Tianluo looked at Lu Zhou and said, “Can you tell me what you saw, Brother Ji?”

Lu Zhou sighed and said, “I’m not entirely sure.”

Yun Tianluo nodded. “There aren’t many capable of reaching the peak Eight-leaf stage to begin with. It’s true that nothing can be confirmed with my experience alone. Since you’ve tried it, Brother Ji, do you have any recollections or insight?’

“I can’t recall them clearly,” Lu Zhou answered frankly.

Perhaps, all cultivators would face this eventually. When their powers were at their peaks, nobody could clearly see the changes in their Golden Lotuses. Even so, Lu Zhou managed to get a good glimpse of what happened as a bystander. Who would have guessed that things would turn out this way? Lu Zhou had no intention of telling another soul about what he saw.

Yun Tianluo nodded. He was looking more lifeless by the second. The loss of 20 years, naturally, took a toll on his condition.

“Patriarch!”

This time, even Nangong Wei, the Sect Leader of the Tian Sect Master, could no longer restrain himself. He was the first to rush over and support Yun Tianluo.

Yun Tianluo frowned and shouted, “Who gave you permission to come here?”

Lu Zhou raised a hand. “It’s alright.” At the very least, these people had a conscience.

When Nan Gongwei supported Yun Tianluo, a shocked expression appeared on his face as he said, “Patriarch... your lifespan?!” He was frightened to the core when he sensed the lifespan that had drained out of Yun Tianluo. He shifted his gaze onto the stone table in front of himself. The eroded chessboard looked different now.

“Senior Ji... Why do you have to be so overbearing?” Nan Gongwei could not understand why Lu Zhou insisted on unsealing the chessboard. The price of 20 years might be nothing for other cultivators, but it was extremely precious for Yun Tianluo. Lu Zhou stood up slowly. He placed one hand on his back and stroked his beard with the other. He ignored Nan Gongwei.

Yun Tianluo’s condition was deteriorating. He lifted his hand slowly and grabbed Nan Gongwei’s arm. He said, “Don’t be rude.”

“Patriarch, but it’s come to this!”

Suddenly, the radiance of a sword shot toward them from the skies above the holy land.

Energy blades filled the skies.

A figure was faintly discernible among the energy blades.

“I want my junior brother’s life back!”

The disciples of the Three Sects inhaled deeply.

They stared at the sword path elite who began his attack with a grand technique. “The First Seat of the Yun Sect’s sword altar, Sword Saint Luo Shisan!” someone exclaimed.

Sword Saint Luo Shisan! Surrounded by thousands upon thousands of energy blades, he dove toward the holy land with the swords. He was flying parallel with the ground. With the sword in his hand, he aimed for Lu Zhou’s face. Was he really going to attack the Evil Sky Pavilion’s master here in the middle of the holy land? His sword slashed in the air as he attacked with all his might.

“Master!” Little Yuan’er and Mingshi Yin exclaimed in unison.

Leng Luo and Pan Litian frowned as well.

What they did not expect was, Lu Zhou remained unmoving with one hand still resting on his back as he stroked his beard.

Swoosh!

The thousands of energy blades converged with the sword in Luo Shisan’s hand as he aimed for Lu Zhou’s forehead.

To gain the power to silence everything, to maintain and manifest samadhi. Like light and shadow, permeating everywhere while staying still in samadhi.

This was the Heavenly Writing’s power of muting

Lu Zhou raised his right arm. Faint blue energy swirled around his fingers.

Smack!

Lu Zhou’s expression remained apathetic as he caught Luo Shisan’s blade between his index and middle fingers. The thousands upon thousands of energy blades dispersed at once.

Everyone else was shocked. How was this possible? Lu Zhou twisted his fingers.

Bam!

The sword snapped!

With fluid motions, Lu Zhou struck Luo Shisan’s chest with his palm. Lu Zhou stood on the holy land. Blue energy was channeled into the ground. A blooming Blue Lotus could be faintly seen.

Luo Shisan seemed to have lost his ability to think. He forgot all about attacking.

The palm seal landed!

There was another bang, and Luo Shisan reeled back before he fell to the ground.

Thump!

He crashed headfirst onto the ground like a wild dog eating poop. His broken sword fell from the skies. Both halves landed before him.