Chapter 168

Chapter 168: An Ominous Premonition

If only Feng Linghua had accompanied him, Yang Lingrui wouldn’t have attracted much notice.

As a visiting guest, Feng Linghua was merely fulfilling the academy’s duty to guide him.

But with the addition of "lovely companion" Li Qingwan, everything changed.

While passing through public areas, the trio remained the focus of all disciples’ attention.

Some young disciples glared at Yang Lingrui as if trying to peel layers off him with their eyes.

Why should this nobody enjoy such fortune?

Not only did he get Junior Sister Feng as his guide, but now Senior Sister Li herself accompanied him!

Such privileges exceeded their wildest fantasies.

Though green with envy, the disciples restrained themselves – Yang Lingrui being an academy guest meant they could only shoot daggers with their eyes.

This silent hostility didn’t dampen the trio’s mood.

Having spent years at the academy, both Li Qingwan and Feng Linghua had grown accustomed to being watched.

As for Yang Lingrui? His disguise made the jealousy irrelevant. He could always change faces later.

Unlike the Painting Academy’s boisterous atmosphere, the Chess Academy maintained monastic silence.

Upon entering, the envious stares diminished significantly.

Disciples hurried past clutching chess manuals, completely absorbed in their studies.

"Daily life here revolves around three things," Li Qingwan explained as they walked. "Studying games, playing chess, and cultivation. The Way of Chess tolerates no shortcuts. Even prodigies must grind through endless practice, lest they fade like morning dew."

Since neither Yang Lingrui nor Feng Linghua played chess, Li Qingwan led them straight to the heart of the academy – the Lan Ke Chess Platform.

Dozens of disciples clustered around unfinished games on the central platform.

"Each month, we display mid-game scenarios here," Li Qingwan said. "Disciples get one daily attempt to solve them. Successful solutions earn academy rewards."

Approaching the nearest game, they found a disciple gnawing his lip in concentration.

"No… that leads to collapse."

"Maybe this? No, still fatal!"

His hand hovered trembling over the board, chess piece trapped between fingers.

Li Qingwan peered at the board and murmured four words:

"Abandon stone, claim space."

The disciple’s eyes lit up. After frantic mental calculations, he sacrificed corner territory to place his piece in the central region.

The move sliced through tension like sunlight piercing stormclouds.

He snapped back to his senses and hastily turned to bow.

"Thank you, Senior Sister!"

"A single step won’t resolve this game. While attacking the board position for victory isn’t wrong, the Way of Chess isn’t just about the dragon-slaying technique. Playing to your strengths while avoiding weaknesses matters more."

Having encountered him, Li Qingwan offered casual guidance to the young disciple.

The young disciple kept nodding, then studied the chess game with fresh eyes.

Li Qingwan left him undisturbed, guiding Yang Lingrui and Feng Linghua toward the Lan Ke Chess Platform’s center.

The most difficult chess game of the month awaited there.

Li Qingwan picked up a piece. After brief analysis, her stones began falling rapidly.

Other Chess Academy disciples halted their own games to watch from afar.

Among academy disciples, Li Qingwan wasn’t the strongest in overall skill.

But regarding the dragon-slaying technique? None dared claim superiority over her.

By mid-game’s end, Yang Lingrui noticed surrounding disciples holding their breath.

Sweat glistened on brows. Several trembled visibly, overwhelmed by the game’s intensity.

"Young Master Yang, I hear strange noises… like—"

"War drums?"

"Yes! And… battle shouts!"

Feng Linghua’s whisper trembled.

Even untrained observers sensed the killing intent radiating from the board. To chess practitioners, two armies clearly clashed in mortal combat.

Thud!

The final stone’s impact silenced the platform.

Li Qingwan’s signature dragon-slaying technique had obliterated her opponent’s formation.

Haa… haa…

No applause came—only the ragged breathing of shaken spectators.

The chessboard dissolved into spiritual light, coalescing into a palm-sized black-white token in Li Qingwan’s hand. This token granted rewards from the academy’s service hall.

She pocketed it calmly, leading her two companions away while disciples remained frozen in awe.

"Rumors of Qingwan’s dragon-slaying mastery pale before reality!" Yang Lingrui marveled.

"My thanks, Lingrui."

Feng Linghua bobbed her head. "Truly! Those watching scarcely breathed! Some even collapsed in fright!"

Li Qingwan chuckled, "Since you don’t study chess, you naturally can’t perceive the dangers here. Their reactions showed they had some skill in the Way of Chess."

Beyond the Lan Ke Chess Platform, the Chess Academy offered little worth seeing.

Observing full chess matches could take days, and neither Yang Lingrui nor Feng Linghua understood the game enough to justify wasting time.

As for playing, both were completely clueless.

Li Qingwan led the two individuals to a secluded mountain pavilion – her occasional retreat for relaxation.

This spot offered sweeping views of drifting clouds over the academy mountains, creating excellent scenery.

Their casual conversation drifted to the inevitable topic between youths.

"Young Master Lingrui, have you met anyone special these years?"

Li Qingwan leaned against a pavilion pillar, glancing upward as she asked.

The question immediately reminded Yang Lingrui of his talk with Zi He.

"Don’t act."

"Don’t lie."

Remembering these warnings, he met her gaze squarely.

"No, I haven’t. I’m fully committed to the Path of Cultivation, with no interest in romance now or ever."

"What? Don’t be so certain! Fate works mysteriously – you might still meet your destined partner!"

Feng Linghua looked astonished. "I used to think like you, having seen all Qiulu City’s noble youths without feeling anything."

"But then! After improving my cultivation, I joined that treasure land event with my sister! Who’d expect to find my beloved Young Master Lin at a Yansha Town marketplace stall!"

"We later explored the Mayfly Treasure Land together, even facing attacks from those vile Solitary Moon Mountain disciples…"

…

Li Qingwan watched Feng Linghua with affectionate patience. Though she’d heard this tale countless times, she always listened through.

The girl resembled her younger self – a blossoming flower radiating innocence, vitality, and untarnished beauty.

Back when the Li Family flourished under their Elder’s leadership, home brimmed with joyous harmony. She’d been the family’s cherished daughter.

How could that Li Qingwan have imagined becoming her current self within ten short years?

A faint shadow flickered in her eyes, unnoticed by others.

Meanwhile, Yang Lingrui’s smile grew tense as the story unfolded.

His heart pounded with growing unease as Feng Linghua continued.

"…So that’s what happened. My sister says heaven protects Young Master Lin, and I believe he’s alive."

Feng Linghua suddenly turned to Yang Lingrui. "Wait! Your family lives near Willow Leaf Town under Wangyue’s rule! Have you seen him?"

"Hmm…"

Yang Lingrui feigned contemplation. "Maybe as a child. After our relocation, we lost touch with Willow Leaf. My cultivation studies left no time for social ties."

"Oh…"

Disappointment colored Feng Linghua’s face.

Yang Lingrui relaxed slightly, hoping to end the discussion.

Unexpectedly, Li Qingwan intervened.

"Don’t you carry his portrait always?"

Twirling a lock of hair, she added, "You’ve hidden it from me like I’d steal it. Now Young Master Lingrui’s here – show it. He might recognize the face."