Chapter 777: Smashing and Protecting the Market

Though Ji Yuan remained seated in front of the monastic cell, he subconsciously looked up when the faint immortal light ascended, observing the direction in which Lian Baiping, Xuan Jizi, and the others departed.

Just as even a deeply cultivated *Chijiao* like the Dragon Girl, who shared a close bond with Ji Yuan, found it difficult to wield the Cyan Vine Sword, not everyone could use the Immortal Binding Rope, let alone use it effectively.

Comparatively, in terms of cultivation and relationship, the old beggar, who had participated in forging the Immortal Binding Rope, was clearly the one who could use it, and use it well, with Ji Yuan's permission. That was why Ji Yuan had Xuan Jizi and Lian Baiping bring the rope to him.

The Immortal Binding Rope served several purposes. On one hand, it was a form of assistance, potentially having a miraculous effect in the old beggar's hands. Compared to the Cyan Vine Immortal Sword, which few could wield due to its advanced swordplay requirements, the Immortal Binding Rope had more practical uses.

On the other hand, besides the message for the old beggar, Ji Yuan had another contingency embedded within the rope. If the old beggar were to truly encounter that particular "chess piece," there might be an opportunity to bind them directly. With true immortals from the Qianyuan Sect and the long-bearded elder from the Tianji Pavilion present, Ji Yuan hoped to glean information about the "chess player" through others.

Of course, a "chess piece" might not even know they are one, but it was still possible to deduce connections from their relationships.

The immortal light in Ji Yuan's view did not head towards Tianji Grotto-Heaven, clearly wasting no time, and instead went directly towards Tianyu Continent. Only after the immortal light vanished from sight did Ji Yuan lower his gaze back to the chessboard on the table.

After a moment, Ji Yuan's gaze slightly lifted to the other side of the chessboard, seemingly staring blankly at the empty chairs as if someone were sitting in them.

Ji Yuan pondered his reputation that had spread over the years. Its reach was not particularly wide, and the general perception of him was that of a highly cultivated immortal who preferred long periods of solitude, acted unconventionally, had an unknown lineage or sect, and was, despite his mysterious aura, simply a wandering cultivator.

So, who was the other "chess player"? Were they also connected to ancient divine beasts or mythical creatures? Did they move about as frequently as he did?

Ji Yuan thought of the cultivators who had guided the changes in the State of Zuyue, then shook his head. The timeline didn't match, and besides, they weren't qualified enough; at best, they could be "chess pieces."

Slowly pulling his wandering thoughts back, Ji Yuan refocused his full attention on the chessboard. He watched as his finger tapped a corner of the board. Besides the visible black and white pieces and the gray one, there were also many faint, shimmering pieces in Ji Yuan's eyes—these were all individuals connected to him by fate.

Ji Yuan recalled the phrase he had overheard during his strenuous spiritual journey: "Those people awaken only when the world is unstable, and they even anticipate its instability." They were not like him.

"If that's the case..."

Ji Yuan reached out and lightly tapped the gray piece on the chessboard from a distance. The next moment, the piece, though seemingly unchanged, gained a sense of profound weight.

"Creak... creak..."

The chessboard emitted a faint creaking sound, and subtle cracks even appeared where the gray piece rested.

Ji Yuan frowned slightly, and with a thought, he withdrew his influence. Then he picked up the gray piece, and with a sweep of his hand across the board, erased the subtle cracks.

He looked up at the sky. The world seemed boundless in Ji Yuan's vision, and the Heavenly Sun shone brightly in his eyes.

'You, or rather, you all, whose side are you on?'

Withdrawing his gaze, Ji Yuan suddenly took out the Xiezhi scroll from his sleeve. He unrolled it; the Xiezhi depicted on it remained still. Ji Yuan stared at the seemingly ordinary painting for a long time.

"Hey, Ji Yuan, why are you staring at me?"

"Xiezhi, whose side are you on?"

Ji Yuan suddenly asked this out of the blue. The Xiezhi on the scroll licked its paw, its eyes narrowed into thin slits, seemingly frowning with confusion.

"Whose side of what?"

Ji Yuan smiled.

"Nothing."

Having said that, Ji Yuan reached out to tidy the chessboard, picking up the black and white pieces in small groups and putting them into the chess box. The scroll was placed beside the board, and the Xiezhi in the painting also looked at the chessboard, seemingly just noticing the gray piece.

"Ji Yuan, there's a piece here that doesn't quite fit."

"Indeed, it doesn't fit, so let's sweep it off the board."

As Ji Yuan spoke, he swept his hand gently with the back of his palm, and the gray piece rolled off the board and fell to the ground.

"This gray piece is heavy and rough. This chessboard was a gift from Master Yin, and it's been used for so many years; I can't let it get damaged. Otherwise, where would all these other pieces go?"

"What are you rambling about..."

After muttering to himself, Xiezhi said no more, and the painting stopped moving. Just as Ji Yuan finished tidying the chessboard, Xiezhi spoke again.

"Ji Yuan, isn't it time we went out? Those restaurants and pavilions seem to have a lot of good dishes. This run-down temple, all vegetarian food..."

"Haha..."

Ji Yuan laughed. Hearing Xiezhi's words, he suddenly felt immense confidence in it.

"Alright. I hear there's a Yixuan Pavilion in this city, whose dishes are renowned throughout the region. I'll splurge a bit today, let's go try it."

"Take me too?"

Ji Yuan looked at the Xiezhi scroll.

"Did I say that?"

"Hey, Ji Yuan, don't be a stranger. You just asked me whose side I'm on; naturally, I'm on your side."

Ji Yuan's smile faded as he pondered whether Xiezhi genuinely didn't understand the deeper meaning or simply spoke casually. He said no more, packed away the chessboard and pieces, grabbed the scroll, and stood up, walking out of the temple.

The monastery was quiet and deserted; he didn't encounter any of the three monks on his way out. Once outside, the secluded street was also empty. Ji Yuan then shook the scroll in his hand, and a faint wisp of smoke emerged.

The next moment, a man with facial features drawn as if painted appeared before Ji Yuan. Unlike before, when the Xiezhi scroll was crudely pasted onto his face, now his features were merely deep-set and ink-wash-like, but his overall silhouette was distinctly human.

"Tsk tsk tsk, this time you actually bothered to make me look a bit more presentable. Why didn't you do a better job last time?"

Xiezhi looked himself over, front and back, spun around, then touched his face before asking Ji Yuan this question. The latter merely shrugged.

"Well, you didn't mention it last time. I found it troublesome, so I just hung the painting."

"So why isn't it troublesome this time?"

Ji Yuan didn't answer, stepping first to leave the temple entrance. A faint remark drifted back.

"So many questions, are you coming or not?"

"Coming, coming!"

Xiezhi quickly followed Ji Yuan. As a painting, he was indifferent to what others thought and couldn't be bothered to argue much with Ji Yuan. After catching up, the two figures ahead resumed their conversation.

"Oh, right, Ji Yuan, where are your two little followers?"

"What?"

"You know, the two you folded from paper—the little white crane and that strongman. After I ate that True Demon, I was drowsy all day and didn't notice where they went."

Xiezhi knew that the paper crane wasn't currently on Ji Yuan's chest, nor was the strongman talisman in his sleeve.

"Oh, they're wandering around the Li family's side."

On a beach in the Southern Wild Continent, Lu Shan Jun and Beimu were sitting on a cliff edge. Lu Shan Jun sat cross-legged with a poker face, while Beimu enthusiastically fished with a long fishing rod, its line extending all the way to the cliff bottom.

"Dee-lee-lee-ga-lang-dang-yo-hey! Dee-lee-ga-lang-dang-yo!"

Lu Shan Jun slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the incredibly handsome Beimu beside him.

"Shut up."

"Oh, come on, Lu Wu, cheer up! Maybe I'll catch a big fish in a bit."

Lu Shan Jun narrowed his eyes at Beimu.

"You seem very happy lately."

"Am I?"

Beimu grinned at Lu Wu; his good mood made even Lu Wu seem more pleasant. Lu Shan Jun, on the other hand, merely cracked a smile, closed his eyes, and showed no interest in further conversation.

"Is my happiness that obvious?"

Lu Shan Jun still ignored him, but Beimu, now in a jovial mood, leisurely spoke with a hint of jest.

"Lu Wu, I, Beimu, am quite good at reading people. You have the potential to reach the pinnacle of cultivation in the future, but I'm not bad either."

This made Lu Shan Jun smile, and he opened his eyes again.

"Hmph, I can't tell."

Lu Shan Jun made no attempt to hide his disdain, but Beimu was not at all offended.

"Hehe, there's a group of children with a fearsome father above them. This father is incredibly powerful; he can control every child, devour them at will, and even use them to reshape himself..."

"That kind of father seems to only exist among you demons. Even monsters are much better."

Beimu chuckled.

"In short, there's no sibling affection among these children, but they all share one thing: fear of that omnipotent father. But then one day, guess what happened?"

"Could it be that the father died?"

Lu Shan Jun answered casually. Beimu looked at him with a wide smile.

"That's why I'm starting to like you, Lu Wu. You're right! Suddenly one day, the children had a feeling that something terrible had happened to their omnipotent father—perhaps he even died... Hahahahahahaha..."

"The father is dead, but there's still a family inheritance. Some of the stronger children might get the inheritance and become omnipotent themselves!"

Beimu looked at Lu Shan Jun, who narrowed his eyes, understanding the implication.

"What do I get for helping you?"

"Smart one! We'll be allies; the benefits are self-evident. In the future, with our cultivation reaching the heavens, we can achieve anything together!"

Lu Shan Jun's eyes flickered, and he closed them again to meditate.

"That's a nice thought, but your omnipotent father is still gone."

This comment made Beimu pause. He chuckled for a moment, then continued fishing with his rod. Lu Wu hadn't directly objected, which meant there was a good chance.

"The matter in Tianyu Continent can't be avoided. We both have to go."

"Mm."