Chapter 932: Malfunction of the Derivative Jade

"Senior, what are you saying? Is something wrong with me?"

"Across the entire Xuanhuang world, I'm likely the only one willing to play a thousand games of chess with you, aren't I?"

The Saint Embryo smiled, placing a piece as he countered.

His first move, however, landed squarely in the center.

The slovenly old man's expression shifted. He glanced at the Saint Embryo, his demeanor becoming incredibly serious.

"You brat, despite having only Nascent Soul cultivation, your computational abilities are terrifyingly strong. And you didn't even try to hide it, sitting directly beside me."

"You clearly came prepared!"

"I was initially quite pleased, thinking that after all these years, I could finally satisfy my craving for a good match. Only halfway through did I realize I had fallen into your trap!"

The old man sighed softly.

The Saint Embryo merely smiled without answering.

The slovenly old man's name was Daoist Qianxun. He was a veteran Dao Integration cultivator whose cultivation had declined due to injury.

It was unknown what merits he had previously earned for the Immortal Alliance, but he surprisingly possessed a Law-Seeking Jade Token.

Of course, at this point in time, few in the world were aware of this.

In the eyes of others, Daoist Qianxun was merely an eccentric, ordinary cultivator.

Only over a decade later, a mortal named Xiao Shengke would serendipitously encounter Daoist Qianxun.

After accompanying Daoist Qianxun through a thousand days of shared mendicancy, he received the Law-Seeking Jade Token as a gift.

As a mere mortal, he was able to meet the Dao Derivation Jade.

He then acquired a Dao Integration cultivation method, embarking on a smooth path to immortality.

This event was often recounted with great relish by later generations.

The Saint Embryo sought out Daoist Qianxun, naturally, for his Dao Integration Law-Seeking Jade Token.

However, a thousand days of begging was too long. So he deliberately provoked the other party into playing chess with him.

Daoist Qianxun's name was intrinsically linked to his cultivation method.

Everything required completion in thousands, and someone to accompany him.

While playing chess with the Saint Embryo, he was, in fact, cultivating.

The sole restriction was his inability to actively explain the underlying reason to others. Furthermore, upon completing a period of his Qianxun cultivation, his appearance and aura would transform, making him seem like an entirely different person.

Thus, everything was left to fate.

However, the Saint Embryo, Li Fan, was able to learn of this in advance.

When the final piece was played, the Saint Embryo, Li Fan, was just one move shy and ultimately lost to Daoist Qianxun.

"You rascal, at least you still know to let me win a game."

Daoist Qianxun cursed, but despite his victory, he couldn't bring himself to be happy.

He overturned the chessboard once more, and this time, the black and white pieces simply dissolved into the air.

Meanwhile, a surging aura emanated from the old man's body.

"Congratulations, Senior, you're not far from re-attaining Dao Integration!" the Saint Embryo, Li Fan, said with a smile.

"What do you want?" Daoist Qianxun asked directly, wasting no words.

"The Law-Seeking Jade Token."

"Scram!" Daoist Qianxun tossed the jade token to him.

Before Li Fan could reply, his figure vanished.

The Saint Embryo put away the jade token, unconcerned. Anyone who had lost nine hundred and ninety-nine games in a row, each time appearing to 'narrowly miss' victory by just one move, would certainly have developed a temper.

Not striking out to teach a lesson already spoke to Daoist Qianxun's refined character.

"With the Dao Transformation Stone for deduction, truly few in this world can best me at chess."

The Saint Embryo shook his head slightly and proceeded to a secluded, uninhabited spot.

He immediately used the Law-Seeking Jade Token.

Prior to this, he had already secured his identity within the Myriad Immortal Alliance.

Thus, the entire process proceeded without incident.

As before, a cultivator arrived to guide him, and a doorway materialized out of thin air.

However, after a brief spell of dizziness, he found himself back at the Myriad Immortal Alliance headquarters…

"Hmm?"

He looked around, but it was not the Myriad Immortal Alliance headquarters he saw.

Within a blurry orb of light, several figures stood.

Intermittent whispers of dialogue emanated from within.

"How confident are you about this endeavor?"

"I'll do my utmost, and leave the rest to fate."

"That's not like you to say."

"The disparity in strength is too vast; I can only risk my life for this fight."

"Very well, go. It remains unknown whether this will be a blessing or a curse."

The voice of one of the figures sounded somewhat familiar to the Saint Embryo, Li Fan.

Yet, it wasn't identical to anyone he knew.

He knew this was a hallucination caused by the Heavenly Venerate of Transmission, a common occurrence upon first entering the Immortal Alliance headquarters.

But this time, for some unknown reason, it differed from what his main body and clones had previously witnessed.

"Is one of these figures the Heavenly Venerate of Transmission?"

"What does this signify?"

Before Li Fan had time to process, he felt a violent tremor as the scene fractured layer by layer.

He exited the illusion, appearing within the Immortal Alliance headquarters.

The guiding cultivator, accustomed to such phenomena, offered a brief explanation before continuing to lead Li Fan towards the Dao Derivation Jade.

The path was familiar, identical to his experiences in previous lives.

It wasn't until he entered the main hall of the Protector Hall that the announcement echoing in his ears utterly surprised Li Fan.

"Dao Derivation Jade applicant: Fan Li."

"Serial number: 005. Authority level: Dao Integration."

"Please wait patiently here. The estimated remaining wait time is three thousand six hundred and twenty-three days and six hours."

The Saint Embryo, Li Fan, initially thought he had misheard. Only after listening again did he spring to his feet in astonishment.

"Why would the wait be this long?"

Filled with shock and disbelief, he showed the corresponding expression, unable to resist asking the seemingly empty space.

"If you are unwilling to wait, you may depart."

"Warning: Departure signifies voluntarily relinquishing the right to use the Law-Seeking Jade Token."

After a long pause, a voice replied from within the space.

"My serial number is 005, yet I'm expected to wait for nearly ten years. What kind of logic is that?"

"Do you think I haven't used the Dao Derivation Jade before? How long does it take to deduce a cultivation method? Someone must be misusing public resources for private gain!"

The Saint Embryo, Li Fan, was not intimidated in the slightest; instead, he started to cause a commotion.

He appeared determined to demand an explanation.

As if unable to tolerate Li Fan's outburst, the voice eventually rang out again, cold and stern.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Dao Derivation Jade's deduction capabilities are severely impeded."

"Consequently, the waiting time has been significantly extended."

"We request the cultivator's understanding and cooperation."

"Warning: This matter is a highly classified secret of the Immortal Alliance. You must not disclose it."

The voice warned.

The Saint Embryo, Li Fan's, expression shifted slightly, but he showed no sign of restraint.

Instead, he dramatically exclaimed, "What? The very foundation of the Immortal Alliance, a celestial marvel, the Dao Derivation Jade, has malfunctioned?!"

"What on earth is the Protector Hall doing?!"

"Such a grave matter has occurred, and not only are you failing to address it, but you're also intentionally trying to conceal it?!"

"There must be a traitor among you!"

"No, I am determined to make this matter public!"

As the Saint Embryo, Li Fan, loudly protested, a figure slowly materialized before him.

The figure was expressionless, gazing at the Saint Embryo, Li Fan, as if looking at a dead man.

Li Fan, however, instantly grew serious: "Why don't you let me take a look? Perhaps I can help."

Upon hearing this, the figure froze in place.