Limitless Ascension: Strength Amid Adversity – Chapter 319

Hearing this, the hearts of the cultivators were all aflutter, eagerly anticipating whether this big shot could actually win the match.

“Master, forgive my boldness, but are you really good at Go? The other side is a Chess Sage!” Hong Qianye couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, secretly transmitting her worries.

As the regular test subject for Ye Junlin’s games, Hong Qianye knew all too well just how terrible Ye Junlin’s skills were.

He was basically just a walking malfunction of the rules, with absolute power when it came to having the final say!

For instance, during their previous chess match, the opponent picked up a pawn and ignored all the rules, crossing the river straight to capture his king, and afterward claimed it was a “special forces” move!

Or how about the cannon that didn’t need a mediator, simply blasting away his king? When Hong Qianye asked what the reasoning was, the guy just said “mortar” and left him utterly dumbfounded.

Honestly, who wouldn’t go mad with such nonsensical logic?

The gaming experience was completely off the rails!

Hong Qianye had imagined countless times flipping over the entire board and loudly berating Ye Junlin:

“Get lost with your lousy chess! With your way of playing, who could ever win against you? I’m done here!”

Obviously, that was just an unrealistic daydream.

After all, trying to test it out could land you in serious trouble…

That’s why Hong Qianye didn’t have much to say about Ye Junlin’s chess skills.

Out there, I can’t compete with you; the rules of the game are set by you.

But once we’re at the board, facing off against the peerless Chess Sage, can you really pull any tricks?

Wouldn’t you just get completely crushed?!

Not to mention all these spectators watching—if you lose, that would be pretty embarrassing!

Seriously, why are you even stirring up trouble like this?!

After hearing his disciple’s secret transmission, Ye Junlin smiled and responded:

“Oh, little Hong, you underestimate me too much! Go, chess, and even Deng Ziqi—I’m proficient in all of them, reaching peak levels in each!”

“And you practice with me often; don’t you have any faith in me?”

Hong Qianye nearly short-circuited.

It’s precisely because I’ve practiced with you before that I know just how terrible you are at this!

And what’s with that last one—Deng Ziqi? What kind of game is that even?!

With Ye Junlin’s blind confidence, Hong Qianye couldn’t bear to look. He was certain this would end in total embarrassment…

Ye Junlin shrugged, showing no concern about facing the Chess Sage, but he was quite keen on the reward of the Invincible Sword Heart.

For any sword cultivator, that was simply the ultimate treasure!

Absolutely had to get his hands on it!

“Senior Ye, please.” Qin Ruyan gently extended her hand, a hint of intrigue flashing in her eyes.

Seeing Ye Junlin’s determination to give it a go, she felt curious—could there really be someone who could defeat the Chess Sage?

After all, he was the Chess Sage, the pinnacle of the Way of Chess!

At least in the talent-rich Central Region, no one had risen to that level for many years; the strongest was merely half a step to Chess Sage status.

“Ha! With Senior Ye in action, we’ll definitely win against that old geezer!” Ji Baxiao shouted loudly, taking a chance to flatter.

Little did he know, right after saying that, he got smacked on the head by Li Wujie, “Shut up!”

Ji Baxiao’s head spun, stars dancing in his vision. Once he regained his bearings and caught Li Wujie’s warning gaze, he was alarmed and utterly confused.

Was I wrong?

In fact, like Hong Qianye, Li Wujie knew very well just how awful Ye Junlin’s skills were and couldn’t understand his sudden eagerness to join the game.

So Ji Baxiao’s flattery was practically a cardinal sin in his eyes!

What if they lost? Wouldn’t that be a slap in the face?

Then, before everyone’s eyes,

That dashing man in black robes, with flowing silver hair flying, radiating brilliant Immortal light, soared into the sky.

Swish!

The chessboard space opened up, and Ye Junlin stepped in, instantly disappearing from view.

What came into sight was the vast cosmos, breathtakingly beautiful.

On the opposite side floated a chessboard, along with a blurry old man’s silhouette, sitting cross-legged, dressed in dark blue robes, exuding an ethereal aura that took on a timeless presence, as if he had been patiently fishing for ages.

Then, a hoarse voice echoed within the space, bearing the weight of years,

“Please, Tester Takes Seat, and the game will officially begin.”

“Okay.”

Ye Junlin methodically approached and sat cross-legged.

Suddenly, he remembered something and secretly asked the system, “Hey, system, make a sound.”

[Ding, I’m here!]

The system’s voice rang in his mind.

Curiously, Ye Junlin asked, “Tell me, have I ever obtained a package of experience in Go before?”

As long as he had the relevant experience package, he would instantly level up—just like he did in the zither path, achieving remarkable mastery.

[Ding, response to host: Never had one before!]

Ye Junlin: “…”

Then why the heck am I even here?

Is this a joke?

Ye Junlin sure didn’t think he could beat the Chess Sage just on his own merits!

Meanwhile, the old man in green picked up a black stone with unwavering steadiness and placed it on the board—a crisp sound resonating.

Ye Junlin, feeling frustrated, picked up a white stone, thinking whether he should try to just stall the time and create an illusion of fighting hard?

Even if he lost, he could still save face!

Sensing Ye Junlin’s dilemma, the system’s voice chimed in again,

[Ding, detecting host confronting chess problems; the system is optimizing settings automatically. Progress bar: 1%, 5%, 30%, 60%…]

[Ding, system optimization successful!]

[Congratulations, host! Now, facing any chess master in direct competition, you’ll always trigger the strong against the strong feature—your level will forever surpass theirs!]

The system prompt echoed.

Ye Junlin was taken aback, a joyful expression blooming on his face.

System, you truly are amazing!

If that’s the case, then why hold back?

Deep within the space, the cold, ancient voice called out, “Please, Tester, make your move quickly, or you will forfeit by time limit!”

“Heh.”

Ye Junlin wore a playful grin, rolling up his sleeves confidently and declaring:

“Scared? Watch how I crush you!”

At that moment, when he looked at the old man in green again, a peculiar feeling washed over him, as if something mysterious had empowered him.

Snap!

The white stone decisively fell onto the board.

Then the old man in green, behaving like a puppet, mechanically responded with a black stone as the intense battle on the board unfolded.

With the strong against the strong feature activated, Ye Junlin remained calm and composed, each move loaded with meaning.

From start to finish, he kept dominating; no matter how the old man struggled and salvaged, he was ultimately met with counters, targeting every weak point.

On the board, black stones dwindled as white stones gradually gained absolute superiority.

The old man in green retreated again and again, reaching a dead end.

After a stick of incense,

Snap!

With the last white stone landing in a dead spot, it signified the old man’s defeat.

“Sorry, but I won.”