by Feng Yise
"Senior, losing is losing, why was this chess game called 'Ask Not'?" Ye Yuan asked.
The white-haired old man glanced at Ye Yuan and said with a smile, "I said that this was a chess game, but actually, it was these two people's understanding of Dao. Back then, when he reached a dilemma, the Sacred Ancestor High Priest sat in front of the chess game for 100 thousand years. In the end, his hair and beard turned white, and he was seriously injured and vomited blood. He finally opened his mouth and asked the Medicine Ancestor just where did he lose. The Medicine Ancestor just smiled and said four words 'Ask not! Ask not!'. The name of this chess game also came from this."
"And then?" Ye Yuan said.
"It was said that the Sacred Ancestor High Priest had always taken this to heart and wholeheartedly wanted to take revenge and redress hatred. But he also knew that his gap from the Medicine Ancestor. Hence, after the returned to the demon race, he established the Priest Temple and took in disciples extensively, in hopes of being able to groom an existence who could contend with the Medicine Ancestor. At the same time, the Sacred Ancestor High Priest even reduced the complexity, engraving many copies of 'Ask Not', and distributed them to each Priest Temple. As long as someone could crack 'Ask Not', they would have the qualifications to directly enter the Priest Temple's headquarters," said the white-haired old man.
"So that's how it is. Looks like the elders want me to beat a retreat in the face of overwhelming odds against me," Ye Yuan smiled and said.
The white-haired old man said with a smile that was not a smile, "Are you scared?"
Ye Yuan smiled as he looked at the white-haired old man and suddenly said, "That day, when Hall Master Di Qiu wanted to kill me, it should have been Senior who helped me resolve my predicament, right?"
The white-haired old man was slightly stunned, then immediately pointed at Ye Yuan and said with a loud laugh, "I knew that it couldn't hide from you, this brat!"
Ye Yuan clasped his hands and said, "Junior thanks Senior for your life-saving grace. However, we've already known each other for more than half a year and Ye Yuan still doesn't know Senior's name."
The white-haired old man said coolly, "This old man has a single character name, Xiu. You can call me Senior Xiu."
Ye Yuan said knowingly, "Senior Xiu goading me is hoping for me to go and attempt it?"
Xiu smiled and said, "For 50 million years, those who could crack the simplified 'Ask Not' were only 11 people! These 11 people are presently all disciples under the Sacred Ancestor High Priest, and also the backbone of our demon race's alchemists. It's just a shame that these 11 people studied for tens of millions of years and are also unable to crack the real 'Ask Not'."
"50 million years and only 11 people, so how does Senior know that I can crack it?" Ye Yuan said with a smile.
Xiu shook his head and said, "Even the 'Ask Not' after simplification studies the mysteries of creation, opens up the mysteries of Great Dao, ordinary people can't pass it at all. A single misstep and one will even lose their lives on their spot. You're endowed with unusual intelligence; your views are unique, I think maybe … you have a possibility of passing it. How about it? Have the guts to give it a try?"
In this half a year, Xiu sat down and debated on Dao with Ye Yuan. The more they talked, the more he took advantage of the opportunity.
And as time went on, he also became more confident in Ye Yuan's talent.
Hence, that was why he supported Ye Yuan to attempt it.
Ye Yuan smiled when he heard that and said, "How can this kind of thing need Senior to goad? If I had long known that there was such a chess game, I'd probably have long been unable to stand it and went to attempt it."
Hearing Ye Yuan said so, Xiu's expression became solemn instead and he said, "Brat, I know that you're exceedingly talented. But don't look down on this 'Ask Not'! For 50 million years, the geniuses who died under this 'Ask Not', can probably drown an imperial capital when added up!"
This chess game was the game of two supreme powerhouses. The perils contained inside were naturally all-pervasive.
This kind of chess game, dull talents were fine instead.
But once those outstandingly talented ones get caught inside, integrating into the game between the two, it would be extremely dangerous, fatal pitfalls hidden everywhere.
So, the higher the talent, the more miserably one would die instead.
That Ni Kun resorting to this move was actually wanting to borrow 'Ask Not' to kill Ye Yuan.
After all, the talent that Ye Yuan exhibited, everyone all saw it.
Ni Kin did not like Ye Yuan, but it did not mean that he did not acknowledge Ye Yuan's alchemy talent.
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Where the Dao lies, even if tens of millions oppose, I'll also march forward bravely! If I don't even have this bit of courage, how can I talk about achieving the Great Dao?"
Xiu smacked his t.h.i.g.h when he heard it and said with a big laugh, "Good! This old man indeed didn't misjudge you!"
...
When Ye Yuan found Ni Kun, saying that he wanted to challenge 'Ask Not', Ni Kun was shocked inwardly.
He was currently plotting on how to force Ye Yuan to challenge 'Ask Not'. He did not expect that Ye Yuan delivered himself to the door.
This act made him somewhat stunned.
"You really want to challenge 'Ask Not'?" Ni Kun said in astonishment.
Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Isn't this precisely what you hope for?"
Ni Kun was taken aback and blurted out, "You know this too … uh …"
Ni Kun panicked, discovering that he divulged it.
Wasn't this equivalent to admitting that this matter was him inciting it at the back?
This kid was shrewd and crafty, really impossible to guard against.
Actually, whether he admitted it or not, Ye Yuan did not care.
This matter, Xiu already told Ye Yuan. Otherwise, he also would not know the dangers involved, and naturally would not know Ni Kun's diligence.
Ye Yuan smiled faintly and said, "Elder Ni Kun, why don't we make an agreement? How about that?"
Ni Kun's expression was somewhat ugly as he said in a solemn voice, "What do you want to agree on?"
Ye Yuan said, "If I fail, I won't speak again during the elders' sermons in the future. If I succeed by a fluke, all of the elders' sermons, everyone can speak freely as they wish! What do you think?"
Chapter 1762 - I, Ye Yuan, Won't Be a Chess Piece!
"Where are you all going?"
"You actually don't know such a major incident? That Ye Yuan who's known as the temple's number one genius is actually going to challenge 'Ask Not'!"
"What? Isn't this looking for abuse? Back then, Kuang Fei who was known as an unrivaled genius nearly died on the spot because he challenged 'Ask Not.' In the end, he recuperated for a full 100 years before barely managing to recover."
"Heh, 'Ask Not' is a vial of poison. Everyone knows that it's dangerous, but there's always someone who tries it. The more talented, the more it is so."
"Such a major thing, I have to go see!"
...
One person told ten, ten told a hundred.
The news of Ye Yuan challenging the divine game 'Ask Not' spreaded throughout the entire Priest Temple very quickly.
In the plaza, the elders were all present.
Ni Kun looked at Ye Yuan, a look of gloating over his misfortune.
He naturally knew that these so-called geniuses were all proud.
He was the same back then.
Recollecting back then, he was also extraordinarily gifted, thinking that he was the number one under the heavens. That was why he would go challenge 'Ask Not'.
The outcome naturally need not be said.
How similar was Ye Yuan's current appearance to his back then?
Di Qiu looked at Ye Yuan and said in a hoarse voice, "Ye Yuan, you have to think clearly. Upon entering the chess game, life and death are unknown! The geniuses who died inside are too many to count!"
&nb
sp; Ye Yuan said coolly, "Lord Hall Master, please cast the spell!"
Di Qiu saw the decisive look on Ye Yuan's face and no longer urged him. A profound spell soared to the sky.
A chessboard gradually became bigger, flying out of Di Qiu's palm, and landing in the center of the plaza.
Ye Yuan focused his eyes and looked over, but he only saw that that stone chessboard was very ordinary. It was no different from an ordinary chessboard.
On the chessboard, black and white chess pieces were crisscrossed, murderous intent faintly looming, giving people a soul-stirring feeling.
Ye Yuan only took one look and was no longer able to leave.
Ye Yuan was also a master in this aspect. Alchemy was dull and dry, when Ye Yuan was free and had nothing to do, he would play chess to temper his heart realm.
As the saying went: A myriad of Great Daos, all led to the same goal.
A tiny little chessboard actually contained the maxim of Great Dao.
Tian Yuan1 as chaos, crisscrossing in vertical and horizontal directions, deriving a myriad Great Dao!
Actually, this was a universe!
Ye Yuan knew that this chess competition was actually the competition between the Medicine Ancestor and Sacred Ancestor High Priest, the two people's Dao.
Ye Yuan rapidly deduced in his mind and discovered to his amazement that the black pieces were already driven into an impasse.
No matter where the next piece landed, it was a certain-death scenario.
No wonder the Sacred Ancestor High Priest sat in front of the chess game for 100 thousand years back then.
No way to advance, unable to retreat, the Medicine Ancestor already forced the Sacred Ancestor High Priest to the edge of the cliff!
"This kind of chess game, there were actually 11 people who passed it?"
Ye Yuan was extremely shocked in his heart. Even though it was the simplified 'Ask Not', Ye Yuan could tell that this chess game was simply a certain-death scenario.
Those 11 people were actually able to pass the test, how astonishing was their talent?
"Heh heh, scared? If you back out now, you can still make it!" Ni Kun said with a cold smile.
"Ye Yuan, concede defeat! Don't overestimate your own ability!" Elder Li said with a smug look.
The other elders were also cynical. Regarding Ye Yuan's actions that were ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, they were all disdainful toward him.
Ye Yuan sneered when he heard that and said, "You guys can't, doesn't mean others can't! Since there are people who passed the test, then there's naturally a ray of hope! Can't pass, it can only be blamed you guys for being too stupid, unable to find a ray of hope!"
This bunch of old fellows wished that he would die in the chess game.
Saying so was merely in order to trigger him. Why would he show these elders a good attitude?
"Insolence! Ye Yuan, who do you think you're talking to?" Ni Kun said in a cold voice.
Ye Yuan looked at Ni Kun and said with a smile, "You schemed day and night to make me come and challenge 'Ask Not', isn't it wanting me to fall inside? If I die, I'd also be someone who's about to die right now, what's the big deal about saying a thing or two about you? If I really make it through, scolding you a few words is even less of a matter. Don't you agree, Elder Ni?"
Ni Kun was taken aback when he heard that. But he immediately smiled coldly and said, "Perhaps you'll be half-dead?"
Ye Yuan smiled slightly and said, "Then isn't that exactly to Elder Ni's taste?"
Ni Kun burst out laughing when he heard it and said, "I didn't expect that you're still pretty humorous."
Ye Yuan just smiled slightly, leaped up, and landed on the chessboard.
"Buzz!"
Instantly, the situation suddenly changed!
The entire chessboard was seemingly being activated.
Waves of dense aura rose out of thin air. Each chess piece seemed to have come to life.
In front of Ye Yuan seemingly became hordes of troops and horses. The two armies galloped and fought at close quarters, incomparably brutal.
Even if Ye Yuan utilized the Sun Moon Heavenly Pupil, it was of no use at all too.
With his strength, he could not see through at all.
Suddenly, two surges of aura that was formidable until it made people suffocate suddenly descended.
Ye Yuan's complexion turned pale and he vomited a large mouthful of blood with a cough.
In front of Ye Yuan, an enormous figure rose from the ground up. A pair of enormous eyes cast toward Ye Yuan.
This giant image was clearly in front of Ye Yuan, but Ye Yuan actually could not see it clearly.
"This is the Sacred Ancestor High Priest? So strong!" Ye Yuan said while being in shock in his heart.
Ye Yuan knew that this was merely a wisp of willpower transformed by the Sacred Ancestor High Priest.
But this trace of will was too powerful already. It actually made him have a feeling of being unable to match it.
"Lad, exterminate the Medicine Ancestor's will with my will! I will bestow upon you a transcendent lucky chance!"
The enormous image slowly opened his mouth, his tone matchlessly domineering.
Done talking, a pair of enormous hands landed from the sky.
Ye Yuan's expression changed. He felt that his own will was instantly crushed by a giant mountain, and was about to be crushed into a meat pie!
Unparalleled willpower!
Ye Yuan gritted his teeth and said angrily, "You want me to submit and let me become a chess piece in your hands! This is simply a certain-win game. It's merely in order to let the challenger accept your will, that's all!"
The giant image said without the slightest emotion, "So what? Can't even withstand this seat's will, so how can you become an existence that transcends the Medicine Ancestor?"
Ye Yuan's expression flickered incessantly and he gritted his teeth and said, "I, Ye Yuan, won't be a chess piece!"
Ye Yuan's challenge was to clear the hurdle with his own strength, and not rely on other people!
He had never needed to take on other people's will before!
The giant image snorted coldly and said, "Powerhouses all start from chess pieces! In this place, it's not up to you! This seat is the chess game's sovereign!"
This simplified 'Ask Not' was set up by the Sacred Ancestor High Priest in the first place.
This chess game was controlled by him and not the Medicine Ancestor.
Only the true 'Ask Not' was a chess game controlled by the Medicine Ancestor.
In this place, if the Sacred Ancestor High Priest wanted you to live, you live. If he wanted you to die, you would die!
Ye Yuan sneered and said, "My, Ye Yuan's fate, has always been grasped in my own hands! A chess piece, I won't deign to become it! Even if you're the Sacred Ancestor High Priest, it won't do too!"
The giant image gave a cold snort and said, "What an arrogant and unruly punk. Not accepting my will, the outcome is only death!"
The Sacred Ancestor High Priest's voice was incomparably cold as if killing Ye Yuan was merely a matter of waving a hand.
Ye Yuan's gaze was cold as he said in a chilly voice, "In that case, go ahead and try!" A position in Go
Chapter 1763 - Replacing
At this time, the outside world saw another scene.
The moment the chess game started, everything would be hidden.
The chessboard radiated a brilliant light, projecting above the sky, forming an enormous chessboard.
Similarly, two giant illusions were currently facing each other in the sky, the momentum astonishing.
The chess game already started for a long time, but both parties still did not move.
Stonefeather frowned and said, "What's going on? It hasn't started until now?"
Ni Kun said with a gloating face, "This brat wouldn't be unable to withstand Lord Sacred Ancestor's will, right? Looks like this brat has an excess of talent but is lacking willpower!"
The more firm one's Dao seeking heart was, the more steps one could take.
Now, Ye Yuan could not even take a single step. It clearly showed that his willpower was weak and he was completely unable to withstand the Sacred Ancestor High Priest's peerless will.
Below, in the crowd, Xiu's brows were also knitted together.
"What's going on with this kid? Could it be that he's really unable to even withstand Lord Sacred Ancestor's initial-most will? Could it be that … I misjudged him?"
Clearly, he was also extremely perplexed by this scene.
But Kong Yun laughed loudly and said, "This kid wouldn't have been directly crushed by Lord Sacred Ancestor's will, right? Genius? What a joke!"
The Chi Feng by the side also smiled coldly and said, "If he was directly crushed, then it will really become the biggest joke in the history of the demon race! Such a genius actually couldn't even withstand the initial-most will. It's also considered unprecedented and unrepeatable, right?"
Outside, many people were all gloating over others' misfortune.
But inside 'Ask Not', Ye Yuan had a resolute look, welcoming that powerful virtual image.
"Not being a chess piece, one must have the strength that crushes all life! You are no good! Since you cling obstinately to your own course, then suffer this seat's wrath!"
The moment the giant image's voice faded, it was as if the whole world collapsed.
A powerful willpower directly crushed over toward Ye Yuan.
This burst of willpower descending was like the sky collapsed, heaven and earth changing colors.
At this time, the Soul Suppressing Pearl emitted a gentle energy, wrapping Ye Yuan's divine soul up.
Although this willpower was strong, it was not the real 'Ask Not' after all.
With Dustless's current ability, he could completely isolate this willpower.
But who knew that Ye Yuan gave a cold snort and said, "Senior, you don't have to be like this! In terms of willpower strength, I, Ye Yuan, absolutely don't lose to anybody! Even if it is the Sacred Ancestor High Priest!"
The moment these words came out, the Soul Suppressing Pearl's power pulled back like tidewater.