Lanke Chess Edge

Chapter 400: The Child Doesnt Recognize Him

Because the sunlight and Yang energy were too strong during the day, the best time to harmonize Yin and Yang was at night, and it had to be around the same time as Taoist Qingsong’s initiation. So by the time everything had been sorted out, several days had already passed.

One night early in the eleventh lunar month, Ji Yuan put his pen away, having finished writing a floating Edict. Qin Zizhou, meanwhile had not yet stopped moving, and the starlight was still falling like rain.

The Old Dragon beside him had also stopped, and stood beside Ji Yuan. He looked at the characters shimmering in the ripples of water elemental energy, within a radius of about ten zhang. A large amount of starlight converged, as dazzling as a galaxy. The falling starlight seemed to be expanding this galaxy of water energy, but in reality, the radius of the range did not increase; it was merely a mental illusion.

“Mr. Ji, you said this is essentially the same Water Element Gathering Array that you received from me, with only minor modifications. But to me, those minor modifications are quite significant!”

The Old Dragon watched as Qin Zizhou seemed to merge into the starlight, continuously amplifying the starlight within the “Spiritual River,” and gradually obscuring the already radiant Edict and incantation texts. He couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

“Actually, the modifications are not that significant. Although Mr. Ying’s original Water Element Gathering Array seems simple, it possesses a profound and wondrous structure. I merely used the wondrous method of heaven and earth to try to expand the world within the Spiritual River and integrate the power of stars. Water is the source of life, and it can also reflect images, so it is the most suitable.”

Ji Yuan’s explanation was simple, and the Old Dragon quite agreed with his approach. However, the key was in the change in mindset, and the mastery of the wondrous method of heaven and earth. This could already be considered a combination of Cloud Mountain Temple’s star chart and the cultivation manual, all working together to transform the spiritual energy and power of the stars in this area. This was not something that could be easily accomplished.

The effect might not be noticeable in a year or two, or perhaps even for ten or twenty years, but what about a hundred, or several hundred years later? The spiritual environment of the entire Yun Mountain and its surroundings would then be completely different. However, due to the spiritual resonance of the stars, it would be difficult for anyone who did not possess exceptional perception, or who did not cultivate the wondrous method of heaven and earth, to sense these extraordinary changes.

“Haha, although it is gentle and slow, that is precisely why it is more effective and lasting. It is a method that can change the world, yet Mr. Ji speaks of it so lightly!”

The Old Dragon exclaimed in admiration, watching Qin Zizhou also leave his Spiritual River and walk step by step towards them.

However, Ji Yuan felt unworthy of the Old Dragon’s praise — or perhaps he didn’t dare to accept it at all.

“Mr. Ying, please don’t say that. Even the original Water Element Gathering Array, if it were to be maintained for a hundred or several hundred years, would be enough to form a true long-lasting spiritual river. Wouldn’t that also be considered sacred ground?”

The Old Dragon retorted.

“There are quite a few spiritual sacred sites in the world, so what is there to compare them to? But Star Rivers are rare. Who knows, once this place is established, there might only ever be one such river.”

“See, it’s only because it’s rare!”

“Alright, alright, you two, stop arguing about these issues. Regardless, it’s all about transforming the world!”

Qin Zizhou quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

A moment later, the spiritual river gradually disappeared, turning into a thin night mist that dispersed into the surrounding area. It would occasionally emerge as mist again, and since Yun Mountain was never short of clouds and mist so no one would pay much attention to it.

The master and disciple, Taoist Qingsong and Taoist Qingyuan, were still fantasizing about what the mountain gate of Cloud Mountain Temple would be like, and whether it could become a holy land in the future. Little did they know that the three big shots had already started planning.

Leaving aside otherworldly paradises, sacred lands and spiritual sites were not created overnight. Countless immortal abodes and holy sects had accumulated the efforts of generations of successors to reach where they were today. Although the cultivation environment was only one aspect of this effort, it still spoke volumes.

Only after all this was complete could the matter at Cloud Mountain Temple truly be considered closed.

When they returned to Cloud Mountain Temple, it was late at night, and Qi Xuan and Qi Wen were fast asleep. The three did not wake them. Qin Zizhou continued to cultivate in the temple, while Ji Yuan and the Old Dragon bid farewell and left. Qin Zizhou stood in the main hall of the temple, bowing with utmost respect as they ascended to the heavens on clouds.

A short while later, high in the sky outside Yun Mountain, Ji Yuan and the Old Dragon briefly paused. The latter asked Ji Yuan a question.

“What are your plans after this, Mr. Ji? Do you intend to return to your home in Ji Province for a while, or do you plan to visit me?”

Ji Yuan had intended to mention the matter of Yuexiu Island, but considering that it was someone else’s business, and knowing the Old Dragons temperament well enough to know that he wasn’t the kind of person who would act irrationally, he refrained from bringing it up. Instead, he truthfully told the Old Dragon his future plans.

“I might return to Ju’an Pavilion for a while, but I need to visit Yuhuai Mountain. We might travel together to Heng Province in the Northern Territories. If the time is right, I will also visit an old friend.”

The Old Dragon looked slightly puzzled.

“The Northern Territories? What for?”

“Has Mr. Ying heard of Jiufeng Mountain’s Cultivator Grand Assembly?”

The Old Dragon thought for a moment.

“Oh, so it has been held at Jiufeng Mountain these past sixty years.”

“That’s right. Interested in joining in the fun?”

The Old Dragon grinned.

“Haha, why would a monster like me go to the Immortal Conference and make a scene? Forget it, go if you want, I have my own things to do.”

Ji Yuan grew serious.

“Is this about that happened with that lustful flood dragon?”

“That’s part of of it. However, the monster races are too diverse, and this matter is related to the Black Wilderness. It all depends on that lizard that you and I deliberately let go.”

With that, the Old Dragon cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Ji Yuan.

“In that case, let us part ways here. This trip to Yun Mountain has certainly broadened my horizons and relaxed my mind. I will visit you again another day!”

Ji Yuan returned the salute.

“Or I can visit the Tongtian River sometime!”

“Farewell!”

“Goodbye!”

The Old Dragon took the lead, transforming into a dragon-shaped phantom and disappearing amidst the wind and clouds. Ji Yuan stood on the cloud for a while before turning around and heading towards Ji Province.

While traveling through the sky, Ji Yuan also took a moment to observe the chess pieces scattered as stars in the sky within his inner world. Some of these pieces were illusory and some were real, some were bright and some were dim. Among them, the two representing Cloud Mountain Temple were the most dazzling.

These two chess pieces did belong to Qi Xuan and Qi Wen, but rather one to Qin Zizhou, and the remaining piece represented the entire lineage of Cloud Mountain Temple.

There had been one previous instance where more than one single individual was considered a chess piece: that time, it had been the descendants of the Zuo family, and this time it is Cloud Mountain Temple.

Ji Yuan’s thoughts wandered for a while, weighing what he had learned and gained. Before he knew it, he had returned to Ji Province, and arrived at the outskirts of Ning’an County. It was already late morning.

He descended from the clouds and landed a few li outside the county, walking slowly back to the city. He considered that there were quite a few people in Ning’an County who knew him; after such a long absence, it was best not to suddenly reappear.

However, as it turned out, Ji Yuan was overthinking it. Almost ten years had passed since he last left Ning’an County. Ten years was a short time for cultivators, but for the people living in Ning’an County, ten years was enough for a lot of things to happen.

The eleventh lunar month was already cold, and a slight north wind howled, causing Ji Yuan’s hair to flutter and his clothes to ripple. He walked alone on a road a few miles outside Ning’an County, feeling the still tranquil atmosphere of the place.

The sound of rolling wheels came from behind. A farmer wearing a cotton-padded coat drove a simple canopied oxcart. Seeing the man dressed in rather thin clothes hurrying along, he called out.

“Sir, are you going to Ning’an County? It’s so cold and difficult to walk in this weather. Would you like me to give you a ride?”

“Hey… whoa, whoa…”

The farmer urged the ox to slow down as he asked his questions.

Ji Yuan glanced back at the other man, vaguely noticing that the cart was rather drafty. However, he didn’t mind; he simply wanted to walk around on his own.

“Thank you for your kindness, brother, but I’d like to take a walk by myself.”

“Oh, then I’ll be going now?”

Ji Yuan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, but did not try to stop him.

The farmer, seeing that the man was refined and his face showed no signs of bearing the cold, realized he wasn’t just putting on a brave face. So he cracked his whip twice on the ox’s rump and continued driving.

About fifteen minutes later, Ji Yuan arrived at Ning’an County. He walked from the city gate to Tian Niu Lane, prepared to be recognized and greeted along the way. Unfortunately, so far no one had recognized him, or even seemed to know him.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, chatting, shopkeepers calling out to customers, and other sounds filled the air. Many people looked at Ji Yuan, but none of them regarded him like they would a local. Some of the people in the crowd might have known him from before, but after so many years, even memories of family would be hazy, let along memories of Ji Yuan.

As Ji Yuan approached Tian Niu Land, he saw the sign for Sun’s Noodle Stall and his spirits lifted. The stall was still in the same spot, its aroma unchanged, familiar even in his blurry vision.

Ji Yuan quickened his pace and soon arrived at the stall. Several customers were already eating noodles. He asked them what was going on as he approached.

“Does the shop still have braised noodles?”

Sun Fu, with graying temples, was tidying up the tableware when he heard the voice. He looked up and saw a refined gentleman, so he quickly replied.

“Yes, yes, yes, we have braised noodles and lamb offal.”

Ji Yuan smiled and sat down in his usual spot.

“Alright, give me a bowl of braised noodles and a bowl of offal soup.”

“Okay, right away!”

Ji Yuan let out a soft breath of relief, and glanced at the diners around him. Some of them were also watching him, and when they saw him looking back, they subconsciously buried their heads back in their noodles.

The diners were mainly drawn to the elegant Mr. Ji due to the exquisite black jade hairpin on his head; even those who didn’t know much about jade would recognize its considerable value.

Beside the noodle stall was a little girl, about seven or eight years old, playing with a dry twig, swinging it back and forth. When she saw Ji Yuan looking over, the little girl immediately stopped swinging the branch and pretended to be quiet.

“Little girl, what’s your name?”

Sun Fu glanced at the little girl and smiled back at Ji Yuan.

“Sir, her name is Sun Yaya, she is my granddaughter.”

“Oh, your granddaughter…”

Ji Yuan frowned slightly, flicked his sleeve, and secretly calculated some divinations with his right hand hidden in his sleeve. He knew that Old Man Sun had already passed away. Lu Shan Jun had known about this event back then, but he hadn’t mentioned it to Ji Yuan.

“Sigh…”

“Your noodles and offal are ready, sir!”

Sun Fu carried the tray and brought the food to Ji Yuan. Seeing Ji Yuan sigh, he asked a question.

“Sir, you must be from out of town. Why are you sighing?”

Ji Yuan thanked him and replied.

“It’s nothing, I was just thinking about an old friend.”

With that, he picked up his chopsticks and began to eat. The noodles and offal tasted almost exactly the same as the ones Old Man Sun used to make.

He remembered when Sun Fu had just taken over the noodle stall from his father, the noodles he made were not quite up to par. Now he had truly mastered the craft.

“Not bad, it tastes just like before!”

Sun Fu just said “Oh” and was about to turn away when Ji Yuan’s words caught his attention again.

“Uh, sir, have you eaten my noodles before?”

Sun Fu took a closer look at Ji Yuan. He had initially thought Ji Yuan was around thirty years old, but upon closer inspection, he suddenly found it difficult to discern his age. Ji Yuan had a refined appearance, but he gave off the feeling of an older man, making it hard to pinpoint his age.

“Haha, yes, I have, and I have also eaten your father’s noodles.”

Ji Yuan replied, then continued to eat his noodles with relish. Sun Fu frowned, deep in thought, glancing at Ji Yuan from time to time.

He was still puzzled as he returned to the front of the cart. Then he noticed a wooden sign hanging on the cart’s door with ink-stained characters that read, “Keep one portion.”

In an instant, Sun Fu suddenly realized something. He looked up at Ji Yuan, and blurted out in disbelief.

“You, you’re Mr. Ji!?”

T/n: Happy 400th chapter!!! ????

Ok, so to clear up some confusion about the Spiritual River stuff they were discussing at the beginning, here’s my take on it: JY modified a Water Elemental Essence gathering array from the Old Dragon to work as both a Water Element array and also a star-power element array. He did this by using the fact that starlight can be reflected on water, and thus collected in the array. Over time, this will also transform the surrounding landscape of Yun Mountain to be attuned towards the heavens and towards celestial power, making it a kind of sacred ground for cultivators who focus in that power.