Jian Chen spent the following days exploring the village and its surroundings, his sharp eyes taking in every detail, analyzing everything as if each scrap of information was a secret recipe for the best dumplings in the universe. The village, though small and unremarkable, was a hub of local knowledge, where stories of strange cultivators, mystical beasts, and hidden treasures flowed through the villagers' whispered conversations like gossip at a family reunion.
He made a habit of visiting the elder he'd met on his first day. The man, known as Old Li, had become something of an unlikely ally. Despite his age and frail appearance, Old Li held a wealth of knowledge about cultivation and the world's inner workings—kind of like that one grandparent who has a life story for every occasion. The more Jian Chen learned, the more he realized how precarious his position was. Here, without power, he was as vulnerable as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs, but that was something he intended to change.
As Jian Chen listened to the villagers' tales one evening, he finally learned about the nearby Stone Forest, a place steeped in rumor. According to Old Li, this forest was filled with strange rock formations, arranged almost like pieces on a massive chessboard. Legends said that those who ventured deep enough could encounter mysterious treasures left by an ancient chess grandmaster known as the Black Sage—a guy who, rumor had it, once made a chess move so brilliant it caused a few strokes of lightning and a lot of confused rooks.
For Jian Chen, this was no mere story. The mention of a chessboard, combined with the ancient power associated with the place, stirred something within him—a pull, as if his very soul was a pawn yearning for promotion. He had a feeling that the Stone Forest could hold the key to his own cultivation path, and he needed a path—preferably one with fewer potholes and existential crises.
With the chessboard artifact still in his possession, Jian Chen had been trying to understand its purpose. There were faint glimmers of energy within it, tiny surges that seemed to react to his will, as if the board itself was waiting to say, "Hey, I'm not just a fancy piece of wood! I have feelings too!" But every time he experimented, it was like hitting a brick wall with a noodle. It was clear he needed something more—perhaps knowledge, or even a strong cup of coffee to wake up whatever potential was lurking inside.
The next morning, he made up his mind to visit the Stone Forest, armed with hope and a slightly battered sandwich from the previous day.
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The forest loomed ahead, and as Jian Chen stepped into its depths, he felt an intense silence settle around him. The trees were sparse here, giving way to towering stones of various shapes and sizes—like Mother Nature had her own idea of interior decorating. Each stone was covered in strange carvings, symbols that looked almost like a language, but not one he recognized. He felt an odd sense of familiarity, as if these stones were pieces in a game, lined up in formation, waiting for someone to make the first move—preferably someone with a flair for dramatic entrances.
He moved cautiously, feeling the weight of the chessboard in his pack. Each step echoed through the forest, his senses heightened as he ventured deeper, and the energy within the board seemed to pulse in rhythm with his footsteps, almost as if it were trying to win a game of "Hot and Cold" with him. He had been told that even low-level cultivators frequented this area, hoping to gain insights or find remnants of treasure left behind by the Black Sage—who apparently had a habit of leaving breadcrumbs for anyone clever enough to follow.
Jian Chen finally stopped before a particularly large stone shaped like a king's piece, standing slightly apart from the rest. There was a strange aura about it, a sense of presence that made him uneasy—like a king who'd just realized he was missing his crown. As he approached, he noticed a faint glow along the stone's surface, as if it recognized his arrival and was silently judging his fashion choices.
Suddenly, his chessboard pulsed, the ivory pieces vibrating with a soft hum. Jian Chen's eyes narrowed, his instincts telling him he was on the verge of something important—like realizing he'd just eaten the last cookie in the jar. Tentatively, he reached out, placing his hand on the stone, and at that moment, a surge of energy shot through him. It was raw, ancient, almost sentient, as if it had been waiting for him alone to show up with snacks.
Words formed in his mind, not spoken aloud but conveyed directly into his thoughts: "Those who play the game must first become the game. Offer the first move, and the board shall awaken."
Jian Chen blinked, trying to make sense of the cryptic message while wondering if he should've brought a notebook. He took out his chessboard, setting it down on a flat rock in front of the stone, hoping it wouldn't judge him too harshly. The pieces glowed faintly, as if acknowledging their placement in the heart of the forest, ready to kick off a championship match.
The words echoed in his mind again, and he decided to act. Reaching forward, he took hold of a pawn and moved it forward one space—definitely not the best opening move, but hey, at least he was doing something.
The moment he made the move, a powerful force erupted from the board, spreading out like a shockwave—like someone had just announced free food in a room full of hungry cultivators. The stones around him lit up, symbols glowing as if ignited by his action. Jian Chen could feel something shift within him, a small seed of power awakening—like waking up on a Monday and realizing it was actually Friday.
He realized, with a thrill, that this board was more than just a relic. It was a tool, one that could open doors within the realm of cultivation—preferably doors that didn't lead to awkward social interactions. But he also knew that he would have to approach this "game" carefully. Each move would hold consequences, and he would need both patience and cunning to navigate the path ahead.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Jian Chen picked up the chessboard and looked out at the vast, silent forest surrounding him. A smile touched his lips, laced with both amusement and determination.
"Very well," he murmured. "If the game has begun, then let's see how far I can go—preferably without stepping on any toes."