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墨書 Inktalez
The cave was serene and deep, filled with a chilling aura. Siji's expression was grave as he slowly raised both hands, palms emanating a gentle warmth that seemed to contain boundless power. His gaze was steadfast as he looked at the stone wall opposite him, which was thickly coated with ice, glimmering coldly in the faint light. Suddenly, Siji exerted force, striking his palms swiftly against the ice. In an instant, a surge of overwhelming heat poured forth from his palms. This heat rushed towards the ice like the warm sun of spring, causing the originally hard and cold ice to begin melting gradually. Drops of water slid down the stone wall, creating a clear dripping sound that echoed in the quiet cave. As the ice continued to melt, a silhouette gradually revealed itself on the stone wall. Before long, a complete Nine-Lined Chessboard appeared before them. The lines of the chessboard were ancient and robust, as if they carried the weight of time.
Siji panted slightly as he gazed at the hard-won chessboard, a glimmer of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He looked at Lin Ning and said slowly, "Hero Lin, let us play a game of chess. If you win, I shall rescue Leader Yuan's daughter!" Upon hearing this, Lin Ning felt as if struck by lightning; his mind buzzed and nearly exploded. He had no knowledge of chess whatsoever! Since Siji dared to propose a match, he must have profound skills in this art! Cold sweat instantly broke out on Lin Ning's forehead; his face turned pale as he stammered, "Hero Su, I am utterly clueless about any form of chess!"
Seeing this, Siji smiled slightly and said gently, "Do not panic, Hero Lin. First, let me explain the rules of our match! The rules are simple: whoever manages to align nine pieces in any line on the Nine-Lined Chessboard will be declared the winner!" After hearing Siji's explanation of the rules, Lin Ning thought to himself that although he knew nothing about chess, he realized this was an impossible task. Whether black or white pieces, as long as they were connected by less than three pieces, the opponent's pieces would inevitably intrude! It would be difficult for either himself or Siji to achieve victory!
Siji seemed to sense Lin Ning's thoughts and smiled, saying, "Do not overthink this game; just adapt as you go! You are a guest here; please make your move first." With that, he pushed a jar containing black pieces towards Lin Ning while keeping one with white pieces in front of himself. Lin Ning understood that this chessboard was not just a physical object but also a pivotal point for changing Yuan Yueming's fate. In this isolated cave, a significant game was about to unfold, and Lin Ning was ready to face the unknown challenge.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Ning slowly extended his right hand and picked up a black piece from the jar. His movements were gentle and cautious as if he held not just a small piece but the weight of the entire world in his hand. His gaze fixed on the center of the chessboard—the key point of the entire game. Focusing intently and adjusting his breathing, he pinched the black piece between his index and middle fingers and threw it with near-perfect angle and force toward the center of the board. The piece flew through the air like a shooting star and landed squarely in its designated spot with a soft "thud."
Lin Ning felt a surge of joy; despite his initial doubts about this cave's environment, seeing how smoothly his piece landed on the board made him realize its secret—the walls contained magnetic properties that attracted iron pieces swiftly. Siji smiled slightly, seemingly pleased with Lin Ning's performance. Unhurriedly, he took a white piece from his jar and placed it to the right of Lin Ning's black piece. This move appeared casual but concealed deeper strategy; it left little room for Lin Ning while avoiding putting himself at a disadvantage.
The two began taking turns placing their pieces. Each move was carefully considered; they had to think about how to connect their own pieces while remaining vigilant against their opponent's interference. Just when both believed they were on the verge of victory, one would always disrupt the other's plans at critical moments. Thus, black and white pieces crisscrossed across the board until it became densely populated with them. Yet neither succeeded in achieving nine in a row; the game reached a stalemate.
Suddenly, Siji struck both palms down onto the board with tremendous force. This blow contained immense power that caused many pieces on the board to bounce up into the air. Several of Lin Ning's black pieces were knocked off while Siji's white pieces remained firmly in place as if protected by an invisible force. Alarmed by this turn of events, Lin Ning focused intently; he noticed that among those horizontal pieces in the center line—only one was black while all others were white! This meant that if he did not act quickly to stop it, Siji could win with just one more move.
Without hesitation, Lin Ning extended both arms forward as powerful energy surged from his palms toward that white piece like raging waves crashing forward. With a loud bang, that white piece remained unmoved under Lin Ning's forceful impact as if nailed in place. At that moment, Lin Ning finally understood—the so-called chess game was actually a contest of internal strength.
Resolute now, Lin Ning gathered all his internal energy into his arms for another strike. This time he felt as though he had broken through some barrier; his surging internal power rushed toward that white piece like floodwaters breaching a dam. The white piece finally wobbled slightly; seeing this made Lin Ning grit his teeth and push even harder with his internal energy.
Siji noticed Lin Ning's change; surprise flickered in his eyes before he rapidly moved his hands to inject more internal energy into the white piece again. The white piece steadied itself once more while faintly glowing with light. Sweat soaked through Lin Ning’s clothes as veins bulged on his forehead; yet he did not give up. Just when he felt his internal energy waning dangerously low, memories of Cheng Yun’s teachings on internal energy circulation surfaced in his mind. Following those instructions allowed him to summon forth new strength.
This newfound power surged forth like divine intervention once more striking at that white piece. The white piece could no longer withstand it; with a whoosh sound it flew off into space followed by several other white pieces being pushed off by Lin Ning’s overwhelming internal force. In an instant, everything changed dramatically—only one white piece remained on that horizontal line while all others were black! At this moment Lin Ning had turned from passive to active; all he needed to do was knock that remaining white piece off and replace it with black for victory!
Lin Ning dared not slacken even slightly; concentrating all his energy again into his palms he shouted loudly before thrusting both hands forward—a powerful wave of internal energy shot forth like an arrow aimed at that white piece. However, Siji was equally determined; swiftly forming seals with both hands conjured up a white light barrier around that white piece instantly.
Lin Ning’s internal energy collided against this barrier creating ripples but still failed to dislodge it from its position. Anxiety gripped him tightly as beads of sweat formed on his forehead; he knew this was their last chance—if unsuccessful Yuan Yueming’s life would be in jeopardy! Gritting his teeth once more summoned every last ounce of internal strength within him for another desperate attack.
Just then—a fierce wind suddenly swept through the cave howling fiercely enough to make everyone squint their eyes shut! When silence returned and everyone looked again—the white piece had vanished completely replaced by a black one instead! Overjoyed yet shocked at this turn of events—Siji regarded what had transpired with admiration shining in his eyes.
He smiled slightly nodding approvingly saying: “Hero Lin possesses profound internal strength and unwavering will—I humbly bow down before you! I shall now proceed to detoxify Ms. Yuan.” With that Siji stood up walking towards Yuan Yueming…
Lin Ning understood well Siji’s internal skills were formidable—he had deliberately allowed him to win just now out of respect for him! Kneeling down gratefully he said: “Hero Su graciously concedes—I am deeply thankful…”
Siji approached Yuan Yueming placing two fingers gently upon her left wrist pulse—his brow furrowed tightly while closing his eyes seemingly sensing something crucial within her condition. Minutes passed as Siji’s expression grew increasingly grave revealing signs of great difficulty ahead.
Finally opening his eyes slowly—deep worry reflected within them—he spoke heavily: “This pulse… is truly strange.”
Lin Ning’s heart sank anxiously asking: “How is my junior sister’s condition? Please speak freely!”
Siji took a deep breath before responding: “Ms. Yuan’s pulse is chaotic—it seems some inexplicable force is rampaging within her body disrupting her vital flow severely—and this force continues eroding her very being—the poison has already infiltrated her organs.”
Lin Ning’s eyes widened in shock asking incredulously: “What exactly constitutes this poison?”
Siji paused momentarily then replied slowly: “This venom appears concocted from ten different poisonous creatures’ toxins including those from poison dart frogs，scorpions，toxic silkworms，funnel-web spiders，black widow spiders，taitung snakes，rattlesnakes，cobras，bamboo leaf vipers，and five-step snakes.”
Lin Ning felt heavy-hearted realizing: My junior sister’s poison must be far more potent than my Silkworm Poison!
Siji shook his head slowly causing Lin Ning’s complexion to turn pale instantly gripping Siji’s sleeve tightly asking tremulously: “Elder—is there any hope for my junior sister?”
Siji nodded affirmatively saying: “There is indeed a way—but although I possess methods for detoxification—the necessary main ingredients are not found here within Changbai Mountain—you must venture southward into Wuyin Valley.”
Hearing this brought joy to Lin Ning who immediately declared: “Hero Su—I shall go seek medicine from Wuyin Valley!” His voice conveyed determination and resolve.
Siji regarded him with appreciation nodding: “Wuyin Valley harbors many strange poisons and beasts—it is quite perilous—you must exercise caution.”
Without hesitation Lin Ning replied: “Hero Su need not worry—even if I must traverse mountains or cross seas—I will brave it!”
Seeing such determination from him—Siji ceased further discouragement instead writing down names of several herbs handing them over along with detailed descriptions about their characteristics and growth environments.
Lin Ning accepted paper carefully reading through it before tucking it away securely shouldering his pack disregarding fatigue setting off immediately onward.
Throughout journeying—Lin Ning endured hardships sleeping outdoors day after day traversing dense forests scaling steep peaks crossing swift rivers despite arduousness only one thought occupied him—to find those main herbs quickly so he could save those poisoned!
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