Nan Liangyu raised his head to look outside the hall, and said loudly, "Since Temple Master Zhao is already here, why not show yourself?"
Everyone turned to look, only to see the area outside the hall was empty, with not a trace of anyone there.
Yet Nan Liangyu waited with a smile, as if certain someone was indeed outside.
At that moment, a soft laugh echoed from above the hall.
"The Celestial One True Power, known for foreseeing, truly lives up to its reputation."
As soon as the words fell, the crowd saw a flash before their eyes, and a figure appeared within the hall.
"Temple Master!" The Azure Dragon disciple cried out in delight.
Zhao Ya nodded slightly at him, then raised his gaze to look at Nan Liangyu.
"Could you be the most exceptional genius successor of Celestial One Pavilion in recent decades, Young Master Nan Liangyu?"
Nan Liangyu smiled bitterly, "Temple Master Zhao, you flatter me. In front of you, how dare I claim the title of genius?"
What Nan Liangyu said was not just flattery, because in terms of age, Zhao Ya was actually two years younger than him.
And in terms of achievements, although he was the chief disciple of Celestial One Pavilion and a popular candidate for the next Pavilion Master,
he still fell far short compared to Zhao Ya, who was already the Temple Master of Azure Dragon Temple and had led several major battles.
So in front of Zhao Ya, he truly couldn’t bear the title of genius.
At this moment, the hall was also in a commotion.
Because no one expected Zhao Ya to actually come in person.
Many looked at Zhao Ya with cautious and wary expressions, as if facing a formidable enemy.
After all, just a moment ago, there were rumors that Zhao Ya had killed the Dean of Dragon Elephant Institute with a single punch.
Now that he came personally, no one knew what his true intentions were.
Compared to these people, Nan Liangyu appeared much calmer, looking at Zhao Ya with ease.
Because he could feel that Zhao Ya did not harbor any killing intent.
Indeed.
After hearing his words, Zhao Ya smiled slightly.
"No need for formalities. I happened to be passing by, so I thought I’d come and see. Have you seen the Azure Dragon Order?"
Nan Liangyu nodded, "I am already aware."
"Oh? What does your sect mean by it then?" Zhao Ya asked lightly.
Nan Liangyu smiled bitterly, "To be honest, this matter is of great importance and not something I can decide on my own."
Zhao Ya nodded, "That’s understandable, but why haven’t I seen your sect’s Pavilion Master or any elders?"
In fact, since Zhao Ya was outside the hall earlier, he had this suspicion in his heart.
In such a large hall, there was only Nan Liangyu as the core figure, and aside from him, only some peripheral disciples were present.
Not to mention the Pavilion Master of Celestial One Pavilion, there wasn’t even a single elder present.
This was rather unusual.
Hearing Zhao Ya’s question, Nan Liangyu hesitated slightly.
"If it’s inconvenient, then there’s no need to say more...," Zhao Ya said.
"It’s not that there’s anything inconvenient about it." Nan Liangyu seemed to have made some kind of resolution and said earnestly.
"Recently, the Celestial One Chessboard suddenly underwent a change, an anomaly unseen in a thousand years. Whether it’s a good or bad omen is unknown, so my master and the elders gathered together to start contemplating this change in the chessboard."
"Oh? Is that so?" Zhao Ya couldn’t help but be intrigued.
The fundamental map of Celestial One Pavilion, the Celestial One Chessboard, was extremely famous in the land Beyond the World.
It was even comparable to the Cliff Dragon Painting of Azure Dragon Temple, known as the twin wonders Beyond the World.
The Celestial One True Power comprehended from this chessboard had various wonderful uses.
But Zhao Ya had always only heard about it and had never seen it with his own eyes.
Now, hearing that the Celestial One Chessboard had changed, naturally, Zhao Ya was filled with curiosity.
Because such a fundamental map would never undergo change unless there was a major transformation.
"Can I take a look?" Zhao Ya asked.
"Of course," Nan Liangyu seemed to have anticipated Zhao Ya’s request and agreed without hesitation.
In the land Beyond the World, the fundamental maps of various sects weren’t secretive.
For instance, the Cliff Dragon Painting of Azure Dragon Temple is carved onto the stone wall within the temple for anyone to see.
And there are sects like Wanghai Tower that use an entire sea area as their fundamental map.
The reason for this is that if one wishes to comprehend the fundamental map, one must have the corresponding cultivation technique to complement it.
Otherwise, it would be of no use, and forcibly comprehending it might even lead one astray.
So Nan Liangyu did not refuse Zhao Ya’s request but generously invited him to view it.
Under his guidance, Zhao Ya passed through the layers of halls, heading towards the back mountain of Celestial One Pavilion.
Behind them followed many guards and disciples.
However, at this time, these people seemed much more at ease.
After all, from Zhao Ya’s behavior, he didn’t seem as tyrannical as the rumors claimed.
On the contrary, he seemed to be having a pleasant conversation with their senior brother while walking.
Noticing these people following, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but smile and said, "It seems your juniors are quite wary of me."
Nan Liangyu also laughed, "Well, it’s because Temple Master Zhao, your reputation is quite formidable. A single punch to kill Wu Weili; such strength would make anyone uneasy."
"Then why aren’t you afraid?" Zhao Ya asked with interest.
"Because I can’t sense any killing intent," Nan Liangyu said naturally.
Zhao Ya grew increasingly curious, "What if someone could hide their killing intent extremely well?"
Nan Liangyu laughed, "That won’t work because even if it’s well hidden, they must first have the intent. The moment they harbor a killing thought, I’d sense it."
Saying this, Nan Liangyu turned to look seriously at Zhao Ya.
"Temple Master Zhao, the killing intent you feel now is just a thought without substantial intent, so it’s still ineffective."
"You can sense that too?" Zhao Ya was increasingly curious.
"This isn’t something sensed directly; it’s a kind of foresight-like ability," Nan Liangyu said openly.
"The Celestial One True Power is truly formidable!" Zhao Ya genuinely admired.
In Zhao Ya’s eyes, with just this terrifying ability alone, the Celestial One True Power already surpassed ordinary Martial Dao, reaching a realm close to Tongxuan.
Because this was not ordinary perception, but an ability akin to that of a seer.
"You’re too kind, but it does come with significant limitations," Nan Liangyu noted.
"If it weren’t limited, then how could Celestial One Pavilion still be just an ordinary martial arts sect?" Zhao Ya said.
"Indeed, that’s true. Please, take a look; that is the Celestial One Chessboard!"
Nan Liangyu raised his hand and pointed as they rounded a high wall, the view expanding vastly before them.
On a distant hillside, a massive chessboard appeared, the pieces being gigantic black and white stones.
The chessboard was perfectly aligned, each line drawn as if measured with a giant ruler.
The stones were placed with such order, at first glance unremarkable, but with a closer look, one would inevitably become engrossed, unable to extricate.
Even Zhao Ya felt his mind waver.
Fortunately, his will was incredibly firm, and he regained clarity in an instant.
Seeing this, Nan Liangyu couldn’t help but admire even more.
Because Zhao Ya was the swiftest he had ever seen to regain clarity upon first seeing the Celestial One Chessboard.
"The creator of this Celestial One Chessboard is unknown, but it holds endless mysteries; weaker minds easily get absorbed and could go mad."
"So we constructed high walls to prevent unnecessary harm to others."
As he spoke, Nan Liangyu continued to lead Zhao Ya forward.
When they reached the base of the slope, they saw a row of thatched huts.
"This is where my master and the elders are in seclusion, contemplating the chessboard," Nan Liangyu whispered.
Zhao Ya glanced up and indeed saw the windows of the huts facing the slope.
Within them, shadows of people could be seen vaguely.
"So what changed about the Celestial One Chessboard that has the elders so absorbed?" Zhao Ya asked.
"This is the previous chess record." Nan Liangyu handed a piece of paper to Zhao Ya, speaking in a reverent tone.
"And almost overnight, the chessboard underwent a staggering transformation."
"Could it have been tampered with by a person?" Zhao Ya examined the previous record before speaking.