After Failing to Find Immortality 60

Chapter 60: A Breakthrough Amidst Chaos

After a while…

“Checkmate!”

Lin Tianlu smiled faintly as he moved his chariot, delivering the final blow.

Looking at the defeated pieces on the board, Hua Shuya froze, closing her eyes and letting out a long sigh.

It felt as if she had just emerged from a fierce battle, her blood still pumping, her body drenched in sweat, heat radiating from her skin.

During that game, she had been transformed into a general, leading her troops into battle, fighting alongside them, slaying the enemy. Every roar, every swing of her weapon, had filled her with an unprecedented sense of power and determination. The thrill of battle, the surge of adrenaline, had converged within her, a fiery energy flowing through her spine and reaching her head.

Pop!

Hua Shuya’s body trembled, her head tilting back as a surge of energy erupted from within her, her hair swaying wildly.

Lin Tianlu watched in surprise, a thoughtful look on his face.

Could it be that she had made a breakthrough in her martial arts cultivation?

“Ha—”

Hua Shuya took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling, her eyes snapping open, a flash of azure light within them.

Lin Tianlu smiled and bowed slightly. “Congratulations, Miss Hua. You’ve finally broken through to the Azure Spirit realm…”

Rip!

The sound of tearing fabric suddenly rang out.

A surge of energy erupted from the girl’s shoulder, shattering her clothes and exposing her delicate, bare shoulder.

Hua Shuya froze, and Lin Tianlu stared at her, his expression stunned.

“…”

Rip!

Another burst of energy exploded from her back, as if expelling all the impurities from her body, following her meridians. More fabric ripped and tore.

A moment later, Hua Shuya looked down at her chest in a daze.

Her ruqun was no match for the power of the Azure Spirit realm. As the straps and bodice snapped, her clothes fell apart, revealing her toned and alluring body, the result of years of martial arts training.

Hua Shuya’s face flushed crimson, her body trembling slightly.

Lin Tianlu quickly took off his robe and covered her. “Put this on, Miss Hua. It’s a bit big, but it’ll keep you warm. You’re covered in sweat, and you might catch a cold in this night breeze.”

“Th-thank you, Senior…”

Hua Shuya averted her gaze shyly, clutching the robe tightly.

Lin Tianlu sat back down and chuckled. “You scared me just now, Miss Hua. I didn’t expect such a thing to happen during your breakthrough. Does everyone experience this when they reach the Azure Spirit realm?”

If so, they would have to be careful when practicing martial arts.

And keep spare clothes on hand, in case someone suddenly broke through and ended up running around naked…

That would be a social disaster.

“N-no, Senior.” Hua Shuya mumbled, her face still flushed. “I just lost control of my energy. The surge was too intense, and I accidentally tore my clothes.”

Lin Tianlu chuckled awkwardly.

That explanation sounded a bit strange.

“Ahem… well, be more careful next time, Miss Hua.”

“Yes, Sir!”

Hua Shuya nodded seriously, taking his advice to heart.

She didn’t want to repeat this embarrassing incident.

Although having her clothes ripped in front of Senior wasn’t as bad as she had imagined…

She tied her sash, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

But feeling the lingering warmth of his robe, she couldn’t help but feel a wave of drowsiness, her eyelids drooping.

Lin Tianlu noticed her fatigue and asked gently, “Are you tired, Miss Hua?”

“Mmm… It feels like I’ve been training all day. My body is a bit sore and tired.”

Hua Shuya rubbed her sleepy eyes, but Lin Tianlu gently caught her hand. “Don’t rub your eyes. If you’re tired, just get some rest. The breeze on the river is quite pleasant.”

…

The music gradually faded.

“Ha… ha…”

Cheng Yishi panted slightly, her hands trembling as she lowered them. She looked at the beautiful woman sitting opposite her, a mischievous smile on her lips.

“Hoo—”

Mao Ruoyu also exhaled, glaring back at her defiantly.

Their musical skills were truly evenly matched. No matter what melodies they played, they could always counter each other’s moves. They were both exhausted, but neither had gained an advantage.

But their competitive spirit had intensified, and without realizing it, Cheng Yishi had infused her playing with Yin energy, while Mao Ruoyu had subtly used her Yin techniques. The result was…

They were both dizzy and lightheaded, barely able to sit upright.

“Your skills are impressive, Madam Mao.”

“You’re not bad yourself, Miss Cheng.”

Although their words were sharp, their bodies were weak and limp, their postures betraying their exhaustion.

“Hmph!”

Cheng Yishi gathered her strength and took out a Go board, placing it on the table with a thud. “Since you’re so talented, Madam Mao, why don’t we play a game of Go?”

“I accept your challenge!”

Mao Ruoyu stood up, her body swaying slightly.

They started playing, their moves becoming faster and faster, their rivalry intensifying.

…

A while later, Lin Tianlu carried the sleeping Hua Shuya back to the cabin. He was stunned by the scene before him.

Both Cheng Yishi and Mao Ruoyu had collapsed on the table, their hands still clutching a few Go stones.

“What are you two… doing?”

Lin Tianlu’s expression was strange.

Playing dead?

Mao Ruoyu quickly sat up, her face flushed. She smoothed her hair. “N-nothing, Sir. It’s not what you think.”

“We were just… having a friendly game of Go.” Cheng Yishi struggled to sit up, supporting herself with the table.

Although she was sweating and her head was spinning, she still chuckled softly, her red eyes gleaming. “The score is two to one. It seems I have the upper hand, Madam Mao.”

Mao Ruoyu puffed out her cheeks, picking up another stone defiantly. “Then let me see what tricks you have up your sleeve, Miss Cheng!”

Playing Go?

Lin Tianlu’s eyes lit up with interest.

After carefully laying Hua Shuya down on a bed in the corner, he walked over and sat down beside them.

“Let me see… Eh?”

He was stunned.

Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi were playing at an incredible speed, each move taking no more than five seconds. The board was almost full.

Holy crap, are they playing some kind of speed Go?

“Mmm—”

Both women’s faces were flushed, and beads of sweat dripped from their foreheads.

Then, as if their minds had overloaded, they froze, their movements coming to a halt. They both collapsed onto the table, their heads spinning.

Mao Ruoyu’s ample bosom cushioned her fall, her body bouncing slightly against the table.

Was it his imagination…

Or did it jiggle a bit?

“…”

Lin Tianlu’s lips twitched.

Did Miss Cheng just get unintentionally groped?

He quickly checked on them and was relieved to find that they had just fainted from exhaustion.

He hadn’t realized how competitive they were.

But then, his expression turned serious as he glanced at the river, casually waving his hand.

A shadowy figure exploded, dissolving into smoke.

“There are quite a few ghosts in the Ningguan River. Could it be because the Yin energy is stronger during the full moon?”

“—No.”

Lin Tianlu rubbed the Go stones in his hand, pondering for a moment. A knowing smile appeared on his face. “It seems there are quite a few ‘people’ who don’t know how to enjoy a peaceful night.”