Chapter 1228: Life is Like a Game of Chess

Xu Yang was very satisfied. His masterpiece had just triumphed over his opponent in the chess game, yet he hadn't completely annihilated them. The moment the chessboard shattered, Xu Yang had perfectly captured information about the Azure Dragon. However, he didn't reveal that he had locked onto the opponent, and the Azure Dragon didn't perceive it either. Instead, the Azure Dragon saw this outcome as pure luck.

"Huh? Did you guys notice that the dragon's aura seems to have disappeared?" Little White, the dragon mount, suddenly spoke, and Xiao Hua and the others quickly made the same observation.

Everyone relaxed again. "Hahaha, it seems that fellow in the clouds was intimidated by Boss's strength. But I'm still curious who won that game."

Crab started to stir things up again, gossiping, but only received a calm smile from Xiao Hua beside him. "Perhaps truly great games don't need a winner or loser. What matters is what the players gained from that match."

"Life is similar. Many people in high positions live for a single obsession, pursuing an unattainable outcome, gradually forgetting to appreciate the scenery along the way. In the end, it's all for naught, like drawing water with a bamboo basket. Such a life is the most ephemeral transition. Only those who can remember the starlight of every night and the sunrise of every day are truly happy and enlightened beings."

Xiao Hua's words were almost incomprehensible to the members of the Eight Gates team, but only the Fifth Prince beside him gained a profound understanding. He couldn't help but turn his head, look deeply at Xiao Hua, and nod gravely.

"As expected of someone who follows Xu Yang, your insight is equally profound. I've learned a lot!"

After an unknown number of days, the journey finally had a beautiful conclusion. The Fifth Prince's fleet landed perfectly, marking the complete end of their expedition to Dry Maple Gorge.

However, following Crab's lead, while the Dry Maple Gorge expedition was thrilling, the only regret was not witnessing the final "Cloud Shock" scene, one of the four great wonders.

"Oh, you still have a lingering desire to see the 'Cloud Shock' among the four great wonders? Since we've come all this way, and I don't want any of you to have regrets, take a look back. The scene you're anticipating should be nothing less than this."

The moment Xu Yang finished speaking, everyone's steps on the shore halted. They turned their heads, and in the next instant, witnessed an endlessly astonishing scene high above the clouds, within the remains of the shattered chessboard.

Tremendous dragons swept and roared one after another, while gigantic sky-cleaving swords danced freely, engaging in a furious struggle with the dragons.

And every cloud in the sky surged wildly under the rising power of heaven and earth, like startled wild horses galloping unrestrained across the sky.

"Isn't this what they call the 'Cloud Shock'?" Everyone exclaimed in utter amazement. Only Xiao Hua recognized the origin of this scene: it was a projection of the images generated in Xu Yang's mind during his game with the Azure Dragon in the clouds.

The mere projection of one person's spiritual imprint onto the sky could evoke such earth-shattering power. This was Xu Yang's unparalleled realm, one that surpassed all others!

And the final outcome of the game everyone longed for was also revealed at the very end of the "Cloud Shock" spectacle. In the concluding instant of the vision, the black giant sword finally pierced the white dragon's body, freezing everything in place.

After a long and tiring journey, having left Dry Maple Gorge, the Fifth Prince temporarily arranged for Xu Yang's team to rest and reorganize in the mountains eight *li* outside Xuanyuan Imperial City.

"Here is a picturesque paradise, which the Prince had previously converted into a mountain villa. It's perfect for everyone to relieve stress."

What a sight! The men of the Eight Gates team finally enjoyed a few days of peace and merriment, feeling so content that they didn't want to leave. Xu Yang eventually had to lecture each of them individually and practically drag them out of the villa, finally setting them on the last leg of their journey to Xuanyuan Imperial City.

"You guys, I give you two good days, and you all forget your deepest aspirations, don't you? This trip to Xuanyuan Imperial City, you members of the Eight Gates team still have your mission! To clear your families' names, have you forgotten all that?"

Along the way, Xu Yang repeatedly criticized the brothers of the Eight Gates team regarding this matter, successfully convincing them and leaving them with no room to object.

However, no one expected that the final eight *li* journey from the foot of the villa to Xuanyuan Imperial City still held such an incredibly thrilling and perilous crisis.

At the edge of the forest, a sudden tiger's roar shook the entire area, causing it to tremble continuously.

All the members of the Eight Gates team were startled and terrified by the roar, immediately halting their advance.

"This sound simply cannot come from an ordinary tiger! Even my dragon bloodline feels a three-point wariness. If my judgment is correct, a legendary divine beast, the White Tiger, must have arrived!"

"Although the White Tiger clan is far less numerous than our Dragon clan, it is one of the most perfect divine beast bloodlines continuously nurtured between heaven and earth over thousands of years."

"The descendants of this lineage are quite rare and seldom appear in the mortal realm, usually hidden in subterranean paradises. For one to suddenly appear at the foot of this mountain forest, it must hold extraordinary significance."

After hearing everyone's comments, the Fifth Prince couldn't help but frown. "Strange, someone from the Imperial Palace can actually command a divine White Tiger? What kind of power does that entail? And the intelligence I've gathered never contained any clues about a divine White Tiger! What is going on?"

One could say the Fifth Prince had effortlessly reached this point, having played no role throughout the journey apart from mobilizing some material resources.

It was one thing for him to be clueless, but regarding his strength, although he was powerful enough, he had never once taken action throughout the journey.

And whenever they asked him about matters concerning the Imperial Palace, he was always in a state of bewilderment. Of course, given his status, the Eight Gates team members couldn't say much, as they ultimately still relied on the Prince to speak to Emperor Yunlong to clear their families' names.

"It's alright, Your Highness, don't worry. Even if we don't know the origin of the divine White Tiger, what does it matter? We'll go meet it first."

As soon as Xu Yang spoke, he snapped his fingers at Little White, who was in human form beside him. Having already achieved considerable rapport with Xu Yang, Little White immediately transformed into his true form, a colossal white dragon, carrying Xu Yang as he soared into the sky, heading straight for the White Tiger's resting place at the foot of the mountain.

The white dragon and the white tiger confronted each other, an encounter like a needle point against an awn. Xu Yang seemed to have no intention of intervening; he dismounted the white dragon, letting it engage in a direct confrontation with the divine White Tiger.

But to everyone's surprise, after the divine White Tiger bared its sharp teeth, its fierce gaze and powerful aura immediately intimidated Little White, the white dragon. "Uh! Boss, this guy's eyes are very unusual. You'd better go meet him yourself!"

Xu Yang almost burst out laughing at Little White's cowardly behavior, but considering the White Tiger was present, he decided to save Little White some face.