Chapter 62: Character PV [Heaven and Earth as the Chessboard] Released! Phantylia: Is This All Jing Yuan Has Got?
"Huh?"
"Startled awake from a dream on the brink of death!"
"A character PV for Jing Yuan? Lao Yu, how could you not warn us about such a major event?!"
"The release of this video must mean Jing Yuan is entering the card pool, right? I'm not misunderstanding, am I?!"
"My goodness! What did I just see?!"
As real-time comments flooded in, the main video began to play. The previously lively crowd gathered in the square suddenly fell silent, every pair of eyes glued intently to the screen, as if under an invisible spell. Even Phantylia found the abrupt change in atmosphere somewhat unsettling.
The opening scene revealed a lush courtyard where a man and a youth were engaged in a game of chess. At first glance, it seemed like the overused trope of countless stories, but these two figures clearly represented the pinnacle of power aboard Xianzhou Luofu—Jing Yuan and Yanqing!
With one hand resting under his chin, Jing Yuan appeared almost drowsy, squinting slightly as though on the verge of falling asleep. A small bird landed on one of the chess pieces, momentarily startling him out of his lethargy.
Jing Yuan yawned and asked lazily, "So, have you decided yet?"
Yanqing's eyes sparkled with determination as he made his move.
"hmmm...Oh"
"It's your turn, General."
Jing Yuan rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... Such aggression..."
"These youngsters nowadays..." As he spoke, Jing Yuan casually extended two fingers to catch a falling ginkgo leaf mid-air.
"But still...
"...too naive."
He placed the ginkgo leaf onto the chessboard as though it were another piece! Simultaneously, he rose to his feet, hands clasped leisurely behind his back. The serene melody of "Flowing Mountains" transitioned into the rousing anthem of "Ode to Liquor"!
In the bamboo grove before them, four Demonic Yin Body creatures unexpectedly emerged.
As Jing Yuan waved his hand dramatically, a decree unfurled like a painting, filling the screen with radiant golden light!
An explosion of cheers erupted from the crowd!
"Oh man, that's insanely cool!"
"The background music feels like a grand strategy unfolding across vast distances!!"
"The Feathered Spirit is going absolutely berserk again!"
"Yes, here it comes! Bring on the power!"
Behind them, Phantylia frowned slightly. Wasn't it just a few Demonic Yin Body pawns showing up? Why all the excitement? Truly, they were like naive frogs trapped in their well, oblivious to the wider world!
In the next moment, a golden flash illuminated behind Jing Yuan. An enormous chessboard spread beneath his feet, transforming the entire courtyard scenery. Only Jing Yuan and the Demonic Yin Body soldiers remained visible.
Jing Yuan stood at the position marked for the "King," while the Demonic Yin Body soldiers occupied all the "Pawn" positions at the opposite end.
This sight startled Phantylia internally.
"Could he truly possess hidden strength?"
"The ability to transform the battlefield into a chessboard-like phenomenon?"
"Is this the secret to his unwavering composure?"
Phantylia's eyes glinted with intrigue as she focused intently on the unfolding scene.
The background music intensified with drumbeats resembling a storm's fury, akin to the call of war horns. Spectators clenched their fists excitedly, as if yearning to grab nearby stools or brooms and charge into battle themselves.
At the climax, Jing Yuan revealed his weapon—the formation blade known as Starfall Reverie.
"Thunder... manifest!"
Golden lightning surged along the blade's edge. The front-line "pawns" had already fallen, and the "generals" and "advisors" swiftly advanced.
Amid swirling clouds, a majestic golden spirit emerged. A colossal blade descended with immense force.
"Only thus can victory be achieved."
Phantylia unconsciously tightened her grip on the controller. She realized she had been deceived by this video! Contrary to appearances, Jing Yuan didn't actually summon a massive chessboard positioning enemies and allies as corresponding chess pieces—it was merely a visual metaphor depicting his strategic prowess!
"Damn..."
Suddenly, the fallen bodies began twisting and convulsing, giving rise to a gigantic deer-shaped monster—the Abundant Ebon Deer. Upon seeing it, Phantylia let out a cold laugh.
"At last, something interesting emerges."
Jing Yuan stepped out of the chess illusion. Softly, he said, "It's time for an unexpected maneuver."
He raised his hand, lifting the Stone Fire Dream Body above his head. Golden lightning enveloped him, with imperial edicts circling around the blade. Even the spiraling cloud formations in the sky turned gold.
"Mighty spirits, heed my command."
The Divine Monarch behind him likewise raised his weapon.
With that order—
"Execute without mercy!"
With a strike akin to splitting the heavens, he cleaved through the realm before him. When they looked back, the Demonic Yin Body and Abundant Ebon Deer had vanished entirely. All that remained were silver maple leaves gently drifting down with the wind.
"Have you remembered all of it, Yanqing?"
"Yes, General."
"Excellent. Once you've forgotten everything, your apprenticeship will be complete."
Jing Yuan lightly patted Yanqing on the shoulder and walked away from the courtyard.
"What? So then..."
"Huh?"
"Oh no, General! You're stealing chess pieces again!"
The spectators burst into laughter. Meanwhile, Phantylia left the scene with a cold expression.
What demonstration of Jing Yuan's abilities?! What "heaven and earth as a chessboard, stars as the pieces"?! It sounded far more impressive than reality!
Though the video production was commendable, with stirring music throughout, Phantylia saw through the exaggerated exteriors to the core truth. Even against mere Demonic Yin Bodies and the Abundant Ebon Deer, Jing Yuan resorted to wielding The Hunt's bestowed might.
As one of the seven heavenly generals wielding Emperor Bow—Jing Yuan—he seemed devoid of any other significant abilities beyond those granted by the Divine Monarch. So this is what the Divine Strategy General truly amounts to!
Having reached this conclusion, a sudden idea sprouted in Phantylia's mind.
"Ah, Jing Yuan, since you're so weak, why not bestow upon you the power of [Destruction]?"
"I'll transform you into a Voidranger of Destruction."
"With this, chaos will inevitably engulf Luofu, leading to its collapse without a direct assault."
"Yes, yes, this aligns perfectly with my aesthetic of destruction!"
Now there remained only one question: How could she entice Jing Yuan to take action? If he continued to operate from behind the scenes, her plan would be unfeasible.
Just then, she received several messages. They were from Yukong, the helmsman of the Sky-Faring Commission.
"Tingyun, where are you now?"
"The Astral Express Crew is about to head towards The Shackling Prison to support General Jingyuan, and I've recommended you as their guide."
"See this message? Reply immediately."
After reading it, Phantylia's grin stretched wide, nearly splitting her face apart!
"Truly... [Fortune favors me]!"
"It seems luck is entirely on my side this time."
"Today marks the inevitable disintegration and utter destruction of the Xianzhou Loufu!"