"To the Southern Border?" Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask.

"To the Southern Border." Song Kaichuan nodded. "No need to worry, my young friend. The Southern Border isn't as dangerous as imagined. Not all creatures are man-eating Great Demons or harmful evil cultivators."

"I know that," Lu Zheng said. "I meant that I've only been cultivating for less than three years, my Dao practice is shallow. How could I be of help?"

"It's not about cultivation, but rather a dream chessboard."

"Dream chessboard?"

Song Kaichuan nodded. "The old pine tree envisions a deity every March third in a dream, trying to solve an ancient spirit's leftover chess endgame, though the old pine tree has been working on it for two thousand years without success."

"Dream transmission technique?" Lu Zheng's gaze tightened, and then he was startled. "Two thousand years?"

Just solving a chess problem has taken two thousand years. What kind of cultivation does this pine tree become a Great Demon possess?

"Oh? My young friend knows of the Dream Transmission Technique from immortals?" Song Kaichuan was somewhat surprised, then nodded with understanding. "That saves me from explaining."

Lu Zheng nodded. "I know a bit. I've heard that the core inheritances of many major sects are transmitted by Upper Realm immortals through dreams or Divine Thought Rebirth."

"Indeed, the old pine tree encountered an opportunity, but it's not truly an opportunity." Song Kaichuan chuckled. "If the chess problem remains unsolved, the immortal would not pass on his techniques."

"I see."

"I have a close relationship with the old pine tree, so I've always wanted to help him solve the endgame, but talent is limited, making it difficult to be of assistance," Song Kaichuan said.

He then looked at Lu Zheng and continued, "Chess requires talent, which is paramount. My young friend, though under thirty, your skill in chess surpasses my centuries of study. Truly admirable and praiseworthy. Would you be willing to try solving the endgame in the Southern Border?"

Song Kaichuan spoke with a hint of expectation, "Don't worry, my young friend. The old pine tree has a calm disposition and has passed cultivation techniques to those with the fate. He's not one of those blood-sucking, man-eating demons."

"Moreover..."

"No need to say more. When do we set off?" Lu Zheng nodded and asked.

What a joke, a thousand-year-old great demon stands at a turning point. If I could help him advance, how much Light of Fortune would it be?

Lu Zheng had been worried about his income for the past two months, with depleting resources. Now a new business opportunity arose, which could sustain him for half a year!

Go! Of course, I'll go!

Song Kaichuan laughed heartily. "My young friend is straightforward, which pleases me greatly. Rest assured, regardless of success in this matter, both I and the old pine tree will present generous gifts."

"You're too kind, elder. You've taught me the Earth Travel Technique, which has saved my life several times. It's already a great favor. Helping this time would be my honor," Lu Zheng said.

Look at that, and there are generous gifts, a win-win!

Such generous gifts from old monsters are truly something to anticipate!

"This matter isn't urgent, nor is it pressing. We've waited a thousand years, and it doesn't matter for another ten or eight years," Song Kaichuan said. "You may take care of your own matters first, and when you're free, come to the cave to find me. I'll take you to the Southern Border Wansong Mountain."

Lu Zheng's eyes shifted, "Then I'll prepare for a few days and come to see you in the cave soon."

Considering helping Song Kaichuan break through the old pine tree's chess skills must be high. Maybe not better than mine now, and such a master couldn't solve the endgame in two thousand years; how difficult could it be?

Therefore, Lu Zheng decided to spend some Light of Fortune to elevate his chess skills before heading to the Southern Border.

If the old pine tree's chess skills are indeed profound, I might further refine my skills, quicken cooling, and use the Light of Fortune to elevate my chess skills by a tier.

This way, I should be prepared.

"Great!" Song Kaichuan nodded. "Then I'll return now, always at your service."

"You're too kind. Once I've arranged my affairs here, I'll come to see you."

Song Kaichuan nodded and then disappeared in the next moment.

Lu Zheng blinked, looking at the intact floor tiles, unsure of how he left.

Fearsome!

Rising to his feet, Lu Zheng decisively acted.

"Jade Seal, elevation!"

"Buzz!"

Twenty-five points of Light of Fortune disappeared. In Lu Zheng's mind appeared a chessboard, its black and white pieces like warring armies, moving back and forth, crisscrossing.

And Lu Zheng's chess skills, long stagnant, began accelerating immensely, his mind filling with numerous strategies and tactics.

Commanding heights, surveying the entire board, full of surprises, unpredictable changes.

This resulted from reaching the pinnacle, followed up by playing chess with many people hence, my accumulated foundation over time.

For ordinary people, a foundation is just a foundation. No amount necessarily translates into strength, possibly stuck at a bottleneck for a lifetime without breakthrough.

Light of Fortune, however, excels in turning foundation into strength.

This is very commendable!

"Done! Cooling off, in about ten days, I should reach the Southern Border destination."

...

Night fell, pouring tea.

Lu Zheng informed Liu Qingyan about his upcoming trip to the Southern Border.

"That elder Great Demon who taught you the Earth Travel Technique is back?" Liu Qingyan asked.

Lu Zheng nodded. "This time out, it'll likely be until Elder Wansong passes March third and learns the outcomes before I return."

"Doesn't that mean almost two months?"

"Exactly."

Liu Qingyan, feeling reluctant, snuggled closer into Lu Zheng's embrace, softly asking, "When does Lu Lang plan to leave?"

"In a few days, I'll visit Taohua Village, then set off in three days," Lu Zheng said.

"Take care on your journey, Lu Lang. Qingyan will be waiting at home for your return."

"Alright, don't worry."

"Lu Lang?"

"Hmm?"

"Qingyan wants more..."

...

The next day, Lu Zheng went to Taohua Village again to inform them, staying a day and a night.

Back in modern times, he told his parents he needed to focus on coding and informed Lin Wan he would be going far.

After all, traveling with a Great Demon, Lu Zheng dared not traverse casually, needing to ensure his affairs in the modern world were in order first.

...

Three days later, Lu Zheng settled his affairs between the two realms and traveled via Earth Travel, arriving at the northeastern deep mountain caves.

"Huh? Elder Song hasn't reopened this cave?"

Emerging in the valley, Lu Zheng looked at the cliffs, noticing the cave mouth mid-cliff was still tightly sealed.

"I don't plan to stay long, so I haven't opened it,"

A soft voice sounded, Song Kaichuan suddenly appeared beside Lu Zheng, looking at him, "Are you ready?"

Lu Zheng nodded, "Ready."

Song Kaichuan smiled, stroking his beard, then reached out to place a hand on Lu Zheng's shoulder.

In the next moment, Lu Zheng only felt a sudden darkness before his eyes...

He followed Song Kaichuan below ground.