booktalesy Chapter 256 The Master's Chessboard, A New Move
Chapter 256 The Master's Chessboard, A New Move
Inside the courtyard, all was quiet as usual.
The leaves of the World Tree rustled in the breeze, and sunlight filtered through the gaps in the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Lin Fan lay on the rocking chair, his eyes closed, his breathing long and deep, as if he had become one with the world around him.
His divine consciousness transformed into an invisible net, covering the entire planet. Every event that happened on Earth played out clearly in his mind like a series of movies.
Fang Qingxue annihilated a vampire elder with a single finger, seizing control of that ancient family with its thousand-year-old lineage through sheer power. Now, using the Dracula family as her foundation, she has issued the first summons of the "Sky Dome Martial Alliance" to the entire European underworld. Countless martial artists, superhumans, and extraordinary beings hidden in the shadows are stirring with anticipation at this command. A storm that will sweep across Europe is already brewing.
With a single sword strike, Zhang Sanfeng restored the Yin and Yang of Kunlun Mountain, suppressing the rampaging dragon vein with divine power. The stone bear he had consecrated had become the new "gatekeeper" of Kunlun Mountain. Countless cultivators and mythical beasts, awed by his divine might, were converging on his valley from all directions, eager to become disciples of his yet-to-be-built "Kunlun Dao Academy." A brand-new "holy land" was rising in the cultivation world of China.
The "trial" of Ares and Aiolia in New York, through modern information networks, stirred up a massive wave across the globe.
The phrases "Divine Guard" and "Master's Rules" suddenly became top-secret information marked with the highest level of secrecy in the documents of intelligence agencies of major countries around the world.
Countless analysts, strategists, and think tanks are frantically analyzing that short video, trying to glean as much information as possible from it.
Who are those two men who claim to be "gods"?
What kind of great figure is the "sir" they speak of?
What exactly is their purpose?
These questions, like wisps of fog, shroud the minds of all those in power.
Panic, awe, speculation... a range of emotions spread among the global elite. For the first time, they realized how insignificant and laughable their power and influence were in the face of these true "gods."
A completely new order, dominated by extraordinary power, is forcefully descending upon this world with an undeniable force.
The creator of this new order was leisurely reclining in a rocking chair, his brow slightly furrowed at the noise brought by these new forces.
"It's still too noisy."
Lin Fan sighed inwardly.
He had thought that sending out five "enforcers of order" would calm this turbulent world down a bit.
Unexpectedly, their actions, while temporarily calming the chaos, also triggered even greater turmoil. It was like throwing a few ice cubes into a pot of boiling water; although it temporarily suppressed the boiling, it stirred up even more intense convection.
He could "hear" the alarms blaring from countless secret bases.
He could "see" that countless military powers were secretly mobilizing their most advanced weapons in an attempt to find the traces of those "gods".
He could "sense" that countless ambitious people, after witnessing the power of Ares and others, not only did not restrain themselves, but instead became even more eager to obtain the same, or even stronger, power.
The flames of desire were not extinguished; instead, they burned even brighter.
"It seems that having 'rules' and 'guardians' alone is not enough."
Lin Fan's fingers tapped lightly on the armrest.
"We need a 'goal' that everyone can look up to."
"An 'ultimate reward' that can direct all their desires and energy in the same direction."
He needs a "game".
A game that sweeps the globe, in which all extraordinary individuals can participate.
He sets the rules of the game and provides the rewards.
The ultimate goal of the game is to select the most promising and worthy "seeds" on this planet and make them higher-level pieces in one's "Earth Project".
As for those who are eliminated in the game or do not follow the rules, they naturally have no value in existing.
Thinking of this, Lin Fan's divine sense swept over the World Tree leaf floating in front of him once again.
On the leaf, the complete world map is slowly turning.
Besides the five people he sent out who turned into points of light, there were other points of light on the map that were flickering faintly.
These points of light were "abnormal points of spiritual energy" that he had noticed before.
Most of them are just ordinary places where spiritual energy gathers. Given time, they will naturally give birth to some rare and precious materials, or form so-called "blessed lands".
But a few spots of light stood out from the rest.
Their energy fluctuations belong neither to the Earth itself nor to mere spiritual energy. They represent a far more ancient and complex energy system.
It's like... the remnants of some prehistoric civilization.
Lin Fan's gaze finally settled on one of the giant points of light located deep in the Pacific Ocean, in the Bermuda Triangle region.
The energy response of this light spot is the strongest among all the anomalies.
Moreover, just now, its energy fluctuations suddenly experienced an explosive increase.
Lin Fan could "see" an ancient city, larger than anyone could imagine, slowly rising from the silt at the bottom of that mysterious sea. The architectural style of that ancient city did not belong to any known civilization in human history. It seemed to be composed of some kind of crystal and metal, full of science fiction and mythology intertwined.
The entire ancient city was enveloped by a huge energy shield, isolating it from all seawater.
In the center of the ancient city, atop a spire, a fist-sized blue crystal was frantically absorbing and releasing the surrounding spiritual energy, sending a unique energy signal to the entire world.
"Atlantis? Or Mu? Or something even more ancient?"
A hint of interest curved the corners of Lin Fan's mouth.
He knew that he had found the first venue for his "game".
He needs someone to kick off this game.
A person who has both strength and can represent his will.
His divine sense instantly traversed countless mountains and rivers, connecting with a cool and aloof figure in a European castle, handling complex affairs.
Fang Qingxue.
Fang Qingxue, who was reviewing documents, suddenly shuddered.
The gentleman's voice!
She immediately dismissed those around her, bowed her head respectfully, and replied in her heart, "Sir, Qingxue is here."
"How's your Martial Alliance coming along?" Lin Fan's voice echoed in her mind.
"Sir, most of the extraordinary forces in Europe have expressed their willingness to obey the Martial Alliance's orders. However, there are still some stubborn old forces that are secretly resisting. Qingxue is preparing to use swift and decisive measures to completely eliminate them," Fang Qingxue replied respectfully.
"No need," Lin Fan said calmly. "Killing is merely the most basic method. True order is built upon rules that everyone agrees on."
"I'm giving you a new task."
"Go, open the gates of Atlantis for me."
"Atlantis?" Fang Qingxue was taken aback. This name, which only existed in legends, surprised her.
"It has already been born." Lin Fan's voice was completely calm. "It's in the Bermuda Triangle. You should set off there now."
"Sir, what should Qingxue do now that she's arrived?"
"You don't need to do anything," Lin Fan said with a hint of amusement. "All you need to do is stand in front of the gates of that ancient city and tell the whole world."
"Tell them that inside lies the secret that will enable them to become 'gods'."
"Tell them that the 'Sky Dome Martial Alliance' will be the only organization qualified to set the rules for entering that ancient city."
"Tell them that if they want to qualify, they should come and participate in the first 'World's Number One Martial Arts Tournament' organized by the Martial Alliance."
Fang Qingxue's heart suddenly clenched.
She instantly understood Lin Fan's intention.
A calculated scheme!
This is a perfectly legitimate and open strategy!
The gentleman didn't care whether the old forces submitted or not.
He threw out a bait that no one could refuse—the chance to become a god!
Then, use this bait to provide the strongest endorsement for the rules of the "Sky Dome Martial Alliance".
Want to enter Atlantis? Sure.
First, participate in the martial arts tournament and prove with your skills that you are qualified.
The organizer and rule setter of the martial arts tournament is the Sky Dome Martial Alliance.
In this way, all ambitious individuals who want a share of the pie, whether they like it or not, must act under the rules of the Martial Alliance.
This move is a million times more sophisticated than simple killing!
"Qingxue...understands!" Fang Qingxue's voice trembled slightly with excitement. "Qingxue will not fail your trust, sir!"
"Go."
Lin Fan severed the connection with his divine sense.
He lay back in the rocking chair, a satisfied look on his face.
The chessboard has been set up.
The first crucial piece has already been placed.
Next, we'll just have to wait and see how frantically all the "fish" in the world will try to snatch the "bait" he's laid out.
This game should be very interesting.