Dap, dap, dap
In the Tengshifu Temple, within the Tengshi Hall, Zhang Tianling sits in the center of the chessboard, with raised eyebrows, staring seriously at the chess pieces on the board. He holds a piece in one hand and is seriously playing the game.
He sometimes played with the white pieces, and sometimes with the black ones, playing against himself.
He occasionally raised his eyebrows, a hint of worry etched between his brows, as if pondering something important.
Tada-
The footsteps from outside the Tengshi Hall were heard, and the Black Spider Family's Leader, dressed in a long black robe covering his face, rushed in.
The head of the Spiderweb family approached with a respectful bow, opened his mouth for a moment, then quickly closed it, remaining silent and not daring to speak a word.
Zhang Tianling, holding the chess piece stiffly in mid-air, "If you have come, why not speak up?"
"Master is playing chess, the servant dares not disturb."
The head of the Spiderweb family stared at Zhang Tianling, his expression strange. He had never seen anyone playing chess against themselves before.
"If you have doubts, speak up."
Zhang Tianlin spoke with a casual tone.
The head of the Spiderweb family pondered for a moment, then carefully said, "Master, if you want to play chess, I can..."
"Ha, that's a relief. I don't like playing chess."
Zhang Tianlin shook his head lightly, throwing the chess piece back into the chess basket, "But he likes it. That fellow has been battling me for ten thousand years, always lurking in the background, controlling the whole situation and trying to bring me down. Unfortunately for him, I have a tough life force, and he has never succeeded in knocking me down."
"On the other hand, he has been beaten so many times by me that he disappeared without a trace, and now he's hiding, afraid to see anyone."
"The Master is wise and mighty, no one in the world can match your abilities."
The head of the Spiderweb family spoke without hesitation, giving Zhang Tianlin a timely round of flattery.
"Ha, I can certainly live up to being wise and mighty. But 'no one can compare to me'... hehe, be careful not to be too proud. Although I have defeated him in the past, he has pushed me to the brink several times. He is an uncommonly skilled opponent. If I were to take him lightly, I would be doomed."
Zhang Tianlin shook his head slightly and said seriously, "Did you get the job done?"
The head of the Spiderweb family nodded slightly, "The matter has been instructed. Lord Shangguan and others have already tampered with the formation at the Tengshifu Temple. Now, the barrier over the Nine States continent is somewhat loose, and alien beings have been discovered entering into the continent."
"According to the reports from the remaining eight states, many people have already noticed this matter. If I'm not mistaken, it will soon be spread to the ears of some people in the Central Plateau."
"Alright"
Zhang Tianlin nodded slightly, "It's time for them to feel some tension. From this day on, you should have all the members of the Hidden Dragon ready and in support, in case of any emergency. Also, have Lord Shangguan Tianhong take over as the overall commander of the Hidden Dragon, to obey my orders at all times."
"Understood, my lord."
The head of the Spiderweb family nodded slightly, bowed, and was about to turn around when Zhang Tianling called him back again. "Have you found out who that guy's people are?"
Upon hearing this, the Spiderweb Family head's face immediately showed a look of distress.
Zhang Tianlin slightly raised his eyes and, with just one look, could sense the other's thoughts. "How? No word at all?"
"Yes, but it's scarce."
The head of the Spiderweb family was somewhat troubled. As the most important intelligence organization under his master, he had always collected accurate and detailed information. However, when it came to Zhang Tianlin's opponent, he felt at a loss as to how to proceed.
"All I know is that Qianzhong Temple's Cui Cheng is under his command. After that, I have no further information."
"Oh, I also found out that his organization is called Qianlong, and that Cui Cheng is from Qianlong."
Zhang Tianlin's fingers lightly tapped on the chessboard, a slight smile appearing on his lips. "Qianlong? It has some similarities to my Yinlong. Qianlong, hidden in the depths, that person, is still as he was back then..."
Zhang Tianlin laughed softly and shook his head, a warm smile on his face, but his eyes were filled with deadly intent.
At this moment, the Spiderweb Family head standing behind Zhang Tianlin's back suddenly stiffened, feeling an inexplicable sense of pressure that seemed to pierce his skull. It was as if the master's gaze, a mere glance in his direction, could instantly reduce him to ashes.
The master, already with the world's top-tier strength, although he has consumed a lot of energy over the past ten thousand years for reincarnation, now that he has possessed the body of Zhou Tianshi, his realm is undeniably at first-grade.
At the first-grade level, there may be variations, but in the eyes of the head of the Spiderweb family, his master is undoubtedly one of the top-tier individuals.
But he cannot determine the exact extent of his master's top-tier status. Even so, he wants to see his master at his peak.
However, these words are something he dare not say out loud.
"The Hidden Dragon has also uncovered some information, but it's consistent with what you've said. Go ahead and leave the matter of investigating that person to us. You need not interfere any further."
Zhang Tianlin lightly waved his hand.
The head of the Spiderweb family bowed in relief, and then vanished like a whispering wind.
A moment later, Zhang Tianlin's chessboard was already full of pieces, but the white and black twins were still evenly matched.
At this moment, the footsteps outside the Tengshi Hall were heard once again.
The partially closed Tengshi Hall gate allows a glimpse of the approaching visitor.
There are three people in total, all dressed in robes of Taoism, but the color of these robes varies.
One person is wearing a purple robe, with white long hair carelessly scattered, like an old man at the twilight of life. However, the face he bears is still that of a young man; his eyes show a kind of worldliness beyond his age.
The second person is in a black robe, in his midlife, muscular build, bright eyes like a god.
He carries his hands behind his back, glancing around from time to time, and there is an air of pride in the lines of his brow.
The third person is in a cyan-colored robe, tall and thin, with long hair pulled back into a messy bun, a few strands of hair falling over his forehead. He has fair skin and a slightly sickly complexion, with an air of laziness on his face.
"Are they here?"
Zhang Tianlin tossed the chess piece he had just picked up back into the chess basket and turned his head to look at the three people outside the Tengshi Hall.
These three people are the top talents of the young generation within Tengshi Hall, the most outstanding experts, and the most likely candidates for the position of Tengshi.
The one in purple is named Zhang Lingzhi, the youngest-looking among the three, yet he is the eldest.
The one in black is named Zhang Zhouzhi, the one with the highest martial arts talent. His physical body is the strongest among the three.
As for the one in the cyan-colored robe, he is the youngest first-grade cultivator in Tengshi Hall, and is also the most promising candidate for the position of Tengshi.
However, there is always a languidness about him that seems indifferent to the world, and compared to the other two, he seems less interested in contending for the position of Tengshi.
If he really doesn't want to contend for the position of Tengshi, it would be a good thing for Zhang Tianlin, as he has a bad impression of that Zhang Huanzhi.
Zhang Huanzhi is like Zhang Tiansheng. They have different ways and if he is used, it will definitely be a problem in the future.
