Chapter Thirty-One: Driven to Tears by Anger

“Elder sister, you seem quite attentive to that young master?”

In the Land of Floral Seas, where hues bloomed in dazzling splendor and a heady fragrance filled the air, two Divine Sovereigns walked side by side. Their beauty was unparalleled, their elegance compelling, their temperaments as different as night and day, rendering them a mesmerizing sight.

Bamboo Heaven was clad in a palace robe of jade green, her skin like ice and bone like jade, exuding an ethereal grace. She gave no response to the teasing of the Dance Sovereign.

A mischievous light danced in Dance Sovereign’s eyes as she laughed. “Earlier, the young lord we encountered was brazenly collecting spiritual treasures from my Flower Sea, waving around the Illusion Token you gave him. Quite a few of my little flower sprites suffered under his hand.”

Bamboo Heaven’s expression remained unchanged.

Yet Dance Sovereign was not disappointed; recalling what Windshang had said earlier, she pursed her lips in amusement and continued with interest, “I told him that you never give anything away unprompted. His reaction was remarkable. Can you guess what he said?”

“What did he say?” Bamboo Heaven’s features shifted ever so slightly.

Dance Sovereign was taken aback, surprised beyond measure—so her elder sister was genuinely curious about Windshang’s words? That was unexpected.

It didn’t make sense. That young cultivator from before, who possessed one of the Thousand Domains, was outstanding in every way, a true paragon among men, yet even he had been dismissed by a mere tap of her green bamboo. Why show interest in a brash child now?

As Dance Sovereign pondered, she noticed those icy clear eyes already resting on her, silently questioning why she had yet to answer.

“He said… ‘Could it be that Lady Bamboo Heaven has taken a liking to me? I do, after all, have some charm…’” Dance Sovereign found it hard to believe even as she spoke, watching Bamboo Heaven closely. She noted the flicker of something unnameable in those luminous eyes, the translucent sheen of her skin accentuating a beauty beyond words.

“Mmm.” Bamboo Heaven murmured softly, offering nothing more.

What did that “mmm” mean? Surely she wasn’t agreeing with Windshang’s claim?

Dance Sovereign frowned deeply. Her elder sister had always been sparing with words, appearing indifferent to all things and impossible to read. Today, however, she seemed… different.

…

In the Pure Lands of Flower Sea.

Before a celestial stone, Windshang sat cross-legged with Little Broken Grass. Laid before them was the Primeval Star Board, now shattered and devastated, strewn with the scars of celestial destruction, its once-vast perfection lost.

The game had nearly reached its end. Both sides had only a scant few stars remaining.

With a thunderous rumble, a great dragon faded away, and two Calamity Stars stood in silence. The Primeval Star Board came to an abrupt halt.

At this moment, neither player could make another move; this signaled the defeat of one side.

“In the Northern Alliance, ninety-six thousand stars remain. In the Central-Southern Alliance, one hundred and eight thousand remain. Central-South wins.” Nine Dreams swept her gaze across the board, announcing the final tally.

“Haha! We won!”

Little Broken Grass cheered, unable to contain her excitement, her laughter ringing clear as she leapt high into the air.

She exhaled deeply, shaking off the dewdrops that clung to her, her heart still racing in the aftermath.

How thrilling! How perilous!

This game of Star Chess had been an arduous battle, a constant back-and-forth until the very last moment when she was at last freed.

At long last, victory was hers!

She jumped onto Nine Dreams’ slender shoulder, her whole being thrumming with pride. Chin held high, she declared to Windshang, “Now, Wind, you can’t go back on your word. Hand over the Primordial Piece!”

Windshang tossed it casually; the radiant white Primordial Piece landed before Little Broken Grass.

“Heehee! How satisfying!” Little Broken Grass hugged her prize, eyes shining as she turned to Nine Dreams for praise. “Look, Master, I won back the Primordial Piece!”

“Mm, well done.” Nine Dreams’ beautiful eyes curved into crescent moons. She, too, was delighted by her victory, but then a thought struck her, and she looked across at Windshang, who seemed unconcerned by the loss of his piece.

“So close to winning… If he’d succeeded, I would have had to beg Sovereign Sister. That would have been mortifying. Now, at least, he shouldn’t persist in making things difficult,” Nine Dreams thought.

“You played remarkably well. Your strategy was sound,” Windshang said with a sudden smile, gazing at the radiant immortal maiden and the little grass sprite.

“Of course I’m good—but you’re no slouch either,” Little Broken Grass replied, for once deigning to offer a compliment.

“Dare for another round? We’ll play for even more Primordial Pieces.”

“Another round?” Little Broken Grass’s delight faded as she considered the challenge. The prospect of pressing her advantage and further humbling this arrogant boy was tempting.

But…

She glanced sideways at Nine Dreams.

No more gambling—

“All right.” Nine Dreams’ eyes widened in disbelief. She’d meant to refuse, but the words vanished, replaced by Windshang’s proposal.

Her delicate features shifted, her pearly teeth biting her lip. She glared at Windshang, brows knitting in frustration, but as he was a guest, she held her tongue.

Little Broken Grass was pleased; who would have thought her gentle-hearted master would show such fighting spirit?

But then again, this boy was so insufferably arrogant—he needed a proper lesson.

“Let’s raise the stakes: three Primordial Pieces.” Windshang opened his palm, revealing three flawless, radiant pieces that gleamed brilliantly.

Their appearance seemed to thicken the surrounding aura.

“Three! Did you really get that many in the Black Prison?” Little Broken Grass was astonished, deeply shaken by the number of pieces in Windshang’s possession. Could he have stumbled on a hidden trove in some forgotten corner?

Such luck was unheard of.

Countless flower spirits had scoured every inch of the Black Prison over the ages; only several thousand years ago did a lucky Nether Undying Flower chance upon a single piece.

Earlier, Little Broken Grass had been detained by the Force of Creation, unaware of what had transpired. Nine Dreams had only told her that a single Primordial Piece was exchanged to win her back.

In truth, Nine Dreams had used all her pieces.

“Three is too much…” Little Broken Grass hesitated. Such high stakes—if she lost, the consequences would be dire. Not only would she forfeit her hard-won piece, but her master would have to pay two more.

“It’s of no consequence. I have my eye on the celestial stone behind you; let’s count it as two pieces. Well? Will you wager?” Windshang’s gaze was steady as he looked to Nine Dreams.

The girl pressed her lips together, turning her head as if to keep even the faintest sound from escaping.

“Accept his wager, Little Grass,” a melodious voice sounded again.

Nine Dreams’ lips parted, and she whirled around, glaring at Windshang in anger.

It wasn’t her will. Whenever that mysterious current surged, a voice identical to hers would emerge. Even her mental message to Little Grass was blocked by the Force of Creation.

Her own words, manipulated by another…

Tears glistened at the corners of Nine Dreams’ eyes, her delicate lashes framing a gaze both spirited and stubborn, making the heart ache.

Just as the old vagrant had said—she was on the verge of tears.

How could it be like this?

If he wanted the celestial stone, he could have said so when he asked to exchange for Little Grass. Now, after losing, he sulked and provoked her further.

Windshang frowned slightly, uncomfortable beneath the girl’s bright, misty, almost tearful gaze. Light flared from his hand as a brand-new, pristine Primeval Star Board unfolded before them.

“Let’s begin.”