In the vast Jianghu, among the Three Mountains and Five Peaks, and in almost every walk of life, he had friends.
He greatly admired Master Fahai's courage and spirit, and thus wished to make his acquaintance.
Therefore, Hua Manlou accompanied Lu Xiaofeng and walked over.
Master Fahai was about to leave when he suddenly saw two young men approaching him.
He was slightly surprised and asked, "Do the two of you have any advice?"
"This is Lu Xiaofeng, and this is Hua Manlou, the seventh son of the Hua family of Jiangnan."
"We wish to befriend Master Fahai."
Lu Xiaofeng?
Hua Manlou?
One was righteous and loyal, profoundly skilled, exceptionally intelligent, with friends spread across the world, willing to go through fire and water for his confidants, possessing the demeanor of an ancient.
The other, though blind, had a quick mind, extraordinary strength, and a gentle, jade-like temperament, a true gentleman, equally valuing loyalty and righteousness.
In the original work, Lu Xiaofeng constantly risked his life for friends, never backing down from solving problems.
Hua Manlou was also a loyal and righteous man, always extending a helping hand at critical moments, offering warmth and strength to others.
He hadn't expected to meet them here.
If it were anyone else, Master Fahai might not have been willing to form a deep friendship.
However, both Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou were men of great courage and loyalty, willing to fight for their confidants, possessing the style of ancient gentlemen.
They were worth befriending.
Master Fahai nodded slightly, a smile on his face.
"Master Fahai is also honored to make your acquaintance."
Wanwan and Xuzhu also showed expressions of surprise.
Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou were renowned throughout the Jianghu, capable of rallying a hundred responses, yet now they were actively approaching Master Fahai!
"Since fate has brought us together, why not share a drink?"
"Drink?"
Hua Manlou and Lu Xiaofeng were momentarily stunned.
Lu Xiaofeng said with slight hesitation, "Shouldn't you not drink?"
Xuzhu, beside them, secretly rejoiced, finally someone had raised the question.
However, they soon understood.
Master Fahai was no longer a monk and was no longer bound by monastic rules.
Lu Xiaofeng laughed heartily, "Then let's enjoy ourselves!"
"I happen to have prepared some excellent wine, everyone, enjoy yourselves!"
During the banquet, everyone chatted and laughed.
At the same time, the story of Master Fahai defeating Song Qingshu and taking a palm strike from Song Yuanqiao also spread across Wuliang Mountain.
It shocked many Martial Forest figures.
In a certain corner.
Murong Fu and others also heard this news.
Their faces were filled with disbelief!
That boy, he had grown to such an extent?
Murong Fu, in particular, found it almost impossible to accept, and was only restrained by others from erupting.
From then on, he harbored resentment towards Master Fahai.
Not only because he had stolen his thunder, but also because he had suffered immense humiliation.
He swore he would not rest until this revenge was exacted!
Hearing news about Master Fahai, Murong Fu's face darkened, and his heart churned.
Wang Yuyan, seeing this, quickly offered comfort.
Fearing he would lose control again.
"Cousin, as long as you solve the Zhenlong Chess Game, your reputation will naturally surpass his."
"The previous matters will also fade away."
The four house retainers nodded in agreement.
"Young Master, there must be a profound mystery within the Chess Game."
"As long as Young Master solves the puzzle, his strength will surely greatly increase, and a mere Master Fahai will not be worth mentioning."
"Moreover, Ding Chunqiu comes every year, and he won't let Master Fahai off either."
"Master Fahai is doomed!"
Murong Fu then calmed down slightly and slowly nodded.
But in his heart, the thought of revenge was already deeply planted.
Master Fahai, Hua Manlou, and Lu Xiaofeng sat around drinking, the wine flowing freely, the atmosphere lively, filled with laughter and joy.
Just then, a System notification sound softly rang in Master Fahai's mind:
【Detected that Host has broken the drinking precept. Having accumulated ten broken precepts, a critical reward has been triggered.】
Hearing this sound, Master Fahai's face immediately showed an irrepressible smile.
Along the way, he had broken quite a few precepts, and now he had finally accumulated enough instances.
To reach ten broken precepts while gathered with Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou was simply double the joy!
Previously, he had taken care of over a hundred people from the Qingcheng Sect in one go at the inn, but it only counted as one broken precept, which had frustrated him for quite some time.
Otherwise, he would have opened the critical reward with gusto long ago, and perhaps he would already be at the Great Grandmaster Realm!
This critical opportunity was rare, and Master Fahai unhesitatingly opened the gift package.
"Let's see what good Dong Xi I can get."
【Congratulations, Host, you have obtained Divine Rank Chess Skill.】
Instantly, a strange yet clear realization flooded his mind, all about the highest understanding of the Dao of chess.
Master Fahai's heart trembled; his control over chess had already reached its peak!
His face was filled with excitement, almost unable to hide his ecstasy.
Wasn't this precisely the ability he needed most right now?
He was traveling with Xuzhu, originally intending to use him to solve the Zhenlong Chess Game.
In the original book, Xuzhu was the one who accidentally solved the predicament.
Master Fahai planned to let him make the first move, and then suppress him at the critical moment.
Following the plot's progression, by mimicking Xuzhu's moves, he would naturally pass the challenge with ease.
He hadn't expected the System to directly bestow Divine Rank Chess Skill this time!
This meant that he didn't need to rely on anyone else; he could personally solve the game!
Master Fahai laughed heartily, raising his wine bowl, "Come, come, come, drink!"
He clinked bowls with Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou with a heroic spirit and drank with them.
Lu Xiaofeng looked at him with some confusion.
What was wrong?
Drinking with such excitement?
Of course, he didn't know that Master Fahai had just gained a Heaven-Defying ability by breaking precepts, and the Zhenlong Chess Game held no difficulty for him now.
Wu Yazi's cultivation and the Xiaoyao Sect's Legacy were within his grasp!
Though puzzled, Lu Xiaofeng still raised his bowl and clinked it, drinking it all down.
Then, he looked at Wanwan and Xuzhu and asked, "Brother Fahai, who are these two?"
"This is my good friend, a monk from Shaoshi Mountain, the Little Monk Xuzhu."
"And this one... is the Yin Kui Sect Saintess, Wanwan."
"What?"
Lu Xiaofeng was startled but quickly regained his composure.
His friends included people from all walks of life, and among them were not a few from the Demonic Sect.
He had no inherent prejudice against the Demonic Sect.
He just hadn't expected to be drinking at the same table as the Saintess of the Yin Kui Sect.
However, he still frowned and offered a reminder:
"Brother Fahai, most of those who come to challenge the Chess Game this time are from orthodox sects.
"If Miss Wan's identity is exposed, it might cause considerable trouble."
As Lu Xiaofeng spoke, Master Fahai first nodded slightly, indicating he understood.
Then he shook his head, signaling that he didn't need to worry too much.
"Brother Lu, rest assured, no one can touch my people."
When Lu Xiaofeng spoke, Wanwan's expression was somewhat downcast.
She worried that Master Fahai would distance himself from her to consider the views of the orthodox Jianghu.
Unexpectedly, she heard Master Fahai say such words, and her heart immediately filled with joy.
He actually valued her so much that he wasn't afraid of offending renowned sects.
Especially that phrase—
"My people."
It made Wanwan's cheeks flush, her heart race, a mix of shyness and sweetness.
The group sat around drinking, the atmosphere harmonious, and the distance between them had been greatly reduced.
It was getting late; it was time to set off for the Zhenlong Chess Game.
Looking at the towering Wuliang Mountain, Lu Xiaofeng sighed, "Thirty years have passed, I wonder who can solve this chess game."
"Haha, we've had enough to drink, and the Chess Game should be broken to make it truly satisfying."
Master Fahai's gaze was firm as he looked into the distance, "Brother Lu, Brother Hua, just watch me."
Hearing his words, Lu Xiaofeng and Hua Manlou were both infected by this confidence.
"Good!"
Lu Xiaofeng laughed loudly, "I believe you, Little Monk!"
"If Brother Fahai can truly break the Zhenlong Chess Game, he will surely become a Jianghu legend!"