The White Tiger's gaze looked past me, and I immediately smiled and spoke.
"What are you playing?"
"Gomoku."
Little Lan giggled and patted the White Tiger's massive head.
"Lord White Tiger, your head is so big but you're so silly."
The White Tiger immediately turned its head away awkwardly, casting a sidelong glance at me.
"That's not necessarily true, Little Lan. Gomoku is all about logic and strategy, and whether you go first or second is really important. Also..."
Just as I started to explain, Little Lan winked at me, as if signaling me to stop.
The White Tiger looked at me in confusion, then glanced at Little Lan.
"How about I go first this time, Little Lan?"
Little Lan chuckled, shot me a glance, then nodded helplessly.
"Lord White Tiger, Ethan Zhang seems to be quite good at this. I'm a bit tired, and everyone has come back. I want to go check on them. They've been gone for days, and I miss him."
I sighed inwardly; she was quick to hand off this burden to me. Sure enough, the White Tiger came over, grabbed my hand, and without letting me protest, pulled me upward. I glanced toward the waterfall—those two must have hidden deep inside the cave by now.
Gomoku was taught to me by my cousin; it was the first board game I ever learned. Back then, I had no friends and my parents were busy with work. After finishing my homework, with nothing else to do, I played against myself. In a short time, my cousin could no longer beat me.
"How did this happen?"
The White Tiger stared at the board; my white stones had already formed five in a row. He lost, and the game ended quickly. He only knew how to attack, but once I seized the opportunity, I switched to defense and then attacked, and he lost swiftly.
"Again."
The White Tiger immediately gathered the white stones. This time, I went first, and I didn't intend to keep playing with him. Lan Yin should be back now.
This time, I went first. The White Tiger tried to follow my previous moves, but he quickly lost again.
"You..."
The White Tiger looked frustrated but didn't get angry. Instead, he put away the pieces, intending to keep playing with me, but I stood up.
Lord White Tiger, let me teach you a trick. You might soon surpass Little Lan.
The White Tiger immediately stood up, patted my shoulder, and laughed heartily.
I started explaining the method I figured out: playing chess against yourself, and never giving yourself an easy chance. With constant practice, your skills improve quickly.
Soon, the White Tiger began playing against himself. I was finally able to leave. After stepping out of the large white crystal house, I immediately flew up and headed toward the Azure Domain. I couldn't go directly through the center, because there was the Four Guardians' seal—a black vortex of curse energy.
I circled around the Four Sacred Realm. This time, I saw various Sacred Spirits in the tree sea garden. The ones wearing brown clothes with tortoise shell and snake patterns must be Black Tortoise's Sacred Spirits.
Alright, thank you all for your hard work. Today, everyone prepare some food, and tonight we'll have a banquet here.
Surrounded by all kinds of Sacred Spirits, I saw Lan Yin. He seemed very popular, especially with the female Sacred Spirits. I saw a Vermilion Bird Spirit and an Azure Dragon Spirit clinging to Lan Yin, and Lan Yin had his arms around them.
The male Sacred Spirits outside wore stiff smiles. I sighed. Among these spirits, I saw the Vermilion Bird and the Spirit Snake coiled around his neck.
Ethan.
After seeing me, Lan Yin flew over happily, his golden wings fluttering before my eyes. The power radiating from Lan Yin was immense, and I nodded.
How long have you been here?
Lan Yin pushed aside the two female Sacred Spirits next to him and held up three fingers.
Three days?
Three months, Ethan. This place is practically paradise for men.
At this moment, Zhu Tang came over to me. With Qing Wei urging them, the Sacred Spirits gradually dispersed. We found a sea of flowers and sat down at a stone table in the middle.
Almost died in the desert over there.
Spirit Snake muttered, and Zhu Tang immediately started cursing.
You stinky snake, it's all because of you! You said you needed a little extra, then bit me, and I almost died. You're such a bastard.
Zhu Tang, furious, took the Spirit Snake off his neck, grabbed its head with one hand and its body with the other, and started pulling.