Star Odyssey

Chapter 2365: Equally Matched

Lu Yin stared at the area in front of him. Was he really seeing things correctly? Had the overlapping danger zones combined to form what looked like a living creature?

Mu Shang was also staring at the game board. He had played many games of Stable Zone before, but rarely with eight Boundless Advanced sourceboxes. The various danger zones overlapped in unique manners every single time, and it seemed that one of the sourceboxes had a danger zone that had pulled in the others and fused with them to create the beast before them.

"White," Lu Yin finally said, meaning meant that Mu Shang was left with black.

"The colors have been selected, and the game board has been prepared. Begin!" Grandmaster Gu Yan announced.

Everyone stared at the two players of this game of Stable Zone. Neither man moved a muscle. They simply stared at the game board.

Grandmaster Qiu Ling could not stop herself from stepping forward to get a better look at the game board, and she also studied it carefully.

Skymender, Master Deng Guo, and all the other Array Masters of different abilities did the same. All of them were fixated on the game board.

Only by seeing through the danger zone could one be confident of entering the game board. This first step in a game of Stable Zone was also a way of evaluating the capabilities of the two players. Whoever entered first would face greater danger, but taking action first also showed greater confidence.

Three days passed. Mu Shang did not move, and neither did Lu Yin. The entire time, they simply studied the chaotic danger zone.

This was the first time that Lu Yin had spent so long playing a game of Stable Zone, and he had not even taken his first move yet.

The truth of the matter was that Lu Yin could have entered the game board immediately, as his combat strength meant that he could directly resist the overlapping danger zones. However, that would not be a demonstration of his lockbreaking abilities, but rather of his combat strength. It was possible to use brute strength to deal with the danger zone, or even destroy it completely. However, that would not win Lu Yin the game.

Finally, on the fifth day, Mu Shang suddenly clasped his hands behind his back. With a confident expression on his face and caution in his eyes, he lifted a foot, ready to enter the game board and the danger zone that filled it.

At the same time, Lu Yin also moved forward.

Mu Shang looked to the other side of the game board in amazement. Lu Xiaoxuan actually dared to enter the danger zone?

Mu Shang was not the only one who was surprised, as Grandmaster Gu Yan, Grandmaster Qiu Ling, and Skymender were all equally shocked. The game board for this match of Stable Zone was not simple at all. In fact, it was impossible for anyone who was not an Array Grandmaster to see through the danger zones.

While an Array Grandmaster was only one level above a Realm Array Master, the true difference between the two was worlds apart.

Master Deng Guo and other Realm Array Masters were at a complete loss at this moment as they stared at the game board. If they were asked to participate in this particular game of Stable Zone, they would not dare to move or enter the field until they had spent at least a month studying the danger zone. Lu Yin was also a Realm Array Master, possibly even the most accomplished Realm Array Master. But in the end, he was not an Array Grandmaster. How could he have the confidence to enter the field already?

Given the complexity of the game board, only Array Grandmasters could hope to see through the danger zone. The more accomplished the Array Master, the more clearly they understood just how dangerous this game board was. As for anyone present who was not an Array Master, they could not understand anything about the game board before them. That included even Lockbreakers, let alone other cultivators.

All that most people could understand was that Lu Yin and Mu Shang had stepped onto the game board at the same time, which meant that the two seemed to be evenly matched.

"He still moved a step later. Lu Xiaoxuan moved after he saw Grandmaster Mu raise his foot to enter. He was confident in entering himself. Just wait, he will quickly lose. While he temporarily appears to be Grandmaster Mu’s equal by entering at the same time, it’s only after stepping onto the field that he will truly experience despair. He simply doesn’t understand the gap between a Realm Array Master and an Array Grandmaster," an old man stated in a loud voice. His name was Bai Hong, and he was a member of the Bai family and also the Celestial Frost Sect. Furthermore, Bai Hong was a Realm Array Master.

A Lockbreaker beside Bai Hong respectfully asked, "Master Bai, is this game really that complicated? Even Grandmaster Mu studied the field for five days before entering."

Many people looked over at Bai Hong.

At the very least, only a Realm Array Master could even hope to have a bit of insight into the game of Stable Zone that was being played. Any lesser Array Masters would be unable to see anything clearly. The onlookers were merely present to watch the commotion. If only there was a Realm Array Master giving a commentary on what was happening before them.

The possibility of asking one of the Array Grandmasters present did not even occur to anyone.

Bai Hong glanced around and saw the many reverent expressions directed his way. It was obvious that Mu Shang and Lu Yin were playing Stable Zone, but Bai Hong felt as though he had become the protagonist at this moment. Unconsciously, his stooped waist straightened slightly as he coughed. "Stable Zone is a game for Array Masters, but it is impossible for ordinary Array Masters to play it. Only Senior Array Masters can actually play a game, and the difficulty of a game is determined by the level and quantity of the sourceboxes used to create the game board. Typically, Senior Array Masters will only use one or two Discerning Elementary sourceboxes, and three or four at the very most. Using Boundless Advanced sourceboxes is something that only Realm Array Masters will do.”

The expressions directed towards Bai Hong grew even more respectful as he spoke.

Mu Shang and Lu Yin were currently standing on opposite sides of the game board. Each man had found a location where they would not be attacked by the danger zone. This meant that the game had finally and truly begun.

There were no turns in a game of Stable Zone, as either player was allowed to take action freely, as long as they tried to eliminate their opponent’s pieces. The rules of the game were very simple, but the simpler the rules were, the more difficult the game often was.

"Have you truly forgotten what happened in the past?" Mu Shang looked over and asked Lu Yin.

"I forgot everything, but you can remind me of what happened."

Mu Shang gave a small smile. "Back then, all of you called me Brother Mu."

The corners of Lu Yin’s mouth were pulled upwards. "That’s impossible."

Mu Shang laughed. "Back then, Lu Xiaoxuan loved to laugh, but he did not have the same kind of smile as you. His smile was bright and relaxed. It was like seeing the sun, and he was pleasant for everyone to get along with."

At this point, Mu Shang suddenly frowned. "Unfortunately, the person you have become is a disappointment."

Lu Yin smiled. "It seems you aren’t confident you can beat me, seeing how you’re even trying to verbally antagonize me."

Mu Shang shook his head. "I haven't seen you in decades. I truly do wish to speak with the Lu Xiaoxuan that I once knew, but unfortunately, you really are not him."

The Array Grandmaster suddenly made a move, pointing a finger. The danger zone started flowing, following along the path that Mu Shang had indicated. The movement spread out through the danger zone, as though it had been awakened by the movement.

Mu Shang continued to take action, pulling the danger zone along however he wished. He was clearly manipulating the danger zone.

Grandmaster Gu Yan and several others grew solemn as they watched. The game was finally starting.action

They looked over at Lu Yin. Could he handle this? Stable Zone was a game that could be extremely time-consuming. Some games had taken several years or even decades to play out to completion. There were even rumors that the longest game ever had taken thousands of years.

On the other hand, games of Stable Zone could also be concluded very quickly. If Lu Yin was not able to exert any sort of influence over the game board’s danger zone, the game would instantly finish. That would also indicate that there was a vast difference in the capabilities of the two Array Masters.

"…Usually, only people above the Realm Array Master level will use Boundless Advanced sourceboxes when playing Stable Zone, and only Array Grandmasters will ever use four star Boundless Advanced Sourceboxes.” Bai Hong was still explaining things to the people around him, when someone else suddenly exclaimed, "It's moving! Grandmaster Mu is making his move!"

Despite being interrupted, Bai Hong did not get upset. He simply turned around to look at the game board. He had grown complacent and gotten so caught up in showing off that he had actually forgotten about the game itself.

Upon looking over, Bai Hong saw that Mu Shang was directing the danger zone freely and competently. However, it was clear that Mu Shang did not have perfect control of the danger zone. For every ten bits of Lu Yin’s white star energy that were destroyed, three bits of Mu Shang’s black star energy was also destroyed. The Array Grandmaster could not avoid affecting his own pieces.

A game of Stable Zone did not only depend on skill and comprehension of the danger zone that formed the game board, as there was also an aspect of luck involved.

Upon seeing Mu Shang take action, Lu Yin responded. Given the lockbreaking experience that Lu Yin had taken from Grandmaster Qiu Ling, he was fully capable of holding his own against Mu Shang.

No one believed that Lu Yin could also direct the sourceboxes’ killing intent in this game.

After all, it should be beyond the capabilities of a Realm Array Master. Even if a Realm Array Master could direct the danger zone, they had to study the game board for half a month beforehand. Even the greatest of Realm Array Masters would need at least half a month, so how could Lu Yin make a move so early?

Master Deng Guo felt terribly confused. Both he and Lu Xiaoxuan were Realm Array Masters, but could their abilities be so far apart from each other? Master Deng Guo still had not gained any understanding of the game board!

As the two players started to take action, the entire game board came to life. The killing intent twisted and surged wildly. If not for the fact that two people were actively playing Stable Zone, most people would assume that the men were just randomly manipulating the danger zone. The entire time, the colored star energy of both players was being destroyed.

Grandmaster Gu Yan was amazed. While he had expected such competence from Mu Shang, how was Lu Xiaoxuan showing an equal ability? This should be completely impossible. Even if Lu Yin had regained his memories as Lu Xiaoxuan, he should not be capable of holding his own against Mu Shang in a game of stable Zone.

Grandmaster Qiu Ling was equally startled. Lu Yin's performance had far exceeded her expectations, and she felt as though all of her common sense was being challenged. If she were the one playing Stable Zone against Mu Shang at this moment, she would not be any more capable than Lu Xiaoxuan.

Skymender stared intently at Lu Yin. This young man was becoming increasingly difficult to see through. When looking back at Lu Yin’s history and rate of improvement, there were many feats that he had accomplished that no one could understand.

However, it was only the Array Grandmasters who were shocked by what they were seeing. All that anyone else could determine was that Lu Yin and Mu Shang were performing equally at this moment.

Stable Zone was clearly not a fight, but people felt that the game was just as intense as an actual battle.

"Master Bai, what's going on? Please explain it to us," someone asked.

Many others also looked at Bai Hong in a somewhat pleading manner.

Bai Hong was speechless, as he could not actually understand anything that was taking place on the game board. "It’s nothing that I can’t understand. Lu Xiaoxuan is being suppressed."

The people listening to the Realm Array Master were all taken aback, and they blinked as they stared at where the two men were playing Stable Zone. Both men were making moves, and the both colors of star energy were being destroyed at about the same pace. Given what they were seeing, how was Lu Xiaoxuan being suppressed?

Bai Hong confidently explained, "See for yourself. Lu Xiaoxuan's face is covered with sweat, but what about Grandmaster Mu?"

Right when Bai Hong stopped speaking, atop the game board, Mu Shang’s coat was torn open by a burst of the danger zone. The man took a step back, clearly surprised. "I didn't expect you to be able to keep up with me this far. Did you hide your abilities before?"

However, Mu Shang simply could not understand how a Realm Array Master could hide their skills from an Array Grandmaster. On top of that, why would Lu Xiaoxuan bother hiding anything from him?

Across the game board, Lu Yin evaded a surge of the sourceboxes' danger zone. This was the advantage that greater combat strength could provide. In reality, the two men were still equally matched in terms of lockbreaking abilities, but Lu Yin was able to dodge the danger zone because of his greater combat power. This meant that, to people watching, Lu Yin had seized the advantage and that Mu Shang was struggling more than Lu Yin.

Many people gave Bai Hong strange looks. Had the Realm Array Master not just claimed that Lu Xiaoxuan was being suppressed? Where was the sweat on Lu Xiaoxuan’s brow? Grandmaster Mu had clearly been beaten in that exchange.

Bai Hong pursed his lips. "Grandmaster Mu is truly impressive. He managed to lead the game to this point so that he could educate his junior. Such an attitude is incredibly admirable."

Everyone was left speechless at the commentary. Bai Hong was clearly forcing things too far.

Grandmaster Qiu Ling took a few steps forward as she stared at Lu Yin. She could not understand why, but watching him gave her a feeling of deja vu. It felt like she was watching what she would do in this match. Every move that Lu Yin made felt like an echo of the exact decision that Qiu Ling would have made in his place. It was very odd.

Across from Lu Yin, Mu Shang's expression grew ugly. Lu Xiaoxuan had actually managed to hide his lockbreaking abilities from Mu Shang. It was no wonder why he had had the courage to propose a game of Stable Zone. Things were starting to make sense.