A nightmare, indeed a nightmare.
Within this chess array, Nangong Yifan was the undisputed king.
He was an insurmountable barrier for the Ancestral Martial Star Domain youths.
As such, Nangong Yifan had cast a deep shadow over the hearts of Kong Ci, Long Ning, Xian Yun, Kong Tianhui, and even Wuming Yuanzhi.
At least within this chess array, that was the case.
“Manipulating chess power treasures is the ultimate technique of the *Qifa Powan Jun* (Extraordinary Method to Break Ten Thousand Armies), capable of overwhelming any force. I never imagined you’d mastered it. That must have taken considerable effort,” Nangong Yifan said to Chu Feng.
“What? *Qifa Powan Jun*? Isn’t that a chess strategy manual? How can it control chess power treasures?”
Nangong Yifan’s words shocked not only Kong Ci and the others but also the spectators outside the array.
Even Lord Shoujian’s expression shifted.
Until now, no one had understood how Chu Feng could manipulate the chess power treasures—not even Lord Shoujian.
But Nangong Yifan had provided the answer.
“It seems you’ve studied that manual too,” Chu Feng said.
“I’ve looked at it, but I find such methods beneath me,” Nangong Yifan replied. “As the most difficult chess manual, its ultimate technique isn’t about commanding troops or mastering chess power—it’s about controlling chess power treasures. To me, that’s a crooked path. I have no interest in practicing such a manual.”
His words clarified that Chu Feng’s technique indeed stemmed from the *Qifa Powan Jun* manual.
People had seen the manual but found it too complex to comprehend.
Only after hearing Nangong Yifan did they realize its ultimate technique was controlling chess power treasures.
In hindsight, it was indeed a brilliant strategy.
At the same time, people admired Nangong Yifan. His words suggested he didn’t fail to understand *Qifa Powan Jun*—rather, as he claimed, he disdained using such methods to win, choosing instead to study another manual.
“A crooked path?” Chu Feng smiled at Nangong Yifan’s mockery, offering no further explanation. Instead, he locked eyes with him and said, “Then why don’t you show me what your ‘righteous’ methods can do? Shall we?”
At Chu Feng’s challenge, the corner of Nangong Yifan’s mouth curved upward. He smiled—a rare sight that sent chills through Kong Ci and the others, filling them with unease.
“Chu Feng, don’t provoke him! You don’t know how terrifying this guy is, but we do. Even with these treasures, I’m not confident,” Kong Ci whispered to Chu Feng.
This bold, fearless girl, always brimming with confidence, was now visibly shaken. Nangong Yifan’s shadow over her was no illusion.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got this,” Chu Feng said, winking at Kong Ci to reassure her.
“You?” Kong Ci’s lips pursed, her expression clearly showing distrust.
It wasn’t that she looked down on Chu Feng. By now, she knew his prowess—after all, the chess power treasures they wielded were thanks to him.
But Nangong Yifan had just pointed out that *Qifa Powan Jun*’s ultimate technique was controlling treasures, and Chu Feng had already demonstrated it. Yet Nangong Yifan, fully aware of this, remained unshaken and brimming with confidence.
Given that Nangong Yifan was never one to bluff, Kong Ci’s unease deepened.
*Buzz—*
Suddenly, Nangong Yifan clasped his hands together, and chess power surged forth, visible to the naked eye. It swirled behind him, and when it dispersed, a black hole appeared on the ground.
“Could that be… the Gate of Reversal, the formation gate to the second world?”
Seeing the black hole, everyone outside the array turned to Lord Shoujian.
They knew the first world could access the second, and the second could access the third.
But once in the third world, no one could return to the second, just as second-world players couldn’t return to the first.
Unless someone opened the Gate of Reversal.
Opening it required not only immense chess power but also mastery of chess power manipulation, as challenging as cultivating a martial technique—far beyond ordinary ability.
That wasn’t the main point. The real shock was that spectators outside could clearly see similar formation gates appearing not only in the third world but also in the second.
This meant Nangong Yifan had opened gates in two worlds simultaneously.
If these were truly Gates of Reversal, how powerful was his chess power?
“It is indeed the Gate of Reversal. For young friend Nangong Yifan, who can break the rules and forcibly enter the chess array, opening the Gate of Reversal is no challenge,” Lord Shoujian confirmed.
His answer made it clear to those outside that opening the Gate of Reversal was trivial compared to forcibly entering the array.
Thus, this act barely scratched the surface of Nangong Yifan’s true strength.
His real power remained unknown.
“I really want to see what it’s like when Yifan unleashes his full strength in the array.”
“Yeah, let Chu Feng keep acting arrogant, claiming the third world is his domain now that he’s here. I’ve seen braggarts, but never one this shameless. I can’t wait to see Yifan teach him a lesson.”
The All-Heaven youths, especially those who had entered the array only to be forcibly expelled, were filled with resentment toward Chu Feng.
Unable to defeat him themselves, they pinned their hopes for revenge on Nangong Yifan.
“Young friend Nangong Yifan’s mastery of chess power surpasses mine. I, too, am eager to see his true strength, but I’ve never had the chance,” Lord Shoujian said, his eyes full of anticipation. “Today might be that opportunity.”
“Lord Shoujian, are you saying Chu Feng has the ability to force Nangong Yifan to go all out?” an Ancestral Martial youth asked, voice laced with uncertainty.
Nangong Yifan was too strong. Despite Chu Feng’s extraordinary performance, they remained worried.
“To my shame, both these young friends are rare chess power geniuses, their abilities surpassing mine. Like you, I cannot predict the outcome,” Lord Shoujian said with a warm smile. “Let’s watch and see.”
At his words, everyone turned their attention back to the chessboard.
Though their hearts were filled with anticipation and unease, eager for an immediate resolution, they knew the showdown they awaited was about to unfold.
Chu Feng versus Nangong Yifan—who was stronger would soon be revealed.