Silence!
A silence as profound as death.
Everyone’s mouths were agape, staring in stunned disbelief.
Jing Tianrui and the others were looking down at the chessboard with dumbfounded expressions, seemingly unable to believe what was unfolding before their eyes.
Meanwhile, Xue An stretched lazily at that moment, then stood up, and flashed a smile at the petrified Zhuge Xuanqing.
"I told you, in my eyes, they’re not worthy of the title ’strong.’"
"No... this can’t be, this absolutely can’t be!" Jing Tianrui suddenly raised his head and yelled at Xue An.
"I am the Young Chess King, personally instructed by the Chess Saint himself. How could I possibly lose to you? You must be cheating, yes, definitely cheating!"
Jing Tianrui pointed accusingly at Xue An, his face twisted with resentment: "Guards, seize this despicable cheat!"
The abrupt turn of events sent shockwaves through the audience.
Many chess masters showed anger, especially those from other domains, who were practically seething.
After all, Xue An had just taken on Jing Tianrui and his six comrades single-handedly before the eyes of all.
With countless pairs of eyes watching, how could he cheat?
Many people understood that Jing Tianrui was merely unable to accept his defeat and was using excuses to cover it up.
At this moment, countless chess academy guards ascended the platform, surrounding Xue An.
Without hesitation, Gong Changyue stepped in front of Xue An and said sternly, "Let’s see who dares to come forward."
Zhuge Xuanqing also displayed a complex expression but ultimately stepped forward, shielding Xue An behind her, then said coldly, "Jing Tianrui, what are you trying to do?"
Jing Tianrui sneered darkly, "Zhuge Xuanqing, this matter is none of your concern. I advise you not to meddle. This man cheated during the chess competition, and of course, I have to take him into custody!"
"Cheating? How can you prove Mr. Xue cheated? Just now, everyone was watching; you’re simply spouting nonsense!" Gong Changyue retorted angrily.
Jing Tianrui let out a cold laugh, "Whether he cheated or not, once we take him back to the chess academy and submit it to the elders for checking, the truth will come to light! What you say now counts for nothing!"
"You...," Gong Changyue was furious.
It was clear Jing Tianrui was trying to play dirty—taking him back to the chess academy to be interrogated by the elders?
Who didn’t know the academy was controlled by the Tian Zhao Star Domain? That would be like walking straight into the tiger’s den.
At that moment, Xue An patted Gong Changyue on the shoulder, signaling for him to be silent, and then lifted his head and smiled at Jing Tianrui across the way.
"You want to take me back to the chess academy?"
Jing Tianrui nodded with a malevolent look in his eyes, "Cheating in the competition means I naturally have to take you back! Xue An, if you’re innocent, come with me without fuss, or else..."
His words stirred up a commotion among the crowd, and many chess masters looked on with contempt.
It was clearly a thinly veiled threat against Xue An.
However, Xue An, in the face of all this, didn’t lose his composure. Instead, he responded with a light smile, "That sounds... quite reasonable, actually!"
"Mr. Xue...," Gong Changyue was frantic.
Xue An waved his hand dismissively, then looked at Jing Tianrui with a taste for the dramatic, "So, not following you means I’m cheating?"
Jing Tianrui nodded arrogantly, "Of course!"
Xue An laughed, a genuinely happy laugh, "Well then, I’ve been quite curious to see for myself just how formidable the renowned Tian Zhao Chess Academy really is. I’ll take this trip with you!"
Xue An’s reply pleased Jing Tianrui immensely.
Yet many chess masters shook their heads privately, thinking Xue An had agreed too rashly.
The Tian Zhao Chess Institute was indeed a giant among the paths of chess, but it’s easy to enter and hard to leave!
"Mr. Xue, Xuanqing naturally must go!"
"Excellent!"
Only then did Xue An nod toward Jing Tianrui, "Let’s go! I’ll accompany you to the chess institute!"
The venue for the chess match was very close to the chess institute, the place where Xue An had just proven his ninth-level rank was at the entrance of the chess institute.
Now that the match had suddenly encountered an incident, the chess institute had already received the news, so when Jing Tianrui and the others arrived at the entrance of the chess institute, the main gate was already open.
There stood a familiar old face at the door, none other than the Ghost Chess Grandmaster Zhu Fei, who had lost to Xue An.
Zhu Fei wore a sardonic smile. After seeing everyone arrive, he spoke indifferently, "The various elders have already received the news and are converging here. Now, follow me into the Ting Qi Pavilion to wait!"
After speaking, he gave Xue An a cold glance, then turned and led the way.
Xue An responded with an unfazed smile, following the crowd into the chess institute.
As they saw Xue An’s figure disappear behind the doors of the chess institute, the entire place immediately erupted into commotion.
The spectators who came to watch the match did not leave; everyone wanted to see how this matter would ultimately be resolved.
Therefore, these people gathered together and began to discuss with each other.
"This Mr. Xue, who appeared out of nowhere, has excellent chess skills, but he seems a bit too naive, actually going into the chess institute to confront them. Doesn’t he know that the chess institute is backed by the Tian Zhao?" someone said, shaking his head in dismay.
"The Tian Zhao Chess Institute has always acted overbearingly and aggressively, I’m afraid once he goes, it’ll be the end for him!" another person said with a look of sympathy.
In short, not a single person was optimistic about Xue An’s journey.
Meanwhile, atop Yue Jian Star, lights woven paths.
The various elders of the chess institute were rushing over from all corners of the Tian Zhao Star Domain.

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