Star Gate

Drouth found Li Hao to possess a keen eye and a good appetite for knowledge. The man knew a bit about the domain concept that Li Hao spoke of, but it seemed to be a subject matter that only a few masters of the world would be involved with.

Of course, masters of minor worlds might know a thing or two. Regardless, bringing up this topic was insufficient to determine Li Hao’s identity or strength.

“If you pass the second test, then I can give the two gentlemen a chance,” said the shadow. “You can study the core nature of the dao foundation left by the dark envoy!”

Drouth stirred with excitement!

“If you pass the second trial, I can give you a similarly valuable chance.” The shadow looked at Li Hao. “Since you are aware of the layout of this place, then you should know that there is a core to this structure. I will grant you a chance to study that treasure.

“It will be up to the two of you if you gain anything for your troubles. Such is the dao. I cannot outright give it to you. You may not understand it even if I do! Dao springs from the heart. However much enlightenment there is within your heart is however much you will understand.”

The two were first highly excited, then calmed down as they remembered there was a caveat to their rewards—the second test.

“What might the second test be?” Li Hao asked first.

“It’s simple!” the shadow responded easily. “This is where the dark envoy cultivated and comprehended dao, so everything here is related to dao! I will not have you two fight each other to determine a victor. That would be too childish.

“What you need to do is very straightforward!” It waved a chessboard into existence in front of them.

It was a chessboard, but also not a typical chessboard. There was only one chess piece across all of the rows and columns on the board.

“Do you see that?” chuckled the shadow. “There is one piece on the board. It represents the two of you. There are 9,999 squares from the start to finish. You pass if you can move your piece past one thousand squares!