Chapter Eighty-Five: Sacred Realm (5)

At first, Yang Xiaofan started investing in his chess skills simply to amuse his father-in-law. As a result, he only spent enough to reach the Grandmaster level. This limited him; when facing AlphaGo, he found himself wanting but unable. So, Yang Xiaofan once again summoned the pay-to-win panel in his mind.

"Sorry, AlphaGo, I'm about to cheat!" Yang Xiaofan couldn't help but murmur to himself. He then spent ten million to elevate his Go skills from Grandmaster to Supreme Grandmaster.

Instantly, his mind surged with an overwhelming flood of Go knowledge. Previously, he had mastered every technique, but now his skills were reinforced and expanded, granting him increased flexibility and adaptability. His moves became more varied and unpredictable, propelling his gameplay to a whole new level.

"Hmm? How could this be?" Most people wouldn't notice this subtle shift, but Old Liang perceived it immediately. As a national Go player, if he failed to recognize Yang Xiaofan's transformation, he would have wasted his years.

"Old Liang, what's going on?" Xiao Zhou couldn't help but ask, puzzled.

Old Liang, however, was so excited he could barely contain himself. "He's advanced! He's advanced! My heavens, this boy's talent is monstrous! He is truly the greatest Go prodigy of all time! His strength has multiplied at least tenfold!"

He laughed aloud. "How ridiculous! I was thinking of taking him as my disciple, but now I see I'm not qualified at all. If anything, I should be his student!"

"What!" Xiao Zhou and Liang Xiaoxiao exchanged glances, both seeing shock mirrored in each other's eyes.

It was terrifying! A tenfold improvement! What did that mean? This wasn't like an elementary school student learning simple arithmetic. This was Go—a domain where a decade of effort might yield little progress, and the further one advances, the slower the improvement.

Old Liang himself had been recognized as a national-level master in his forties. Yet after twenty years, nearing seventy, he remained at the same level, unable to ascend to world champion status.

The difficulties involved were unimaginable. Yet here was Yang Xiaofan, enhancing his skills mid-match against AlphaGo. It was beyond belief, unheard of!

Suddenly, Xiao Zhou seemed to realize something, growing agitated and blurting, "Old Liang, do you think... do you think... Yang Xiaofan might..."

His excitement made him stumble over his words. Even so, Old Liang already guessed what he was thinking and immediately dashed his hopes.

"Don't even think about it. Even if he breaks through, at best he'll reach world champion level. With just that strength, it's unrealistic for him to defeat AlphaGo."

Xiao Zhou immediately deflated, sighing deeply. Indeed, as Old Liang said, world champions could not defeat AlphaGo. After all, AlphaGo became famous precisely by vanquishing world champions.

What a pity. Xiao Zhou had hoped Yang Xiaofan might break through and defeat AlphaGo, earning glory for the East.

Old Liang sighed as well, equally regretful. "I wish he could win against AlphaGo, but AlphaGo is just too powerful. Still, even so, this Go match is extraordinary. The two of you should watch closely and learn—you might gain something yourselves."

"Yes!" Xiao Zhou and Liang Xiaoxiao replied, sitting upright and attentively joining the others in watching Yang Xiaofan's livestream.

Now, with his skills elevated to Supreme Grandmaster, Yang Xiaofan felt far less pressure from AlphaGo. Previously, at Grandmaster level, he was clearly suppressed, barely able to breathe under AlphaGo's dominance. But now, after upgrading, he felt much better. While he couldn't yet reverse the pressure, at least he could catch his breath and relax.

Yet Yang Xiaofan was not content. Everyone has a competitive spirit, and Yang Xiaofan was no exception. He could not tolerate being bullied by AlphaGo, not even for a draw.

So, he decided to pay-to-win once more.

If I can't beat you, I still have money. As long as I'm willing to spend, even the gods must kneel before me.

This time, he would upgrade his Go skills to the Saint level, costing a full hundred million. Never before had Yang Xiaofan been forced into such a corner, nor spent so much to advance his abilities.

But for victory, anything was worth it.

With that thought, Yang Xiaofan initiated the payment. One hundred million transferred, and instantly his mind was jolted, his entire consciousness vibrating.

Is this the power of the Saint level? Incredible! His mortal body could barely withstand it!

A torrent of insights and experience flooded his mind, so immense it threatened to burst him apart.

No, he needed to reinforce his body as well. Bracing himself, Yang Xiaofan spent another hundred and ten million to upgrade his physical strength.

With both upgrades, his mind relaxed, the discomfort vanishing. He breathed deeply, then turned to gaze at AlphaGo, a faint smile curling on his lips.

Meanwhile, the audience watching the livestream were stunned.

"Does anyone else see that brother-in-law is glowing?"

"It really does look that way! Is this some kind of show effect?"

"No, it's not Photoshop. From my professional perspective, that's genuine light."

"Brother-in-law, is he about to ascend to immortality? Is he mastering Go and becoming a sage?"

In the courtyard in the capital, Xiao Zhou and Liang Xiaoxiao looked at Old Liang in confusion.

Old Liang himself was so shocked he began to tremble. Extending his withered hand, he pointed at the screen, muttering repeatedly, "Saint level! Go Sage! He's become a sage! He's become a sage!"