Chapter 21

Unaware of the storm brewing outside, Ye Xiyin and his companions continued to clear the dungeon.

Once he realized that white chess pieces were generated along the players' movement paths, Ye Xiyin immediately grasped the strategy for this level.

"We need to plan ahead, use the existing pieces to surround the black ones, and gradually build an advantage. Eliminating a portion of the black pieces in the process might just be the key to victory." Speaking of something he excelled at, Ye Xiyin’s tone was confident, and he seemed to radiate a brilliant light.

He Qiting’s attention was entirely captured by him, and it wasn't until Ye Xiyin began directing the others that He Qiting finally refocused.

Worried that time might be a factor considered by the dungeon, Ye Xiyin hurried his commands. His teammates did not disappoint him. He only needed to point out which positions they should move to, and they would act immediately, quickly dispatching the black pieces that were still in a passive state.

Under these circumstances, they soon exhausted all their allotted moves, and their formation was essentially complete.

The chessboard before them underwent a change. The black and white pieces began to emit a dazzling light, and from them, chess spirits emerged. They were all veiled with gauze, their features obscured, yet their attire lent them an air of eerie mystery.

The weapons they wielded were equally diverse.

Battle was imminent.

The unexpected sight made Ye Xiyin’s mouth fall open slightly. Although he knew *Sword Trial* was a high-martial arts setting with a touch of fantasy, having chess pieces transform into living spirits was a bit too advanced, wasn't it?

Still, it was quite interesting.

He left the combat to the five of them and stood back, focusing on the battle between the two sides. Naturally, most of his attention remained on He Qiting, as the expert’s attacks were the most fluid, graceful, and elegant among the group.

Without any brain-teasing puzzles, the fighting was simple for the five of them. With their top-tier strength and Ye Xiyin’s successful tactical layout, they worked in tandem with their white chess spirit allies to erode the black forces and dismantle the enemy’s offense. Victory was within reach.

Following the prompt that they were the first to clear the dungeon, the first spot for treatment at the Shi Sect fell into Ye Xiyin’s hands.

Ye Xiyin was happy.

The other players watching from outside were not.

What the hell? They had been exhausted, wiped out, and forced to crawl out of the dungeon in disgrace without even getting angry, yet here these people were, already having cleared it successfully.

They had all seen it—with their own eyes—that He Qiting and his group’s success was eighty percent due to the person giving the commands.

Who doesn't know how to fight? But they lacked the proper output environment. Thinking of how he had led a dozen chess spirits to attack earlier, only to see the orderly, disciplined brigade of chess spirits on the other side, the onlookers felt a sense of desolation and a deep, chilling disappointment.

Immediately, someone who felt it was unfair took screenshots and posted them on the forum. As soon as the post appeared, countless indignant players swarmed in.

[Sword Trial - General Chat] Friends, I’m not convinced. Why is it that when we all play the same game, they get an extra cheat?

OP: [Image][Image][Image] As shown, this is the recently released "Heaven and Earth Chessboard" dungeon. Everyone knows that when a new dungeon comes out and the rules aren't clear, wiping once or twice is normal. But today, there was an exception. While we were struggling, some people had outside assistance giving them tips [Crying][Crying]

- A cheat? Are they really that arrogant? And with so many people noticing, are the developers just going to ignore it?
- Because this "cheat" is an official one = =. Look closely, there's a commander in that dungeon, and it's an NPC. Surprising, right? The clearance was largely credited to this NPC commander.
- Wait, is this even Chinese? Or did I go to the wrong game? An NPC commanding players to clear a dungeon? What kind of ridiculous maneuver is this? Let me look closer.
...
- Why is everyone silent? Did you not see it?
- Saw it, saw it, saw it with my own eyes. Isn't this the wife destined for me in my dreams? Wife, why are you out there instead of coming to find me? I’ve been looking for you for so long, so you were stolen by someone else [Crying]
- The developers had such a beautiful NPC and kept him hidden from us! For this year's Beauty Poll, please cast your precious vote for my wife, thank you [Bowing]
- Three seconds. I want all the information on this NPC, immediately, now!
- He’s truly so beautiful. A frail, sickly beauty with the "vulnerable" vibes cranked up to the max. He looks sick, right? It seems the NPCs participating in the Heaven and Earth Chessboard all need treatment at the Shi Sect, so were they recruited by him? Why doesn't a good opportunity like this ever come to me? I can't imagine how happy I’d be if he joined my party. Little beauty, I’d fight to the death for you!
- What "your wife"? He’s already taken... wait, or she? Actually, it doesn't matter, he’s taken.
- Damn it, has the news of us being together already been exposed?
- Good heavens, how dare you! He Qiting will challenge you to a duel if he hears you running your mouth.
- He Qiting? What does this have to do with He Qiting?
- A fujoshi cautiously pokes her head out.
- I’m not joking. The thing between the expert and the beautiful NPC has been going on for so long; you guys didn't know? [Image][Image][Image] You didn't hear about the famous Yancheng hero-saving-the-beauty gossip?
- This "wife" looks exactly like the one from before.
- Is it possible they’re the same person?
- ???? Give me the details.
- Specifically, this NPC is Ye Junyan’s child. In Yancheng, someone captured him to get information on Ye Junyan, but He Qiting suddenly appeared and saved him. It seems like an escort mission, and they’ve been acting together ever since. They were also together during that bandit-suppression mission last time [Image][Image]
- Hero saves beauty, always by their side—is this pairing really that good?
- Oh no, I don't think I can compete with that, qwq
- @He Qiting, big boss, teach me, teach me! How do you kidnap a beautiful NPC and bring them home? I want one too. My goddess or my god, one of them has to be with me, qwq
- Step one: be more focused. Do you think you can win over a god or goddess with that attitude? [Mocking] Look at the expert; so far, he’s only shown interest in one NPC. Stop being a playboy.
- No, does anyone remember the topic? Keep the emotional stuff out of this. Please give us people who are trying to play the game seriously some space, thank you.
- Back to the point: how can they still cheat? The system is discriminating. Why do He Qiting and his group get outside help?
- I knew He Qiting was the system's favorite child.
- Would a "favorite child" have such bad luck?
- You guys don't know, but these few have recently had their luck turn around. [Image] Look, Tianyuan Gold Crystals drop whenever they want, and later there was the Red Glow Immortal Rock. Can you still call that unlucky? If that’s unlucky, then I want some too.
- Quietly saying: actually, the Guild Leader and the others are still quite unlucky. These things have nothing to do with them.
- ?
- So, the timing of this team’s luck turning around is indeed very coincidental. It seems to have happened right after they teamed up with the beautiful NPC.
- Revealed: the "favorite child" is actually the beautiful NPC, right?
- If that’s the case, I’m truly envious. Lucky, smart, and can help clear dungeons—who wouldn't want to team up with such a beautiful NPC?
- But you also need the strength to protect him. Not everyone is He Qiting.
- But I still want to know why an NPC can enter the dungeon with them. I feel like I won't be able to sleep tonight if I don't figure it out o(╥﹏╥)o

Amidst the storm of controversy, He Qiting appeared, though he only appeared in the strategy section.