Chapter 22

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[Sword Trial - Guide] Heaven and Earth Chessboard Clearance Strategy (Paid)
He Qi Ting: Try to cannibalize the opponent’s pieces to expand your own territory. The chess manual is located in the room where the NPC resides; once obtained, you can use it as a reference for your moves. (Strategy provider: Ye Xiyin)
- It’s here, it’s here. Let me see what’s going on.
- This is the first time I’ve seen a big shot posting a paid guide. Is it to limit the number of people who clear the level?
- Damn, it’s actually this simple? Who would have thought the strategy was hidden in the living quarters? Too devious, what a broken game. So this is where the "puzzle-solving" tag comes into play.
- How is that simple? Most people wouldn’t even think of looking for a guide in the living quarters, right?
- Actually, not necessarily. Our team thought of it, and it’s not like we haven’t studied this thing, but who would really memorize what the manual looks like or how to lay out the pieces? Besides, there are over twenty of them. Just memorizing them is beyond the average person.
- No, for players it’s okay, you can cheat by taking pictures, but for an NPC, that’s truly difficult. It’s rare that Ye Xiyin could remember it.
- I just compared everyone’s chess game content, and the board is different every time. Yet, Ye Xiyin memorized all of them. 666.
- Is it my imagination, or is there an inexplicable sense of showing off in the big shot's tone?
- I get it, I get it. It’s that "look how amazing my wife is" kind of vibe.
- To be honest, I’m not interested in the guide, but I want to ship the couple. Hehe, I’ve found my treasure.
- Don’t ship everything you see!
- So what? Shipping everything only gives me a balanced diet of content.
- I have defeated 99% of users in the process of becoming a "Qi-Xi" shipper. Please join us.
- Good heavens, they even have a couple name. I have to admire your initiative.
- I ship it. Even their couple names are so well-matched.
- I don’t care about anything else, I only care about why an NPC is allowed to join your dungeon run. @HeQiTing @XuZiChe @QingYunQiuYue @ZiBuYu @JueXin
- QingYunQiuYue: Of course, it’s because they’re family. No matter where @HeQiTing goes, little Xiyin automatically follows. You can’t envy that (*^▽^*)
- Whoa, the real deal has appeared.
- Who said this couple couldn't be shipped? This ship is absolutely amazing.
- I’m drawing it, I’m drawing it. If you could share some details, that would be even better.

However, after that post, QingYunQiuYue did not appear again. As for He Qi Ting, aside from the original post, he said nothing more. Everyone could only leave with regret and go to catch up on previous events related to the two.

QingYunQiuYue left the forum with a chuckle, only to find their older brother watching them silently.
This must be because they talked too much on the forum earlier.
QingYunQiuYue wasn't afraid and said with a laugh, "Of course I had to remind them. Or do you prefer others calling him 'little Xiyin'?"
Thinking of those titles on the forum, He Qi Ting’s face darkened.
Of course he didn't like it; he even wished some people wouldn't be so self-indulgent.
"They speak too promiscuously," He Qi Ting said. "Xiyin wouldn't like it."

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Is it that Ye Xiyin doesn't like it, or that you don't like it?
QingYunQiuYue clicked their tongue inwardly.
The two of them sounded like they were speaking in riddles. Ye Xiyin looked at them curiously: "Did something happen?"
In fact, ever since they came out, a crowd had gathered outside the Heaven and Earth Chessboard. Seeing them exit, the crowd swarmed them. Based on the chatter in the world channel, Ye Xiyin guessed that his participation in the dungeon had caused quite a stir. Looking at their conversation, it seemed He Qi Ting and the others had even posted on the forum.
It was a pity he couldn't see the forum messages and didn't know what they had said.
A bit of a shame.
"Nothing much, just some people praising you for being good-looking. I told them you’re in our team, not with them, right?" QingYunQiuYue leaned in and asked with a grin.
Glancing secretly at He Qi Ting, Ye Xiyin nodded vigorously.
That’s right, that’s right. Besides, others aren't as strong as the big shot. He knew who the "golden thigh" was, didn't he?
He Qi Ting’s lips curled up.
He looked quite pleased. QingYunQiuYue cast a disdainful look.
See? This is the price of falling for a pretty NPC—already head over heels and irrational.
And yet he insists on playing it cool, claiming he doesn't care.
Ignoring that gaze, He Qi Ting took the money he earned from the forum guide, put it into a pouch, and handed it all to Ye Xiyin.
Ye Xiyin caught the pouch with both hands, confused: "Are we buying something?"
"No, it’s for you," He Qi Ting explained. "People bought the method to clear the Heaven and Earth Chessboard. This is your reward."
So He Qi Ting went to sell the strategy.
Ye Xiyin realized, then accepted the pouch, feeling delighted inside.
This was his hard-earned money. It wasn't easy; he had finally made some cash.
He looked so adorable that it made one want to pinch his cheeks.
He Qi Ting’s fingers twitched, but he restrained the overly bold urge.
"Others are still buying, and the rewards will all be yours."
"Okay, okay!" Ye Xiyin’s eyes curved into crescents.
The two chatted as if no one else were around. Just as QingYunQiuYue was about to lose patience, Zi Bu Yu led a disciple of the Shi Sect over.
"Benefactors, since you have cleared the Heaven and Earth Chessboard, the Abbot invites you inside," the Shi Sect disciple said politely.
Concerned for Ye Xiyin's health, they didn't delay further and walked toward the mountain gate under the envious gazes of other players.
The Shi Sect was divided into outer and inner courtyards. They had expected that, given the recent incident with the thieves, they would at most be allowed into the outer courtyard, but to their surprise, the disciple led them directly to the inner courtyard.
The people waiting for them included Abbot Guangyuan and Master Song Jiuzhi of the Starry Net Sect.
Even Zi Bu Yu was surprised and expressed his shock in the team channel.

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Ye Xiyin was silently observing the screen when he suddenly felt an intense gaze fixed upon him. He turned back to look and found it was the master, Song Jiuzhi.
Ye Xiyin first noticed the man’s level.
Level 120.
The highest level currently open in *Sword Trial*, a rank only Great Vehicle Grandmasters could possess. Players were capped at level 100. It was said that there was no level range between 100 and 120 in *Sword Trial*; one could only reach the Great Vehicle Grandmaster level through enlightenment.
However, no one had yet figured out how to level up further.
Being stared at by such a rare master of the world, Ye Xiyin felt a bit nervous, and his posture straightened involuntarily.
Seeming to notice his tension, He Qi Ting patted Ye Xiyin’s shoulder lightly. This small gesture was seen by Song Jiuzhi, who had been staring at Ye Xiyin, and a sharp, complex look fell upon He Qi Ting.
Ye Xiyin tilted his head slightly.
Was it his imagination? Why did it feel like this master held some hostility toward the big shot?
A protective instinct flared up, and Ye Xiyin shifted slightly to block He Qi Ting’s side. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was the one at max level, while He Qi Ting was only level ten.
Watching this brief exchange, the teammates tried hard to suppress their laughter.
[Team] XuZiChe: Too embarrassing, brother, having little Ye protect you.
[Team] QingYunQiuYue: Bro, you’re so unlucky. How did you get targeted by a master without doing anything?
[Team] ZiBuYu: It’s said that Master Song Jiuzhi has a very good temper.
The implication was that it must be He Qi Ting’s fault.
Ignoring their teasing, He Qi Ting felt surprisingly good.
Why wouldn't Ye Xiyin protect others, but protect him instead?
Such blatant partiality—who wouldn't be happy?
Amidst this strange atmosphere, Abbot Guangyuan spoke.
"Thinking back to those years, Hero Ye’s elegant demeanor is still vivid in my mind. I did not expect that, while the old friend is nowhere to be found, I would meet his child." Knowing his friend was interested in Ye Xiyin, Abbot Guangyuan shifted the topic to him.
Since someone had mentioned He Qi Ting, Ye Xiyin was also curious about his situation, and the two hit it off and began to chat.
"Little friend, you are quite similar to Hero Ye; one can recognize you at a glance."
"Am I very similar?" Ye Xiyin was surprised. After all, according to rumors, Ye Junyan’s appearance was more on the handsome side, but his own features were softer.
Master Guangyuan nodded: "Your eyes are extremely similar." Anyone familiar with Ye Junyan would surely recognize the commonalities between them at a glance.
Both possessed soulful eyes that left a deep impression.
But this was also the strange part for Song Jiuzhi.