You Don't Play Chess by the Rules!

This choice surprised everyone present.

The bonus for a soldier is a 50% increase in strength and the addition of a Rare-level weapon.

As is well known, during the Body Refinement Realm, vital energy can only be used internally, roughly one to two times the strength of physical body. However, upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, vital energy can condense outside the body to form protective qi. This protective qi is like an invisible Powered Armor, not only providing defense against attacks but also far enhancing strength compared to the Body Refinement Realm. Upon reaching the Heart Refining Realm, for close-combat-oriented abilities such as Martial Combat Faction or Shapeshifting Faction, the Protective Qi Strength directly affects the power of skills.

In short, as one's cultivation level increases, the effectiveness of Cultivators's physical strength diminishes. In comparison, the minor soldiers who can only increase strength are practically useless in the eyes of these Heart Refining Realm experts.

Given his reputation, even if he chose the strongest pieces like the Rook, Knight, Cannon, he would still be quite competitive. At the very least, he could have chosen the advisor. Why did he specifically choose the pawn?

Is this the confidence of a master? Can I conquer the board without any buffs?

The way everyone looked at Luo Jun changed; some looked with respect, while others secretly mocked him, waiting for him to make a fool of himself. Even Yu Qiudi's snot bubble burst...

Luo Jun was in a bind. He knew that the Rook, Knight, Cannon were valuable. Although he couldn't use the Protective Qi Enhancement skill, it would be a huge boost for him, who was at the Body Refinement Realm. However, he probably wouldn't be able to get his hands on such a sought-after piece without showing off his skills.

But what does he have to show off? Arm wrestling?

In comparison, although the bonus for the pawn is the smallest, it directly increases physical strength, which happens to be applied to his strengths!

I dare not speak of anything else, but when it comes to brute force, every single person present, even if you squeezed them, would probably be no match for him!

"Are you sure you want to die?" Jin Fei was still somewhat incredulous.

Luo Jun didn't say anything more, but simply clenched the chess piece in his hand, making his stance clear.

Jin Fei narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself that this night was truly extraordinary.

Just as he was about to shake hands, he had a hidden technique in his palm that countered the opponent's internal energy. A simple handshake would break through the energy and penetrate directly into the opponent's body, testing their strength. However, Ye seemed to have seen through his trick and didn't take the hit...

This time, he planned to test the other player's skills by choosing a piece, but the other player directly chose a pawn that no one would contest, thus avoiding the challenge...

His insight and wisdom are extraordinary. Despite his youth, he lacks the competitiveness and impetuosity of young people. This guy is unfathomable!

Luo Jun had no idea about the little drama unfolding in this guy's mind; he just wanted to keep his pawn... Actually, no one would fight for such a lowly piece, but several players who couldn't compete with others and ultimately had no choice but to pick a pawn clearly showed their displeasure.

As for the most important position, "General," there was surprisingly little competition for it.

"This position doesn't require a very high level of chess skill, but your overall chess level can't be too low either..."

"That doesn't matter. When we're all on the chessboard, we can discuss and decide what to do. Let's focus on who has the best skills."

"Whether attacking or defending, you'll gain a powerful shield, so it's best to find someone with strong offensive capabilities!"

"Why isn't the Golden Edge Witch here? Her Demon-Breaking Golden Edge is perfect for this position!"

"As long as the other pieces are strong enough, the opponent won't be able to touch the veteran general, so Combat Power isn't that important..."

The group discussed the matter animatedly, and ultimately, the spot was given to a short-haired girl with a four-pointed star tattoo on her forehead.

Her name is Qi Xingzi, and Heart Condensation Realm Initial Stage. Her chess skills are just average, but she at least knows the basic rules. Furthermore, this girl indicated that she would listen to everyone's opinions when playing chess.

As for why she was chosen as the veteran, it's because her ability is a powerful ultimate move that requires a certain Ultimate Move of preparation time, which perfectly matches the veteran's shielding ability.

Soon, the thirty-minute time limit began to Countdown. Everyone took their pieces, and as the last second ended, the lights came on, and the contestants instantly moved onto the chessboard.

Luo Jun's position was exactly the central pawn. Only when he was standing on the chessboard did he realize its enormous size. Each square was ten meters square, and the entire chessboard was about the size of a football field. Luo Jun did not stand directly on the chessboard. Under his feet was a circular base with a diameter of two meters, which was solidified by invisible energy. The contestants could not leave the base and could only move with it.

Looking at the chess pieces on the other side of the Chu River Han Border, Luo Jun's heart was in his throat.

He chose the pawn not only because it was the most suitable piece for him, but also because he had a small selfish reason. If he lost to the opponent's piece, he could blame it on the poor quality of the upgrade, so that Ye's expert persona wouldn't completely crumble.

In Tier B Mission, he could still win through brute force and cleverness. But in a large-scale Tier A Mission involving sixteen people, all of whom are experts at the Heart Refining Realm, his Body Refinement Realm person like him can only participate... As the saying goes, "leading by example," he'll probably be devoured before long...

Just then, a commotion suddenly arose behind them.

"What happened?"

"Where are the veterans?"

"Why didn't Qi Xingzi come to the chessboard?"

Luo Jun was startled upon hearing this and turned around to look. He saw that the piece sandwiched between the two advisors was not Qi Xingzi, but a black general statue, just like the Red Side pieces on the opposite side.

The veteran didn't leave the field?

"Up there!"

Someone pointed it out, and everyone looked up to see Qi Xingzi still on the circular platform in mid-air, looking down at the chessboard. She seemed a little flustered, waving and shouting something down, but no one could hear her; it was as if they were in two different worlds...

"I see!" Luo Jun suddenly remembered the mission's note. "True Lord observes chess in silence... So that's what it meant!"

No one else could offer any hints, so Qi Xingzi, being the veteran general, had to play the game herself... Of course, if she was checkmated, she would still be pulled out for a duel, but communication with others would be essentially cut off.

"It's alright!" Jin Fei encouraged, "Xingzi still knows the basics. As long as our pieces are strong enough, there won't be any problems!"

He corresponds to the car. This guy is a Martial Combat Faction, with the fifth level of Foundation Strengthening and the sixth level of Vitality Cultivation. He has a solid foundation and outstanding abilities, which perfectly matches the car's bonus.

Luo Jun, being a newbie, didn't recognize him, but Jin Fei was quite well-known in the industry and was a genius back in the day, so when he chose a car, no one even tried to take it from him.

With Jin Fei's encouragement, everyone cheered up and waited for the game to begin.

Red goes first, then black; the opposing team makes the first move.

The sound of rocks scraping together rang out, and the cannon statue on the opposite left slowly moved sideways, eventually landing behind the central pawn.

Cannon 2 moves to 5, Central Cannon, a very classic opening, with the cannon's muzzle directly facing the central pawn Luo Jun.

Everyone looked at Qi Xingzi in the stands. The short-haired girl looked down at the chessboard and raised her hand to make a couple of feints.

As the base Horse 2 advances to 3, the piece representing the horse moved to Luo Jun's diagonal rear, securing the central pawn.

This chess piece is the Bald Man who spoke to Jin Fei earlier. This guy is called Zong Zhiyong. He mainly studies Martial Combat Faction and secondarily studies Elemental School, so he is quite well-rounded. After hearing his name, the others also expressed their belief that he must be a master.

With him there to support him, Luo Jun secretly breathed a sigh of relief... In a normal game of chess, the opponent's cannon certainly wouldn't move to the horse's leg just to capture a pawn...

Before Luo Jun could even relax, the opponent's piece moved.

Cannon 5 advances to 4, capturing the pawn!

To Luo Jun's astonishment, the opposing medium cannon bypassed the red soldiers, crossed the Chu River Han Border, and landed directly in front of him!

(End of this chapter)