Third update, please subscribe and vote for monthly tickets~~~

...

"I've never heard of it…"

However, the old man showed no change in his demeanor, continuing to play chess while responding to Qin Fang's question in a calm tone.

But is that really the case?

Clearly not!

Qin Fang had already noticed a very slight tremble in the old man's hand when he heard the name Thousand Gate Chess Elder.

"It really is you…"

This subtle change was masterfully concealed by the old man, but Qin Fang was observant enough to immediately identify the old man's identity.

From the moment Qin Fang had laid eyes on this peculiar old man, he had been paying close attention to him. It wasn't out of fascination with his obsession for the Way of Chess, but rather because Qin Fang, having nearly reached the peak of Advanced Detective Skill, still couldn't discern the old man's identity.

This was quite an unusual circumstance… Qin Fang hadn't encountered many people whose information he couldn't detect, but those he had met were almost without exception extremely formidable.

The Thousand Sect is an enormous and mysterious sect. Those who are not part of it cannot comprehend its vastness.

Through thousands of years of proliferation, the original branches of the sect have become ever more numerous. Although no one openly waves the Thousand Sect's banner, no one can deny their existence as branches of the sect.

In the Thousand Sect, there are many remarkable individuals, each famous for their unique expertise or peculiar hobbies.

For instance, the Thousand Gate Chess Elder that Qin Fang just mentioned is one of them...

Born in one of the branches of the Qimen Dunjia Sect, the Chess Elder studied the Qimen Dunjia Technique. His passion for chess led him to integrate his lifelong learning into the art of chess. Combined with his advanced age, this resulted in his moniker - the Thousand Gate Chess Elder.

While the Thousand Gate Chess Elder may seem like nothing more than an old man nearing the end of his days in terms of martial prowess, anyone who dares to underestimate him would surely meet a hideous end.

The Qimen Dunjia Sect is an exceptional branch within the Thousand Sect, with profound mastery over the Qimen Dunjia Technique, especially regarding various formations.

In the history of Dragon Country, the most famous and almost demonically intelligent Zhuge Kongming was actually a member of the Qimen Dunjia Sect, and his Eight Trigrams Formation was virtually world-shaking.

Although the Thousand Gate Chess Elder might not match Zhuge Kongming in the Dao of Formation, by incorporating many Illusion Arrays into his chess, playing against him could trap others in an illusory world just by watching the moving chess pieces, unable to extricate themselves...

Falling into it for a short time might not have much impact, but if one is unable to pull out for an extended period, they would ultimately become lost in the illusion, ultimately leading to a mental collapse and a self-destructive end...

This is not a joke; it's the truth.

In the original Eight Trigrams Formation, there were many Illusion Arrays that trapped numerous soldiers of Sima Yi, who ultimately ended up killing each other...

If Zhuge Kongming had not been nearing the end of his life, the Eight Trigrams Formation would surely have reversed the defeat for Xishu...

These are all historical legends, whose truth Qin Fang cannot verify, and thus need not delve into. However, he had heard of the Thousand Gate Chess Elder.

With a Qianmen Charm in his possession and information from that swindler surnamed Li, Qin Fang knew of the moniker Thousand Gate Chess Elder.

At first, Qin Fang found it strange and wasn't certain of the old man's identity, merely considering him a crazy chess fan.

But when the old man invited Qin Fang to play and he truly experienced the Chess Elder's unparalleled chess skills, Qin Fang finally confirmed the old man's identity.

What seemed like an ordinary chess game was actually fraught with hidden dangers.

Outsiders watching the game for a while would start to feel overwhelmed, and one can only imagine the pressure Qin Fang, one of the participants, was under at this moment.

With almost every move equivalent to stepping into an Illusion Array, one's mind could easily be lost if they could not break free in a short time.

Therefore, Qin Fang was extremely cautious and careful with every move, fearing to fall into the old man's traps.

But the old man himself was not having an easy time either. Every seemingly insignificant move by Qin Fang served to alter the situation, with the Illusion Arrays turning as if surrendering to Qin Fang, immediately switching their offensive towards the old man.

As a Formation Master highly skilled in chess, facing a young opponent with such high-level Cheating Skills, even the man known as the Thousand Gate Chess Elder was forced to treat the situation with utmost caution.

This was a duel between Cheating Skills, tremendously dangerous and immensely intense—even though spectators could hardly perceive any fierce struggle.

But in reality, neither side dared to slacken their vigilance...

For any lapse might provide the opponent an opportunity, and a single miscalculation could lead to immediate entrapment...

Qin Qing also felt something was amiss. Seeing Qin Fang extremely focused and the old man with a grim expression, the words she had at the tip of her tongue could not be spoken.

She had the intention to check on the chess game, but her understanding of chess was so limited that she couldn't make heads or tails of it, and the illusion arrays naturally had no effect on her either.

Tang Feifei, on the other hand, was incredibly tense. Ever since she realized that there was something special about this chess game, and with Qin Fang's specific mention of the title "Thousand Gate Chess Elder," she knew that the old man opposite them could be rather formidable.

The game continued, with the two players engaged in an intense battle. Qin Fang's forehead had already begun to show signs of sweat, and his back was becoming damp as well.

Although it seemed to be a contest of mental strength, in reality, it was also consuming a significant amount of internal energy.

The use of Thousand Skills also required a medium for support, but this kind of medium was very elusive and represented some mysterious entity incomprehensible to humans.

Qin Fang himself was quite fortunate; his Cheating Skills were now very close to Intermediate level. However, he possessed a Qianji Ring, which could +1 to his Cheating Skills level, meaning that Qin Fang now had skills comparable to Advanced Cheating Skills.

Moreover, with Qin Fang's Scouting Skill, akin to an Eye of Truth, he could make the most accurate analysis of the chessboard mountain's Illusion Array.

This ensured that Qin Fang would not make a wrong move and get trapped within the Illusion Array.

At the same time, he was studying these Illusion Arrays, aiming to trick the old man without getting fooled himself.

However, evidently, this was not an easy feat.

If Qin Fang's guess was correct, the old man's identity ought to be the renowned Thousand Gate Chess Elder from the Thousand Gates.

Not only was the elder skilled in Illusion Arrays, but his chess skills were also exceptionally profound.

By integrating Illusion Arrays into his chess skills, playing chess became an extremely dangerous affair; a single misstep could spell doom...

Both parties possessed great skill, yet Qin Fang was just a halfway apprentice. Even with many aids to help him, tricking the old man was not going to be easy.

"Check!"

To trick the old man and make him suffer the consequences was clearly an impossibility, but Qin Fang's pure skill in chess was still pretty solid.

After seeing through the old man's techniques, Qin Fang resisted the Illusion Array while pondering the moves, and finally, after a series of plays, Qin Fang suddenly changed his tactics...

"Er..."

The old man saw Qin Fang's check, but from the perspective of the game, it was not a checkmate situation, or to say, it seemed entirely like a wasted effort.

But then—

"Good, good, good..."

The old man slammed down his chess piece and hopped a few times on Chessboard Mountain, immediately resolving all the attached Illusion Arrays.

"Truly a hero from the younger generation... I concede defeat!"

The old man looked at Qin Fang with admiration, making no attempt to hide the appreciation in his eyes.

Even though their loss in this game was minimal, and neither had gained an advantage, the old man immediately conceded.

Perhaps moments ago, both were fiercely battling, each wishing they could strike the other down, but neither could gain the upper hand over the other.

"The elderly gentleman is too kind, and you are still strong and energetic!"

Qin Fang responded politely in return.

This old man could almost certainly be identified as the Thousand Gate Chess Elder, a highly regarded elder within the Thousand Gates. Although not at the level of the Elders, this was only because he had no interest in power and influence.

In truth, there was no enmity between the two; the reason their fight was so indeterminate was merely because the excitement of the game provoked both of their immense prides.

Having put aside such mindset, the two no longer had to fight to the death and could live peacefully together...

"I am Song Qianqiu. May I know the esteemed name of this young friend...?"

The old man cupped his fists, introducing himself while also not forgetting to inquire about Qin Fang's name.

"I am Qin Fang..."

Qin Fang reported his name with politeness. Although he held the title of a Thousand Gates Acolyte, in reality he was just a nameless soldier within the Thousand Gates.

Compared to Song Qianqiu, the Thousand Gate Chess Elder, they were worlds apart.

Perhaps it was the relationship formed by this chess game, but despite their age difference of several decades, at this moment they seemed like peers, even striking up a friendship—much to the speechlessness of Qin Qing and Tang Feifei at their side.

Even though they didn't fully grasp what had just happened, it was clear that it wasn't as simple as it appeared on the surface...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.