38. Have we become the key to viral traffic?

The vast amount of materials fed to Jiang Heyi transformed into fuel for leveling up the guild, successfully raising it from Level 1 to Level 3.

The interconnected potion laboratory and artisan workshop were relocated to the left and right symmetrical wings of the guild. The cramped interior space instantly became spacious, and the decor was refreshed, no longer carrying the stench of rotting, moldy wood. The puppets finally had their own resting cubicles, complete with comfortable wooden beds, soft quilts, and blankets. The harsh working environment, where they previously had to collapse for sleep right next to their tools, had been effectively improved.

The main hall of the guild, once criticized by the Disgraced Witch, was now illuminated. Lighting crystals, which had only been seen in the underground temple, were now embedded across the walls, filling the room with a relaxing, warm glow. Jiang Heyi invested heavily in the artisan workshop, upgrading its equipment and using the last of his budget to slightly improve the puppet forging techniques.

Although the furnishings within the guild remained ragged and stood in stark contrast to the guild's brand-new aesthetic, the pleasure of seeing immediate feedback from his careful management made everyone feel genuinely comfortable.

As this round of the game drew to a close, the Jailer, his mouth curled up toward his ears, returned. His smugness made it clear to everyone that he had made quite a harvest. He had managed to procure all the necessary elemental essences and raw ores. While the quality was inconsistent, considering the limited budget, the fact that he had managed to secure everything in just half a day was a testament to his silver-tongued prowess.

Just as they were about to hand over the materials to the Nun Puppet, Garlic Sprout drifted over. "Current forging experience is not extensive; the resulting finished products may be unsatisfactory. Even so, does the Master still choose to proceed with forging?"

Jiang Heyi was, of course, prepared for this. Even the inferior weapons produced at the lowest level of forging were still Red-tier set items, far better than the junk they were currently holding.

The Jailer treated his Nun Puppet to a new set of silver-white clothes, triggering a one-click outfit change in front of everyone. "Work hard at forging; if the quality is excellent, I'll add a few more sets for you."

Using such methods to motivate an AI-generated puppet... let's just say, that is typical of him.

Jiang Heyi, who had entered a light sleep mode, slowly drifted awake. His previous schedule had not been particularly healthy. Like most college students, he would still be energetic at 1:00 AM and partying at 2:00 AM. If there were no classes the next day, it was common for the entire dorm to stay up gaming until dawn. This habit persisted even after graduation; during the job-hunting gap, the impulse for "revenge-style" leisure, fueled by the anxiety of entering the workforce, made staying up late a daily routine.

That was until *Star's Testimony* appeared.

He would go to bed promptly at 11:30 PM, enter the game at midnight after falling asleep, finish at 6:00 AM, and after a period of light sleep, wake up slowly around 7:00 AM. His schedule was regular and healthy; it was no wonder some in the community called *Star's Testimony* a "wellness game."

"Are you still going for job interviews today?" Zhong Zemo asked during breakfast.

"No, I've already visited all the companies I intended to apply to. I'll just wait for a reply over the next few days."

Jiang Heyi felt uncertain about his future. The only thing that gave him some sense of security was this house in the old district of Chengning City, which had mature surrounding amenities. He had once created a profile of himself, and it could be summarized as plain and ordinary.

Like most people in this world, he had no particularly dazzling points, nor any glaring flaws. It was as if a single drop of water had fallen into a river or sea, leaving no trace behind.

The doorbell rang, and Jiang Heyi looked toward it in confusion. Zhong Zemo took a bite of his hand-grabbed pancake and, as if remembering something, stood up nervously.

"Have you been exposed?"

This time, it was Zhong Zemo's turn to feel uneasy. Ever since he proposed divorce and resolutely moved out, he had handed all proceedings over to the lawyer summoned by the Jailer. Du Jingwen had indeed gone to the school over the past two days, but due to current security restrictions, her antics had been blocked at the school gate. Zhong Zemo was well-liked at school; he was an old-school fan of subculture and a master of surfing the web, well-versed in the hobbies of his students, which provided them with common topics. His leaders and colleagues were very sympathetic to his situation, so this matter had not affected his work in the slightest.

He wasn't afraid of Du Jingwen—once the divorce was settled, there would naturally be no more entanglements—but there was still some time before the process was complete. If she found out he was staying at Jiang Heyi's place, heaven knows what kind of scene she would cause.

Jiang Heyi picked up the pancake from his plate with indifference, peeking through the peephole while he chewed.

"Is it her?" Zhong Zemo asked urgently.

Jiang Heyi sighed, took two more bites, and opened the door.

Standing outside was a man around forty, lacking the decadence of middle age. His eyes were bright, and he was dressed in a sharp, professional manner. Wearing a crisp double-breasted suit, he carried a gift bag in each hand. Just as he was about to say something to Jiang Heyi, his peripheral vision caught the decor on the shoe cabinet, and he paused.

Jiang Heyi stepped aside, revealing Zhong Zemo as he approached. He introduced him: "My friend, Zhong Zemo. He's had some trouble at home and is staying here for a while." Fearing a misunderstanding, Jiang Heyi added, "He's a teacher at Chengning No. 6 Middle School—a key teacher."

Upon hearing this, a warm, elder-like smile appeared on the man's face: "Hello, Teacher Zhong. I'm just here to check on Heyi. Do you mind if I have a word with him in private?"

The conversation lasted for nearly half an hour. The man left the bedroom, leaving both gift bags behind. "Think it over, and come find me whenever you're ready," he said before leaving.

Out of curiosity, Zhong Zemo glanced into the gift bags and found they were filled with high-end tobacco, alcohol, and several shopping cards. It was strange; both he and Jiang Heyi were allergic to tobacco and alcohol, so why send these?

"He is..."

As if knowing what Zhong Zemo was about to ask, Jiang Heyi immediately replied, "My uncle."

"Ever since my parents passed away, he has been looking after me. He doesn't visit often now that I'm grown, but every time he does, he brings some gifts." Jiang Heyi smiled. "Do you think his gifts are thoughtless, given that I don't drink or smoke?"

Zhong Zemo nodded.

"He runs a factory and is always doing business, so there are always gifts in his trunk. Since I've grown up, he doesn't know what I like, so he just brings whatever he has so I can exchange them for money."

"It's also easier for him to explain to his family that they were used during business entertainment." Jiang Heyi pursed his lips and sighed. "Actually, I've already told him he doesn't need to come anymore."

The content of their conversation wasn't any hidden secret. His uncle, Wei Xingchao, saw that Jiang Heyi hadn't found a job after graduation and suggested he start by gaining some experience at his factory. Jiang Heyi, however, had refused. Some people are unwilling to work at a relative's company because their pride won't allow it, and others fear the difficulty of settling accounts between relatives. Jiang Heyi simply didn't want to add more trouble to his uncle's life, and... he didn't like his uncle's family.

Ever since his parents passed, his uncle had been helping him, which had already caused murmurs within his uncle's household. Having personally experienced being the target of barbed, cold sarcasm—that feeling of living under someone else's roof—Jiang Heyi remembered it to this day. The reason he chose to live alone was that he had understood the meaning behind those disgusted looks.

As for his uncle, he felt only gratitude. He had been helped enough; how could he dare to cause him any more trouble? He was grown up now, with his own hands and feet, and he could support himself.

"Here." Jiang Heyi tossed the shopping cards to Zhong Zemo. "Use these for groceries."

"Don't you want to keep some?"

"I don't really have any expenses. As long as I have my computer and *Star's Testimony*, I'm set." Jiang Heyi laughed. "See? I'm easy to take care of, right?"

That was the life of a shut-in, so they said.

With Zhong Zemo off to work and no need for job hunting, Jiang Heyi turned on his computer. "Original Fries" had already shared the account for *Boundary of Reality and Illusion*, and whoever was free would handle the operations.

As expected, the private messages in the background were exploding; Jiang Heyi couldn't possibly read them all. Because of his public statement last night, the entire *Star's Testimony* community now knew that *Boundary of Reality and Illusion* had cleared the fourth floor of the Temple of the Clearer. Players had various theories about how they had actually managed to clear it.

Some admitted that *Boundary of Reality and Illusion* was indeed powerful and the best PVE guild in the game. Others felt that they had mastered an "unorthodox" clearing method and might attract the attention of the developers. Some even went as far as to suggest that Jiang Heyi and his group were "official plants."

Due to the existence of the official *Boundary of Reality and Illusion* account, many players had begun to harbor the idea of digging into the real-life identities of the guild members.

It was, to put it simply, a scene of total chaos.

Jiang Heyi took some time to edit the guide for clearing the Dust-Cleansing Floor and posted it. The number of followers for *Boundary of Reality and Illusion* had reached an astonishing 70,000, and that was just on a single platform. In the chat group, the Jailer mentioned that on other platforms, clips of them were already hot videos for gaming marketing accounts.

He never expected that a group of lowly gamers like them could become a "traffic magnet" in the eyes of others.