Chapter 5

Translator: D4sk

"No Updates Today" is the name of the gaming account created by Jiang Qiao, and the class he chose is the relatively laid-back Summoner.

While the Junlin team's match was in progress, Jiang Qiao sent invitations to 998 players from around the world who were considered "qualified."

Currently, the game server can host up to 1,000 players, and Jiang Qiao had to ensure that these 1,000 players were seasoned veterans who were passionate enough about the game to level up significantly within a month.

One of his key targets was Zhao Mingwei, also known as "Xixiao" the best fighter-class player in Conflict. Jiang Qiao had placed special attention on him.

For this reason, Jiang Qiao specifically went to the beginner's village, preparing to act as an "experienced player" to help Zhao Mingwei, the "newbie," level up.

"Are you a player in this game?" Zhao Mingwei asked, looking somewhat puzzled when he saw Jiang Qiao.

Conflict, as a VR game, definitely didn't have the level of realism seen in this world. No matter how realistic the visuals in front of him appeared, Zhao Mingwei could still easily tell that Conflict's game graphics were "drawn."

But this world was different. Zhao Mingwei could clearly see every thread of silk on Jiang Qiao's robe, and even his hair seemed to be individually calculated.

"Have you ever seen an NPC with a name like this?" Jiang Qiao pointed to the name above his head, "No Updates Today."

"Indeed, I haven't." Zhao Mingwei responded with an awkward smile, then glanced around, "There aren't many people on this server. Is this a new game? The login method... was pretty strange too."

The streets of this main city were indeed empty, with only three or four NPCs standing there lonely, waiting for players to interact with them.

"I also received the login app this morning. At first, I thought it was some kind of prank, but after playing the game all day, it's actually pretty fun." Jiang Qiao lied effortlessly. By now, he had become a master at lying, not even blinking as he spoke.

"But I was the only player all day, so I thought I was playing a single-player game! Finally, I've found another player! How about we team up, and I'll help you level up?"

Jiang Qiao swiped his finger to bring up the menu and immediately sent a party invitation to Zhao Mingwei.

"No teaming up, but I'll add you as a friend." Zhao Mingwei declined Jiang Qiao's party invitation.

"Are you sure you don't want me to help you?" Jiang Qiao pointed to the left side of his name, where his level, LV10, was displayed.

"If you kill all the monsters, there won't be anything left for me to do. But, I'll need you, the expert, to teach me some strategies and tips."

Zhao Mingwei didn't completely reject Jiang Qiao's assistance. Leveling up and fighting monsters was part of the game experience, and Zhao Mingwei enjoyed that process.

However, he also knew the importance of game strategies. Having a veteran player to guide him was definitely better than none.

"Strategies? I'm still exploring the game myself, but I'll share any good tips I find with you."

Jiang Qiao hadn't yet thought of any useful strategies since he had just finished the beginner village quests.

"Well, if I discover anything, I'll message you too. Alright, expert, I'm off to do the beginner quests." Zhao Mingwei waved as he walked away from Jiang Qiao.

Jiang Qiao watched as this true gaming legend from Huaguo's online gaming community left.

Zhao Mingwei's steps appeared light and carefree, like a child excitedly hopping and skipping on a school field trip, thrilled to explore a new place.

For seven years, he hadn't properly started fresh in a new game, let alone one that could rival Conflict, and in a closed beta with barely any players!

Any online gamer would be excited to explore such a game.

"I've always had a question: why can't we just directly boost the players to the max level?" Jiang Qiao asked, watching Zhao Mingwei disappear down the road while speaking to the invisible figure beside him, Hailan.

Hailan was currently in a hidden state, following Jiang Qiao as a summoned spirit.

"The human soul has a limit to how much energy it can absorb at once. Leveling up is a process that strengthens their souls. Injecting too much energy at once would tear their souls apart, causing them to lose their sense of self," Hailan explained.

"In ten days, can the players on this server really fend off those invading monsters?" Jiang Qiao swiped his finger to bring up a panel, showing some data: current player count, 720/1,000. Out of these 720 online players, Jiang Qiao was the highest level.

His current level was ten. The second-highest player was a priest named "Add Milk, No Extra Charge," who had reached level nine. After that, there were five level-eight players.

This was the first tier of players on the server. Since the game had only been live for a day, reaching an average level of 25 in ten days shouldn't be a problem.

"These warriors... or rather, these players, are the most talented I've ever seen. The training methods you've given them will allow them to grow quickly. For an invasion from a level-35 dimension, I think they'll be fine." Hailan's voice carried a hint of uncertainty. She floated in front of Jiang Qiao, her deep blue eyes looking at him as she said, "Besides, instead of worrying here, you should be leveling up."

"To think I'd live to see the day when an NPC nags me to level up. At least you're not nagging me to spend real money."

Jiang Qiao walked out of the main city, Lionheart City, to begin his own leveling journey.

Three hours passed, and Jiang Qiao's level increased from ten to eleven. At the same time, he received a private message from Zhao Mingwei.

"I've found a wild boss. Wanna fight it, expert?"

"Sure, send me the coordinates."

"3251, 234, 2314."

Jiang Qiao clicked on the coordinates Zhao Mingwei sent, and a virtual map popped up in front of him.

The location was on the left side of Lion Plains, where most of the monsters were level-nine wild boars.

In just three hours, Zhao Mingwei had already reached level eight.

His leveling speed was twice as fast as Jiang Qiao's. Jiang Qiao even wondered if he had taken some kind of double experience potion.

Maybe that's just what it means to be a pro.

Jiang Qiao arrived at Zhao Mingwei's coordinates. Zhao Mingwei had already been waiting for a while. Upon seeing Jiang Qiao, he immediately sent a party invitation.

Jiang Qiao swiftly accepted the party invite. By now, Zhao Mingwei's gear had already been upgraded from the beginner set to level-five equipment.

To be honest, Jiang Qiao still felt a bit embarrassed… His own equipment was also level-five white gear, except for the staff in his hand, which was a level-ten rare blue item.

But beginner gear would be replaced soon enough… Jiang Qiao was mainly testing the game's combat system for now.