Vol-2: 092. I have something good here.

092. I have something good here.

"Yes, President, I found the Domination class mentor. You guys should come quickly, there are a lot of people here."

Bai Ri • Night Wanderer squeezed through the crowd, feeling extremely excited, which was related to their current situation.

In fact, the Bai Ri Guild did not get a spot in the closed beta this time, but the investors were determined to make them enter "Star Abyss", even if it meant cutting some of their original business. They had to establish the Bai Ri name during the closed beta.

There was no choice; the client is king, and the investors are the ultimate authority. Their word made them talk endlessly and run around, but finally, they managed to secure 25 closed beta spots from some lucky small studios.

The bulk, of course, was taken by the officials and immigration construction units. They didn't dare to compete. The professional clubs were backed by financial giants, so there was no contest, but these small studios, weak in strength and happy just to make money, were easy targets.

After internal discussion, the guild finally decided to descend upon Nuliang City in Tianhuan Kingdom as their base for development.

The players' mindset is completely different from the natives of Azure Star. Normal people want to go to big cities, cultural centers, political centers, or economic centers to develop well, or they go to places with pleasant climates, comfortable environments, and excellent local customs to settle down.

Players are born with a sense of unrest, driven by the need to level up and develop. They are very keen on places with an industrial base (to easily obtain equipment and supplies), close to external areas (convenient for going out to fight monsters and level up), and ideally with gray areas (plenty of hidden side quests).

After checking around, Nuliang City is undoubtedly the most suitable city in Tianhuan Kingdom for players to descend upon: not only are the gangs rampant here, but there are also armed organizations like the Akaban Squad, the One Star Party, and the Primordial Alliance, all of which are rich in mission resources. Moreover, it's a typical 'front shop, back factory' production mode, and in such an industrial city, there are many channels for fencing and money laundering, even tax evasion won't lead to prosecution.

The Bai Ri Guild did their homework in advance. After descending, they went straight to various martial arts schools and security companies to get their main profession, but this process was not easy. Many were discouraged by the high tuition fees and apprenticeship gifts and had to start by working odd jobs.

Soon, the Bai Ri Guild members realized that they seemed to be stuck in a vicious cycle:

I have to become a [Martial Artist] to make big money.

——Then go be a [Martial Artist].

But I don't have money to learn martial arts.

——Then go make money.

I must become a [Martial Artist] to make enough money!

——Then go be one!

After some discussion and reflection, the Bai Ri Guild members calmed down and seriously considered the possibility of taking out loans for school. In fact, they also wanted to sponsor one or two players to switch to the [Craft] class or [Redemption] class professions like [Mechanic], [Biochemist], and [Doctor]. These have far more potential in both status and strength compared to [Martial Artist].

Now it seems, forget it, honestly practicing martial arts and doing odd jobs is the most cost-effective.

Just as the guild was basically giving up on the path of spellcasters, Night Wanderer's discovery gave everyone a strong shot of confidence.

Bai Ri • Dream Eater: Is this for real? When did Li Aozi come to Tianhuan?

Bai Ri • Zhong Kui: He came early. You didn't check the forums. He probably passed by Nuliang City.

"President" Bai Ri • Yama: Night Wanderer, keep an eye on him. We're coming right away. Don't let another guild snatch him away!

"Vice President" Bai Ri • Wuchang: @Bai Ri • Yama President, we're in the middle of a mission! Why did you run off?

"President" Bai Ri • Yama: You guys continue with the mission. I have to prevent another guild from monopolizing Li Aozi.

"Vice President" Bai Ri • Wuchang: Got it.

————————

Although Bai Ri responded quickly, by the time President Yama led the main force to rush over, they had already encountered four other guilds along the way.

"Yo, isn't this Brother Yama?" A slick-haired, powdered-face kid teased, "How come you've been playing all day and are only level 3? Can you even manage?"

"Don't know what you're barking about?" Yama said indifferently, curling his lips, "Li Aozi is a [Domination] class mentor. If you miss this, you won't get the chance to quickly acquire a spellcaster profession. Leveling and profession, which is more important, your 'Murloc' Guild should be able to figure it out, right?"

"Hahaha, I still think close combat, with fists hitting flesh, is the most satisfying. What's Omega Energy compared to my solid muscles?"

"Then don't squeeze in!"

Soon, Li Aozi saw a large crowd of strangely dressed players with various IDs rushing toward him.

"Yo, Li Aozi, I'm your fan!"

"I want to be a Mutator, Mentor, look at me!"

"Mentor, I worked hard, took out loans, and made money, please let me switch to the [Mutator] class!"

These players chattered excitedly, and with their numbers and organization, they quickly pushed ordinary citizens out of the way. Li Aozi stroked his chin, soothing the crowd while using gravity to maintain order, then turned to carefully observe these players.

It should be said, players level up several dozen times faster than Azure Star natives. Plus, with the adaptability provided by 'disguise mode,' they blend in quite well.

However, even in Tianhuan, the most suitable environment for fighting monsters and leveling up, the players' leveling speed wasn't that impressive. After a quick look, the highest level was only lv.5, but he had three lv.1 sub-professions.

As for their equipment, it was even more pitiful. At this stage, the players were so poor that they hadn't even unlocked the game store's functions. Their outfits were basically a hodgepodge of high-attribute clothes and parts, regardless of comfort—at least it had a certain rugged appeal.

"These people don't have much purchasing power, I'll have to start nurturing them from the ground up."

Li Aozi thought as he put on a look of interest, sizing up these guild players, scratching his chin, and said:

"You guys, it's clearly our first meeting, but I feel like I've seen you before. Originally, I was just here for fun, but I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic. In that case, come with me, I'll show you something good."

As he spoke, he snapped his fingers.

Ping!

The players were in a state of excitement when suddenly, their feet left the ground and they were flung into the sky.

"Oh crap! Don't—"

"Mommy, I'm afraid of heights!"

"Ah, I can't take it anymore, I want to go home—"

Li Aozi's 'Gravity Express' showed no mercy for the players' cries, speeding up toward the clouds. Before long, the players, each with their 'Dizziness,' 'Fear,' and other negative status effects fully stacked, finally landed on solid ground. They were so shaky they could barely stand, their legs buckling, collapsing into a heap, utterly disheveled. Only a few players managed to stand up and look at the settlement not far away, where the sign clearly read 'Triangle Town.'

"I felt a connection with you all at first sight, so let me show you my laboratory."