Chapter 83: Chapter 83: A Group of Old Sixes (Third Update)
For the First Test Players, the biggest predicament at the moment wasn’t the situation within the game. It was the impending arrival of the Second Test Players.
Why? According to Junlin’s guess, Official agents might join the Second Test Players. If so, the Contribution Points held by the First Test Players would undoubtedly become their primary target. In this game, Contribution Points were exceptionally crucial. They determined whether players could continue playing and served as the currency for player transactions. Moreover, they were paramount for increasing one’s power. Based on information shared by First Test Players on the forums, Contribution Points were absolutely the most important asset.
Currently, aside from the Three Great Merchants who had a surplus, only Su Bei possessed over seven hundred Contribution Points. Of course, these Contribution Points had all been invested into the Hall of their Lingxiao Hall to maximize their potential.
If Second Test Players wanted to acquire Contribution Points, their options were limited to obtaining them from First Test Players or through a few Sect Tasks. While Large Task Rewards were substantial, such tasks were not always available. Accessing a Large Task required going through Sect Leader Xu Nian. Other methods... were too scarce!
Flourishing Flowers understood this as well, frowning as she asked, "You mean you want to compete with Official agents for Contribution Points?"
Going head-to-head with the Officials was not a good prospect. As soon as she said this, the expressions of the others turned grim. After all, they were just playing a game; there was no need to risk everything.
Junlin, holding a glass of Red Wine, shook his head. "Not go head-to-head with them, but simply ignore them. Or, in other words, we each play our own game. I’ll be frank: in terms of Contribution Points, our Lingxiao Hall definitely holds the most. I imagine you’ve guessed that already. Even though the Three Great Merchants are part of your Cloud Lament, the Contribution Points they hold don’t belong to you. If Official agents truly join the game, who do you think they’ll approach first to buy Contribution Points?"
Instantly, Flourishing Flowers glanced towards Wang Xin. This man was one of the game’s notorious black-hearted merchants.
Wang Xin’s face darkened. "Don’t try to scare me; I’m easily frightened. If they really approached me, I definitely wouldn’t dare offend them."
"And don’t forget the Rich People among the Second Test Players!" Junlin continued. "There will be three hundred Second Test Players. Do you really think there won’t be some madmen among them who love to splurge?"
Officials, Rich People... This was just a game; why did it attract so much attention? What on earth was going on?
"Let’s discuss this privately!" Flourishing Flowers said with a grave expression, "We should just pretend we know nothing. It’s better not to blow this out of proportion."
Everyone nodded. This was the best option for them.
The news that a game could alter its players’ physical condition was enough to shock the world. The crucial part was that no one knew where this game had originated! Not a single trace of information could be found! That was the most terrifying aspect.
"Everyone, let’s take it easy for the next few days. As soon as I finish my Task, I’ll message you immediately," Junlin announced. "From now on, it seems our opponents will be the Second Test Players. I hope all of us First Test Players can stand together."
"Damn right! I’ve been a coward my whole life in reality; am I going to continue being one in a game?"
"Cowardice is contagious, Flourishing Flowers! You should learn from them!"
"Heh, I move in the Beijing Circle. My every move is watched by the higher-ups. How do you expect me to learn that?"
"My Lord, you’re too formidable to provoke! I’ll take my leave!"
"..."
The players gathered. Aside from a few who couldn’t attend due to other commitments, almost everyone was present. The leaders of the three Great Halls also took this moment to announce their alliance. This marked the first true unification of the First Test Players.
However, the players still waiting for Second Test Quotas remained completely oblivious to what they were about to face.
「Celestial Origin Mansion.」
「Nine Heavens Alliance.」
Xu Nian noticed Junlin and his team had logged off. Glancing at the chat group, he discovered they had actually organized a real-world meetup, which made him somewhat envious.
Are these Hu Dans slacking off because there aren’t enough Tasks? Instead of being proper Chives, they all want to be sneaky Old Sixes, and lazy ones at that! Outrageous! Too bad he couldn’t go back. Besides, he was now a person of this world. Otherwise, he would have loved to join the players. Still, the Tasks were indeed temporarily stalled. Even if Junlin and his team were online, it wouldn’t be of any use. They might as well log off and rest.
Xu Nian strolled to the lakeside within the estate. He glanced at the fishing rod placed to one side and, feeling bored, began to fish.
Just then, a snow-white hawk flew in from the distance, its screech echoing across the Celestial Dome. The patrolling Disciples of the Nine Heavens Alliance couldn’t help but look up, their gazes lingering.
The hawk flew directly towards the lakeside and landed right beside Xu Nian. Attached to its talons was a paper note, evidently a message.
For me? Xu Nian looked at the hawk, pointing at himself in surprise.
The hawk was so well-trained it even nodded at Xu Nian.
Seeing this, Xu Nian was quite astonished. Who could have trained such a magnificent hawk?
He reached out and took the note. The hawk then flapped its wings and soared towards the azure Celestial Dome.
Unrolling the note, Xu Nian’s expression turned quite peculiar.
[Consort Shen is leaving the Capital City to visit her family in Jiangnan and will pass through Fengxiang Prefecture. Seventh Prince, be cautious. Experts are accompanying her.]
Consort Shen? The one he’d gotten drunk and slept with? HISS— Xu Nian drew a sharp breath. Leaving the Capital City for Jiangnan didn’t require passing through Fengxiang Prefecture at all, yet Consort Shen’s route deliberately included it. Is she coming for me? Have people in the Palace found out I’m in Fengxiang Prefecture? And another thing! I slept with Consort Shen, so why would His Majesty still keep her around? What’s that Cheap Old Dad of his plotting this time? Who on earth sent this message? According to my memories, I’m currently out of favor. There shouldn’t be anyone in the Capital City willing to stand by me. This sender is clearly warning me. Who could it be? The Capital City... Right, after I deal with the Nine Dragons Secret Treasure, I’ll have to prepare to go to the Capital City. Luo Yushu made this mess, and ultimately, I’m the one who has to clean it up.
"So many troublesome issues keep piling up," Xu Nian sighed, then resumed fishing.
I don’t know the details of Consort Shen’s situation. It seems I’ll have to ask the Blood Demoness when I get back. Hopefully, the Blood Demoness will know something. There are also some matters concerning the Blood Demon Sect that I need to clarify with the Blood Demoness.
"Oh, Cui Shengshu, Cui Shengshu, you absolutely must find that Purple Dragon Long Blade. Otherwise, I won’t be able to complete this Task," Xu Nian muttered to himself. "As long as I get the Red Dragon Sword, the Second Test Players will be able to help. The more Chives there are, the stronger I’ll become. Now, I’m really counting on you, Cui Shengshu!"