Chapter 72-1: Black Tide Approaches, Peerless Massacre (1) |
Qi Sheng had been closely following the flame war between both groups of players on the Humanity Rising forum through Guide’s feedback.
Since Dark Land had disabled its livestream function to disconnect from Starnet, and had moved its forums into the in-game system, players who hadn’t purchased the game had no idea what kind of game it actually was. Not even game screenshots could leak out.
As a result, both groups of players were convinced that the opposing side consisted entirely of paid trolls, believing that the opposing claims were completely inconsistent with reality.
Qi Sheng could understand why the Lunar Eclipse race had severed the game’s connection with the outside world.
At its core, Dark Land was a training ground built by the Lunar Eclipse race to prepare for future crises. Earning foreign currency through the virtual game was never part of its primary objective. Its entire development philosophy revolved around ensuring stable operation of the virtual world.
And running the game consumed an immense amount of resources, along with numerous optimization challenges.
First was server load capacity, which was nowhere near as effortless as outsiders assumed. The high-frequency data generated by large numbers of players entering the game could even clog Starnet itself, hindering data transmission and triggering server errors or connection bugs.
To resolve this, the Lunar Eclipse race adopted a phased release system for purchase slots, which was essentially a gradual server load stress test.
Only when the servers could handle the current number of players stably would they issue the next batch of game slots.
The disabling of livestreams and other functions was also meant to reduce operational strain.
However, in the eyes of ordinary players, this all appeared to be nothing more than hunger marketing, with some even accusing the Lunar Eclipse race of arrogance.
In this forum war, neither side had access to any game scene screenshots, which was the main reason both sides believed the other were paid trolls.
The isolated mode, which disconnected from the outside world, made it impossible for game content to leak out.
If even a single screenshot had existed to directly prove the situation, both sides would have been stunned to discover that they weren’t even playing the same game.
Once the post containing the player war was deleted, Qi Sheng stopped paying further attention to the aftermath and shifted his focus back to Monster World.
According to Guide’s feedback, strong energy fluctuations were now appearing at the Territory Node located at Geomarrow Cliff in the Emperor’s Mound Mountain Range.
Following Guide’s perspective to Geomarrow Cliff, Qi Sheng saw that the Evil Entity tide was beginning to stir, about to erupt.
The black mist that had once been spreading around the tower was now gradually extending toward the Emperor’s Mound Mountain Range. Countless Evil Entity creatures were sometimes dissolving into mist to merge into the Black Tide, and at other times condensing into tangible forms to roar and shriek.
Switching his view to Evil Eye Tower, the Evil Spirit Dinian standing on the high tower platform had changed form under the infusion of energy from the Territory Node.
The black mist armor covering its body had become even more sinister and sharp. The deep sockets of its eyes burned like twin embers, exuding savagery and destruction.
At that moment, the Dinian Evil Spirit raised both arms, and the Evil Eye hovering above lowered itself, its tendrils piercing into the Dinian Evil Spirit’s back to complete their connection.
Instantly, the perception mode rapidly expanded outward, and its control over the Black Tide was dramatically enhanced upon linking.
“Evil Eye, target!”
Hearing the Dinian Evil Spirit’s order, the Evil Eye blinked, and the blurred landscape of the Emperor’s Mound Mountain Range appeared in its mind.
It could see several flashing light points on the map, each representing a Territory Node area.
At this moment, the Evil Eye looked down at the Dinian Evil Spirit.
“Except for the one mysterious Territory Node that has vanished, all other areas can be targeted for conquest. However, I suggest that node be left for last. There are a large number of Primordial Creatures inside. With our current strength, it won’t be easy to take.”
As it spoke, one flashing light on the mental map of Territory Nodes turned red, marked as a danger zone.
That area was none other than Spirit Weapon Valley, located west of Emperor’s Mound Village.
“Understood.” The Dinian Evil Spirit nodded solemnly, then issued a command in its mind and relayed it to the Black Tide via the Evil Eye.
Immediately, the surging Black Tide mist below the tower roared forth, rolling in the direction indicated by the Dinian Evil Spirit’s will.
At that moment, Qi Sheng’s consciousness also returned to Emperor’s Mound Village with Guide’s perspective.
Each time the Dinian Evil Spirit occupied a Territory Node, its strength would grow significantly. Qi Sheng would not allow the Black Tide under its control to freely overrun these Nodes.
Even if he couldn’t stop it for now, he could at least slow the rate at which the Black Tide expanded and strengthened.
“Time for training.”
Qi Sheng closed his eyes, and at once his head ignited into the blazing flames of the Emperor’s Sign, spreading across his body.
At the same time, a Challenger Notification echoed in every player’s mind:
[Challenger Notification (Entire Region): The Emperor’s Mound Mountain Range is about to experience a Black Tide Disaster. Special Mission Activated: Black Tide Hunter.
Black Tide Hunter (Special Mission):
Mission Description: Hunt Black Tide Evil Entities and prevent their forces from occupying the Territory Nodes of the Emperor’s Mound Mountain Range (map function will mark the Black Tide’s expansion routes and regions).
Mission Rewards: During the mission period, players will receive a 14% increase in evolution points and sacrificial power for every Black Tide Evil Entity slain. Contributions will be calculated for ranking-based rewards after the mission concludes.
Mission Duration: Unknown]