Chapter 257 - 240 Inserting a News Bulletin
——"Hello, everyone. Welcome back to Hero News. Today, let’s focus on the situation in the European Union Zone. In our last episode, we had the pleasure of having Divine Emperor, the leader of the Ninth Heaven Guild, analyze the British Royal Ark Team and their Noah’s Ark. Just ten minutes ago, at 7 a.m. London time, the European Union Zone was once again stirred up. Vurtne, the world’s top-ranked God-level Hero from Sweden, made his first public appearance and boldly declared his intention to permanently claim the Valen Strait. This is comparable to our China Region’s Virgil Strait. For today’s episode, we’re live with Mr. Chang Liang from the Dragon Slayer Guild to answer our viewers’ questions. Mr. Chang Liang, hello!"
Chang Liang: "Hello, host! Hello, everyone, very glad to meet you all again."
Host: "Regarding Vurtne, those who follow e-sports probably aren’t strangers to him. Known as the evergreen tree of the e-sports domain, as someone who once battled and successfully defeated him, Mr. Chang Liang, what do you think of Mr. Vurtne?"
Chang Liang shook his head with a smile and said, "That was during the 16th Tokyo Toyota Cup, not a very official match. I had just finished the CPL qualifiers and was mentally and physically exhausted, and Vurtne was jet-lagged too. Neither of us was in prime condition. In the end, I managed to win. If I were to evaluate him, I would say he is very suppressed, very dull, and lacks passion. Maybe it’s because he’s older."
The host laughed and said, "Perhaps it’s this suppressed and dull style that makes him quite suited to playing the Undead Race?"
Chang Liang laughed and said, "Ah, that’s right. Playing the Undead Race for a long time does give off that depressing vibe, making one crave a place where it’s warm with flowers and birdsong!"
Host: "So the Undead players especially love going to the Human and Elf territories for some fun?"
Chang Liang laughed and said, "You got it, host. You’re quite impressive."
The host laughed and said, "Now, Vurtne has publicly showcased his hidden skill, Death God, on the battlefield. As far as I know, this skill isn’t in the textbooks. Could Mr. Chang Liang analyze it for our audience?"
Chang Liang: "This Death God is quite similar to the Master-level Arcane skill, Summon Phoenix. They both summon level-eight units, and their strength is related to the player’s level and magic power. But Death God has the ability to perish together and instantly kill medium-sized warships. Such advanced damage is not something the Phoenix at this stage can compare to. Based on my analysis, this should be a sub-skill created by combining his main professions of Undead Witchcraft and arcane skills. To combine such a sub-skill, the main skills must be at the same level and at least Master Level. It can be inferred that his Undead Witchcraft and arcane skills have reached at least Grandmaster."
Host: "So this is at least a combination skill of Grandmaster-level Undead Witchcraft and Grandmaster-level arcane skills. How should ordinary players deal with such a powerful skill?"
Chang Liang sighed with a laugh and said, "Arcane Master is notoriously challenging to achieve. The essence of arcane skills lies in the Grandmaster level. Once you reach Grandmaster, you can conquer the world through summons without any troops. Don’t even mention how regular players find it hard to cope—even we professional players find it quite troublesome. I think he’s sending a clear message to the outside world."
Host laughed and said, "To the British Royal Ark Team?"
Chang Liang laughed and said, "Presumably so. After all, the UK wants to be the Alliance Hierarch, but without consulting the opinion of Europe’s number one, if I were him, I wouldn’t be pleased either."
Host laughed and said, "There are multiple battlegrounds between the Undead and Human races. Why did he choose the Valen Strait for his demonstration?"
Chang Liang laughed and said, "To wage asymmetric warfare. Since British big ships are unbeatable at sea, he strikes from the rear to hit the economic supply lines of the Bright Alliance in the European Union Zone, aiming to economically suppress the Bright Alliance and indirectly target the British Team. The goal is to make it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for the UK to maintain those big ships. The initial effect might not be obvious, but once the Dark Alliance truly secures control over the Valen Strait, it could trigger an economic chain reaction within the Bright Alliance, potentially threatening the safety of Valen City with far-reaching impacts."
Host: "The key point is that the UK’s big ships can’t enter the Valen Strait and are powerless against him."
Chang Liang: "Exactly, meaning he alone can hold off the entire British Team, even dragging other European Bright Alliance Teams into it. It’s a very profitable venture."
Host: "But the UK won’t sit idly by. They are bound to send people to engage in a showdown with him at the Valen Strait."
Chang Liang laughed and said, "This is precisely where Vurtne shows his craftiness. Maintaining the big ships is already challenging enough for the UK, and sending forces to fight him would only distract them and play right into his hands."
Host: "So, Vurtne knows precisely how to exploit the UK’s weaknesses?"
Chang Liang: "Such weaknesses can only be exploited by a super expert like Vurtne. However, an internal conflict in the European Union Zone doesn’t align with Sweden’s interests. I believe, in the end, the UK will return to their proud round table to invite others to discuss things together."
Host laughed and said, "Similar to how the rotating presidency of the European Union works, taking turns to be the Alliance Hierarch?"
Chang Liang laughed and said, "That’s honestly a terrible idea. I believe Prince George has long been worn out by this burden of a rotating system."
Host laughed and said, "Alright, now let’s address a question most concerning for our Chinese players. Vurtne has been recognized as the evergreen tree, the world’s top expert. And in our China Region, recently, Da Fei, who has been making waves with his Dragon Slayer achievements, has been reluctantly crowned by many Chinese players as the world’s number one expert. So, who between these two is more formidable?"
Chang Liang sighed with a laugh and said, "Why is my name not mentioned? It’s not easy for me to answer such a question willingly, you know!"
Host laughed and said, "It’s said that professional players concerned about their ranking reflect poor mental toughness! We don’t think Mr. Chang Liang is of this type!"
Chang Liang burst out laughing and said, "Comparing an old professional player with an amateur player isn’t very reliable. Speaking of Da Fei, he’s flamboyant, acts high-profile yet remains quite secretive. To date, no one has encountered him outside town. In this aspect, he’s a bit like Vurtne. Maybe we’re not even playing the same game. They have been crowned as top experts for a reason. I have watched two of Da Fei’s duel videos in the arena. He didn’t make any moves or show any attack, which showed off the aura of a top expert. His tech skills couldn’t be determined, but his Vice Hero was very impressive. However, I still think Vurtne would win."
Host exclaimed, "Why?"
Chang Liang sighed and said, "We always thought Vurtne, with his God-level specialty as a Death Lord, would certainly roam the wild recruiting Undead free agents. We assumed his low early-game level was due to recruiting many Vice Heroes to increase his Command Power and carry more troops. Looking at things now, we were wrong. Not only did he not recruit a single Vice Hero, he didn’t recruit any Undead free agents either. Perhaps, at his level, he finds them beneath him."
Host: "So you’re saying, like most people, his aim is to reach level 50 and enter the New World without any burdens?"
Chang Liang sighed and said, "If it’s a regular person’s thought, that’s probably it. For Vurtne, it’s even harder to predict. All in all, Da Fei currently has at least three Vice Heroes, slowing his leveling speed down by threefold. He will be completely outleveled by Vurtne, who could beat him with just one move of Death God. Judging by today’s incident where Death God crushed ships, even Da Fei’s proud big ship might be hard to save."
Host: "It’s rumored that Da Fei’s big ship was destroyed during the National War?"
Chang Liang: "Destroyed or not, for a player who has killed a demigod, acquiring another big ship shouldn’t be a problem."
Host laughed and said, "Either way, Da Fei remains a controversial player in the China Region. We sincerely hope he can contribute positively and look forward to his eventual match against Vurtne."
Chang Liang: "Indeed, very much looking forward to it."
Host: "Alright, thank you, Mr. Chang Liang, for being with us in our live broadcast. Wish you success showcasing the China Team’s brilliance in the Beastman Domain."
"Thank you, host. Thank you, everyone. Looking forward to seeing you next time!"
...
The news ended as Fleeting Blossom watched the embedded forum video to pass the time while transporting goods in the carriage, and Little Li let out a long sigh.
Little Fang chuckled and said, "That handsome guy named Chang Liang is the top Undead player in the China Region and recently switched to Beastman. His annual salary is around ten million, which is the income of top professional players, equivalent to an executive at a state-owned enterprise. However, in the end, they still earn a fixed salary. They can’t compare with us individual business operators, and frankly, they are not worth our time to socialize with."
Little Li was surprised and said, "Didn’t you say you wanted to befriend experts? Why would you not socialize with the top expert?"
Little Fang laughed heartily and said, "If you have an urgent matter and need his help, and he jumps out with a ’training or in a match,’ what can you do? In summary, professional players are bound by circumstances. Our main target is to first befriend amateur experts like Da Fei, who are both amateur and skillful."
Little Li sighed and said, "I find playing like this really tiring. Can’t we just transport goods peacefully? Why deal with those dubious people?"
Little Fang snickered and said, "Can transporting goods earn you a million annually? Women, especially pretty women, ultimately have three paths to follow for a good life: marry a rich husband, follow unspoken rules, and finally, become a mistress. Don’t be fooled by the glamorous top celebrities; in plain terms, they’re all bitches. Even a regular company female employee needs to cross some boundaries to get promoted. Drinking at least is a must, and with how pretty you are, I can already imagine how many men will try to reach out to you once you step into society!"
Little Li’s expression darkened.
Little Fang chuckled and said, "But it’s different here. Here is a game, a virtual world where we play another self. We can engage in social interactions recklessly here to achieve our financial goals, which is hundreds of times better than accompanying drinks due to unspoken rules in reality. In the game, you must let go and lose that cold and noble demeanor. At least consider it some form of practice."
Little Li nodded thoughtfully upon hearing this.
Little Fang laughed heartily, "Glad my wife has understood!"
(To be continued. If you like this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)