Chapter 637 - 600: The Battlefield Hidden Map Revisited
Da Fei’s expectations were accurate; as the number one amateur player in the China Region and the world’s number one God Slayer, his match was bound to draw attention.
At the moment, in the Hero Headquarters tournament organizing committee’s monitoring room, countless screens on the wall were displaying the status of each match. And in front of the screen showing Da Fei’s match, judges from various countries had gathered to watch.
One judge chuckled, "Although this isn’t such an exciting match, the number of Battle Network users watching live has reached the 200,000 limit."
Another judge replied with a smile, "This is the effect of a celebrity God Slayer. If we open up the viewer limit, I believe more people would watch. It’s hard to imagine how an ordinary Chinese could surpass so many famous celebrities to become the world’s most well-known person."
"What he is doesn’t matter; what’s important is that such a large audience represents an unquestionable fortune."
"Absolutely. Our World Battle Network, though based on gaming, is not limited to just that. We aim to develop it into a global entertainment platform, introducing a paid VIP user system, where VIP users can watch not only game matches but also movies from various countries, TV series, concerts of pop stars, transnational shopping, and so on."
"By that time, the endorsement value of gaming celebrities will skyrocket. A world-class entertainment industry capable of competing with professional soccer and basketball will officially be born!"
"After the test in this competition, there are no longer technical issues with the Battle Network entertainment platform. The next step is formal negotiations with each developing country and inviting world-top-100 companies to invest and join."
"I can already see myself drowning in a massive wave of banknotes; I just can’t wait!"
"Hahahaha!"
...
At the American New York Supernova Team command center, the sound of calls and orders was as frequent and noisy as a battlefield headquarters.
Among the countless screens on the wall, one side was displaying the battle situation in the South Korea Combat Zone, another the status of team members undertaking major tasks, and one was the ongoing match. Da Fei, who had just finished his match, was of course under the watch of the large screens.
The captain of the Supernova Team, Fortson, was silently puffing on his cigar, staring at the big screen showing Da Fei’s match, deep in thought, with a dozen 17-18-year-old teenagers standing behind him.
Ultimately, Fortson exhaled a smoke ring and said in a muffled sigh, "I never thought an ordinary Chinese person could gain such immense power and fame in such a short time. His existence poses a serious threat to our All-Star Dream Factory."
One of the teenagers saluted and said, "Sir, please have confidence in us; our starting point is beyond the reach of Mortals."
Fortson spoke in a deep voice, "To customers, we don’t need fairness. But at the very least, we need to make them feel that it is fair. That’s how we can make money more easily. As for you, your very existence is unfair, and you cannot easily show yourself in public. How do you see your profession? Professional players?"
A freckled-faced teenager immediately stepped forward and saluted, "We are warriors, the free warriors of Great America!"
Fortson nodded, "Exactly, you’re not players, nor are you esports athletes. You’re not here to play games or to make money. You’re warriors. What is your mission?"
Another blonde girl stepped forward and saluted, "To defend the supreme honor of Great America, to ensure Great America is forever the strongest in any domain!"
Fortson spoke seriously, "Right. We are the world’s leaders and the rule-makers. We do not allow anyone to challenge our rules, nor do we allow anyone the power to challenge our rules. We must maintain our interests in the cyber domain—and the Chinese before us already has the power to challenge our rules. Your goal from now on is to crush this trash completely!"
"Yes, Sir!"
Fortson spoke solemnly, "We cannot let him become famous anymore. Now we can only hope that SawSaw will block his path."
...
Meanwhile in Radiant City, Flying was unloading timber; Anlicia and the advisor had already gone back to the capital to hire Woodcutters.
And Da Fei was engaged in a complicated discussion with the city planning advisor about the stone material problem.
The municipal advisor pointed to the pile of stones at the construction site of the sewer and said, "Lord City Lord, we’ve already stockpiled 800 units of stone here. If you need them, you can just take them away directly, and we can continue to order more from the Mining Guild immediately."
Da Fei sighed, "Well, does the Mining Guild sell rare stones?"
The advisor smiled wryly, "Lord City Lord, rare stones are top-level strategic resources. The Mining Guild would definitely not sell them. Besides, they wouldn’t have that much either."
Da Fei shook his head, feeling conflicted. I’ve prepared 1,000 units of high-grade rare timber for the Multi-headed Snake Fortress, but ended up with nothing but ordinary stones. It’s like wearing a suit and tie on the top half and shorts and slippers below—so incompatible; it’s uncomfortable and my thoughts can’t flow freely!
Right, even if the issue of rare stones is resolved, what about the 200 units of crystal and sulfur required for constructing buildings? Would those also need to be rare minerals? If not, what’s the point of bothering with rare stones? My thoughts are even less clear. If I’m going to do this, I need everything to be rare!
Ah, forget it. Development is pressed for time, and there’s really no choice. For now, let’s just load the ordinary stones onto the ship. At the very least, Habbit Village needs a decent dock that can accommodate large ships.
While pondering this, the advisor added, "However, Lord, even though we don’t have many rare resources, the Mage Academy certainly has plenty. If you have valuable goods to exchange with them, they might be able to solve your problem."
The Mage Academy? Right, there’s nothing so forbidden that the Mage Academy can’t handle! As for valuable goods, besides the corpse of the Hydra, what else do I have that could interest the Mage Academy?
Da Fei suddenly remembered the Mercury Mine in the Black Forest! That has to be a rich vein, right?
Da Fei eagerly asked, "If I exchange the rare, rich Mercury Mine for other rare resources, would they agree?"
The advisor laughed, "If it’s for stones, they would definitely be happy to trade. As for other rare resources, the exchange rate and such will depend on how you negotiate with them."
Da Fei had a thought, right, when I’ve cleared the forest, it would be about time to set up the Mercury Factory—but there’s a Demigod Crow there! If I can’t take down that Demigod Crow, wouldn’t it delay the start of my fortress construction?
Damn it, isn’t this troubling me again? And just at that moment, a notification sound from the competition server suddenly rang out!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! You have searched the battlefield and obtained 5 units of ancient granite as spoils of war! The spoils of war will be sent to your region’s inbox after the competition has ended.
Da Fei’s eyebrows twitched; just when I’m short on stones, they send me stones! But how does a few stones from a competition map justify my participation? Shouldn’t there be something like an MVP’s Golden Cockroach to give me a thrill?
Da Fei immediately checked the surrounding environment. The landscape was still a Gravel Wilderness, but already far from the battlefield where the great fight had taken place.
Keep searching! Soon, Da Fei made another discovery ahead!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! You have searched the battlefield and obtained 6 units of ancient granite as spoils of war...
Oh yeah! Although far from the target of 1,000, it’s better than nothing and it’s better to keep busy.
Da Fei continued in the direction where he found the stones. Finally, a yellow dot flashed on the minimap, something’s up! Last time in the Ancient City Ruins, it was a sewer cover. What could it be this time?
Da Fei couldn’t wait to get closer. A pit with a depression blocked by stones!
Da Fei touched the stone!
—System Prompt: Congratulations! You have searched the battlefield and obtained 16 units of ancient granite as spoils of war...
But before he had time to be happy, a red light exploded in front of Da Fei!
—System Prompt: Warning! You have discovered a hidden map entrance to the "Sandworm Nest." Entering this map will pose a severe challenge, and if you fail, you will lose the qualification to advance in the competition. Please consider it carefully.
Holy Crap! I’ve actually discovered a hidden map! Should I go or not? These kind of tunnel battles are very disadvantageous for me! If I lose, won’t my championship, my 1 million US Dollar prize, be gone?
{My apologies for the abrupt ending, dear readers} (To be continued. If you enjoy this story, feel free to cast your recommendation and monthly votes at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)