A Tycoon Plays a Game: A New Way to Obtain Source Energy

Next came the moment when Zhang Mingzhen opened the treasure chest that emitted a dark iron luster.

"Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits, please give me a divine artifact?" he murmured, filled with great anticipation.

According to information on the official forum, this Mystic Iron Treasure Chest will definitely produce equipment for your class.

Zhang Mingzhen naturally hoped to obtain a powerful weapon.

He currently only has a starting Wooden Staff, and its damage output is hardly impressive.

The box lid suddenly opened.

A short wooden staff wrapped with delicate green leaves immediately came into view; it was clearly a primary weapon.

[Hazelnut Leaf Wooden Staff (Black Iron)]

[Spirit +35]

[Healing Bonus +39]

[Additional effect: Spring Wind skill level +1]

Skills increased?

Zhang Mingzhen was overjoyed.

It seems that the core value of equipment in "God's Domain" lies in upgrading skill levels.

This is similar to Diablo 2.

In Diablo, the core attributes of equipment lie in stacking items that boost skills.

From the Stone of Jordan that grants +1 to a skill, to a necklace that grants +2 to all class skills, and then to a weapon that grants +3 to a specific class skill...

And the God's Domain clearly continues this tradition.

This gave Zhang Mingzhen sense of familiarity.

He was unaware that this was actually a detail Gao Linzhi had referenced from Diablo.

After all, the unique equipment attributes in Diablo are the core of extending the game's lifespan.

The God's Domain Game is similar to Diablo.

Skill points allocated solely through upgrades are far from sufficient to support the enhancement of key skills.

And when a skill breaks through its limit, the increase is terrifying.

In comparison, the increase in basic attributes seems secondary.

This is especially true for Priest, before they have mastered the Resurrection Skill.

Their role in the team is relatively limited, their path to growth is exceptionally difficult, and most of them are just coasters.

Wealthy players can spend money to collect Copper Coins and buy healing potions, which is much more efficient at killing monsters than adding another Priest to their party.

After equipping the new staff, Zhang Mingzhen glanced at the experience bar: 3690/5000.

I'm still a little over a thousand experience points away from level ten.

However, the highest level monsters in the current mountain area are only level eight. If he continues to level up here, he will face the reduced benefits due to the level suppression.

In addition, after being online for more than ten consecutive hours, fatigue gradually began to emerge.

He decided to return to the village to hand over the mission first, and then log off to rest.

However, there was one more thing to take care of before visiting the village chief.

The white light dissipated, and Zhang Mingzhen appeared in Mingyue Village.

He didn't go straight to the village chief's hut, but instead turned and went into Manager Bai's equipment shop.

While browsing the products earlier, he noticed something.

The equipment in the shop is all terrible, except for one plain item called "Faceless Mask," which is somewhat interesting.

[Faceless Mask (Normal)]

[Face Decoration]

[When worn, it can prevent others from detecting you; you can choose to hide basic information and attribute panels.]

[Price: Five Copper Coins]

Zhang Mingzhen spent five Copper Coins to buy the mask and immediately put it on his face.

At this time, most players were still figuring out the beginner quests, and none of them had much money.

Few people paid attention to the various equipment in the equipment shop; his actions were simply seen as showing off.

Some players noticed that Zhang Mingzhen had bought a mask and exclaimed in surprise:

"Holy crap, are there really people who have the money to buy these masks that don't add any attributes?"

"Five Copper Coins, that's 15 yuan at the current price!"

"15 was an hour ago, now it's 20!"

"Wow, so it's actually worth the effort to complete the beginner quests."

"That's right. Spending an hour doing accounting can earn you 10 Copper Coins, which is 40 yuan. How many people earn more than 40 yuan per hour?"

As the players talked, they finally found patience in the face of such a huge sum of money.

However, this is no longer just playing around.

Instead, they work.

"Strange, why are these Copper Coins skyrocketing? Aren't they just game coins?" someone wondered.

"Fool, you have no idea how many wealthy old men play this game!"

"I saw on the news that a regional tycoon, who had been bedridden for 20 years and whose annual medical expenses exceeded 500 million yuan, suddenly sat up in shock and started playing this game."

"As soon as I entered the game, I immediately spent a billion, forming a team to buy equipment and hiring people to carry me."

"See that guy fishing over there? He's surrounded by a bunch of bodyguards. That's the old tycoon who's been sick for years, bedridden for ages. Luckily, his children are filial, and with good security and strong surveillance, he's still alive."

An old man was seen fishing excitedly by the river at the village entrance.

He would occasionally get up and run around, hug his bag, eat and drink...

A large group of players stood around him, doing nothing but surrounding him and preventing other players from colliding with him.

After all, there are a lot of beggar players.

The Beggars' Sect in online games—that's a notorious tactic.

"Boss, could you give me some Copper Coins?"

"Boss, take me on as your underling."

"Grandpa, be my godfather..."

"Haha, no problem, no problem, steward, here's a reward." The old man waved his hand, and a steward went over to distribute Copper Coins to the surrounding players and beggars.

Five or ten per person.

That's equivalent to giving away hundreds of thousands at once.

"I, an old man, am alive again! This is life!"

"Hahaha, I'll have the finance department add another 500 million!" the old man laughed loudly.

Upon seeing this, the players suddenly understood.

"I see. Faced with a game that's almost 99% realistic, would he rather lie in bed or come to his senses?"

"That's true. These people have the strongest spending power. After all, you can't take the money with you when you leave, so you might as well spend it now."

That's just how it is.

Wealthy people over 80 years old generally have little interest in games.

However, if it's "Second Life, a real game, a real experience," they'll be interested.

After all, this is tantamount to directly freeing them from the dull and monotonous reality of life.

In reality, they can't eat well, sleep well, play well, or move around...

After entering the game, your body returns to its peak condition.

Eight times more time!

That's like living another 80 years!

What does it matter if it costs hundreds of millions, billions, or even tens of billions?

Their only obstacle is their children, who are eyeing their inheritance.

However, in the world of Earth, with its well-developed laws, advanced surveillance, and effective security, it is still very difficult for children to commit murder against their wealthy fathers.

It will make the news whenever it happens.

Among so many billionaires, most are involved in financial lawsuits; those who actually commit murder are a minority.

Most second-generation rich kids don't have that kind of courage. After all, they're already very wealthy and are unwilling or afraid to take risks.

Of course, this will still lead to significant family conflicts.

The old man poured money into the game, so their share of the inheritance would be smaller.

Studios that understood this, along with many players, naturally took the lead and began to plan their strategies within the God's Domain.

Because they knew that the God's Domain Game would be a huge consumer market.

Unlike the real world, it is limitless for the spending power of the wealthy.

In the real world, the wealthy can only eat until they're full, and there are only 24 hours in a day.

The key issue is that the body can't withstand too much stress.

Therefore, their consumption tends to focus on luxury goods, which are consumed in small quantities and at high prices.

This means that wealth is difficult to reach the lower classes.

After all, they rarely need the low- to mid-range labor services and products provided by people at the bottom of society.

However, it's different in games. You can eat unlimited food and play unlimited games, as long as you have time.

They couldn't possibly mine gold themselves; they would definitely buy large quantities of Copper Coins, which created an opportunity for ordinary people to make money.

"A new opportunity has arrived!"

"Hurry up and go in to make money!"

"Regardless of age, health, or disability, buy a helmet and get 50 eggs for free!"

"Join Dahang Studio and receive a free gaming helmet! We'll teach you everything you need to know! You can repay with in-game Copper Coins!"

In a short time, college graduates facing unemployment upon graduation, university students, and many outstanding talents entering society at the age of 35 all chose to join the "God's Domain" game.

This place can be described as a place of wealth redistribution.

Gao Linzhi was naturally very satisfied upon seeing this.

With such a large workforce at their disposal, there must be some exceptional individuals who can bring forth Source Energy.

He now understands this so-called Source Energy more deeply, and it should be said to be related to civilization.

Specifically, it relates to individuals within a civilization.

Earth is a typical, unconscious technological world; changes in its Source Energy originate from the observer, namely, civilization itself.

At this very moment.

Hearing the other players' comments, Zhang Mingzhen couldn't help but smile slightly.

In a way, I and that old tycoon are actually the same kind of people.

He has plenty of money, but because he is crippled in both legs and has no reliable clan, friends, or relatives, he cannot be high-profile.

It's even less likely that they would spend a lot of money in the game.

The richest man dared to do this because the other party had a huge organization with companies, groups, partners, friends, and family.

Even if family members aren't entirely reliable, outsiders can't easily stage an accident for you.

He was, after all, a time traveler, and he understood perfectly well that this wasn't him being overly cautious.

Many news reports feature "pig butchering scams," which specifically target nouveau riche; such cases are all too common.

Not to mention him, a disabled man with hundreds of millions in cash flow.

Putting everything else aside, the bank alone called him countless times and visited him in person many times.

Thinking this through, Zhang Mingzhen confirmed that the basic information and attributes had been completely hidden before walking slowly and deliberately toward the village chief's residence.

After learning that the game had been heavily invaded by the official team, Zhang Mingzhen decided to conceal his personal information before he had enough power to protect himself.

After all, appearance cannot be adjusted in the game, making it very easy to identify one's identity in real life.

Once his awesomeness becomes widely known, people will definitely come knocking on his door to invite him to join their ranks.

If he doesn't join, he might be targeted.

Before long, Zhang Mingzhen arrived at the village chief's residence.

"Village chief, I've come to report my task."

He naturally didn't need to submit proof of killing five hundred Spotted Rat to the village chief; after all, it was just a game.

Once he completes the task, the character's task status data will be updated.

Upon hearing this, the village chief's face immediately showed astonishment. "You were able to achieve this goal in such a short time..."

"You are definitely a true adventurer, a fearless warrior!"

Please accept this gift as a token of my gratitude.

"Ding! Congratulations to the player for exceeding the target, which has deeply impressed the village chief."

"Player Chongxing has obtained the highest-level mission reward: 3,000 experience points, 50 Silver Coins, and the title [Rat Slayer Pioneer]"

"When this title is equipped, the player will deal 10% more damage to rodent monsters, and the rodent monsters will also increase the player's aggro towards the player by 10%."

Congratulations on leveling up!

[Character: Chongxing (Priest)]

[Level: 10]

[Constitution: 310]

[Strength: 124]

[Agility: 248]

[Intelligence: 248]

[Spirit: 344]

[Physical Defense: 3100]

[Magic Defense: 3441]

[Healing Ability: 4681]

[Current experience points: 1690/--]

A server-wide announcement appeared simultaneously:

"Congratulations to player 'Chongxing' for becoming the first player to reach level 10, achieving the 'First Player to Reach Level 10' achievement, and gaining five Achievement Points."

"Once a player reaches level 10, the experience ranking, equipment ranking, achievement ranking, and wealth ranking will be officially opened to the entire server."

More rankings will be updated later, with results released every Sunday at midnight.

Players can receive corresponding rewards based on their individual rankings.

This ranking reward list was naturally copied by Gao Linzhi from the Skyfall Game.

This ranking system can effectively motivate players to keep improving.

Moreover, unlike rankings in other real-world games, this one offers weekly rewards, which is equivalent to a fixed salary!

These rewards can be sold to wealthy people.

Therefore, Gao Linzhi worried that anyone will easily steal gasoline.

After all, why would someone easily quit their job when they can make money?

For many young people, making money through games is much better than delivering food.

Many young people would rather deliver food than work in a factory.

There was no place, no dignity, and no time in the factory.

Even if you go to the toilet in the middle of the day, someone will follow you to observe whether your urine is yellow. If it's not yellow, it means you haven't held it in for long.

This is the actual detail of entering the factory.

The server announcement was broadcast three times in a row.

Zhang Mingzhen also gained another five Achievement Points.

He examined his accumulated ten achievements, pondering the potential uses of these points.

Both achievements so far are the first clears on the entire server, and both have been announced.

Clearly, the value of these achievement points should not be underestimated.

It may play a key role after the game update.

He put that matter aside for the time being and turned his attention to the two new skills he could learn after reaching level ten.

[Ling Yue: Deals three spiritual strikes to enemies within a five-meter radius of the designated target. Each strike deals 1.2 times the base Intelligence, and the effect lasts for three seconds.]

[Costs 50 Mana, 5-second cooldown.]

[Spring Tendrils: Heals all friendly units within 12 meters of the caster (maximum five targets).]

[Costs 50 Mana, 10-second cooldown.]

The two level upgrades granted him a total of thirty skill points.

This is both a group attack and a group healing skill.

After a Zhang Mingzhen decided to invest his points in "Ling Yue".

At this stage, he is far ahead of other players, has low demand for team play, and his group healing is not yet useful, so prioritizing output enhancement is more practical.