Good Luck Arrives, The Fundamental Design of the Game

"Well, he's only human after all. Being in the lead temporarily doesn't mean he'll stay in the lead."

"We don't need to compare ourselves to him. The weekly rankings will be finalized in a few hours. We just need to stay above everyone else and get the weekly bonus."

"I heard there's a chance to get Mysterious Iron Grade equipment for your class," another military archer interjected.

"The tower bosses I'm facing are mostly high-attack, high-agility types; I've currently reached the eighth floor."

"I must find some high-defense, recovery-enhancing equipment. If I can get a few pieces of such equipment, I might be able to try the ninth level." Qin Xiao glanced at the challenge leaderboard of the Training Tower again, Qin Xiao Youhui that he was currently ranked fifth, with four people ahead of him.

Aside from "Chongxing," who is widely recognized as Cheater, he believes his skills are on par with the other three, but his opponents are all high-ranking members of large guilds with obvious equipment advantages.

To surpass them, a basic level of equipment is essential.

"Okay, I'll apply to have some of the available equipment suitable for you transferred to you right away."

"If you get equipment for other classes from the boxes you obtain from the tower, you can also share them with other brothers in the guild," the guild leader said.

This is the advantage of large organizations: they can flexibly allocate resources.

However, there are also potential risks.

That means once the item was in Qin Xiao Youhui's hands, he didn't want to return it.

If you want to allocate it to someone else, it will take some more trouble.

Moreover, Qin Xiao Youhui; he also wanted to continue climbing the ranks.

Similar situations are playing out among other factions, causing equipment in the auction house to change hands almost instantly as soon as it's listed, provided the price isn't outrageous.

By this time, with plenty of places to farm monsters, Ordinary Player finally saw a return on their investment.

"It exploded! It exploded!"

"I won! I won!"

"Finally, a piece of equipment dropped! I sold it for 6000 yuan! I'm quitting my job!"

"Damn, anyone who didn't know better would think you'd won 6 million!"

"It turns out that you can get a piece of equipment by killing 800 to 1000 monsters."

Actually, some studios have already discovered this strategy, but they haven't released it.

It's simple: prevent others from stealing their monsters.

It wasn't until a very sharing-minded individual discovered this pattern that it was revealed to the public.

"Damn, we need 1000 monsters. Each monster takes an average of half a minute to kill, which is 500 minutes, or 9 hours."

"You won't get drops from low-level monsters when you're a higher level; this only applies when you fight monsters of the same or higher level."

"Damn it, we can't exploit the bug anymore."

"Heh, the planners are too cunning. If high-level players can get loot from low-level monsters, then they can farm equipment much faster, since they can kill a dozen or so per second."

In fact, Gao Linzhi also set up a minimum guarantee that would increase over time, so it would be a fluctuating number.

To prevent equipment inflation.

In Shuangyue Town.

While others were enthusiastically farming for equipment and attacking the Training Tower, "Utterly Empty" quietly walked up to Zhang Mingzhen, who was looking for other tasks.

"Excuse me, may I ask... are you the Chongxing? My name is Utterly Empty, and I am also a Priest," he said tentatively.

Zhang Mingzhen was slightly surprised; how did the other person recognize him?

But now that he'd been recognized, he didn't hide it. "It's me. Is there something you need?"

"Chongxing, Boss Chongxing, I'd like to discuss a deal with you," Utterly Empty said excitedly.

"I just reached level 10 and I'm not very good at climbing the tower. Could you please team up with me to level up? I want to climb the tower when I'm a higher level."

"Or if you have surplus equipment to sell, I can pay with real money."

As a fellow Priest, Zhang Mingzhen understood the vulnerability of Priest.

Even at level ten, without other means, relying solely on one's own skills, it is indeed very difficult to make progress in the tower.

You need to be high level and have high attributes to clear the tower alone.

This Training Tower is a solo challenge for each profession, which puts Priest at a disadvantage.

We must make up for it with equipment.

The Priest in front of me was fair-skinned and didn't look like a loser who was good at fighting; he looked more like a wealthy patron who was willing to invest.

He's actually not short of money and is looking to upgrade his gaming pod.

But he needs a pretext to make money.

This deal came at just the right time.

It would be much safer if people knew that his money came from selling equipment in the game.

The reason is simple: he could see the potential in this game.

If his money comes from selling equipment in the game, most factions wouldn't dare to mess with him or rob him of his wealth.

Because many powerful players need his equipment.

Previously, although he was quite wealthy, his money was all unearned, coming from writing novels, screenplays, and the like...

He used to get cheated or robbed of the money he earned, and nobody cared. But things are different now.

He gained value and was recognized by others.

"What price are you asking for? Let me make it clear beforehand, my asking price isn't low," Zhang Mingzhen replied calmly.

"Since I'm asking the top-ranked expert to guide me, the price naturally can't be calculated according to the ordinary standard." Utterly Empty was overjoyed.

"Boss, where do you think we should upgrade next? Name your price based on the situation, I'm all set."

Utterly Empty pondered in his heart: After all, the opponent is the number one in the entire server, and is far superior to ordinary gold farming studios.

If the other party is willing to give the Priest some pointers on operational techniques, it would be worth paying extra.

Although everyone in the public chat called the other person Cheater, that was obviously just sour grapes and didn't count.

He was naturally unaware that the comments on the public chat had hit the nail on the head.

"The Divine Ruins Dungeon, which was previously announced by the system, offers exceptionally rich experience rewards."

"I've already completed the challenge; there's no benefit to entering again solo."

"If I take you in, you'll probably get over 100,000 experience points, but all the equipment dropped in the dungeon must belong to me."

"If you agree to this condition, then name your price."

Zhang Mingzhen remembered the dungeon he had just finished; he had an extra challenge attempt.

Going in alone yields nothing, but if you team up with someone... even without experience, you'll still get some equipment.

This second chance has become a bonus level specifically designed to acquire equipment, offering ample room for maneuver.

This was actually Gao Linzhi's design, to give those strong individuals an opportunity to rise to prominence.

"Ten... tens of thousands of experience points?"

This experience count even exceeded the total experience he needed to level up to level 10.

Utterly Empty was a little stunned upon hearing this; how should he quote a price?

No, wait, is that even possible?

A single instance provides hundreds of thousands of experience points, which is completely beyond his comprehension.

"Boss, I've never experienced this before. If it's a few hundred thousand experience points... would three million be okay? If not, we can discuss it further. I really don't know much about the market."

Utterly Empty, I have no confidence, and I don't know how to price such a huge amount of experience.

After reaching level 10, each level requires a massive amount of experience. Could I be about to become the second-highest level player in the server?

He simply bid according to his usual spending level.

He gets over a million in pocket money a month, and spends tens of millions after his birthday. Spending three million to upgrade to second place isn't that expensive.

"Make a deal."

"Time is of the essence, we must depart immediately."

"Remember, don't speak. Just do as I say, or the contract will be canceled."

Zhang Mingzhen nodded upon hearing this.

Actually, he didn't know much about the market either.

This price seems high, but it's actually quite ordinary.

After all, there are quite a few wealthy people who spend over a million dollars on a single meal.

A breakfast costs over 700 yuan and people still complain that there's nothing to eat.

This is a real game from all over the world. Upgrading to level two only costs 3 million, which is incredibly cheap!

However, Zhang Mingzhen noticed that only this chubby boy was present at the moment.

Without him, entering the dungeon by myself would be a waste of time.

In a win-win situation, a reasonable price is acceptable.

In this way, he wouldn't have to use his own capital to buy the premium gaming pods.

Moreover, you can earn money from the game, so you don't have to sit around and live off your savings.

The two stepped back into the ruins.

The damp and gloomy environment was exactly the same as before.

After forming a team, they arrived at the Divine Ruins Teleportation Array, where three options appeared before them:

[Easy, Hard, Hell]

Zhang Mingzhen chose the hell option without hesitation.

The Utterly Empty beside them filled them with dread, yet they dared not utter a sound.

If it were a regular Gold Farming Team, they would definitely treat him with great courtesy, but this "old man" beside him...

He was just explicitly forbidden from speaking without permission.

At that moment, he saw the other person directly select "Hell" difficulty.

His heart was filled with Utterly Empty, but he could only force a calm expression on his face.

He was actually questioning whether his previous decision was correct.

However, the next moment, he no longer had any doubts.

Because a system notification came to my ear:

"You followed the expert's guidance and received a level 1 buff: 'This client is wealthy but very obedient.' If the Captain's level is higher than yours during the party, the team's luck will increase."

What?

I almost shouted "Utterly Empty" out loud.

Fortunately, he realized in time that the game really did have cheat codes!

This was naturally the test that Gao Linzhi had set for him.

If he is a cautious and humble second-generation Gao Linzhi will give him benefits.

If it's an arrogant and domineering person, then it's bad luck.

The current state of "Utterly Empty" clearly indicates that it has passed the initial test.

Zhang Mingzhen was naturally completely unaware of this.

A teleportation effect flashed, and the two entered the Divine Ruins.

Utterly Empty remembered the instructions and followed closely behind Chongxing, going down the Vine.

The two soon arrived at the location of their first leader— the Monkey Elder.

"Find a place to hide right away," Zhang Mingzhen instructed.

He immediately obeyed and shrank into the corner, hiding as instructed, and watched with bated breath Chongxing faced off alone.

What happened next completely overturned Utterly Empty's imagination.

He originally thought that Chongxing would use some special techniques, perhaps requiring him to cooperate in luring monsters, ambushing them, or exploiting certain loopholes to safely output damage.

But who can tell him what's going on with this scene of charging directly into the monster horde, head-on confronting the leader, and ending the battle in just a few moves?

As the battle ended, notifications of experience gained flooded the screen.

Immediately afterwards, a series of upgraded, dazzling lights shone on his body.

So... it's been upgraded?

A single boss provided such a terrifying amount of experience points?

Utterly Empty felt as if he were in a dream, which was completely different from the tricks he used to play!

Previously, leveling up involved power levelers painstakingly reducing a large number of monsters to Canxue before luring them to him so he could collect their kills one by one.

Or, after forming a team, he might rest on the sidelines, waiting to gain experience.

Time was boring and long, and it was both tiring and exhausting.

In comparison, this is the kind of treatment you should get when you spend money!

As the Captain, Zhang Mingzhen took the "Heavy Gold Ring (Mysterious Iron Grade)" dropped by the leader and then called to "Utterly Empty" who was still in a daze, and continued to go deeper.

They then arrived at the lair of the Blade Steelclaw Wolf.

Zhang Mingzhen instructed "Utterly Empty" to enter the room only after he had started the battle, to avoid being caught in the boss's area-of-effect skills due to being too close.

After reminding him to be more careful, Zhang Mingzhen launched an attack.

For him, as long as he pays attention to avoiding certain combos, this battle will pose no further threat.

Before long, "Utterly Empty" experience points surged again, and the light of leveling up enveloped Utterly Empty for the second time.

He's become numb.

That three million was totally worth it!

If the owners of those big guilds and families knew that a leader could provide such experience, they would probably fight tooth and nail for that spot.

After all, their upgrades are too slow.

Recruiting new members takes time.

Luring and defeating monsters both take time.

Thinking of the people outside who were struggling to climb the tower, "Utterly Empty" couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority.

When he goes out, he'll probably shock a lot of people.

In fact, there's no need to wait until he leaves the instance.

Just as he rose two levels in a short period of time and overtook others to jump to second place on the experience leaderboard, some astute players noticed the anomaly in the experience leaderboard.

"Oh My God!"

"What hidden cheat code has Kongkong Kong unlocked? Was his previous low profile a setup for a big surprise?"

"Utterly Empty, looks like he's not climbing the tower! I have him as a friend, and it shows he's currently in the Divine Ruins Dungeon! Boss, which power leveling team did you use? Any recommendations?"

The Utterly Empty friend list started flashing wildly.

The messages in the private chat channel are constantly being refreshed like a tidal wave.

His friends are all wealthy, but lack access to resources.

Unlike "Chongxing," Utterly Empty, this type of heavy spender is known in the community for his extensive network of connections, knowing countless gamers and Gold Farming Team.

He simply picked a few familiar friends, briefly explained that he was being led by an expert to run a dungeon, and then hurriedly followed in "Chongxing's" footsteps.

Of course, he didn't reveal Chongxing's name, lest these people compete with him for it.

Zhang Mingzhen changed into his newly acquired Black Iron Equipment and turned to walk towards the cliff where bats gathered.

This dungeon can be challenged twice a week, and you can get at least three pieces of Black Iron Equipment.

At this rate, it won't be long before both sets of character equipment are upgraded to Xuan Tie quality.

He now understands that the number of challenges he could take was a huge benefit.

This also means that you can't be too much of Lone Wolf Path; you also need to team up with others.

This was actually Gao Linzhi's design: more interaction would inevitably lead to betrayal, bonds, and other such scenarios.

This can amplify emotional fluctuations.

Zhang Mingzhen plans to reach level 18 so he can start preparing for silver equipment—twice a week in the Divine Ruins and once a day in the Tower Climb.

In addition to ranking rewards, he believes that the main source of equipment in this game is from various dungeons.

Of course, he didn't know that the dog's plans could be adjusted at any time.

In short, we will not allow equipment and game currency to experience inflation.

At the same time, we must also do our best to attract wealthy people to play the game.

This leads to a redistribution of wealth, which in turn leverages the world line to obtain Source Energy.

Upon reaching the cliff, Zhang Mingzhen instructed "Utterly Empty" to retreat further away to avoid any bats that attacked, and to pull them towards him.

Clearing out the bats is still time-consuming, but the drop rate is significantly higher; this time, I got another piece of basic equipment.

He casually put it up for auction, and also listed the Shield Guard's blank gear and the berserker's black iron off-hand weapon that he had previously kept.

Except for the Black Iron Equipment, which is set to be auctioned, all other plain equipment is priced at five silver.

The blank-grade equipment sold out instantly upon being listed, clearly indicating that someone was specifically monitoring the auction interface.

Dragon Diagram Frenzy is currently grinding monsters.

At this moment, someone tagged him in the group chat:

"Boss, Chongxing is wearing Xuan Tie armor again. This time he's your professional second-in-command."