The Armed Vehicle Innovation Contest came to an end on the third day after its update went live.
The contest required players to assemble vehicles using no more than 10,000 Sacrificial Power. During the event, the performance statistics of every entry in simulated tests were displayed on the forum.
Scores were calculated across several dimensions, weighted in order: performance across different terrain, value for money, likes from forum users, and more.
The top ten players would receive the simulated armed vehicles they had assembled.
The entries posted by the players who placed in the top three earned a commanding lead in likes on the forum.
First place went to the Cloud-Dragon Concealment, a Swift Flying Sword assembled by the player "Sword-Slaying Love."
He named his vehicle template "Cloud-Hidden Azure Dragon."
The sword's blade was painted with elaborate cloud-dragon patterns in spirit ink. The dragon raised its head and coiled its tail, rendered so vividly that it seemed ready to break through the air and soar into the heavens at any moment. Spirit-stone slots were cleverly built into the pattern, allowing the stones to be installed when needed to provide extra endurance. The broad hilt housed an energy core, and fine silver spirit patterns wound around it, forming a blooming hellflower.
This setup was essentially a budget version of sword-riding flight. Players could stand on the flying sword and soar through the sky.
But its drawbacks were obvious.
First, its energy supply was limited. With its incomplete configuration, the sword could only fly for half an hour. For extra endurance, players had to buy spirit stones from the shop and use them to recharge it.
Second, it was difficult to control. Since riders stood on the sword, they risked falling off.
Keeping their center of gravity under control was especially important.