Players

Zhang Chongshan is undoubtedly one of the purest types of players.

Since the World Gamification, everyone has reacted to this upheaval in completely different ways.

Sea City have become the front lines, countless monsters spawn from the ruins of once-prosperous urban areas, and the game system arrives, along with dungeons, skills, and Architect—

Faced with all this, some people fell into despair and were anxious all day long; some were overjoyed, feeling that this was the perfect era to break the rigid class system and turn their lives around; and some people treated it all as a stealth virtual reality game.

Zhang Chongshan belongs to the latter category.

Moreover, he has never changed his mind from the very beginning.

Everyone else, to varying degrees, has experienced confusion and fear, and has undergone some form of change.

Upon discovering that the monsters at the front line had been held back by the soldiers, he breathed a sigh of relief, feeling that everything was the same as before and he could live a good life again, so he resumed living according to his established path.

Upon discovering that dying in a dungeon, even with zero Survival Points, doesn't immediately eliminate players, the system provides a relatively long grace period, allowing players to slowly repay their debts. As a result, players begin to frantically flock to dungeons, fervently pursuing extraordinary power that was previously unattainable.

They discovered that the early-game System Shop had blind boxes that could be gambled on, and that the mechanics of the unofficial dungeons could be exploited, so they started gambling on probabilities and ripping off other players.

Hesitant and timid, indecisive and fearful, reckless and audacious, selfish and indifferent, the law of the jungle----

Everyone experienced a change in their thinking during this massive transformation.

But Zhang Chongshan had never experienced it before.

He was never afraid, nor was he ever confused, because he never took this matter seriously as a life-or-death crisis.

He was just playing around.

It always has been.

Gamification is just beginning.

He immediately rushed into the unknown instance with shining eyes, even though in the early stages of the game, the system clearly stated that the so-called Survival Points were actually converted from their own lifespan.

Zhang Chongshan showed no hesitation whatsoever, paying off Survival Points without batting an eye.

Because in his view, it was just a game.

Later, guilds sprang up like mushrooms after rain. He thought that joining a guild would be fun and he could participate in group battles, so he excitedly joined a guild.

Later, the Coordination Bureau was officially established and began recruiting skilled individuals from the common people.

He also found it fun to work for the government and make a name for himself in official organizations, so he packed his bags and joined the Coordination Bureau.

However, as the Coordination Bureau gradually became more formalized and militarized, and various rules and regulations increased, it began to constrain him.

Feeling restricted, he decisively chose to break away from the official system and establish his own guild.

In short, the most prominent point is that it's neither good nor bad.

A thousand pieces of gold can't buy my happiness.

Even when the special event for the new version was launched recently, the reason he participated wasn't for any complicated reason. He simply thought the cross-server event was interesting, and since it would be a waste not to participate, he happily signed up.

He never considered betrayal, nor did he ever think of doing anything for Nine Provinces.

He was just playing around.

This includes his eventual decision to betray Nine Provinces and join the opposing faction Prison Rock.

They were under siege at the time.

He didn't want to lose the equipment and skills he had painstakingly accumulated, and he also happened to have the option of defecting to the enemy.

Moreover, he also happened to be tired of staying in Nine Provinces.

Then let's defect to the enemy!

Let's try a different map!

As for whether he wants to be a spy or actually defect to the enemy.

Let's take it one step at a time.

That's right.

That's how casual it is----

He didn't even feel the slightest bit guilty.

In reality, after gamification, while such people are not numerous, they are certainly not few either.

even.

These people also formed a very special organization called the Play Society ".

Zhang Chongshan was one of them.

Along the way, Zhang Chongshan has done countless foolish things, made countless choices that were not understood by outsiders, and been cursed by countless people, but he has never regretted it, and is even very happy about it—whether he's a madman or a traitor, as long as he's having fun and has a great time, isn't that enough?

But at this moment.

Zhang Chongshan was starting to regret it.

Damn it.

What's going on with this opposing faction?!

He sensed something was wrong when he cleared the unofficial dungeons in Prison Rock. He thought that by joining Prison Rock, he could access more challenging dungeons, more skilled Architect, more exciting combat mechanics, and better rewards.

He was even ready to make a name for himself in the new camp.

But what was served was a folk copy that had absolutely no distinguishing features.

The system replica of Prison Rock is essentially the same as that of Nine Provinces.

No surprises at all!

He thought that perhaps his physical condition was not suitable for the unofficial version of Prison Rock.

Just then, they asked him to name a representative unofficial dungeon from Nine Provinces. After thinking for a moment, he slightly hid some of the core mechanics of the [Sekiro] dungeon, created a framework, and gave it to them. He thought the Architect here would fully utilize their abilities to create a dungeon that was both similar and completely different.

But unexpectedly----

The chief Architect of Prison Rock was immediately overwhelmed.

Looking at Helag, whose face seemed to say, "I suspect you're a spy," Zhang Chongshan's mind raced with all sorts of vulgar thoughts.

Is the replica framework you provided excessive?!

That's not excessive at all!

This is just the basic gameplay of [Sekiro]!

In order not to scare these Prison Rock from the start, and also to preserve the possibility of him being a spy.

Zhang Chongshan concealed many disgusting mechanisms in the intelligence report, only proposing basic, fundamental concepts such as Deflect, knife fighting, and Posture Bar.

Information about enemies in the instance is also rather brief.

His original idea was that after listening to this arrogant top-tier Architect from Prison Rock, he would give a disdainful sneer and say that the Architect of Nine Provinces were nothing special, but his idea was good. He would watch as he created something even more awesome!

Then, I'll pull out an even more powerful action sequence to give him a good time, while simultaneously solidifying my position.

result----

This esteemed chief Architect of Prison Rock actually pointed at the most basic Deflect mechanism and angrily shouted that it was unreasonable to fight cavalry with a sword?!

Big brother!

That was the weakest of the rare powerhouses! There were even more outrageous ones that I haven't even mentioned yet.

Where's your prestige as the chief Architect?!

When you betray someone.

Lu Xiu has started confiscating players' weapons! They're being forced to crawl around the mental hospital like maggots!

She wouldn't have as much as Lu Xiu, would she?!

The Architect of Prison Rock, while having a higher overall influence, can't just be a figurehead, can he?

I've ended up in a place even worse than Nine Provinces?!

The more Zhang Chongshan thought about it, the more likely it seemed, and the more he regretted it.

The gaze from the leader of the Prison Rock beside him remained icy, filled with scrutiny and undisguised killing intent.

no.

Zhang Chongshan took a deep breath, and the strange expression on his face instantly disappeared.

As the saying goes, those who understand the times are the wise ones.

This awful place is better left untouched!

I can love Nine Provinces myself, and I can be a spy myself.

Let's become spies!

Thinking of this...

Zhang Chongshan immediately put on a smile full of understanding and flattery, then changed the subject. "Your Excellency, Lord Helag, please don't be angry. This is my fault; I didn't think it through."

Then, under the scrutinizing gazes of the two, he said in an extremely sincere tone, "Perhaps the underlying mechanics of this dungeon are indeed only suitable for players from Nine Provinces —well, you know, players from Nine Provinces are all sword and halberd enthusiasts!"

Didn't Lord Zane, who returned from the dead during the special event, say that even the Architect is used to using longswords and halberds, and wields them quite skillfully? It's normal that the players in Prison Rock aren't used to this style of play!

Speaking of this...

The leader of Prison Rock suddenly calmed down. "No, there are also players from Nine Provinces who don't use weapons, like that little girl who took on six Prison Rock warriors by herself."

"Um... actually, she didn't even manage to beat Sekiro."

Zhang Chongshan cursed Jian Li in his heart, then continued, "He belongs to the kind of player with super strong talent and skills. To be honest with you guys, even the players in Nine Provinces think this dungeon is too abnormal and too difficult."

When this dungeon was first released, the Nine Provinces Forum were flooded with complaints. Everyone thought it was inhuman, and conflicts even broke out between players and Architect. If it weren't for intervention from high-ranking figures, it's possible no one would have been able to clear it.

"Your leader got involved?"

Helag asked a question.

Thinking of the Goddess Intervention, Zhang Chongshan said without batting an eye, "That's right! Our leader intervened and gave Lu Xiu a stern lecture. Only then did Lu Xiu reluctantly change some things, but the completion rate of this dungeon is still not high, and basically no one gets the full reward."

Indeed, no one received the full reward.

The Wolf Played by the Constructor is too strong—I can't beat it!

Zhang Chongshan continued sincerely, "The reason I brought up this dungeon was mainly because I felt that our Prison Rock players were generally of higher quality and perhaps more suited to it! But it seems I didn't consider that carefully."

"The most important thing in the new version is to create a dungeon that all players can clear, rather than focusing on improving oneself. Even if the players in Prison Rock are stronger, this dungeon doesn't necessarily mean it's suitable for them."

Upon hearing this, Helag angrily retorted, "I admit that the Architect from Nine Provinces is very strong, stronger than me, but the way she creates dungeons is clearly unsustainable. This method of building dungeons that only selects extreme geniuses and completely abandons the average player is simply digging her own grave!"

The new version is a competition of faction strength and the overall completion rate and familiarity with the common dungeons! The approach taken by that Architect from Nine Provinces is completely putting the cart before the horse!

Hearing this righteous and indignant rebuke, Zhang Chongshan outwardly appeared respectful and nodded repeatedly, but out of the corner of his eye, he keenly caught the strangeness in Helag's micro-expression.

When she said, "I admit that the Architect in Nine Provinces are very strong," there was a stiffness in her tone that she was trying hard to hide.

Zhang Chongshan's heart stirred slightly.

When the special event ended, those Prison Rock players, like Zane, who were killed and returned, brought back not only information about the Nine Provinces players, but also a terrifying legend—that is—

The top Architect in Nine Provinces also possesses outrageously strong combat skills, capable of dancing gracefully on the battlefield like Shura.

At this moment, Helag repeatedly emphasizes the foundation of the camp, its unsustainability, and its putting the cart before the horse—seemingly criticizing from a strategic perspective, but it always feels tinged with bitterness.

That's the thought that crossed my mind.

Zhang Chongshan suddenly realized.

Damn it, so after all that talk, this chief Architect of Prison Rock is not only clumsy, but also has a broken mind!

She's jealous! She's envious!

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

Both are chief Architect.

Hearing his compatriots' evaluation of Lu Xiu, he would be happy for no reason.

Is this also one of the reasons why you were so agitated and resistant when you heard about the Sekiro raid?

"Yes, yes, you're right."

Zhang Chongshan was lost in thought, but he didn't show it on his face. He nodded frantically in agreement, then his eyes darted around as he tentatively threw out another bait. "Since this kind of action-oriented framework that emphasizes sword fighting doesn't suit your taste, how about I tell you about another one? That Architect named Lu Xiu once made an even more—interesting—dungeon that doesn't require any combat at all."

Helag frowned, seemingly feeling physically uncomfortable with the name Lu Xiu.

But out of a sense of self-awareness and understanding, he still spoke coldly, "Speak."

Zhang Chongshan immediately brought out the Outlast dungeon concept that Lu Xiu had used to traumatize countless players.

"Unable to resist?"

Helag was stunned after hearing this.

"That's right! Players have no means of attacking inside."

Zhang Chongshan explained, "It completely strips the player of their ability to resist, focusing on pure psychological oppression and mental torture!"

A brief silence fell over the Stargazing Platform.

Helag stared blankly at Zhang Chongshan.

A few seconds later, the chief Architect of Prison Rock's face began to twitch wildly at a visible rate.

She gritted her teeth, the veins on her forehead bulging, as if she had suffered a great humiliation.

Next.

She whirled around abruptly, her finger almost poking Zhang Chongshan's nose, her fingertip trembling violently, and let out a piercing roar that echoed throughout the Stargazing Platform: "Leader!! Kill him!!!"

"That bastard is definitely a spy from Nine Provinces! What benefit is there for other players from a dungeon like this?! How can a dungeon like this improve the overall strength of the players?! How could a dungeon like this possibly be useful in the new version?! He deliberately mentioned a useless and torturous dungeon!"

The leader's expression was also unpleasant, and he once again cast a cold glance at Zhang Chongshan.

Your mother!!!

Zhang Chongshan's lips twitched violently involuntarily.

This won't work either!

Fighting is not an option! Not fighting is also not an option!

What can you possibly do?

Shit!

No!

We must absolutely abandon darkness and embrace the light!

The new version must be brought back to Nine Provinces through a referendum.

This B -Prison Rock is terrible!

Zhang Chongshan sighed in despair.

Facing the death stare of the leader of Prison Rock, who was ready to order his execution at any moment, he suddenly felt very tired, even like a king falling into a bronze game.

At the same time.

Nine Provinces.

forum.

Lu Xiu's new dungeon Sifu - after various players have explored it over this period of time.

It seems the time has finally come for it to bear fruit.

This day.

The player named "Du Shu of Tingqiao" posted another message.

This time, it wasn't just a simple text description; it also included a video that was over half an hour long.

[Analysis of Enemy Moves in the Sifu Dungeon and Real-World Replicas (with Move Analysis for Each Style)]

--

Click to play the video.

In the video, a somewhat thin young man stands in a Training Ground, speaking with great enthusiasm.

"Thanks to the help of other players! We finally defeated most of the elite enemies and bosses in the Sifu, the Squats, and the Nightclub."

They've mastered all the moves!

"I'll give you a shabby demonstration here, hoping to attract more interested players to join us."

"Watch closely—putting aside their superpowers, what are their fundamentals and their techniques really like!"