Contacting Players

"In Shizhuang, the military camp is in the north. As long as you have enough merit and wealth, you can apply there to recruit soldiers, and NPC soldiers will be willing to follow you. Without merit, no NPC will accept recruitment. As for how NPCs can tell a player's merit, no one knows. Amazing, isn't it?"

"Because this is Ji Province. Of the 'Eastern Yi, Western Rong, Southern Man, and Northern Di,' Ji Province is where the Northern Di mainly attack. The Northern Di are the strongest of the four barbarian tribes. They excel at cavalry warfare, raids, assaults, and mobile operations. They are currently being repelled by War God Bai Qi, foremost of the Great Qin Empire's Four Divine Marquises. However, with so many invading barbarians, you can occasionally encounter them wreaking havoc or launching sneak attacks in the wilderness. Many have even been killed by barbarians, or seen entire towns massacred. Unless necessary, it's best not to leave the city, and you must always watch out for barbarian attacks..."

Along the way, Ye Caiyun continuously introduced all kinds of common knowledge about Celestial Dynasty. Jian Shang merely kept nodding, remaining silent without offering any comments. His eyes had truly been opened, and many things suddenly became clear.

After the time it took to eat a meal, Jian Shang and Ye Caiyun arrived at a complex of buildings covering roughly a thousand square meters. It was indeed a large residence, more than capable of housing several hundred players or NPCs.

Eight guards stood at the entrance like statues. They seemed even more dutiful than qualified soldiers, not even sparing Jian Shang and Ye Caiyun a glance as they approached. It displayed the wealth and influence of the Golden Roc Group.

"Thank you for explaining so much along the way. I've benefited greatly! But there's one question. Are you like this with every player, or do you truly think highly of me in particular? Why?"

Stopping at the entrance, Jian Shang, who had been silent all along, looked at Ye Caiyun for the first time and asked. It was quite a strange question. In reality, it would have been odd and abrupt, but in Forging the Sacred Court, Jian Shang did not care.

Jian Shang did not believe he could receive such special treatment from a beautiful woman like Ye for no reason. Wu Xu's suggestive teasing earlier had clearly not been a joke.

Ye Caiyun was obviously a shrewd person. Jian Shang also wanted to learn how the leaders of player factions treated ordinary players in Forging the Sacred Court.

"Just as Wu Xu said earlier, you chose a suitable name the first time you entered Forging the Sacred Court. That clearly showed you were calm, steady, and cautious. Combined with your subsequent behavior, you're someone observant who knows how to think. More importantly, you don't disgust me. I feel that you're rather open and straightforward around me, without improper thoughts. You have ambition, but you aren't excessively inflated by it. Besides, I was planning to come back anyway, so I brought you along."

Ye Caiyun neither denied that she favored Jian Shang nor gave a definite answer. Instead, she honestly explained her reasons. After a pause, her beautiful eyes shimmered as she teasingly added:

"Didn't your earlier verbal jabs and rebuttals come from seeing through the fact that I was in charge and deliberately trying to attract my attention? Congratulations, you succeeded!"

"Is that so?!"

Jian Shang smiled in response, neither ashamed nor embarrassed at having his intentions seen through.

Was there any need to explain the misunderstanding caused by his name? It did not seem bad to be regarded as a talent. At the very least, the treatment was much better, and he could learn more secrets.

"Fourth Steward has returned?"

The moment they entered the gate, a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties stepped forward to greet them. After a brief pause, he enthusiastically extended his hand to Jian Shang. "For Fourth Steward to bring you here personally, you must be an outstanding man. Welcome to the Golden Roc Group's settlement. I'm sure you'll be satisfied here!"

"I hope so!"

Jian Shang politely shook his hand and replied. At the very least, this confirmed that his earlier plan had achieved initial success.

It was worth noting that although the Golden Roc Group had not yet forcibly demanded that players join its faction, its words always implied the Golden Roc Group's status, power, affiliation, and recruitment. Jian Shang found it somewhat unpleasant and remained wary, though he was not yet repulsed. After all, there was no love or hate in this world without cause. It was only human nature.

At the same time, Jian Shang gained a certain understanding of how players spoke and behaved. When first recruiting players, the Golden Roc Group used real-world methods such as introductions to increase its own value and attract players to join. However, afterward, it still pursued titles, positions, and roles more suited to this world.

This also showed that since players had entered this world, they needed to adapt to it as quickly as possible.

"Take him to the dormitory and make the arrangements," Ye Caiyun instructed at the right moment. After pausing, she added, "For now, assign him as a Squad Leader!"

"Squad Leader?!" Jian Shang was puzzled. By the name, it meant the leader of five people. It was not as high a position as he had imagined, but it was acceptable!

"This way, little brother!" The middle-aged man greeted him with a warm smile.

"Sorry to trouble you." Jian Shang answered politely, then looked at Ye Caiyun and sincerely added, "Thank you!"

"I believe in you. Squad Leader is only the beginning. Work hard!" Ye Caiyun nodded, smiling brilliantly as she encouraged him.

Inside one of the large courtyard's houses.

"This will be your dormitory for now. You'll have to make do with it. It is a little shabby. Once we take Shizhuang, if you don't like it here, you can buy yourself a house!"

About the time it took to burn an incense stick later, the middle-aged man led Jian Shang to a wooden single-story house among the rows of flat-roofed buildings.

"Not bad! It has an antique charm, and it's neat and clean. It has quite a nice atmosphere. Simple has its own advantages!"

Jian Shang examined the surroundings and replied sincerely. It was a little over ten square meters, with wooden walls, a wooden table, wooden chairs, two small potted plants, a hanging painting, and so on. Compared to Jian Shang's real-world home, it was like a vacation cottage.

In Forging the Sacred Court, food, clothing, shelter, and travel were all necessary, just as in reality. Perhaps this was one of the reasons it could attract so many players. At the very least, living in Forging the Sacred Court was an immense pleasure. The air and natural scenery were utterly incomparable to reality.

"As long as you're satisfied. Settle in and familiarize yourself with the surroundings. Someone will come find you later."

Seeing that Jian Shang had no objections, the middle-aged man did not wish to say more and quickly indicated his intention to leave. Clearly, there were many newly joined unfamiliar players. If Jian Shang had not been personally brought here by Ye Caiyun, the man would not have arranged things for him personally.

The Setting Sun dyed the clouds crimson, and the horizon looked like blood.

Jian Shang had just finished enjoying the free food provided by the courtyard when three women and three men came knocking. At their head was a woman who looked around twenty-seven or twenty-eight and possessed a mature charm.

It was worth mentioning that although the food was rough and simple, consisting only of rice and vegetables, it was quite delicious and carried an added sense of fresh, natural enjoyment.

After entering Forging the Sacred Court, there was no need to deliberately log out to rest or eat. One could do the same inside the game. This was also one of Forging the Sacred Court's most attractive and miraculous features.

"Squad Leader Jian Shang, I'm Squad Leader Li Birong, your direct superior. These are the spear and manual Sister Yun has bestowed upon you. The operation to seize the settlement will begin at dawn tomorrow. Time is short, so familiarize yourself with everything as soon as possible and prepare early. These five people will temporarily be under your command!"

As soon as the charming woman entered, she handed him an ash-black spear and a book. Her gaze toward Jian Shang was rather strange, while the three men and two women who had accompanied her also looked fervently at the spear and manual.

"An operation to seize the settlement?! A reward from Sister Yun?"

Jian Shang was puzzled, then quickly realized that the Golden Roc Group's faction planned to take Shizhuang at dawn tomorrow. The middle-aged man had mentioned it earlier, but Jian Shang had not expected it to happen so soon. His timing had been too perfect.

He accepted the spear and manual at the same time, then politely said:

"Thank you, Squad Leader Li. Please also convey my gratitude to Fourth Steward!"

In Forging the Sacred Court, all items currently fell into three levels: Heaven, Earth, and Human. Each level had three ranks, and each rank had four grades. Human Grade items were the lowest, divided into weapon, fine weapon, and divine weapon ranks, with each rank further divided into superior, middle, inferior, and supreme grades.

"Get familiar with each other as soon as possible! Assemble at the end of the Hour of the Rabbit, around seven in the morning!"

Whether she was busy or simply a person who acted cleanly and decisively, Li Birong gave a brief instruction before directly turning and leaving.

"After all, I'm only an ordinary player. I don't have the capital to deserve the Golden Roc Group's special attention. Getting a weapon and manual has already spared me a lot of struggle. I should be content!"

Jian Shang raised his thick brows and muttered inwardly. Only after Li Birong had left did he look at the three men and two women temporarily placed under his command.

"Drunken Star!" The first to introduce himself was a burly, muscular man around twenty-seven or twenty-eight. His weapon was an axe.

"Blue Moon! Drunken Star's younger sister!" A woman around twenty-three or twenty-four with many braids followed immediately. She looked lively and adorable, and her weapon was a Willow-Leaf Saber.

"Blazing Sun!" A dark-skinned man around twenty-four or twenty-five who looked powerfully built. His weapon was a broadsword.

"Purple Rain!" A woman who looked around twenty-four or twenty-five, gentle and graceful in appearance. Her weapon was a hard bow.

"Sea Breeze!" A slender, rather delicate-looking man. His weapon was a longsword.

"Jian Shang. I'm very glad to meet everyone and have the chance to fight alongside you brothers and sisters!"

After the introductions, Jian Shang began chatting with the five of them and learned some details.

First, game rings could be linked to one's real-world identity. After that, when entering Forging the Sacred Court, one would appear somewhere roughly corresponding to the address on one's identification. Without deliberately linking it, one would appear randomly.

For example, Jian Shang lived in Southern Min but had appeared in the northeast.

Second, among his five subordinates, only Blue Moon was an employee of the Golden Roc Group. Drunken Star was Blue Moon's biological older brother. Blazing Sun and Sea Breeze were Drunken Star's friends, while Purple Rain was Sea Breeze's girlfriend. The five were real-world friends, so they had gathered to play the game together.

Third, among the players currently in Shizhuang, the overwhelming majority were employees of the Golden Roc Group. Other players who had refused to affiliate with it had already been forced out of Shizhuang through various methods. Players who joined the Golden Roc Group's faction and submitted registered real-world identities would each receive at least 1,500 real-world credits from the Golden Roc Group as a base salary. In other words, they had effectively been hired by the Golden Roc Group.

Finally, the Golden Roc Group was managed by its young master, Liu Qianlou, with its eldest young lady, Liu Qianyu, and second young lady, Liu Qianye, assisting him, along with other family members. The other stewards, commandants, and so on were basically management personnel within the Golden Roc Group. Liu Qianlou was pursuing Ye Caiyun, and it was said that Ye Caiyun was already Liu Qianlou's girlfriend in reality.

"If they weren't lying, then every team has Golden Roc Group employees planted within it, and the relationships are a tangled mess... Is this a joke? It's just an online game, yet they've made it so complicated. They even plan to turn it into a family and corporate enterprise?"

As they chatted, Jian Shang pondered inwardly. At the same time, he indirectly saw Forging the Sacred Court's impact on reality.

Setting everything else aside, the Golden Roc Group issued base salaries to registered members, and those salaries would increase depending on position or other achievements. There were currently nearly two thousand players in Shizhuang. If all of them registered and joined, the monthly payroll alone would be at least three million. One could imagine just how seriously the Golden Roc Group regarded development in Forging the Sacred Court.

"Looks like Forging the Sacred Court truly has great potential. But... should I register my real-world identity with the personnel department? If I don't register, they certainly won't trust me or place me in important positions. I'm sure they have methods and procedures for verifying identities in reality. They may even have ways to control people!"

In the end, Jian Shang hesitated somewhat. Being able to earn a salary while playing a game was naturally a good thing. This was the advantage of wealthy real-world factions.

However, the Golden Roc Faction's relationships were too complicated, and Jian Shang found them difficult to accept. At the very least, once he registered his real-world identity, he definitely could not do whatever he wished as before, leaving whenever he felt dissatisfied.

Perhaps every real-world faction stationed in Forging the Sacred Court was like this. After all, once a faction paid salaries, it naturally wanted to use people with peace of mind.

"Obviously, I became a Squad Leader because of Ye Caiyun. But why hadn't Ye Caiyun even asked about my real-world information, much less required me to register my identity?"

Jian Shang believed that Ye Caiyun's impression of him should be quite good. He had now been marked as Ye Caiyun's person, so why had she not investigated or learned about his real-world self in order to better control him?

Perhaps Ye Caiyun merely acted on feeling and had done it casually. In her heart, he was no different from ordinary Golden Roc Group members.

"All right! There's an operation at dawn tomorrow, so everyone should get plenty of rest. At the very least, prepare yourselves mentally! Dying in this world may not mean truly dying, but the feeling of injury or death is no less painful than being injured or dying in reality. We should still be cautious!"

Without realizing it, Jian Shang had chatted with Drunken Star, Blue Moon, and the others for several hours. Their relationship had become much closer. Seeing that it was already late, Jian Shang was the first to suggest it.

"Brother Jian Shang, we'll leave first, then. You should rest well too and prepare yourself mentally!"

Everyone stood up. Blue Moon blinked at Jian Shang adorably and spoke in a crisp voice, making Blazing Sun's brows furrow slightly.

"We live next door. If anything comes up, just call out. No need to stand on ceremony! We'll be going now. Good night!"

Drunken Star, who faintly seemed to be the leader of the five, bade farewell in a hearty manner.

"Good night!"

Jian Shang politely saw them off.

Only after the five had left did Jian Shang feel a headache coming on. If he had guessed correctly, Blazing Sun liked Blue Moon, while Purple Rain and Sea Breeze seemed accustomed to Drunken Star's leadership and were not particularly impressed by him.

This would be difficult.

He picked up the spear and manual Ye Caiyun had given him.

At the current stage of the game, no items above Human Grade would appear. The spear was a middle-grade weapon named the Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear. It was about two meters long and entirely forged from metal. Its spearhead was solid and sharp, while its shaft was hollow and bore patterns resembling pear blossoms, making it easier to grip. It weighed a total of fifty or sixty jin. Wielding it was truly difficult. At the very least, Jian Shang could not wield it one-handed, and he probably could not swing it more than a few times.

The manual was Basic Spear Technique. It described spear techniques primarily based on blocking, seizing, and thrusting, supplemented by common methods such as snapping, pointing, stabbing, chopping, circling, lifting, and deflecting. It truly was basic spear technique.

"Ding! Congratulations, player Jian Shang, for activating Basic Spear Technique. Do you confirm that you wish to learn it?"

When Jian Shang opened Basic Spear Technique, a loud and pleasant system notification sounded in his mind. He silently confirmed it, and a great deal of information about basic spear technique immediately appeared in his mind. It was as though he had long known this information but had merely forgotten some of it and did not understand it deeply. He needed to slowly study and digest it.

"Looks like Forging the Sacred Court truly isn't simple. It hides far too many secrets! What online game lets you genuinely possess relevant information in your mind after learning a cultivation method or skill?"

As he considered and digested the sudden information, Jian Shang looked thoughtfully at the bright moon outside the window amid his shock and astonishment.

No wonder Drunken Star, Blazing Sun, and the others had kept looking at the spear and manual with envy and jealousy. If Jian Shang's guess was correct, the weapon and manual were extremely valuable. Not every player who joined the Golden Roc Group possessed them.

Ye Caiyun's gift was no small one!

Only later did Jian Shang learn that players had to purchase weapons with real gold and silver or seize them by force. Though the Golden Roc Group was wealthy and powerful, it currently could not exchange real-world credits for game currency. It had an enormous demand for game currency and could not give every person a weapon, though it could purchase them on their behalf at discounted prices. The weapon Ye Caiyun had given him had also come out of her own pocket.

The bright moon rose high, and the stars glittered.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh..."

A fierce wind howled as Jian Shang frantically wielded the Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear. He mainly practiced the four basic moves of blocking, thrusting, chopping, and snapping. He did not train the others much because he lacked both strength and time.

At that moment, dozens of other players were also practicing their own weapons in the open space before the row houses. Jian Shang's movements were neither spectacular nor outstanding, but his weapon looked impressive and made tremendous noise, drawing many curious glances.

"Bang..."

Holding the Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear in both hands, Jian Shang executed a snapping strike, withdrew the spear, and drove its butt several inches into the ground with a dull sound. His face was pale as he panted, supporting himself with both hands on the spear. His hands were numb and sore, and even his legs were trembling slightly.

A weapon weighing fifty or sixty jin might not seem heavy, but it was truly not something an ordinary person could use. Jian Shang had practiced for less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, yet he already felt as exhausted as if he had run a thousand meters.

Originally, Jian Shang had thought that his martial strength was too low and that practicing spear techniques might raise it somewhat, giving him more capital for the operation at dawn tomorrow. Who would have thought that his martial strength had not increased at all? Instead, he had exhausted himself half to death.

In this state, Genesis Online truly deserved to be called the "Second World."

The rooster crowed at dawn, and the horizon began to pale!

"Bang, bang, bang..."

"Squad Leader! Squad Leader!"

In his groggy state, Jian Shang was awakened by urgent knocking and shouts.

"Right! The operation is this morning. How did I sleep so deeply!"

Jian Shang jolted awake and could not help feeling ashamed. He had originally been quite excited, and having just entered Forging the Sacred Court, he should have found it difficult to sleep. Yet last night, eager to familiarize himself with the Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear, he had overexerted himself and fallen asleep not long after lying down.

He put on his coarse cloth outerwear, casually tied up his long hair behind his back, washed up quickly, then grabbed the Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear and headed outside...

"What's going on? The Pear Blossom Wrought-Iron Spear doesn't seem as heavy as it was last night! Legendary generals' weapons often weigh over a hundred jin, no lighter than an ordinary person. I really don't know how they could wield them so freely, making heavy things seem light!"

Though puzzled, Jian Shang had no time to think further. He opened the door and stepped out to find Drunken Star, Blue Moon, Blazing Sun, and the others already waiting outside.

"Squad Leader Li has urged us several times already. We had no choice but to..."

As the wooden door opened, Drunken Star looked at Jian Shang, whose long hair was still dripping with water, and spoke apologetically.

"I understand! I overslept. It's not your fault."

Jian Shang smiled sheepishly and answered understandingly. As he spoke, he looked into the distance, where the training ground from before was already packed with people.

A thousand people filled the wilderness; ten thousand filled a city.

Although only a battalion of five hundred people had gathered at this training ground, it still looked like a vast sea of black. The cold gleam of weapons flowed beneath the rising sun, creating an intimidating atmosphere. Many players were also leaving their rooms to gather, and the mood was rather tense.

"What are you muttering about? Take your positions immediately!"

At that moment, a straight-backed middle-aged man shouted sternly at Jian Shang and the others.

Jian Shang looked around and finally found Squad Leader Li Birong among the minor leaders in front of the many teams. He quickly led Drunken Star and the others over to assemble.

The five hundred people here were commanded by a Junior Commandant. Under the Junior Commandant were five Centurions. Each Centurion had ten Squad Leaders under them, and each Squad Leader commanded two teams of five. Each level commanded the one beneath it.

The Junior Commandant of Jian Shang's battalion was Ye Caiyun. This was a position of real authority. She commanded one-quarter of the Golden Roc Faction's current military strength.

No wonder everyone paid so much attention to Jian Shang, whom Ye Caiyun had personally brought back. It seemed Ye Caiyun was not merely Liu Qianlou's pursued girlfriend and the Golden Roc Group's public relations manager. Her own status should be quite high, and her abilities were not weak either!

"Attention! At ease! Since you have picked up a weapon and stand here, you are a soldier! Soldiers must have the bearing and character of soldiers, the code of conduct of soldiers, even if most of you have never received military training and are merely undisciplined civilians..."

The moment Jian Shang and the others joined the ranks, their Centurion—the straight-backed middle-aged man who had shouted at them earlier—immediately roared in a voice like a great bell, every word ringing with force.

Fortunately, most of those present were adults, and vigorous young adults at that. Though most were unruly, they could still quickly manage the basics of lining up, forming ranks, standing at attention, and aligning themselves. Overall, they looked reasonably presentable.

Time was short, and many people were players like Jian Shang who had only joined yesterday. They had received no training whatsoever and had not even gathered once before. It was impossible to demand more of them.