Just as Li Zheng and the brothers of the Hardcore Grinders Group returned as instructed, news of the God of Wealth's death in battle swept through the Forum.
Related topics instantly drowned out the previous clamor.
Whether they were veteran players who had spent years immersed in Monster World or newcomers who had only recently entered this world, none were unfamiliar with the God of Wealth.
His name was a historical milestone in the players' "pioneering era."
He was also the first intelligent being the players had encountered in Monster World.
Even the two currently popular growth paths had both started with the God of Wealth, branching into two entirely different roads that ran through countless players' journeys in Monster World.
The first was the Village Entrance Bully path.
It had begun when the God of Wealth started his graduation trial, descended upon the Di Family Mountains, and fought Di Nian Bully.
That encounter had revealed Di Nian Bully's existence to the players and led countless top players to join the Village Entrance Battlefield afterward.
The other was the Against the Tide path, opened up by players such as Li Zheng and Eat Dirt as they followed the God of Wealth.
From their fledgling trials at the Against the Tide Training Camp to the Hardcore Grinders Group's fame on the Forum, from the ridiculed "disgraceful players" to awe-inspiring "steel" warriors-countless players had witnessed that growth through livestreams.
The Against the Tide Legion now recruited players from time to time, and all the players were grateful for the Hardcore Grinders Group's efforts back then, which had made the Player Race promising newcomers in the legion's eyes.
But no one would forget that all of it had originated with the God of Wealth's wholehearted support.
It could be said that every player