The arena, as the "main city's" attraction, spreads its fame among players, drawing in more newcomers and bringing in a massive influx of people and new customers—this is the benefit Han Xiao truly desires.
In fact, Master Han had many other ideas, such as setting odds for official betting and an arena system like the customized PK ranks or ladder in "Sky Island and the Maiden". Both could attract players, but he gave up after thinking about it because these two things were difficult to operate. They were things that only the official game settings could be authoritative. He, as an "NPC", felt that it would have some hidden dangers and negative impacts if he, as an "NPC", were to do them.
Most importantly, if this "official" figure were to offer rewards, the ubiquitous studios and actors would bankrupt him! Master Han wouldn't fall for it, after all, this was part of his business in his previous life...
Although he was exploiting the players, strictly speaking, it was a mutually beneficial arrangement where each got what they wanted. From a neutral perspective, simply providing the venue and official impartiality, allowing players to express themselves freely, was the most comfortable and safest position for Han Xiao. This could also be interpreted as "guiding the Inhuman to properly release their excess energy."
Once the main city's position is secure and it handles a large influx of players daily, Han Xiao's next step in his plan is the dreaded real estate market!
As the person in charge, besides the shelters for refugees, all the other Sanctuary refugee camps became his goldmine!
Unsuspecting clients... Pshaw, the big clients are naturally those large guilds willing to acquire properties.
"Sigh, business..."
Looking at the throngs of people in the square, Han Xiao stroked his chin, feeling a mix of emotions.
Huang Yu was convinced.
He initially thought the arena was a waste of resources, but after observing for more than ten days, he gradually discovered its potential benefits. Huang Yu couldn't understand Han Xiao's grand long-term plan, nor did he know the nature of the players. However, when he was making the revenue report, he found that the cost of renting the arena to the Inhuman far exceeded the maintenance cost. In the long run, the cost would be recovered sooner or later, followed by net profit. And this was just one of the benefits.
The Inhuman were the main force in building the Sanctuary, but Inhuman elusive nature made them difficult to manage. Huang Yu was reluctant to allow Inhuman to have too much contact with the refugees and divided up Inhuman activity areas. However, the Inhuman still frequently sought out the refugees, even though their intention was to help (complete missions), which rendered Huang Yu's management ineffective. After the arena was built, the Inhuman voluntarily used it as their activity center, and the plaza and arena automatically became a "Inhuman community," saving him the trouble of management. The entire Sanctuary became much more orderly.
At this moment, Huang Yu was in the office, groveling and flattering Han Xiao, praising the great technician Han for his wisdom, courage, and foresight. All sorts of nauseating words popped out of his mouth and into Han Xiao's ears, making him feel disgusted and giving him goosebumps all over.
Having finally driven Huang Yu away, Han Xiao then pondered the player's main city's future plans. The arena's role was more evident in the future, and he wasn't satisfied with that.
"To cultivate the main city's appeal, the arena is one factor, but another way is to hold regular events... Aside from the game's official holiday special events, if I want to attract players to participate in events, I need to show them tangible benefits..."
Han Xiao tapped his fingers on the table, pondered for a long time, and then suddenly a flash of inspiration came to him.
As the moon sets and the sun rises, the Ghost Wasteland at dawn is damp and rough, filled with dust and fog, making it quite uncomfortable. However, the area around the Sanctuary is clean and refreshing, as this hazy dust and fog is kept out. The Sanctuary is taking shape and is equipped with a super-large air filter. The Sanctuary focuses on preventing radiation pollution and ensuring air quality.
Players are adding bricks and tiles to the Sanctuary. On the steel bars of the protective wall, a group of players are welding, sparks flying everywhere. This work is dangerous and tedious, and the players sway precariously as they walk on the steel bars.
"Be careful not to fall." Just as one person finished speaking, the person next to him slipped, and everyone's eyes silently followed his fall, the long "Ah~" sound growing longer and longer.
The protective wall is towering and the most dangerous of all the construction tasks, with players frequently falling and dying unexpectedly.
"Everyone told you to be careful."
On another steel bar, a player with the ID "Lonely Half-Smoked Cigarette" complained indignantly, "Damn it, all the safe, simple, and rewarding construction tasks have been monopolized by those big guilds, leaving us ordinary players with only low-value tasks."
Where there are people, there is a social dynamic. There are many types of Sanctuary- building tasks. The simple and rewarding ones are all taken by guilds, leaving most solo players with only the remaining tasks. Most players are just playing casually and don't care about this, but some players take it seriously.
Still fuming after Lonely Half-Smoked Cigarette, he kept grumbling, "... Those big guilds have monopolized the resources. They're rich and powerful. We've lost from the start. How are we supposed to fight in the future?"
Someone nearby laughed and said, "It's just a game, don't take it so seriously."
"The point of playing games is to be the best, otherwise what's the point?" Lonely Half-Smoked Cigarette retorted, disdainfully adding, "So you're all just salted fish, with no dreams whatsoever."
"If you're so envious of others, why don't you just join a guild?"
"Hmph, only the weak band together; going it alone is the mark of the strong."
With a disdainful look, Lonely Half-Smoked Cigarette said he would never mention his painful experience of being rejected when he applied to join a certain guild.
Looking down from their vantage point, the group suddenly noticed that countless players, no bigger than ants, were gathering in circles on the Sanctuary plaza. This was a signature phenomenon when Han Xiao appeared. A broadcast message from another player suddenly appeared on the regional channel, seemingly indicating that Black Phantom had introduced a new feature: calling on friends. Those building the protective wall hurriedly dropped their work and rushed down the wall to get there. Some impatient individuals jumped down, instantly dying and respawning in the plaza to avoid wasting time on the way.
Lonely Half-Smoked Cigarette ran to the square, which was already packed with people. Han Xiao stood in a corner of the square, with a large truck behind him. Lonely Half-Smoked Cigarette, like the other players, craned his neck to look curiously.
Looking at the bustling crowd, Han Xiao coughed a few times and said loudly, "My warehouse has a lot of stock that needs to be disposed of recently, and it's all been packed up... If anyone wants to buy, I can sell it at a low price."
The players in the plaza looked at each other in bewilderment.
Packing, what does that mean? I don't quite understand.
Since these are surplus goods, should we still buy them?
"I want ten," Azure Sky said immediately.
With the belief that anything from Black Phantom is guaranteed to be of high quality, he was willing to be the first to try it out, no matter what new feature it was, he just wanted to experiment and see for himself.
"Three thousand Aquamarine Dollar for one box."
"So expensive?!" Azure Sky was shocked, but she gritted her teeth and bought it anyway, spending all the money she had on her. Although she was the guild leader, the guild funds were not something she could just carry around; they were all her personal assets.
After taking the money, Han Xiao took ten boxes out of the car. Azure Sky opened nine of them in a row, and his face immediately darkened. The boxes were full of broken parts and cheap mechanical raw materials. The players next to him shook their heads when they saw this.
"What kind of goods are these? They're more like stockpiled garbage. I wouldn't even want to give them to me as just a bunch of odds and ends; they're taking up too much space."
"Only a fool would buy something like this."
Upon hearing this, Azure Sky turned around and glared fiercely. Frustrated, she opened the last box without any hope. However, as soon as the lid was opened, Azure Sky's nonchalant gaze froze, and she stared blankly at the contents of the box.
A Folding War Blade lay quietly in the box.
In his vision, the name of the battle sword was conspicuously purple!
This is a purple outfit!
Seeing his expression, everyone became curious, stood on tiptoe, and gasped when they saw it clearly.
Exclamations of surprise spread outwards like ripples.
Until now, players have never seen a purple-grade item; this is the first one to be revealed to them!
Azure Sky opened her mouth wide as she looked at the ten boxes in front of her. Suddenly, she felt a sense of familiarity and immediately realized what was happening.
"Wait a minute! This gameplay... isn't it just opening boxes?!"