At the dock, more than 100,000 players dispersed in twos and threes. The guidance quest issued by Han Xiao had ended, and everyone decided to explore the Black Star Army's headquarters on their own to learn about its facilities.
Players know that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, this planetary fortress should become their base in version 3.0.
The Black Star Army headquarters was extremely large, and the more than 100,000 people did not feel crowded. They quickly dispersed and integrated into the normal membership of the Black Star Army.
Frenzied Saber, Hao Tian, and several professional players who were on good terms with each other were walking together, with Meat Bun and Maple Moon following beside them. The group walked and stopped frequently, observing the NPCs they passed by while discussing the main quest they had just obtained.
"The new version's storyline is really exciting! We're going to experience a massive interstellar war between two star cluster-level civilizations. I checked the forums, and it seems that players from other star systems didn't get the main quest right away like we did; they're still exploring," Frenzied Saber said curiously.
"This isn't the first time, is it? In every version, our Shattered Star Ring main storyline is always the first to appear. It's probably a characteristic of our side." Frenzied Sword Fried Rice shrugged.
"Indeed, we were the same in version 2.0. We learned about the main storyline as soon as we went live, while other star regions were a few months to a year behind us." Hao Tian nodded.
"Judging from this, Black Star should be a major NPC again in version 3.0. He's been a main character for three versions now, and all three main storylines are related to him," Meat Bun said, rubbing his chin.
"More than three versions..." Frenzied Saber said excitedly, "I saw this NPC character during the closed beta, I never expected him to become so powerful later."
Meat Bun's eyes lit up. "Black Star has so much screen time! I don't see any other star systems with a character like him. Only Black Star is a regular NPC in every version, appearing for three versions in a row. I think Black Star is probably the protagonist of the entire Shattered Star Ring storyline, our chosen one... Yes, this is great content! My next video is definitely going to be a hit!"
Han Xiao is currently extremely popular among Huaxia players, and the video just now introduced his achievements over the past ten years. It's the perfect time for players to get excited, so Meat Bun thinks we can capitalize on this trend by making a new video about Black Star using "the protagonist of the Shattered Star Ring" as the starting point. It's sure to become a hot topic.
In the first two versions, players experienced many moving storylines in the Galaxy and met all kinds of NPCs. Many of these characters were popular with players, but so far, the NPC that players remember most is Black Star. Even players from other star regions are familiar with his name. Currently, Han Xiao is the most popular and well-known NPC among players.
Creating articles, videos, and fan-made content related to Black Star is seen as a business opportunity by many gamers.
The "Black Star Series" videos are Meat Bun's most famous works, and to this day they are still a must-watch series for new viewers. Since their release, many of the memes they created have spread widely.
Because this series brought in a huge amount of popularity, Meat Bun was the one who spared no effort in shaping the character of Han Xiao. However, due to the huge business opportunities of Black Star, other video creators also took a liking to Han Xiao's popularity and followed suit by making various videos about the Black Star Army.
However, the Meat Bun had already captured the market in version 1.0 and was considered the "authentic" version by players.
It's fair to say that players' current affection for the Black Star Army is largely thanks to Meat Bun's videos—everyone is a member of the Black Star, watching the faction grow through their own efforts, which has been made into a TV series format, creating a strong sense of immersion.
Video creators like Meat Bun profit from the popularity of NPCs, but they are unaware that Han Xiao is also exploiting them and benefiting greatly. No matter how strong an NPC is, it must be spread through various forms of entertainment to be recognized and accepted by more players and become a popular character.
The group agreed with a few words, then returned to the main topic, continuing their discussion about the new version's main storyline, which was what professional players were really interested in.
"Speaking of which, with our strength, we shouldn't be able to influence the outcome of an interstellar war at this level, right?" Frenzied Saber said.
Maple Moon nodded and said seriously, "Yes! I just checked. The agents for both sides in the Secret War are the War Realm and the Section Zero, led by the Black Star Army. The leader of the War Realm is called Heber, one of the four Beyond Grade A of the Shattered Star Ring, whose strength is even higher than the Calamity Grade. As for the Legion, their power is enormous. With both sides so powerful, the number of participants is probably in the hundreds of millions. Even if all the players participate, I don't think it will have much impact on the outcome of the war..."
Hao Tian pondered for a moment, then analyzed, "In that case, the Secret War is merely the background of the new version. Our main area of activity should be in the smaller battlefields within the war, and our involvement in the war itself will certainly be limited."
"I'm afraid it'll just be another cutscene..." Frenzied Sword Fried Rice said with a wry smile.
"But that's not necessarily true..."
Frenzied Saber's eyes darted around, and seeing everyone looking at him, he explained, "Think about it. In the three versions, our level cap has been constantly increasing. The storyline's levels have just gone through the transitions from planetary to galactic to star cluster levels. The combat power levels between Galaxy have a stable system. For example, Grade C represents the basic qualities of a space warrior, while Grade B represents the core strength. This system doesn't change with version updates. Our constantly rising rank means our status in the Galaxy, and our influence on Galaxy storyline, has been growing with each version!"
The level cap is now open to 120, and the first batch of players should all be able to reach Grade B. Based on this, our importance in the new version will definitely surpass that of the previous two versions. Therefore, I believe that in version 3.0, we will be able to participate more fully in the Galaxy storyline, and the gameplay will certainly see new changes.
After tilting their heads and thinking for a moment, everyone thought, "Hey, what this guy said actually makes some sense."
Meat Bun's eyes lit up. "Can I copy... oops, quote this analysis?"
"Please, have some decency!" Frenzied Sword Fried Rice said speechlessly.
"By the way, although we've triggered the main storyline, how do we participate in the war? Should we follow the legion's orders, or accept missions ourselves?"
Just then, Frenzied Saber and the others suddenly noticed that the Black Star Army members around them were converging in one direction. Their communicators also vibrated. Phillip issued a notification, ordering all members of headquarters to proceed to the headquarters plaza, as there was something to announce.
Frenzied Saber and his group mingled with the crowd and arrived at the plaza, which was now packed with people. Other players arrived one after another, mingling in the crowd and waiting with the Black Star Army members.
The ground in front of everyone rose up, transforming into a high platform. Virtual screens appeared in the sky above the square, broadcasting the scene from the platform so that people in the distance could also see it clearly.
More than twenty high-ranking legion officers appeared on the platform, many of them familiar faces, while the players below whispered among themselves.
"Ten years have passed, and the Legion officers from version 2.0 are still here. That's satisfying."
"It seems there are quite a few new cadres."
"Oh ho ho, is that beautiful woman Sylvia?"
"Oh no, it feels like I'm getting aroused!"
"I was polite, were you?"
"Hmph, so what if she's a beauty? I'm a scholar... The Dragon Emperor Lickers will never be slaves!"
"Historical patterns tell us that those who lick the boots in the end will have nothing."
Seeing the familiar NPCs from the previous version, many players were overjoyed and habitually sent Reconnaissance to the officers above them. Apart from learning the officers' names, everything else was a question mark. All of them were extremely dangerous and deadly, and all of them were capable of fighting.
Only now have players had a firsthand experience of the Black Star Army's current power, giving them a much more direct impression.
Buzz!
The space in the center of the platform rippled, and a figure appeared out of thin air, walking out of the void. It was Han Xiao.
The more than 100,000 players present finally saw Han Xiao ten years later, still wearing that familiar and friendly outfit, but taller and more composed.
Frenzied Saber and his group noticed that many of the Black Star Army members around them had expressions of admiration on their faces.
This detail made it even clearer to the group how much Han Xiao was regarded as their leader. Meat Bun turned on the camera and started taking pictures like crazy, collecting footage.
Countless people in the square, including the players, stared at him expectantly. Han Xiao cleared his throat, and his voice was transmitted throughout the square through the machine.
"In half a month, we will cooperate with the main force of Section Zero to launch a large-scale counterattack in the War Realm. At that time, a large number of people will be conscripted to participate in the war. In addition to the soldiers who have already been conscripted, the Legion will accept applications from other members to participate in the war. In addition to the remuneration paid by the Amethyst Civilization, the Legion will provide additional subsidies to the participants. The specific amount depends on their duties. For details, please check the announcement in the Legion's internal system..."
When they were mercenary groups, they only needed to share the employer's rewards with their members. But now that the Black Star Army has transformed into a private armed organization, it needs to pay salaries to its members, essentially supporting an army. Participating in battles is an extremely risky job, and it also needs additional subsidies. War is all about money.
Fortunately, the Black Star Army is no longer what it used to be. It has various ways to make money, such as mining resource planets, receiving funding from conglomerates, selling goods, hiring workers, and receiving resource support from the Amethyst Civilization. Its assets can support its current scale.
Frenzied Saber suddenly realized, "So that's how you participate in the war; you have to apply within the legion."
"Only by participating in the battle can you improve your main quest rating, but we can choose to slack off. It turns out that the story quests aren't mandatory, so it's quite flexible."
The players started discussing it enthusiastically, and the square became noisy.
At this moment, Han Xiao glanced around, smiled inwardly, and continued:
"All participants will enjoy a 50% discount on all products produced by the Legion. In half a month, participants will assemble at headquarters and board the fleet to head to the battlefield. If you have any questions, you can consult the Legion's sub-intelligence."
Everyone was suddenly stunned.
50% off?
All faction items are 50% off?!
Holy crap, there's this kind of extra benefit?
That's a huge profit!!