Chapter 110: Digital Cruise (Twenty-Three)

Chapter 110: Digital Cruise (Twenty-Three)

It was indeed common sense.

But not just the Eight Elites, even the original members of Ronghua realized that after knowing Xie Fangcheng's combat power, their instinctive reaction was to fear that the biggest threat in this dungeon wasn't the BOSS but Xie Fangcheng potentially losing control and destroying the boat.

As for the risk in the dungeon? What risk? They were more likely to scare the NPCs to death.

But now, with Zong Daoan’s words, many people quickly snapped back to reality.

Strong as Xie Fangcheng might be, his strength didn't mean he would protect them like a nanny!

Just like earlier, Xie Fangcheng was planning to leave the group to deal with Ning Suisui, leaving the rest, like Qi Chanyang who had never been to a level five dungeon before, unable to keep up with him.

Xie Fangcheng was actually undertaking the main tasks in this dungeon now, aiming to clear it with a high score. The rest couldn't possibly be incapable of even scavenging in his wake, could they?

Even if some originally thought, "Since I've joined Ronghua, wouldn't he take me along?", people can be influenced by their surroundings. Seeing one player after another approach the table to seriously choose suitable items, no one could openly admit to holding the group back in this “everyone is striving” atmosphere.

Soon, the Eight Elites, who had different intentions just moments before, joined the line to select items.

There were many items on the table, way more than thirty, but not many of them were very powerful.

Although Liu Fu and the others had a quota of fifty million points per person, which seemed like a vast fortune, they actually preferred to take ten items worth five million points each as compensation, compared to a single item worth fifty million points.

This is quite standard; generally, items that can sell for over 30 million are hard to come across easily in the market. They are basically items that can enter a small-scale auction.

Just like in these level-five instances, typically only one major item would be obtained, yet there will be a dozen or so minor items scattered throughout. Many veteran players who top the scoreboards might only possess about a dozen items that can sell for over 30 million, but they might have hundreds that can fetch three to four million.

Among the items Liu Fu and his group handed over, the best one was the previously sought-after "Boundless Strength", which has a market price above 40 million.

At this moment, the individual who wanted the "Stone-splitting Power" earlier got their hands on it right away.

"I'll borrow this one! It's 100,000, right?"

Zhong Dao'an nodded in agreement.

Soon, the rest of the items with market values over ten million were also borrowed, with some even borrowing two at a time.

Wei Yuan began organizing people to register on the spot, the entire scene bustling with everyone holding glowing items, reminiscent of a lively trade market.

The items left unborrowed were basically those without practical use in the instance, like the ring that changes skin color—

Zhong Dao'an walked over and picked up the ring.

Xie Fangcheng looked at him curiously, glanced again, and couldn't help teasing him, "Planning to change your color, are you?"

Zhong Dao'an didn't respond, just looking at him, "Can I have this?"

"Sure."

Zhong Dao'an gave a slight smile.

Nie Shuangshuang, who was in line registering, had keen ears. Hearing the conversation, she also came over and whispered, "Then can I have this?"

Xie Fangcheng had no objections, "Sure."

Nie Shuangshuang joyfully put the item directly on her wrist.

It was a red bracelet, its only property being night vision, quite useless. Not to mention one million, the bracelet wouldn't even meet a rental fee of three hundred thousand.

Nie Shuangshuang had been picking through the items on the table for a long time without finding one she wanted to borrow. To support the cause, she took this bracelet, mainly attracted by its appealing design.

Also, because the bracelet was so cheap, she felt absolutely no burden asking for it at this time.

Zhong Dao'an glanced at her, then turned to look at Wei Yuan, "Guild Leader."

Wei Yuan was also getting a feel for a borrowed item at that moment, and quickly turned his head when he heard him speak, "Hmm, what is it?"

Zhong Dao'an spoke calmly, "Although the items should all belong to Manager Xie, no matter how you look at it, others have contributed their labor and made contributions just now. I think some encouragement is necessary, don't you think?"

"Absolutely!" Wei Yuan agreed wholeheartedly.

Zhong Dao'an continued, "Then shall we waive the fee for the first time they borrow?"

"Ah." Wei Yuan hesitated, glancing at Xie Fangcheng, "Is this appropriate?"

After all, the points for borrowing these props should go to Jie Fangcheng; isn't it inappropriate for Jing Dao'an to make such a decision directly?

Jing Dao'an smiled: "Surely the guild can afford this small amount, right?"

Wei Yuan understood immediately.

It had always been this way before, like when celebrating someone clearing a level five instance. The celebration costs were covered by the guild, and individuals were seldom asked to bear these expenses.

At this moment, upon hearing Jing Dao'an's statement, Wei Yuan's first reaction was gratitude.

Where does the collective sense of belonging among guild members come from? It comes from repeatedly tackling dungeons together and celebrating together, analogous to department gatherings in real life, where individuals don't have to foot the bill.

Prompted by Jing Dao'an's reminder, Wei Yuan quickly turned around and briefed the members who were still registering, sparking a round of praises like "The guild leader is mighty".

While 300,000 points aren't much, setting aside the fact that the guild currently has newcomers like Qi Chanyang, who never ventured into level five instances before and hence have limited points, borrowing props is a significant decision even for them.

Even the eight veteran players who never experienced a downgrade joined the clamor, since there's no reason to reject free points. They blended in harmoniously within the guild.

Wei Yuan, having been the guild leader for so long, was adept at managing the guild and fostering unity. Now, he alternated between asking someone if the prop suited them and offering to help someone else maximize their prop's potential, creating a harmonious atmosphere among the guild members.

Just as Nie Shuangshuang was about to joyfully join in, she heard Jing Dao'an sigh.

"Guild leader Wei really has it tough, managing such a big operation all by himself. I wonder if his points are sufficient."

Nie Shuangshuang paused for a moment.

She wasn't foolish. Jing Dao'an's remarks often contained multiple layers of meaning, which weren't readily comprehensible, but it was apparent that his sigh wasn't merely an expression of sympathy for Wei Yuan's hardship.

Nie Shuangshuang felt like there was a trap ahead, but she couldn't help herself: "Big brother, what are you trying to say?"

Jing Dao'an looked at her indifferently: "Nothing much, just lamenting. It seems quite pitiful that a player like guild leader Wei, who once topped the points leaderboard, might now lack sufficient points to cover this fee waiver, perhaps even needing to ask Manager Jie for a grace period. Quite a sad situation, indeed."

Nie Shuangshuang: "..."

Now, the only players in Ronghua who once ranked high on the points leaderboard were her and Wei Yuan. This time, Nie Shuangshuang understood completely.

She frowned, looking miserable: "Big brother, could you please not covet my small amount of points? I have none left! All my points were spent by Brother Jie!"

Only then did Jing Dao'an shift his gaze away: "Is that so."

Jie Fangcheng was fiddling with his green crown. With many accessories on his head, including hair bands and hairpins, the crown was tilted awkwardly. The professional stylist Qiao Mai, enduring the blinding green light, helped him adjust it, prompting applause and cheers from the people around who were either looking at the sky or the ground.

After the bustling prop distribution session ended, everyone finally settled down for lunch.

Each table accommodated four people. Although Nie Shuangshuang used to enjoy sharing a table with Jie Fangcheng, she chose not to this time, opting to join other friends instead.

This time, Wei Yuan took a seat, engaging in a serious conversation with Jing Dao'an while eating.

"This prop rental gave me an idea!" Wei Yuan exclaimed excitedly, "In the future, we can turn this rental into a long-term event, similar to power bank rentals or bike-sharing services, where players can rent rare props for a fee based on the rental duration. Many players can't afford to buy rare props, but they can handle a few hundred thousand points. This could be a significant source of revenue!"

Zhang Dao'an shook his head, saying, "Your analogy is fitting, which is why businesses revolving around shared bicycles either flee or operate at a loss. Can you guess why?"

Wei Yuan pondered for a moment, quickly understanding, "If the person renting the item dies within the instance, that would be problematic... What if we require a deposit of equal value in points or items?"

"Ah, resorting to P2P, aren't we? You seem quite suited to be a capitalist."

"Ah? Is that not feasible?" Wei Yuan mused.

"Let me point out a fundamental issue - who do you plan to entrust with safeguarding the points and items collected as collateral?"

Wei Yuan turned his gaze towards Xie Fangcheng.

Xie Fangcheng was engrossed in his meal, fervently eating noodles, when suddenly he slapped his stick onto the table with a “thwack”.

Wei Yuan looked at Zhang Dao'an, conceding, "You have a point, P2P isn't viable. If the individual guarding the collateral items or points is overpowered and robbed, it would spiral out of control."

Wei Yuan sighed with regret, "It seems there's no solution then."

"There is a way," Zhang Dao'an assured him, "Ronghua wasn't established for profit. While renting out to outsiders is not feasible, we can introduce this benefit internally."

"Ah?" Wei Yuan was taken aback.

Zhang Dao'an reminded him, "Renting to guild members who are about to enter the instance is still a viable option."

"But wouldn't collateral still be necessary?" Wei Yuan furrowed his brow.

"No, it's not."

"But... but..." Wei Yuan was flabbergasted, "What if a guild member dies within the instance?"

Zhang Dao'an regarded him, "My friend, deploying troops without providing them with weapons and armor—you certainly have the makings of a capitalist, don't you?"

Wei Yuan stared blankly at him, "But those items belong to Manager Xie..."

Xie Fangcheng appeared utterly indifferent, retorting, "What use would I have for that pile of junk?"

"Ah..."

Perhaps due to their numerous successful dungeon runs together, Xie Fangcheng could now discern the unsaid thoughts lingering in Zhang Dao'an's mind.

"Although I deem those items worthless, distributing them freely may not encourage appreciation and could potentially lead to disputes, hampering unity. Renting, on the other hand, involves a cost, setting a clear standard that won't stir disagreement among the members."

This arrangement was unprecedented in Wei Yuan's experience, no guild had ever introduced an item rental system, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that Xie Fangcheng was at a significant loss.

"But what if a player renting an item dies within the instance? Then your item would have been squandered for nothing," Wei Yuan pointed out.

Xie Fangcheng glanced at him, remarking, "Your concern for the items seems misplaced. The truly significant matter here is life and death, not the fate of mere objects."

Wei Yuan genuinely never expected to hear such words coming from Xie Fangcheng.

Everyone had already come to terms with being deceased; this was a reality Wei Yuan had accepted. His reluctance to face death once again stemmed from a lingering vendetta, and moreover... the presence of Qiao Mai in his life.

The two had initially agreed to survive in the game indefinitely, until the day when either of them perishes in a dungeon.

Now, knowing that returning to the real world was a lie and with the imminent arrival of the underworld staff, the dismantling of the game was inevitable. Wei Yuan doubted the worth of his persistence at times. It seemed futile to cling to these things when death was certain. However, a latent spirit of perseverance within him refused to surrender, unwilling to passively await death.

He was always unsure of how Xie Fangcheng perceived them—the players. Did he see them as pitiable ants struggling to survive or as clowns who continued to flail even in the face of apparent futility?

However, in this moment, when Xie Fangcheng uttered "life and death are of utmost importance", Wei Yuan was taken aback for a good while.

"…Haven't we already died?"

"Everyone dies, even when you were alive, death was inevitable. It's not only the outcome that matters, but the journey is equally important."

Xie Fangcheng’s words held deep wisdom and gravitas, yet Wei Yuan couldn't take him seriously given his glaring green attire. After pondering for two seconds, Wei Yuan couldn’t help but turn his head away, forcibly shifting the topic and discussing the finer details.

"Then this initiative of renting rare items can be considered one of Ronghua's benefits. However, not every item can be priced at a hundred thousand, we'll need to determine prices based on their quality."

Setting the prices was not a concern for the two; veteran players like Wei Yuan naturally had their established economic systems.

Yet, with such a benefit in place, the future development of Ronghua seems very promising!

Wei Yuan appeared visibly elated, eager to clear the dungeon at this very moment and return to the guild with these... well, potentially other players’ items, rekindling the long dormant vigor of Ronghua.

"Is this dungeon nearing its end?" an invigorated Wei Yuan asked, "Even Ning Suisui seems helpless, couldn't we just breeze through the remainder of the dungeon in three days?"

Zhang Dao'an finished his food and gracefully wiped his lips.

"Not necessarily."

"Ah... is there anyone else who dares to challenge Brother Xie?"

Zhang Dao'an looked at him, "If I were an NPC, given the marine theme, I would rather destroy the ship than face inevitable defeat against Manager Xie."

“……”

Xie Fangcheng suddenly looked up, his expression somewhat horrified, "I can't swim."

Zhang Dao'an responded with a casual demeanor, "So, let's go and take down the captain later."

"Where is the captain?"

"I'm not sure. But... Ning Suisui knows."