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Chapter301
“Zhou You is certainly talented, but he lacks ambition. What about Zhou Huajin’s character? And what about his father-in-law, Hu Shancheng?”
“There’s nothing suspicious about Zhou Huajin. He’s upright and just, a competent chief justice. With no one else in the Zhou family, he’s fully devoted to grooming his younger son. Zhou Yichen’s success is not just due to his talent but also the dedicated nurture of both the Zhou and Hu families.”
As for Hu Shancheng, he's a businessman, and for them, profit is paramount. The Traditional Medicine Group controls a vast amount of medical technology. There are rumors that they've developed a drug that can alter the human constitution, hastening martial artists' cultivation more effectively than the legendary Elixirs and Spirit Waters. Its authenticity remains unconfirmed, but if true, the power this corporation could wield is immense, and it cannot be overlooked.
Shao Qi turned and retrieved a piece of paper from a drawer, handing it to Xu Yintian, "Monopolies in the private sector are dangerous. Take this; it's the formula for the Elixir. Once produced, undercut their market price. We cannot let Traditional Medicine dominate alone."
Xu Yintian was taken aback, "This formula... How did Shao Qi get his hands on it? It's supposed to be their secret. But with this, the issues mentioned earlier can be addressed. At least for now, we can divert some of the clientele from the Traditional Medicine Group."
He carefully stored the formula, telling Shao Qi, "I'll handle the matters concerning the Zhu family from now on. You won't have to intervene. Moreover, I'm beginning to suspect Zhao Commander's loyalty."
"Even if Zhao harbors ulterior motives, he won't dare act overtly. He's merely a fence-sitter for now. We'll deal with him when the time is right."
"Understood."
Chapter 153: Defeat
Zhou You invited Zhou Huajin's family for a meal. Having recently acquired a treasured sword, Zhou Yichen finally lightened up and engaged in a conversation with Zhou You, sharing some in-game events.
They hadn't logged in for two days and were unaware that the top ranks held by Shao Qi and Zhou You had been taken. Reportedly, the top rank was snatched by Wang Shengqian. The identity of the second rank remained a mystery.
"How did that Wang kid secure the top spot?" Everyone was puzzled. Cheng Yuran left her meal midway and logged into the gaming room. After checking the announcements and gathering intel, she finally understood Wang Shengqian's strategy.
He had hired over a dozen experts to assist him in scoring. These experts were tasked with battling mutant beasts until they were near death, after which Wang Shengqian would deliver the final blow, effortlessly racking up points. He even put out a bounty for intel on the big BOSS, promising a whopping hundred thousand points for genuine information.
Wang's ostentatious wealth was the talk of the game for days. Many, however, despised his tactics. The competition was meant to showcase genuine skill, but he turned it into a pay-to-win game.
After dinner, as Zhou You bid his family farewell and Cheng Yuran logged off, she vented, "Wang Shengqian has no shame. Buying skilled players with money sets a terrible precedent. If the wealthy begin to adopt this method, where's the fun in the game?"
Indeed, if Wang Shengqian could do it, so could others, completely undermining the game's original purpose. It was infuriating for genuine players to be overshadowed by wealthy, less-skilled individuals.
Upon logging in, everyone was greeted by Miao Miao's declaration, "Today, we only have one mission: push our leader and Mr. Zhou back to the top. We cannot let someone as worthless as Wang Shengqian overshadow us. It's a disgrace!"
Qin Lifen and Zhuo Hao naturally agreed. Li Yunxi and Long Gan, equally indignant, supported Zhou You. However, Zhou You and Shao Qi felt it unnecessary, "It's not about pride. Such behavior should be reported to the game developers. If the game wishes to maintain its original integrity, such practices won't be tolerated."
"But it's challenging to eradicate completely. Wang Shengqian's tactics only became public because he was too flashy. If he were more discreet, who'd know how he attained his rank?"
Shao Qi took a stroll and eavesdropped on some gossip. Many were hiring players, ostensibly forming teams to battle monsters, but in reality, they were enlisting help to boost scores.
Another trending topic was the recent skirmish between them and the Zhu army. Tales of the event were wildly exaggerated, especially surrounding Yan Wu. Rumors claimed it to be an extraterrestrial entity, possessing advanced weaponry.
Shao Qi didn't take it seriously. The topic would soon fade. The children rescued from the Zhu family numbered over three hundred, some of whom were reported missing. Soon, public attention would undoubtedly shift to this matter.
Seeing the players' fervor, all wishing to increase their rank or take on paid tasks, Zhou You chuckled, "Wealthy players believe they can quickly climb the ranks and earn rewards, while the less fortunate see this as a lucrative venture. It's a win-win for both parties, making it tough to control."
"Let's head to the outskirts and observe their tactics. Based on our past experience, if it's team combat, each member should earn respective points. It's puzzling how they've managed to concentrate all points onto one player given the system's settings."
The group rode motorcycles out of the city, passing numerous convoys along the way. With player numbers exceeding a million and nearly a hundred thousand online at this hour, the server's capabilities were impressive, showing no signs of lag.
Regions closer to the base had been raided repeatedly, making mutant beasts scarcer. Although the system introduced new creatures, they were quickly annihilated. Zhou You and his team took longer than usual to locate a new battlefield.
"I recall the in-game shop selling teleportation tokens that can transport a user up to 500 kilometers. Should we consider using them?" Miao Miao hesitated after checking the price, "They're expensive, single-use items, and each player requires a separate token. They're probably designed for escape purposes."
Shao Qi quickly purchased a bundle of teleportation talismans, distributing ten to each person. After setting their destination, they found themselves in a serene environment where the distant roars of wild beasts could be heard.