Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 272 - 092. I have some good stuff here.

Chapter 272: 092. I have some good stuff here.

"Yeah, President, I found the Dominator System instructor. You guys should come quickly. There’s a ton of people here."

Bai Ri - Night Owl God squeezed through the crowd, feeling incredibly excited. This had to do with their current situation.

In fact, Bai Ri Guild didn’t get a spot in the closed beta this time, but the investors were determined to get them into "Starry Abyss". They even cut some of their original business areas to ensure that Bai Ri would make a name for themselves during the beta period.

There was no other way. The investors were like gods to them. With one word from the top, they had to talk their way out and run around tirelessly. They finally managed to get 25 beta spots from some smaller studios that had gotten lucky.

Of course, the bulk of the spots went to officials and immigration construction units; they didn’t dare to compete with them. Those professional clubs were backed by financial giants, so they couldn’t fight them either. But the small studios, lacking in strength and easy to please with some money, were easier to negotiate with.

After internal discussions, the guild decided to descend on Nuliang City in the Sky Ring Country as their base of operations for development.

Player mentality and that of the natives on Azure Star were completely different. Normal people wanted to develop in big cities, cultural centers, political hubs, or economic centers, or they wanted to settle down in comfortable places with good environments and cultural amenities.

Players, however, were born with a sense of unrest. Due to the need to level up and develop, they were very interested in places with an industrial base (to acquire gear and supplies), close to the outer world (for easier monster-hunting and leveling up), and ideally with gray areas (where various hidden side quests could be found).

After examining several options, Nuliang City was undoubtedly the most suitable city in the Sky Ring Country for players to descend: not only were there rampant gangs, but also armed organizations like the Red Squad, One-Star Party, and Yuan Alliance Army, all providing valuable task resources. It had a typical "storefront and backyard" production model of an industrial city, with abundant channels for selling stolen goods and laundering money. Even tax evasion and fraud wouldn’t lead to prosecution here.

Bai Ri Guild did their homework ahead of time. After the descent, they made a beeline for various martial arts schools and security companies to secure their main professions first. But this process wasn’t easy; many were discouraged by the high tuition fees and master-recognition gifts, having to resort to menial jobs first.

Very soon, the guild found themselves in a seemingly endless loop:

I have to become a Martial Artist to make big money.

——Then you should become a Martial Artist.

But I don’t have the money to learn martial arts.

——Then you should earn some money.

I need to become a Martial Artist first to earn enough money!

——Then just become one!

After some discussion, the guild members calmed down and began considering the possibility of loan-based schooling. They even thought about sponsoring one or two players to transfer to professions in the Fine Artistry or Redemption systems, such as Mechanics, Biochemists, and Doctors. These professions had much higher potential in terms of status and power than Martial Artists.

Now, looking at it, they thought, forget about it, it was still more cost-efficient to train as Martial Artists and do menial jobs.

Just as the guild had almost given up on the Spellcaster path, Night Owl God’s discovery gave everyone a shot in the arm.

Bai Ri - Dream Eating Demon: Really? When did Li Aozi come to Sky Ring?

Bai Ri - Zhong Kui Deity: He’s been here for a while. You didn’t follow the forums. He probably passed by Nuliang City.

<President> Bai Ri - Yama King: Night Owl God, keep an eye on him. We’re coming right away. Don’t let other guilds snatch him!

<Vice President> Bai Ri - Impermanence: @Bai Ri - Chairman Jiu Tun, we’re doing a task! Why did you leave?

<President> Bai Ri - Yama King: You guys finish it yourselves. I have to prevent other guilds from monopolizing Li Aozi.

<Vice President> Bai Ri - Impermanence: Ok.

————————

Although Bai Ri reacted quickly, by the time President Yama King led the main force there, they already encountered four other guilds along the way.

"Yo, isn’t it Brother Yama King?" A slick-haired young man teased: "You’ve been at it all day, and you’re only level 3? Can you even manage that?"

"I don’t know what you’re barking about," Yama King retorted disdainfully, curling his lip: "Li Aozi is a Dominator System Professional Instructor. If you miss him, you won’t get a chance to quickly become a Spellcaster. Between leveling and profession, which is more important? Your ’Fishmen’ Guild should be clear about that, right?"

"Hahaha, I think close combat with fists is more thrilling. What’s Arcane Energy compared to my solid muscles?"

"Then why don’t you back off?"

Before long, Li Aozi saw a swarm of strangely dressed players, sporting various IDs, rushing toward him.

"Hey, Li Aozi, I’m your fan!"

"I want to be a Mutant. Instructor, look at me."

"Instructor, I worked menial jobs and took out a loan. Please let me transfer to a Mutant!"

The players were chattering incessantly. Owing to their numbers and organization, they soon crowded out the ordinary citizens. Li Aozi stroked his chin, soothing the populace while using gravity to maintain order, then turned to closely observe these players.

It should be said that players leveled up dozens of times faster than the natives of Azure Star. Thanks to the adaptability provided by the "Camouflage Mode", they didn’t have too hard a time blending in.

Yet, even in Sky Ring, an ideal environment for monster hunting and leveling up, players’ progress wasn’t that impressive. The highest level he saw was only lv.5, but that one player had also taken on three lv.1 secondary professions.

As for equipment, it was even more pitiful. At this stage, players were still pitifully poor, and they hadn’t even unlocked the Game Mall’s functions yet. Their outfits were a mishmash of high-attribute clothing and parts. Never mind comfort; they prioritized strength over appearance.

"These people have poor purchasing power; I’ll need to cultivate them from scratch."

Thinking this, Li Aozi showed a slightly intrigued expression as he scrutinized the guild players. Scratching his chin, he said:

"You lot, this is clearly our first meeting, yet you all look so familiar. Originally, I was just here for a bit of fun. But since you’re all so enthusiastic, come with me. I’ll show you something interesting."

As he spoke, he snapped his fingers.

Bang!

Just as the players were in high spirits, in the blink of an eye, their feet left the ground, and they hurtled toward the sky.

"Oh no! Stop—"

"Mom, I’m afraid of heights!"

"Ah, I can’t take it. I want to go home—"

Li Aozi’s "Gravitational Express" didn’t slow down despite the players’ wailing. Instead, it accelerated towards the clouds. When the players, each suffering from full stacks of ’Dizziness’ and ’Fear’, finally felt solid ground beneath their feet, they could barely stand. Their legs gave way, and they collapsed everywhere. Only a few managed to stand, gazing at the nearby settlement that bore the name ’Triangle Town’.

"I felt an instant connection with you all. Come, I’ll give you a tour of my lab."