Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 389 - 033. Contempt Maxim

Chapter 389: 033. Contempt Maxim

Jiaozi Niu hung up the call and fell into deep thought.

"Detected abnormal radio waves. Your emotions show signs of anxiety. Could you express your inner doubts? I will analyze them and provide suggestions."

The synthetic servant timely reminded him, which made Jiaozi Niu shake his head and say:

"I don’t know if you can understand this feeling, but Huanfeng Province has been obscure for too long. Our hometown has always wanted to improve its visibility and exposure. But it always ends in failure. Maybe our hometown will forever remain a small, unnoticed place."

"So, are you questioning whether you should contribute to your hometown?"

"...In fact, when that manager mentioned that Submergence Starry Abyss could increase the level cap, I already guessed what he wanted to say."

Jiaozi Niu covered his forehead:

"Just like he said, it’s estimated that the current team in Huanfeng can’t even form a 20-person guild. Whether it’s practice matches, normal leveling up, or gathering configurations and materials, it definitely wouldn’t be our turn. Even if we did form a team, I guess it wouldn’t produce any outstanding results for now."

"I have searched the Huanfeng Province e-sports celebrity list for you... Number of searches, 3 people."

"I knew it—Starry Abyss isn’t a game that advocates personal heroism. I think, according to Lei Yunjing’s idea, he probably wants me to follow Li Aozi, first pushing the level cap to create a gimmick like ’the first to break the version limit.’ Then use this to gain fame and attract players from Huanfeng Province to join."

Jiaozi Niu spread his hands:

"This is what I’m torn about—if I can contribute to my hometown, I’d be happy to do it. But the problem is, I feel that doing this has little significance. The probability of success is too low."

"It’s not very feasible. Currently, whether your character has a close relationship with ’Li Aozi’ is still unknown. In the cosmic environment, due to your character being unfamiliar with the surroundings, there is a 87.9% chance it will result in slower leveling compared to the Sky Ring period."

The synthetic servant’s cold, rational remarks validated Jiaozi Niu’s suspicions.

"Indeed..."

Jiaozi Niu thought with sorrow:

"I didn’t expect this situation either. The cosmos is full of unknowns. Previously, as a solo player, I was just playing around. But the Sky Ring raid battle suddenly boosted my fame. Now several teams are inviting me."

"Are you dissatisfied with this outcome? My emotion detection system shows you are under great pressure right now. Do you need me to play a piece of music to relieve this anxiety?"

"Thanks, but I feel music doesn’t mean much to me. How could it have an immediate effect..."

"Now playing: ’Sunshine Rainbow White Horse’—"

Jiaozi Niu puffed his cheeks and tried to hold back his laughter.

"—Pfft, hahaha, cough! Be serious."

Jiaozi Niu rubbed his temples. After such a diversion by the synthetic servant, he felt more at ease:

"Since that’s the case, and I haven’t decided to agree yet. I’ll go out and visit some friends first—VT, don’t make lunch for me."

"Understood, I have called a taxi for you. Have a pleasant time."

...............

Twenty minutes later, Jiaozi Niu walked out of Boche Harbor and arrived at his destination.

Terra Historical Martial Arts Research Club.

This antique building, appearing in a high-altitude city 400 meters above the ground, seemed somewhat out of place. The eaves here were still hanging with lanterns, seemingly in celebration of the New Year.

At the entrance of the club stood the minister’s artifact for warding off calamities: a 1:1 reproduction of Knight’s Plate Armor. It was deliberately weathered, with bullet holes and sword marks added, turning a modern tech product into what looked like a family heirloom full of historical wear and tear.

"Hey, Ah Niu, you’re late."

As soon as Jiaozi Niu walked through the door, a girl sitting on the reception desk immediately called out to him:

"We agreed on a New Year gathering today. Why are you all so late?"

"Hi, Xia Yubing," Jiaozi Niu raised his hand and waved. "Why are you the only one here? Wasn’t Jenna at the front desk?"

"She and I kept arguing that ’Coke shouldn’t be sugar-free. Sugar-free Coke is stupid,’ so Wen Long and Wang Kanshan bought Diet Coke—now she’s angry and went to the convenience store herself."

"Drinking fewer carbonated drinks will slow down your sword."

The girl with purple-dyed bangs walked up to him, bumped fists with Jiaozi Niu, and lightly hit each other on the shoulders. She then complained:

"Yesterday we said we’d gather today. Everyone agreed and said they’d come."

"A bunch of doves, it’s normal. When we play sword matches, we can’t always gather everyone. You expected them to be punctual for the minister’s boring New Year gathering?"

Jiaozi Niu shrugged.

"Where are the others? Wen Long and Kanshan are here. Jenna went to buy Coke—who else is here today?"

"Sherice and Cathy, who joined last month, both specialize in Swift Sword and are foreign swordsmen from the colonies."

Xia Yubing pointed to two newly hung photos of a blonde man and a blonde woman behind her:

"As for the rest, Xue Chen said he was going to play Starry Abyss, so he won’t come today. Ailei resigned last month, and she had planned to become an electronic immigrant with her boyfriend in Starry Abyss. She probably won’t come back after today."

After Xia Yubing finished, she sighed and added:

"It’s really subtle... People who weren’t interested in games are all diving into games now. Is this game really that addictive?"

"Aren’t you planning to play, Xiao Xia?" Jiaozi Niu asked curiously.

"’Planning to play’—Oh, so our ’Sword Saint Niu’ is also addicted to this virtual game world?" Xia Yubing rolled her eyes at him. "The national runner-up in Fiery Summer District’s all-armor combat, who defeated six Yamanano Kendo players at once, has now become an internet-addicted youth who giggles at virtual electronic data?"

"That’s not exactly why... Starry Abyss is currently the only game that allows ’pain sensation to be turned off’ with 100% motion flexibility feedback. And I’m of age now, so the cognition filter no longer blocks blood and dismember effects. Even the splatter of brain matter and the feel of a sword blade struck by raindrops are restored one-to-one."

Jiaozi Niu scratched his chin and said:

"I think people love all-armor combat not only because of their passion for real historical martial arts but also because, during battles, dopamine and endorphins rush. That craving for action and combat is unparalleled and unforgettable for humans—Starry Abyss lets me swing a sword without any reservations, and I find that very enjoyable."

"Tch... that’s just virtual. Listen up, Ah Niu. In the virtual world, it’s hard to tell reality from fantasy. Big data monitors your behavior everywhere to cater to you, making you keep playing the game, infusing you with anticipation and a sense of achievement. You think you’re playing a game; in reality, countless network experts are playing you."

Xia Yubing spread her hands:

"Enough talk. Apart from that Li Aozi NPC being quite attractive, I’m not interested in anything else about Starry Abyss. Come on, Jenna texted back. Everyone’s almost here, so let’s have dinner."

"No, wait," Jiaozi Niu counted on his fingers. "Aren’t we missing someone?"

"Li Zi, right?"

"Yeah, I don’t think Li Zi has attended any events this year."

"Li Zi." Xia Yubing paused. "Didn’t he die last year?"

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