126. AUV, guess what, this is what you call a real tunnel!
After watching some of the [Mechanic] players' ingenious weapons, Li Aozi planned to introduce some basic knowledge of magical industry next.
"It's time to introduce the magic system to players in the Yanxia region."
Li Aozi looked at the forum, where a post mentioned that several foreign players had already infiltrated the Yanxia region, specifically gathering intelligence to help their server's teams in the first season's competition.
In fact, letting Yanxia players come into contact with magic too early isn't necessarily good. For Azure Star, the technological civilization side is easier to localize. Introducing advanced magic too soon would lead to an unemployment wave.
However, for just a few players, it shouldn't be a problem.
Li Aozi inquired about the frontline battle situation. The logistics players left behind were thrilled to see Li Aozi return and gave him a detailed description of the situation.
"Thanks to your tactics, Li Aozi, we have already pushed forward to the cave entrance. The goblins are too cunning, digging numerous tunnels. Once we advance, we get consumed by their guerrilla tactics, and even [True Sight] doesn't work well."
A [Mechanic] player complained:
"We tried many attack tactics and weapons, and now it seems biochemical weapons are the most effective, but still..."
Li Aozi nodded.
Azure Star's biochemical weapons might work against their own kind, but against goblins, they are hardly enough. On this magical planet, their toxicity barely reaches the level of pyrethroids.
"Don't rush. Take it slow. I will bring back something good for you."
"Really? What is it, Brother Li?"
"It's a new toy, even more thrilling than biochemical weapons. It can make you guys superhumans of Azure Star."
After drawing a big promise, Li Aozi used [Elemental Framework] to modify the terrain, leveling some ravines for the players and creating a semi-permanent lava pool for easier forging.
By now, it was almost dusk. Li Aozi stood on the hill, looking down at the fields, feeling sentimental.
[This truly belongs to me, cultivated by my own hands, territory planned by myself, crisscrossing paths, people coming and going, tilling and farming, with smoke rising from the chimneys.]
This was the first time he genuinely felt he had a place to call home.
"Not bad, not bad. The goblin cave should fall within two months. By then, the players' levels will be higher, and they can grind experience and sharpen skills in my dungeon."
Once they improve their skills, they will naturally want to try their luck in "Winter of Vanlenkov". If they manage to get some interstellar civilization tech for free, it will be a big gain.
The game needs to give players enough positive feedback without making them feel bored.
Li Aozi's positive feedback was simple and straightforward: although enemies are tough, if you can't beat them, you can grind levels, train skills, or gang up with others. Once you defeat a batch of enemies, you level up enough to challenge the dungeon Li Aozi offers.
The dungeon was divided into several levels, the higher the difficulty, the more realistic, and the more it honed skills. For professional players, in the absence of competitions, the best way to gain fame was to clear high-difficulty dungeons, preferably with added restrictions like 'blindfolded,' 'no skills,' 'pure melee,' 'speedrun,' etc.
When they level up, they need powerful and cool equipment. That's when "Winter of Vanlenkov" comes into play to meet their needs.
Li Aozi would occasionally appear as a merchant, offering them appropriate skills, Omega energy, and knowledge, while subtly hinting at some plot.
Plus, with Yavanna around, players could also get 'fashion' here.
Across the entire game, this was the only NPC and territory that offered 'fashion.'
Even if they got bored of dungeons, there was still the vast White Candle Star!
With this strategy, Li Aozi was confident his player base would grow increasingly loyal. No downtime in his territory.
"But... even I, a college student, am better at game planning than Qiqiao Network's planners. I suggest Qiqiao Network optimize their planners quickly."
Watching his homeland gradually improve, Li Aozi stroked his non-existent chin.
It seemed... just having 25 players wasn't enough.
It would take at least a year for Nikita and the others to complete their paperwork and come over.
Should I... recruit more players?
Li Aozi opened the official website, checking that there were two beginner planets near White Candle Star, available for players from different servers as starting planets.
These two planets were:
Hastings Colonial Server — Ayerly Wasteland
Ayerly Wasteland was the closest in straight-line distance, but there was no stargate, making it cumbersome to reach.
Agincourt Server — Valkyrie Outpost•Border Satellite
Valkyrie's Border Satellite was the worst of the worst. Though intersecting with interstellar civilization, it had no resources. Players spent two versions just farming there.
While players on other planets were becoming cyberpunk superhumans, interstellar mercenaries, or purging void demons, fighting to the death — Agincourt players were farming.
While players on other planets were caught in planet-destroying crises, dynastic changes, or stellar wars, fighting for their nations — Agincourt players dug their own canal.
While players on other planets roamed the battlefield, traversed the stars, mingling with interstellar intrigues — Agincourt players built their food processing factory.
There's no such thing as eternal peace, just Agincourt players with their own unique understanding of farming.
"Hastings Colonial Server, huh, they are all Tianlong people. Colonials there are lords, descendants of nobles, high and mighty. I don't want to go."
Li Aozi had no fondness for players from the Hastings region in his past life. That region's players were notoriously dishonorable, lacking civility and competitive spirit.
The most critical point was that the 7.0 version's virtual war conflict was sparked between the Yanxia region and the Hastings Colonial. Li Aozi had no intention of training opponents.
In contrast, most players from the Agincourt region were from agricultural planets, far more pure-hearted.
Plus, there's something nice about that place... it was only 2.4 light-years away from Valkyrie Outpost. The whole small fleet could easily act as profiteers there.
As they say: working for the capitalist doesn't compare to being the capitalist.
"In that case, the next goal is set: head to Agincourt and poach some players."