Chapter 1279

At the community walkway intersection, Xiao Feng met his two close brothers.

"Why didn't Xiao Shen come?" Seeing Li Li alone, Xiao Feng couldn't help asking.

"She's socially anxious." Li Li replied, noticing Xiao Feng was also alone, and asked him: "What about the three at your place?"

Xiao Feng laughed: "They're socially anxious too. Come on, let's go have fun ourselves."

Vehicles were available at the community entrance for their use, and the three got into the same car.

"Mr. Xiao, where to?" the driver, a young warrior, asked.

"East Crossing," Xiao Feng gave the destination.

To take a boat, they had to go to the dock; the yacht prepared by Shen Di and company was moored at the civil aviation dock's "East Crossing," so they just needed to head straight there.

"Sure, eight minutes," the young warrior replied, immediately starting the engine and setting off.

Their car drove out of the community, when a military jeep immediately cut in to lead the way, with two more vehicles following behind, making quite a convoy.

Xiao Feng and his two friends hadn't been out in a long time; this outing gave them a strong sense of having been away for ages.

"It's so quiet out there; it's a workday, yet early this morning there aren't many cars." Zhang Fan gazed at the sparse traffic outside the window and sighed.

"I've heard the quit rate across all industries now exceeds 30%; many people are doing well in games and choosing to become pro gamers. It's only been a month or so, so nothing shows yet, but in a few more months the impact will grow." Xiao Feng continued.

Such a high resignation rate has already shaken the foundations of many industries, and now many sectors of society are in some disarray.

However, under timely control, it hasn't yet reached a level that seriously threatens social stability.

Of those who want to become pro gamers, only a small fraction actually succeed.

After the game has been running for a while, its economy gradually stabilizes, and money isn't so easy to earn.

In the era of the Gods' Continent, even a low-grade divine artifact could sell for one or two hundred million.

But now in the Divine Realm, no one wants even a hundred thousand; in the Gods' Continent that's only a few hundred thousand, at most around one million.

Even for higher‑grade superior or rankless divine artifacts, the price is usually set in god stones rather than cash.

The exchange rate between god stones and cash keeps fluctuating; ordinary players cashing out small amounts lose out on the ratio, and even with some income it isn't excessive.

Otherwise, if everyone got rich from the game, it would surely cause inflation and sharply devalue cash.

As the vehicle drove on, many mango trees lined both sides of the road.

Xiao Feng noticed the mangoes on the trees were superb—golden and glossy, extremely numerous, thickly packed, even lovelier than those in an orchard.

Li Li also saw it and couldn't help saying: "I've heard that from yesterday to today, crops and fruits everywhere have been growing wildly, yields multiplying several times—looks like it's true."

Speaking of this, the young warrior driving couldn't help interjecting: "Not just that—the whole natural environment is changing. River water quality suddenly improved, pasture grass suddenly grew lush, and even the purity and output of mineral resources increased dramatically overnight."

All this has only happened recently; every factor related to the natural environment is shifting for the better.

Xiao Feng also saw much information and couldn't help sighing: "There really are gods in the world, and the purpose of their miracles seems to be to let us play games more peacefully… and that's… bizarre."

Before, nobody believed in supernatural powers.

But since the myriad heavens appeared, everything has changed.

Li Li laughed and said: "When a huge, irremovable factor appears in an environment, all its organisms automatically adapt to its presence. The impact of the myriad heavens will soon be accepted by our society; even without improving the environment it's no big deal. This change is just the icing on the cake."

"I'm not so sure," Xiao Feng mused. "It's only been a day or so—too early to draw conclusions. Perhaps more big moves will show up soon."

In the course of talking, they unknowingly arrived at the dock.

A medium‑sized luxury yacht was moored at the dock, with crew members walking about, preparing to set sail.

Today's sea was exceptionally calm, perfect for a vacation at sea.

"Mr. Xiao Feng, we've arrived."

The vehicle parked in the dock's lot, and Xiao Feng and his two companions got out one after another.

Not far off, a young man spotted them and shouted: "Xiao Feng bro, over here!"

Taking a closer look, it was none other than Shen Di Jiang Peng.

In reality, Shen Di looks younger than his game avatar—short hair, simple attire, a lean build, and full of vigor.

Beside him was a man in his thirties with a full beard and a resolute face—none other than Zhan Tian Yang Yixiao.

"Great to finally meet you two—you're far more heroic in person than in the game." Xiao Feng stepped forward to greet them.

Zhan Tian laughed: "You're also much handsomer than your game avatars—three handsome lads. Come aboard; someone's already waiting on the ship."

Zhang Fan's face lit up: "Is it Yunyan?"

Shen Di burst out laughing: "Miss Ye is still on the way; she should be here within half an hour."

"Uh… that's soon enough, no rush." Zhang Fan caught his breath, though his excitement remained somewhat uncontrollable.

Zhan Tian stayed at the dock to wait for the others, while Xiao Feng, Li Li, and Zhang Fan followed Shen Di aboard first.

Hearing Shen Di call Yunyan "Miss Ye," Xiao Feng couldn't help asking: "Old Brother Shen, you should know something about Yunyan's family background, right? I heard she used to be under strict supervision—given that… our Old Zhang won't be rejected by her family, will he?"

This question is quite important—it concerns whether the online‑dating couple can smoothly get together.

Zhang Fan pricked up his ears.

Shen Di replied: "Offline, just call me Old Jiang. Ye Yunyan's family background… is indeed quite high—one of the Southern Three Great Aristocratic Houses, spanning commerce and politics; wanting to be her son‑in‑law is no easy feat."

Upon hearing that, Zhang Fan's expression immediately darkened.

"How rich can a rich family be? Old Zhang is now a top‑tier expert in the game; given the myriad heavens' influence, he's a big shot in reality too—could he still be barred by aristocratic pride?" Xiao Feng frowned.

Shen Di Jiang Peng shook his head: "It's not that simple. Familial prejudice runs deep in our nation; back then my wife and I endured many setbacks before we got together. To gain recognition, I founded the Palace of All Gods, drawing experts from many fields, which finally earned her family's assent—allowing me to barely qualify as a live‑in son‑in‑law."

Xiao Feng's mouth twitched.

All that effort just to become a live‑in son‑in‑law.

What status would one need to marry Ji Yunfei instead?

Jiang Peng continued: "The Ye family isn't as extravagant as my wife's Tianlong Palace, but it's still a centuries‑old prestigious clan. This generation's Ye Yunyan lineage has only four core members; wanting to enter her family's gate, relying solely on game achievements would hardly win recognition. Hmm… if it were someone like Xiao Feng, a top‑tier figure, it might be possible. But Old Zhang… his personal influence still falls a bit short."

Zhang Fan's face fell: "I knew it—cozying up to a rich woman isn't that simple."

Hearing this, Xiao Feng burst out laughing, stuck out a leg, and joked: "Come hug my thigh—if the Ye family objects to you being together, I'll smash them to pieces."

「Well, give me a break, you're also a keyboard warrior. Our little bit of ability really doesn't amount to much in the real world. I'd rather discuss it with Yun Yan myself, see if we can elope. 」 Zhang Fan sighed.

One couldn't tell if this tone was joking or serious.

Xiao Feng didn't say anything more.

If Zhang Fan and Yun Yan could have a good outcome, that would naturally be even better.

If they encounter minor trouble, it's better to let him handle it himself.

But if the Ye Clan aggressively insists on separating the lovers, he definitely won't stand by and do nothing!

These hands capable of moving mountains have never yet exerted their strength!