Chapter 98: Command-Type Player

["Speedrun completed in 1 hour 15 minutes, efficiency guaranteed; attachment video in the post serves as proof. Charging only 65% of the Trial reward, focusing on ultra-high efficiency."]

["Accepting orders for Temple Trial clearances; payment upon completion, efficiency guaranteed. Content includes three videos of successful clears."]

["Latest record: 1 hour 8 minutes; absolutely no one has a higher record than me. Charging only 67% of the Trial reward, focusing on efficient clearance."]

["Guiding Temple Trial clearances; this is my first time guiding, so techniques may be somewhat rusty. Players who can tolerate failure, please private message me. Charging only 45% of the mission's Trial reward; no reimbursement for death costs. Accepting orders at the lowest price in the entire server."]

"……"

Ding Yu's success ignited the enthusiasm of technique-focused players to delve into the Temple Trial.

From the initial 1 hour 50 minutes clearance time developed by Ding Yu, it took only three days for other technique-focused players to improve it to under 1 hour 20 minutes.

But as the first person to crack the code, Ding Yu's income was undoubtedly the highest; forum players analyzed and speculated on the number of orders he accepted, believing he earned over 30,000 Sacrificial Power in three days, making countless players extremely envious.

After this, a flood of technique-focused players emerged, beginning to seize the market and constantly driving down the fee percentage for guided clearances.

The profitability of earning Sacrificial Power continuously decreased.

This wave of guided clearance fever also brought the importance of technique back into the spotlight.

"……"

Emperor Tomb Mountain Range, Gray Mist Forest.

The dense Black Black Tide converged into a sea, forming an airtight defensive wall that protected the Cloud Field Domain Node within.

The Corrosion Core, already assimilated by the Black Black Tide, continuously drew energy from the node during this period, providing the Black Black Tide with an endless supply of nutrients to breed Evil Influences, causing its intensity to climb step by step.

Domain Nodes were regions within the Monster World capable of generating resources at a rule-based level, and thus the primary targets contested by various factions.

Occupying even a single Domain Node meant gaining access to a ceaseless output of energy.

The emergence of the Insect Black Tide caused the Black Black Tide's expansion to halt.

Coupled with the joint combat operations frequently organized by the major Guilds, the expansion strategy of the Earth Thought Evil Spirit manipulating the Black Black Tide from behind had changed.

Protecting the already occupied Domain Nodes became a goal more important to the Earth Thought Evil Spirit than continuing its expansion.

This made many players who had designs on the Domain Nodes gnash their teeth in frustration, as several joint operations had ended in failure.

At this moment, outside the Gray Mist Forest, a joint operation organized by the major Guilds was launching once again.

The initiator was the Guild Master of the Divine Hall Guild: God King.

The game had been live for nearly two months; God King, who entered the game almost half a month later than the first batch of players, nevertheless held considerable fame on the forums.

Upon entering the game, to make his Guild's name known, he had declared on the forums that he would spend 1 billion to buy up Sacrificial Power without limit.

At the time, a meme about him being a "transmigrator" caused many players to remember him.

The command battle at the Demon Fall Pit further skyrocketed his reputation.

At this moment, five kilometers south of the Gray Mist Forest, Ye Xing, with the name "God King" floating above his head, was waiting for the right moment to arrive.

The joint campaigns he had organized had failed several times, but he showed not a shred of discouragement; instead, he grew increasingly excited, spending every day researching how to capture the Cloud Field Domain Node.

It was said that every player had their own way of playing the game, and the style he chose differed from that of ordinary players.

Although improving his personal strength was also important to him, he preferred leading his Guild brothers in challenging difficulties, conquering one powerful enemy after another through large-scale team battles.

Just last night, he had contacted the Guild Masters of the major Guilds again, issuing a request for a joint operation.

To successfully capture the Cloud Field Domain Node, he had specifically instructed his Guild management to contact a group of well-known lone-wolf factions within the game.

Apart from the Liver Emperor Brick-Moving Group, who were still trading blows and enduring hunger within the Counter-Black Tide Legion, he had contacted every player with any semblance of strength, hoping to seize the long-unconquered Cloud Field Domain Node in one decisive push through this battle.

Before the battle commenced, multiple private chat windows hovered before Ye Xing.

God King: "Dog Wing, have you brought the brothers there yet?"

Divine Wing: "Stop rushing me, brother; I'm still on my way. I'll notify you when I arrive."

God King: "Once you arrive, launch an attack on the Rotten Wood Domain Node immediately. When the Earth Thought dog manipulates the Black Black Tide to go support it, we will launch our attack from this side."

Divine Wing: "Alright, understood."

"……"

After exchanging words with the Guild Master of the Divine Wing Guild, Ye Xing lit up another chat window:

God King: "Where have the brothers of the Whirlwind Group reached?"

Long Juanfeng: "Brother, stop rushing; we're on our way right now."

God King: "Send over the coordinates."

Long Juanfeng: "(Emperor Tomb Mountain Range: Coordinates 3283.1224)."

"……"

Amidst the screen-switching communications, the number of players outside the Gray Mist Forest continued to increase.

At the same time, at the Rotten Wood Domain Node northwest of Fengbo Tan, members of the Divine Wing Guild launched a fierce offensive.

The battle immediately attracted the attention of the Earth Thought Evil Spirit, which decisively mobilized the Black Black Tide gray mist from nearby areas to converge on the attacked Rotten Wood Node.

Learning of the situation through feedback from Divine Wing, Ye Xing gazed toward the Gray Mist Forest, then activated the perception perspective of the Eagle-Headed Demon.

Extended perception tentacles radiated outward from himself as the center; everything became exceptionally clear, even the floating trajectories of dust particles in the air could be easily captured.

God King: "Brothers, stop chatting in the regional voice channel; prepare to launch the general assault. Except for the Guild Masters of the major Guilds, no other players are to speak."

God King: "I'm giving everyone five minutes to stock up at the Mall. Every Magic-type player must prepare 15 bottles of Mental Potions, and every Melee player must equip 15 bottles of Recovery Potions. You can buy more, but not less; once the fighting starts, there won't be time to buy potions... Also, don't think about saving money; use the potions when needed. Once we capture the Cloud Field Domain Node, all losses will be recovered. During this time, I will observe everyone's actions; players who perform well will receive an extra cash bonus."

God King: "Everyone bought their supplies? Now, players running the Stone Gargoyle Damage-Taking build and those running the Monster Beast build, move to the very front of the formation to assemble and serve as the first line. Black Armored Snake, Artifact Spirit build, and other Melee build players, follow behind the Stone Gargoyle players to serve as the second line. Magic Defense and Control builds take the third line... Magic DPS takes the fourth line. Players using the Running Thunder Fate Soul build take both flanks of the battle formation. All members of the Fan Zui Guild take the rearguard to hold the line, preventing Black Black Tide Evil Influences from approaching from other directions and protecting the Magic DPS."

God King: "Now, advance toward the Gray Mist Forest!"

Following God King's command, the joint operation group, already formed into a battle array, marched toward the Gray Mist Forest.

As the player team approached, the churning Black Black Tide seemed stimulated by something, and the speed at which it bred Evil Influences suddenly accelerated.

Black Black Tide Evil Influences swarmed forth like dumplings being dropped into boiling water; the surging black mist rolled up like ocean waves, actively slamming down fiercely upon the joint operation group.

God King: "Magic Defense players, raise shields toward the sky above, quickly!"

Accompanying God King's roar in the voice channel, players in the battle formation who had chosen the Magic Defense build all lifted their heads, releasing their characteristic abilities. Instantly, shields of light appeared above the formation, rapidly expanding and connecting with one another to form a defensive barrier composed entirely of energy.

Boom!

The slamming Black Black Tide was resisted by the light shield barrier, followed immediately by the rampaging surge of Black Black Tide Evil Influences.

A great battle was imminent.

God King: "Running Thunder players, activate your ability characteristics; hold firm against the Black Black Tide Evil Influences attacking from both flanks!"

After the command was issued, the players embedded with the Running Thunder Fate Soul on both flanks of the formation began to crackle with sound. Upon activating their characteristic abilities, they transformed into glowing spheres of lightning, rolling slowly forward with the team. Any Black Black Tide Evil Influence attacking from the flanks was shattered and absorbed the instant it made contact with their lightning bodies.

God King: "Stone Gargoyle players, charge forward to draw the Evil Influences' fire. Other Melee DPS players, maintain formation and continue advancing; protect the rear Magic DPS. Do not let the Evil Influences break through the battle formation. Magic DPS, strike together on my command; we will push inward bit by bit."

God King: "Next, Magic Defense players, act freely. Those with Perception abilities, activate Perception to lock onto the Ghost Dolls; before they self-detonate, cast a light shield to protect the frontline teammates. Other players, continue to follow commands."

God King: "Magic players, get ready. Those with Clone abilities, activate your clones. 3, 2, 1, release skills to clear the path!"

In an instant, countless ink-black fireballs rose above the battle formation, tearing across the sky, falling upon the surging black mist like a meteor fire rain.

In just one round of offense, vast swathes of black mist were cleared, opening a channel for forward advancement.

God King: "Stone Gargoyle and Monster Beast build players, accelerate your advance; pick up the pace. Hold that gap open; do not let the Black Black Tide fill it. Rear Magic DPS players, prepare for the second round of output to clear the path."

Having engaged many times before, Ye Xing, who had already mastered the attack rhythm of the Black Black Tide, appeared completely at ease during this initial confrontation with the Black Black Tide.

As a unified battle commander, he was very clear about his positioning.

The ability characteristics of different Black Black Tide Evil Influences, the offensive rhythm when the Black Black Tide surged, the characteristic abilities of different Fate Souls, the strengths and advantages of different Star Vein combinations... these were all pieces of knowledge he had to master before commanding a battle.

Only in this way could he better define the roles different build players should play in team battles.

If one could not even master these basics, the role of a unified battle commander would lose all meaning.

Moreover, every commanded battle was, in Ye Xing's eyes, a process of self-improvement.

He accumulated experience through actual combat, improving his command rhythm and adaptability, and perfecting the flaws existing in his command style.

While commanding, he would also praise those players who performed excellently.

Through this method, he enhanced team cohesion and mobilized the players' emotions, enabling them to perform better in battle.

However, when encountering stupid behavior that was unbearable, he could not help but burst into curses.

Under God King's command, the joint battle formation suppressed the Black Black Tide, pushing deeper into the Black Mist Forest.

Ahead lay a dense forest of towering trees; continuing forward would inevitably cause the battle formation to be split and cut apart by the woods, severely affecting advancement efficiency.

How to solve this problem was something Ye Xing had already figured out while studying the map before the battle began.

He decisively issued a command in the small regional voice channel:

"Magic players, target the forest ahead; burn the trees for me, ensuring the battle formation can continue to advance."

The command issued, fireballs rose into the sky and fell, crashing into the forest.

Accompanied by the wild winds stirred up by the surging Black Black Tide, they transformed into writhing ink-black fire dragons, spreading at an astonishing speed.

Sky-piercing flames dyed half the horizon green.

They also inflicted continuous burning damage upon the Black Black Tide rampaging within the Gray Mist Forest.

The blazing ink flames turned countless trees into ash; a pungent smell of smoke filled the air, mixed with the scorched fragrance of charcoal.

The fire grew fiercer, like a hungry giant beast opening its massive maw toward the depths of the Gray Mist Forest, devouring as it advanced.

Tree trunks along the path crackled as they were burned by the ink flames; thick smoke billowed, blotting out the sun and sky, as if shrouded by a heavy layer of black gauze.

The entire forest resembled a gigantic furnace; during the process, large quantities of plants that had already withered and been corroded by the Black Black Tide twisted and died.

At this moment, Ye Xing spoke again, ordering the team to slow their advancement speed and wait for the thick smoke to dissipate.

Eventually, the great fire gradually extinguished, and the wild wind blew away the thick smoke.

As far as the eye could see, the ground was covered in ash and remnants left behind by the burning trees.

Apart from the still-churning Black Black Tide, the once densely grown tall Gray Wood Forest had vanished, leaving behind only scorched earth stretching forward.

Having destroyed the forest that blocked their path, the view suddenly opened up; Ye Xing issued the command to continue advancing forward at this moment.

A new round of battle erupted.

With his nerves stretched taut the entire time, Ye Xing constantly poured mental recovery potions into his mouth during this period.

The Eagle-Headed Demon's perception perspective was the key skill he relied on to control the flow of the situation.

He had to maintain the perception perspective at its maximum range throughout, causing his mana (mental energy) to drain like flowing water, requiring him to drink mental potions at any moment to replenish the consumption.

If the perception perspective were severed while he stood at the center of the battle formation, relying solely on his naked eyes would make it extremely difficult for him to judge the direction of the situation.

For instance, just now when the Ash Wood Forest was burning, although thick smoke billowed everywhere, his perception perspective could still penetrate the dense smoke to continue observing the changes in the battle.

During this time, he discovered that players from the major guilds, with their vision obscured by the thick smoke, showed signs of their battle formations scattering as they continued to advance.

Thus, he urgently ordered them to slow their pace, waiting until the thick smoke dispersed and visibility cleared before demanding an accelerated push forward.

Before the battle, he had prepared eighty bottles of mental potions to ensure the endurance of his perception perspective for observation.

At this moment, the battle formation had already advanced into the Gray Mist Forest; Ye Xing understood that the true fierce battle was about to begin.

Apart from the Black Black Tide protecting this area, the most troublesome aspects of the Cloud Field Domain Node were the corrupt plants generated by the corrosion core underground; their levels were generally above thirty-five, making them extremely difficult to handle, so he issued his command at this time:

"Brothers, get ready; those in poor condition should hurry up and drink potions to replenish yourselves. Stone Statue Flow brothers, continue moving forward and create distance from the main team to absorb the first wave of entanglement damage when the corrupt plants erupt. Magic Defense Flow, switch to the second row of the battle formation; once your mana is fully restored, prepare to cast Light Shields to protect the team."

"Thunderbolt Soul players on both flanks of the team, switch to the front row. Players from the Drunken Crime Group at the rear, split into two waves to protect the left and right wings of the battle formation. Iron Grandpa's team will be separately integrated into the front row; wait for my command to charge and clear the path..."

Amidst the command and deployment, the distant Cloud Field came into view.

Under Ye Xing's command, the Stone Statue Flow players broke away from the team and rushed toward the Cloud Field, instantly recreating a scene of chaotic dancing demons.

Countless black corrupt plants, like demons awakened, pierced through cracks in the ground and shot upward, growing and entangling at an incomprehensible speed, weaving into an impenetrable gray-black net.

"Activate Petrification!"

Accompanying Ye Xing's roar, the Stone Statue Flow players in the front simultaneously activated their petrified forms, their bodies subsequently swept up by the rampaging vines.

This was precisely the result Ye Xing wanted to see; a new round of commands was issued, and dense fireballs rose into the sky, crashing down upon the Cloud Field like a meteor fire rain.

At the same time Ye Xing was commanding his team to battle the Black Black Tide.

Qi Sheng, situated behind the scenes, was also monitoring the progression of the battle.

During this time, he noticed quite a few game settings that needed improvement.

First was the lack of a team Cultivation Mode, causing commanded players to listen to orders within small regional voice channels, leaving them susceptible to external interference.

This was an urgent problem that needed solving.

He could easily add a team Cultivation Mode with no upper limit on party size, allowing the player responsible for unified command to pull all players into an independent chat channel.

Secondly, the current settings lacked detailed data to help the player in charge of unified command judge the team's status.

For example: statistics on the number of team survivors (deaths), total team damage output statistics, average team mental energy consumption statistics, and so on.

These data points would allow the unified commander to better control the rhythm of the battlefield and understand the situation within the team.

Furthermore, based on this foundation, the ability to switch and view squad-specific data could be added, enabling the unified commander to grasp team information more meticulously and issue refined commands based on the data.

In Qi Sheng's view, these two settings were extremely necessary.

In the future, players would Iron Face mechanical legions, combat insect tides, terrifying Black Tides, and a series of other potential forces yet to be discovered.

All these forces possessed commander-type warriors capable of controlling the flow of the battlefield situation.

The intelligent Evil Spirits and Evil Eyes within the Black Black Tide, the Overlords of the Mechanical Legions, and the Hive Minds of the Combat Insect Tides—these commander-type warriors could adjust their own combat plans according to the situation, making battles proceed more efficiently.

Player legions could also cultivate commander-type warriors.

Ye Xing served as an excellent reference example.

With more detailed data support, they could more effectively unleash their commanding talents during team battles.

Qi Sheng planned to release this setting to all players in the next update.

Besides the optimized settings for team Cultivation Mode, Qi Sheng also discovered a potential problem during the combat.

That was, in campaigns to seize domain nodes, the returns for damage-dealing players were far higher than for other types of players.

Within the same team, Evolution Points and Sacrificial Power gained from hunting and killing targets were shared by all team members.

However, regarding the contribution statistics for purification missions, only the contribution created by dealing damage was counted.

For example, in the mission to purify the Cloud Field Node, the top 1,000 players in contribution would receive a piece of Spiritual Field as a reward.

But with the current method of calculating contribution, the players securing those 1,000 reward slots were all damage-dealers; support-type players simply did not have enough contribution values to compete with them.

This resulted in damage-dealing players always reaping the greatest benefits from every purification mission.

This was highly detrimental to the development of player legions.

Since the gameplay experience for the Damage Flow was already higher than for support-type players, adding preferential treatment in the distribution of purification mission rewards would cause more and more players to choose the Damage Flow, with none willing to become support-type players.

Addressing this potential issue, he decided to change the method of calculating contribution values when releasing the next purification mission.

He would include other player actions in the contribution rankings.

At the current stage, since there were no healer-type "nanny" flows among the various schools, the statistic for healing amount could be temporarily excluded.

Other values that could be included in contribution, building upon damage dealt, would include: contribution from damage taken, contribution from crowd control effects, contribution from protecting teammates (such as Soul characteristics like Light Shields), contribution from supportive buffs, and a series of other actions that created advantages for the team could all be counted toward contribution statistics.

The new setting would allow players of different flows to receive fair treatment in missions to purify domain nodes.

As for the method of statistics, that could be left to the Guide Avatar.

The Guide's powerful data processing capabilities could analyze the optimal method for calculating contribution in real-time based on changes in the battle situation.

Therefore, future "Purification Missions" would no longer revolve solely around damage output.

Instead, rankings would be based on true contribution data.

As for the Cloud Field Node purification mission currently underway, its nature had already been set, so he would not change it.

After finalizing the new direction for setting modifications, Qi Sheng shifted his gaze back to the Cloud Field Domain Node where the fierce battle was raging.

(End of Chapter)