Chapter 180: The Area Ahead, We'll Explore It Tomorrow

Since he was the one taking a loss, Ji Ming kept probing and selling miserably, and successfully earned two guarantees.

But they were still colleagues, and it wouldn't be good to let things get too tense, so he called it off and stopped pursuing.

He was about to discuss how to launch the next work in detail, when he suddenly heard a commotion nearby.

As the residence of the Duke of the Dark Flame Kingdom, the area around the High Tower Castle was naturally not a low, chaotic mess.

Just like An De Lu's manor, this place consists of a flat plaza and a straight avenue that runs east‑west.

Precisely because of that, Ji Ming and Cang Lang could spot Fei Ying standing under a street tree at a glance; after all, the view here is extremely open.

Now, at the end of the road, at least a hundred players suddenly poured in, not in orderly lines but scattered like a college long‑distance run.

Cang Lang and Fei Ying wondered whether this was a zombie apocalypse or a supermarket pork sale, why a huge crowd of players would suddenly appear.

When things go awry, monsters appear; they all drew weapons, retreated to the nearby grass, and prepared to watch.

Ji Ming, by contrast, remained much calmer, since Xi Er Wei Ya and the little boss gave no warning; it probably wasn't an unexpected accident.

So… which part of the game is this?

He had to open the public screen, glance at the global map, and finally understood the answer behind it.

It was already very close to the castle, so he could see the players gathering on the plaza after arriving.

In the center of the crowd stood the Crazy Alternate Dimension production crew, all forcing smiles.

"These damned troublemakers…"

As the project's chief planner, the gold‑medal manager Liu Zhen, of course, also had a game account.

But now he no longer had the original strategic composure; instead, he was drenched in sweat, his face looking terribly grim.

As this year's flagship variety show with huge investment, production, and promotion, Liu Zhen originally wanted to hold a fan meeting first, to showcase his crew's approachability.

But even when he shouted hoarsely in the training arena, not a single player was willing to quiet down and clear a space for them.

—After all, a game is not reality; without a hundred‑person crew and full local cooperation, how could they claim territory here?

Therefore, even if a handful of fans were willing to help, it would be useless; players could not give them enough face.

Instead, they were stuck by that damned Fan Shaofan Taozhu's remark, "The game belongs to everyone; stop bringing your lofty work‑place bad habits here, and besides, have you even negotiated cooperation with the game officials? Black account!" and were forced to leave.

Fortunately the dungeon was large, and Liu Zhen, having done prior research, knew there was a grand castle at the far east.

After leading his group there, he was delighted to find the environment far better than the training arena.

The sleek, towering black castle and the tidy, beautiful welcoming avenue were perfect filming spots; you could get great shots anywhere.

Moreover, because it was relatively remote, there were few people, allowing them to secure the perfect patch of ground in front of the castle gate.

Seeing the fans and players still streaming in, politely stopping ten meters away to wait, Liu Zhen's face showed the first smile of the night.

—With favorable time, place, and people, this time there will be no short‑sighted jerks causing trouble!

In short, 800,000 fans versus 600,000 trolls, the advantage is ours!

So he adjusted his stance and gave a hand signal to the two company staff handling logistics.

Then, standing before the seven guests, he raised his voice.

"Is everyone ready? It's time to start the show."

Although the seven displayed varied expressions, even Qin Zhenguo, who never played games, and Chang Xi, who had been marginalized, both wore unpleasant looks.

But in front of the camera, they could only discard their bad moods and force exaggerated professional smiles.

"All set!"

"Okay, start!"

With too few people, Liu Zhen had to wear multiple hats, raising the microphone to speak to the camera.

"Hello everyone, welcome to the world's first virtual‑reality game‑themed reality show, co‑produced by Tian Ting Entertainment and Orange TV — Crazy Alternate Dimension! ~~~"

He trembled his tongue to stretch his voice out long, just to give the live audience a bit of interaction time.

But unlike the roaring cheers he remembered, there was only a sparse "ohhhh" and a line he had to force himself not to hear: "idiot!"

These damned troublemakers!

He cursed inwardly, yet his smile remained unchanged.

"It seems the live audience is a bit shy; perhaps it's their first time seeing so many big stars gathered together."

"They're all idiots!"

"Alright, although everyone is surely already familiar with our guests, on the first day of the show we should give a brief introduction!"

"They're all idiots!"

Finally able to turn his back to the mic, Liu Zhen's expression had become snarling.

He first held back, believing the fans would certainly not endure.

But the other side laughed and cursed several times; surprisingly, no player made a move, and instead they all just laughed.

What fans and players… they're just audience for entertainment, right!

No, if we ignore this, the show can't go on!

Clenching his back teeth, he gave a signal to the nearby staff, ordering them to quickly chase away that disruptive jerk.

But the little troll, adept at guerrilla tactics, would curse and move elsewhere, making them impossible to locate.

Thus the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, yet the live stream was already bustling.

【I remember the in‑game camera has no filter; why does Miss Dai's legs look so short?】

【Could it be that this is the true reality behind everything?】

【Commenting on a girl's figure is really low, thanks】

【Sure, then your elite circle should buy fewer press releases and bots to brag about bodies in front of me, thanks】

【Damn, who leaked my family's core secret?】

【(Smile) Little troll, can you shut up? Don't think we're cute and easy to bully (Smile)】

This is obviously slamming Xia Qiu, right? Anyone with eyes can see she's battling my Lin Xiao for the C‑position, total bitch.

I'm not happy spending three million to get into the game to save my brother; if you have no money, stop whining!

I really like my big brother's saying: they're all silly darlings.

Indeed, silly darlings!

Silly darlings!

Thus, amid a sea of roses, arguments, and fan‑boy copy, the players and fun‑seeking audience who came to watch the joke crossed dimensions and reached a consensus.

And even if the chat and accounts in the live room can be paid to have the officials delete and ban them, how do we deal with the speech inside the game?

Seeing the commotion flare up, Liu Zhen had to both keep the scene steady and adjust the audio, having a few stars speak into the mics so that nothing that shouldn't be heard gets recorded.

The players present weren't purely malicious; as each guest introduced themselves, they began mercilessly rating people.

When faced with gaming‑circle big shots like Hu Bian and Zhang Tianzun, they gave applause.

When faced with a star player and female bodhisattva like Wang Shu, they cheered.

When faced with a once‑faded but still somewhat famous second‑tier actress like Su Banyou, or an old‑school veteran like Qin Zhenguo who, despite heavy gig‑hopping, still has two solid tricks, they could also respond, so as not to let the person's face hit the ground.

But when it comes to Lin Xiao and Xia Qiu…

Hehe, who are you sending?

Those booing, swearing, spitting…

If it weren't for the fact that everyone's average education is far higher than that of the entertainment industry, and there were no extreme fan‑hates, they'd probably be doing something ruthless in front of the camera.

"This is too chaotic, so we're standing here to monitor in order to keep the in‑game stability!"

"What's that, we're clearly gathering intel, which is also part of the mission."

"Right, right, this is all for the good of the game; the officials will surely understand our good intentions!"

Just a few steps closer and there's a hilariously awful clown show to watch; the special squad naturally wouldn't miss the chance and rushed over to the nearby drama.

But as he kept watching, Ji Ming suddenly sensed something ominous…

No, this isn't an ominous premonition from a paradoxical fate, but an intuition honed after a combat drill by Lao Nv Shi!

He was just about to look up when Cang Lang beside him pressed his head down.

"Don't move, someone's watching us from above!"

He shifted his footing, using his own body to cover half of Ji Ming's face, and Cang Lang suddenly raised his tone.

"Hey, after chatting for a while I just remembered, are you that… crooked‑neck tree?"

Huh?

Got it!

Ji Ming instantly reacted, feigning panic so as not to draw attention.

"Speak softer, why are you so loud?"

Cang Lang quickly glanced around, his eyes silently flicking toward the third floor of the castle.

"Tch, what's there to fear? Actually, we've opened a game studio; you help us as a hand, and I'll send you some money, how about that?"

But in the non‑chalant loud banter, he muttered.

"Damn, it's a foreigner! One with a bit of Asian‑mixed blood."

Ji Ming naturally didn't agree outright, but used a quarrel to prolong the conversation.

"Don't think that a happy chat lets you buy me off with money; I tell you I'm not short on cash, I'm here to game and enjoy life!"

"Oh, don't be impatient, isn't this a good match? Actually, we can talk about anything!"

"Yeah, buddy, our game studio is sincere, think about it."

Fei Ying also rushed over to assist, feigning a shortage of manpower and recruiting players as informants on the spot.

"Funny, really sincere! If you weren't short on cash, you'd surely go after top players like Qiang Ge; how could you come to a little Xiao Karami like me?"

Until the arguing drew the attention of nearby players, who came over to mediate.

"Fine, save face for everyone, I'll think it over and get back to you later."

Having said that, Ji Ming walked off alone, breathing heavily, to the other side.

Cang Lang and Fei Ying left with a look of regret, shook their heads on the spot, and turned their gaze to the other players.

A long while.

Alright, he's already gone, everything's normal.

Ji Ming also pretended to be startled by the guests shouting "Go crazy, other dimension!" together, looked up, and glanced at the top of the castle.

Since the castle gate built by players isn't locked, many players are already roaming inside, but the mixed‑blood face Cang Lang mentioned wasn't seen.

The two kept beeping in the small group.

"Sigh, can't help it, who told me I look so upright and righteous? Anyone who sees me thinks I'm a soldier, can't hide it."

"According to our rules here, any mission deployment must be a squad effort, so I can only act as his partner."

Ji Ming thought briefly.

"So for the upcoming period, my role is a passerby player hired under the banner of your game studio?"

"Of course, developing informants is a tradition in our line of work…"

Damn it, it's only the first day, you guys are really causing a ruckus inside and out…

Ji Ming sighed with a sigh of amazement and then asked.

"So what's today's mission? Should I be the guide and take you to the Underground Plain first?"

But the two didn't answer right away; after a long pause, a line finally popped out.

"Director Zhao said my task is to grind monsters and level up; today I want to warm up in the Combat Training Camp."

"Didn't I also promise to make a flintlock gun for you? I'll first head to the Forge Workshop to check their tech level; it's all proper business, the same."

Ji Ming: 【……】

I thought you guys were actually decent people, how come you're so fond of playing around!

【Like this, tomorrow! Tomorrow we'll prepare thoroughly before departing】

【Yeah, the area ahead, let's explore it tomorrow】

Is it really okay to slack off so openly!

Ji Ming could only send out a single line.

【In that case, I'll go find a crowded place to observe the players……】

【Good good good good good】

【What? It's all serious business, no playing!】

Having settled on the course of action, the three went their separate ways.

However, because they still needed to go to the combat training camp to find Aurora, Ji Ming encountered Cang Lang again on the way.

Seeing the other's fists clenched tight, eager to try, ready to violently beat goblins, he suddenly thought of something.

"Hey, bro Cang, does your army's martial arts have any move that can instantly kill someone?"

Cang Lang glanced at him.

"Wai Shu, if you said that in real life, it would be enough for me to put you on a high-risk list."

"But this is in the game, so bro can lightly teach you a move!"

Having said that, he grabbed Ji Ming and walked to a nearby woods, loosened his joints all over, and took a stance.

"First, with your physique and qi-blood, it's impossible to punch through someone's abdomen or kick their head flying."

"So if you want to inflict maximum damage on someone in the quietest, swiftest way, the best method is still a lock technique combined with a vital-point sneak attack, for example…"

He turned his palm sideways and made a fierce slash at his own throat in midair.

Ji Ming raised an eyebrow and couldn't help swallowing his saliva.

"The neck?"

Cang Lang gave a hehe laugh.

"Watch closely!"

Having said that, he went behind Ji Ming, swiftly thrust his arms up through Ji Ming's armpits.

"First, this way controls the opponent's defenseless arms and gives me a point of upper-body force."

Then he stepped forward with one foot, using his leg to spread Ji Ming's legs.

"Next, like this, we lock the opponent's legs to prevent them from falling or fleeing, while also adding a point of lower-body force."

Although I know the other is just demonstrating with no ill intent, even if they had ill intent they couldn't kill me.

But being locked down here by such a Yanhuang captain still gave Ji Ming a chill down his back.

Cang Lang probably also entered instructor mode, completely failing to notice the embarrassed sweat on Ji Ming's forehead, and his voice grew even more resonant.

"Of course! Even so, if the opponent reacts they can still break free, but as I just said, we're ambushing!"

"Ambushing means being fast and fierce, so don't give the opponent time to react—immediately unleash the final killing move!"

Saying that, he covered Ji Ming's head with his big palm like a fan, resembling a blood-drip device.

"First, use your hands to clasp the opponent's head up and down, then…"

"Hey, what are you guys doing here?"

At that moment, a loud reprimand came from behind.

"Good grief, morals are decaying these days—would you really do this sort of thing in broad daylight?"

Although we've left the trail, we're not far off—clearly seen by passing players.

"Ah what? I didn't, I'm teaching him!"

Cang Lang hurriedly turned his head to explain, but as everyone knows, the essence of training is to gradually turn a skill into a habit.

And as a soldier, he's already using this move to this extent; even without consciously controlling his body, he's already begun exerting force unintentionally.

Therefore, with this sudden twist…

"Ah!"

How could a mere ten qi-blood body withstand a fifteen qi-blood joint lock?

Although his neck wasn't twisted, Ji Ming's leg muscles were still strained.

"Cang! Lang!"

Until the two cleared up the misunderstanding and continued toward the combat training camp, Cang Lang kept apologizing.

"Sorry, sorry, Wai Shu, I couldn't hold back my strength for a moment."

What can we do? We can't just punch someone out of the game and have them disappear.

Ji Ming could only wave his hand.

"It's fine, just a minor injury; resting a bit at the Holy Hall will heal it."

"Oh oh, then I'll go find a stage to train a bit, we'll meet again later!"

"No problem."

Ji Ming originally wanted to go straight to the Holy Hall, but then he realized he'd already lingered too long in the castle.

If he didn't go back, he'd likely be criticized by Aurora for a week for releasing pigeons, so he had to hurry over while supporting the shovel.

Aurora Dance also didn't continue standing at the warehouse door, but instead stood in a corner.

Seeing Ji Ming limping over, her expression shifted from surprise to confusion, finally becoming a long sigh.

???

Ji Ming always felt she was brewing some outrageous opinion, but he could only steel himself and walk over.

Then she patted his shoulder, and he felt heartbroken and anguished.

"Wai Shu, promise me you won't go do odd jobs anymore, Mom's worried."

""

Ji Ming's face was expressionless, then suddenly the corner of his mouth twitched, and he laughed in relief.

Using his good leg as a fulcrum, he raised the iron shovel high in his hand.

"You bastard, if I can't hit the baton I can still hit you!!"

Bai Yesheng shouted in surprise and stepped back.

"No, I was just joking, don't... ah!"

"You really want to fight?! Really fighting makes me furious—take this arrow!"

"... Damn it, can you give me an opening to counterattack? Drawing the bow and shooting arrows is hard!"

Watching the other players laughing and horsing around in the training camp, hidden in the nearby woods, a creature peeking out with its head, a super-large green-skinned being three meters tall sighed.

If the closed-beta players saw him, they would have let out an indescribable scream of the Dog Dog Village Guardian and, scrambling in panic, shouted 'Gun Brother, save me!'

But now, this mighty being that looks ferocious and dreadful to the extreme has stretched both hands toward his own crumpled loincloth and is tearing at it with force.

He continued to grunt angrily under his breath.

"Damn it, damn it, damn it! I've become such a huge goblin, why can't I still get rid of the bitter tea child!"

Just as Ji Ming wrote in the settings, each player can roll an exotic race upon first entering to make a choice.

Some rolled goblins and chose to give up, some rolled minotaurs and gladly proceeded.

As for the player with the ID 【Killer Goblin】, whether lucky or not, they actually rolled straight into an advanced creature template: Goblin Chieftain.

After a single draw got UR, he had originally been excitedly preparing to show off a bit in 'Code Name Yang Yue Ba'.

But upon entering the game, he discovered that this thing looks exactly like the Goblin Mad King!!

"Damn officials, you just reused the model like that, right!"

Fortunately he entered the game relatively late, so there were few players left on the drill ground, allowing him to quickly hide in the green belt and sneak out relying on natural camouflage.

But standing on this slope, looking at the players who are at worst also dog-headed, his heart couldn't help but rise with a bit of anxiety.

Although this is a game, the players' acceptance is strong; living another life as a super-large green-skinned isn't bad.

But if this honor were seen by the closed-beta bigshots, they'd challenge me to duels every few days to vent their anger—what could I do?

Even if the chieftain template starts with twenty HP and comes with many skills, it can't withstand the wheel-war beatdown from the growing players!

And there's this damn skill bar——

【Chieftain's Might】, 【Morale Steadfast】, 【Leader's Charm】……

The buffs from the leader creature look stronger one than the next, but after each comes a 【Goblin-Only】!

Damn it, if the closed-beta dungeons were still okay, I could rely on my wits to fool a few wild ones into obeying me.

But now all the goblins have been locked up in the warehouse as wild monsters to farm; I've searched everywhere and seen not a single hair, and it's utterly useless!

All kinds of profanity welled up in his heart, finally erupting into a roar.

"Mad King, you son of a bitch!"

【Ugh… who's cursing me…】

?

The sudden sound made the Killer Goblin hold his breath and listen closely.

But that moan seemed merely an auditory hallucination; upon careful reflection, not even a clear memory could be found.

What's going on?

However, when he thought nothing had happened and tried to calm himself, believing he was just too nervous, a sudden shout suddenly popped into his mind.

【Damn it, I'm not dead, am I? How did I end up here?】

【……Wait, why can't I control my body!】

【It moved! No, that's not lifting—I need to swing, swing!】

He slowly placed his palm near his ear, and Sha Ge stared blankly, patting it.

Who are you?

…

【Who are you?】

Wait, this voice sounds somewhat familiar.

No, it's too familiar—this is……

Those who could join the internal test, even if they weren't ironclad fans from the closed-beta start and live broadcast, later diligently made up for missed episodes; some important characters naturally became the talk of the town.

Sha Ge suddenly realized, his eyes widening.

"You damn… you wouldn't be the Goblin Mad King, would you!"

【What do you mean I wouldn't be? This is this king's body! So who are you then?】

Recalling the game settings, he cleared his throat.

I… I'm a player, or rather, ahem, a Pioneer.

…

He tried to cover his ears, but not a bit of sound was blocked; the Mad King helped him supplement the terrifying shriek that the closed-beta players hadn't given him.

Thanks to the 【Star Core Essence】 for rewarding five thousand points; I should have already made up the 2k extra chapter, but lately I've been in poor shape, sorry sorry qwq