Chapter 259

Although the overnight destruction of the mountain folk's iron hammer shocked the entire Sunshine City, frightening all the garrison soldiers so much that they actually all reported for duty diligently once.

But for most townsfolk, the bandit mercenaries' bad luck is absolutely a great thing worth celebrating with a mug of dark beer at the tavern.

As for the wealthy townsfolk, cheap commoner drinks like dark beer are too weak; today I'm feeling happy, so I must have a whiskey!

It's a shame some people can't stand seeing everyone so happy, especially when they gather in the tavern muttering and, intentionally or not, splash dirty water onto the Mountain Folk Wildwind.

"Hey kid, what the hell are you talking about!"

If the patrolling Wild Wind mercenaries hear it, they'll either scold or beat the speaker; anyone who resists is simply dragged off and thrown into the arena's black cell to 'sober up'.

As for the severity of punishment, it all depends on the mercenary's mood and the status of the person accused of slander.

If you're lucky—for instance, if your uncle is Boris or your sister has some connection with the wealthy old man Suo La—you might just be let go.

But nobody wants to provoke that bunch of roughnecks, so Sunshine City fell back into an uneasy silence.

The underground plain next door:?

Gee, what does it matter to me how my neighbor's doing? Everyone just kept playing music and dancing!

After playing for so long, the players had never fought such a prosperous battle; it was the first time they overwhelmed the enemy with superior numbers, crushed them utterly, and without a word drove the foes to flee with their heads in their hands.

And for the first time, the various tribes united against the enemy; the feeling of camaraderie, both inside and out, was wonderfully intense, so as they walked along, people began to sing and dance.

"Sha Ge, can you control your goblins? Their singing and dancing are terrifying—I just watched them and almost had a nightmare."

"You... think about the bright side—at least they don't randomly pick lucky users, or publicly get it on with a cute little green-skinned they like."

All kinds of extremely decadent artistic works were flowing through my mind. jpg

"That really is a rare civilized person."

But since the players want to lead the Underground World, the boss's position isn't just for show.

So upon returning underground, the Pioneers' Council immediately invited all the major tribes to the forward base to celebrate the victory.

The once extremely scarce vegetables, fruits, fish, shrimp, and crabs of the underground plain are now freely supplied; if it's not enough, you can buy an acceleration service from the Holy Tree Grisen.

After eating and drinking their fill, the Pioneers' dominant position in the Underground World was basically sealed.

But amidst the joy, some remained calm, trying to get more information about Sunshine City and the entire game world from that big-mouthed Bals.

But the players assumed that, since the closed test mainly took place underground, any details about the surface—especially unrelated regions—would be vague.

Who would have thought that Bals not only knew, but knew far more than they imagined.

Radiant Kingdom, Deep Forest Kingdom, Spirit Tide Kingdom, Barbaric Wasteland, Beimosi Grassland, Inland Sea...

What he described turned out to be an extraordinarily complete yet somewhat bizarre fantasy world.

Besides him, Cang Lang also specifically questioned several other captured squad leaders.

No matter how finely he broke down the settings for questioning, everyone's responses were completely consistent—not the output of an overloaded pig-brained AI spouting nonsense from a database.

Thus, although it seemed far-fetched, Cang Lang still recalled the exaggerated possibility raised by that young expert during the earlier meeting.

"Could it be that this so-called 'Code Name Yangyue' is actually a time-travel device?"

As we entered the game, our consciousness was also transmitted to a completely different world from Earth.

"Take good care of your wounds; we won't harm you."

Filled with doubt and unable to find answers, he could only organize the recorded data into his leather pouch.

He nodded to the lizard guard on duty and left the deep-mine prison together with Fei Ying.

But as they were heading out, they unexpectedly collided with a man.

That was Howard Thomas, smiling faintly but clearly approaching them.

Fei Ying and Cang Lang knew each other's identities, and each knew that the other knew theirs.

So one stepped forward half a step, using his body as a barrier, while the other placed his briefcase behind him, instinctively wanting to protect the documents.

"No, no, no, don't be nervous—I'm just here on business, I mean no harm; I came to talk about some cooperation."

That statement from the other side sounded absurd, and both Cang Lang and Fei Ying burst out laughing.

"Cooperation? What good could you possibly have to discuss with us? Are you planning to set aside past disputes and jointly develop the Yangyue World?"

"Hmm... maybe?"

"Huh?"

Question: When everyone at a table wants different dishes, it's hard to reach a consensus quickly, and they might even end up arguing over whether the lamb should be scallion‑stir‑fried or braised—what should be done?

Answer: Perfectly fling a ladle of dung onto everyone's head, making the angry diners roll up their sleeves and unite to beat you.

And the mountain folk mercenaries took on that role, in one fell swoop kneading the originally not‑very‑harmonious, soon‑to‑chaotic underground world into a single lump.

Thus, the next morning, the Magic Spirit Tribe once again expressed its desire to form an underground alliance.

After all, they've already come into conflict with outsiders, so whether they like it or not, everything underground has been exposed to the surface's view.

Rather than wait until then and panic, it's better to prepare everything in advance to avoid being stabbed in the back at a critical moment.

And some of the players' contradictions brought from reality were also set aside after a discussion seeking common ground while reserving differences, with peaceful development as the focus.

After multiple rounds of talks, all tribes and guilds in the Underground City that wished for peace gathered together and solemnly signed the High Tower Treaty in the High Tower Castle.

From then on, in this still‑obscure underground space, the profoundly influential High Tower Community was proclaimed.

At the same time the community was founded, a golden legend popped up in every player's view.

【Congratulations to the player for successfully uniting the Underground World during the closed test and achieving a hidden achievement!】

Wuhu, indeed!

Players who guessed there would be special rewards clicked open the page, eager to see what they'd gotten.

What appeared before their eyes was a long string of text slowly scrolling out, and this time they couldn't skip it.

【Friend, conflict and strife are the poison of civilization's development; only a shared destiny that transcends all can be the bright tomorrow of sentient life.】

【... What? You're saying you have no guns or cannons, not even a piece of metal?】

【So who are you sending, huh? Do you have the right to chatter here? Next time please remember to bring your weapons before coming to negotiate with the bandits!】

Bang!!!

The gunfire near my ears was simulated to the extreme, and hearing the commotion, the magazine was emptied in one go.

【Fortunately, whenever faced with major issues of right and wrong, you never chose appeasement nor radicalism, but always adopted the calmest and most appropriate attitude】

【They possess thunderous methods and a bodhisattva's heart, fulfilling their duty to peace, upholding the line of goodness, clad in iron armor yet doing no wrong, wielding the slaughter blade yet not using it】

【They united all unitable NPCs, expelled all malicious destroyers who could not communicate, brought light to the Underground World, therefore……】

【All closed-beta players obtained the limited title——Cease War Is Martial】

【Title effect: When one's combat power exceeds the opponent's, the probability of peaceful negotiation increases, the probability of joint negotiation increases】

???

At first hearing it sounds a bit absurd; upon further thought, it really is absurd.

My combat power is already higher than the opponent's, so why bother with negotiation—just kill……

Huh?

Players accustomed to thinking with game logic quickly realized the value of this title effect.

The so-called High Tower Community includes humans, spiritfolk, beastfolk, demi-humans, the strange, even Yangyue people, Earth people—it is a super union transcending species and worlds.

Thus it inherently possesses strong expansiveness and inclusiveness, able to at any time increase any willing participants.

And possessing this title means the closed-beta players can "use influence to pull people in", quickly expanding the community's scope and strength.

After all, combat power cannot represent everything; at least if players were to choose, the dwarf folk skilled in forging and mechanical manufacturing would definitely have far greater value than many beastfolk.

Furthermore, the collective itself is a collection of countless individuals; one is certainly not as good as two, but if you add three, it can instantly defeat the previous two.

So what is this 【Cease War Is Martial】? It's clearly the nano-adhesive ball from 《Delicious Planet》 that can infinitely devour and evolve!

Thus the players exchanged glances and smiled, showing the knowing smile that those who understand share.

"Anything!"

Having the title, they naturally put it to use, so all major guilds immediately started in-house competition, sending various envoys to persuade the Underground World tribes that had not yet joined.

Wielding foreign guns and cannons: 'Friend, we've formed a fantastic union; now we invite you to join—are you moved?!'?

The red-tailed bird person shrinking in the chair: 'Don't dare move, don't dare move……'

Since everyone had no objections, the High Tower Union's absolute control over the Underground World was thus formally established.

Under the Pioneers' leadership, they completely dismantled the existing mercenary camp, and on the other side of the exit passage built a new shift‑based guard post open to all participants—equivalent to giving themselves a 'door key'.

But while everyone was busy, all guild managers with seats in the council discovered a special task column had appeared on their player pages.

【First, congratulations to all excellent players for successfully gaining power and enjoying the privileged treatment that is either different from or the same as reality】

【As Uncle Ben of Spider‑Man once said, 'With great power comes great responsibility'—sounds perhaps dreamy, but the game isn't reality, so we don't have to be that realistic】

【Therefore this task list is your right, and at the same time your duty; please be diligent, bear in mind your current state of mind, and your future mission】

"Holy crap!"

Sha Ge is actually just a low‑level office worker in reality; at this moment he was still leading goblins to catch some wild poultry and livestock for farming, and upon seeing these three lines of admonition he directly swore.

Fortunately, his task list currently has only one task.

【Management Task: Be mindful of danger while at peace】

【Task Content】

【1. Stockpile enough food for the entire tribe to eat for at least three months, to avoid food‑shortage problems after the public test due to accidents】

【2. Train a goblin guard of at least one hundred people, to avoid the tribe's destruction after the public test due to lack of combat power】

【Task Reward: Goblin King's Horn】

The task isn't hard, and it's also roughly the tribe's development direction discussed by a few members of the 【Mage Battle Group】; stable development can definitely be achieved before the closed beta ends.

But this task reward……

"It can give various buffs to one's subordinate goblins, also increase one's prestige among the goblin populace, and even cause unfamiliar goblins to willingly join?"

The assassin goblin blankly closed the task interface, sucking in a breath of cold air.

"……That hardly means the aura of hegemony, goblin‑limited?"

Not only him; all the councilors received similar tasks, which aren't difficult given their personal abilities and existing resources, but if they aren't serious they definitely won't complete them.

This is also a spur that Ji Ming and Yangyue discussed giving to players, while maintaining overall control of the development direction, leaving ample room for their personal expression.

When it's time to farm, farm; when it's time to fight, fight, switching the players' overall stance according to the major version and environmental needs.

Moreover, it's best not to let player competition become too fierce, lest large amounts of energy be wasted on internal conflict.

As for why the players who previously pinched pennies, only willing to issue exchange points and produce logistics equipment, suddenly became so generous.

One reason is that the Rock Dragon Treasure and Dean An's family resources are indeed ample, with many little trinkets that Ji Ming doesn't really use; keeping them is useless, so better to give them away.

The other reason is that, after getting along with Ji Ming for nearly two months, under the infusion of high‑dimensional life energy, the fulfilled Yangyue finally revived its role as the world's will……

"Stop!"

"Can you stop using such a strange adjective repeatedly?"

【……Well, in short I have regained considerable authority and gained the ability to restore treasures; these are all items that once rotted in the dungeon, and I have reforged them from scrap】

"So that Goblin King's Horn……could it not be the Mad King's thing?"

【Of course, now it's basically returning to its original owner】

At this very moment, in the goblin tribe, Sha Ge is repeatedly bumping the crossbeam inside his tent.

"Games are games, work is work—dawn is almost breaking, please stop calling, I really need to log off and get ready for work!"

But the Mad King in his mind is still howling madly.

【No, you lazy human, I order you to quickly get my horn in hand—this is an important item!】

"What's your hurry—could it be that you're still a horn‑performance artist?"

This is the type who won't act unless they see a rabbit—finally realizing that no matter how they plead, it's useless, so the helpless Mad King has no choice but to speak the truth.

This thing isn't that simple; perhaps for other Goblin Chieftains it's only that, but for me it has a hidden function! It can…

Sha Ge's eyes lit up.

"Release the Goblin bloodline power, accelerate evolution!?"