In the bustling main city, Ken led all the Neon Country players as they wandered in the direction where Xu Yuan lived. Their eyes took in the splendid scenery, feeling as if they were witnessing a world beyond their own.
The Neon Country players could also recognize the stark contrast—the gap—between their initial world and this advanced city. Suddenly, their attention was captured by a spectacular sight: fireworks erupting in the sky!
All at once, the players of Neon Country were stunned. They had never expected to see fireworks in the game—these were vibrant, colorful, and shaped in various forms, even five-pointed stars! Their jaws dropped in awe.
In this moment, their perceptions shattered further. The cityscape, the towering buildings, the pigs with subway-speed—everything was a revelation. The fireworks, in particular, made them feel their trip was truly worthwhile.
One player muttered in amazement, "Where did these fireworks come from? Can you even set off fireworks in this game?"
Another added, "I don't know what to say anymore. Can I stay here forever?!"
Ken watched the spectacle and smiled. "This is what our boss Steve meant—every Sunday at 7 p.m., fireworks light up the sky here. It's a way for players to relax and enjoy themselves."
The Neon Country players, upon hearing Ken's words, were overwhelmed with admiration. They realized that Steve had truly built his city not just for comfort, but to bring joy and prosperity to its inhabitants. Compared to their own world, Neon Country felt primitive—like a bygone era.
"This… Where do these fireworks come from?" one player wondered aloud. "Did someone put them in? Is it even possible to set off fireworks in the game?"
Ken couldn't help but smile at their reactions. "It's part of the design—an event we set up for entertainment. It's a good way to boost morale."
They continued to admire the city, approaching Xu Yuan's residence. When they saw the house, envy flooded their expressions.
"Does this remind you of the palaces of ancient Chinese emperors?" one exclaimed.
"Does Lord Steve live alone in such a grand place? It's so luxurious…"
"How does he know so many people in the game? His city developed so quickly..."
Ken chuckled softly at their reactions and then pushed open the door to Xu Yuan's residence. Inside was a grand hall, illuminated brightly by a ceiling light made from the same materials as the building. On the left and right sides, rows of shining golden armor lined the walls, reflecting the light and creating a dazzling effect.
The Neon players looked around in awe, some even numb from the grandeur.
"If outsiders saw this, they'd think we don't need money for these decorations," someone whispered.
"Is it really this rich? All these armors... just for display?"
"Are we even playing the same game?"
Ken found their reactions amusing. He knew this opulence wasn't Xu Yuan's original idea but was driven by Yue'er's wish to make the city feel overwhelmingly majestic. They had used gold ingots to craft and arrange the armor in two rows on racks—luxury, pure and simple.
As they marveled, a figure appeared from the back hall. Ken pointed and said, "This is our guild leader, Steve."
The Neon Country players, having heard of Xu Yuan's reputation as a god-level player, immediately became nervous. One of them even knelt and saluted him.
Xu Yuan was momentarily stunned, unsure how to react. The kneeling player looked embarrassed, feeling the weight of Xu Yuan's presence.
"What are you doing…? Get up," Xu Yuan said casually, a little puzzled.
The player's face flushed red. The atmosphere grew awkward. Xu Yuan coughed lightly and broke the silence. "You've worked hard. Let's sit in the back hall and talk."
The Neon players relaxed, grateful for Xu Yuan's approachable attitude. They followed him to the back hall and took seats. Xu Yuan then asked, "How is the game going over there?"
The players blushed and hesitated. "Compared to you, we still seem primitive... We're new to this genre, so we don't know much. We came to learn from you… If you could guide us, that would be great..."
Xu Yuan smiled. "I can't personally guide everyone, but I'll send someone to assist you."
Their faces lit up with hope. Although Xu Yuan refused to go with them, his promise to send help was enough to boost their confidence.
Meanwhile, in the Dragon Teng Guild, a subtle shift was underway. After their defeat by the Cube Man Guild, they had been quietly regrouping. They hired top strategists and think tanks—experts in game analysis—who quickly devised new plans, including the development of the "Farming Monster Tower" and a pathway into Nether.
The guild leaders and elite players gathered to review recent progress. One of the elite group leaders reported, "Boss, while hunting in Nether, we've destroyed several wither skeletons, but the drop rate for the skulls is very low."
Long Teng considered this and replied, "Send those skulls to the think tanks. They'll analyze them better than we can."
The think tanks worked tirelessly in their laboratories, studying the skeletons and their drops. Meanwhile, Long Teng's spies kept watch on the Cube Man Guild's movements.
"Any news from the Cube side?" Long Teng asked.
A subordinate reported, "Today, they hosted a group of Neon Country players."
Everyone was puzzled. "Why host Neon players?"
Long Teng's expression darkened. "Steve doesn't do things without purpose. He's probably aiming to access resources from Neon Country."
A close friend from Neon Country mentioned that Steve was a powerful figure there. Long Teng's suspicion deepened: "He wants to control Neon's resources first."
Suddenly, Long Teng pounded the table. "We must seize the Neon resources! Let's move now!"
The others exchanged looks but hesitated. "But I heard Neon Country's players can't even move their feet when they see Steve's city," someone warned.
Long Teng grinned confidently. "Our land isn't as big as theirs, but we've hired the best architects. Our city's design is just as magnificent, if not more so. Why cling to land area? We have plenty of space around us, and our main city rivals theirs in size and splendor—especially with our medieval castles and ornate architecture."
He continued, "Let's just march in boldly. Can they really drive us away?"
In a show of audacity, the guild's top brass began moving toward Xu Yuan's city, determined to take what they believed belonged to them. Meanwhile, in the guild's laboratory, the think tanks analyzed the withered skeletons, strategizing their next move—aiming for a decisive strike.