CHAPTER 355: CHAPTER 239: THE GAME FINALLY CAN’T RESIST GOING PAY-TO-WIN!

"We’re also wasting a lot of time, let’s hurry over there. Such opportunities are rare in the game," Fang Zhen couldn’t help but stand up. He wanted to die a few more times at the White Feather Gang’s base. By then, surpassing Luo Wushang in the Body Strengthening Secret Technique wouldn’t be impossible.

Twilight of the Gods and Outer Gunman both nodded, feeling a bit anxious in their hearts.

Although they were indeed experts in the current Descent of High Martial, they knew it was just for now. Compared to masters like Luo Wushang, they still lagged in talent. This was evident just by looking at the martial arts.

Now with such a glitch, it’s the best chance for ordinary game experts like them to catch up.

As the three of them walked out of the basement, they found a transport truck stopped outside the martial arts hall courtyard. Lin Qi was arranging for martial artist players to quietly carry a large box. This large box was supported by long alloy pipes, and the martial artist players transporting it stayed more than ten meters away, not allowing anyone to come near.

"The speed of fixing this glitch is too fast! I’ve only been through two rounds!" Twilight of the Gods was dumbfounded as he watched the large box being moved into the martial arts hall.

Even if he was slow, he could tell that the large box surely contained that segment of the arm. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a fuss, maintaining a ten-meter distance.

"That’s normal, if such a glitch isn’t fixed, everyone would be invincible," Fang Zhen said with a wry smile. "But we’re lucky; at least our cultivation in the Spirit Secret Technique can be faster in the future."

"This might not be a glitch. I suspect that speeding up the cultivation of the Spirit Secret Technique is probably a reward for this random event," Twilight of the Gods shook his head and sighed, "Too bad I reacted a bit slow. One more death would’ve been better; what a loss."

However, while the three were chatting, the bulletin board at the martial arts hall training ground erupted, drawing their curiosity to check it out.

Players were crowded around the bulletin board, making it hard to push through. One Leaf Floating Cloud squeezed out from the front, visibly excited with a wide smile.

"Yiyi, what’s going on? You’re so happy?" Fang Zhen asked, puzzled, seeing the excited expression on One Leaf Floating Cloud.

"The game has opened a new map!" One Leaf Floating Cloud said excitedly, "This new map is called the Wraith Mountain Range, and according to the hall master, it connects to other areas. Anyone who masters the new secret technique of the martial arts hall can freely explore the Wraith Mountain Range. The level of Wraith Mountain Range is even higher than the wilderness area, and if you can find the base of the Smiling Skull force, you can gain trading rights to other regions."

"Connect to other regions? And also gain trading rights to other regions? Are you sure you didn’t read it wrong?" Fang Zhen looked at One Leaf Floating Cloud, feeling that this game’s new map release was too exaggerated.

Previously, with new maps, it was good enough for them to look around. Now, the new map allows for unrestricted exploration and gives trading rights to other regions. The game’s actions aren’t merely significant; they’re aiming to overturn the current game structure.

Let alone the fact that a new map only requires mastering a new secret technique to explore; solely the point that its level is higher than the wilderness area is terrifying wealth. The higher the level of the map, the greater the returns, and not to mention the trade rights with other regions.

This means that players can do business with NPCs in other regions, which is revolutionary.

Previously, while players could engage in commerce, it was more like acting as escorts, just accompanying NPCs to various places, earning labored earnings. True expert players wouldn’t engage in it, only scenery lovers and newcomers would, to earn some contribution on the side.

But now, with clearly granted trading rights, the represented profits are staggering.

In this game’s worldview, monsters are rampant, transportation between places is inconvenient, and there are many dangers. Prices of goods vary widely, and there are many local specialties. Such commerce would definitely earn much more than simply grinding or questing.

"How could I be wrong? I checked it over a dozen times," One Leaf Floating Cloud said excitedly, "I wondered why the game suddenly opened so many slots. Turns out they’re playing a big game here. Finally, it’s our time, the era for lifestyle players."

"It shouldn’t just be for lifestyle players. I guess the new map opening is to help newcomers catch up to us veteran players," Twilight of the Gods said. "Previously, new maps had permission or level restrictions. Now, the new map only requires mastering the new secret technique of the martial arts hall. This should give many new players a chance to catch up, putting them on the same starting line as us older players."

"Indeed, to enter and pioneer the new map requires first mastering the new secret technique. The secret technique is the same for everyone; whoever masters it first gets to pioneer first, whether they’re newcomers or us veteran players. It’s fair," Fang Zhen nodded.

"Not talking to you guys anymore. I have to quickly notify others to come back and learn the new secret technique. If we’re late, we’ll be surpassed by those newcomers," One Leaf Floating Cloud said, hurrying to log off and contact others in his team.

While the entire martial arts hall was reveling in the new map’s release, the official forum of Descent of High Martial was erupting.

"This new secret technique is way too exaggerated! You need to have mastered the Body Strengthening Secret Technique and Spirit Secret Technique before you even have a chance, and the danger levels are above those of the Fixed Star Explosion Visualization Technique. Can we newbies even train this?"

"This game developer really isn’t hiding anymore. Seeing the difficulty of cultivation, it’s absurd if I don’t spend a fortune. When I was training the Fixed Star Explosion Visualization Technique, it took over ten deaths just to get started, and that was with guidance from veteran players. If a pure newbie were to train it, it would be dozens of deaths for sure. This new secret technique is even harder; I’m afraid the death count will be terrifying."

"I knew it, this game is truly a pay-to-win game."

"They didn’t force you to learn it. The new map isn’t a compulsory place for players; it’s just a faster way for newcomers to catch up to veteran players."

"Anyone who wants to practice the new secret technique can do so; I, however, won’t. I think it’s better to stick to field tasks and slowly improve the training techniques. Once I’m leveled up, I can easily dominate the wilderness area. This new secret technique seems like a cash grab, and there aren’t even any specific effects mentioned. It just supposedly enhances potential, but they don’t say how useful that potential is."

"It’s probably a benefit for big spenders; common players shouldn’t think about it. Let’s stick to mining."

"You guys are all pros if you can even talk about whether or not to practice it. I’m just a newbie who doesn’t even have the qualifications to practice it. I can’t even get into the game. Is anyone willing to give me a slot? I’ll train any secret technique if I get a slot."

...

The forum discussions around the newly released secret technique were bustling. Although many newcomers were thrilled that a new map had been released where all players, new and veteran, could start from the same point, opinions varied regarding the difficulty in learning the new secret technique. The forum became more crowded and fervently heated.

Chasing Light City, Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.

"Sis, how’s the new secret technique? Hard to train?" One Leaf Floating Cloud asked curiously, looking at Ye Qinglu, who had been training for nearly two days in the rest area.

"The Energy Secret Technique is somewhat challenging to train." Ye Qinglu exhaled deeply and said to One Leaf Floating Cloud, "In the past two days, I’ve died about thirty times. It’s indeed much harder than the Fixed Star Explosion Visualization Technique. But fortunately, I’ve just reached the beginner level."