Before participating in the activity, Jiang Shi obviously didn’t expect the underwater environment to be so lively.
However, upon exploring the surroundings, it became evident that this liveliness had its reasons.
Apart from the excellent scenery, the crucial factor was the various rare materials that were easily found everywhere.
Casually walking for a while without encountering other players surprisingly, Jiang Shi managed to gather a considerable amount of materials just by collecting from the underwater plants. The rewards alone were tempting enough for many to try their luck, and anyone who could successfully bring a batch of goods out would be considered having a small fortune.
After walking a stretch, Jiang Shi checked his personal point panel: “These points are pretty easy to accumulate, just by simple collection.”
With each collection action, the score, which had been initially 0, visibly increased, almost reaching 200 unnoticed.
However, compared to the top-ranking professionals on the leaderboard, these points seemed insignificant.
“The growth exists, but it’s not much.”
Looking around, Han Yuze noticed an underwater centipede passing by, released a few small mechanical devices, and effortlessly eliminated it. He glanced at his own points and concluded, “Defeating monsters also earns points.”
“Not much,” Jiang Shi added casually.
Seemingly like a daily banter, their brief conversation hinted at a crucial point — at present, the top-ranked groups on the leaderboard had significantly high scores. Achieving this solely through the insignificant points from gathering and defeating monsters in the map, even with the earliest access, seemed implausible. Therefore, the only possibility was the existence of additional methods to earn points.
After pondering, a thought flashed across Jiang Shi’s mind. When he lifted his head, he coincidentally met Han Yuze’s eyes.
Just a casual glance was enough to convey that they were both thinking of the same thing again.
With a shared smile, they simultaneously said two words: “Clearing NPCs.”
Hunting, hunting.
Without anyone ‘killing‘, how could there be anyone ‘escaping’?
Unfortunately, the players’ entry into this underwater land was entirely random, causing Jiang Shi to be separated from the other members of the Silver Coins from the start.
Moreover, within this independent map for the event, all social systems like friends, guilds, were disabled. The means of communication between the two sides were completely severed, and the only option now was to wander around and hope for a chance encounter.
While Jiang Shi and Han Yuze continued collecting rare materials on the roadside and moved forward, they finally encountered other players for the first time after entering the underwater realm.
These people seemed to be together and, regardless of who they encountered, they brandished their weapons and charged directly due to their superior numbers.
Their overconfident assault left them unable to retreat upon recognizing the in-game ID [Yu Weize]. Faced with ordinary players, their efforts in eliminating these players were effortless. Glancing at the points situation, their scores had increased considerably, and they also collected numerous dropped rare materials from the ground.
Han Yuze seemed very satisfied with the event planning: “Not bad, looks like getting rich depends on how sharp the knife is.”
“Just noticed that the growth of these people’s kill points seems different; it probably has something to do with their existing points,” Jiang Shi commented, checking the current ranking situation and touching the cross on his hand. “If we can take down the leaders on the leaderboard, we should be able to gain more, right?”
“Let’s look for them,” Han Yuze replied.
At this moment, the two finally figured out why the officials had reserved such a long registration interval.
One reason was obviously the concern about not being able to accommodate too many people at once. On the other hand, it was also due to the nature of earning points in this way. Entering the map early or late didn’t signify anything; what really mattered was seizing accumulated points from others as much as possible within this map, which was the key to determining the final rankings.
Throughout this process, the most effortless method was undoubtedly allowing others to engage in battles first and then plundering after most points had accumulated on a few partnered groups.
However, if they truly adopted this method, besides the risk of criticism, the loss of enjoyment was the most significant concern. Thus, in line with Jiang Shi and Han Yuze’s preferences, they naturally, without hesitation, fully immersed themselves in this large-scale survival game.
Once they teamed up, they were unbeatable. Their approach of bloodshed wherever they went could be summarized in four words: extremely exhilarating.
As the event officially commenced, those who entered the underwater city Mo Nian Ke Qi in the ‘Traveler‘ status temporarily put aside their sightseeing interests and congregated in the central square.
Within the water curtains rising from all directions were projected real scenes of various regions on the underwater continent. As more and more people grasped the essence of earning points, the fireworks had subtly spread throughout. The dazzling skill effects attracted all onlookers, and the number of surviving individuals gradually dwindled without them noticing.
“D*mn, are they playing shrinking circles here too?”
This remark indicated someone experienced in shooting games.
Someone nearby chuckled, “Haven’t you noticed the decreasing number of surviving players? There’s a bunch just collecting materials inside. If they don’t limit the activity area, how long do you think this game of hide-and-seek will go on?”
“True.” The player in front nodded, glanced at the current rankings, and continued, “Anyway, let’s see which guild’s ace can take the lead in the end.”
Another person nearby chimed in eagerly, “If you’re interested, you can check the official forum. There have been posts constantly updating the rankings since the beginning of the event. The top 100 positions are detailed with new entries and eliminations vividly recorded. They even have a prize-guessing game going on, quite lively.”
“Really? I’ll check it out!”
At that moment, in the official forum of Genesis the hot topic threads in the event section had already been pinned.
Apart from the main post continuously editing the leaderboard updates, the replies below had piled up to over two thousand layers, keeping track of the event’s progress in real-time.
Just now, the main post rankings refreshed again.
This time, among the dozen or so newly ranked groups, some keen-eyed users had spotted a very conspicuous ID.
[2123L: Wait, who do I see?! Has Yu Weize also joined? Didn’t see him earlier; I thought he retired from the Crusaders and wouldn’t play this time.]
[2125L: Haters? Why can’t God Yu join? Just curious, what does participating in the official event have to do with the Crusaders?]
[2223L: Can only say that the treatment in a top-tier guild is different; climbing up the rankings this time seems a bit challenging. If barely making it into the top 100 at this time, might as well wait to see when they’ll be eliminated.]
[2245L: That’s true. Fans, don’t be upset. Honestly, if Yu Weize were still in the Crusaders, shouldn’t the partner be Champs? This time, Champs went directly with Akdas, while here, they can only casually find someone to join. There’s indeed a significant difference in treatment.]
[2265L: Are you still concerned about the Crusaders’ petty matters? Had a big fuss with the Seven Silver Coins earlier; in the end, kicked out the old allies and handed over the alliance position on a silver platter.]
[2266L: Upstairs, don’t talk nonsense if you don’t know. I’m the Crusaders’ guild leader; that was given as a favor to God Yu. Stop poking into such issues.]
[2287L: Oh my God, I’m laughing. Isn’t everyone aware that Pojun Baba can’t spit out an ivory from his dog’s mouth? Just say it’s to give God Yu face? I really believe anything!
[2290L: Annoying, can’t understand the event thread? If you want to argue, start a separate thread, okay?]
[2315L: Sigh, is God Yu really randomly inviting people to join the team? Why do I feel like this game ID, Materials Main Account, is somewhat familiar?]
[2320L: D*rn, the previous reminder made me recall; I’m from the Serpent Guild. Seems like our first kill was snatched by them, right?!]
[2322L: ? Is there a backstory to this? If you know, spill the details!]
The players who were still in the underwater activity map could naturally see the ranking situation on the score board. Although they were still in first place at this time, when they saw a series of game IDs popping up at the bottom of the leaderboard, Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands could not smile at all: “This Yu Weize, he really teamed up with PoisonedMilk… “
Not only these two, but the other Deep Well Ice Player and Gentleman Fan also seemed to have somewhat softened. Although their toxicity might be slightly weaker compared to those two, once they got together, it was still somewhat indigestible.
Seeing that Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands was looking like he had a grudge against the world, Mad Stomp in his hand suddenly began to stir: “Is this PoisonedMilk really that strong?”
“How to put it…” Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands thought back to a few scenes of their past encounters. “It’s mainly because… he’s disgusting.”
Mad Stomp was surprised: “Besides the old poison, is there anyone more disgusting than you?”
Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands: “…I’ll just take it as you’re complimenting me.”
Mad Stomp laughed heartily, “Don’t think otherwise, I’m indeed praising you.”
“Thank you, but I don’t feel the slightest bit of joy.” Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands couldn’t help but look at the leaderboard again. Seeing that Jiang Shi and Han Yuze’s group had immediately risen by five or six places, he could only sigh in frustration under the reality that he was powerless to change. “In short, you’ll have to experience it for yourself when you meet them later. I can only say that you may find that even the Rattlesnake’s Grave is not a runemaster.”
Mad Stomp: “That’s so exaggerated?”
“Grave is indeed too upright. I guess it’s my preconceived notion. From the beginning, I felt that he was not very suitable for this job as a runemaster. But that’s not the point.” Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands said to this, and his words were also a little expectant. “Actually, I’m quite curious. If there is a chance to let Grave and PoisonedMilk face off, who of these two new and old gods of runemasters can take advantage of the other?”
It was clear that Return to Spring’s Skillful Hands really did not want to face off against these two people. Obviously, he himself did not expect that just casually expressing his feelings, it would actually come true.
The opponents also paused their steps upon seeing them.
Then, just like them, they showed no intention to avoid a fight and came directly toward them.
The duo from the Rattlesnake Guild – Grave and Dry Bones.