142. A Small Ghost
After settling matters related to pathway management, Li Aozi switched back to his main body and submitted two more assignment reports, inching closer to a zero GPA.
Meanwhile, Lucite delivered some alchemical trinkets he had made in the workshop, while Hobbs was struggling with potionology. Seeing Li Aozi's progress, both were happy for him.
However, things didn't seem to be going smoothly on White Candle Star.
"I saw recruitment office personnel arriving in Trevilla," Hobbs said uneasily. "Is the frontline situation really that dire? Are we going to lose to those idealist barbarians of the Night Butterfly Federation?"
"How could that be? History has repeatedly proven that our materialist philosophy is invincible," Lucite said nonchalantly. "This isn't just a territorial dispute but a battle of beliefs between idealism and materialism. No matter what, we must win this war, destroy their temples, and spread magic and technology to every Night Butterfly slave!"
Recently, the two had been fervently debating politics in group chats. Busy with studies, Li Aozi refrained from joining their arguments but could sense that the war was escalating.
On Azure Star, the night passed quickly.
In the early hours of the morning, a thick mist blanketed the area.
A man-made rainstorm from the previous evening had saturated the air with moisture. By now, the vicinity of the White Obelisk was devoid of tourists. The fields were silent save for the occasional meow of feral cats, dewdrops dripping with soft splashes, and the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. The atmosphere was cold and damp.
Restoring his usual appearance, Li Aozi donned a jacket, checked his gear, and confirmed everything was in order. Leisurely, he walked through the facilities, arriving at an inflatable archway.
Two people were already waiting there.
"Oh, a new face," remarked a Red Arrow youth who looked no older than a teenager. Sitting atop a high platform, he swung his legs, his delicate features showing a hint of doubt. He turned to his companion and asked,
"Leaf, do you know this guy?"
"No idea."
His companion was a tall, gaunt woman with prominent cheekbones. Dressed in a high-collared jumpsuit, she held a jade-tipped smoking pipe. Her gaze was unfocused, her demeanor indifferent.
"We're all players here. No need for disguise mode," Li Aozi said, revealing part of his stats. "I contacted your team's recruitment post on the forums. Does that ring a bell?"
"Now that you mention it, you must be someone Phantom Blade invited," the youth said.
"Something like that. I was told not long ago that I could join." Li Aozi nodded.
"Consider yourself in, then."
The teenager hopped off the platform, noticing that his height only reached Li Aozi's chest. Irritated, he poked Li Aozi's abs.
Raising an eyebrow, Li Aozi asked,
"Something wrong?"
"You've got a solid build, but your face looks way too much like a middle-aged man," the youth teased, grinning. "Doesn't Star Abyss gradually adjust avatars to resemble their real-life players? Does that mean you're actually a middle-aged man IRL?"
"How is that any of your business?" Li Aozi replied coolly.
"Heh, no sense of humor, huh, old man?" The youth spread his hands, displaying his game profile and pointing to himself. "Name's Not Quite Rain, a level 16 [Mutant]. That sharp-tongued woman is Featherfall, a level 17 [Ranger] and our team's main DPS."
"And Phantom Blade is your leader?" Li Aozi asked.
"Wow, old man, you're sharp. I thought you were just some newbie."
Not Quite Rain smirked. Though his words seemed complimentary, his expression was thoroughly infuriating.
"Along with level 19 'Feather Phantom Blade' and two NPC companions, Smith Roland and Wellington Scarlett, this is our team, 'Nebula Pavilion.'"
He sent Li Aozi a party invite.
"Hurry up and thank us. Carrying a level 5 [Martial Artist] is practically charity."
Joining the team, Li Aozi scanned its internal information and frowned.
"Don't you have a voice channel?"
"What for? We can just talk directly."
"I suggest you activate it," Li Aozi said. "There are things NPCs shouldn't hear."
"Hah? That's ridiculous. You'd never guess how we got our NPC teammates," Not Quite Rain said, tilting his head.
"Our team specializes in an immersive experience," he explained. "Old man, as a new member, you'd better get familiar with our style. If it doesn't suit you, leave now and save everyone's time."
This brat's attitude was insufferably arrogant. He's probably some middle-schooler in real life.
[Calling me old man is one thing, but flaunting superiority in a game? I really want to teach this kid a lesson.]
Li Aozi blinked, a gentle and amicable smile spreading across his face:
"You're right. If we don't mesh, at least we can part on good terms, right?"
"Heh, old man, you're pretty reasonable—much better than the last two randoms we met." Not Quite Rain stuck out his tongue, still as provoking as ever.
"Hmm..." Li Aozi squinted, smiling kindly. "Mind explaining what you mean by 'immersive experience'?"
[I'll find a chance to land a gut punch on you later.]
"It's simple. Just follow these three rules," the youth said, raising a finger:
"First, keep disguise mode on as much as possible and interact naturally with NPCs."
"Second, turn off the game's UI and text prompts, relying only on your understanding to navigate tasks."
"Third, disable team communication and fully roleplay your recruited character."
"So... basically cosplay?" Li Aozi asked.
"Shallow," Featherfall interjected coldly. "Star Abyss isn't just a game; it's undoubtedly—and much more than that."
"Uh..." Before Li Aozi could respond, her tone grew fervent:
""Star Abyss"is the ninth art, the pinnacle of electronic industry in Federal civilization, a cultural export paragon, a masterpiece ushering in the second world of the new era! It's a love letter from game developers to players!"
Casting a scornful glance at Li Aozi, she continued:
"To call our immersion and dedication 'a glorified LARP' is to reveal the shallow thinking of someone with a vocational school diploma. You can't comprehend the passion and expression of us true fans of the ninth art. Do you understand the painstaking efforts of Qiqiao Network? You think others' intensity is absurd, and you mock them. I pity you. You've grown so numb you can't feel moved anymore, so desensitized you're practically a corpse..."
Li Aozi glanced at Not Quite Rain, who seemed thoroughly in agreement with her speech.
"Still, I can empathize," Featherfall concluded. "After all, there will always be beings on the ground daring to face the radiance of Qiqiao Network head-on."