'Not Updating Today' was the game account Jiang Qiao created, and the chosen profession was a relatively relaxed Summoner.
When the Junlin team's match was taking place, Jiang Qiao sent out an invitation to 998 'qualified' players worldwide.
Currently, the server limit for the game was 1,000 people. Jiang Qiao had to ensure these 1,000 players were experienced and enthusiastic enough to level their characters to a high enough level within a month.
Zhao Mingwei, known as Laughter Master, the best fighter character user in disputes, was made a key target by Jiang Qiao.
For this, Jiang Qiao specifically came to the newbie village, ready to guide Zhao Mingwei, a 'newcomer,' through leveling up as an 'experienced player.'
"Are you a player in this game?" Zhao Mingwei asked, looking puzzled when he saw Jiang Qiao.
Dispute, as a VR game, was undoubtedly not realistic enough. Even if the current graphics were incredibly real, Zhao Mingwei could still tell at a glance that the game's graphics were 'painted.'
But this world was different. Zhao Mingwei could see every thread of silk on Jiang Qiao's robe, and even his hair seemed to be independently calculated.
"Have you ever seen an NPC with this kind of ID?"
Jiang Qiao pointed at the name 'Not Updating Today' above his head.
"Indeed, I've never seen that," Zhao Mingwei said with an awkward laugh, glancing around. "There are so few people on this server. Is this a newly released game? The login method... is also quite strange."
On the streets of this main city, there were indeed very few 'people', with only three or four NPCs standing around, waiting for players to interact with them.
"I received the login app this morning too. At first, I thought it was some kind of prank, but after playing it all day, this game is actually quite fun." Jiang Qiao's lying skills were top-notch; he didn't even blink while telling lies.
"But I was the only player all day; I thought I was playing a single-player game! Finally met a newcomer! Shall we form a party, and I'll help you level up?"
Jiang Qiao slid his fingers to bring up the function menu and sent a party invitation to Zhao Mingwei.
"No party, but we can add each other as friends," Zhao Mingwei declined Jiang Qiao's party invitation.
"Are you sure you don't need my help?" Jiang Qiao pointed at the level indicator beside his ID, showing his level as LV10.
"If you kill all the monsters, then there's nothing left for me to play. But I do need some tips and tricks that only you, as a pro, can teach," Zhao Mingwei said.
Zhao Mingwei didn't completely reject Jiang Qiao's help. Leveling up and monster hunting were parts of the game he enjoyed. He knew the importance of game strategies, and having an experienced player's guidance was always better.
"Strategies? I'm still exploring this game too, but I'll share any good strategies I find," Jiang Qiao replied.
Jiang Qiao couldn't think of any effective strategies at the moment since he had just finished the newbie village tasks.
"I'll send you messages if I discover anything too. I'm off to do newbie tasks," Zhao Mingwei waved at Jiang Qiao.
Jiang Qiao watched this true top-tier player in Huaguo's online gaming world leave.
Zhao Mingwei left in a light-hearted manner, almost like an excited child on a spring outing, hopping with excitement.
He hadn't properly explored a new game in seven years, especially one that could rival Dispute and was still in closed beta with only a few players! It was enough to make any online game player explore in excitement.
"I've always wondered, why can't we just directly set the players' levels to the maximum?"
Jiang Qiao asked, watching Zhao Mingwei disappear down the road, addressing the floating Hai Lan beside him.
Hai Lan, who was currently in stealth mode, accompanied Jiang Qiao as a summon spirit.
"The human soul has a limit to how much energy it can absorb at once. Leveling up by monster hunting is a process of training the soul. Injecting too much energy at once would tear their souls apart, causing them to lose themselves," Hai Lan explained.
"In ten days, can the players on this server really resist the invading monsters?"
Jiang Qiao swiped his finger, revealing a data line: the currently online players numbered 720/1000. Among them, Jiang Qiao was the highest level at level 10.
The second-highest player, a Priest named 'Milk Without Price Increase,' had reached level 9. Following them were five level-8 players.
This was the server's leading group. The server had only been open for a day, so reaching an average level of 25 within ten days should be achievable.
"These warriors, or rather these players, are the most talented I've seen. The training methods you've provided will also enable them to grow rapidly. As for repelling invaders from a level 35 or so dimension, I think they'll manage," Hai Lan said with a hint of uncertainty. She floated before Jiang Qiao, her deep blue eyes gazing at him. "And instead of worrying here, you'd better hurry up and level up."
"To think I'd be urged to level up by an NPC in my lifetime, as long as they aren't urging me to spend money," Jiang Qiao muttered.
Jiang Qiao walked towards the outskirts of Lionheart City to begin his leveling journey.
After three hours, Jiang Qiao's level increased from 10 to 11, and he received a private message from Zhao Mingwei.
"I've found a field BOSS. Wanna fight it, pro?"
"Let's go, send me the coordinates."
"3251, 234, 2314."
Jiang Qiao clicked on the coordinates sent by Zhao Mingwei. A virtual map appeared before Jiang Qiao.
The map indicated a location on the left side of Lion Plain, where the monsters were mostly level 9 wild boars.
In just three hours, Zhao Mingwei had reached level 8.
His leveling speed was twice as fast as Jiang Qiao's, making Jiang Qiao wonder if he had used some double experience potions or similar items.
Perhaps that's what makes a top player.
Jiang Qiao arrived at the coordinates Zhao Mingwei provided, finding him already waiting for some time. Upon seeing Jiang Qiao, Zhao Mingwei immediately sent a party request.
The party request was quickly accepted by Jiang Qiao. At this time, Zhao Mingwei's equipment had also updated from newbie gear to level 5 gear.
Shamefully, Jiang Qiao's equipment was also just a set of level 5 basic gear, except for the magic wand in his hand, which was a level 10 blue rare quality item.
But newbie gear would be quickly replaced. For now, Jiang Qiao was just testing the game's combat system.