Chen Guo made his way back to Flame Dragon Village, opting for a city return scroll over the mana-consuming Flying Thunder God Art. With scrolls at his disposal, it made sense to conserve his magical energy and make use of the resources he had.
Upon entering his newbie villa, a wave of relaxation washed over Chen Guo, akin to a weary worker unwinding with a soothing foot massage at a spa. The battles he had weathered had drained him, and while potions could restore his mana, they couldn't replenish his spent vitality.
The rejuvenating atmosphere of the villa quickly revitalized him. This experience underscored the value of the Beginner Village and solidified its significance in his mind. The Whole Heaven Battlefield might not revolve around the Beginner Village, but it was undoubtedly a pivotal element. Managing it well could prove crucial for future endeavors.
After a brief respite in his room, Chen Guo's energy surged, reminiscent of an octogenarian miraculously regaining the vigor of youth. The sensation was beyond mere comfort; it was euphoric, as if he were buoyant.
With renewed spirit, Chen Guo stepped out of his room to engage with the community, intent on discussing the village's upgrade. Despite his authoritative position as village chief, he prided himself on inclusivity, believing that while others might lack authority, they deserved to be informed.
Meanwhile, in the heart of the village, Zhou Tao and his team were hard at work. Their task was to recruit new villagers, a critical choice given the limited thousand spots available in Flame Dragon Village. The goal was to bolster the village's collective strength.
Zhou Tao, leveraging his managerial expertise, had assembled a dedicated team to establish criteria and vet trial challengers aspiring to join their ranks. The standards were stringent, assessing not only prowess but character as well. While sainthood wasn't a prerequisite, a fundamental decency was non-negotiable. The Flame Dragon Village had no place for those who would betray and slaughter their peers for mere gain.
While the requirements were somewhat stringent, the sheer number of trial challengers worldwide eager to join Flame Dragon Village meant that we had a vast pool to select from, facilitating the recruitment process immensely.
An impressive array of trial challengers, both strong and virtuous, became part of Flame Dragon Village. The village's reputation had spread far and wide; it was common knowledge that Flame Dragon Village was destined to thrive. As the inaugural village, it garnered widespread attention and held an exceptional allure for any trial challenger.
The village chief, none other than the renowned Chen Guo, the mightiest war god, was a figure everyone recognized. The saying went that following Chen Guo ensured a hearty meal, so naturally, there was an eager lineup of applicants. While it wasn't exactly a mad scramble, the interest in joining Flame Dragon Village was relentless.
"Village Chief Guangcheng, you've arrived! I just knew those vampires were no match for you!" Zhou Tao greeted Chen Guo with a look of elation. "What became of the Baron?"
Chen Guo chuckled, "The Baron, though formidable, was no match for me. He's now departed to the afterlife, leaving no trace behind."
Zhou Tao nodded in agreement, "Arrogant types like him deserve such a fate."
Chen Guo inquired, "How's the recruitment of new villagers coming along?"
"Quite well," came the reply. "We've brought on board over 900 people and are nearing capacity. Flame Dragon Village has an excellent reputation, attracting countless hopefuls. Despite my rigorous selection process, we've nearly reached our limit. The issue isn't a lack of interest but a shortage of available spots. If we could freely recruit, transforming Flame Dragon Village into Flame Dragon City would be no challenge at all."
Zhou Tao's words rang true. Given the village's current standing, if not for the cap on numbers, selecting only the cream of the crop to establish a city of several hundred thousand would be well within reach. However, a self-built city might lack the various features provided by the system, which would be somewhat of a drawback.
"The issue with spots will soon be resolved. Let everyone know that Flame Dragon Village is set for an upgrade! I'm confident that post-upgrade, we'll have more spots open for recruitment," Chen Guo announced. "As for urbanization, there's no need to chase it prematurely. It's better to proceed with a steady and pragmatic approach than to overreach."
"Is it time to upgrade the village? Do we meet all the requirements?" Zhou Tao asked with palpable excitement.
He was confident that under Chen Guo's leadership, Flame Dragon Village's progress would outstrip that of any other village.
With hundreds of villages worldwide and more cropping up continuously, Flame Dragon Village was showing the most promising growth.
Yet, at this stage, every village was still at level one.
The fact that Flame Dragon Village was on the cusp of advancing to level two so swiftly was a testament to Chen Guo's significant contributions.
"We're all set, and the favorable wind is with us," Chen Guo confirmed with a nod. "Spread the word about this fantastic news!"
"Will do!"
In no time, the buzz about Flame Dragon Village's imminent upgrade reached every nook and cranny of the community. Trial challengers thronged to the square, eager to bear witness to this monumental occasion. This was a celebration to eclipse even the New Year festivities on Blue Star!
The thousand newcomers who had recently joined were utterly astounded. Barely settled into Flame Dragon Village, they were now part of an exciting transition.
It felt like joining a company just as it was about to hit the stock market—a truly extraordinary experience.
"Everyone said Flame Dragon Village had unlimited potential, and now it's clear to see. While most villages are still in the planning stages and the established ones haven't even upgraded their buildings, Flame Dragon Village is already on its way to becoming a level two village!"
"Flame Dragon Village is brimming with potential, all thanks to the formidable Village Chief, Boss Guangcheng! With such a powerhouse at the helm, it's no wonder we have such an incredible village!"
"Ha, I made the right call! My old village didn't even have its own settlement—it was just a numbered Beginner Village. Now that I'm with Flame Dragon Village and we're leveling up, it just goes to show how spot-on my judgment was! Personal growth may depend on individual effort, but a solid foundation is just as crucial. Flame Dragon Village is exactly that—a superb platform!"
The recent arrivals to Flame Dragon Village couldn't contain their enthusiasm as they shared their sentiments. Having just become part of the community, they already felt a deep sense of belonging to Flame Dragon Village.
The concept of belonging is about enabling individuals to see a path for growth within a community.
Flame Dragon Village, with its bright prospects, naturally instilled a sense of belonging among its residents.
As Chen Guo observed the villagers' eager expressions, he accessed the Village Chief's control panel and hit the upgrade button!