009. [Star Abyss] First Release Conference (Double)
Luo Le and Xue Nian, still wanting to get closer to Li Aozi, received a call summoning all employees for a meeting, forcing them to log off while grumbling.
Li Aozi felt pretty good, knowing his image was about to deeply penetrate the hearts of Yan Xia district players.
He browsed the forums and, during this break, began modifying the biochemical pool, incorporating the incubator.
After readjusting the solvent, Li Aozi handed a batch of Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization data to Auckland's scientists. Taking the opportunity, Li Aozi scanned the warlord's library and, unsurprisingly, easily found two pieces of prerequisite knowledge, successfully activating the [Craftsman] profession.
Once the [Craftsman] profession was activated, Li Aozi began preparing to craft all kinds of items.
Using the existing CNC lathe as a base, he built a workbench and, using synthesized materials, started making jewelry and equipment.
Jewelry is a rare type of equipment early on. Even if the attributes are slightly inferior, someone would still buy it—but Li Aozi didn't want to be a profiteer, sacrificing his conscience for a little profit, which would be no different from those at the Abyss Humanitarian Relief Organization.
The initial failure rate was high. If jewelry crafting failed, unlike modular weapons, it couldn't simply be replaced. If the enchantment failed, the materials were wasted and had to be melted down.
Li Aozi carefully honed his skills, but after too many failures, he couldn't bear the cost. So he adapted, replacing the precious metals listed in Dmitri's manual with the more durable tungsten-steel alloy.
Although heavier, the final products were of good quality and could withstand his failure rate. Tungsten steel could be reused, melted down to make bullets if needed.
After half a month in Triangle Town, Li Aozi's mood gradually calmed down. He became more stable, chatting with local residents, and even playing soccer—though his skills were terrible. Without using Omega Energy, he couldn't even compete with local professional soldiers.
Triangle Town's environment wasn't great, but it was orderly and relatively peaceful. For people in chaotic times, the absence of frequent shootings and gang wars at night wasn't important; what mattered was their ability to barely sustain themselves under the Auckland family's protection and not suffer from the cold.
Of course, the biggest issue was the lack of sunlight.
Unlike the forward cities, the Outlands' people had no shield projectors or artificial sunlight technology. Triangle Town couldn't produce the deuterium, tritium, and helium-3 needed for nuclear fusion, so people could only dig underground, creating complex palace-like facilities resembling ant nests.
Sometimes, Li Aozi marveled at the efforts of the Outlands' people, digging vast underground kingdoms in the snowy wilderness with shovels and pickaxes, comparable to the Zerg. He felt a sense of regret—if they had artificial sunlight, they wouldn't have to endure such hardship.
Energy always flowed to the energy-rich four nations, while suffering seemed to flow to the already suffering Outlands.
Li Aozi often stood at the entrance of the underground soccer field. Due to the lack of heating, the boys always wore cotton-padded clothes while playing. Though they had no green fields or lightweight jerseys, they were as energetic as tigers, showing no lack of vigor.
Among them, a fourteen-year-old forward was exceptionally skilled. He maneuvered past defenders with ease, and even when blocked, he could flick the ball through the opponent's legs and score a long shot effortlessly.
A few days later, the boy stopped showing up. When Li Aozi asked, he learned that the boy and his father had died in a gas explosion at their mine.
At that moment, Li Aozi recalled what Qiu Ran had said to him:
"If you have time, go to college."
Li Aozi looked at the simple soccer field, unable to see the young forward anymore.
A fourteen-year-old boy, sixteen-year-old Nomi, and twenty-six-year-old Qiu Ran.
They all stayed at a certain point in time, never to grow again. For them, college might never have been an option in their lives.
"Sorry, Qiu Ran, I don't think I have time for college anymore."
Li Aozi murmured:
"But I have the chance to enable more people to go to college—I promise you that."
——————————
CE.2142/9/17
Federation Homeworld Terra, Yan Xia Kingdom, Li Jing Island, Qiqiao Network Headquarters.
"Are you ready?"
The studio staff bustled around, with robots and workers cooperating to ensure all equipment functioned properly.
This release conference for the beta version of "Star Abyss" was significant, targeting all member countries and colonies within the Federation's star systems. No one dared to make a mistake at this crucial moment.
"The live stream already has 4.5 billion viewers. Hurry up and balance the load; the servers can't handle it, and the comments are lagging. Lu Run, go help them adjust quickly!"
"All set, everything's normal, information channels are stable, no network latency—ready to start the live stream. Wait, where's Director Luo Ming? We can't start without the host."
"The host is on the way—already here! Director, get the camera ready, lighting team, lights off."
"Everyone in position, ready to start."
......
Dark, cold, devoid of life.
"Yes, indeed."
A deep male voice resonated, and the scene slowly transformed:
"This is known as 'Star Abyss,' the origin of all things. It unfolds dimensions and encompasses them, birthing them as a mother does a child."
The dark universe rapidly expanded like flames, extending into six paths that spiraled and twisted into a helical staircase due to some singularity's power.
"Ancient records tell of nothingness and chaos, but Star Abyss is even older, witnessing the destruction of all."
The Big Bang, supernova explosions, planets with acid rain, and spaceships launching to colonize the universe's edges.
"Yet, the crisis was long foreseen."
In an instant, three shadows devoured the rapidly advancing civilization.
"The newborn fire brought hope and life, but also darkness and the despair of entropy. The ancient Eye of Insight watched it all as a spectator."
Three shadows extended claws and tentacles, dragging the accelerating civilizations to their end.
"At the end of some civilizations, poets recorded the final scene of Star Abyss's infinite dimensions: majestic destroyers tearing the sky, time and space turned into fragile infants under their colossal forms, infinite power undeniable, instantly negating the meaning of all existence. No visual or observational tools could capture their transcendent forms. People could only imagine and remember them as gods and demons, placing them on the highest altar."
"The 'Gem Dragon King' Leviathan Dal, whose scales shone with brilliance, brought the world's first life—the Radiant Dragon."
A colossal being with gem-like dragon scales transcended humanity's understanding of dragons, representing strength and life.
"The 'Dark Titan' Gelbros, whose heartbeat added darkness and destruction to the world, was worshipped by nihilists, leading everything to eternal silence."
An unhuman 'giant' with six scarlet eyes swallowed the starry sky into its endless void mouth.
"The 'God of Insight' the Discerning Eye, cunningly gifted civilizations with reason and understanding, filling them with fear of entropy and heat death, driving them to seek immortality at any cost."
The primordial starry sky split, revealing a serene eye that showed no danger but revealed truth and mystery to those who met its gaze.
"The three destroyers came from the outer realm, greedily repeating slaughter and destruction. After devouring the outer realm that birthed them, they turned their gaze to Star Abyss."
"Children of Star Abyss refused to be erased. They ascended from mortals to noble and brave gods, with supreme courage, engaging in beast-like combat with the destroyers."
"Finally, an unprecedented bloody battle erupted on the outskirts of Star Abyss."
"The 'God of Destruction' Doomfist was the first to fight, shattering the Dragon King's scales with fists and swords but ultimately perishing in flames. From then on, there were no strong beings on Earth."
"The 'Pioneer of Craft' Azzaro Fee, skillfully wielding her authority, was torn apart by the Titan, taking away unified truth."
"Her comrade, the 'Origin of Eerie' Specter, was disintegrated by the Demon Eye, split into three parts, never to be unified again. Superstition and religion began to plague humanity."
"Next was the 'Spirit of Redemption,' the source of all kindness and courage, who sacrificed herself for the people of Star Abyss, leaving behind the last embers."
"The hateful 'Soul of Plunder' Red King, in her pursuit of eternity, twisted her soul with greed, ultimately going mad. She shamelessly betrayed the universe that birthed her, growing dragon scales and becoming the Radiant Dragon, a collector of all ugliness and greed."
"The knife swung, collapse imminent—at that moment, the universe birthed even
fiercer beasts. The civilizations, unwilling to be destroyed, fused their star systems and citizens, transforming into unbelievable societies, even enslaving the destroyers as their claws."
"However, the newborn societies took up the invaders' mantle, advancing towards Star Abyss."
"The final 'Will of Domination'—Morphidria. Poor child, just as she gained her will, she was killed and devoured by the newborn societies. Everything in her short life was destroyed. Her diligent heroes and creator's authority, the god of reality, were also slain."
"The apocalypse approached, and gods fell one after another."
"Now, Star Abyss issues the final call, summoning all power to the front line."
"Descendants, don't worry about our eventual demise. Their eternity pales in comparison to the miracle of courage—stars will witness us instead of time!"
"Descend into the endless void, not as a final end of despair, but we know this because we come from Star Abyss."
"May your path be filled with courage and curses."
——————————
The curtain rose, lights illuminated the venue, which was packed with reporters and spectators. The camera panned over, revealing some leaders in military uniforms and formal attire among the seats.
The live stream's viewers were still in awe of the epic opening ceremony, with the universe, civilization, invasion, and resistance, and the defiant war cry resonating, leaving the audience's blood boiling and excitement rising.
Lele Mele: Is this video quality for real? Did the production team go to outer space for this?
Yuan Fang Yuegu's Die-hard Fan: This grand world shouldn't end up telling a small-scale story.
Chuunibyou Crimes: This is so chuunibyou; I'm a high school student and can't understand all this gibberish.
Lolo: I just care if we can take off our pants.
Imagination is Rich: You're right, but "Star Abyss" is a brand-new sci-fi open-world adventure game developed by Qiqiao Network Technology Co., Ltd. The game takes place in a fantasy world called "Star Abyss," where even ordinary people starting from scratch can embark on a "path of divine ordination." You will play as a mysterious character called the "Descendant," using NPCs as your vessel on a journey filled with curses and blessings, entering space, descending into the Star Abyss, destroying societies, and ascending to godhood—while gradually uncovering the truth of "Star Abyss."
About My Single Pull of Nasi Da and Nilu: Wow, Abyss fans!
.........
"Damn, why am I muted?"
Li Aozi, munching on popcorn and watching the release conference, was pretty happy until he tried to post a comment and found his account still muted.
"Forum ban, live stream ban, what did I do wrong? Is transmigrating illegal?"
"But this era's live stream has such high popularity. In my previous life, the first release only had two billion viewers at most, but now just the Yan Xia district stream has 2.6 billion concurrent viewers, and the number is still rising."
Li Aozi wasn't surprised. The forums mentioned that this time the official release included a lot of interesting news, plus the deliberate promotion of "electronic immigration" by the officials, leading to some breakthrough effects.
Initially, only a bunch of gamers were interested in the live stream, but breaking the circle attracted those who didn't usually play games but had unfulfilling lives—office workers, terminally ill patients, lonely individuals. Their lives were difficult, and the government couldn't address their individual issues.
So the concept of electronic immigration caught their attention—unlike the real world, social interactions in the game were easier, and success seemed more attainable. The virtual world's residents could provide frequent interactions, alleviating loneliness.
"It seems the government has strengthened the promotion of the 'electronic immigration' concept in 'Star Abyss'—I just hope it doesn't lead to player civil wars too soon."
Li Aozi thought.
Although the viewership increased, based on Li Aozi's experience, the number of players might not exceed 600 million before version 2.0.
The reason was simple: Yan Xia district's newbie area, Blue Star, couldn't accommodate over 100 million players. Therefore, most casual players from Yan Xia district actually played in the neighboring Amelida's newbie area—Roland Star, 12 light-years away.
In the previous life, before Blue Star was destroyed, most of its civilians and players were transferred to Roland Star.
Originally, Amelida had more players, but later Roland Star had more hot pot restaurants than players from Amelida.
Lost in thought, the host had already finished rounds of thanks and ads, and Li Aozi perked up—the executive director of Qiqiao Network, Luo Ming, stepped onto the stage.
"Ladies and gentlemen, hello. I am Luo Ming."
Luo Ming placed his hands on the podium, smiled, and said:
"As the title of this conference suggests—our Qiqiao Network has spent ten years creating the premium fully immersive open-world action MMO 'Star Abyss,' which will officially begin non-wipe beta testing at 12 noon today!"