Transport spaceships landed one after another at the headquarters' spaceport.
More than 700,000 Constellation Corridor players stepped onto the ground of the headquarters, and millions of army players ran over to watch. From the spaceport to the main hall, it was packed with people. Luckily, the satellite base of the army headquarters was large enough to accommodate hundreds of millions of members.
This was the first time that players from different Star Fields met outside of the pro scene. Be it the Chinese players, Russian players, or Australian players, they were all international friends in each other's eyes. It was inevitable for them to size each other up.
Comparing the two sides, there was a clear difference between them.
More than 700,000 Constellation Corridor players were equipped with equipment of all sorts of colors and designs, making them look rather messy.
As for the millions of army players, their armor and weapons were mainly black and silver. Although there were many designs, they were not as messy as the 700,000 foreign players. Most of the army players knew what they were doing, and after practical experience, they basically used the army combat armor that was publicly recognized as the best. They looked like an elite army, giving off a sense of uniformity, and the slight differences in individual equipment were not so obvious. Furthermore, the insignia of the Black Star Corps was engraved on all their equipment, looking like the difference between a real army and a ragtag army.
After disembarking, some of the 700,000 newcomers took the initiative to greet and interact with each other, some curiously observed the headquarters and headed to the various functional areas, and some went to interact with the army NPCs. The huge crowd dispersed and entered the headquarters to familiarize themselves with the environment.
Ordinary players all had their own ways of doing things. Vodka and Captain Old Henry brought a few Russian and Australian guild leaders to look for the leaders of the Chinese guilds.
In the guild base rented by the Long Sky Club in the headquarters of the Black Star Corps, Sky Territory's guild leader Jade Green Sky and Eternal Dynasty's guild leader Morning Snow Twilight Frost represented the two giant guilds and received the few Russian guild leaders.
"Friends from China, it's a pleasure to meet all of you. I'm the vice president of Strength and Glory, Vodka."
Vodka and his companions introduced themselves one after another.
"It's a pleasure to have friends from afar," Jade Green Sky said with a smile, and the translation function conveyed his meaning to Vodka and the others.
After chatting for a while, Vodka finally got down to business.
"The higher-ups have asked us to establish a branch guild across the Star Field. Some time ago, we've already negotiated with the clubs on both sides. The higher-ups said that you two big clubs will provide us with some help in the beginning …"
Morning Snow Twilight Frost chuckled. "That's right. Pardon me for asking, but how many guild members did you bring to manage the branch guild?"
Vodka said, "I've brought 12 core members, 150 official members, and 1200 external members."
The representatives of the other guilds also said the same thing, and each of them had around a thousand players. In the official guild of a large professional club, the core members and official members had a proper job and were paid to play the game. As for the peripheral players, some of them were voluntary players and some of them were workshop players. They could also get bonuses from the club.
"The few thousand of you running the branch guild here are going through a lot of hardships. Everything has to start from scratch. Buying all kinds of tools, items, and vehicles requires money. Repairing, strengthening, and updating equipment is the same. There's also the cost of building the guild base, going out to do missions, and so on. Furthermore, you have to find experience, materials, money, and other channels that can generate stable income. The sooner you turn your losses into profits, the better, right?"
Vodka and the others nodded. To them, running a guild was a job, and they were here to take on missions. If the branch guild was run well, it would be a result for them.
Morning Snow Twilight Frost and Jade Green Sky looked at each other secretly, smiled, and said slowly, "We've been through a lot recently.
"Some time ago, we completed the Main Storyline Mission of the Black Star Army, [Secret War]. Many of us obtained the title of [Secret Warrior]. With this honor, we can enjoy a ten percent discount on all our purchases in the army. Of course, you guys will not receive such treatment."
Only the army players who participated in the secret war had such benefits. This was a title that Han Xiao had released, and the players who joined later had no chance to get it.
These cross-Star Field guilds had already found out about this situation through the forums. It was impossible for them not to be envious.
"You're saying …"
"Yes, we can provide you guys with discount channels. We can buy the army's products at a ten percent discount, and you guys can buy them at a seventy percent discount from the two of us. Big families like us have enough funds and contribution points to satisfy your needs for bulk purchases. Of course, you can also find normal players and give them the money to buy for you, but there's always the risk of being cheated."
Vodka did not comment. Dynasty and Long Sky were clearly trying to profit from the difference. As the manager of the branch, he had to be careful with his calculations.
Compared to purchasing resources from the Chinese clubs, he was more inclined to find reliable normal Chinese players to work with and borrow the authority to buy at a ten percent discount. At most, he would share some of his resources with the players he worked with. No matter what, it was better than a seventy percent discount.
However, Morning Snow Twilight Frost saw through the thoughts of the few Russian guild representatives and smiled. "If you guys buy from us, we'll help you in other ways."
"In what ways?"
"For example, some high-quality mission resources, some hidden information from NPCs. If you guys accept some high-difficulty missions, we can provide manpower to help. Also … we can guarantee your safety."
"Safety?" Vodka's expression changed. "What do you mean?"
"The Shattered Star Ring is the territory of the Chinese clubs since a few versions ago," Morning Snow Twilight Frost said. "Dozens of large guilds and countless small and medium-sized guilds have shared many high-quality resources here. As outsiders, you guys came to our territory to operate a branch. I can't guarantee that the other guilds won't have conflicts with you. Furthermore, you guys are just a branch that came from afar and have limited manpower. If a guild war breaks out, you guys will be at a disadvantage. "
One of the business goals of the club guilds was to provide resources and support for the professional players of the club teams, and the large guilds of the various countries were each other's biggest competitors. The Chinese clubs could not sit still and watch the other professional clubs operate their branches in their territory. The upper echelons had given the order for the guilds under them to think of ways to restrict the development of their competitors.
Even if the Club guilds of other countries were rich and powerful, if someone kept destroying their quests, stealing their resource points, and hunting down their members, they would not be able to develop. They would always be in a state of loss and would not be able to achieve anything.
Morning Snow Twilight Frost's words were to remind Vodka and the others that if they did not pay some 'protection fee', the first and second-tier clubs would find trouble with them.
Of course, the Chinese clubs did not go overboard. After all, the players of the various countries were paying attention to the situation of the first batch of players to cross the Star Field. As the masters, they could not openly bully a group of outsiders without any foundation. Even if they were competitors, they had to take into account the recent attention. They did not want the Chinese professional circle to leave a bad impression on the other countries, so they still gave a little discount so that the foreign clubs would not lose out on the surface.
Normal players would naturally not be targeted, but the clubs of the various countries were first and foremost business groups. In order to operate better, they had to rely on the glory of the professional players. While earning money, they also had to shoulder the expectations of the players. The professional players competed in the arena, and the official guilds had to compete in the game. If the Chinese clubs opened branches in other Star Fields, the situation would be similar. They would be suppressed everywhere.
Vodka and the others looked at each other and helplessly agreed. However, they would not give in so easily. They secretly decided to find a chance to work with normal players in the future to hide it from the Chinese clubs and pay less protection fees.
On the other side, in the guild base of the Temple of God Club.
The guild presidents of the other two clubs, Jupiter and Cowherd, were meeting with the Kangaroo Boxing branch president, Captain Old Henry, and the other Australian guild representatives. They were discussing the same thing as Long Sky and Dynasty.
The four biggest clubs had already privately formed a united front. Compared to their plan, this protection fee was just a small benefit.
…
To the seven hundred thousand newcomers, the army headquarters was their new Main City.
While they were familiarizing themselves with the environment, Han Xiao returned to the Army Commander's office. The officers who had stayed in the headquarters for two months were waiting to report to him.
Han Xiao leaned on the chair, looked at Sylvia, Herlous, Reynold, and the other officers, and raised his chin.
"How's the army doing while I was away?"
Sylvia stepped forward. "During this time, we digested the gains from the previous expansion and have successfully connected with the business channels of many allies in the Shattered Star Ring. Now, the Black Star Corps' business scope covers more than ten industries, forming a complete trading system, intelligence system, transportation system, and so on."
"The logistics department has added one hundred and twenty-six machinery workshops and factories in various places," Reynold said with a deep voice. "We're rushing to build more satellite bases. According to the army's blueprint, we'll place more branches in the seven Star Clusters and expand our sphere of influence."
Herlous nodded. "Because of the increase in the number of members and the expansion of our organization, the army's fleet is also expanding. There's a lot of work in the logistics department, so we've placed orders with the financial groups and civilizations we're working with. Batches of new battleships are produced every day."
Han Xiao nodded. This was what he had instructed before he left. "Apart from this, is there anything else?"
Sylvia was a little embarrassed. "This … we don't have enough funds …"
Han Xiao glared at her. "There are so many businesses, including the mining rights of many resource planets that the civilizations have shared with us. How can we lack funds?"
"The cost of expansion is too high. The army's current maintenance fees are extremely high, and the logistics department is operating at full capacity to increase production. The expenditure of funds is terrifying. Furthermore, it's the off-season for the trade, and the sales of many financial groups we're working with have decreased. This has extended the profit period of mining resource planets, causing our funds to be a little tight …"
"Didn't you find the people from the Red Empire and Amethyst Civilization and ask them for funds? Didn't I say that we can look for them if we lack funds? "Han Xiao was surprised.
"I did …" Sylvia was helpless. "They didn't reject me. They only said that they'll only give us the funds after you personally say so."
"Alright, I'll contact them later." Han Xiao's mouth twitched. These two civilizations only recognized him as their ally. There was nothing he could do. Although the army was huge, the true core was still him.
"One more thing. You asked me to gather the troops to explore the Flickering World. I've already prepared them. They're split into many fleets and are on standby at the various sub-bases in Colton. They're ready to depart at any time. We're just waiting for your orders," Sylvia said.
"Not bad. Zoel will probably rush me to depart soon. There's no delay."
Han Xiao looked at Sylvia with admiration.
The three of them reported some more details. Seeing that Han Xiao did not have any other orders, they all relaxed and started chatting.
"Why don't I see Lagi? I'm back, but as the vice captain, he didn't come to see me. What's he busy with every day?" Han Xiao was curious.
"Heh, he's really busy every day. If he's not busy playing cards, he's busy sleeping!"
Sylvia became angry at the mention of Lagi. She then turned around and glared at Herlous. "And you, he dragged you to play cards every day, and you didn't reject him?"
"What do you know about the fun of playing cards?" Herlous snorted.
"Don't mention playing cards in front of me," Han Xiao said with annoyance. "Let me ask you, how's Lagi teaching Tomar?"
Tomar was a main character that he had poached back, and Han Xiao did not forget about him.
"I heard that he's learning very quickly."
Han Xiao nodded and looked at Reynold. With an expectant tone, he asked, "What about my godson? Did he show any special talent in machinery? "
"Err … no," Reynold said honestly. "However, he's also learning very quickly. He's talented in the path of machinery."
Sigh, I wonder if this will be able to steal [Perfect Mechanical Sense] … Han Xiao helplessly waved his hands.
"I'll bring him out for a walk in a few days. You guys can leave first."
The three of them nodded and left the room. Han Xiao took out his communicator and contacted the Amethyst Civilization and the Red Empire, successfully getting them to lend him the money.
Zoel also reminded him that the Red Empire's development team had been completed, and he told Han Xiao to head to the Dawn Star Cluster in the Flickering World to meet up with the dynasty's troops. At that time, they would officially begin exploring the Flickering World.
After dealing with the backlog of miscellaneous matters, Han Xiao observed the movement of the 700,000 new players in the army headquarters.
These players from the Constellation Corridor were still familiarizing themselves with the map of the headquarters, and he noticed a phenomenon. Although these 700,000 players had crossed over to another Star Field, they were still used to posting on the Constellation Corridor board.
Although the players from both sides communicated quite a lot on the forums, only a small portion of the players interacted with each other in the army headquarters. Although they had all become members of the army, there was still a clear difference between the players of the two Star Fields. It could not be said that there was a clear divide between them, but they were still playing their own game.
"This won't do …" Upon seeing this, Han Xiao could not help but shake his head.
This was like a blind date. When both sides met, one would not speak, and the other would not speak. They would just sit there and stare at each other.
He thought about it and quickly wrote two faction missions. Through the faction interface, he released them to all the players in the army. Only the players could receive them.
[Instructing Recruits] (Repeatable)
Mission Introduction: Recently, the Black Star Corps has expanded again, bringing back new warriors from other Star Fields. The veteran members of the army can choose to instruct the new recruits and help them familiarize themselves with the army's work.
Mission Requirements: Team up with a new warrior (player) from another Star Field and complete any one of the army missions.
Reward: 100 – 300 Black Star Corps Contribution Points.
Remarks: This mission can only be accepted by players who have been in the army for more than one year.
[Instructing Veterans] (Repeatable)
Mission Introduction: As a new recruit to the Black Star Corps, veterans are the best people to learn from. Go ask them and let them help you understand the situation of the army.
Mission Requirements: Team up with a veteran warrior of the Black Star Corps (player who has been in the army for more than one year) and complete any one of the army missions.
Reward: 100 – 300 Black Star Corps Contribution Points.
Remarks: This mission can only be accepted by players who have been in the army for less than one year.
"Hehehe …" Looking at the two missions that were released, Han Xiao laughed slyly.
After running the army for three versions, the army's contribution points had long become a key resource that was no less important than Enas. No one would complain about having too much.
He did not want the players from the two Star Fields to form different groups. Those club guilds were competing for business, so there was no other way. However, normal players were different. They did not have so many benefits. He had been advocating internationalization for many years. Since they had come to his base camp, they were all leeks. He needed these new recruits and veterans to interact on a large scale and have fun together.
Social interaction was an extremely important part of the players' experience!
Since the players from both sides were so reserved and did not take the initiative to communicate with their international friends, Han Xiao would seduce them into socializing.
This way, it would be beneficial for the Constellation Corridor players to integrate into the army's system. Not only would they be able to get used to the new environment earlier, but they would also be able to slowly remove the label of 'Constellation Corridor' from these people and change their mentality to 'army players'.
This way, the interpersonal relationships between the players would become another reason for them to stay in the army. He would use the players to 'attract' the players, indirectly increasing the attractiveness and sense of identity of the faction!
Han Xiao suddenly slapped his forehead, and a strange expression appeared on his face.
"Why does it feel like a pimp …"
.。 m.
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