Chapter 8: : Return (Part 1)

"It's time to go back," Xi Ye contemplated as he observed the bustling crowd outside the base.

According to the smart prompts, there were more than 100,000 people waiting in line outside, while 6,000 people had already signed up within the base. The base's capacity was nearly maxed out.

The nutrition bins within the base had been queued up for use since the previous week, and the supply of Hulk's pickaxes was gradually running low. Fire Ant Mine, a high-energy ore, required specific pickaxes for mining. This process resulted in pickaxe wear and tear, depleting their stock.

Accommodating the increasing number of players was another concern. Even though players could go offline, their physical bodies remained inside the base. Initially, when there were fewer players, they could squeeze in, but as their numbers grew, it became clear that the base could no longer accommodate them all.

Thankfully, the majority of offline Hulk players had already been relocated to the mining factory. However, this was not a feasible solution for the other two races.

For instance, without a specialized spacesuit, Developers couldn't survive the planet's light gravity without disintegrating into pulp. Elves faced the challenge of operating outside the base, as they had to generate a protective film using their energy. This film consumed water from their bodies and, if they failed to return to the base within four hours, they would desiccate, turning into what was colloquially called "elven stems." These withered forms were extremely fragile and could be easily crushed, or worse, eaten by passing Green Titans.

The base was gradually turning into an obstacle course as elves tip-toed around in fear of crushing their comrades.

Accommodations had become a pressing issue. The Fire Ant Mine needed to be mass-mined to fund crop trials, purchase seeds and specialized fertilizers. A significant number of biological specimen pilots were required. Additionally, the energy farm needed to be expanded, and numerous essential items had to be procured.

It had been ten thousand years since Xi Ye left home, and he thought it was high time to return. He would need to bring along two followers and a substantial amount of Fire Ant Mine to cover the expenses. However, funds were likely to be tight. His family's elders might not be very cooperative. The only option left was taking out a loan.

To obtain a loan, he would require substantial collateral. In the major federal banks, the Star Lord had a preferential loan channel, offering low-interest rates and speedy disbursement. However, the applicant had to prove that they weren't a credit risk. Xi Ye would need something to prove his potential. He could leverage a high-quality Hulk, Fire Ant Crystal Mine, and the guarantee of an eighth-level life planet to secure a substantial loan.

With his decision made, Lord Xiye returned to the base and summoned a few followers. He selected the top three players on the honor list: [Rain Girl No Melon], [Liver King Zhi [Wang]], and [fairy girl with athlete's foot]. Yet, upon further thought, he decided to include an elf player on the trip, considering that the group of elf players had previously caused trouble.

When the selected individuals heard the news, they were thrilled, realizing that they would finally witness the game's backdrop.

Onlookers gazed at them with a mix of envy and jealousy.

"Is this a hidden mission?"

"This is incredible! Having a high score is really beneficial. How did that guy Lu get included? He hasn't even earned half the points yet."

"They must be doing this for the elf players. These elf players are quite competitive. I should have chosen the Green Titan lineage. I was toiling all day, oppressed by the Liver King."

"But didn't you sing a different tune when you were performing well?"

"It's a complete flop that this game doesn't allow microtransactions. Nine generations of toil and wealth, and you still have to mine and earn points. How does that make me feel better than spending money? What kind of hard work is this? This game is a real downer. It only revolves around mining every day. You call this entertainment? I'm not satisfied. The creators should shut down this lousy game!"

People nearby scorned these two complainers. These individuals had claimed to be from wealthy backgrounds for a good half month, and each time they had dug deeper than anyone else.

In reality, most people understood that since the advent of the smart era, the average human physique had been rapidly deteriorating. More than 90% of young people were in suboptimal health. Having a game that offered a genuine somatosensory experience was a rare opportunity. In the game, players enjoyed a robust physique and boundless energy. This feeling was incomparable to real life, where physical exhaustion often took its toll.

At times, they contemplated that if the real world were genuinely like this—

Xi Ye was unaware of the players' thoughts as his mind was occupied with plans to return home.

Needless to say, he couldn't fly back. The distance from the Federation was unknown. Without the wormhole, it might take 100,000 years to travel here.

In the absence of a spaceship, teleportation was the only option!

Participants in the Tenjin Group presented a teleportation device to each graduate. The return coordinates were set to the school's reception desk, and the energy required for transport was free. Returning students were warmly

  received.

While still in school, Xi Ye often saw teachers bring graduates who had just passed through the portal to share their entrepreneurial experiences. These experiences reignited the dreams of students who might have been disheartened by the cost of tuition and the hardships of academics.

As for the reason for such generosity, Xi Ye only realized after he became a drifter. All those returning with a face to show were potential stocks capable of making significant contributions to the school in the future!

Thinking about it, Xi Ye didn't realize that things weren't as glamorous for all graduates. In their circle of gods, apart from a few well-off families, most were like him, still floating in the universe.

Students who hadn't succeeded in establishing themselves were unlikely to return with a confident demeanor. Those who decided that interstellar travel was their destiny had only two options.

Either they returned home or perished in another world.

Correcting the English, Xi Ye contemplated as he observed the bustling crowd outside the base.

According to the smart prompts, there were more than 100,000 people waiting in line outside, while 6,000 people had already signed up within the base. The base's capacity was nearly maxed out.

The nutrition bins within the base had been queued up for use since the previous week, and the supply of Hulk's pickaxes was gradually running low. Fire Ant Mine, a high-energy ore, required specific pickaxes for mining. This process resulted in pickaxe wear and tear, depleting their stock.

Accommodating the increasing number of players was another concern. Even though players could go offline, their physical bodies remained inside the base. Initially, when there were fewer players, they could squeeze in, but as their numbers grew, it became clear that the base could no longer accommodate them all.

Thankfully, the majority of offline Hulk players had already been relocated to the mining factory. However, this was not a feasible solution for the other two races.

For instance, without a specialized spacesuit, Developers couldn't survive the planet's light gravity without disintegrating into pulp. Elves faced the challenge of operating outside the base, as they had to generate a protective film using their energy. This film consumed water from their bodies and, if they failed to return to the base within four hours, they would desiccate, turning into what was colloquially called "elven stems." These withered forms were extremely fragile and could be easily crushed, or worse, eaten by passing Green Titans.

The base was gradually turning into an obstacle course as elves tip-toed around in fear of crushing their comrades.

Accommodations had become a pressing issue. The Fire Ant Mine needed to be mass-mined to fund crop trials, purchase seeds and specialized fertilizers. A significant number of biological specimen pilots were required. Additionally, the energy farm needed to be expanded, and numerous essential items had to be procured.

It had been ten thousand years since Xi Ye left home, and he thought it was high time to return. He would need to bring along two followers and a substantial amount of Fire Ant Mine to cover the expenses. However, funds were likely to be tight. His family's elders might not be very cooperative. The only option left was taking out a loan.

To obtain a loan, he would require substantial collateral. In the major federal banks, the Star Lord had a preferential loan channel, offering low-interest rates and speedy disbursement. However, the applicant had to prove that they weren't a credit risk. Xi Ye would need something to prove his potential. He could leverage a high-quality Hulk, Fire Ant Crystal Mine, and the guarantee of an eighth-level life planet to secure a substantial loan.

With his decision made, Lord Xiye returned to the base and summoned a few followers. He selected the top three players on the honor list: [Rain Girl No Melon], [Liver King Zhi [Wang]], and [fairy girl with athlete's foot]. Yet, upon further thought, he decided to include an elf player on the trip, considering that the group of elf players had previously caused trouble.

When the selected individuals heard the news, they were thrilled, realizing that they would finally witness the game's backdrop.

Onlookers gazed at them with a mix of envy and jealousy.

"Is this a hidden mission?"

"This is incredible! Having a high score is really beneficial. How did that guy Lu get included? He hasn't even earned half the points yet."

"They must be doing this for the elf players. These elf players are quite competitive. I should have chosen the Green Titan lineage. I was toiling all day, oppressed by the Liver King."

"But didn't you sing a different tune when you were performing well?"

"It's a complete flop that this game doesn't allow microtransactions. Nine generations of toil and wealth, and you still have to mine and earn points. How does that make me feel better than spending money? What kind of hard work is this? This game is a real downer. It only revolves around mining every day. You call this entertainment? I'm not satisfied. The creators should shut down this lousy game!"

People nearby scorned these two complainers. These individuals had claimed to be from wealthy backgrounds for a good half month, and each time they had dug deeper than anyone else.

In reality, most people understood that since the advent of the smart era, the average human physique had been rapidly deteriorating. More than 90% of young people were in suboptimal health. Having a game that offered a genuine somatosensory experience was a rare opportunity. In the game, players enjoyed a robust physique and boundless energy. This feeling was incomparable to real life, where physical exhaustion often took its toll.

At times, they contemplated that if the real world were genuinely like this—

Xi Ye was unaware of the players' thoughts as his mind was occupied with plans to return.

Needless to say, he couldn't fly back. The distance from the Federation was unknown. Without the wormhole, it might take 100,000 years to travel here.

In the absence of a spaceship, teleportation was the only option!

Participants in the Tenjin Group presented a teleportation device to each graduate. The return coordinates were set to the school's reception desk, and the energy required for transport was free. Returning students were warmly received.

While still in school, Xi Ye often saw teachers bring graduates who had just passed through the portal to share their entrepreneurial experiences. These experiences reignited the dreams of students who might have been disheartened by the cost of tuition and the hardships of academics.

As for the reason for such generosity, Xi Ye only realized after he became a drifter. All those returning with a face to show were potential stocks capable of making significant contributions to the school in the future!