Chapter 2619: Nine Medals
Xu Huo learned about the game badges on the Collection of Information Terminal and found that there were a wide variety of badges showcased in District 001. Besides the common badges "Bright Gentleman" and "Golden Jade Heart," awarded to players with a sense of justice, there were others like "Evil Buster" and "God of Truth." District 001 even had a dedicated forum for medal enthusiasts, where many players creatively shared how they developed and acquired various badges.
They called these hidden features "instance Easter eggs."
Indeed, the game never lacks adventurous individuals, but such concentrated enthusiasm as seen in District 001 is rare. However, most badges function more like Easter eggs—hidden features, with only the badges "Bright Gentleman" and "Golden Jade Heart" being exchangeable with the Game Government for Grey Player status.
Other badges might also be collected by the Game Government, but typically for different purposes. The quantity of these other badges seems to be less than "Bright Gentleman" and "Golden Jade Heart," and not sufficient for exchanging Grey Player status.
Honestly, it’s difficult for a player to acquire enough badges in an instance solely on their own. But the Game Government doesn’t insist they must be self-earned badges; those snatched or stolen count as well.
The game issued badges, and the Game Government appears to be reclaiming them?
Isn’t the official props of the game uniformly created by the Game Government?
This question couldn’t be accurately answered Beneath the Dimension, so Xu Huo went to ask Mr. Xi and Master Cong.
Both knew little about the Game Government, but Master Cong mentioned hearing from a like-minded friend that each district, after starting to evolve, would continuously have props naturally birthed. This happens most frequently when a district initially forms and fully integrates with the game, and afterwards they still appear but in smaller numbers—hard to count. It seems some areas within Rank-A Wormhole Points become more conducive to prop creation due to the game’s presence.
This is actually easy to understand—props are merely objects undergoing unusual changes due to concentrated special power during evolution. Once the game detects these objects, they become usable props for players. Since every district can birth them, it’s natural that the region around the Dimensional Rift—core of the game—wouldn’t lack such props.
"As for the mass creation of identical props, that possibility should be small," Master Cong said. "Badges are definitely crafted by Artifact Makers."
"Why do you feel the game and Game Government are disconnected?" Mr. Xi is adept at raising contradictions, always with a sharp perspective, "Why can’t it be the game providing players with a benefit?"
"Hard to say; it might be an instinct," Xu Huo replied, "or perhaps a hope of mine."
Master Cong nodded at these words, "Even ordinary items can burst into life in human hands, let alone the high-intelligence objects of the Game System. Humans created them but may not fully understand them."
"That’s not difficult," Mr. Xi said. "Someday get a few badges to examine. If their contents differ, then find ways to get more; isn’t it supposed to aid player evolution? You’ll need them anyway."
Xu Huo glanced at the semi-unopened stones, "What are the requirements to create Super Props?"
Mr. Xi immediately looked at him with displeasure, "If you’re so capable, find an Artifact Maker to craft Super Props for you, since I can’t make them!"
Xu Huo chuckled, "Didn’t you say you still have a good few decades to live? If I bring the materials, they’ll need to be made into props by someone trustworthy."
Neither of the elders felt he was boasting. Mr. Xi slightly relented, "Do you think Super Props are made casually? Even with top-grade materials, success isn’t guaranteed—especially for advanced props containing Space-Time Power."
Most Artifact Makers are ordinary people; professional equipment is needed to turn materials into props. It’s clear Super Props can’t be mass-produced even at Rank-A Wormhole Points—besides material limitations, equipment is also a constraint.
"Young people shouldn’t aim too high; creating Super Props requires luck." Mr. Xi stroked his chin, "But your idea is still quite good. One day, I’ll be able to make Super Props."
Master Cong disapproved but didn’t speak.
"By the way, the latest model of the Artifact Making Machine is already publicly for sale, at a decent price—take a look," Mr. Xi casually pulled out a Communicator.
Xu Huo’s smile remained unchanged, "Master Cong mentioned your recently purchased Artifact Making Machine is only six months old and already the best available."
He nodded to the two elders, "You two keep busy; I’ll head out first."
Leaving the room, he thought about the balance on his game panel and the price he’d just seen on the Communicator, feeling a bit short on funds.
"Mr. Xu, your visitor has arrived," the household robot came to inform him.
Xu Huo met with players from the District Government in the guest room. Apart from the white-haired elder he’d interacted with before, five relatively younger players were brought along.
"The badges you mentioned earlier—I have brought them." Under the elder’s direction, the youngest player in the group placed a box on the table and opened it.
Inside were two "Bright Gentleman" badges, two "Golden Jade Heart" badges, and five other badges including "Evil Buster."
"These badges aren’t considered rare in my district. Nine badges certainly can’t let you re-enter the Night Tour Dungeon for adventure, but as agreed, I’ve brought some people, hoping you can guide them in Spirit Evolution." The elder said.
It’s not that District 001 lacks strong Spirit Evolution practitioners; rather, the appearance of the childhood persona was truly stunning. Xu Huo’s psychic power remained active even while unconscious, protecting himself with a certain autonomy—something unachievable by District 001’s Psychic Evolvers. Struggling to find an excuse to learn a bit, luckily they heard he wanted badges.
District 001 players have acquired many badges, but those able to do so are quite temperamental, and few are willing to sell. Meanwhile, many badges have already been taken by the District Government for exchanging resources with the Game Government.
"No problem." For Xu Huo, this was just an easy favor, but he still forewarned, "My evolution direction differs slightly from typical Psychic Evolvers, and your people may not learn much."
"No matter," the elder maintained a composed demeanor, "To have the opportunity is already good enough. If they can’t learn, it’s their own lack of talent."
Xu Huo ignored his seemingly modest yet actually pressure-imposing words and continued, "I’ve spent quite some time in District 001, and am soon going to start the next instance—can only stay for another week maximum."