378: Chapter 378 Things don't seem to be going quite right.

"Actually, it's not completely unplayable."

Chen You added slowly, "Just because he can't Pay-to-Win doesn't mean he won't have gold coins."

As soon as these words were spoken, the stagnant air in the hall instantly livened up.

Director Li Guoan's eyes lit up, "You mean..."

"Yes." Chen You nodded, "I can give him gold coins."

In the Source Realm, gold coins can be traded directly!

Sun Feng suddenly sat up straight, his glasses reflecting the light: "In other words, as long as this 'sub-account' can survive to meet up with you, you can transfer money to him directly?"

"Theoretically, yes." Chen You pulled back his smile, "But the premise is that he has to rely on his own ability to clear the novice village empty-handed without spending a penny and reach the main city where he can meet me."

Zhang Yunhai slammed his palm on the table in excitement, "What's so difficult about that! Just because ordinary people can't do it doesn't mean our soldiers who have undergone extreme training can't!"

"As long as they survive the early stage, the tactical proficiency of a special ops member combined with your resources will definitely produce an effect where one plus one is greater than ten!"

Director Li Guoan raised his hand to stop everyone.

"There is only one slot." Director Li Guoan's gaze swept over everyone.

"They must not only be able to fight but also be absolutely loyal and quick-witted. The Source Realm is now a civilization battlefield; the person who goes in must coordinate with Chen You and even be prepared to make sacrifices at critical moments."

He didn't say it explicitly, but everyone understood in their hearts.

The most suitable candidate would inevitably be chosen from Dragon Scale.

Director Li Guoan turned to Chen You: "That beautiful girl, has she sent any more messages?"

Chen You froze for a moment, then shook his head.

"No."

Chen You took out the glass plate, "I just sent two more question marks, but it's like a stone sinking into the ocean."

"She should have completely cut off the connection by now."

"Let's not worry about her for now." Director Li Guoan made the final decision, "We can't fathom the thoughts of such high-dimensional intelligence."

"Little Chen, you just focus on continuing the game. When the avatar's duration ends, log out immediately and bring the bracelet back to reality."

"Understood." Chen You stood up, "Then I'll head out first. There's a big trouble waiting for me to handle over in Cangxing City."

...

The vision of Chen You's avatar refocused in the central square of Cangxing City.

The night wind blew, and neon signs flickered.

The streets were crowded with players and NPCs of various races.

They held glow sticks in their hands and shouted various unintelligible support slogans.

Chen You rubbed his temples.

What sin have I committed to deserve this?

He turned and headed toward the City Lord's Mansion.

The acting city lord task was already complete, and he had even received the mythic building blueprint [Star Source Grand Theater] as a reward.

However, the materials needed for this building seemed a bit special; they weren't available in the guild shop or the auction house.

Chen You guessed they might need to be obtained through later tasks.

He now needed to find James Sander to continue with the subsequent tasks and see if he could squeeze out some other hidden rewards while he was at it.

The gates of the City Lord's Mansion were wide open.

Deafening heavy bass beats echoed from within.

Chen You walked inside, and the sight before him made him pause.

Inside the spacious City Lord's hall, there were no guards and no administrative officials.

The two-meter-tall, muscular Sander was wearing an extremely mismatched pair of overalls.

She was facing a huge full-length mirror in the center of the hall, twisting her body frantically.

"One, two, three, four! Lift the glutes, tuck the stomach, the eyes must be aggressive!"

Sander was muttering to herself.

Chen You stood at the door, the corners of his mouth twitching.

"Lord City Lord."

Sander stopped her movements abruptly and turned her head.

The moment she saw Chen You, an extremely fanatical light erupted on her wild face.

"Mentor!"

Sander strode over, crossed her hands in front of her, and gave a deep bow.

"You've finally come! I still had some doubts about the movements for the fourth set of eight beats."

"Do you think my wave is smooth enough?"

Chen You took half a step back to avoid the strong smell of sweat emanating from Sander.

"City Lord, stop for a second." Chen You raised his hand, "I'm here to hand over the quest. I've finished being the acting city lord, and I've already returned the Star Core Great Seal to you."

"What's the next step in the process?"

Sander was completely immersed in her own world and couldn't hear Chen You's words at all.

"Mentor, the process isn't important! Tomorrow night is the Debut Stage!" Sander grabbed Chen You's arm.

"I am the City Lord of Cangxing City; I must debut in the C-position!"

Chen You tried to pull his arm away, but it wouldn't budge.

This NPC's brain had been completely hoodwinked by him.

"You are a City Lord." Chen You stared into Sander's eyes, his tone serious, "Your ancestors are watching you from above."

"The ancestors don't understand art!" Sander waved her large hand, her expression impassioned, "The ancestors only taught me slaughter, but it was you, Mentor, who taught me what stage presence is!"

"Cangxing City cannot just be about fighting and killing; we must conquer the Source Realm with love and peace! Fandom economy is the primary productive force—this is what you taught me!"

Chen You was speechless.

I didn't, I don't, don't talk nonsense.

Back then, he had only casually spouted a set of Fandom theories just to delay the guild BOSS battle. Who would have thought this hulking NPC would not only absorb it all but even apply the logic to other things?

"Fine, you debut, you must be in the C-position." Chen You followed her words.

As soon as the words "you must be in the C-position" left his mouth, Sander's expression suddenly collapsed.

She raised her thick arm and made a sharp swipe in mid-air.

A holographic light screen popped up in the center of the hall, its ghostly blue light illuminating Sander's wild face.

"Mentor, determination alone isn't enough." Sander pointed at the screen, her tone sorrowful, "The capital market is too cruel."

On the screen was the real-time firepower value leaderboard for the Cangxing City Voice of Star Source talent show.

Chen You focused his gaze on the top spot, and his pupils suddenly constricted.

[TOP 1: Arrow of the Moon (Moon Gods Radiance) — firepower value: 99,854,200]

[TOP 2: James Sander (Individual Trainee) — firepower value: 10,204,500]

Chen You rubbed his eyes and leaned closer to the screen.

He hadn't misread it.

It was indeed that supreme leader of the Elf God Clan, Arrow of the Moon.

Her vote count was more than nine times that of the second-place Sander.

"What's the situation here?" Chen You pointed at the list and turned to Sander.

Sander gritted her teeth, her two-meter-tall frame actually trembling slightly.

"Vote rigging! It's definitely vote rigging!" Sander smashed a fist into a nearby stone pillar, sending stone chips flying.

"That Pointy-ears who acts all high and mighty must have made her whole clan vote for her!"

Chen You sucked in a breath of cold air.

He had underestimated the madness of the Source Realm players and overestimated the moral compass of these top-tier big shots.

This wasn't a talent show for Arrow of the Moon; this was devouring them alive.

Just because she had more people on her side!

"Mentor." Sander suddenly knelt on one knee, "I cannot lose to her!"

"The dignity of Cangxing City must never be trampled underfoot by an elf who doesn't even know how to do a wave!"