Just as Da Fei was resting and recovering, a large group of troops approached from the direction of our city gate.

Then Da Fei’s information buzzed; it was Bloodrose Qiqi: "Brother Fei, I’ve brought over some experts. Fire Dance Fierce Battle is eager to join the fight, and we also invited a very mysterious Indian Druid player, Snake King Sharukhan, as well as a very famous Russian player, Ivan—and finally, there’s me. Although I’m not much of an expert, our guild master and all the ladies in the studio are particularly eager to see Brother Fei’s heroic bearing as soon as possible, so please don’t mind us!"

Whoa! Being watched by beauties and still dare to mind? Aren’t you a man? If you want me to take you, just say so. Da Fei chuckled, astonished: "Little Qi is an expert, no need to be modest! It’s great that everyone is here; let’s enjoy the excitement together."

Bloodrose Qiqi laughed, "Thank you, Brother Fei. The Indian player we invited is named Snake King Sharukhan; it seems to be a unique hidden Druid class in India, capable of summoning a swarm of snakes, basically between a Shaman and a Druid. We’re very interested in his capabilities, so we took this chance to invite him, and he was eager to team up with Brother Fei, so he’s here."

Da Fei raised an eyebrow, "A unique Indian Druid class?"

Bloodrose Qiqi giggled, "Yes, after all, India is one of the seven developers of Heroic Creation Era. To help expand the game in their domestic market, they added some national elements into the gameplay. In short, it’s like a street performer who plays the flute to make cobras dance."

Da Fei responded with an "Oh": "What about the Russian player?"

Bloodrose Qiqi sighed and said, "This Dwarf player named Ivan is known as a Tower Defense Master, which is his talent. He can quickly build Defense Towers on the battlefield, and both his Lord System Skills, Battlefield Engineering and Construction, are trained to Master-level, which should definitely provide significant defensive support for Brother Fei! He also particularly wants to witness Brother Fei’s prowess. However, the Russian players and the European Union Zone players don’t get along, so for his sake, we couldn’t invite the other two experts from the European Union Zone."

That the Russian Zone and European Union Zone don’t get along is known worldwide among players. Bloodrose giving up two other experts for him shows how highly valued he is. And having trained two Lord System Skills to Grandmaster level, such determination or opportunity even makes Da Fei feel a sense of respect: "I see! Then I really need to witness these two world-class experts."

Bloodrose Qiqi laughed, "We’re here, we see Brother Fei!"

Speaking of which, the main troops moved closer, and Da Fei saw Bloodrose Qiqi and Fire Dance Fierce Battle waving at him from afar. Next to them was the Druid flying the Indian flag and the Russian Dwarf player dragging several transport vehicles.

Da Fei smiled and waved back in response.

Just then, that Indian player suddenly turned into smoke with a "bang" and vanished, followed by a "bang" as a plume of smoke exploded in front of Da Fei, with the Indian player, Snake King, appearing out of the mist!

Da Fei’s jaw dropped. Damn! Are you showing off in front of me in front of more than a billion Indian people?

Sharukhan extended his hand with a smile: "Very pleased to fight alongside Mr. Da Fei. I hope I can be of help to Mr. Da Fei."

Da Fei shook his hand and smiled: "Your skill just now is like a Great Demon’s teleportation, very impressive!"

Sharukhan proudly said, "Compared to Mr. Da Fei’s feat of defeating hundreds of Japanese players, it’s nothing."

Whoa! Showing off but still so composed? This India is interesting! Alright, I’ll be straightforward too; in international diplomacy, sincerity rules. Da Fei laughed, "Actually, in this battle, some very powerful hidden figures emerged among the Japanese players. We can’t underestimate them just because of their overall defeat."

Humph, praising the enemies trampled by me not only demonstrates my excellent quality of being rigorous and objective but also further enhances my prestige, why not?

Sharukhan nodded: "Mr. Da Fei is absolutely right!"

Meanwhile, Bloodrose Qiqi and the others arrived.

Bloodrose Qiqi laughed: "Brother Fei, we’re here to support you!"

Fire Dance Fierce Battle laughed: "Brother Fei, just let us know if you need anything!"

Da Fei nodded and extended his hand to the Russian player beside him: "Welcome, very pleased to join forces with Russian players to attack the Japan Zone!"

Ivan immediately shook hands: "Crush the Japanese Bantams!"

Ah, poof! Da Fei and everyone present couldn’t help but laugh heartily: "Good, crush the Bantams!"

The Russians’ "head-on" style is known worldwide. They have been sanctioned by the European Union for many years due to the Ukraine issue. When others thought the Polar Bear would yield, they didn’t. In the end, the European Union couldn’t back down either and just accompanied Russia head-on. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The openly competitive atmosphere has had a significant impact on various industries in Russia. As a result, Heroic Creation Era has become a key way for many Russians to earn extra income. Whether it’s unemployed, middle-aged housewives or teenage students, it seems that almost every household has someone who plays the game professionally, forming a strong grassroots base. The Russians’ goal is to sell the Gold Coins and treasures they have hoarded for months to players from other countries once the National War Zone opens in exchange for cash.

As a nation of fighters, Russians are not fond of those they deem unfriendly, such as the European Union, United States, and Japan. When they encounter them in the game, they aim for an intense face-off! Hence, Da Fei’s interactions with them are very straightforward.

Now, Ivan went straight to the point: "Mr. Da Fei, are you certain that this is the main battlefield?"

Da Fei laughed and said, "Even if I don’t look for them, they will come to find me."

Ivan nodded, "Very well, I’ll start building fortifications right away. Normally, for an average battle, I wouldn’t go to such great expense, but I came to this National War merely to look around and make some trades. However, meeting Mr. Da Fei changed my mind; my fighting blood is beginning to boil, and my battle spirit is igniting. I want to fight alongside Mr. Da Fei!"

He clapped his hands, and his accompanying troops immediately began unloading supplies and tools from the transport vehicles. Under the construction of hundreds of soldiers, the base of three Defense Towers quickly stacked up at a speed visible to the naked eye.

As an experienced game streamer, Fire Dance Fierce Battle began to narrate on the spot: "Brother Fei, this is the world-renowned Tower Defense Master. Each Defense Tower consumes an incredibly expensive Arrow Tower Blueprint and a substantial amount of resources. But once completed, any player or troop garrisoned on the tower will have their spell range, arrow range, and crossbow cannon range significantly enhanced, along with a major boost in damage! Moreover, as long as the main commander is stationed in the tower, they are virtually an Undying Body. Unless the Defense Tower is destroyed, the commander cannot be harmed. It’s incredibly powerful."

Da Fei was undeniably impressed, "Incredible!"

Ivan sighed and shook his head, "It’s exactly because of how strong it is that others avoid fighting me when they see me building a tower, causing me to waste precious blueprints."

This is indeed a frustrating issue! Da Fei chuckled, "Don’t worry about that. The main opponents this time are NPCs, who won’t avoid fighting."

Ivan nodded, "One tower can accommodate one hero, 1 crossbow cannon, and 30 Command Value of troops. During team formations, anyone can enter, but I must station myself in one. I cannot afford to be easily beheaded; otherwise, these three towers would become ordinary, losing their range and power bonuses."

Indian player Snake King Shalurhan also spoke, "I apply to garrison one tower. If I garrison the tower that enhances range and power, the might and utility of my snake swarm will surely not disappoint, and I can safely deal damage without threat!"

Since guests should be respected, Da Fei, Bloodrose Qiqi, and Fire Dance Fierce Battle—the three Chinese players—naturally couldn’t compete with them. So Bloodrose Qiqi immediately said, "The remaining tower should, of course, be garrisoned by Brother Fei. Brother Fei is the core and must remain unharmed."

Da Fei chuckled, surprised; Bloodrose Qiqi’s reasoning was spot on! And being so proactive was quite considerate!

Da Fei laughed, "The last tower should prioritize ladies. What does Fire Dance think?"

Fire Dance Fierce Battle laughed, "Of course, how could Brother Fei let a woman take risks outside? The lady is the commander of Battlefield No. 3, representing the China Region, and must remain unharmed. Plus, she can heal everyone without concern while in the tower."

Da Fei laughed, "Alright, it’s settled, with two of us brothers holding the outside!"

Two brothers? At this moment, Fire Dance Fierce Battle felt his relationship with Brother Fei had instantly tightened, and he couldn’t help but feel excited, "Correct, we brothers will handle the outside."

Bloodrose Qiqi laughed, "Then I’m sorry!"

Amidst the banter, a group of players with Japanese flags on their heads approached from the direction of the city gate.

Da Fei frowned, "They released the undercover after all."

Bloodrose Qiqi frowned, "No, I received a report from players inside the city—these aren’t ordinary undercover agents! Brother Fei, you and the other men need to be cautious!"

Big men? Da Fei was taken aback, hurriedly zooming in with the Blood Eagle’s view—what the heck— a group of sensually dressed Japanese female players! What are they up to?

Evidently, Fire Dance Fierce Battle, who also had a Reconnaissance Eagle, saw them too. As an experienced streamer, Fire Dance Fierce Battle cleared his throat and said, "They’re certainly rare materials. They haven’t shown up since the public beta. I’ll film the whole process, and it’s sure to go viral."

"Rare materials?" Da Fei had a hunch he recognized the names of these female players!

Bloodrose Qiqi spat, "They’re cunning bitches using cheap tricks to distract male players. Combined, they aren’t worth a strand of Brother Fei’s Female Hero’s hair. Just treat them like shit! Besides, they’re probably manned player characters (MTFs), so don’t get fooled, Brother Fei."

What the heck! Da Fei suddenly realized—no wonder their names seemed familiar—Suzuki Maki, Kato Meihui, Hase An, Matsuyama Ai—I don’t know any of them!!! (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you’re welcome to submit recommendations and monthly votes at qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)