Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 608 - 591: Zhuge Jun’s Prediction

Chapter 608: Chapter 591: Zhuge Jun’s Prediction

Thinking about this, Zhuge Jun suddenly had an epiphany.

"Seriously, Yuan, you’ve opened up a whole new line of thinking for me!

"The plot recollection feature in Nitiandang, it actually has such special effects?

"Could it be that this is also part of Nitiandang’s plan?

"No, it seems to be more than that. This feature not only stabilizes the account trading market but also further enhances the dramatic portrayal. At first glance, it might seem stupid and annoying, but when compared to other games, it seems a bit more sophisticated..."

Zhang Yuan was stunned: "Stepdad, are you okay? What are you muttering about?

"I just mentioned something about buying an account. I haven’t decided whether to buy it yet, where did your mind wander off to?"

Zhuge Jun gave his shoulder a hearty slap: "Don’t worry, Yuan, you inspired me! I’ve got an idea for my next video!

"If my inspiration could keep flowing like this, I might actually make a living as a dedicated UP main by exploiting Nitiandang and ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2’!"

Hou Ji was a little shocked, but couldn’t help but light up with anticipation: "A full-time UP main? That would be great! At least you wouldn’t have to worry about finding a job.

"Can you really make it, stepdad? Can you take us with you when you do?"

Zhuge Jun suddenly stood up: "Enough talk, I need to get cracking on the video!"

...

Two weeks later.

The new update for "Endless Fantasy Legend 2" is released, and the main storyline continues to progress.

Zhuge Jun is one of the first to experience the new storyline, feeling a little nervous.

Because the direction of this part of the plot will largely determine whether the content of his latest video is correct.

Although he finished making the video three days ago, after careful consideration, he decided to play it safe.

The video contained some speculative statements, which would make him quite proud if he guessed correctly, but if he was wrong, it could be embarrassing and might even scatter the popularity he had built up with previous videos.

Of course, if he waited until everything was settled before releasing it, the returns would be much diminished.

So after much deliberation, Zhuge Jun decided to watch the first part of the new main storyline of "Endless Fantasy Legend 2".

The main storyline was updated on a schedule, and only a part of it would be released today, but even just this part would reveal certain trends.

Waiting to release the video after watching today’s content would ensure the video’s predictive relevance and timely impact while greatly reducing the risk.

Zhuge Jun felt he was quite the strategist.

Of course, there was the worst-case scenario – if the direction of the story showed that his predictions were all wrong.

If that were the case, the video could not be released and would just have to quietly rot on his computer.

Controlling the Hero to the mission’s target location, he continued to advance the main quest.

Seeing the refreshed main quest on the screen, Zhuge Jun’s eyes lit up.

"Hero’s Quest · Assassinate VisionLee"

"That’s it! Right on the mark!"

Although he hadn’t started the specific mission yet, just seeing the title of the quest, Zhuge Jun already had a vague feeling that his prediction was correct.

He had guessed that the next part of the plot would be the Hero leading Li Huanzhen and the reinforcements from Great Liang to counterattack Golden Country and then Water Country.

And to take out Vision·Lee and Ancient God Yimela.

Even during this process, Li Huanzhen could die or meet with an unfavorable fate.

Now, the direction of the mission was clearly in line with his speculation.

Li Huanzhen finally decided to leave Great Liang and go alone to the heartlands of Golden Country, to cause massive chaos within using his illusion abilities.

And to provide support and cover for Li Huanzhen, the Hero and Xi Yun decided to lead the allied forces of Great Liang in a frontal attack on the army of Golden Country.

The Hero even devised a plan to assassinate Vision·Lee.

Because everyone understood that Vision·Lee was the core of the intelligence network. Dealing with him would potentially lead to the disintegration of the machine army.

Today’s storyline update would only play out the first counterattack battle; the subsequent plot remained in darkness.

But Zhuge Jun was full of confidence in his plot analysis.

His prediction was based on a very meticulous logical deduction.

Before today’s storyline update, the plot could generally go in two directions:

One, Golden Country and Water Country unite in invading Earth Country, extinguishing Great Liang, and then the Hero and Xi Yun, among others, are forced to flee to other places, seeking a chance for restoration.

The other, the current situation where the Hero and Xi Yun lead the army of Great Liang in a successful counterattack and even turn the tables to annihilate Golden Country and Water Country.

Of course, there was a third, highly unlikely scenario where Golden Country and Water Country are repelled, but no country is annihilated, with the battlelines continuing to be stalemated.

However, this was not very likely, as the plot had already dragged on for more than one version, which would influence the content of the subsequent versions and was also not very interesting.

So, who would win in the end, Golden Country and Water Country, or Great Liang?

This depended on Nitiandang’s plot design philosophy.

Zhuge Jun felt that, so far, Nitiandang’s design philosophy is just one thing: to annoy players in whatever way possible.

Especially with the plot of the last version, causing Li Huanzhen to trigger a mass hallucination and revealing that the Ancient God Yimela of Water Country is the protagonist of "Blood of Lies", both are meant to discomfort players.

So, how should the plot develop in this version to further aggravate the players?

Golden Country and Water Country annihilating Great Liang?

It seemed uncomfortable too, but that discomfort would be too direct, too forced, and too superficial.

It would feel more like getting punched in the face, looking severely injured, but in reality, it’s straight-forward and could even trigger the players’ adrenaline, provoking a strong rebellious mindset.

But what if it was the other way around, with Great Liang annihilating Golden Country and Water Country?

That’s interesting.

In theory, this should be a refreshing storyline, whether it’s about pushing back invaders or winning battles, it should make people happy.

But the Golden Country and the Water Country were actually the protagonists of the previous game. The destruction of these countries means the death of these protagonists, and not in a glorious or courageous way.

This kind of discomfort is more subtle, more veiled, and more enduring.

It’s like being punched in the gut for players. It seems bloodless and not a serious problem on the surface, but in reality, it’s like getting the wind knocked out of you, squatting on the ground unable to recover for a long time.

So, after comprehensive consideration, Zhuge Jun believes that the latter possibility is more likely.

Because this development of the storyline can make players uncomfortable for longer.

Of course, this raises a new question: Why does Nitiandang want to make players uncomfortable?

That is the main content of Zhuge Jun’s video.

At this point, although he cannot be 100% sure that his judgment is correct, he at least sees a more fitting general trend.

"That’s it, fortune favors the bold, send!"

Zhuge Jun directly pressed the send button for the video, entering the platform’s review process.

He had a feeling that this video, once successful, would definitely be more popular than his previous ones, eliciting a broader response!

...

In the evening.

Lilith appeared in a hurry.

"Gu Fan!

"What’s the problem?

"Why do I feel a noticeable decline in negative emotions?

"Although there isn’t a large-scale drop, this trend is very dangerous! Extremely dangerous!"

It was evident that Lilith was somewhat panicked.

The main issue was that she couldn’t figure out what went wrong.

As for the timing, wasn’t the new update just released today?

This version’s main storyline will be updated in several segments, and even if the storyline is fully updated, the players should be super upset over the deaths of Vision·Lee, Li Huanzhen, and Yimela.

According to Lilith’s expectation, negative emotions should increase significantly, so why is there a declining trend?

This is not normal, very abnormal!

Gu Fan looked perplexed as well: "Really?

"Maybe because the first part of this Chapter’s storyline seems like the start of an exhilarating narrative, so the players got some misunderstandings?"

Lilith shook her head firmly: "No, I’ve considered this factor and have already deducted the positive emotions it might generate, but the numbers still don’t add up!

"Hurry up, check!"

Gu Fan sighed: "Alright, President Li, I’ll check now..."

He thought he could bluff his way through, but now it seems difficult.

In summary, the storyline updated today involves: Li Huanzhen penetrating deep behind enemy lines, while the Hero and Xi Yun commence their assassination plan.

Indeed, this beginning does seem exhilarating; compared to the previous situation where they were being suppressed, the protagonist group finally started to fight back, and the initial results are not bad.

It’s normal for players to feel some positive emotions.

But Lilith learned her lesson; she has roughly estimated this portion of positive emotions and deducted them in advance.

Yet, the negative emotion data still doesn’t match.

The two of them fall silent, each grabbing a laptop to start investigating.

This kind of research isn’t hard; it’s just looking at all the hot discussions related to the new version of "Endless Fantasy Legend 2" today.

Soon, Lilith locked on to a major suspect.

"Zhuge Jun?

"Zhuge Jun!

"Why is it him again!

"Only seven videos total, six related to ’Endless Fantasy Legend 2’! What’s his grudge!!"

Lilith was almost gnashing her teeth in anger.

She didn’t remember Zhuge Jun all that well from the last time, but after his consecutive release of disruptive videos, it would be hard not to remember him.

And the title of this video made Lilith’s vision go dark.

"Bold Prediction of the Upcoming Version’s Plot Direction! And a Deep Analysis of the Comprehensive Innovation of This Plot System!"

The cover even had five big characters: Nitiandang is godly!

"Clickbait! Sensationalist headlines! 100% this time!"

Lilith tried hard to convince herself.

Nowadays, some content creators (UPs) like to play with the website’s review system, coming up with sensationalist titles. If a site doesn’t support criticizing a certain game or person, then the titles are scanned for relevant information, and any negative content is automatically demoted.

Therefore, these creators start playing roles in reverse, deliberately writing titles in a praising manner to circumvent the review process.

Last time Zhuge Jun uploaded a video, Lilith thought for sure it was clickbait.

But it wasn’t.

So it must be this time! After all, this video’s content is about the storyline, and the storyline has been crafted by Lilith herself to disgust players to the extreme of her imagination.

How could anyone find anything to praise?