Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 631 - 614: Nine Dragon Training Method

Chapter 631: Chapter 614: Nine Dragon Training Method

"What kind of routine is this?

"Fighting monsters? Leveling up?

"Taking a simple elixir pill is elaborately written into the main storyline, making it so mysterious.

"Could it be yet another new pay-to-win system? Oh, it’s possible. This game truly is eager, tricking me into spending money multiple times before I’ve even started enjoying it.

"Oh no, it’s even outright forcing me to pay.

"Forget it, I’ll go take a look first."

Chen Tingquan thought for a bit and decided to visit the Elixir Room first.

"Reverse Heaven" truly is an unconventional game; other games that sell stats would let the player enjoy some combat before pushing them to spend money.

You fight some random monsters, hack at some plants, and let players see those damage numbers fill the screen first.

Then gradually turn up the heat, filtering out players unwilling to spend and gradually increasing spending for those who are willing.

But "Reverse Heaven" is different; so far, Chen Tingquan has only hunted some mountain prey, and hasn’t even had a proper fight.

Before basic combat features like spells and magic artifacts have even been fully unlocked, this game has tricked him into recharging multiple times.

It seems being a free-to-play player in this game is quite challenging indeed.

Actually, going to the Elixir Room isn’t even a required main quest. Although the master with the double-door meme hinted at it in the main storyline, the system interface didn’t show any mandatory quest guide.

If Chen Tingquan went somewhere to cultivate now, it probably wouldn’t be a big problem.

But he’s gradually figured out the nature of this game, so after pondering, he chose to visit the Elixir Room to see what the so-called "Nine Dragon Training Method" is all about, to ease his mind.

If the effects are really that good, perhaps he could recharge a little?

Soon, Chen Tingquan arrived at the back door of the Elixir Room, where there was indeed a gatekeeping NPC named Li Qiang, a standard passerby name at first glance.

"Senior Brother, I’m an apprentice of the Alchemist Qian. My master asked me to inquire about the Nine Dragon Training Method."

Li Qiang looked at him mysteriously: "Follow me."

Chen Tingquan was stunned: "Not in the Elixir Room?"

Li Qiang glanced at him impatiently: "You newbie, don’t ask about things you don’t know!"

Chen Tingquan could only nod: "Alright. Thank you, Senior Brother."

These storylines are part of the game’s main plot, primarily expressed through real-time calculations. Benefiting from advances in technology, the expressions of these characters are portrayed vividly.

As for Chen Tingquan’s dialogues, they’re usually chosen from two to three options. Most of the time, they don’t trigger key plot branches; they only change NPC’s reactions.

This is unavoidable because the game’s freedom still has certain limits. Making the plot branches too complex would severely increase player choice costs, which isn’t this game’s core gameplay.

Chen Tingquan followed Li Qiang to the entrance of his abode.

Chen Tingquan realized that these people really like discussing private matters in their caves.

Clearly, the Nine Dragon Training Method is technically not legal, belonging to a gray area of loopholes and not suitable for open discussion in the sect’s Elixir Room.

This is what they call "walls have ears," precautionary measures.

"The so-called Nine Dragon Training Method refers to nine elixir pills made from the bone and blood of ancient Dragonbeasts. The nine dragons are respectively:

"Molten Shell Dragon, which can promote muscle and bone growth during body training.

"Nether Spirit Dragon, which can enhance meditation and increase spiritual power.

"Stealth Dragon, which can fortify invisibility spells.

"Corroded Claw Dragon, which can better comprehend martial arts moves, making arms as hard as iron.

"Ironback Dragon, which can strengthen post-training resistance to strikes.

"Wave Riding Jiao, which can improve affinity with all types of spells.

"Sword Spine Dragon, which can better nourish Sword Intent.

"Spring Dragon, which can ensure a continuous flow of mana and even cast spells forcibly when mana is depleted.

"Night Comet Dragon is considered the supreme of dragons, the most expensive, and can comprehensively enhance all the above effects."

Chen Tingquan was bewildered listening.

"Wow, that many types of dragons?

"It seems like they’ve encompassed almost every system in this game?"

Although Chen Tingquan isn’t sure about all the systems yet, based on the description of these nine dragons, it includes everything from the body to spirit, to magic artifacts, flying swords, and so on; it’s truly what’s imaginable and achievable.

"So, what’s the cost?"

Chen Tingquan instinctively wanted to ask this question.

If it were other stat-selling games, Chen Tingquan thought there might not be much cost.

Because you’re paying for stats, the money you spend is the cost. Once you’ve paid the game company, it makes sense to enjoy power in-game.

But "Reverse Heaven" now... it seems a bit eerie.

Mainly because all these elixirs are derived from the nine dragons, and "Nine Dragons Pulling a Coffin" is a popular meme. Chen Tingquan has heard of it too.

He feels there has to be something wrong with these pills, otherwise, why would the law list them as banned drugs, preventing them from being sold openly in the Elixir Room?

Could it be that there’s a saying in this game similar to "bad news from the bodybuilding circle?"

Chen Tingquan looked at the dialogue options and asked: "Do these elixirs have any side effects?"

Li Qiang sneered: "Junior brother, isn’t that a no-brainer?

"These Nine Dragons are all ancient Dragonbeasts. Using their bone and blood to make pill or spirit wine, whether consumed internally or applied externally, forces the body to absorb the Dragonbeast power. How could it be completely harmless?

"But, has your master asked if your heart for Dao is firm?

"Cultivation is inherently about going against heaven. If you can’t endure the suffering of Nine Dragon Elixir, you’ll face life’s hardships instead.

"After years of arduous cultivation from dawn till dusk, if you can’t establish a foundation, while juniors relying on the Nine Dragons have, and you’re expelled, it’ll be too late to regret."

Chen Tingquan finished listening and his mouth twitched slightly.

Wow, the more I listen, the weirder it sounds!

He’s now quite certain, at least nine-tenths sure, that the cultivation circle in "Reverse Heaven" is abnormal, eerily identical to the bodybuilding circle!

Can they be so similar?

Li Qiang paused slightly and shifted the topic: "However, junior brother need not worry too much. Our Henggang Sect is a Great Sect with notable achievements in gathering herbs and alchemy.

"Several True Immortals from the headquarters are continuously optimizing the Nine Dragon Training Method to enhance our sect’s power.

"For instance, five years ago, our Henggang Sect succeeded in creating a special divine pill that greatly reduces the side effects of Nine Dragon Elixirs, provided for our disciples alongside Nine Dragon Elixirs.

"As long as you buy a certain quantity of Nine Dragon Elixirs, this divine pill will be given for free."

Chen Tingquan couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow: "Oh, there’s actually such a pill that can lessen side effects?"

He quickly clicked the dialogue: "May I ask what kind of divine pill it is?"

Li Qiang chuckled: "This pill is called the Little Longevity Liver Protection Pill, which can nurture the organs and help you live long."

Chen Tingquan’s mouth twitched slightly, not knowing what to say for a moment.

It sounds impressive, but...

The name of this medicine is a bit problematic, isn’t it?

Those unfamiliar with this meme might genuinely believe it’s some wonder drug that mitigates pill side effects and protects organs, but Chen Tingquan recognizes the meme. He sees it, this so-called Little Longevity Liver Protection Pill, is clearly an homage to the real-life "Little Sunflower Liver Protection Pill."

When using Nine Dragon drugs in the bodybuilding circle, they finish off with a Little Sunflower Liver Protection Pill.

It’s said to protect the liver, yet in reality, it’s not much different from a placebo.

Little Sunflower Liver Protection Pill: "Me against Nine Dragons? Really?"

Clearly, the Little Longevity Liver Protection Pill in this game is just as bombastic, likely with the same attributes.

Perhaps it does have some nurturing effect on the organs, but compared to the toxicity of using many Nine Dragon Elixirs, that little effect merely delays death by a few days.

But regardless, even if it is genuinely a placebo, it still somehow proves beneficial.

Offering it free with Nine Dragon Elixirs is relatively generous.

After all, Henggang Sect is a Great Sect, so they ought to provide some benefits.

Chen Tingquan continued conversing with Li Qiang in the game: "Senior Brother, which of these elixirs should I choose?"

Li Qiang replied: "That depends on your specific goals.

"If you aim for all-round development, with body training, spell cultivation, magic artifacts, and flying swords...then naturally, you’d take the power of all Nine Dragons, consuming all nine types of elixir.

"I will arrange the best mix, some for internal consumption, some for external application, and some injected directly into your body via magic artifacts."

Chen Tingquan’s mouth subtly twitched: "But I’m from a poor background."

Clearly, consuming all Nine Dragon Elixirs must be ridiculously expensive.

Chen Tingquan didn’t start with that initial $648 recharge, leading to a difficult start, and he’s not in a Great Sect now.

Paying more at this point won’t compare well to a start like Instructor Ding’s.

In this case, he should probably keep opting for cost-effective choices.

Besides, Chen Tingquan doesn’t feel much enjoyment from the game yet, and spending money wouldn’t be satisfying either.

Li Qiang didn’t mind: "Oh, being financially challenged isn’t a problem; there are also cost-effective options.

"I recommend focusing on body training, while spells, magic artifacts, and Sword Intent only need the most basic plans.

"Hold on a moment, let me estimate how many Spirit Stones this plan will need.

"Daily internal consumption of one Molten Shell Dragon, an Ironback Dragon dissolved in water for a medicinal bath, and weekly application of one Corroded Claw Dragon to both arms.

"Additionally, take a Wave Riding Jiao and a Spring Dragon every two weeks to maintain basic spell capabilities.

"During body training, be sure to use medicine on the parts subject to impacts, ensure standard movements, peak contraction, and use medicine to better stimulate flesh growth.

"Conclude each month with a complimentary Little Longevity Liver Protection Pill."

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