Why the bug I wrote became a core gameplay mechanic?!
Chapter 675 - 658 Tao Companions Ceremony

Chapter 675: Chapter 658 Tao Companions Ceremony

第二天.

The continuous attacks on Instructor Ding and the Dealer by the Overstreet Rat naturally became a hot topic.

As soon as Instructor Ding logged in, he immediately rushed to the corporate multi-player Cave Mansion of the Technology Cultivation Supplement Company.

He was still unclear about the specifics of the situation early yesterday morning, only having heard about the Overstreet Rat’s attack on the Dealer. He hadn’t had the chance to inquire about the specific outcome yet.

With a loud "boom," the grand gate of the Cave Mansion opened, and Instructor Ding flew in on his flying sword.

The multi-player Cave Mansion feature was a new function introduced recently.

Players could open their own Cave Mansion during the Foundation Establishment Stage and arrange it as they wished.

Once they reached the Nascent Soul Stage, players could access the multi-player Cave Mansion feature.

The multi-player Cave Mansion function is similar to the single-player Cave Mansion, essentially adding an online gameplay mode to it.

In a multi-player Cave Mansion, the area is larger, and players can create magnificent mechanisms and grand structures.

The creator of the multi-player Cave Mansion can divide members into different levels, granting corresponding privileges to build and repair the Cave Mansion.

Instructor Ding definitely wouldn’t pass up such a feature.

He immediately established the headquarters of the Technology Cultivation Supplement Company and began expansive construction.

He granted privileges to high-level personnel, trustworthy individuals, and those skilled in building games to create a grand structure resembling a wonder for the Technology Cultivation Supplement Company’s headquarters.

Everyone could create their own area within this massive multi-player Cave Mansion and occasionally invite other members over.

Although this grand project had only just begun and there was still a lot of work to be done, more and more people were getting used to logging in and out within the multi-player Cave Mansion.

"Dealer, what happened last night? Are you okay?"

Instructor Ding seemed very concerned, but upon seeing the Dealer’s cultivation level, he knew the Overstreet Rat’s plan had evidently failed.

If it had succeeded, the Dealer would have already undergone Rebirth.

The Dealer’s voice was serious: "Brother Ding, I have a very serious question for you: Last night’s attack by the Overstreet Rat, was it related to you?"

Instructor Ding was taken aback: "Huh? Brother, you’re suspecting me? That’s unreasonable!"

The Dealer sighed: "Brother Ding, you can’t blame me for being suspicious; people’s hearts are unpredictable!

"Look, I’m currently ranked first on the Heavenly Pride List, and the second and third places are very close behind. It’s normal for people to covet this position.

"I always log in at dawn, and very few people in our Technology Cultivation Supplement Company know this, plus I was deep within the Barbaric World.

"Brother Ding, isn’t it strange that the Overstreet Rat was able to pinpoint my login time and location precisely?

"Although Brother Li wishes for my Rebirth, he shouldn’t have so many traitors within our company.

"Moreover, I know that when the Overstreet Rat attacked you, he hoped to cooperate with you."

Instructor Ding was shocked, irritated for being suspected, but had to admit, the Dealer’s suspicion was somewhat justified.

The temptation of being ranked first on the Heavenly Pride List was indeed hard to resist.

If the Overstreet Rat could force the Dealer into Rebirth through scheming, the biggest beneficiaries would be undoubtedly Instructor Ding and Brother Li.

Brother Li, currently ranked second, would naturally ascend to first place, but Instructor Ding’s progress was quick, and he might soon surpass him; besides, the qualifications for Level A Dealer wouldn’t be directly awarded to the first place, though it could increase sales and his chances of becoming a Level A Dealer.

So overall, if the Dealer underwent Rebirth, Instructor Ding would be the biggest beneficiary.

Plus, as the Dealer said, it was peculiar how the Overstreet Rat could accurately pinpoint his login time and location, which warranted further investigation.

While the possibility of the Overstreet Rat being lucky wasn’t excluded, internal leaks within the Technology Cultivation Supplement Company seemed more plausible.

During previous live streaming, the Overstreet Rat sought cooperation with Instructor Ding, which was witnessed by the audience.

Even though Instructor Ding decisively refused, who could tell if there was private contact afterward?

Combining all these factors, Instructor Ding became the prime suspect.

Instructor Ding hurriedly clarified: "Brother, what do you take me for!

"How could I do such a thing!

"I publicly recruit Tao Companions during my live streams, showing I don’t care about the server’s sole gorgeous Tao Companion.

"I’m indifferent about who becomes the Level A Dealer.

"I believe this is the Overstreet Rat’s ploy to sow discord between us brothers!"

The Dealer was skeptical: "Really?"

Instructor Ding affirmed: "Really! Absolutely!"

The Dealer remained doubtful: "You truly don’t care about the server’s sole gorgeous Tao Companion? You won’t compete with me for her anymore?"

Instructor Ding guaranteed: "Rest assured, I won’t compete with you.

"Brother, I’ve thought it through; what’s a gorgeous Tao Companion but a superficial shell, like an inflatable doll? It’s nothing to cherish.

"Since you like her, she’s yours!

"I’d rather search for a rare, cute female cultivator adept in Natural Body Refining. Though she’s as rare as a panda, her rarity makes her precious.

"Rest assured brother, Little Ding holds to his words."

The Dealer beamed: "Good, I honestly never believed Brother Ding would betray me. Those attempts to sow discord between us, I’ll treat as mere whispers from now on!

"Brother Ding, your stature as a prominent streamer ensures you keep your word."

Instructor Ding nodded: "Exactly, exactly.

"Oh, by the way, what’s the Overstreet Rat’s current situation?

If his scheme failed last night, the threat should remain; could he attempt to scheme against us again? We must stay vigilant."

The Dealer replied: "Don’t worry, Brother Ding, the Overstreet Rat is no longer a concern; he died last night, clearing his penalties and Heavenly Tribulation. Killing him now will only cost 100 credits.

"He’s already quieted down, as you can see, he hasn’t come out to flaunt himself."

Instructor Ding was confused: "Hmm? Wait, did I miss something?

The Overstreet Rat already died once? Who did it?

"Could it be he was killed by a monster during his attack on you? No, that shouldn’t trigger a penalty. So perhaps a chivalrous player helped endure the Heavenly Tribulation?"

The Dealer casually replied: "Oh, it’s nothing special; I used my Tao Companion to kill him.

"It’s unclear if it was intentional or a bug, but my Tao Companion’s system seems between a player and an NPC.

"Sometimes she’s treated as a player unit by the system, and being a permanent entity, she’s exempt from penalties like death and Rebirth.

"When killing the Overstreet Rat, the revenge count was cleared, but the penalty disappeared without hitting me."

Instructor Ding was stunned: "What? Sister-in-law has such a function?

"That means she can uphold justice across the server, killing anyone without triggering penalties?

"This function should be shared among us brothers..."

The Dealer hastily reminded: "Brother Ding, you just said you wouldn’t compete with me and wanted a Natural Body Refining female cultivator. A major streamer keeps their word; you won’t go back on it, right?"

Instructor Ding realized, feeling amused and angered: "Oh, you were leading me into this all along!

This server’s unique gorgeous Tao Companion indeed proves the saying, ’strength brings surprises.’

If it were a monster, killing players wouldn’t trigger penalties, nor would it serve to clear penalties entailed by Heavenly Tribulations.

Players killing others, however, would invoke lightning strikes.

The unique Tao Companion evidently represents a special entity; strictly speaking, she doesn’t die nor need cultivation, linked to the Level A Dealer’s cultivation.

This means she can kill anyone everywhere without suffering penalties.

Still, she isn’t entirely without constraints.

Because rampant killing would incite anger across the server, additionally, other whales covet her too!

If all whales joined to kill the Dealer, he’d naturally lose his Level A Dealer position in due time, transferring Sister-in-law’s ownership.

So, it’s more akin to a "justice-bringer" function.

If targeting someone like the Overstreet Rat, a universal enemy, the Dealer could freely use Sister-in-law repeatedly, cheered by everyone.

But using her for personal grudges isn’t worthwhile.

Triggering communal wrath could permanently lose Sister-in-law’s possession.

Instructor Ding felt helpless; Sister-in-law’s ability was enticing, but he couldn’t compete after committing not to.

"Fine, I won’t actively compete with you. But if you explode or drop from the Heavenly Pride List, thus losing Level A Dealer qualification, it’s no fault of mine."

The Dealer quickly agreed: "No problem, Brother Ding, thank you, Brother Ding!"

Instructor Ding sighed, reluctantly accepting; as the leader of the Technology Cultivation Supplement Company, it felt like the truism that leaders often face limitations, considering his subordinates’ perspectives.

He continued searching for a rare Natural Body Refining Tao Companion.

At this moment, the system popped up a notification.

[Congratulations to Wuxiang Pill Alliance’s Heavenly Pride disciple ’Brother Li’ and Wuxiang Pill Alliance disciple ’Sister-in-law Li’ on forming Tao Companion! Please send your blessings to them!]

[In one hour, Xuanji Immortal Mansion will host a ceremony, welcoming cultivators to share the celestial fortune!]

Seeing this message, Instructor Ding was astonished.

Misfortunes never come singly; already upset over Sister-in-law’s issue, now Brother Li found a Tao Companion before him?

As a well-known streamer, Instructor Ding found this unacceptable!

"Hmm? Wait! This name, is it ’custom-made’?" Instructor Ding naturally suspected.

Given the matching name ’Sister-in-law Li,’ this was evidently a sought-for couple’s name.

Instructor Ding thought Brother Li likely exploited financial power to persuade a female player to create an account, pursuing Natural Body Refining.

Next moment, checking chat logs, Instructor Ding was even more dismayed.

The Tao Companion formation involved ceremonies, including a message channel for congratulations.

Players chatted, naturally revealing information.

"Sister-in-law Li is Brother Li’s girlfriend in real life!"

Reading this, Instructor Ding felt the sky collapse.

"Wait, why does he have a girlfriend in real life! Can this game allow such extras? This is unfair!

"Oh heavens, why are you so unjust to me!!"