Global Mining.

Chapter 931 The Whirlpool of Conflict Among the Strong
As the news of "The Apple of Divine Fire" and "Three Guardians VS Godslayer Wonima" from Ironflame Village spread through tabloids, NPCs and players throughout Black Iron City began to pay close attention. Its global popularity instantly surpassed all other competitions.

The Wei Shen team, who own the orchard, were overjoyed and completely convinced. After all, why would they need an NPC of this caliber if it weren't for high-end apples?

At the same time, Wei Shen and the royal family's Long Ge are wise enough to realize that the problem is no longer about building fences and irrigation ditches for the orchard, but about digging large trenches and building large earthen and stone walls. If one wall is not enough, build another.

Ma Yinglong made a decisive move, recalling tens of thousands of royal family members who were training and exploring around Tieyan Village to rush back to the orchard to repair the project, just like the one in the Southern Canyon Village.

Of course, it's hard to say what use these crude earthworks would be in the face of divine battles, but at least, they could take this opportunity to make a firm decision so that they could stop wild boars once and for all in the future—if there is a future.

Then, the team members who stayed behind to keep watch in the village also discovered the situation: the three trainee guardians had already flown to Tieyan Village.

A dragon's roar suddenly came from the depths of the volcanic mine in Iron Flame Village, and the Iron Flame Dragon God came out to greet him.

After the situation was explained, the alarm bell rang in Tieyan Village, and all NPCs in the village entered combat readiness mode.

Then, the dragon and three angels began to circle and defend the airspace around Ironflame Village.

The spectacle left the players from all sides in the village both terrified and incredibly excited.

……

God's team.

In just one hour, the sales of the tabloid that secretly photographed the immortals exceeded the total sales of all tabloids in the entire month since the server opened!

It's inevitable that the reporter who secretly photographed the immortals will be promoted to a regular job. This also means that secret photography will officially step into the threshold of high society as an ordinary person. This is a social strategy-level profession, which may not be inferior to that of the animal protection social activist, Tata the God of War.

Immediately, the group leaders came over to offer their congratulations.

Until the newly appointed leader of Group Zero, Xiaoshanshen, who was a bit far from the private room, came over last to bow and congratulate him: "Congratulations, senior, on such a significant progress."

Although Xiaoshanshen was very humble, the person who secretly took the photos was clearly unhappy with him and was going to apply double standards: "I haven't even been officially appointed yet, and you're here to congratulate me now. Is this like popping champagne halfway through the event and setting a flag for failure?"

The little mountain god was bewildered. He had initially thought so too, but seeing the other team leaders, Satakamaru, Utakamaru, and Yamada, coming over to "open the champagne at halftime," he didn't dare not come, nor did he dare arrive before them. He felt there was absolutely no problem, but then...

The little mountain god panicked and didn't know what to say: "Senior, I had absolutely no such intention..."

Just then, the Fishing Immortal excitedly reported: "Team leader, I personally delivered the newsletter to City Flower, and she spoke to me!"

The instructions for the covert filming: "Seize the opportunity!"

Fishing Immortal: "Understood!"

The man who was secretly filming immediately frowned: "Little Mountain, you're the leader of Group Zero now. You need to have the responsibility and awareness of a leader. Look, Fishing Guy has been guarding the entrance to the Flower Mansion in Black Iron City for days and nights with the extraordinary perseverance of a fisherman! If he comes to congratulate me, he will definitely miss the fruits of this stakeout. You have a mission to perform at all times and can't leave for even a second. Are you going to open half the champagne for me?"

The little mountain god was sweating profusely and felt utterly ashamed: "Senior's advice is absolutely right. I was too immature. I need to deeply reflect on myself."

The person secretly filming said coldly, "Get back to your post. You don't even have time to reflect on your actions."

The little mountain god bowed deeply and said, "Understood..."

Watching him flee in a panic, his legs trembling as he ran, the feeling of secretly taking a picture was incredibly satisfying. And this wasn't even a subordinate he was manipulating; he was a special promotion from the young master to the Zero Group, not even considered a peer… Haha, all the fatigue from working countless all-nighters vanished! Manipulation is the true source of motivation in the workplace…

……

The gate of Fafnir's mansion.

Last time, the Fishing Immortal found a small boat in Wind Howling Fjord and towed it back to Black Iron City. However, the boat's serial number was mysteriously burned away by magic while everyone was guarding it. Looking around Black Iron City, there are very few people with such magical power, besides the city flower. (Note: Chapter 563)
In order to get the city flower to investigate this matter, the fishing immortal had been staking out the gate of the mansion for more than a week, or even almost ten days!
For an average player, this kind of camping would be incredibly stupid. But the reason why the Fishing Master is considered a master is because he acquired a very high-end folk skill called "Fishing Master's Fantasy" during the open beta. The core of this skill is its name, "Fantasy." It can be activated on land without going into the water or using a fishing rod. Once activated, the player will have an additional "pond interface" that simulates various fish. Catching them will increase the player's proficiency.

According to the team's speculation, this imagined pond interface is actually a prototype of a domain. Theoretically, as long as you keep practicing, you can obtain a domain. With a domain, how far away is the divine realm?

So, for the past ten days, the Fishing Immortal has been practicing his skills day and night. His fishing skill has reached Master Level 10, and he successfully upgraded to the Domain level the day before yesterday. However, these past few days, City Flower has been in Gem City, and she's exhausted from sleeping as soon as she gets back, so she hasn't had a chance to practice.

The Fishing Immortal believed that with his new domain, he was no longer the same person he used to be, and with so many days of sincere waiting, the steward would no longer look down on him or treat him perfunctorily.

This time, the team leader made a huge fuss. Fishing Immortal even had his teammates deliver a tabloid to him personally, intending to give it to City Flower. The tabloid contained the line, "Miss Fafnir, I am your fan and I also have a case to report. I have been guarding your mansion for over a week, day and night without leaving for a moment."

wait!

Wait patiently until the whole city is bustling with noise.

This time, Fafnir seemed to have been alerted by the commotion throughout the city and appeared on the second-floor balcony of the mansion: "Butler, what's going on?"

The Fishing Immortal seized the opportunity and shouted, "Miss Fafnir, this is today's morning paper!"

Fafnir didn't bother waiting for the butler to pass it on; she simply flicked her wrist, and a strong pull appeared on the newspaper, causing the Fishing Immortal to let go.

The next moment, the tabloid flew into Fafnir's hands.

The fishing enthusiast was ecstatic. This was truly the power of the city belle; there was probably a 30-meter distance from the second-floor balcony to the gate. The key question was, what would her reaction be if she saw my words?
The fishing sage stared expectantly at the balcony without moving, and Fafnir indeed paused for a moment and looked over.

That gaze instantly melted the fishing enthusiast's heart with happiness!

"Butler, open the door and let him in."

"Okay, miss."

The fishing master was incredibly excited! However, after waiting motionless for many days, he developed a state of "muscle paralysis" and couldn't move his legs at all.

The butler opened the door and greeted, "Warrior, please?"

The fishing immortal said in a sweat, "Steward, my leg... I can't move."

The butler lifted the Fishing Immortal up with one hand, but the Immortal's legs remained crouched and crossed in mid-air. He shook it slightly, but remained unmoved.

At this moment, some players passing by the mansion laughed, while others were surprised.

Fishing Immortal knew that they were actually mostly recording screens and broadcasting live, and it was happening right outside the city gate. Their own era of internet traffic was finally coming.

Of course, my skills are a secret and I can't reveal them, but I can announce to the world that I'm a die-hard fan who's been waiting for ten days. That dedication alone is enough.

At this moment, the butler, having clearly sensed the Fishing Immortal's strength amidst the tremors, nodded with great satisfaction: "Miss is not someone that ordinary people can meet at will; you have passed the test."

What kind of test? It was nothing more than putting me off for ten days.

The Fishing Sage was still extremely grateful: "Thank you, Butler." The next moment, the Fishing Sage was settled on a garden chair, and Fafnir appeared gracefully: "You're the fan the butler mentioned, the one who waited at the door for ten days?"

The fishing immortal said excitedly, "Yes, I am extremely honored."

Fafner asked with a smile, "What was my first piece of music?"

The fishing master had done his homework: "The Steel Heart of Love!"

Fafner then asked, "And the second one?"

These questions are no challenge for the fishing enthusiast, whose otaku culture is deeply ingrained: "The Waltz of Steel."

Fafnir asked in surprise, "What about the tenth one?"

The fishing sage wasn't falling for it at all: "Miss, you only have nine songs. I'm eagerly anticipating your tenth new song!"

Fafnir laughed heartily: "You're such a fan of mine! Now tell me about your case."

The fishing sage explained the reason.

Fafnir said "Oh," and then said in a deep voice, "Don't investigate. If you want to investigate, then it's because I burned it, burned it for fun."

impossible! !

The fishing immortal grew anxious: "Is Miss worried that I'll get caught up in the vortex of conflict among the powerful?"

Fafna laughed, "A vortex of conflict among the strong? That's right. As the newspapers say, Iron Flame Village is currently in this vortex. I'm very interested. Butler, I need to go there."

The fishing immortal was stunned; she was changing the subject! But she used my words!

The butler grew anxious: "Miss, there are just too many powerful individuals there now!"

Fafnir smiled and said, "Then the butler should contact Remia Eve. Their city's guardian deity has already gone there, so they can go and take a look. It would be like us forming a group, and I would like to do my part as the host."

The butler said in surprise, "In that case, why not invite Oakwood City's Lia as well, so as not to leave her out?"

Fafnir nodded: "Very well, then I'll go to Ironflame Village and wait for them."

"You're leaving already?" the fishing immortal asked anxiously. "Miss, what about me?"

Fafner laughed and said, "Just look forward to my new song. How about calling it 'The Vortex of the Conflict of the Strong'?"

They actually used my lyrics as the song title! At this point, the details of the case are no longer important, right?
The fishing sage was so excited he almost cried: "Yes, Miss! I am your most loyal fan!"

Fafnir laughed and said, "I appoint you as my fan club leader!"

—System notification: Congratulations! You have been granted the title "Fafner Fan Club Leader" by Fafnir, the Black Iron City Flower.

—Fan club leader: Helping your beloved idol gather fans can enhance the idol's popularity.

At the same time, a maid from the mansion pushed out a wheelchair: "Guest, please!"

With a wave of her hand, Fafnir used a thin, fiery light to carve a line of words on the back of her wheelchair: "Dedicated to my most loyal fan club leader! Go, help me build a fan club! Promote my new song!"

The fishing master was ecstatic: "I'll give it my all!"

……

The team in front of the gods was in an uproar upon receiving the report from the fishing immortal!
The young master was even more incredulous: "What is a fan club leader?"

The person secretly filming excitedly said, "Fans aren't restricted by players or NPCs, which is much more lenient than animal protection activities that require NPCs. We can mobilize players and make everyone a fan of Fafnir, offsetting the impact of the Tata Warriors animal protection activities. I can even advertise Fafnir's new song in the newspaper!"

The fishing master was overjoyed: "Thank you, team leader!"

The young master asked in surprise, "If the impact of animal protection is neutralized, won't it interfere with the nun's plans?"

The paparazzi scoffed: "The fact that the nun mentor is involved with us, and the conflict between Curry and the Broken Bottle royal family over the distribution of benefits is too complicated. Fully supporting her may not guarantee that we will maximize our interests, and may even allow the other side to get the lion's share. It would be better to suppress the other side, while also showing our strong influence, so that the nun mentor will take the initiative to come closer to us."

The young master nodded: "As expected of the paparazzi, you make sense. It's the norm to cooperate while stabbing someone in the back."

Then the young master asked, "Fishing Master, how do you develop a fanbase from the perspective of NPCs?"

Without hesitation, the Fishing Immortal replied, "Of course, I'll immediately participate in the Fishing Association's competition and leverage my influence as a Level 10 Fishing Master! There are many sailors and fishermen in Black Iron City. As long as they know that worshipping Fafnir will allow them to catch more fish, they will become fans. This is the first step I'm going to focus on to build up my base."

The young master was very satisfied: "Clear thinking, good, let's do it that way. Also, Zuo Gaowan-kun!"

Zuo Gaowan: "Here!"

"The four city beauties have come to Tieyan Village, and you must do your best to receive them well."

Zuo Gaowan: "Understood!"

……

Top Ten Chat Group.

The butler rushed over to report: "Gentlemen, the latest news from Black Iron City: Fafnir has invited the beauties of each city to visit Iron Flame Village. Fafnir has also personally appointed a former member of the Divine Realm as the head of his fan club, and he's currently trending in the top ten..."

Uriel was shocked: "No way? All four city beauties have gone, then other powerful figures must be going too. Iron Flame Village is full of powerful figures. How can the guild leader and his five or six people handle it? Even if Xila and the mentor attract monsters, they will just be sent to their deaths."

Sila was also a little conflicted: "Let me ask my advisor."

At this time, Sila and her mentor entered the Misty Mountains. Although the monsters they encountered initially were much stronger, they were far from enough to cope with the variables in Ironflame Village.

"Mentor, the four city beauties are about to arrive in Iron Flame Village, and all sorts of powerful figures will follow them. The balance of power is completely off..."

The tutor responded with an "Oh," and then asked, "Have you noticed any differences between the areas surrounding Black Iron and those surrounding other cities?"

Xila replied, "Other cities still have village camps even outside the third ring. But outside the second ring of Black Iron City, it's already a forbidden zone for humans in the high mountains and poisonous fog."

The mentor said, "It is said that during the pioneering period of the Five Cities a hundred years ago, they had already driven the monsters to the depths of the continent. This place must be the area where the most monsters are hiding, and it is even very likely that a king will be born here. We can go directly into the deepest part of the mountains and lure that king out—it may even be able to negotiate with us directly."

(End of this chapter)