Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

Besides, for the upcoming Lord Entropy operation, he must personally infiltrate among the players and act together with them to feel at ease.

So, he opened the chat bar, skillfully entered a few numbers, and with his fame, he easily applied to add the other as a friend, straightforwardly beginning with one sentence:

"Hey, Caramel Snail, interested in tackling the main quest in Azure Star with the new version?"

Caramel Snail, upon receiving this message, was utterly bewildered. Looking at the other party's array of 'Ace Streamer,' 'Annual Best E-Sportsman,' 'Popularity King' medals, while he only had a measly 'S1 Solo Tournament Runner-up' badge, Caramel Snail was easily intimidated. His old fear of social interactions kicked in, and he nervously typed back a message:

"Hi, Master, I actually plan to directly descend to Starry Abyss in the new version."

"Oh, Brother Niu, didn't you know? I have inside information that all Baizhu Star players will be forcibly conscripted for the Azure Star missions before the new version of Starry Abyss launches."

Li Aozi said this, then immediately switched back to his main account, issuing an order to Baizhu Star:

"Publicity staff, prepare to air the recruitment ad, targeting all Azure Star immigrants, especially Descenders."

"Really?"

Caramel Snail wasn't quite convinced, as someone suddenly appearing and telling him, a semi-professional, something like this was akin to directly teaching him how to play the game.

"I'm not fooling you, bro. I'm also a fairly popular streamer now, how could I risk my reputation just to deceive you?"

Li Aozi switched back and replied with a smile:

"It's truly inside information. If you don't believe it, just wait; the news should break out soon."

While he was speaking, the ad from Baizhu Star garnered the attention of the Qiqiao Network official staff.

"Hey, hey, hey, check it out, this ad is pretty good. Just do some editing, and it can be shown to players."

The crew at Qiqiao Network quickly took interest in the recruitment ad, now polished by Li Aozi.

Li Aozi knew that when the game wasn't live, official staff were working hard overtime for maintenance.

Compared to ordinary materials, Li Aozi, ingrained with 'player' memory, was well aware of which keywords would catch the official's eye at Qiqiao Network.

Adding just a few terms, the review crew and official testers immediately noticed the ad.

Switch the strategy around: that's an ad aimed at the officials.

"Is it really okay to cut corners like this? Won't players complain about us reusing materials?"

"Nah, who seriously watches preview videos? Besides, if there's criticism for laziness, it's the planners' moms who'll get complaints, not us, so why worry."

"We have no choice but to shoot now."

Within a few minutes, the recruitment ad from Baizhu Star had been leaked on forums, edited, and with added music and filters, the video viewing experience was further enhanced, quickly breaking millions of plays.

"Snail, take a look at this."

Caramel Snail was chatting with Li Aozi and suddenly noticed a red dot appeared from Cumin Powder in the backend, sharing a video with him.

Normally, he'd never refuse a good buddy's share, especially with old ties like Cumin Powder, both friend and mentor. Just at the first glance at the video, Caramel Snail's pupils contracted instantly:

"The Baizhu Mobilization Order: This time it's our turn to step up."

The cover showed Li Aozi holding up a Conscription Order in one hand, calling everyone to join the Descender Volunteer Army: This time, we're here to save our Mother Star!

'Is it... real?!'

Caramel Snail was taken aback, quickly reacted, and clicked into the video, fast-forwarding through it, discovering that it's almost identical to what True General said.

Of course, there were some differences, for example, the True General didn't mention Li Aozi leading them in a counterattack, and some battle plans were outlined.

In the video, Li Aozi outlined the strategy roughly in three steps:

1. The first Descender troops drop from orbit to strike against Frost Plated's White Plum Army, relieving Frost Plating Federation's pressure, allowing them to deploy the accelerator confidently.

[—The real goal: complete the final task of "Frost Plated Bone White" and clear the path for the Corona Pope's career change]

2. The second Descender troops, which are players from Azure Star, depart from the surface, initiating the fiercest and most brutal street battles at Zhengxu, aiming to liberate Zhengxu.

[—The real goal: buy time for Li Aozi's career change ceremony]

3. Li Aozi will descend at the Four Nations' center, leading all players in the final decisive battle against Lord Entropy.

[—The real goal: throw the Prosthetic Troops into the ground battle to fully enrage Lord Entropy and force it off Azure Star's soil to fight in outer space.]

There were no extra steps; Li Aozi's tasks were open to all players. As a Professional Instructor and senior NPC, he had long been capable of releasing high-difficulty tasks, but this time, he was summoning all players.

From the server opening, every Fiery Summer District player had just one task:

Fight until the end.

Li Aozi will personally control the True General to complete tasks. The capabilities of the White Obelisk were nothing against Gamma and above; facing the challenge of the White Plum Army and the new version of Apostle of Entropy, he can't do without the players' covering support.

For this purpose, he went as far as seeking out Caramel Snail, with whom he had past grievances and whom he had tricked a few times.

He was the highest-skilled and most well-mannered player he could reach.

10 minutes left until the server opens.

Caramel Snail hesitated.

Just thinking about the crimes Li Aozi committed on Ziluo Star made Caramel Snail especially uncomfortable, but watching Azure Star fall...

"I agree with you."

Caramel Snail said:

"I've accepted your friend request in the game. See you in Azure Star, real bro."

—If personal reasons made him indifferent to the planet's annihilation, wouldn't he be just like Li Aozi?

He didn't know why, but ever since the World Championship, no, ever since meeting Sister Lai Anding from the official personnel, he found himself changing.

Not only did he become clear about priorities, but he also seemed to become a bit more composed.

"That's great then."

Li Aozi Smiled:

"Happy cooperation, comrade."

"No, no, I should be the one thanking you!"

Caramel Snail said nervously:

"It's my first time playing with such a big-shot streamer like you... Please, just don't record my embarrassing moments on camera..."

Li Aozi shrugged, quietly snickering to himself.

—This silly Niuniu, always so easy to fool.

He's been freeloading him as a bodyguard, and twice, yet never learns.

He still has to thank himself once more.