Chapter 1476: Game Data Update and Weapon Replacement
Bai Kou wasn't leaving for the time being, so she lent the vehicle to Xu Huo. The self-driving aircraft didn't require manual control, allowing him to rest during the journey. Combined with recovery potions, by the time he returned to the Mechanical Castle, he looked no different from usual.
The two players responsible for protecting him were still waiting. Upon confirming his return through the networked robot, they immediately came out with the robot to take over.
The Enforcement Team didn't interfere with Xu Huo's movements, but he needed rest, and returning to Xin Rong's place wasn't suitable. After learning that the Enforcement Team players' accommodation was reimbursed by the government, he went back to Yongxing Hotel.
This time, no one was tailing him. The next room was guarded by the Enforcement Team, and the enforcement robot followed him closely. With this ample sense of security, Xu Huo turned off his communicator and slept straight through until noon the next day.
Upon naturally waking, an unprecedented surge of energy followed. He stretched his body, and all his joints crackled like a joyful sigh of release from long-term shackles.
The evolution rate on his personal panel hadn't changed, but his body was clearly different from before. The mental fatigue had been completely swept away, and he felt more clear-headed.
After eating, he began processing the messages on his communicator.
First came news from Yan Jiayu. She had gone to another district to sell those ores. The Game Government wasn't short on money, so the price was good. After deducting Tu Xiaoxiao's service fee, each of them could split nearly ten million White Notes.
However, Yan Jiayu had found another interesting instance and didn't plan to return to Platinum Eye anytime soon. She invited him to play together later.
Xu Huo replied before checking Xin Rong's messages. Besides asking about Bai Kou, he invited Xu Huo to join him, saying a weapon-making factory was clearing out inventory. The quantity of items and weapons was substantial, with discounts for bulk purchases. Xin Rong planned to check it out.
Xu Huo called him, and they agreed to meet on Fifth Avenue.
The Enforcement Team players also wanted to follow, but they changed into casual clothes for convenience. In Platinum Eye, people carrying robots were common, so onlookers only thought Xu Huo might have some background—nothing more.
Xin Rong had brought people today too.
"There are plenty of lunatics in the game. Who knows when someone might decide to target me."
Xu Huo apologized, but Xin Rong waved it off, saying it didn't matter. In Platinum Eye, locals attacked by players received government subsidies. If the damage was more severe, the government would even help replace facilities with the latest equipment.
He wasn't too worried about his safety—worst case, he'd just run into the game.
The two arrived at an auction house. After Xin Rong presented his identification, the staff welcomed them warmly. Just as they were about to enter, someone called out to Xu Huo from not far away. Turning around, he saw the group he had encountered when first returning to Platinum Eye.
The eight of them were still together. Not all came forward, but after greeting from a distance, the short-haired woman and the baby-faced man approached. Forgetting they had no real connection, the short-haired woman said, "We heard there's a large batch of items for sale here, but outer zone players without identification can't enter. Could you two take us in? We traveled a long way just to buy some items. Please, and thank you."
Platinum Eye wasn't cheap. The items and weapons were high-quality but expensive. Rare opportunities like bulk sales were slipping through their fingers because they couldn't even get in. They couldn't afford to worry about face anymore—even just one of them getting in would be enough.
Xu Huo looked at Xin Rong, who laughed heartily. "Meeting is fate. You're here to buy things—would Platinum Eye turn away customers?"
He then spoke to the staff, and the short-haired woman and her companion gained entry to the auction.
"Thank you so much!" the short-haired woman quickly said. "We promise not to cause any trouble."
Xu Huo said nothing and walked ahead with Xin Rong into the auction hall.
Quite a few people had come. Before the auction began, there was a capital verification process. Since items were sold in bundles, the prices wouldn't be low, and the auction house needed to ensure the quality of its clientele.
The group received a number plate and was led by staff to a private room.
An intelligent robot opened the screen in front and left. The screen showed the auction stage, but once the bidding started, items would be displayed as holographic projections inside the room.
"Old Xu, if you see any item you like, just say the word—I'll gift it to you!" Xin Rong was as generous as ever.
Xu Huo politely declined. Bundle sales meant each auction involved multiple items, likely of the same type or complementary pieces, so the price wouldn't be low.
"They're all items—buying them won't be a loss," Xin Rong said indifferently. He had plenty of employees, and these could serve as wages or prizes.
Since Young Master Xin wanted to spend money and couldn't find a way not to, Xu Huo didn't argue further.
The auction soon began. The first items brought out were mostly bizarre weapons—flashy but practically useless, often cumbersome to use. They were the brainchildren of artificers, sold at half price or bundled with one or two items.
"Weapons can't be taken into the game, so few people bid on them," Xin Rong said casually. "Anyone researching weapons dreams of exploiting a loophole in the game, but few succeed."
He explained that artificers didn't create these oddities just for novelty—they were testing whether such items could be stored in the luggage compartment.
"Haven't the latest energy weapons been approved for the luggage compartment?" Xu Huo asked.
Xin Rong shook his head. "They can now, but that might not last. The game is strict about weapons. Even if they pass detection now, as more people use them, the game database might update. Eventually, even disassembling them into parts might not get them through."
"Restricting weapons is meant to limit player strength."
He sighed, then was drawn to the next item on stage.
"Simulated protective suit, sound capture," the auctioneer's voice came through. "The simulated protective suit can quickly mimic the appearance of any animal the player selects, achieving a lifelike effect with current technology."
"Sound capture can record and collect the intimidating roars of large beasts within a range of several kilometers. Used together with the simulated protective suit, it's enough to traverse high-risk wilderness areas. Both items can be used for extended periods, making them ideal for emergencies."
"This is interesting." Once the base price was announced, Xin Rong started bidding. It wasn't a special item, and after two or three rounds, he successfully won it.
Next came a set of invisibility items meant to be used together. The short-haired woman looked interested and asked Xin Rong if he could help her bid for them.
(Chapter End)