Qi Ji noticed that nearly three hundred Adventurers were currently experiencing the competitive modes.
At present, only the most basic Team Mode and Demolition Mode were available, along with a Biohazard Mode that fit the End of the World Tide theme.
Team Mode was simple team combat — just shoot the enemy, with almost zero learning curve.
Demolition Mode was the classic CS-style gameplay: one squad planted a bomb while the other squad tried to stop it or defuse it. It offered much deeper strategy and teamwork.
Biohazard Mode focused on asymmetric combat. In each match, one player randomly became the Mother Zombie, gaining Tier 2, Four-Star strength and the ability to infect others.
Any Adventurer injured by the Mother Zombie would immediately transform into a Zombie.
These Zombies possessed near Tier 2 combat power and would help the Mother Zombie infect the remaining players, while the survivors' goal was to eliminate them all.
Extremely fun.
Highly entertaining.
At that moment, several Adventurers who had transformed into Zombies inside the Secret Realm were chasing others while shouting, creating a lively, chaotic atmosphere that drew laughter and cheers from the crowd.
For Adventurers, playing as Zombies was a completely new experience.
This kind of Secret Realm gameplay, full of social interaction and player-versus-player excitement, was unprecedented and quickly received widespread praise.
The core of competitive gameplay lay in player-versus-player combat.
Why did such games last so long, often outliving story-driven or stat-grinding RPGs?
Because every match had different outcomes, strategies, and tactics. Each battle felt like a new beginning, constantly refreshing players' sense of excitement and anticipation.
Of course, longevity wasn't everything.
Rewards also mattered.
Qi Ji found that for the same thirty minutes of Adventuring time, competitive mode produced slightly less output than story-based modes, but slightly more than Level Mode. This proved that fast-paced gun battles kept Adventurers emotionally engaged and highly motivated.
As for drops:
Team Battles and Demolition Battles didn't produce Spirit Essence at all.
However, the drop rate for firearms was quite good, meaning this mode could become one of Miracle City's main channels for gun production in the future.
Overall, the new competitive mode was a huge success.
Pure benefits, zero drawbacks.
"It looks like the current content library can support updates for a long time," Qi Ji muttered.
He had nearly ten more gameplay concepts in reserve.
For example, Battle Royale, which was extremely popular and widely proven across many worlds.
He had also prepared a large-scale battlefield mode, allowing Adventurers to fight amid artillery, vehicles, and dense gunfire — closer to real warfare and even more thrilling.
So much content.
Rich and varied.
It would be released gradually in the future.
Enough to keep Adventurers constantly looking forward to what came next.
---
Secret Realm Lobby
Bianca and White Crane were facing off.
Bianca, along with Windfall, River Wanderer, and others, formed the Underworld Squad.
White Crane, together with Rockridge, Ironheart, and several retired veterans from Blackstone Town, formed the Happy Old Guard Squad.
They selected Demolition Mode, with the map set to the classic Dust, and an intense match was already underway.
"Go, Old Dean!"
"Commander Bianca will win!"
This showdown drew huge attention.
After all, it was a clash between Blackstone Town's rising younger generation and its seasoned veterans.
In the first round, the Underworld Squad was wiped out before they even managed to plant the bomb.
"Damn it!" River Wanderer complained. "White Crane spent 288 Contribution Points on an M110 sniper rifle from the competitive store! That gives him a huge advantage in long-range firefights and ambushes!"
Windfall added, "Spending that many Contribution Points on a virtual weapon? I can't believe Old Dean would do something so irrational!"
That rifle could be exchanged with competition points — using Contribution Points on it felt like a total waste.
Unexpectedly, Bianca calmly pulled out her own M110.
"If White Crane can afford it, then I, Bianca, certainly can too."
The other four were stunned.
Bianca quickly laid out her strategy.
She split her teammates into two groups to launch alternating feints, drawing the enemy's attention. Meanwhile, she slipped alone into Site B with explosives and planted the bomb.
"Not good!" the Happy Old Guard Squad reacted instantly.
White Crane, Rockridge, and Ironheart rushed toward Site B.
Ironheart was caught off guard and went down immediately.
The other two took cover.
White Crane warned, "Be careful — she's sniping too!"
"No time left! We have to gamble!" Rockridge shouted.
He rushed out, spraying bullets in an attempt to suppress her.
Bianca remained calm as shots whizzed past her.
Bang!
Rockridge dropped.
Bianca didn't have time to chamber another round. Knowing White Crane was aiming at her, she abandoned her rifle, jumped down from behind her wooden cover, and drew her M9 pistol.
No need to fight directly.
She just needed to stall.
With only one enemy left, there was no way to defuse the bomb in time.
But White Crane was no ordinary opponent.
The instant Bianca leaped away, he fired at the wooden box by instinct.
Bang!
The bullet pierced straight through.
[Adventurer "White Crane" killed "Bianca"!]
Black Stone Hammer King exclaimed, "Old Dean is insane! A wallbang kill — that was flashy!"
Moonlight Snow shouted, "No time left! Defuse the bomb!"
Although the Underworld Squad had been wiped out, the bomb hadn't been defused yet — the round wasn't over.
White Crane rushed to the bomb as the beeping accelerated.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
Boom!
The explosion shook the entire area.
He was less than a second away from succeeding.
Supporters of the Happy Old Guard Squad sighed in regret, while the Underworld Squad's fans erupted in cheers.
"That was intense!"
"This competitive mode is super watchable!"
And they weren't wrong.
CS-style gameplay had once pioneered esports culture in another world. Even after countless new games emerged, it still remained a classic due to its balance, pacing, and depth.
---
Final Round
Bianca switched tactics again.
This time, she led her team directly into frontal combat while sending Windfall with the bomb to find an opening.
But White Crane saw through the plan.
He ambushed Windfall, waited until the bomb was planted, killed him, and calmly defused it before Bianca could arrive.
Two wins out of three.
The Happy Old Guard Squad won.
Bianca exited the Secret Realm, frustrated. "I got read completely. That old fox really is cunning."
White Crane smiled. "You did very well. If your teammates were slightly stronger, we probably wouldn't have won."
Rockridge asked, "Want another round?"
River Wanderer looked eager.
He loved this kind of gunfight gameplay.
Bianca shook her head. "Nah. Competitive mode is fun, but Ashina Country suits my taste more. I need to go back and finish my mission — I'm rescuing the Divine Child."
White Crane nodded. "Same for this old man."
For both of them, competitive mode was exciting, but immersive story-driven worlds still held stronger appeal.
It was clear that with repeatable modes like Competitive and Level Mode, Miracle City could maintain long-term player engagement. Even without major updates for years, Adventurer activity wouldn't drop.
But story-driven Secret Realms with deep role-play remained the ultimate trump card.
---
Newcomers
After exiting competitive mode, many Adventurers returned to the End of the World Tide storyline or the Ashina Chronicles.
"Team battles are insanely addictive!"
"Especially when you get a pentakill!"
"I love competition, but my stamina is limited…"
"In the end, we're just too weak!"
"Starting today, we grind hard — we're hitting Tier 2!"
"…!"
Nancilia wasn't in a rush to continue playing.
She noticed several newcomers in the hall — Iris the Flower Fairy, Kimba the Dwarf, and Rook the Kobold, among others.
Though Miracle City had gained dozens of non-human Adventurers, they were still inconspicuous among the seventeen hundred total players.
Nancilia felt it was important to guide them personally so they could integrate better into Miracle City life.
After completing their first adventure — the Raging Tide beginner stage — the three leaders were stunned.
Iris whispered, "This feels too real… Is this really a Secret Realm? Why does it feel like I've entered another world?"
Kimba added, "The architecture and equipment here are beyond imagination."
Rook was busy devouring a box of chocolates. "What is this…? This is amazing!"
Nancilia smiled. Almost all newcomers reacted like this.
"Miracle City has many incredible things. Just watch and learn — you'll gain a lot. Hmm… what's wrong, Rook?"
Suddenly, the Kobold began foaming at the mouth.
He pointed at the half-eaten chocolate, unable to speak.
Alarmed, Nancilia handed the chocolate to Iris and Kimba. They ate it without any discomfort, only finding it delicious.
Finally, the conclusion was clear:
Dogs can't eat chocolate.
Fortunately, Rook was strong and healthy. Though mildly poisoned, he wasn't in danger.
They also obtained basic supplies like iced cola and beer.
"What kind of lives were we living before?"
"To get such amazing drinks so easily…"
"The Secret Realms of Miracle City aren't just fun — the resource output is insanely generous!"
"…!"
Just one beginner stage and some common rewards had completely won them over.
Joining Miracle City had clearly been the right choice.
They already wanted to move their entire tribes here.
---
Ashina Castle
Nancilia guided them through the hall.
When the zombie hordes and bio-monsters of the End of the World Tide appeared before their eyes, and when they witnessed the warriors of Ashina Country firsthand, they finally realized just how deep Miracle City's foundation truly was.
Suddenly—
"Everyone, come here!"
"The Chairman is about to rescue the Divine Child!"
Nancilia froze.
What?!
Already?!
She rushed toward the Secret Realm crystal without explaining anything to the newcomers.
The operator was Three Bamboo, who had skipped competitive mode entirely and headed straight into Ashina Castle.
He fought his way past the Fire Bull and the Ashina Seven Spears, dying twice before finally winning.
The Fire Bull was a massive beast — a single charge could threaten even a Tier 2 master.
As for the Seven Spears, they were elite spear-wielding generals, even stronger than standard samurai commanders.
After defeating them, Three Bamboo began traversing the rooftops and walls of Ashina Castle.
The main castle consisted of the massive Heavenreach Tower, several smaller towers, and countless watchposts arranged in a layered defensive structure. Ordinary troops would find it impossible to invade, but for elite ninjas, it was like paradise.
Using his prosthetic arm, Three Bamboo moved without touching the ground, leaping between buildings.
The watching Adventurers were amazed at the sight of this Eastern-style fortress full of exotic beauty.
But Ashina Castle was in chaos.
Between the towers lurked Ashina Flying Kite soldiers, invaders from the Crimson Banner Army, and even rogue shinobi groups.
Whenever opposing ninjas met in narrow spaces, brutal battles erupted instantly.
Three Bamboo avoided unnecessary fights whenever possible, but even so, he died several times just to approach Heavenreach Tower.
"I can feel it…" he murmured. "The aura of the Divine Child. I have a mysterious connection with Kuro Hirata, and he should be at the top of Heavenreach Tower right now."
"This isn't an illusion."
Bianca commented from outside the Secret Realm.
"After completing the Hirata Estate side quest, I learned the truth about the Dragon's Heritage from the Sculptor. That's also why we didn't die in the temple three years ago."
Nancilia asked, "Was it the Dragon's Heritage power?"
"Yes," Bianca nodded. "It grants immortality. Kuro Hirata, as the Divine Child, is its vessel. He can also create bonded retainers, granting them immortality as well."
Many Adventurers finally understood.
No wonder Wolf hadn't died back then — he'd only lost his memory.
No wonder Genichiro Ashina was willing to do anything to seize that power.
"But if the Dragon's Heritage is so powerful," Nancilia asked, "why did the Hirata family, Isshin Ashina, and even Kuro himself oppose using it?"
Bianca shook her head. "I'm not sure. I only know it has terrible side effects."
At that moment, Time Traveler stepped forward.
"Because the Dragon's Heritage isn't true immortality," he said quietly. "Its resurrection works by draining the life force of the people of this land and channeling it into the Divine Child."
"This power isn't a blessing," he continued. "It's a curse… or more accurately, a conspiracy."
The Traveler had clearly uncovered new clues.
But this wasn't the time for discussion.
Three Bamboo was already moving.
Since he was sure the Divine Child was at the top of Heavenreach Tower, he prepared to attempt a stealth rescue.
"Will he succeed?"
Everyone held their breath.
Genichiro Ashina valued the Divine Child above all else. The tower had to be heavily guarded.
If they encountered that man again…
Things would turn ugly.
Heavenreach Tower was the heart of Ashina Castle.
Hidden masters surely lurked within — perhaps even Sword Saint Isshin Ashina himself.
Precisely because the mission was so dangerous and unpredictable, the tension was unbearable.
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