I have to say that the underground passage is expensive, but it is definitely worth it, as can be seen from its speed.
Phoenix is located in the eastern part of China, so message transmission to western cities would naturally be slower than elsewhere. However, in reality, all messages were sent simultaneously and arrived almost simultaneously. The time spent in transit was the same.
Although Yang Jia didn't know how it worked specifically, it was obvious that it didn't deliver the data one city at a time, but rather that all cities were connected to a certain "transfer station", so the steps for delivering data between any two cities were City A-Transfer Station-City B. In this way, even if the two cities were located in the east and west, thousands of miles apart, they could travel back and forth as quickly as two adjacent cities.
Yang Jia was very interested in this.
She and Li Bai had studied this together. While the surface separation and the underground connection seemed diametrically opposed, they might be treated as a single force. If the force separating the cities was the force of the meteorite, could the force connecting them also be the same force, manifesting in a different form?
This also explains another problem: with so many meteorites, even if they were made into seals and sculptures, there would surely be a lot left. Yet, there are no traces of meteorites on the ground. What if they were all buried underground?
However, the situation underground was completely different from the surface. Even if they had a guess, confirming it would be extremely difficult. After all, the entire map was so vast, and they had no idea where the transfer station was located underground. Finding it would be a monumental undertaking.
So after studying it for a while, the two put the issue aside for the time being and turned their attention to the upcoming party.
Of course, not every one of the eighty-eight cities had sent someone to inquire about the situation, but when Yang Jia and his team invited them, they treated them all equally and sent invitations. After all, it was convenient to travel underground. As for whether the other party would actually send someone, that was hard to say.
After all, you definitely can't bring too many people here. Not everyone has the courage and guts to run directly to Phoenix City.
However, it was still uncertain who would be coming, so Yang Jia and Li Bai could only analyze the relevant information they could gather about each city. Some of this information was gathered in-game, but much more came from the real world. With Li Bai's analysis, Yang Jia was able to quickly match the information from each city.
"So far, most cities have been occupied by players, but there are still about ten cities controlled by NPCs." Yang Jia looked at the results of the data analysis and was very surprised. "Although it's in the sparsely populated western part, it's still quite unexpected."
They were all NPCs, and Yang Jia felt an inexplicable sense of kinship with them, so she paid closer attention to this news. Although she didn't know how long these cities could hold out, she was willing to see their existence, as it showed that the people of this land were struggling to save themselves, rather than being reduced to a helpless background in the game.
If they came to Phoenix this time and were willing to cooperate in a friendly manner, Yang Jia felt that he might as well provide them with some strength. They could help each other and hold on for as long as they could!
In addition to these dozen cities, according to Li Bai, among the remaining cities, although they all seem independent and have little connection with each other, in fact, because the major forces in the real world have long had a tacit understanding of the problems in the game, when they log in, they choose the place to enter for the first time according to certain rules.
For example, the area around Phoenix City was the Li family's sphere of influence. While some of the surrounding cities might be occupied by ordinary individual players or small factions, the majority were directly controlled by the Li family. The same was true for other areas.
So although cities are currently not connected, they cannot be treated as independent individuals.
"The general trend in the future will definitely be to divide the forces into several major ones according to the current power divisions. It will be almost impossible for those individual cities to gain a foothold, and the only result is to be annexed." Li Bai said.
In fact, the original Phoenix City should have been similar. If it were under Li Bai's control, it would have been directly incorporated into the Li family's power. If Yang Jia were in charge alone, it would have been inevitably annexed. However, because Yang Jia was in power, with Li Bai's support, and because he was the first to annex Bailu City, he had a huge advantage and was able to compete with those major forces.
However, this advantage is only temporary. Whether it can be sustained depends on the outcome of this gathering. If we can annex four or five surrounding cities, there should be no problem.
So after introducing other places, Li Bai focused on explaining the cities near Phoenix.
Phoenix City has a special location, being located in the east-central part of the entire Chinese region, and right in the middle of two major forces.
In the real world, the Chinese region is dominated by six major powers: the Li, Bai, Lei, Majia, Xuan, and Sheng families. Each of these six families commands a large military force, and members of their families also serve in the Senate. In the increasingly rigid class structure of the 29th century, they are arguably the decision-makers of the entire Chinese region, dominating and overbearing.
Even if it's just in the game.
Directly bordering Phoenix City are the Lei family and the Li family.
The Li family was the one Li Bai belonged to. Yang Jia had already classified them as enemies, so she was extremely vigilant. However, Li Bai herself didn't seem to care much. After all, it wasn't time to become hostile to the Li family yet, so she seemed calm in her analysis.
"To our northwest is the Lei family's territory, and to our southwest is the Li family's." Li Bai pointed to two areas on the map. "If we weren't here, the vast area to the east would have become their territory. But now it's separated by Phoenix City."
"I think we'll be under a lot of pressure later. If they want to expand outward, they'll definitely target us," Yang Jia said. "But we're not completely without advantages. As long as we can absorb a few surrounding cities before they do, we can form a more effective blockade. We're not sure whether non-bordering cities can be annexed by the seal. But even if they can, it probably won't last long if they remain isolated. So as long as we block their path, we can easily absorb the remaining cities to the east."
This would buy them a period of peaceful development and strengthen their own strength. Once they took over these cities, the Nirvana Guild would own at least ten cities, nearly one-eighth of the entire Chinese region. This was definitely not a small force, and it was more than enough to gain a firm foothold.
Yang Jia's gaze swept across the map, landing on Jackdaw City. It was located just below Phoenix City. If they could capture it, they could establish a stronghold. Together with the nearby Phoenix City, they would form a stable triangle, providing support in any direction.
However, this strategic location is now occupied by Zheng Yizhao.
Further down is the Li family's territory. Perhaps Zheng Yizhao had already made the decision when he chose to take it out. Jackdaw City is probably out of reach.
Yang Jia's gaze paused briefly before returning to Magpie City. The person present was Zhao Feng, a figure Yang Jia didn't understand. According to Li Bai, he must also be a member of the Li family. His current attitude was also pessimistic. Perhaps he and Zheng Yizhao were part of the Li family's strategy to guard against Li Bai.
She could only turn her attention away again, focusing on Partridge City and Dapeng City, which were close to the Lei family's territory, and pondering the possibility of taking over these two cities.
As if noticing her gaze, Li Bai said, "Bai Yu is from the Bai family."
The Bai family's territory was on the other side of the Li family's, not bordering Partridge City. Therefore, he would have to give up this city sooner or later; the key was how much he would pay. The Bai and Li families had always had a good relationship, and Yang Jia would never allow Partridge City to fall into their hands.
So she only thought for a moment before saying, "How about we exchange the secret of the seal for this city and cooperate with the Bai family at the same time?"
While the Bai family and the Li family had a good relationship, they weren't completely without a chance of winning. Bai Ting was also from the Bai family, but she was a loyal follower of Li Bai. And Bai Yu was also from Phoenix City. With enough leverage, I believe this partnership wouldn't be too difficult to achieve.
The reason for this decision is that if Partridge City and Phoenix City are connected, they can effectively separate Dapeng City from the Li family. You know, Qiu Yue is also a member of the Li family.
Li Bai nodded, "Okay, let Bai Ting go and talk to her."
"Hurry up and get this done before the party starts," Yang Jia said. With three cities in hand, the advantage will naturally be greater, and the attraction to other scattered cities will also increase.
Yang Jia's gaze fell on Huangli City, next to Jackdaw City. If there was a city she wanted to absorb the most, it would probably be Huangli City. She had already considered the Li family an enemy, so she naturally had to do her utmost to defend against them. With Huangli City, she could, along with Phoenix City and Egret City, form an encirclement around Jackdaw City.
If a war breaks out with the Li family, this is the first place Yang Jia will want to destroy.
Not only because of its important position, but also because the person who controls it is Zheng Yizhao, a man who clearly values Li Bai but stands on the side of the Li family.
Yang Jia didn't need any reason to be wary of him.
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