When the guild leaders of the three major guilds saw the equipment, their eyes lit up just like Chang Sheng and the others had before.
"Village Chief, how much are these items? We'll buy them!"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head. "There's no need for you to pay. There will be many more places where I'll need your help in the future, so this is your reward in advance!"
"Village Chief, since we've signed a contract, we will naturally do what you need us to. However, we can't just take your things for free!"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head again.
"I said they're a gift to you, so they are. If you truly want to compensate me, then take these items and launch a large-scale group battle against the four great families. You must defeat those scoundrels. The current era is not yet clear, and these four guilds must be absorbed. In fact, if they refuse to submit, simply crush them until they disband!"
Looking at the equipment before them, coupled with the divine artifacts in Dou Youyou's hands, they were now confident they could fight the four great families.
"Village Chief, don't worry. Since you've provided so much equipment, we will also show our sincerity. We will head back now to prepare and discuss how to fight the four great families!"
"Good. You handle these matters yourselves. I will keep an eye on your every move!"
"Thank you, Village Chief!"
After a few final words, the three of them hurriedly left.
"Master, the four great families are expanding their influence at an alarming rate, primarily because they have sufficient funds to attract players to join their guilds. I don't think this equipment alone will be enough to defeat them!"
Zhang Pingfan pondered for a moment.
While this equipment could indeed boost the combat power of high-tier players, it seemed difficult to change the overall battlefield situation.
"Indeed, it's not that simple. How far has your pet's ability progressed?"
"Mine is doing well and is very strong. However, the others aren't. Even the best pets that Chang Sheng and the others obtained are only 'excellent' grade. The gap between an 'excellent' grade pet and my divine grade pet is too vast!"
"How vast is the gap?"
"It's like an adult fighting a child, no comparison at all!"
"Uh, so the gap is indeed huge. What about the gap between 'excellent' grade and other grades?"
"The gap is smaller. Aside from ordinary pets whose abilities are not great, the damage dealt by other pets is not significantly different. For example, if an ordinary pet deals 500 damage to a boss, an intermediate pet deals 1000 damage, an advanced pet deals 2000 damage, and an excellent pet deals at most 4000 damage. Currently, most players have advanced grade pets, and their attack frequency is not high. A little more damage doesn't play a significant role. Players' health is generally around 30,000. An excellent grade pet hitting a player would deduct at most over 1000 health points. It's even less when it hits me, only less than 500 points!"
"Uh, these pets are indeed a bit underwhelming. Besides being useful for grinding monsters, they don't seem very effective in player-versus-player combat!"
"Yes, during monster grinding, pets can be very helpful, but their effectiveness in PvP is not very good. However, my divine grade pet is different. This rabbit is fierce. A normal attack might deduct at least one-third of a player's health, and a skill could result in death or severe injury!"
"Damn, that's truly monstrous. But the damage from other pets against players is indeed too low. With such insignificant damage, pets are almost superfluous!"
"Exactly. That's why people's enthusiasm for pets has waned compared to the beginning. Initially, everyone thought that since pets dealt so much damage to monsters, they must be valuable. But then they realized the damage against players was too low, so players are no longer as eager to acquire pets."
This is not right. Since the pet system was implemented, it must have its benefits. If the benefit is only in grinding monsters, then it's rather redundant.
After all, the higher the player's damage gets in the later stages, the quicker they will disregard the pets' usefulness.
"System Miss, didn't you consider this?"
【Ding! This point was indeed overlooked. The initial design was precisely this: pets are merely embellishments, unless one possesses a divine grade pet. My aim is to allow players to enhance their own strength, not rely on other means!】
"What you're saying makes sense. If that's the case, then there's no need to change it. After all, it's preparation for future battles. To preserve one's life, I believe enhancing one's combat capability is very necessary."
【Ding! Yes, my spatial defense system is more than halfway complete. I believe it should be ready in a few more months!】
"Is this what you mentioned last time, building a layer of defense on the surface of Blue Star?"
【Ding! However, it does pose some challenges for Blue Star's technology. But currently, the effect is acceptable. I'm just not sure if it can be completed before the demon servants arrive!】
Zhang Pingfan frowned. New Year's Day was fast approaching, but so was the end of the world.
The end of the world would likely arrive by summer.
Zhang Pingfan sighed and shook his head.
"Protect everyone as much as possible!"
【Ding! I will do my best!】
"Master, what are you sighing about?"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head. "Nothing, I just feel like time flies by so quickly. In less than half a year, they will be here!"
"They? Master, are you referring to the demon servants?"
"Yes, this might be our last peaceful year!"
Dou Youyou leaned into Zhang Pingfan's embrace.
"Master, don't worry. We'll work together to drive them away!"
Zhang Pingfan gently stroked Dou Youyou's hair.
If possible, he wished all of this was a lie.
"It's alright. New Year's Day is in less than 10 days. Are you going home, or staying with me?"
Dou Youyou hesitated. After all, in previous years, she would always spend the New Year with her parents, sister, and grandparents.
But this year was different. Ever since she met Zhang Pingfan, everything had changed.
"Master, can I consider it?"
"Of course, you can. This is your own choice, and I won't force you. I haven't been to the orphanage to spend New Year with the院长 in a long time, and I plan to go this year. If you wish, you can come with me, but the conditions will certainly not be as good as your home. You must be mentally prepared!"
"Yes, I've decided. They say a wife follows her husband, so wherever you go, I go. I also want to see where Master grew up!"
Zhang Pingfan looked at Dou Youyou with a smile. This girl finally had some of her own initiative.