After capturing three top-tier Aether Spirits and gaining powerful allies, Pei Guang and the others returned to Belobog. Following a night of rest, the trio prepared to start their next challenge.
This time, the Interastral Tournament Festival featured four major regions, each offering different Aether Spirits for players to collect. Players who could be physically present at the locations were able to capture Aether Spirits directly in the specially prepared arenas.
For those who couldn't show up in person, participation was still possible through remote projections. With the company's advanced technology, as long as players were willing to spend the money, they could enjoy a truly immersive gameplay experience.
The first stop of the Aetherium Wars wasn't just anywhere—it was the outskirts of Belobog, in a place called the Corridor of Fading Echoes. This area was originally part of the city but was later overtaken by creations from the Fragmentum due to its encroachment.
However, the company had made good use of the space, designating it as one of the celebration's maps. That said, compared to the Herta Space Station, the Xianzhou Luofu, or the final battle dungeon, this map had fewer participants.
That's because only Silvermane Guards and a few Fragmentum creatures could be captured as Aether Spirits here, and these Aether Spirits were relatively weak. Naturally, they weren't the top choice for most players.
But Pei Guang's group didn't mind. If they wanted to become the very bes—cough—if they wanted to become true masters of Aether Spirits, they had to start from the ground up.
Besides, who said weak Aether Spirits were useless? Back in his days playing Pokémon, Pei Guang had beaten seemingly powerful monsters using bizarre and creative strategies. After all, strength in mechanics could often deliver unexpected results.
At the entrance to the Corridor of Fading Echoes, March 7th looked excitedly at Pei Guang and Stelle.
"Hey, this is the entrance, right? While we were resting last night, I looked up some guides on the interstellar web. Turns out this Victory Zone was specially rented out by the IPC from various planets. The company's seriously loaded."
Pei Guang: "Of course. It's a monopolistic interstellar corporation, after all. If it didn't have that kind of clout, I'd look down on them. Still, if we ever really piss them off in the future, blowing their place up would be fun."
Stelle nodded in agreement. "Totally! I'm with Ah Guang now: I'm actually looking forward to the day we blow up their headquarters!"
She pulled out a baseball bat and gave it a few practice swings, eyes gleaming. At the same time, Warp Trotter let out some cheerful squeaks.
March 7th covered her face, exasperated. "Seriously? How did you two manage to corrupt Piggy Hero too? Ugh, whatever, I give up. Anyway, what do you think we'll find in the Victory Zone? I'm so hyped!"
Pei Guang shrugged. "No idea. But I bet we'll come across some interesting Aether Spirits. Let's head in and check it out."
As the trio was about to enter, Stelle noticed someone familiar in the distance.
"Look, it's Jojo over there."
Pei Guang: "Let's go see what he's up to."
As the three of them approached, Giovanni turned to them.
"Oh? You made it. Welcome to the Corridor of Fading Echoes' Victory Zone!"
Giovanni's tone was full of joy. He'd been so excited the night before that he couldn't sleep. As soon as the sun came up, he was already here waiting for Pei Guang and the others. Now that they had arrived, he was absolutely thrilled.
Still, he suppressed his excitement and calmly said, "Hahaha! To be honest, I'm a veteran Aetherium Wars player myself. By the way, this must be your first time entering the Victory Zone, right?"
Pei Guang nodded. "That's right! But before coming in, we already studied the guides. In the Victory Zone, we collect and battle to gain EXP and chips, spar with players to raise our Victory Rating, and during the process, we collect Aether Expansion Chips to enhance our Aether Spirits' abilities and make them stronger.
Once we've accumulated enough ratings, we challenge the regional champion candidates, then take on the Four Heavenly Kings, the Fifth of the Four Heavenly Kings, and finally the hidden sixth person to claim victory!"
Giovanni nodded. "As expected of the famed Trailblazers—haven't even started playing, and you already know the game flow. You're true-born gamers."
Pei Guang: "Well, I am a gamer. But seriously, the amount of references you guys stuffed into Aetherium Wars is wild! Even I didn't expect to be playing a Pokémon-style game in another world."
March 7th nodded. "Totally! My Ah Guang is a real gamer—not like Silver Wolf, who only thinks she's one."
Stelle crossed her arms and looked at March 7th. "What do you mean 'your' Ah Guang? Ah Guang is communal property of the Astral Express team!"
Pei Guang: "Wow, I'm property now?"
Watching this scene, the smile on Giovanni's face behind his mask grew even brighter. He pulled out several chips and said, "You probably don't have any Aether Expansion Chips yet. Use your coins to scan these, and you'll be able to equip your Aether Spirits with all sorts of skills.
No time like the present, give it a try!"
Under Giovanni's guidance, Pei Guang and the others obtained their first two chips. The chip abilities were simple: one restored 3 Energy to the holder on their first turn, and the other caused 50% of the attacker's ATK as bonus damage when hitting enemies afflicted with debuffs.
Very straightforward chips. Pei Guang glanced at their colors—blue, clearly basic rarity—and immediately equipped them to the Warp Trotter.
As for the other three Aether Spirits? No need. Those three were stat monsters, meant solely for catching other contestants' Spirits. Equipping chips on them would just be a waste.
After scanning the chips, and with Giovanni leading the way, Pei Guang and his group officially entered. But just before they stepped inside, March 7th spotted a familiar duo not far away: Pela and Serval.