Chapter 146 : Player Legions Go Live! Starsea Journey Roster Revealed!
Chapter 146: Player Legions Go Live! Starsea Journey Roster Revealed!
Bund of the Magic Capital.
Inside a luxurious high-rise flat.
Li Yuling was still brimming with energy even after logging out.
She felt like she could log back in and fight for another twenty hours.
Li Yuling was extremely puzzled about her physical and mental condition. Even though she used the best custom-made gaming capsule, she had been addicted to the game day and night for almost three weeks. Normally, such a long lack of physical activity should’ve weakened her body, right?
But in reality—
She not only didn’t feel any decline in her mental or physical state…
She actually felt as if her body had become even stronger.
“Could the rumors on the forum be true? Could Twisted Three Kingdoms really replace sleep entirely… and could fighting and exercising in-game actually help strengthen your real-world body?”
Although Li Yuling only had a middle school education, she was born into a top-tier wealthy family. She understood just how terrifyingly valuable such black-tech would be, if it truly existed.
Humans spend at least one-third of their lives sleeping. If this technology allowed that one-third of time to be used productively, then it was equivalent to humans gaining several extra decades out of nowhere.
Whether for entertainment—
Or for studying—
It could generate tremendous value.
Not to mention, this game actually seemed to have a real fitness effect.
Li Yuling felt like she was much stronger than before. Her vision, hearing, sense of smell—even her lung capacity seemed to have improved slightly. It seemed more than one person on the forum had reported similar experiences!
Was this really all thanks to the game? If so, this game was divine—practically a fitness miracle!
While munching on snacks, Li Yuling browsed the forum on her tablet. Although her real body was fine, her in-game body needed rest. So, she decided to check out what people were discussing online.
“Waaah!”
“The forum’s super lively!”
There was a pinned highlight video.
The title was simple: 《Ten Seconds of Pure Hype! Lord Hang Yu VS Demonized Guan Yu!》
It was a video shot by Chimera Wraith, showing the duel between Lord Hang Yu and Demonized Guan Yu. The two only exchanged three rounds. The actual fight lasted no more than three or four seconds. Yet, just those three rounds were enough to shock netizens for a hundred years!
This video was bound to go viral, just like her previous short clips.
And thanks to Guan Yu as a high-profile hook, it caused even more of a sensation.
After Chimera Wraith posted it on her personal short video account, it reached five million likes and eight hundred thousand comments in less than a day. At the moment, it was even dominating major overseas media platforms, with its topic popularity and influence still snowballing.
“Lord Hang Yu really is the best!”
Li Yuling had always considered herself the No.1 fangirl of Lord Hang Yu. Seeing more and more people joining the ranks of his fans gave her a sense of pride, recognition, and deep satisfaction.
Aside from the massive wave of buzz this event caused—
Chenxi, Chimera Wraith, and several players who loved analyzing lore, settings, and storylines had already begun decoding the latest intel. And that happened to be what cloud players were most interested in.
There had just been too much new information lately.
Interpretation angles were practically endless.
Just take the five Huangtian Descendants that Zhang Bao summoned before dying as an example. Many players on the forum were speculating on their identities, and some had even written analysis posts several thousand words long.
As for the identity of the Evil God Huangtian?
The forum had basically reached a consensus.
Whether it was the clear intel Guan Yu had disclosed or the subtle hints elsewhere, all signs pointed to the Great Virtuous Teacher and General of Heaven—Zhang Jiao. There wasn’t much debate on that for now.
It now appeared that the Abyss Three Kingdoms didn’t just feature demonized generals—it had divine generals too!
According to the speculations of players like Chimera Wraith, divine generals were supreme beings who transcended conventional understanding. They were essentially native deities birthed by this world.
Some gods were righteous.
Some gods were evil.
Some of the highest beings—though already deified—could still appear in different timelines of the story, showing up in various ages, states, and forms throughout the main storyline.
For example—
Even though Guan Yu’s true self had become a god, in theory, players could still encounter him in earlier stages like the Tiger Gate Pass map or the Battle of Guandu map. They could still participate in plotlines that were modified versions of historical events.
Of course, the versions of Guan Yu seen in those places were just avatars or projections.
Cloud players and lore enthusiasts used this setting as a springboard to extrapolate more stories and theories. But with so many viewpoints and information sources, it became overwhelming to follow.
Li Yuling sometimes found herself completely confused too. The Abyss World was simply too chaotic, too disordered. Around seventy percent of all player theories were likely just wild guesses. No one could say how much would end up being true.
She continued refreshing the forum homepage—
Looking for any breaking news or fresh leaks.
And then, suddenly, a major announcement caught her attention.
“Everyone, check the official homepage!”
“The official announcement for Phase 3 testing is out!”
After hearing this, Li Yuling immediately opened the homepage. Sure enough, at the top of the announcements section, she saw a new preview detailing the third round of Twisted Three Kingdoms’ closed beta and its upcoming major updates.
Li Yuling’s spirit soared!
The first and second tests had taken about a month in total.
Even if the third test took a bit longer, it would probably only be two or three months.
Once the three large-scale closed tests were over, full open beta was likely around the corner!
It looked like the game's development was progressing smoothly. It wouldn’t be long before it opened to everyone!
First, she wanted to check out what new content would be added in Phase 3.
Li Yuling quickly read through the official announcement.
Here’s a rough summary of its content:
Since the number of players was about to reach 2,000, and because the Calamity Army had successfully cleared the Wo Niu Mountain map, the game would automatically update. Phase 3 of closed testing would begin in six days. Just like Phase 2 introduced many new features, Phase 3 would bring major updates as well.
The main updates were as follows:
Further increase in Calamity Army recruitment quota!
New map areas and expansion pack content unlocked!
Preview of the launch of the Legion System (player guilds)!
Special event map “Land of the Stars” opened for testing.
…
Comprehensive upgrades to main city buildings and optimization of player starting zones.
After reading the update notice, Li Yuling was extremely excited—especially about items 2, 3, and 4.
The unlocking of new maps and expansion packs was expected. After all, with the Calamity Army having successfully conquered the Wo Niu Mountain map thanks to the Lord’s help, it made sense that harder and more engaging regions would now open.
The special event area “Land of the Stars” had also been teased before.
It was the hometown of Lord Hang Yu, Yan Ling, and Bai Mu—existing outside the Abyss Three Kingdoms plane. Players had always been eager to explore the hidden world beyond the main setting of Twisted Three Kingdoms.
Now, it seemed—
As an event map—
The Land of the Stars would periodically open for exploration.
Players would get to follow Lord Hang Yu there and broaden their horizons!
The next opening would be in just twelve hours. Lord Hang Yu would announce the list of followers in six hours. But this time, there were only four slots. She wasn’t sure if she’d get picked.
Apart from these anticipated updates—
It was clear the devs had taken player feedback seriously—
And improved game mechanics.
For instance, the major third update was the preview for the upcoming “Legion System” launch and test!
This was the long-awaited feature that players had been begging for. Nearly every game had some sort of player organization—be it guilds, factions, or clans. In Twisted Three Kingdoms, these player groups were called “Legions.”
As long as they met the conditions—
Players could establish their own Legions within the Calamity Army.
Of course, all player-created Legions would still fall under the Calamity Army umbrella.
As for the details of the Legion System—how to create a Legion, its specific functions, and rules—those hadn’t been released yet. But since it had been officially previewed, it wouldn’t be long before it appeared in-game.
This was indeed a massive update—
And it immediately sparked heated discussion among players.
Li Yuling glanced at one of the forum’s analysis posts.
In it, the player Brother Xiao Ma wrote:
“I believe the launch of the Legion System might be a game-changing, even milestone-level update that completes the final missing puzzle piece of Twisted Three Kingdoms’ core mechanics!”
“It’s a huge breakthrough—both for the Calamity Army and the game itself.”
“Why introduce a guild-like Legion System now? I think neither current closed beta players nor those still waiting for invites would find it strange!”
“After all, practically every traditional MMO or mobile game has some kind of guild, faction, or clan. These group systems exist to increase player retention and engagement—using collective activities, competition, honor, and rankings to boost spending.”
“But I think Twisted Three Kingdoms is different!”
“It doesn’t need to boost engagement or retention at all.”
“The biggest issue is that the game is just too fun. We players literally can’t stop playing.”
“And as for monetization, that’s just laughable. Twisted Three Kingdoms hasn’t shown a single sign of charging money. There’s no pay-to-win or shady monetization system in sight.”
“I think the only reasonable explanation for the Legion System is territory management. In the early days, when there were only a few dozen or hundred players, organizing them wasn’t necessary. But with the player count reaching 2,000—and likely doubling or tripling in the future—managing the player base becomes increasingly difficult.”
“We players aren’t real soldiers.”
“We all have different login times and goals. What we want to do each day is unpredictable.”
“So by allowing player self-governance, it’s like Lord Hang Yu is delegating authority—selecting trustworthy, capable, and respected players to form teams and better manage the disorganized masses. And through Legion-based competition and collective pride, the overall power of the Calamity Army can be boosted!”
“I believe with this new version…”
“Twisted Three Kingdoms is entering a brand-new era!”
“Pro players will soon find massive opportunities in-game!”
“An era of rising legends and fierce player rivalries has arrived!”
“……”
There were numerous similar analysis posts.
The forum had already exploded into discussion.
Whether Cloud Players or Internal Test Players, everyone was talking:
“What a massive update!”
“Who will become the first Legion Commander in Twisted Three Kingdoms?”
“Are there any requirements to become a Legion Commander? That identity probably isn’t something an average player can get!”
“Ye Li Meng is already speeding up recruitment! Looks like he’s determined to claim the Legion Commander position!”
“Ye Li Meng currently commands top-tier experts like Lone Boat and Mad Blade Old Wang. He has the largest number of Tier-Two Players under his banner. Truly a mighty force with great momentum. He might become the biggest guild leader in the game.”
“Not necessarily!”
“Hot insider scoop!”
“Black-Eyed Rui Ge already turned down Ye Li Meng’s offer of ten million annual salary + shares. Looks like he’s planning to form his own legion with Street Slayer, Midnight Pig Slayer, and Salted Fish Thrust!”
“Damn, that’s insane, turning down ten million?!”
“Do you think Black-Eyed Rui Ge and Ye Li Meng might end up turning against each other?”
“I think competition is inevitable, but falling out seems unlikely. After all, the two of them have always had a good relationship!”
“Heh, there are no eternal friends, only eternal interests. If their legions are evenly matched in strength, how could there not be competition over benefits? There’s no No.1 in literature, but there’s no No.2 in combat. I really want to know who’d win if they fought!”
“Hope nothing goes wrong!”
“Heh! Planning to stir up trouble? Better ask the newly appointed Security Captain Zhou Cang first. Don’t tell me you think the Lord’s Personal Guard, the Azure Dragon Guard, are pushovers!”
“I want to be a Legion Commander too!”
“How many Legion Commander slots are there?”
“……”
Li Yuling was reading through the analysis and discussions on the Legion System.
“Lingling!” Aunt Zhao walked into the room.
Li Yuling impatiently waved her hand. “Aunt Zhao, don’t disturb me now. I’m collecting important intel!”
Aunt Zhao said helplessly, “President Li has returned!”
“Huh? Dad’s back?” Li Yuling quickly put down her tablet and headed to the living room, where a dignified middle-aged man with greying temples and commanding presence had appeared in their home.
It was none other than Li Yuling’s father, Li Songlin.
Father and daughter hadn’t seen each other in months.
Li Yuling asked, “Why are you suddenly back?”
“There’s an important company meeting in the Bund of the Magic Capital. Since I had time, I figured I’d stop by. I heard you’ve been so absorbed in the game lately that you’re almost neglecting sleep and meals.”
“I…” Li Yuling’s eyes spun as her brain quickly came up with an excuse.
But to her surprise, Li Songlin didn’t scold her. Instead, he asked, “So? How’s everything going in the game?”
“Huh?”
Li Yuling was momentarily stunned. Even though her father supported her gaming, being asked this face-to-face still felt awkward. She paused a few minutes before answering:
“Not bad.”
“Either it’s good or it’s not. What do you mean by ‘not bad’?”
Li Yuling replied, “I’ve already reached Level 13. If I weren’t focusing on training skills, I’d be Level 14 by now. There are hardly any Warlocks in the Calamity Army with better stats than mine. My damage contribution in every quest is always among the top!”
Li Songlin asked, “Of the funds I prepared for you, how much have you spent? And on what?”
Li Yuling said, “I’ve been buying Contribution Point gear and treating my friends to food… I’ve already spent almost thirty million.”
Li Songlin had given her two hundred million in funds.
Now, less than two weeks in, thirty million was already gone.
Even Li Yuling felt she had been a bit too extravagant and hadn’t achieved anything significant, so she kept her head down the entire time, answering sheepishly.
Li Songlin frowned: “Too slow!”
Li Yuling was dumbfounded. “What? Too slow?”
Li Songlin continued, “I specifically came back this time to add another one billion to your funds. Your task is to spend it quickly—but strategically and purposefully. Remember, personal power is always limited. You must learn to attract talent and compete for core resources!”
One… one billion?!
Did Dad catch a fever and fry his brain recently?
Even if the family had tons of money, how could he let a high schooler spend like this?!
Could the Li family’s money be so excessive they had to throw it into a virtual game?
But Li Songlin had his reasons. In fact, ten days ago, he had already started investigating Twisted Three Kingdoms.
The black-tech behind the game was astounding.
Fully immersive virtual reality, flawlessly realistic AI—just these two alone could shake up trillion-dollar industries!
What’s more, as Li Songlin’s investigation deepened, he uncovered even more shocking black-tech applications—sleep replacement, physical training benefits, and more. It was practically a goldmine capable of changing the world.
As a top-tier entrepreneur and head of a financial group, Li Songlin’s first thought had been to invest in the development company, even contemplating a full acquisition at any cost.
But as the investigation continued…
Li Songlin made a startling discovery.
Twisted Three Kingdoms was hiding unfathomable depths.
Recent signs suggested it had an extremely secretive official background.
Li Songlin suspected the game might be a massive project secretly developed with government resources, though why it was released as a game remained unclear.
He wasn’t an ordinary man—he had topped Daxia’s Rich List multiple times. His connections and intel network were beyond imagination. The deeper he dug, the more suspicions surfaced.
Some anomalies…
Were downright bizarre.
Some could only be described as outrageous.
Especially those top-secret rumors—utterly unbelievable, yet not completely dismissible.
Although the game’s true origins remained unclear, his instincts screamed that this wasn’t just a game. It could be the gateway to humanity’s next stage, or a super-variable that reshuffles global wealth.
Under such circumstances…
It was no longer just black-tech entertainment.
Li Songlin had already arranged for his company and staff to register for the game. He had even used considerable resources to investigate Internal Test Players, only to be met with a serious warning from national security officials—his investigation was brushing against a national security red line.
A mere game…
Yet tied to national security?
Li Songlin now found Twisted Three Kingdoms even more unusual and mysterious. Without drawing attention, he set up a dedicated department to quietly hire pro players at high salaries. Progress was limited so far.
His daughter, however, was already a member of the Calamity Army—
And one of its most representative Warlocks.
Li Songlin realized his daughter was the best breakthrough point, so he returned and decided to further ramp up investment.
“You may spend the money fast, but not recklessly. Make sure every cent is well-spent—either to gain greater status or better resources in-game. Do you have confidence?”
His intentions—
Li Yuling had no idea.
She only knew that spending such huge amounts rationally wasn’t easy.
While she could buy Contribution Points from players, there was a daily cap on how many Contribution Points a player could earn through supply missions, and a limit on how much in-game currency they could exchange daily.
Just then—
The soon-to-be-launched Legion System—
Sparked an idea in Li Yuling’s mind like a lightning bolt.
“Dad, I’ve got an idea—I can create a Legion too!”
Li Songlin clearly hadn’t seen the latest announcement and didn’t react immediately: “Create a Legion? What do you mean?”
Li Yuling explained the newest game update and said, “I’ve got a ton of great friends in-game. Especially Sister Chenxi, Sister Chimera Wraith, plus Qingchen, Hua Mulan, Green-Eyed Fox, Meowla—they’re not only my close sisters, but they’re all famous and skilled!”
After careful consideration—
Li Songlin realized this was indeed great timing.
Most in-game legions were male-dominated.
If Li Yuling went the other way and built a female-led legion, as long as the treatment and benefits were high enough, she might carve out her own path with a unique edge.
Li Songlin nodded in approval: “Not bad, worth trying. I’ve already set up a studio for you. From now on, it’ll handle intelligence gathering and analysis for Twisted Three Kingdoms, and help you manage your team and formulate strategies.”
“As long as you do well—”
“There’s no cap on investment!”
Faced with her father’s serious expression—
Even Li Yuling realized—
This game might be far more complicated than it seemed.
At this moment, Ye Li Meng, Black-Eyed Rui Ge, and Little Bell were all preparing to found legions.
Of course—
They were far from the only ones aiming to become Legion Commanders.
Wang Yue, not long after logging out, received instructions from his organization. His new task: to secure a Legion Commander slot in-game and establish a front organization to cover official agents operating in the game.
Meanwhile—
Arthur King, far overseas—
Had teamed up with Dark Lucifer, Gungnir, Moose Girl, and Iron Fist Tough Guy Johnson, and just posted a public oath on social media—declaring his intent to compete for the title of Legion Commander in the Calamity Army!
Arthur King was determined to create the first non-China regional Legion—
To become an indispensable force within the Calamity Army!
Of the ten future strongest, largest, and most influential legions in the Calamity Army, five had already begun taking shape during this phase, with many more in the making.
As the old saying goes: The gears of fate have begun to turn.
…………
Hang Yu initiated the Legion System solely to manage the ever-growing, increasingly scattered Calamity Army more effectively. It was purely for territory development—but had become the hottest topic among players.
In no time—
Players everywhere started forming factions.
Indeed, cliques were in human nature.
Hang Yu believed that with legions forming, the Calamity Army would grow stronger—but internal rivalry would also intensify. Player-vs-player clashes were inevitable.
Although he already had preliminary plans for launching legions—
The finer details still needed work. After all, there were six days left until the start of Phase 3 Testing.
Xiao Ba reminded, “Master, about eight hours remain until the Day of the Stars’ Return!”
Hang Yu nodded. “Mm. Since the time has come, let’s announce the Follower Roster for this journey!”