Game: Civilization Paradise

The watching players showered Pilates with gifts.

You had to admit, this was a good way to make money. Even if the gifts were small, the sheer number of people sending them added up.

BUZZ~

Just then, Xiaoqi’s phone buzzed. She picked it up, glanced at the pop-up message, and said to Long Ming.

"Let’s go. It’s about time."

"Okay."

Long Ming immediately followed Xiaoqi toward the clubhouse.

The two of them soon arrived on the first floor of the clubhouse, where they saw many people heading toward the conference hall in the back.

"Is everyone attending?"

Long Ming asked, surprised to see so many people.

"Everyone from the combat groups is attending, but for the Rat Groups, it’s only the core members."

Xiaoqi led Long Ming toward the conference hall.

Soon, they arrived at the conference hall.

The conference hall was spacious, with tiered seating that could hold several thousand people.

The hall was already nearly half full and buzzing with activity as everyone exchanged greetings.

Xiaoqi led Long Ming to a seat in the back rows on the right side.

"The view is better from over here."

Xiaoqi said to Long Ming with a chuckle.

"Mm."

Long Ming nodded slightly.

Before long, the entire conference hall was full.

Cloud Fish asked Xiaoqi curiously.

"Sister Qi, what’s this meeting about? I heard some people saying it’s not for a good reason."

"Don’t ask."

Hearing Cloud Fish’s words, Xiaoqi looked worried.

’Looks like this meeting isn’t about anything good,’ Long Ming thought, overhearing their conversation.

Suddenly, the noisy conference hall fell silent.

Long Ming looked up to see Luoxue, Fu Fuqing, and the others walk in through a side door.

Fu Fuqing and three others took seats in the front row, while Luoxue walked onto the stage by herself.

She scanned the crowd and said calmly.

"Now that everyone is here, let’s begin the meeting."

At this, everyone turned to look at Luoxue.

"I’ve just returned from the settlement meeting with the All Stars Guild. Although our last expedition was quite fruitful, we only turned in a total of 780 million Game Coins, failing to meet the minimum quota of one billion. To make matters worse, the Moon Wave Guild next door has already submitted two billion Game Coins. Therefore, everyone, we need to work harder."

Luoxue said calmly to the crowd.

The crowd erupted in an uproar, murmuring amongst themselves.

"No way... Are we the only ones who failed?"

"Looks like it."

"I heard the other subsidiary guilds all surpassed their quotas."

"Then aren’t we screwed?"

...

Hearing this, Long Ming shook his head slightly. The difference in the amounts turned in was just too great.

’The All Stars Guild might hand down some kind of punishment.’

Cloud Fish and the others looked at Xiaoqi, their faces full of worry.

"Sister Qi, President Luoxue didn’t get chewed out, did she?"

"It’s hard to say. That number we turned in is just awful. We’re probably at the very bottom."

Xiaoqi let out a bitter laugh.

At this, Luoxue calmly addressed the crowd.

"Alright. Even though we didn’t meet our quota and our performance was last place, there’s no need for any of you to feel discouraged or anxious. I believe that as long as we work hard, things will definitely improve. I hope that in the days to come, you will all unite, cooperate, and strive together!"

"Yes!"

The crowd replied in unison.

"That concludes the official business. Now for the internal awards."

Luoxue announced, looking out at the crowd.

Everyone was taken aback. They hadn’t expected there to be awards, and they looked at Luoxue with excitement.

"We will now announce the evaluation scores for the combat groups."

SWISH!

A ranked list popped up on the projection screen behind Luoxue. The highest-scoring First Combat Group had 81 points, while the lowest-scoring Fifth Combat Group had only 57.

Luoxue announced in a solemn voice.

"The First Combat Group has shown extraordinary performance and has excellently completed the guild’s missions. I now invite Group Leader Shen Hu to the stage."

A moment later, a middle-aged man with a straight back, dark skin, and a resolute expression strode onto the stage.

"The Star Wish Guild hereby awards Group Leader Shen Hu ten million one-dimensional coins and an honorary trophy."

Luoxue handed a trophy to Shen Hu.

"Thank you, President."

Shen Hu accepted the trophy and gave Luoxue a respectful nod.

CLAP! CLAP!

The hall erupted in thunderous applause.

After receiving the trophy, Shen Hu turned and left the stage.

Luoxue then announced to the crowd.

"Next, we will announce the leaderboard for resources submitted by the Rat Groups."

The projection screen refreshed.

First Rat Group: 160 Million

Second Rat Group: 130 Million

Third Rat Group: 100 Million

Fourth Rat Group: 320 Million

Fifth Rat Group: 70 Million

"Whoa, the Fourth Rat Group turned in that much?"

"That’s a landslide victory."

"It’s to be expected. The Fourth Rat Group’s performance has always been great, and with that huge haul a few days ago, of course it’s good."

"Man, the Fifth Rat Group is last again."

...

Xiaoqi looked at the rankings, her shoulders slumping in dejection. ’Last place again.’

"Now, please welcome the leader of the Fourth Rat Group, An Qing, to the stage."

Luoxue said calmly.

An Qing walked onto the stage, her face wreathed in smiles.

"In light of the outstanding contributions made by Group Leader An Qing, the Star Wish Guild hereby awards her ten million one-dimensional coins and an honorary trophy."

After the announcement, Luoxue handed a trophy to An Qing.

"Thank you, President."

An Qing accepted the trophy with a smile and gave Luoxue a respectful nod.

CLAP! CLAP!

The hall once again erupted in thunderous applause.

Luoxue then turned her gaze to Xiaoqi and spoke.

"Xiaoqi."

"Present, President!"

Xiaoqi jolted and scrambled to her feet.

Her expression was tense as she braced herself for a scolding.

But Luoxue didn’t criticize her. Instead, she offered words of encouragement.

"Although the Fifth Rat Group’s performance was last, I don’t believe that reflects your true ability. You must work harder in the future."

"Yes!"

Xiaoqi replied, touched.

"Good, you may sit. Everyone, listen closely. The Star Wish Guild has always rewarded merit and punished error! As long as you work hard, I believe that each and every one of you here today can one day receive generous rewards."

"Yes, President!"

The crowd responded with excitement.

"That’s all for today’s meeting. You are all dismissed."

Luoxue announced to the crowd.

Hearing Luoxue’s words, Xiaoqi got up and started walking out, her mood still low.

Long Ming walked beside Xiaoqi and said with a smile.

"Feeling down?"

"Not at all."

"Really? It’s written all over your face."

"Sigh... Just leave me alone for a bit."

"It’s no big deal that you lost this time. I’ll help you next time."

"Really?"

Xiaoqi’s expression changed in an instant. She looked up at Long Ming.

"Of course!"

"That’s great! Let me treat you to dinner."

"Maybe some other time. I still have things to do."

Long Ming shook his head.

"Alright then."

Xiaoqi didn’t press the issue.

Just then, Luoxue emerged from a side door of the conference hall, blocking the way for Long Ming’s group.

"President."

Xiaoqi and the others greeted her.

Luoxue nodded slightly, then took out an envelope and handed it to Long Ming.

"This is for you."

"Okay."

Long Ming accepted it, a little surprised.