Chapter 148: Longbow Armament

Flying MM operated the controls while explaining: "AH-64 Apache armed helicopter, cruising speed 300 kilometers per hour, climb rate 12 meters per second, advanced crystal-source power system, weapon system configured with an XM-230 chain gun, 30mm caliber, 1,200 rounds ammunition capacity, equipped with a hardpoint rack carrying 1 Hellfire missile, comprehensive electronic radar system, adapted to modern digital warfare. The Apache armed helicopter possesses excellent mobility, agility, and speed, making it the finest escort-type armed helicopter. Nickname: Longbow."

As soon as she finished speaking, even mechanical idiots like Tuchao and Riwan wore shocked expressions. Such a machine was simply too exaggerated; opposing it would probably require a faction ultimate skill.

One had to know that transport aircraft rented from the shopping mall charged 800 credit points per hour, yet they had manufactured an armed helicopter themselves—how utterly badass was that.

At this moment, everyone else understood. The "Longbow" from Qimen Corporation paired with the "Shark" from Blue Corporation formed the most perfect combination. No wonder so many people had gathered here; it was evidently a case of two former enemies turning into friends to launch a cooperative venture.

Wu Hua sighed once again at that classic maxim: "There are no eternal friends, nor eternal enemies, only eternal interests."

Boundless Skies suddenly smiled and said: "Since President Tie and President Lan are so formidable, what need do they have for us minor troops and pawns?"

"Brother Boundless, you are too modest." Mr. Tie also smiled, stepping forward to say: "My friends, two days ago, President Lan's East Sea Port once again triggered a Federation-level major mission."

Everyone once again wore startled expressions.

"Please look at the marine map, everyone," Azure Starry Sky said. "The area southeast of East Sea Port is an uncharted zone where the situation is intricate and complex. It is said to be the junction point between the Glory Federation and the Sacred Federation, as well as the outermost edge of the entire China sector. The Chief Executive of the Dream Star City Federal Government has revealed that there is a resource-rich island located there, covering an area of about 10 square kilometers. Both land and sea are far more abundant in natural crystals and minerals than anywhere else, and the monster drop rate is a full three times higher than in other regions."

There was another uproar among the crowd. Everyone understood what a drop rate three times higher implied.

Azure Starry Sky continued: "His Excellency the Executive hopes that we can capture this island, after which it will belong to the jurisdiction of Dream Star City. However, based on the current situation, apart from us, the Western and Central divisions of the Arctic Snow Corporation have also received this intelligence. They are likewise organizing a team to head toward the island. Since the Southern and Western divisions have not yet been linked up, their departure point is the Dragon Mountain Port in the Western District, and they will make a wide detour. At the same time, fleets near the Sacred Federation are also heading there."

Everyone finally understood. It seemed this was going to be an unprecedented grand battle—or rather, a fierce maritime war. No wonder the NPCs from the federal government were taking it so seriously.

Mr. Tie said: "This mission is just like previous survival missions. Not only is there a point-scoring system, but as far as I know, there are also prestige points rewarded by the system."

At this, Wu Hua was also tempted. He had long since heard of prestige, and the benefits of prestige points were not the least bit inferior to luck points. Once prestige increased, one could use the points to obtain system-rewarded equipment from the federal government, while also securing official ranks. Gunners had military ranks, warriors had badges, controllers had insignias, doctors had qualification certificates, and mechanics could acquire advanced electronic tomes... All of these items came with attributes and were practically impossible to obtain through ordinary means.

Azure Starry Sky stated: "Due to our company's limited strength, I sincerely hope to cooperate with Qimen, Tianyu, and all the experts present. If this mission succeeds, the Executive has indicated that the federal government will provide a protection system. I am also personally willing to develop the island together with your two esteemed companies, jointly building sea and air ports. As for the traffic and access to the service ports, I will restrict it to just our three parties. Anyone else wishing to enter must pay a hefty fee."

Hearing this, Wu Hua could not help but marvel at this woman's immense ambition. This was what legendary "monopolization" looked like. One had to know that corporations like Blue and Qimen, through their pioneering efforts, controlled quite a few air and land transport hubs. These service ports primarily handled transportation. For example, if one rode a military train, a single major station required a payment of 3 credit points, two of which went to the federal government as taxes and infrastructure funds. In truth, this was also a disguised way for the gaming company to reclaim real-world currency, leaving the remaining 1 credit point to the company itself. The company could collect this for an entire year—the principle was identical to building highways and toll booths in the real world. This sum was terrifyingly huge, accumulating tens of millions of credit points in just a few short months.

If that island were truly captured by Blue Corporation, this woman would reap a massive fortune through high tolls. Of course, attempting to seize such an island also required a terrifying amount of investment. Take this cruiser, for instance; Azure Starry Sky had undoubtedly poured the entire financial strength of her company into it, and she still could not swallow it alone. This was what they called "risk."

She was also cunning enough. Blue, Qimen, and Tianyu were familiar with one another and all based in Dream Star City; to a certain extent, this was keeping the spoils within the family.

Wu Hua could not help sneering: "Beauty, judging by your implication, the three of you—Blue, Qimen, and Tianyu—are all orthodox martial sects, while the rest of us are outlaws. After success is achieved, we get to drink the wind while you collect your tolls and farm your gear?"

Tuchao and Riwan immediately began shouting as well: "Damn it, exactly! You're taking all the benefits for yourself, what do we eat? Eat dick?"

1860 also sneered: "Yeah, Brother Tu makes a very valid point. Our Iron-Blood Family isn't a corporation, so are we just going to be excluded like that?"

Mr. Tie smiled slightly and said: "My friends, my reputation rests on keeping my word. As long as this matter succeeds, I am personally willing to offer this much in remuneration." With that, he held up a single finger.

"One million credit points per person?" 1860's eyes narrowed.

Mr. Tie nodded solemnly.

1860, Tuchao, and the others all gasped.

Wu Hua admired Mr. Tie once more. The price he offered was neither too high nor too low; relative to the future revenues of the ports and equipment, it was truly nothing, but for individual soldiers, this price tag was by no means low.

Wu Hua was well aware that a federal-level mission was open to everyone across the entire federation. Massive corporations like Arctic Snow would undoubtedly send entirely of their own people, while other ordinary players would inevitably flock toward Dream Star City. However, warships were only available on Blue Corporation's side; being able to sail out onto the ocean was already a great privilege, so what more was there to greedily demand?

Wu Hua suddenly smiled and said: "Since Mr. Tie has put it that way, what objections could I possibly have? However, I do have one request: regarding the transit and business of that island in the future, if Mr. Tie and the lady still intend to charge us fees or forbid our passage, that hardly seems fair, does it?"

Mr. Tie and Azure Starry Sky were startled simultaneously, both secretly cursing "sly and cunning" in their hearts. Nevertheless, Azure Starry Sky still nodded firmly: "I have no problem whatsoever with Expert's request."

In reality, through the several recent power struggles and clashes among the major corporations, every boss had realized the importance of solo expert players like Wu Hua. At critical moments, what determined the turning of the tides in a battle was not airplanes or warships, but the miracle of an expert's strength reversing the situation—such as in the great campaigns of the Road to Survival, Blue Moon Mountain, and Death Canyon.

Wu Hua smiled: "That's more like it. The more friends you have, the smoother the road."

Mr. Tie clapped his hands and said: "Since that's settled, everyone doesn't need to go out anymore today. We plan to set off tomorrow. Tonight's banquet is on me; everyone can thoroughly discuss the details of this mission and conveniently draw up the electronic contracts as well."

Boundless Skies smiled: "Then it would be impolite to decline."