At this moment, all the players watching the scene were boiling with excitement. No one had expected that Xu Yuan could pull off such an incredible move. Yet, perhaps it was only natural—many players wouldn't even think to craft a bucket after finding iron ore. Most focused solely on upgrading equipment, armor, and tools, dismissing the usefulness of an iron bucket altogether.
They couldn't imagine that placing water on the ground during a fall was even possible, let alone executing it with such precision. To do so, one needed quick reflexes and sharp eyes—especially since, in a holographic mode, the sensory effects were so realistic that it felt weightless when falling from a height.
Players realized that Xu Yuan had anticipated this move and operated accordingly—his quick thinking and flawless execution left everyone stunned.
The barrage of comments flooded the chat—players hesitated to admit that Xu Yuan was stronger than them, but after witnessing his series of operations, reluctance turned to acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, the guild members in the preparation area were speechless.
"Boss Steve's thinking is so sharp—he went straight to the mine to craft an iron bucket for water… He must have long predicted that the other side would use the same tactic to deal with him…"
"Instead of gambling on luck like us, he's trying to find a solution right from the start…"
"That's the real way to play this game… Why bother with stacking or digging deep pits if you can just plan ahead? In less than half a minute, you can set up everything!"
"I used to think this game didn't require much operational skill, but after watching Boss Steve, I see the difference between a pro and an amateur…"
Seeing Xu Yuan's mastery, Ken was suddenly stunned.
Like others, he had thought the game was mostly about simple survival and basic tactics. But now, after witnessing Xu Yuan's actions, he finally understood:
The key difference between a skilled player and an average one is *thinking*.
A good player uses their brain—leveraging the features of the game, making strategic choices, and maximizing their advantages.
(T/N:Like SB737)
Poor players, on the other hand, simply mimic others without thinking, relying on luck rather than skill.
Ken's perspective shifted entirely; he now grasped the true charm of this game.
It appeared simple—farm the land, raise animals, survive—but in reality, it was a complex, highly strategic sandbox.
You could spend your days leisurely, planting, building, and exploring. Or you could spend them fighting monsters, delving into temples, and seeking adventure. Or you could immerse yourself in studying redstone, mechanics, and technology—each path satisfying different players' passions.
This game was truly a brainstorm—limitless in possibilities and tailored to individual playstyles.
Everyone could find their own way to enjoy it—whether laid-back or intense—this was the beauty of the game.
While the guild players discussed Xu Yuan's miraculous operation, he had already reappeared in the preparation area, greeted by a swarm of excited teammates.
"Boss Steve! You just dropped down there, that was incredible!"
"Boss, you've already figured out the strategy, right? The first step is mining, isn't it?"
"Steve, you're too awesome! We're all in awe!"
Xu Yuan saw their reactions and smiled knowingly.
"Did you learn this trick?"
The guild members nodded awkwardly, grinning.
"Eyes see, hands do—this move was originally called Water clutch, right?"
"Boss, we need to practice this more. It's all about quick reflexes—getting the water down at the last second."
Xu Yuan nodded in agreement.
"That's right. Knowing how to use it is one thing; practicing it is the key. Keep working on it."
The teammates eagerly took notes, determined to master the technique after returning.
At this moment, Ken approached and asked Xu Yuan with a grin,
"This round's victory is yours again. The Dragon Teng Guild will definitely be unhappy. I bet they'll send another challenge soon. Do you want to switch out someone else?"
Xu Yuan smiled calmly.
They thought this was the end? What Xu Yuan demonstrated was just the tip of the iceberg—his mastery of self-preservation.
He hadn't even begun to reveal his full set of strategies, including tactics to harm others.
The move just now was mostly preparation—he hadn't yet executed the real plan.
With a light shake of his head, Xu Yuan responded,
"No substitution. This is only the beginning."
A confident smile played on his lips as he looked ahead, ready for the next challenge.