Li Renshu shook her head: "Not sure, the specific sequence for unlocking the Nine-Box Grid is a hidden rule, still need to observe more."

This is certainly good news for Community 15, because it's their chosen 'Priority Development Area,' so Community 15 doesn't need to spend any Gold Coins to bid, they can directly become the 'First Developer.'

Neither Jin Cheng, the representative of Community 7, nor Zhang Shichao, the representative of Community 9, chose to abstain.

They came next to the A4 Nine-Box Grid, each bidding through their wrist devices.

Possibly because it was the first auction, their bids were relatively restrained.

[Community 7 bid: 5 Gold Coins.]

[Community 9 bid: 10 Gold Coins.]

[Community 7 bid: 15 Gold Coins.]

[Community 9 bid: 20 Gold Coins.]

[Community 7 bid: 30 Gold Coins.]

[Community 9 chose to abstain.]

[Community 7 gains the 'Second Developer' identity for 'A4 Nine-Box Grid.']

[Please Community 15 and Community 7 take turns choosing plots within the 'A4 Nine-Box Grid.']

[Reiterating: When a community connects three plots in a straight line within the Nine-Box Grid (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal), all remaining plots within that grid belong to that community.]

Community 15's Wang Weidong was the first to arrive at plot A4, operating on the marker and successfully claiming the plot.

Which is the plot in the very top left corner of the entire Nine-Box Grid.

Community 7's Jin Cheng then chose the central plot, B5, after a bit of consideration.

Afterward, Wang Weidong picked the bottom right corner, C6, while Jin Cheng chose the adjacent C5 plot.

Seeing this, Wang Weidong clicked his tongue with some regret, as it was already certain that both sides would have a draw, and he, as the first mover, had no way to win by connecting three plots in a straight line.

If someone could win, the plots would be split 6:3; a draw results in a 5:4 split.

For Wang Weidong, the first mover, losing one plot is still a bit regrettable.

But there's no helping it, because the strategy of tic-tac-toe is very simple; if the second mover doesn't make mistakes within the first two moves, they can only draw.

Then, they respectively selected the plots A5, A6, C4, B4, and B6, completing the division of the Nine-Box Grid.

[Development of plots in 'A4 Nine-Box Grid' is completed.]

[Community 15 acquired plots: A4, A5, B6, C4, C6.]

[Community 7 acquired plots: A6, B4, B5, C5.]

Jin Cheng and Wang Weidong went to check the markers on the plots.

According to the game rules, each plot can construct a shelter, but the 'Construct Shelter' function is not yet open.

The players from each community gathered together again.

Zheng Jie curiously said: "Wang Weidong should have started in the center, right? I remember the highest win rate is in the center?"

Fu Chen shook his head: "No, I've looked at some chess games and various mini-games before, tic-tac-toe has a significant advantage for the first mover, whether starting in the corner or the center, it basically won't lose.

"But if the opponent doesn't know how to play, it's better to start in the corner, as it can be more confusing, especially if the opponent hasn't encountered tic-tac-toe before, they're more likely to fall into a trap.

"However, the response for the second mover is simple, there's a standard formula: if the opponent starts in a corner, the second mover must start in the center, or else it's a sure loss; the opponent will then try to capture the opposite corner, and the second mover must not capture the corner again, or it's still a sure loss.

"In short, if the first mover starts in a corner, the second mover's first move should be in the center, and the second move should avoid the corner, that's absolutely safe."

Obviously, the plot selection gameplay is tic-tac-toe, its variations are actually not many, for players who've played before or understand its mechanics, it's actually a very simple strategy.

Li Renshu pondered: "Strange, this kind of simple chess game should not play much of a filtering role, as long as everyone knows how to play, it will definitely end with a 5:4 plot distribution.

"What's the point of the Imitator designing such a simple game segment?"

Cao Haichuan thought for a moment and said: "The players screened by this game are, after all, the weakest batch of players from all communities, and the time allocated for thinking in the first phase is very short, only 10 minutes, during which they need to consider Nine-Box Grid selection and other rules, exchange Gold Coins, and ponder the crimes of Sinners.

"There's still the possibility of mistakes.

"Of course, I'm more inclined to believe that the Imitator wasn't designing this segment to distribute benefits between communities using tic-tac-toe.

"But merely using a simple strategy to let those communities that haven't played much tic-tac-toe spend time deducing the optimal solution for tic-tac-toe, occupying their thinking time."

...

Soon, the second round of the game begins.

[The developable plot in this round is: D1 Nine-Box Grid.]

[Since no community selected this Nine-Box Grid as 'Priority Development Area', both the 'First Developer' and 'Second Developer' are obtained through bidding.]

[Community 7, Community 15, and Community 17 can participate in the bid.]

[Bidding starts now, limited to 3 minutes.]

Representatives from three communities arrive at the D1 Nine-Box Grid.

Li Renshu and Fu Chen represent Community 17 for bidding.

Community 7 and Community 15 are still represented respectively by the same players, Jin Cheng and Wang Weidong.

Seeing Jin Cheng once again bidding, Wang Weidong seemed a bit surprised: "Eh? Not abstaining directly?"

Jin Cheng furrowed his brows: "What are you thinking? I obviously wouldn't abstain."

Wang Weidong shrugged: "Whatever, I'm just reminding you, you guys spent 30 Gold Coins in the previous auction, while both we and Community 17 haven't spent any Gold Coins.

"You're at a disadvantage financially, your chances of winning are slim.

"Later, the central Nine-Box Grid D4 might also open, all communities will rush for it, the competition for that grid will definitely be fierce.

"If you've wasted too many Gold Coins before, what will you do then?

"In a choice of two, obviously you should concentrate Gold Coins to bid for the central area's D4 Nine-Box Grid, which is more worthwhile."

Jin Cheng considered for a while, then exposed Wang Weidong's intention: "You want me to quit because if I do, you'll have no competitors, and will surely become 'First Developer' and 'Second Developer.'

"Then you can acquire this Nine-Box Grid at minimum cost with almost no expense.

"Even if I may not win this Nine-Box Grid by bidding, I can at least raise the price, increasing the cost for your two communities to acquire plots."

Wang Weidong replied helplessly: "Why would that be, even if you quit, the two communities of ours would definitely continue raising the price in the battle for First Developer.

"If you insist on joining the fun, there is still a 5 Gold Coins fee for quitting halfway through.

"If you like randomly consuming Gold Coins, I don't mind."

Jin Cheng stopped paying attention to Wang Weidong, it was clear she wouldn't easily believe what he said.

Although it's possible Community 15 and Community 17 might raise the price to fight for 'first move rights,' there is also the possibility they won't.

If Community 15 and Community 17 make an agreement to acquire this Nine-Box Grid at the lowest price, then for Community 7, it's an absolutely unacceptable situation.

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