Chapter 238: Q&A
"What a shame, this test isn't for a portable helmet after all."
"To experience it, one has to specifically go to the various Contribution Point Centers and queue up – what a bother."
Many complained that this VR system wasn't user-friendly enough, yet their bodies betrayed their mouths as they honestly pulled out their phones to reserve a spot in the lottery draw.
Some were driven by curiosity, others intended to acquire certification, but naturally, the vast majority simply planned to join the excitement, eager to see what this VR system, hyped up with such fervor across the city, truly entailed.
Regardless, twelve hours later, the first batch of ten thousand trial slots nationwide had already been determined by lottery, and these lucky individuals were set to participate in the experimental activity two days hence.
"It's so real!" Just as the event commenced, some participants continuously pinched their faces within the system, eager to discern any difference.
Others endlessly gazed at the azure sky and the towering city walls that encircled them.
"Ahem, ahem. Your appearance can be adjusted later, and as for the scenery, this VR device possesses a photo function, accessible directly from your system panel." A voice, seemingly out of nowhere, resonated within everyone's minds.
"Greetings, everyone, and welcome to the Endless Continent. You now have two choices: first, to enter Tiancong Hall for a true combat power assessment; or second, to remain within the city and familiarize yourselves with your surroundings."
She gestured towards a structure floating indistinctly amidst the clouds above their heads – a building adorned with carved beams and painted pillars, exuding an ancient charm, much like a celestial palace.
"To alleviate the real-time burden on the computing system, all participants will only possess power consistent with the outside world when they are within Tiancong Hall."
"However, outside Tiancong Hall, everyone's power will be set to their initial values, which are six ones."
"Of course, attributes in the outside world can also be enhanced through cultivation. This serves as a small shortcut, allowing all players to experience greater power in advance."
"You, along with all subsequent entrants, will be randomly assigned to one of the four great cities: Qinglong, Baihu, Zhuque, or Xuanwu."
"Within these four great cities, there exist a variety of shops managed by NPCs; these will gradually open and later be partially turned over to player management. Players will also be able to establish guilds and a range of other organizations..."
"The four great cities are absolute safe zones where all attacks are rendered ineffective – naturally, this doesn't include ****." At this, the little elf snickered mischievously.
"Furthermore, you may also establish your own cities in suitable wild locations using specific items, thereby becoming a city lord. That, of course, will be a matter for a later stage."
......
All those present listened with utmost seriousness to the unfolding explanation of the settings, for many felt this was an unparalleled opportunity. In a game endorsed by the nation, there were bound to be abundant chances to rise above the rest.
Especially for some young people, well-versed in online gaming novels, their minds were now abuzz with thoughts of first-mover advantage – all that was missing was an omnipotent system to truly exploit it.
The four words "City Lord" similarly ignited the flames of ambition within quite a few individuals.
"Excuse me... can this game be played without spending any money?" After the little elf had delivered a lengthy exposition of the settings, a young man standing in the front row abruptly posed this question.
"This is not a profit-driven game, but a program developed by the Spirit Energy Research Institute, under the purview of the Huaxia Federation government, aimed at fostering public enthusiasm for cultivation." As she spoke, the green sprite once more covered her mouth, stifling a giggle.
"Everyone can begin by examining their attribute panel. There, an hourglass will be displayed, indicating the maximum duration of your current stay."
"As every second spent within this virtual system consumes a minuscule amount of mental and physical energy, a life-protection alert system is in place, which will forcibly disconnect players once the countdown concludes."
"Lesser monsters will periodically spawn in the wilderness, so players venturing outside the city for exploration should proceed with caution. Lastly, a crucial reminder: this trial event will be broadcast live to the entire world, so please be mindful of your words and actions. Should you have any further inquiries, you may seek assistance from customer service within the panel's inquiry section." The little elf, having delivered her message, then dissolved into shimmering light particles and vanished into thin air.
"They're actually broadcasting it live to the outside world..." Many felt their spirits plummet upon hearing this, realizing that their informational advantage from being chosen for the first internal beta test was now utterly negligible.
"Well, we might as well just wander around for now. With our 'blank slate' stats, we'd only be tormented by monsters in the wilderness anyway." A group of individuals, who had initially been excited to unleash their powers and embark on a grand slaughter, eager to demonstrate their might, were now constrained by the 'lock of power,' effectively rendering them no different from ordinary people.
In their daily lives, most people possessed immense power yet rarely could unleash it to its fullest extent, constrained by its potential impact on their surroundings. To punch a wall into rubble felt exhilarating, but to accidentally demolish one's own home in the process would be a monumental nuisance.
"Attention, viewers before your television screens: to ensure the fairness of the test, Tiancong Hall can only be accessed via terminals located at the various Contribution Point Centers. The portable home helmet devices, set for release one month from now, will only be able to connect to other regions of the Endless Continent..."
The commentator on the live broadcast was likewise meticulously explaining the system's myriad rules to viewers tuned in from various locations. Concurrently, a Q&A segment would occur every fifteen minutes to address the public's queries regarding the system.
"Approximately how much will the home version of the helmet retail for?"
"The preliminary retail price is two thousand Huaxia coins, or twenty Contribution Points if payment is made using Contribution Points."
"How long can an average person remain logged in per session?"
"Approximately four hours. For cultivators, this duration increases incrementally with their physical condition. Each point increase in the values of recovery ability and physique dimension will extend continuous online time by roughly an additional four hours."
"Is the time flow rate consistent between the two worlds?"
"To accommodate the mental fortitude of ordinary individuals, the time flow rate within the virtual world is merely twice that of the real world. However, the Tongtian Tower within Tiancong Hall, which handles test challenges, is an exception: for its third floor and above, the time flow rate is one to ten. The minimum requirement for entry to these levels is three points in both physique and recovery."
......
"With the VR system now implemented, gathering specific intelligence on Ability Users has become significantly easier. To generate a virtual avatar identical to one's real self, one must first scan various data from their original body..." Not a single individual who had ascended to the higher echelons was a fool; many had already considered this very point.
"Those apprehensive about data leakage can simply opt not to enter the combat power assessment system, choosing instead to play with a template body, or merely conceal a portion of their strength." Bai Mo once again materialized at a meeting of the Huaxia Federation's high-level officials, addressing their new questions now that the system was operational.
"Or, like him, one could simply utilize universal Spirit Arts to clear the Tongtian Tower; that way, absolutely no information would be leaked." Wen Jian, standing beside him, cast a look at Bai Mo as if he were a complete lunatic.
"Only you would possess such an abundance of leisure time, to learn nearly all of the more than four hundred existing universal Spirit Arts, and even compile a thick volume titled 'Outline of Basic Spirit Arts'."
"What of the individual who achieved the Golden Body by unifying the Nine-Orifice Body?" Bai Mo did not pursue the previous topic, instead inquiring about Zhang Xu's current situation.
"He? He's still in secluded cultivation, desperately striving to control his inherent power."
"What is there that requires control?"
"He is diligently striving to control his 'sympathy' – for if individuals with insufficient mental fortitude remain in his proximity, their emotions tend to be assimilated by him."
"In other words, should he laugh, others will involuntarily follow suit; should he weep, others will likewise weep. Hence, currently, no one from the Martial Arts Symposium dares to approach him."
"In a certain sense, that truly is a terrifying ability."
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