Chapter 4 - Consuming Heaven Technique (1/2)
”What's wrong, Brother Yuan?” Xiao Hua asked him, who looked dazed while staring at the sky.
”Oh, the announcement…” He pointed to the words in the sky.
”I don't see anything, though?” She said.
”Hm? You cannot see the words in the sky?”
She shook her head, prompting Yuan to ponder. ”Perhaps NPCs cannot see it?”
—
—
—
”Xiao Hua, what is Qi?” Yuan decided to ask her, who he considers is an expert despite her young age.
”Qi is the essence of this world, it is what people use to cultivate.”
”Cultivate, huh. That old man had said the same… Let me try this…” he closed his eyes and positioned himself to sit in the lotus position before activating the skill.
Ding!
His Qi Experience increased by 5 for every second he cultivated. Additionally, when he activated the Consuming Heaven Technique, his breathing naturally became calm and rhythmic, and his entire body felt refreshed, as though it was breathing through every existing pore.
Within just a few minutes, Yuan suddenly felt his entire body explode with a cool feeling, almost like he had been thrown into a pool of cool water on a hot day.
”All I have to do is sit here and cultivate to grow stronger in this game? How boring!” Yuan ignorantly thought to himself. ”But it does feel pleasant, almost like I am relaxing in a warm bath or something of sorts.”
—
Name: Yuan
Cultivation: First Level Spirit Apprentice
Legacy: None
Bloodline: None
Physique: Heaven Refining Physique
Physical Strength: 134
Mental Strength: 375
Soul Strength: 1,310
Physical Defense: 110
Mental Defense: 1,221
—
”Congratulations on becoming a cultivator, Brother Yuan.” Xiao Hua said to him with a smile.
”It is all because of you, Xiao Hua. You have my gratitude.”
”Then let's continue to play!” She stood up with the ball already in her hands, ready to be thrown.
Yuan smiled bitterly, but he didn't refuse and continued to play with her.
Surprising, when he stood up, all the fatigue he had just moments ago was gone; he had fully recovered the moment he became a cultivator.
The two began playing again, but the speed the ball was being thrown seemed to be at a much faster pace than previously.
—
Meanwhile, the world was in turmoil from the game's first world announcement.
Rich and powerful companies in the real world began looking into this player named Yuan with hopes to find his real identity. However, it was a near-impossible task due to the way the game handled the players' privacy.
Unlike other games where one can see the players' name at glance, Cultivation Online did not have that feature. Unless the individual allows it, nobody would be able to see their name, not even their friends.
After spending many resources and time into looking for Yuan, people quickly came to a realization that unless Yuan willingly reveals himself, his identity would remain unknown forever. But that alone was not enough to force these people into giving up on trying to find him.
The internet, game forums, even newspapers, people began offering real money for information on Yuan, even outright paying thousands for the person himself to reveal himself.
Virtual reality has become so deeply involved in the real world that it would not be an exaggeration to say that professional gamers and top rankers have more fame and respect than even top celebrities.
Some professional gamers, in fact, earn seven digits every month just from advertis.e.m.e.nts alone!
In fact, many casual gamers earn more than the majority just by selling in-game items for real money!
With so much advertis.e.m.e.nt and appeal, it would only be obvious for people to want to become a gamer where they can have fun and earn money instead of choosing work that involves labor.
Furthermore, according to last year's gaming report, at least half of the world's population is a virtual gamer!
—
After throwing the ball for a few hours without breaking a sweat, Yuan suddenly stops.
”What's wrong? Are you feeling tired again?” Xiao Hua asked him.
”My sister is calling for me; it is time for dinner,” he said.
”You are going to leave?” Her expression instantly turned gloomy upon hearing his words, feeling reluctant to let him leave. She was afraid that he wouldn't come back if he left.
”Don't leave Xiao Hua alone!” She hurriedly said.