CHAPTER 16: CHAPTER 13: THERE’S NO WAY SUCH A GAME COULD EXIST IN THIS WORLD

Blue Star, Huxin City.

The sun had just risen, casting morning light, and in front of the skyscraper over a hundred stories tall, more than ten thousand people were streaming into the building like busy ants from all directions.

All of these people wore a uniform blue and white sports outfit and were generally under the age of twenty-five, with faces full of confidence and a hint of pride. Even the office workers and those out for morning exercise on the street looked at these young people with envy in their eyes.

Celestial Might!

One of the five major guilds in the virtual martial arts pilgrimage game and also the most proud company in the entire Huxin City.

On the top floor of the Celestial Power Building, in a gilded conference room, there was a massive round table over ten meters in diameter, surrounded by sixteen chairs made from different weapons, exuding majesty and solemnity, inspiring awe in newcomers.

"Everyone, please take a seat." The middle-aged white-haired man sitting at the center casually said, "The agenda for today’s meeting has already been sent to you all by Qingwei. I believe you have all read it, so let’s proceed to vote now."

"Among these four new games, which one should we at Celestial Might fully invest in? One vote per person."

As the middle-aged white-haired man spoke, the fifteen people present exchanged glances. One among them, a resolute man over two meters tall wearing a blue and white tracksuit like a tight suit, rested his chin on one hand and tapped the round table with the other before suddenly staring at the spirited woman sitting opposite.

"President, I have no issues with the other three new games, but what on earth is this Descent of High Martial for the fourth one?"

"As the recommended game by Vice President Luo Wushang, this overview is rather absurd. What does explosion mean? And what on earth does 100% virtual reality mean? Are you trying to say I, Zhao Hu, am uneducated?"

The brawny man’s words instantly turned everyone’s attention to Luo Wushang, especially the white-haired man sitting at the head of the table, who also looked at Luo Wushang with puzzlement.

"Wushang, your game report is indeed too simplistic, without even basic video materials, just words like explosion, and it will sweep the entire virtual game world, which makes it difficult for others to make judgments."

"The president is right. Xiao Wu, you’ve been promoted to vice president for over a year now. Every report you submit is either awesome or amazing, and this time it’s explosive. Can’t we use more subtle and direct descriptions?"

"That’s right, Wushang. You’re a core senior member of the guild, after all. You should set an example for those below you."

"Alright, then I’ll describe it in more detail."

Faced with inquiries from the president and others, Luo Wushang nodded helplessly, organizing her words.

"This Descent of High Martial, if I had to describe it, it’s... mind-blowing!"

"..."

"To use the words of a player in the game, every frame is art, the realism of the physics engine from digging is beyond words, and the control of the body is unbelievable. It’s not comparable to Pilgrimage, especially the combat system; it’s unprecedented. The impact of each move, even a hundred meters away, I can clearly feel, as if the fight between the two is real. Saying it’s 100% virtual reality is not an exaggeration."

"Alright! We understand."

The white-haired man looked at Luo Wushang, who was searching for words, realizing it was a bit demanding for her.

"According to Wushang’s description, this Descent of High Martial has considerable potential, likely surpassing Pilgrimage in terms of virtual reality." The white-haired man summarized, "But we currently know too little about Descent of High Martial. Given the current situation with Pilgrimage, you all should know, we still need to be cautious."

"I propose we temporarily halt voting and incorporate this Descent of High Martial into our investigation. Like the other three new games, we should establish a new department for a detailed investigation."

"Since Wushang recommended this Descent of High Martial, she should manage the new department, and we’ll review all four games at the next general meeting."

Everyone present nodded, recognizing that Pilgrimage was in decline with a dwindling player base. Celestial Might indeed needed to consider other options but couldn’t make hasty decisions.

Now that there’s another choice, it’s only natural to conduct a thorough investigation before making a final decision.

"President, I have an objection!" Zhao Hu, over two meters tall, stood up directly, "The market exploration for new games has always been mainly my responsibility, yet I’ve never heard of this Descent of High Martial, claimed to have 100% virtual reality, except from Vice President Luo."

"Currently, Celestial Might has invested heavily in the development of the three new games. Establishing another new department might pose problems for the development of those three."

"That’s true." The white-haired young man fell silent, then turned to Zhao Hu, "What do you suggest?"

Although Celestial Might is large and robust, Pilgrimage is not what it once was. In order to remain standing, Celestial Might must secure its position before the release of any substitutive masterpiece, which is why so much has been invested in the three new games.

Today was supposed to be the final vote for the three new games when unexpectedly, Luo Wushang strongly recommended Descent of High Martial, even claiming 100% virtual reality, which required the president to exercise caution.

"A game with 100% virtual reality doesn’t exist in this world. I don’t recommend spending a lot of manpower and resources to establish a new department to investigate and develop it." Zhao Hu dismissively glanced at Luo Wushang sitting beside him, "Since our vice president is already involved in Descent of High Martial, I’ll participate as well. With our skills, I’m confident we can excel in Descent of High Martial."

"Of course, all this presupposes that, as Vice President Luo said, it can truly replace Pilgrimage with 100% virtual reality."

"Wushang, what do you think?" The middle-aged white-haired man did not immediately agree but turned to Luo Wushang, "This new game was your suggestion, and you’ve played it. What do you think?"

"Me?" Luo Wushang thought for a moment and said, "My suggestion is to fully invest in Descent of High Martial now, so we can have a chance to gain some advantage over other guilds."

"Hahaha, Vice President Luo, you think with just the two of us, we can’t establish a footing in Descent of High Martial?" Zhao Hu laughed.

Celestial Might has sixteen Saints in Pilgrimage, with Luo Wushang recently becoming a Sword Saint, and Zhao Hu becoming a Saint three years ago.

Punch not yet delivered, the soul already severed!

Iron Fist Invincible, Zhao Tianhu!

In Pilgrimage, based on personal strength, Zhao Hu’s ranking is above Luo Wushang, so if Descent of High Martial truly is a combat game, unless other guilds in Pilgrimage send Saints, the two of them can dominate.

"That’s not it." Luo Wushang slightly shook her head, speaking seriously, "It’s just that entering this game is extremely difficult. Recently, testing and examinations are about to begin, and only those who pass have a better chance of entering. Without investing a large number of skilled players, it will be difficult."

"Extremely difficult, you say?" Zhao Hu laughed, "How difficult can it be? Tonight, we’ll see each other in Descent of High Martial."

...

In the world of Descent of High Martial, Black Obsidian Martial Arts Hall.

"The criteria for entering this game are truly troublesome." Lin Qi looked at the difficulty setting permissions in the system, feeling a headache, "Since it can’t be based on players’ potential rankings or age limits, and can only set one opponent, who must be someone I’ve touched, how should I manage?"

The strongest person he has touched is probably Luo Qi. Just imagining letting Luo Qi conduct the test is terrifying.

Sitting at his desk, Lin Qi glanced at Fang Zhen, who had just come out of the warehouse cave, noticing that after last night’s battle, Fang Zhen seemed more enthusiastic about digging.

Dying three times in one night, his physical attributes improved again, with strength increased by 1.6 kilograms and speed by 0.1 meters per second, bringing his strength to 79 kilograms and speed to 7.5 meters per second, getting closer to being an apprentice.

"Hall Master, I want to rent the wooden bed for a day." Fang Zhen said, fatigued but excited.

After overnight effort, and perhaps due to stronger physical attributes, he managed to open up 12 square meters of planting area in one night and earn 12 points. Subtracting the rental fee, he earned 10 points, 4 more points than yesterday.

"Alright, go ahead."

Lin Qi nodded, deducting two points from Fang Zhen, who went happily to sleep on the board bed.

"Ah, isn’t there a good opponent?" Lin Qi thought of Qin Mu, who touched him last night.

Touching is mutual; Qin Mu touched him, which means he touched Qin Mu. No problem there.

Lin Qi eagerly clicked on the system menu to attempt selecting the test opponent.