Chapter 25: Yang Jian
Chapter 25: Yang Jian (Please Continue Reading)
"Although virtual reality technology has advanced to allow people to enter simulated worlds..."
"The technology required is still too complex to miniaturize into portable devices."
"Each Neural Pod costs an astronomical fortune to manufacture—over ten million Xia Kingdom Credits per unit!"
Guo Heng stated the price calmly.
"Ten million?!" Jiang Tao inhaled sharply, exchanging a glance with Lin Qi.
Lin Qi felt his heart pound. Ten million credits—neither in this life nor his previous one had he ever seen such a staggering sum.
"Ordinary families can't afford them, so they have to use the ones at the Martial Arts Pavilion."
"The Pavilion recoups its investment by charging users for Neural Pod access."
"The stronger a Pavilion is, the more Neural Pods it can acquire. Smaller Pavilions can't even purchase them."
"As the top faction in Xia Kingdom, Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion has a hundred Neural Pods right here in Tianhai City."
"And every year, we add more."
Jiang Tao ran his hand over the metallic cube, stunned.
"A hundred units? That’s over a billion credits!"
Lin Qi, overwhelmed by the numbers, had already gone numb.
"Besides us, only Black Opal Martial Arts Pavilion and Abyssal Martial Arts Pavilion in Tianhai City can rival Crimson Vault."
"The three top Pavilions in Xia Kingdom are evenly matched in strength." Guo Heng continued, patting the cube.
"Anyway, let’s try them out. Scan the QR code on the platform, download the app, register, and pay to start."
"Beep!"
"Usage fee: 500 credits per hour."
Jiang Tao scanned the code first, his expression darkening when he saw the price.
Lin Qi gazed at the rows of Neural Pods, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him. It felt like stepping into an internet café from his past life—except these pods cost a fortune.
"This is the current price", Guo Heng shrugged. "In the future, technology might improve. Neural Pods could evolve into VR headsets or glasses, and prices will drop."
"Let’s hurry up and experience it."
With a soft click, the silver egg-shaped pod opened, revealing a reclining seat angled at 125 degrees. A blue metallic helmet with reflective metal plates hovered in place above the headrest.
"Once you start, an AI will guide you through the basics. I’ll go start my match now."
With that, Guo Heng effortlessly opened a nearby Neural Pod and climbed inside.
"Brother Qi, I’m going first!"
Jiang Tao couldn’t wait any longer. He slid into a pod, the hatch hissing shut behind him.
Scan, register, pay, open—the process was seamless.
Lin Qi followed suit, settling into the cool interior. He stretched his head into the helmet as the pod sealed him in darkness. Instinctively, he closed his eyes.
"Boom!"
A sudden jolt coursed through his body. His scalp tingled, goosebumps rising as his consciousness plunged into the simulation.
He snapped his eyes open.
The world around him had transformed. He stood suspended in a vast, shimmering starfield, constellations twinkling like distant fires.
"Mr. Lin Qi, welcome to Scarlet Realm!"
Before him materialized a striking woman in a red bodysuit, her hair tied in a ponytail.
"I am Scarlet AI, the intelligent assistant of Scarlet Realm. I’ll help you explore all its features."
"An AI named Scarlet?"
Lin Qi studied her. Every movement, every smile felt unnervingly real.
Looking down, he found himself in a black bodysuit identical to hers. Clenching his fist, he felt the same surge of strength as in reality. He stamped his foot—solid resistance pushed back, like standing on real earth.
"Scarlet Realm is a virtual space co-developed by Crimson Vault Martial Arts Pavilion and Xia Kingdom’s top scientists", she explained. "It scans your physical body to simulate over 90% of real-world sensations."
"Scarlet Realm offers games, combat arenas, social features, and more! You can change your outfit if you’d prefer."
"You’re currently in your personal space. You can check your status panel, add friends, or enter combat mode."
"Can I view my stats?"
"Of course!"
With a wave of her hand, a blue status panel materialized before him, identical to the one she displayed.
[Name: Lin Qi]
[Age: 17]
[Phone Number: …]
[...]
All the information he’d entered during registration. Below was an outfit customization option, though he was satisfied with his current look.
"Can I change my nickname?"
"Absolutely!" Scarlet AI smiled.
Lin Qi nodded. Habitually, he never used his real name in online systems.
He selected the rename function, entering his chosen alias.
[Lin Qi] → [Yang Jian]
[Confirm Change? Yes/No]
He tapped "Yes." The system confirmed the change—no one else used that name. "Yang Jian" was now official.
"Could you explain the arena system in detail?"
"Gladly!" Scarlet AI beamed.
"The arena has two modes: AI Training and Matchmaking System."
"Every Martial Artist must first pass the Human-Machine Test before accessing the Matchmaking System to compete against other users."
"I see", Lin Qi nodded. It reminded him of the games from his past life.
"Anytime, Mr. Yang Jian. Feel free to summon me for assistance."
With that, Scarlet AI vanished, leaving Lin Qi alone in his personal space.
He tapped the arena icon on his status panel and selected [Human-Machine Test].
"Beep!"
In an instant, the world shifted. It felt as if invisible hands had teleported him elsewhere.
His form reappeared in a colossal circular arena spanning over a thousand square meters. The floor was pristine white stone, hard and unyielding.
Spectator stands ringed the space, though currently empty.
"You have entered Human-Machine Test. As this is your first attempt", a mechanical voice announced, "you have ten minutes to warm up!"
"Please select your weapon!"
The status panel shifted, displaying an array of weapons. Lin Qi chose a black spear, its tip gleaming with a razor-sharp edge.
"Vrrrmm!"
He flicked the spear, and it hummed with a resonant vibration. High-carbon steel—sturdy yet flexible, clearly expensive.
"Shua! Shua!"
Lin Qi sprang into action, unleashing the Mountain-Shattering Spear Method.
"Bursting Thrust! Spiral Sunder! Skyward Leap! Horizontal Guard!"
The spear sliced through the air, howling like a storm. Every movement felt utterly real.
"I’m not even tired!"
After repeating the techniques several times, Lin Qi realized he felt no fatigue.
"Of course", he mused. "It’s a simulation—no physical exhaustion."
"Time’s up. Test begins!"
A female voice echoed.
"Whoosh!"
A figure materialized nearby—a tall man in a white bodysuit, his face hidden behind a mask. He held a silver spear, poised to strike.
[Human-Machine Test: Eliminate the Test Subject!]
[3... 2... 1...]
[Begin!]
The arena announced the start.
"Zzzsh!"
The opponent lunged forward with blinding speed, spear slashing.
"Here we go!"
Lin Qi charged, planting his foot and exploding forward. His first battle in this new world had begun.
(End of Chapter)
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