Isn't This a Game? Why Are You All Cultivating for Real!

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Playing with Contrast

This game only has one Sect Master.

But the Sect Master acts very mysterious.

The system is usually around, but the players have no idea what the game’s legendary developer is like.

And they refused to believe that such an ethereal "creator mom" could be the damn developer...

Even though they pretty much had it figured out.

After all, the Sect Master had always been a total tightwad when it came to Sect missions. The only exception was the recent double points event, which was slightly better.

And then there was the Palm Thunder Secret Manual.

A textbook example of a tightwad plucking a feather!

The system was hesitating.

The "damn developer" had seemingly grievously injured Song Jiulai, but it couldn’t outright reveal that Song Jiulai *was* the damn developer. So, the system decided to pretend it hadn’t heard anything, tolerating the players’ current audacity.

Shuitan said hesitantly, "You... you... uh, and your mom... no, wait."

Zhen Weida quickly saved Shuitan from his awkwardness. "My mom is your mom! The Sect Master is our mom. Didn’t you read the game rules when you joined? You’re supposed to treat the Sect Master as the most important woman in your life. And who’s the most important woman in your life if not your mother?"

Shuitan pursed his lips.

He was surprised by Zhen Weida’s explanation, but after a moment of thought, it actually made some sense.

Just then, more new players arrived.

This time, it was two new players—two girls, at that.

One of them looked normal, but the other...

Zhen Weida and Gu Yunxi both shuddered in shock at the sight.

In this game, besides customizing your face, you could also slightly adjust your body type. How to make those adjustments look reasonable was a test of the player’s skill.

Most people just went with a natural human physique.

But this girl had created an adorable loli face for herself, then attached it to an incredibly muscular and sturdy body...

Even when she wasn’t flexing, her biceps were impressively developed.

One look at her, and you’d feel an overwhelming sense of security.

The crucial part was, after seeing the game world, she and the other new female player looked at each other and then screamed in unison.

The other one had designed a frail, willowy body and a pitiful, lovely face.

Then they both spoke.

The muscular loli girl spoke in a sweet, delicate voice, "Oh my~~ this game is actually real!"

The Lin Daiyu-style, frail and willowy girl opened her mouth, and a deep, husky female voice emerged. "Holy crap, this is amazing!!"

Overcome with excitement, the two held hands and stomped their feet.

Gu Yunxi and Zhen Weida’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably as they watched.

They knew that new players often did some weird, abstract stuff, but it was rare to see girls take it this far.

’These two definitely knew each other in real life and had planned out their avatars together.’

’They both managed to snag a spot at the same time? Their internet speed and computer specs must be among the best in the country, right?’

After they finished shouting, the two female players noticed the three players over here.

They immediately came over, hand in hand. The husky-voiced girl spoke up, "Hi, are you all veteran players? My ID is [Lin Yuyu]. I’m a new player."

Zhen Weida looked her up and down. "You were trying to name yourself Lin Daiyu, weren’t you?"

Lin Yuyu nodded immediately as if she’d found a kindred spirit. "I really like Lin," she said regretfully. "I originally wanted to use ’Gusu Lin Daiyu,’ but the system said it was too long. Then I tried ’Lin Daiyu,’ but it said I couldn’t use a famous person’s name. I compromised and tried ’Lin,’ but that didn’t work either. So I ended up with this name."

Zhen Weida: "..."

’If you were named Lin Daiyu, you’d be the version of Lin Daiyu who could uproot a willow tree with her bare hands.’

The muscular loli girl also spoke in her sweet voice, "Hi, my ID is [Lin Baobao]."

Zhen Weida pinched his chin. "If I’d known, I would’ve picked a more normal name back then."

Gu Yunxi tutted and sneered, "No need. Your current name sounds plenty domineering. Zhen Weida. Who could possibly one-up you when it comes to a name like that?"

Lin Yuyu made a fist-and-palm salute. "So, you are Wei Da."

Zhen Weida: "..."

He didn’t think much of it when others said it, but hearing Lin Yuyu call him that was genuinely a little embarrassing.

While they were interacting, the player named Shuitan was quietly observing his surroundings.

No matter which direction he looked, the clarity of the scenery was breathtaking.

’Is this really an image being generated directly in my own mind?’

After all, based on his online research, this seemed to be the explanation for a full-dive VR game.

But could technology this powerful truly exist?

His fingers touched his side; he felt a faint sensation.

Then he pinched himself, hard.

It was just like Han Tian’s guide said: there was a sense of touch, but no pain.

This was perhaps the only way to distinguish between the game and reality.

But regardless, Shuitan knew his mission was complete.

He had to log off immediately and report all of this to his superior.

However, the Sect Master hadn’t arrived yet. Fearing he might cause trouble by leaving, Shuitan decided he had to wait a little longer.

After looking around, he politely asked, "Hello, brothers. Excuse me, do any of these houses belong to us new players?"

"Yeah, the Sect Master had us build them," Gu Yunxi replied, pointing downstream to the dozens of newly built log cabins. "Not everyone is here yet, so go pick one out. You guys got here early, so you can go in and choose whichever one you want. Once you pick it, it’s yours."

"In the beginning, your Spirit Root Inner Core, housing, and food are all provided for free by the Sect. However, you must choose to work in the Spirit Fields to repay the Sect. After that, you’re free to do as you please. This game doesn’t have a main storyline, so it won’t force you to do anything. Just try not to cause trouble outside. The main worry is that you might provoke someone you can’t afford to. There’s another Artifact Refining Sect around here, the Feique Sect, which is stronger than us. You guys did read the guide on Lord Han’s website before you came, right?"

Lin Baobao nodded vigorously. "Yes, yes, yes, we read it! We know about the Feique Sect, right."

Since they knew enough to fight for a spot in the game, they must have read some of the guides and understood the basics.

Lin Yuyu said, "We were following Lord Han’s stream for the past few days. How come he stopped streaming?"

Gu Yunxi: "Too many people reported him, so he’s suspended for two days. It’s nothing serious, he’ll be back on soon."

As they talked, more and more new players began to arrive.

Every player had their own reaction. Some demonstrated their limited vocabulary, while others darted around like monkeys, screaming about how they were witnessing a wonder of the world.

Gu Yunxi and the other first-wave players had already seen this song and dance for the third time...

Gu Yunxi had other things to do, so he left, leaving Zhen Weida behind to blend in with the group of new players.

Since his last death had been so frustrating and embarrassing, he didn’t have the nerve to admit he was a veteran player.

At that moment, a system notification appeared: "All players have arrived. The Sect Master will be here shortly. Please prepare yourselves."

Hearing this, the new players’ spirits lifted. They voluntarily gathered in the clearing where they had first spawned, forming a messy, uneven line.

The threat of permadeath in this game was too great. Plus, after reading Han Tian’s guide, they knew the Sect Master was someone you absolutely could not afford to offend. As a result, no player was foolish enough to start off by courting death.