330: Before updating

Reality, Huaxia.

Inside Director Li Shaohua's villa.

The somewhat aged man was sitting on the sofa, staring at a landscape painting on the wall ten meters away, seemingly lost in thought.

Li Changfeng walked over from the side, frowning as he asked, "Dad, are you really not entering the virtual world? That's for extending life!"

Under the allure of life extension, even the leaders of Western countries were eager to abandon reality and achieve eternal life in the virtual world, with the possibility of true immortality as technology advanced.

At the same time, compared to the heaviness of reality, the virtual world offered a more colorful life, almost amounting to a paradise yearned for by all.

"Someone always has to stay in reality."

Director Li Shaohua shook his head: "Full virtualization is merely a last resort due to limited resources. Once Mars is fully developed and the interstellar era arrives, the next generation will continue to explore in reality."

"Before then, you will slow down resource consumption in the virtual world, maintain Yao Guang Technology's vitality, and become a valuable reservoir of experience and knowledge for future generations."

Director Li Shaohua paused, then shook his head and chuckled:

"None of that matters. Anyway, you're entering the virtual world, so you don't need to know the layout of reality."

"What's important is that I made some arrangements and left some methods in the Xuanhuan World before. Now, it's all up to you."

Li Changfeng showed a grim expression:

"No, you can't be such a terrible father, can you?"

"Before, you said it was just a game, and you wanted me to be a villain to alleviate real-world conflicts. Fine, I did it."

"Now, with full virtualization, the virtual world is almost a second reality, and you still want me to be a villain?"

Director Li Shaohua chuckled:

"I only said I'm entrusting you with what I left behind; I didn't say you have to continue being a villain."

"Afterward, in the Xuanhuan World, you can do whatever you want. You can establish a Sect to provide a safe haven for players, or you can become a great demon and slaughter cities..."

"No one will ever tell you what to do again, and the higher-ups won't give you orders anymore."

"Son, in the Xuanhuan World, you will be the free Li Changfeng."

Li Changfeng was silent for a moment, then asked, "So, what's the price?"

"The price is that the financial resources of reality can no longer help you. All beings are equal in the virtual world, though, of course, you will be a bit more equal due to your early accumulation."

"However, how long you can maintain these advantages is a question mark."

"How many of the connections you accumulated and the forces you cultivated in the game are still willing to follow you is also a question mark."

Li Changfeng pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled: "This is much more exciting."

...Reality, Thunder Club.

Wang Long, for the first time in a long while, stretched his Physical Body in reality.

The club was located among a series of high-rise buildings, consisting of three floors, and from the outside, it resembled a sports arena.

Everyone from the Thunder Team was gathered together, and the captain, Lightning Flash, had a somewhat solemn expression.

They had known about Yao Guang Technology before, and they also knew about the future of full virtualization.

But they had all underestimated the impact of this matter.

The team manager gathered everyone in the conference room and began to speak:

"Soon, for us, everything in reality will lose its meaning."

"This means that past employment contracts, salaries, and bonuses will all become meaningless."

"The club itself will no longer need to exist."

"You are free to play in the virtual world, each pursuing your own exciting path."

"But I have a suggestion here: we continue to maintain the team in the Xuanhuan World. It doesn't necessarily have to be called a team; it could be a Sect, a Family, or even a court."

"Whatever it is, we can continue to stick together, facing the trials and tribulations of the Xuanhuan World as one."

"Interpersonal relationships are our most valuable asset, and they are the key to making us stand out from the myriad players."

"What do you all think?"

Lightning Flash and the others fell silent.

Wang Long was the first to step forward: "Sorry, I prefer to go solo."

He left the conference room directly.

Lei Ming asked, "What about the other clubs? They must have encountered the same problem, right? Are they disbanding directly, or are they sticking together?"

The team manager said: "To my knowledge, among the five major clubs, except for Seiya which disintegrated, the other four have all maintained stability, with captains and members united by their respective interpersonal relationships."

"Undoubtedly, even with full virtualization and countless players pouring into the Xuanhuan World, they will still hold an advantage in the Xuanhuan World."

"Even some emerging clubs are mostly willing to maintain their groups; they are all very clear that the power of a team far surpasses that of individual effort."

The members of the Thunder Team looked at each other and finally unanimously decided to continue to stick together.

The team manager laughed heartily: "Then why don't we change our name? From now on, in the Xuanhuan World, we will no longer be the Thunder Team. It's best if we choose a name that is more fitting for the Xuanhuan World."

Everyone discussed for a while, and finally Lightning Flash suggested a new name: 'Thunder Pavilion.'

...Old Potato left the hospital and walked down the street, gazing at the dazzling sun.

His expression was momentarily dazed.

He had suffered from stomach problems for a long time, and later, he became addicted to the Xuanhuan World, barely receiving any treatment.

As a result, his stomach condition worsened, almost reaching the point where hospitalization was necessary.

He had originally planned to temporarily bid farewell to the Xuanhuan World and begin a long course of treatment.

But just now, the hospital informed him.

After the Breakthrough in Yao Guang Technology, he could completely entrust his Physical Body to a central nutrient capsule for proper care, while his consciousness would sink into the Xuanhuan World to continue playing.

Real-world medical procedures would properly preserve his Physical Body, while his free Soul would continue to live carefree in the Xuanhuan World.

This good news came so suddenly that Old Potato felt very surprised.

After the surprise, he couldn't help but consider some other matters.

He pulled out his phone, wanting to contact Midnight Gao Sou and the Mage, to ask them about their plans for the Xuanhuan World.

When the virtual world completely becomes a new world, when 24 hours a day will be spent in the virtual world.

He still wanted to play with his Brothers.

However, the Mage's reply was:

"I currently have a special mission, and the Karma is quite significant, so it might not be suitable for me to play with you all."

Midnight Gao Sou's reply was:

"I want to settle down alone first. I'll talk about it once I've thought things through."

Old Potato walked down the street, sighing.

The next major update of the Xuanhuan World will enable time acceleration, and players will spend hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years in the game.

What would become of the good friends he met and befriended in reality, under such terrifying erosion of time?

There was a hint of worry, but more than that, there was anticipation for the future of the Xuanhuan World.

"No matter what, the Xuanhuan World is sure to be very exciting next, right?"

Old Potato muttered.

There were many players like him.

Everyone was taking care of their miscellaneous tasks in reality, hoping to experience the brand new virtual world as soon as possible.