331: New version

Blue Star's technology was highly advanced, and automated machines, relying on artificial intelligence, completed the preliminary work for the version update in a very short time.

Billions of people across Blue Star were sent one by one into the Central Tower, lying in nutrient pods with their eyes closed, but the Yao Guang deep within their brains could operate efficiently.

The virtual world, powered by Yao Guang Technology, almost directly applied all visuals, sounds, tactile sensations, and tastes to the Soul level, rather than simulating them through the player's nerves.

Such a virtual world was indistinguishable from reality; some even felt that this was true reality, and everything in their actual reality was too fake.

More importantly, Yao Guang Technology differed from traditional neural technology; even experiencing extreme pain in the virtual world would not affect the Physical Body at all, nor would it cause the Yao Guang to collapse.

It was as if one had only had a dream with no repercussions, not even waking from it in fright.

This led many players to have great expectations for the new virtual world, hoping to do things they previously dared not do, such as rope-free bungee jumping or clothes-free gliding, acts of courting death.

Of course, many players simply wanted to continue living freely in the virtual world, enjoying abundant resources; some even wanted to stay home in the virtual world and play virtual games within the virtual world... These players, after entering the virtual world and receiving System guidance, all chose the 'Earth' starting point.

They became ordinary Earthlings.

However, there was another group of players whose choices were different.

Wan Lin, a player suffering from a terminal illness in reality.

Because he was tormented by illness and his body was too weak to bear the neural pressure of a VR pod, he had never experienced virtual games before.

In fact, he only had three months left to live.

Three days ago, he returned to his hometown to pay respects to his prematurely deceased parents, then went to a coastal city to visit his ex-girlfriend, incidentally pelting her with a dozen rotten eggs.

Finally, he sat idly on a small mountain, feeling the lush greenery around him and gazing at the city's concrete jungle.

The faint humming of drones responsible for landscaping and the critical health alert from his intelligent hovercar, which he used for transport, annoyed him.

He even considered ending his life directly, no longer wanting to endure the extreme pain of his final three months.

But on that very day, he suddenly saw news online: the news of universal virtualization.

Yao Guang Technology, Xuanhuan World... one unfamiliar term after another impacted his worldview.

The final good news came from his attending physician.

"The Yao Guang System is the greatest miracle of modern technology; I would even call it a divine miracle."

"It can freeze your Physical Body, awaiting future technological advancements for treatment."

"At the same time, it keeps your Yao Guang active, allowing you to soar freely in the virtual world."

"Wan Lin, you're in luck."

For most people, whether to accept virtualization was a matter requiring deep consideration; many were even forced by the authorities to accept the reality.

But for Wan Lin, it was different.

He truly entered the virtual world with gratitude.

When he connected to the virtual world, he possessed a body that was a replica of his real Physical Body, but it was free from all illness.

The unprecedented lightness made him feel joyful; the punches he threw were filled with incredible strength, and he could even laugh uninhibitedly, no longer worrying about straining his weakened muscles.

Around him was a pristine white space and a light screen awaiting his selection.

Wan Lin was not in a hurry to choose; instead, he jumped and ran in place for a long time, slowly calming down from his excitement.

The first option he saw was Earth.

Earth perfectly replicated Blue Star: streets, houses, forests, lakes... everything was identical to Blue Star.

Most players chose to start on Earth, wanting to continue playing there.

Wan Lin, however, scoffed.

He believed that in a virtual world with infinite space, pursuing an exact replica of reality was utterly idiotic.

He had even heard that some wanted to continue speculating on real estate on Earth, hoping to make Earth's property prices equivalent to Blue Star's.

Wan Lin thought these people were truly fools, and those willing to spend a fortune buying property on Earth were also fools.

Virtual world, infinite space, infinite possibilities.

Why confine oneself to an Earth equivalent to Blue Star?

Why inherit that tiny hovel that originally belonged to oneself?

Wan Lin merely glanced at the Earth option and skipped it directly.

In reality, he was a patient who could barely move, confined to a hospital bed, trapped in the cabin of a hovercar.

Limited space, a weakened body—he had had enough of such confinement.

He had already decided: when he came to the virtual world, he must experience the wonder of cultivation, he must become a transcendent being.

Even if it was fraught with danger, with countless inhuman torments, he would gladly endure it.

He turned his gaze to starting points beyond Earth.

After the third season began, the Xuanhuan World abolished Soul Transmigration.

Each player would be a unique character, constantly Rebirthing after death, but no longer allowed to change characters.

Even character names were no longer allowed to be changed.

Wan Lin was indifferent to this; he had already decided that his name would be Wan Lin.

What he cared about was the starting location.

"[Prison Land]"

"[A planet, including the Immortal Dynasty of the state-stabilizing seal, once a lawless land for exiling criminals, but later lost contact with the Great World for some reason, and then developed a unique social structure.]"

"[Now, it is the Newbie Village area with the most players.]"

"[Choose to start in the Prison Land, and you will be born within the territory of the state-stabilizing seal Immortal Dynasty and play alongside previous Xuanhuan World players.]"

"[*This is the most conventional starting point, recommended for any player who doesn't know much about the Xuanhuan World but wants to experience it.*]"

This update not only opened up the entire Xuanhuan World content but also informed all players of the Newbie Village area's name.

Many players only realized after reading this background why there were so many evil cultivators in the Newbie Village, and why there was so much survival of the fittest.

It turned out to be because this place was once the Prison Land!

Wan Lin's gaze lingered on the Prison Land for only a moment; he then looked at the next option, which was also the last option:

"[Emperor's Burial Star]"

"[The great star next to the Prison Land, where countless powerhouses throughout history have chosen to be buried, leaving behind countless Legacies. After countless years of development, the Emperor's Burial Star possesses the strongest power in the entire universe.]"

"[Here, powerful clans stand in great numbers, and Small Worlds are layered one upon another. Although the planet's surface already appears vast, the actual area is even larger.]"

"[*Note: Only players who have made outstanding contributions to Blue Star civilization in reality can choose this starting point.*]"

"[*This starting point does not mean it is easier than the Prison Land.*]"

Wan Lin sighed; as a terminally ill patient, he obviously couldn't have made outstanding contributions to civilization.

He couldn't choose the Emperor's Burial Star; he could only choose the basic Prison Land.

Selection complete, the next moment, a flash of white light passed before his eyes.