Chapter 25: Yang Jian (Request Follow-up)

Although virtual reality technology has achieved a breakthrough, allowing people to enter virtual worlds,

the technological requirements are too high to be miniaturized for portable devices.

Each virtual pod costs an exorbitant amount—at least ten million Xia Country yuan per unit!

Guo Heng stated the price calmly.

“Ten million?” Jiang Tao sucked in a breath and glanced at Lin Qi.

Lin Qi was internally stunned—ten million Xia Country yuan was more money than he had ever seen in his entire life, past or present.

Ordinary families simply cannot afford it; they must come to martial arts gyms to use them.

Martial arts gyms purchase virtual pods and charge fees to recoup their costs.

The stronger the martial arts gym, the more virtual pods it can own; ordinary gyms cannot even obtain one.

Chi Qiong Martial Arts Gym, as the top force in Xia Country, possesses a full hundred virtual pods in our Tianhai City.

And every year, they add new virtual pods.

Jiang Tao touched the metal cubic column and exclaimed:

“A hundred pods? That’s at least a billion yuan!”

Lin Qi, hearing the massive number, had already grown numb.

“In all of Tianhai City, only Hei Yao Martial Arts Gym and Zhong Ming Martial Arts Gym can match us.”

“The three top martial arts gyms in Xia Country are nearly equal in strength,” Guo Heng continued, stroking the cubic column:

“By the way, you should both try it out.”

“Scan the QR code on the table, download the app, register, then pay to activate.”

“Ding!”

“Fifty yuan per hour!”

Jiang Tao scanned and registered first; when he saw the price, his expression changed.

Lin Qi looked at the rows of virtual pods and felt as if he had returned to the internet cafes of his past life—everything felt so similar, except the virtual pods were truly expensive.

“The price is just like this now!”

“In the future, technology may improve, and virtual pods could evolve into headsets or glasses, with prices dropping accordingly.”

“Better experience it quickly,” Guo Heng reminded.

The originally silver-white eggshell opened, revealing a seat extended at a 125-degree angle; a blue metal helmet was mounted at the head position, accompanied by metallic patches reflecting light.

“Once you activate it, a smart AI will guide you through the basics. I’m going to start today’s match now.”

With that, Guo Heng walked confidently to a nearby virtual pod and stepped inside.

“Brother Qi, I’m going first.”

Jiang Tao had already eagerly climbed into the pod; the door slowly closed.

Scanning, registering, paying, opening the pod—all done in one smooth motion.

After completing his own setup, Lin Qi stepped inside, reclining half-lying, his head inserted into the helmet; the interior was cool, and as the door sealed shut, darkness enveloped him.

He instinctively closed his eyes.

“Boom!”

As if time had passed, his body jolted, his scalp tingled, goosebumps rose across his skin, and his consciousness sank deep.

He snapped his eyes open.

He looked around—everything had changed. He stood amid a surreal starry void, surrounded by shimmering starlight.

“Mr. Lin Qi, welcome to Chi Realm!”

Before Lin Qi appeared a beautiful woman dressed in a tight red combat suit, her hair tied in a ponytail.

“I am Chi Realm’s AI—Xiao Hong. I can help you understand all of Chi Realm’s functions.”

“Smart AI—Xiao Hong?”

Lin Qi studied the woman’s every expression; she felt utterly real.

He looked at his own body—he now wore a black tight combat suit. He clenched his fist; power surged, identical to reality.

He stepped his foot onto the ground and felt the unmistakable rebound of solid earth.

“Chi Realm is a virtual space developed by Chi Qiong Martial Arts Gym in collaboration with Xia Country’s top scientists.”

“It scans your physical body to simulate reality at over 90% accuracy,” the red-clad woman continued.

“In Chi Realm, there are games, competitions, social features… and more!”

“If you’re dissatisfied with your outfit, you can change it.”

“You are currently in your personal space. Use the panel to view information, add friends, or enter combat functions!”

“Can I view my own information?”

Lin Qi asked.

“Of course!”

The red-clad woman waved her hand; a blue panel appeared before Lin Qi, strikingly similar to his own.

【Name: Lin Qi】

【Age: 17】

【Phone Number: …】

【…】 All were details Lin Qi had entered during registration. Below was a clothing change function—he was satisfied with his current outfit and left it unchanged.

“Can I change my nickname?”

“Of course,” Xiao Hong smiled.

Lin Qi nodded. He never used his real name in software—he always used nicknames.

He immediately changed his real name and had already decided on a nickname.

【Lin Qi】→【Yang Jian】

【Confirm nickname change?】

Lin Qi clicked “Yes.” The system displayed “Nickname changed successfully.” No duplicate name existed. His online nickname was now officially “Yang Jian.”

“Hello, can you give me a detailed introduction to the arena function?”

“No problem!” The red-clad woman smiled and explained.

!

“The arena has two modes: AI opponent and matchmaking.”

“Every martial artist must pass the AI opponent test before unlocking matchmaking to compete against other martial artists.”

“Understood!”

Lin Qi nodded; it felt just like the games of his past life.

“Very well, Mr. Yang Jian. Feel free to summon me anytime if you have questions.”

“Got it!”

The red-clad woman dissolved into nothingness, leaving Lin Qi alone in his personal space.

He clicked the arena function and selected 【AI Opponent Test】.

“Ding!”

The next instant, the space shifted—as if an invisible hand had transported Lin Qi to another area.

Lin Qi’s form changed, appearing on a massive circular arena exceeding a thousand square meters, its floor a hard white surface.

Around him were rows of spectator seats, all currently empty.

“You have entered the AI Opponent Test. Since this is your first time,

you have ten minutes to warm up!”

“Choose your weapon!”

The panel switched, displaying a variety of weapons before him.

Lin Qi selected a black long spear, its tip gleaming with cold light—a blade already sharpened, capable of drawing blood.

“Hum~”

Lin Qi flicked his finger against the spear shaft; it trembled slightly, emitting a low hum.

It was a steel spear—hard, resilient, and expensive.

“Shhh~”

Instantly, Lin Qi began swinging the spear, executing the “Shatter Mountain Spear Art.”

“Shatter Thrust, Spiral Break, Leap Through Air, Horizontal Block~”

The spear pierced the air, whistling with force, indistinguishable from reality.

“I’m not tired!”

After repeating the spear technique several times, Lin Qi was astonished—he felt no fatigue whatsoever.

“Since this is virtual, it doesn’t drain physical strength.”

【Time’s up. Test begins!】

“Huh~”

An electronic female voice echoed through the air. The next moment, a tall man wearing a mask and a white combat suit materialized not far from Lin Qi.

He held a silver long spear, ready to strike at any moment.

【AI Opponent Test: Eliminate the Test Subject!】

【3, 2, 1…】

【Begin officially!】

An electronic female voice in the air announced the test had begun.

“Whoosh~”

In the next instant, the test subject swung his spear and dashed forward with rapid footwork.

“It’s starting!”

“My first real battle!”

Lin Qi swung his spear as well, stamped one foot against the ground, unleashed power from his legs, and shot forward instantly.

His first battle was about to begin.

……

(End of chapter)