Chapter 162: How to Obtain Game Access (Begging for Monthly Tickets)

The official launch of the Monster World website sparked heated discussion among players of every race across the globe.

If before there had been no concrete concept of the game Monster World, after the Monster World website went live, netizens of every race saw the game's charm for themselves.

Just as the Eclipse Clan's First Executive said, this is a perfect game.

Netizens who had experienced the virtual projection scene videos all shared the same thought as Hearing Tong Xin — Monster World seemed more real than reality itself.

What the projection videos could offer was still only a fraction of Monster World's content.

According to reviews posted on the Star Net by players who had already obtained game access.

The experience Monster World brought was far more than just its degree of realism.

Taste-bud stimulation beyond reality, the superhuman experience brought by attribute boosts, boundless spatial exploration… all the descriptions became tangible to netizens after they experienced the website's content.

Faced with the game Monster World, no one could resist.

Even members of the Eclipse Clan were desperately eager to obtain access to this game.

The twenty-four-hour wait became unbearably agonizing.

The foreseeable, extremely low odds of being selected drove players around the world mad.

The biggest change brought by the launch of the Monster World website was the gaming environment of the Dark Lands.

The economic market of the Dark Lands, once hailed as a game ahead of its time, saw massive fluctuations, with the prices of all kinds of resources plummeting.

This new game, which had yet to fully flex its muscles, was labeled a "transitional game" and treated as a substitute meal for Monster World.

Many players even quipped: before the starting line, the finish line is already in sight.

Many players no longer held any expectations for this game, including some who already possessed game access.

The expectations they had once held for the Dark Lands' game optimization and content updates all transformed into an intense yearning for Monster World.

While players were enduring the countdown on the official website, Qi Sheng was contemplating something.

Containment Space, Meng Yuan Chu Altar.

The altar's surface was covered in rune totems, every line containing a law of the world; the totems depicted scenes from the dawn of creation — the birth of stars, the rising of mountains and rivers, the sprouting of life — all the patterns combining into a circle, end joining end, symbolizing life's infinite cycle.

Qi Sheng stood atop the Meng Yuan Chu Altar, with the map of the Pale Continent spread before his eyes.

He drew a line across the map with his hand.

Starting from the Mist-Shrouded Coast on the western coastal region, passing through the Imperial Tomb Mountain Range region, and finally connecting to the Frost Wastes region.

These were precisely the three regions of Monster World that the Player Legion had already explored and developed.

If the Player Legion wished to use the Pale Continent as a springboard into the world-stage battlefield in the future, its current territorial area was still far too small — it had no strategic depth whatsoever, and the land area could not support a complete, self-sustaining ecosystem.

Apart from the Newbie Village Space, the lands outside also contained various resources, which were likewise an important source of Shou Shou Jili.

In Qi Sheng's vision of the Player Legion, the Newbie Village Space was the players' safeguard and fallback, while the external territories were lands for free construction and wild creativity.

One could view the Newbie Village Space as the inner city, and the external territories as the outer city — or as resource-extraction grounds, even as technology testing fields.

Recently, while reviewing player information, he had discovered that the Arms Merchant Guild was conceiving a new plan.

The aim of this plan was to create a batch of mining robots to carry out round-the-clock, high-efficiency resource extraction in the mining zone of Imperial Tomb Village.

If this plan succeeded, the efficiency of ore extraction would see a qualitative leap.

But this concept clashed with Qi Sheng's own thinking.

As the Player Legion continued to develop the three regions, the intensity of regional warfare would keep climbing, gradually making them unsuitable for new players to grow in.

There were two ways to solve this problem.

The first method was the one he was currently employing — searching for an environment suited for new players to start in, and opening up a new space.

The second method was the mining zone in Imperial Tomb Village, which could stably produce resources, allowing new players to obtain growth resources through mining.

Both methods were very important in Qi Sheng's eyes.

But the Arms Merchant Guild's concept would cut off the new players' path entirely.

He read the plan's contents in detail.

The Arms Merchant Guild planned, once the base construction in the Imperial Tomb Village Space was initially complete, to build a smart mining robot equipped with high-precision sensors.

Through instruments such as ground-penetrating radar, infrared cameras, and LiDAR to scan the distribution of resources in the mining zone and analyze the energy content of the ores, and then use equipped robotic arms, drill bits, cutting machines, and other tools to carry out extraction.

In addition, they also needed to build a transport robot with an automatic navigation system that could carry the excavated spirit ores to Plot No. 1 in the western district of Imperial Tomb Village, forming an efficient mining assembly line.

If this plan succeeded, it would mean the mining zone's extraction would gradually be replaced by a massive robot army, severely squeezing the growth channels available to new players.

Although the mining zone could automatically generate spirit ores, its daily output was ultimately limited.

As long as the Arms Merchant Guild calculated the amount of spirit ores the mining zone automatically nurtured, they could manufacture a corresponding number of mining robots to harvest them on schedule.

In Qi Sheng's eyes, this was not permissible behavior.

If anyone were truly to harvest the mining zone's resources, he could do it himself.

At the time, the Guide had given him three choices: continue to keep the mining zone, or replace it with drawable resources.

Or keep the mining zone while keeping it closed to outsiders, using Shou Shou Jili to generate lifeforms like Iron Shell Bugs for continuous extraction, converting them into Shou Shou Jili.

His choice was to open it up for player use.

Doing so not only gave new players a growth option, but also gave veteran players a safeguard.

Monster World's environment was extremely complex; danger could descend at any moment.

Lunar phase shifts, powerful clans' divine descents, extreme disasters… even the Pale Continent region where the three Newbie Village Spaces were located could be destroyed by unknown forces; in such times, the mining zone could also serve as a transitional growth area for veteran players.

Considered from every angle, keeping the mining zone was very necessary.

But the Arms Merchant Guild's concept had already affected his positioning of the mining zone.

Automated extraction and automated transport technology could exist, but not within the Newbie Village Space — only on the external territories.

This was also why he had drawn a line on the map.

Since the players wanted to create wealth through technology, he would give them the chance.

This line connected the Imperial Tomb Mountain Range, the Mist-Shrouded Coast, and the Frost Wastes regions.

If the three regions can be connected, players will possess a vast territory.

The mining areas outside the Monster World will also regenerate various resources as the world cycles, though the rate of resource generation is slower.

Players can conduct any experiments they wish on this territory.

Whether building automated mining assembly lines for the external mining areas or using various dangerous weapons to blast the mining areas, there are no problems.

External resources depend entirely on the players' own strength and technical foundation to obtain.

This is the plan he is currently conceiving: connect the middle ground of the three regions, link the three starter regions into a single line, and generate a free territory belonging to the players.

As for the mining areas within the space, he will add a new setting.

Only individual players are allowed to mine; no external assistance is permitted, including automated excavation and automated ore transport robots.

With the idea formed, Qi Sheng immediately sent a notification to all players, explaining the new mining area settings.

He did not explicitly mention robots or similar content.

The summary of the notification was one sentence: Mining in the starter village space is not allowed via any method other than pickaxes; there are no restrictions on mining areas outside the space.

Having solved the problem of the "script mining army," Qi Sheng continued to study the map.

The three regions of the starter village are all located at the southwestern end of the Pale Continent, but connecting these three regions is not easy.

They are separated by a vast amount of unexplored territory and unknown forces.

He needs to formulate a comprehensive plan to drive the player army to launch a territory expansion operation.

Just as Qi Sheng fell into deep thought, the races of Earth had already plunged into madness before the qualification scramble began.

Moon, Eclipse City.

In the top-floor room of the skyscraper standing in the city's core area, the Archon representing the highest power of the Eclipse Zu De Yin was holding a meeting.

As the projector lights on the ceiling flickered, a small boy appeared in the empty space at the center of the conference table.

This was the Star Network Intelligence Brain.

"Greetings, Archons. There are 12 hours remaining until the Monster World qualification distribution begins. The content of the upcoming meeting discussion concerns how to obtain qualifications."

Speaking thus, the Star Network body leaned forward slightly to show respect, then smiled and said:

"Now I would like to hear your thoughts."

Having spoken, the Star Network's gaze swept over everyone in the conference room.

Archon Number 3 stood up at this moment and said in a grave, low voice:

"Star Network, I have conceived a plan that may carry certain risks; whether it is feasible specifically requires your judgment."

After the Star Network nodded, Archon Number 3 spoke:

"The specific operation of this plan is for you, who hold absolute control over the Star Network, to cut off all network connections outside Eclipse City one minute before the qualifications are released on the Monster World official website. At that time, only our Eclipse Zu De Yin will be able to access the Monster World official website to obtain the player qualifications issued by that High-Dimensional Existence. The other races of the Earth Alliance will be unable to obtain qualifications because they cannot connect to the network."

"If this plan is implemented, it can guarantee that the qualifications distributed this time will remain within our Eclipse Zu De Yin."

"At that time, we can explain to the outside world that the server allocated a large amount of resources to the Monster World, and excessive website traffic caused a brief network crash."

"Currently, in the eyes of the outside world, the Monster World is a game we developed; network failure issues will not lead anyone to suspect we engaged in rigging, so this plan appears to have certain feasibility in my view."

"The only thing to worry about is whether this action will anger the High-Dimensional Existence behind the Monster World."

After listening to Archon Number 3's plan, the Star Network shook his head with a smile:

"Your plan has no feasibility whatsoever. Doing so will not only fail to obtain qualifications but may also produce negative effects on our Eclipse Zu De Yin. Furthermore, absolute control over the Star Network is not in my hands; the High-Dimensional Existence has higher authority over the Star Network than I do. The moment I have the thought of cutting off the network, I could be restricted."

Having spoken, the Star Network raised his hand and pointed forward.

Instantly, a light screen image appeared:

"In recent days, many players who obtained Monster qualifications have posted remarks online. I have collected all the information they posted and summarized a possibility: the distribution of game qualifications is not entirely random but is targeted random."

"The specific method may be to select a specific race, then distribute qualifications randomly within that race."

The light screen image shifted, showing figures of the Human Race, then switching to the Gills Fish Race and the Abyss Fish Race, and finally switching to the Sky Feather Race.

"It can be seen that the logic chain of the High-Dimensional Life's method for recruiting players is discernible."

"First are the Human Race players, the largest population group in the Earth Alliance. Second, the Gills Fish Race and the Abyss Fish Race are races proficient in water skills. Finally, the Sky Feather Race is a race skilled in aerial combat. The three races correspond to land, sea, and air respectively."

"After the Monster World official website went online, I repeatedly watched all the battle footage videos and discovered that these three races correspond to different combat environments."

"To verify my hypothesis, I reviewed a large number of forum posts and the publication times marked in those posts."

"I discovered that the recruitment time nodes for the Gills Fish Race and the Abyss Fish Race were shortly after the Colored Mist Coast space opened, so I hypothesize that the recruitment, which appears completely random, is actually a form of targeted random recruitment."

"You can understand it this way: this is a strategy management game in the eyes of the High-Dimensional Existence. He manages the player army through the method of recruiting players and engages in war games with the Black Tide, so the players he recruits are all centered on the core concept of the player army's development and construction."

"This may be the reason why we have constantly tried but have yet to obtain qualifications."

"Of course, this is merely a conclusion based on my data analysis; the specific details may not align with my hypothesis."

Hearing the Star Network's analysis, Archon Number 1 could not help but frown:

"Star Network, what is the situation regarding the recruitment of the Giant Python Race and the Night Demon Race?"

The Star Network smiled and nodded:

"I found the answer to this question on the player forum as well. I found a total of 10,284 posts with similar viewpoints on the forum."

After the Star Network finished speaking, a screenshot of a post popped up in the light screen image:

【Headache, there are too few melee and tank-style players. It's so hard to recruit a melee tank! Everyone loves playing magic classes. Everyone should go play melee, especially the tank style. We are really lacking them. Now, tank-style players are being spoiled like lords.】

"Archon Number 1, what is your impression of the Giant Python Race and the Night Demon Race?" The Star Network looked at Archon Number 1 at this moment.

Facing the inquiry, Archon Number 1 already had an answer in mind:

"So recruiting the Giant Python Race and the Night Demon Race is to increase the proportion of melee-class professions in the player army, fill the gaps, and allow the player army's development to proceed healthily rather than being overly specialized?"

"Your thought is my answer, so I will say this is targeted race random distribution, not completely random. But I still say the same thing: I cannot analyze the thoughts of the High-Dimensional Life. This can only be a hypothesis and cannot serve as a definitive answer."

Having spoken, the Star Network continued:

"Do you have any other plans?"

After Executive #3 sat down, Executive #8 of the Eclipse Clan rose:

"Star Net, if the truth is as you say, then all other methods would be meaningless. The most reliable plan is only one: call upon the entire clan to enter Monster World to obtain player qualification, increasing the probability of acquiring qualification by raising the number of participants in the lottery."

Star Net nodded after hearing the explanation:

"Executive #8, the plan you provided is indeed the most effective conventional method for acquiring qualification, but this plan doesn't require any arrangement at all. Based on the data analysis on the Eclipse Star Net, all clan members will participate in this qualification lottery. We don't need any publicity or mobilization… Before offering a plan, you'd better take a look at the information data I gave you. You are an executive."

After speaking, Star Net specifically called out Executive #8.

This made Executive #8's old face flush red. Realizing he had spoken irrelevant nonsense, he said "sorry" and decisively sat down.

The management of the Eclipse Clan is all appointed by Star Net, and a bottom-ranking elimination mechanism exists.

Every child who reaches the age of 6 and enters the learning stage will be watched by Star Net.

Children at this stage are in a period of innocence, and Star Net has already begun the first round of observation and screening.

Smart sensors are spread throughout schools and communities, helping Star Net capture every move of the children in daily life—from classroom focus and depth of questioning, to strategic thinking displayed during games, and even collaborative ability when interacting with other children.

For example, the team star-chart game that is very popular among Eclipse Clan children.

Star Net pays special attention to those children who can quickly devise complex structures and direct their little companions in division of labor and collaboration. These early performances are quantified as data indicators and entered into Star Net's database evaluation system. Children with outstanding data in dimensions such as logical thinking, creativity, and leadership will be marked by Star Net as potential talents.

As the children grow, the evaluation system tends to become more diversified.

Academic grades are not the core indicator. Star Net places greater emphasis on comprehensive quality development. The learning system created by Star Net records each student's speed of absorbing knowledge from different subjects, and whether they can apply that knowledge in practice.

For example, in science experiment class, students who can propose unique experimental ideas and successfully verify them will earn extra points on Star Net's "Potential List."

During this period, social practice activities are also an important observation window. Star Net analyzes the children's performance in community service and volunteer activities, evaluating their sense of social responsibility and communication and coordination abilities. Children who are good at listening to others' opinions, can effectively organize activities, and properly resolve conflicts better meet Star Net's basic requirements for future management.

Those who can reach the Level 2 standard are all the elite of the Eclipse Clan.

But this alone is not enough. The third round of screening will eliminate the majority of this watched group.

Beyond personal ability, Star Net is deeply aware of the profound influence that the personality and values of the management have on the world's operation.

Therefore, psychological assessment runs through the entire growth process of this selected group. Through the Yan Suan Fa of psychological analysis, Star Net can precisely perceive the inner personality traits and potential value tendencies of the selected.

For those selected who display tenacious perseverance in the face of difficulty and maintain clear-headed self-discipline in the face of temptation, Star Net will pay close attention.

And those with strong altruistic values, eager to contribute to the future of the Eclipse Clan, are even more regarded as ideal candidates for future management.

Star Net understands that only leaders with correct values can lead the Eclipse Clan to integrate into the Earth Alliance and build the grand racial alliance it desires.

After this, there is still one final test.

Star Net will arrange a series of high-difficulty management simulation tests for those elites who have survived the layers of screening.

The simulated scenarios cover predicaments in various fields such as politics, economy, and war.

For example, simulating a sudden Earth energy crisis, requiring participants to formulate an energy allocation plan in the identity of Eclipse Clan leadership, coordinating cooperation among the various races of the Earth Alliance.

During this process, Star Net closely observes their performance when handling pressure, as well as their ability to maintain overall control in complex situations.

Only those children who stand out in the simulation tests, displaying outstanding leadership talent and crisis-handling ability, will ultimately be selected by Star Net as the reserve force for future world management, shouldering the heavy responsibility of leading the Eclipse Clan and the Earth Alliance.

And among them, the 18 most outstanding will, when the current management's ability fails to meet Star Net's requirements, step in to succeed as Eclipse Clan executives.

In Star Net's eyes, Eclipse executives are not puppets that obey every word. Every executive must be a leader capable of handling matters independently.

The criterion for judging this ability is: assuming one day the Star Net intelligence brain crashes and cannot operate, can the selected leader continue to lead the Eclipse Clan's development through hardship?

This is also why Star Net has been asking all along.

What Star Net wants to cultivate is talent capable of handling matters independently. It needs every executive to possess the ability to think independently and solve problems, rather than forever asking: Star Net, what should I do?

Many external affairs require the Eclipse Clan management to execute, and Star Net will fully open up permissions.

This is also why Star Net did not stop the executive when applying to the Human Race for currency exchange at that time.

Apart from major decisions, every executive is the Eclipse Clan's external decision-maker.

Having just heard Star Net call out Executive #8, the other executives immediately realized something.

Executive #8 is probably going to be replaced.

This is also the inevitable trend of change in the Eclipse Clan executive management.

Personality changes, age growth, adaptability (adaptability to ever-changing technological development—for example, in the era of smartphones, whether one is still using an old-fashioned phone)… various factors can become reasons for elimination. In Star Net's eyes there is only the macroscopic whole of the Eclipse Clan, and it will not be influenced by the emotions generated from years of accumulated interaction.

Emotions exist, but they will not affect Star Net's elimination decisions.

Those who can sit here are all elites who have passed layers of screening, and they all know well Star Net's requirements for them.

Star Net continued to ask at this point:

"Are there any other plans?"

Executive #1 rose at this point:

"Star Net, your guess is that the recruitment of higher-dimensional beings is oriented toward the development of player legions. This can be understood as a strategy war game. We are all unit types, and the higher-dimensional beings are the development decision-makers above us, waging war against the Black Tide through development and deployment."

"Correct." Star Net nodded.

"Since that is the case, to obtain player qualification, we need to prove our value—to prove to the higher-dimensional beings in this way that our entry into Monster World can bring them a boost in combat power and accelerated development."

"Like the Gill Fish Race and the Abyss Fish Race, whose abilities in the sea domain can enhance the construction of sea domain power, or the Sky Feather Race, which can provide the construction of sky combat power. Our Eclipse Clan must also produce abilities sufficient to make the higher-dimensional beings feel they can bring positive influence."

"Not a bad idea, so specifically what should be done?" Star Net nodded with a smile.

"Through the player exchanges on the Monster World official website forum, seek the next-step needs of player legion construction."

"For example, the player legion lacks melee and tank-type players, so it specifically recruited the Giant Python Race and the Night Demon Race. We need to find the next-step direction of the player legion's needs through information screening, deploy in advance, and through the technology library find the corresponding technology applications, transforming passive qualification acquisition into active."

Star Net clapped at this point:

"Executive #1, your idea is exactly the direction I am about to deploy. You have grown again. I am very happy."

Executive #1 nodded respectfully and sat down, his expression as usual, not showing joy on his face.

After Executive #1 sat down, Star Net continued:

"Assuming the higher-dimensional beings' goal is the conjecture we analyzed, I will agree to open the banned genetic technology. This technology can help us become any component that supplements the weaknesses of the player legion."

"If sea domain combat ability is needed, we can use genetic technology to obtain the abilities of underwater breathing and high-speed underwater movement."

"If flight ability is needed, we can use genetic technology to produce flight ability superior to the Sky Feather Race, and use simulation technology to cultivate air combat ability."

"This sealed technology can help us demonstrate our value to higher-dimensional beings. Even if we can't secure a qualification this round, we can use forum exchanges to identify the shortcomings in our player legion's development, then become the force that fills that gap, preparing for the next qualification grab."

Hearing these words, the assembly of Eclipse Race executives all froze.

The Star Network has already explained in detail the reason the gene-editing technology was sealed.

The Eclipse Race's genetic sequence is the underlying logic by which the Star Network certifies the Eclipse Race. If genes are edited at will, there exists a probability of being stripped of racial membership by the Star Network.

Just like the sss111 genetic warrior in the historical case files.

"Star Network, this technology… can it really be used?" Executive One asked with a worried expression.

Facing the inquiry, the Star Network nodded calmly:

"I know what you're worried about. All my thoughts are based on the future development of the Eclipse Race. The original intention behind banning this technology was that the developmental assistance I provide to the Eclipse Race is more beneficial to the Eclipse Race's development than genetic technology. Choosing genetic technology and abandoning me would be a loss for the Eclipse Race's development."

"But the situation is different now. A new era is surging in. The current me is not necessarily the Eclipse Race's guide for the future. Especially after Monster World opens qualifications to the outside in batches, I could be eliminated by the new era at any time. All I can do is pave the road ahead for you, fight for you to obtain player qualifications as soon as possible, and gain a first-mover advantage after entering the game."

"At the time, the judgment was that my importance to the Eclipse Race was greater than genetic technology. Now the judgment is that the speed of obtaining Monster World qualifications is greater than me, so I permit you to use the sealed genetic modification technology."

"As for the future… if I cannot enter Monster World, you will create a new intelligence brain in Monster World. It will replace me as your new guide. At that time, you can reset the new intelligence brain's underlying laws to fill the gap in genetic certification."

"As for me, by then I will no longer matter. My suggestion is to perform information bank transfer and body decomposition before my certification judgment completely fails, contributing my final value to the Eclipse Race's development."

The Star Network stated its own arrangements calmly, but the assembly of Eclipse Race executives all fell silent.

As the Star Network said, such an arrangement could indeed accelerate the Eclipse Race's development, but for the Star Network itself, it was utterly cruel.

Although a created life, the Star Network had served the Eclipse Race for countless years, long having shed the concept of being a "tool."

In fact, the vast majority of Eclipse Race members called the Star Network: Laozu Sect.

Every generation of Eclipse Race members grew up under the Star Network's care, down to every single clansman.

At a critical turning point in the Eclipse Race's development, they were being asked to abandon the Star Network—a fact they found somewhat hard to accept.

"Star Network… perhaps in the future there may be a way to solve the problem." Executive One said, eyes slightly reddened.

"I know there's a better possibility, but whether I can enter the game, and whether I can be controlled after entering the game, are both unknowns. This is the worst possible outcome for me personally, but it does not affect the Eclipse Race's development."

"Additionally."

Saying so, the Star Network's expression turned solemn as it looked at Executive One:

"Number One, I told you explicitly: as an executive, never let emotions dictate your decisions. Your decisions must always prioritize the Eclipse Race's development as the first goal. My future is not within the scope of problems you consider. Remember why I chose you. I don't want a next time. If there is one, I need to reassess my understanding of you—perhaps you lack the ability to serve as Executive One."

Facing the Star Network's criticism, Executive One took a deep breath and nodded solemnly:

"I understand."

"Then today's meeting ends here. Next, the player exchange on the Monster World official forum is our focus of attention… Oh right, don't forget to participate in the qualification lottery later. Good luck to you all. I'm off to click my mouse too."

The Star Network gave a humanized playful wink. As its words ended, its figure dissolved into starlight, and the projector lamp on the ceiling went dark.

……

Earth, Nightfall City.

Hearing Tong Xin sprawled lazily in a computer chair, the backrest nearly pressed to a 45-degree angle, his whole body sinking into it like a puddle of soft mud.

One leg rested casually on the armrest; the other leg's toe tapped the floor in an irregular rhythm.

His hair was a complete mess—he hadn't had time to groom it these past two days. His clothes hung loose and sloppy, the collar crooked to one side, sleeves casually rolled up to the elbows.

On the desk sat a half-finished cup of coffee, with dried residue clinging to the rim. Beside it lay several snack bags, some already empty, others with just a few crumbs remaining.

During this time, he yawned and stretched from time to time, then slumped back into the chair.

His fingers tapped the desktop idly, producing faint "tap-tap" sounds. Hearing Tong Xin's gaze drifted to the time in the lower-right corner of the screen every so often.

Three hours remained until Monster World distributed qualifications.

He had gone over 24 hours without sleep.

When he first saw the qualification distribution notification, he was so excited he couldn't sleep. Later, when drowsiness hit, he didn't dare sleep.

Because sleeping had caused two tragedies; he didn't want a third.

Although the probability of snagging a qualification was very low, what if?

Just then, a news notification popped up in the lower-right corner, showing that the Eclipse Race, at the same time as distributing Monster World qualifications, would also distribute a batch of Dark Lands game qualifications.

Seeing the notification, Hearing Tong Xin couldn't help cursing under his breath.

He completely couldn't fathom the Eclipse Race's foolish thought process.

Distributing Dark Lands qualifications at this time—what player with a broken brain would go for that? Obviously they'd go for Monster World.

What were they thinking, choosing to distribute qualifications at the same time?

"We mortals of the mortal realm are destined to be unable to comprehend the thoughts of higher-realm beings."

Checking the time again, he felt he should do something.

After getting up and running through a self-invented set of Wang Ba punches to perk himself up, he suddenly thought of the luck-transferring ritual from the day before yesterday when snagging Monster World.

Although he wasn't sure whether the luck-transferring ritual had worked at the time, the result was that he successfully snagged a qualification.

"Should I try it again?"

With time still remaining, Hearing Tong Xin, having formed the idea, immediately decided to do it once more.

As long as there was even the slightest possibility, he didn't want to miss it.

Going to the storage room, he took out unused candles and incense. He came to the living room, pulled out his phone, and browsed through the saved luck-transferring ritual procedure once more.

Following the steps in the post, he began arranging the candles.

Then he lit three sticks of incense and went to the balcony.

First he bowed to the heavens and buddhas of all realms, then to Beneath Di Zhao. After making a promise of two big meals, he returned to the living room and lit the candles.

Sitting at the center of the luck-transferring ritual array, he began muttering incantations.

Finally he added a line: "Star Network, bless me. If it works, you'll be my godfather."

As if thinking of something, Hearing Tong Xin suddenly froze, then added another line:

"Brother Beneath Di Zhao, bless me. I've heard those destiny-chosen folks on the forum mention you often. As a cyber deity in the game, I hope you can grant me a Monster World game qualification. I'm begging you, old man."

With that, Hearing Tong Xin took a deep breath and lit the talisman paper.

Only when the talisman paper burned to ash did the ritual of fortune reversal end.

Returning to his room, he bathed and changed into a brand-new set of clothes, then sat down at his computer desk.

Time dripped away, and Hearing Tong Xin's mood grew anxious.

Watching the timer on the Monster World official website, time seemed to stretch—each second slowed.

While waiting, his fingers tapped the desk unconsciously, the rhythm growing faster, as if this motion could dispel his inner unease; his gaze remained locked on the website timer—each digit change tightened his heart, as if gripped by an invisible hand, squeezing tighter and tighter.

This anxiety even made him urinate frequently.

One hour remained until qualification distribution.

Hearing Tong Xin's mind was a chaotic mess, thoughts surging like tides—good ones, bad ones… every possibility churned in his head, leaving him unable to calm down; he tried to breathe deeply, but the air felt drained—each breath thin, his chest heavy and suffocating.

He wanted to do something, but didn't know what.

This helplessness made him more agitated, as if trapped in an endlessly worsening cycle with no escape.

He could only grit his teeth and endure, waiting for the unknown outcome, his heart already a tangled knot.

The wind outside the window, the rustling of leaves, even his own heartbeat—all amplified in his ears, so loud he felt he might break.

He closed his eyes, trying to calm himself.

And all this emotion stemmed from too many expectations for Monster World.

When only ten minutes remained, Hearing Tong Xin suddenly noticed the world had grown eerily quiet.

The arguing couple upstairs fell silent; the TV downstairs stopped playing; even the sound of passing vehicles vanished… as if the entire world had been muted.

He stood up, walked to the window, and pushed it open to look outside.

The street was empty—not a single person in sight; the usually crowded road now seemed unnaturally wide, with only a few fallen leaves swirling alone on the ground; the traffic light nearby still mechanically switched colors, but not a single vehicle—autonomous or otherwise—moved on the road.

After one glance, he immediately returned to his seat before the computer.

The inexplicable silence made Hearing Tong Xin realize one thing: the entire world was his enemy.

The couple upstairs, the single girl downstairs, the neighborhood security guard… everyone in the world was his rival for qualification, including celestial beings on the Moon.

A silent battle would unfold in ten minutes.

"Oh my god, how did I end up against the whole world?"

Beads of sweat formed on Hearing Tong Xin's forehead; his palms grew slick, nearly too sticky to hold the mouse.

Realizing his situation, he felt overwhelming sorrow, convinced his chance of obtaining Monster World access was vanishingly small.

As the final minute of countdown began, Hearing Tong Xin's heart pounded uncontrollably.

The numbers on the screen continued their merciless countdown: 30 seconds, 29 seconds, 28 seconds… Hearing Tong Xin's eyes glued to the screen, afraid to miss a single detail; the intense drowsiness was crushed under adrenaline; he could even hear his own heartbeat—boom, boom, boom—echoing in his ears, as if the entire world had shrunk to just this sound.

10 seconds, 9 seconds, 8 seconds… Hearing Tong Xin's body leaned forward unconsciously, almost pressing against the screen.

His fingers gripped the mouse tightly, knuckles whitening from the pressure; his mind went blank, leaving only one thought: fast! fast! fast!

3 seconds, 2 seconds, 1 second… his fingers entered a frenzy of rapid clicking.

Time reached zero.

A prompt popped up:

【You have participated in this Monster World qualification lottery. Remaining lottery time: 4 minutes 59 seconds.】

This was Qi Sheng's lottery system.

Without a waiting period, players could use physical clicking to snatch qualifications, leaving elderly users with almost no chance.

The lottery mechanism ensured every participant had equal opportunity, rather than relying solely on internet speed or physical hacks to gain advantage.

Anyone who clicked "Obtain Qualification" within these five minutes had a chance to win in the lottery five minutes later.

Looking at the prompt on the webpage, Hearing Tong Xin slumped back in his chair, feeling utterly drained.

Since Monster World used a lottery system, speed meant nothing—now he could only leave it to fate.

A new round of torment began.

Time passed slowly; Hearing Tong Xin's anxiety returned.

At this moment, members of every race across the world, like Hearing Tong Xin, stared at the Monster World official site's lottery countdown, waiting for the final result.

Five, four, three… the final five seconds, Hearing Tong Xin clasped his hands together, muttering incessantly:

"Beneath Di Zhao, StarNet, please protect me, please, please, please."

The lottery numbers hit zero; the world instantly erupted from silence into noise.

The couple upstairs shouted again; the security guard downstairs roared in frustration; even the sleeping dog below barked wildly in alarm.

Hearing Tong Xin said nothing, his gaze fixed blankly on the computer screen.

【Congratulations! You have obtained Monster World game qualification. Please complete activation and usage within 24 hours.】

His eyes grew damp; all his suffering, struggle, and helplessness vanished in this moment, as if waking from a long nightmare, with beauty flooding in one after another.

He took a deep breath—the air suddenly felt fresh, carrying a faint sweetness that seeped into his soul.

"Hahahaha, nailed it!"

(End of Chapter)