Heavenly Tribulation Descends

In 2025, China and Japan erupted into war. From the outset, China's advance was like a bamboo breaking through, crushing the Japanese army. Just as the Japanese forces were about to be annihilated, countries like the United States, Britain, France, Australia, South Korea, and India intervened. Subsequently, Russia, North Korea, Brazil, and others were forced to act, and World War III was on the verge of breaking out.

The war between the two sides intensified, eventually escalating into a nuclear war. In an instant, the Earth was in ruins, nearly destroyed.

Fortunately, both sides came to their senses in time, and the war subsided. However, the Earth was already scarred and could no longer withstand major destruction. All countries had no choice but to sign an agreement to cease large-scale wars and conflicts.

However, wherever there are people, there will be conflict. Since conflict could not be resolved through war, another path was sought, and large-scale transnational virtual online games emerged.

If World War III had any single benefit for this world, it was undoubtedly the epoch-making technological advancements spurred by the war. Artificial intelligence progressed by leaps and bounds, and holographic virtual mirroring technology was perfected. Thus, humanity gained a second world.

The advancement of high technology completely liberated human resources. High-tech products replaced human labor, ensuring that people could live without worry even without working. Those with nothing to do flocked to the internet, further stimulating the development of large-scale virtual online games. The war for funds and various resources waged through virtual online games thus began.

China was no exception. People poured into virtual online games, opening up a new world and battlefield. Among them, online gaming families gradually formed, becoming a new type of combat force and the main zhǔlì for national battles.

After the great war, various virtual online games emerged like bamboo shoots after rain, countless in number. However, these online games gradually declined with the impending launch of one particular game, which had concentrated the technological power of major technological powers like China, the United States, Russia, Japan, Britain, and France, and had been honed for ten years.

With the concerted efforts of so many countries, there was no doubt that this game received global recognition and became the main platform for competition between nations.

This virtual online game is named "Heavenly Tribulation" and will officially launch at 12:00 PM on October 1st, China time. It is said that this online game is very different from previous online games, but the specifics have not been disclosed by the officials, who only said, "Players can experience it for themselves when the time comes."

If it were any other virtual online game, this statement alone would have drawn widespread criticism from players. However, for "Heavenly Tribulation," this statement only made more players yearn for it and become more curious.

The official information about the online game "Heavenly Tribulation" is so scarce it's outrageous. The game officials have only revealed nine basic professions: Swordsman, Mage, Berserker, Priest, Summoner, Assassin, Archer, Knight, and Boxer.

According to unofficial sources, "Heavenly Tribulation" has many other professions besides these nine basic ones. There are some powerful hidden professions, and some professions are specially crafted representative professions based on the characteristics of each country, such as China's Taoist, Japan's Ninja, and America's Superman.

The combination of traditional professions and unique ones is undoubtedly one of the reasons many players are looking forward to this game.

Besides this information, there is also some commonly known information, such as the fact that the game will have many servers at the beginning. For instance, major countries like China, the United States, Russia, Japan, Britain, and France will have their own servers, while some less populated countries will share a server. Initially, these servers will be independent and not interconnected, but they will gradually merge as the game progresses to form one large server. This often signifies the imminent start of major national wars.

It is currently September 30th, with only one day left until the official launch of the "Heavenly Tribulation" game.

In China, before the launch of "Heavenly Tribulation," the streets were deserted as everyone waited for the game, preparing to make their mark in it.

In a relatively secluded courtyard in Luoyang City, Ye Luo finished setting up the last wire. He looked around and muttered, "I've set up surveillance cameras in the vicinity and within the courtyard. Any disturbance will trigger an alarm, and anyone who infiltrates this courtyard will be directly connected to the smart main brain in my hand. Next, hmph..."

As he spoke, Ye Luo touched the bracelet on his arm. This was the latest technological achievement from China, a miniature smart computer that could be used for mobile communication, internet access, video calls, and more.

After doing this, Ye Luo walked towards the room, saying as he walked, "With this, Yue'er will be safe. I can finally enter the game with peace of mind. Hmph, Dongfang Family, just you wait."

Upon entering the room, Zhi Yue greeted him. She looked at Ye Luo and said, "Brother Ye, Father has already sent people to deliver two game pods. Tomorrow, we can log into 'Heavenly Tribulation' together to play."

Ye Luo frowned slightly. "You're going to play too? You're only sixteen, shouldn't you be going to school?"

"School stuff is too simple. I don't need to go to school. As long as I have time, I can just learn casually in the virtual church," Zhi Yue said, her pretty face full of pride. "I'm a genius, you know. And I've been playing virtual online games for two years, so I'm considered an expert."

With technological advancement, the holographic virtual network became a second world. People could learn and work within it, completing tasks without needing to physically go to school or their workplaces.

"Look at you, so proud." Ye Luo rarely smiled, but it was fleeting. He looked at Zhi Yue. "It's good that you're playing with me; it'll save you from being bored alone. By the way, have you thought about what profession you want to play?"

"Summoner, I like this profession the most. I can summon powerful summoned beasts or spirits to fight," Zhi Yue said without hesitation, her face filled with longing. "Of course, it would be even better if I could get a hidden profession. I heard that hidden professions are much more powerful than the nine basic professions, but it's very difficult to obtain them. Besides strength, luck is also very important."

"Summoner, huh? That's pretty good too," Ye Luo murmured. "Relying on summoned creatures to fight, that way, Yue'er, you won't have to fight directly, and it will be much safer."

"Brother Ye, what profession do you want to choose?" Zhi Yue asked curiously, her face full of admiration. "Brother Ye is so powerful; you must be very skilled at games too."

"I don't know either, because I rarely played games before," Ye Luo shook his head. Seeing Zhi Yue's astonished expression, he continued, "Sister Qiu used to play games too, right? What professions did she choose?"

Upon hearing the words "Sister Qiu," the smile on Zhi Yue's face froze. She murmured, "Sister used to play Swordsman often, and sometimes Mage. She's a true gaming genius, one of the top three experts in our Zhi family..."

"Oh, then I'll choose Swordsman as my first choice, and Mage as my second," Ye Luo said calmly. He ruffled Zhi Yue's hair, a cold glint flashing in his eyes before disappearing. "Yue'er, don't worry, I will avenge Sister Qiu. I definitely will!"

"Yes, definitely!"

Time passed slowly in anticipation. Finally, at 11:50 AM the next day, Ye Luo and Zhi Yue ate something casually and returned to their rooms to prepare for the game in their respective game pods.

Iris scan locked, identity confirmed, holographic scan. With a slight jolt, Ye Luo's image entered the game. He arrived in a virtual space, and then an image appeared in his mind:

A giant meteor, trailing flames, crashed down with a roar. The earth shook, fires erupted, black smoke billowed, ferocious beasts roared, and demonic gods descended, exuding terrifying auras. The land was ravaged, countless lives were lost, a scene of impending apocalypse.

Finally, the crimson blood and flames condensed into two seal characters – Heavenly Tribulation.

The image was not long, only a few minutes, but it was quite realistic. Ye Luo felt as if he were there, sensing the power of these demons and the fragility of life.

"Is this the descent of the Heavenly Tribulation?" Ye Luo murmured, moved by the preceding images.

"Demons dance, Heavenly Tribulation descends, all living beings suffer. Descender, do you have the courage to fight for the common people?! Are you willing to enter the Heavenly Tribulation Continent to save billions of lives?!" A grand and solemn voice echoed. With this voice, a huge white-robed phantom appeared before Ye Luo.

Through Zhi Yue's introduction and his own research on other online games, Ye Luo knew this was the inevitable path to entering the game. Ye Luo said calmly, "I am willing."

"Descender, you are a warrior. Welcome to the world of 'Heavenly Tribulation.' Please name your game character. Once named, it cannot be changed without special circumstances or special items," the white-robed phantom continued.

"Ye Luo Zhi Qiu." Ye Luo said calmly. This was the name he had thought of these past few days.

"This name can be used. Descender, do you confirm the naming?" the white-robed phantom continued, repeating, "Once named, it will be very difficult to change. Please proceed with caution."

"I confirm." Recalling the silhouette in his heart, Ye Luo nodded heavily.

"Good, Ye Luo Zhi Qiu, naming successful," the white-robed phantom said, then continued, "Please choose the profession you wish to take."

As he finished speaking, a dialogue box appeared before Ye Luo. Upon seeing it, he was stunned and murmured, "Weren't there supposed to be nine basic professions? Why are there only two choices?"

Indeed, there were only two choices: 'Warrior' and 'Mage.' His preferred first choice, Swordsman, was not there, nor was his second choice, Mage, which is why he was so confused.

As if sensing Ye Luo's confusion, the white-robed phantom said, "There are only two initial professions: Warrior and Mage. After your game character reaches level 10, you can choose an apprentice profession. Warriors can become Swordsmen, Knights, Berserkers, Archers, Assassins, and Boxers, while Mages can become Mages, Summoners, and Modes. Descender, how do you choose?"

Understanding now, Ye Luo said softly, "I choose Warrior."

"Warriors have three choices: Strength Warrior, Agility Warrior, and Constitution Warrior, corresponding to Battle Soul, Martial Soul, and Blood Soul respectively. Which do you choose?" the white-robed phantom continued. As he spoke, another dialogue box with three choices appeared before Ye Luo.

Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Intelligence are the four basic attributes of characters in the game. The choice of attribute greatly influences the profession. Ye Luo had done some research on this, but he had never heard of Battle Soul and the others before. To be cautious, he asked, "Excuse me, what are the characteristics of these choices, and what kind of professions are they suitable for?"