Server Shutdown Imminent

February 2, 2065, 8 PM.

The Tianyao Official forum homepage displays a countdown.

On the virtual device, the countdown shows 20 hours.

However, if viewed offline using an electronic device, it will show 4 hours.

Version 1.3 will end at midnight tonight.

Tianyao Official launched a special topic: Time flies.

Many players left comments—

ID Longquan Sha: "No! 1.3, don't go! I haven't reached the Dou Wang yet! I haven't reached the Dou Wang yet!"

ID Battle Through the Heavens Wei Xiaobao: "Determined to collect three wives and four concubines in the Dou Qi Continent, current progress 0/7. 1.3, wait for me! At least let me grind out 70 points!"

ID 4399 Esports Expert: "In version 1.0, I was full of ambition; in 1.1, my ambitions remained unfulfilled; in 1.2, my ambitions remained unfulfilled; and in 1.3! Are you trying to make me lose so completely?"

An ID Infiltrated Tianyao to Hit on Female Customer Service: "Insider information: the Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya's Friendship will be implemented in the next version!"

ID Tieguan Luchengzhen: "Really? Really? My big cock is already itching for a ride!"

ID My Thirsty Big Bird: "Hey buddy upstairs, V you 50, delete this so I can post it."

ID Ye Suifeng: "Hurry, hurry, I can't stand this 1.3 for even a second longer!"

ID Bai Xiaosheng: "Don't believe or spread rumors. As far as I know, it's only a preliminary application that has been approved, but there's been a lot of opposition from { Fu Lian }. We'll have to see if Tianyao can withstand it!"

Catfished Three Thousand Times: "I was just playing a game, Fu Lian and started nagging?"

ID Daodan Fashe: "It seems to be saying that it represents Lu Xing's resistance to research and development projects that infringe upon Lu Xing's rights."

ID National Female Rogue: "What the hell does it represent! I finally managed to get 70 points with a muscular guy with eight-pack abs, and this thing comes out to cause trouble?"

ID Qiao Biluosi Fen: "9494! It's not just male players who benefit from this feature, it's like female players can't use it!"

A Divorced With Two Kids said, "I don't plan to get married again in this life. I just want to live a good life with my children. But I'm also a woman, and I have needs too!"

ID Lost Contact After Visiting Brothels in Hongdong: "@Divorced with Divorced With Two Kids, yes, normal people have needs, but some people are unwilling to satisfy their needs for 38 yuan."

Last Night With Threads: "To avoid any problems, let me give you an example. I have a good friend who lives a very simple life, going between home, the gym, and nightclubs every day. He has a lot of female admirers at nightclubs, and earning 50,000 yuan a month is not a problem for him. But recently he's been considering changing careers. Firstly, his body can't handle it after a while, and secondly, he's worried that he'll lose his job after Battle Through the Heavens releases that feature!"

Thirty-Eight Sister Is Still a Flower: "Last Night With Threads, could you give me your buddy's contact information? I'll give you 1000 if it works out."

ID Tianyao Official: "Dear players, please work together to maintain a healthy online environment."

ID Chao Bafang: "Good heavens! The authorities are involved; the twenty-odd floors behind them have mysteriously disappeared!"

ID Yang Shan - Currently Combat Power Rankings - Officially verified:

"I'm sure you players share my high expectations for the future of Battle Through the Heavens. But I think we should try to talk about this topic less and not put too much pressure on Tianyao. Remember the 1.3 press conference? Chief planner Xiao Yan spoke up, so they must be confident now. There will be obstacles, of course, but they're not insurmountable. If we make too much of a fuss about it, believe me, the obstacles will only increase. We need to keep a low profile, pretend it doesn't exist, and wait quietly. If something unexpected happens and the official team issues an apology, that's when we'll need to step in."

Yang Shan edited this message in order to suppress the popularity of the related topic.

After all, he does have some fame.

Because he remembered that in his previous life, this matter had become too big a fuss, causing Tian Yao Company to face increased pressure.

It's not the most crucial time yet, and Tian Yao Company certainly hopes to pass the application discreetly.

Only that unreliable chief planner, Xiao Yan, couldn't hold back and started a commotion.

ID: Yu Feifei: "Ahhh! My idol! My idol spoke up!"

ID Charming Beauty: "My God, is it really the Great God Yang Shan? Or is it just a coincidence of names?"

ID Chao Bafang: "No one can impersonate our Great God. See that shiny gold official certification icon next to his ID? That's right, he's our company's boss, the number one testicle in the entire server!"

ID Zhu Tianpeng: "@Chao Bafang, are you a pig? What's wrong with your input method? Delete and resend!"

ID Ji Fengchun: "The number one guild in Battle Through the Heavens, Tian Hao Alliance, is actively recruiting! Absolutely high salaries and absolutely passionate members. Join us and Battle Through the Heavens!"

ID Lucky Poison Hand: "Hey upstairs, are you out of your mind from playing games too much? Tian Hao Alliance doesn't even deserve to be called the number one guild!"

ID Hao Yunqi: "Lucky Poison Hand, what do you mean? If it's not the Tian Hao Alliance, then what is that Hidden Thorn from your so-called Jiba?"

ID Lucky Poison Hand: "Oh my, second on the Combat Power Rankings, what a show of power, I'm so scared."

ID Ye Suifeng: "Tian Hao Alliance is the number one guild? My Hero King Manor the first to disagree!"

ID Tang Baizhan: "The original number one guild of the Blade's Edge War Soul Hall, officially announces that it has joined Tian Hao Alliance and will dominate the Dou Qi Continent together with the brothers of the Tian Hao Alliance!"

ID Jin Shankao: "@Wang Tianhao, nephew, are you pulling this stunt on your uncle?"

ID Wang Tianhao: "Jin Shankao, don't call me that so affectionately. We've only met a few times in real life. But if you're willing to back down now, I'm willing to take the loss and call you Uncle Jin!"

ID Jin Shankao: "@Wang Tianhao, I overestimated you. Games are games, and reality is reality. In reality, even your dad would have to clink glasses with me, and you'd have to stand in the back!"

ID Wang Tianhao: "Jin Shankao, Tian Hao Virtual Entertainment Company is on the right track now. I don't rely on my dad anymore, so you can't use him to pressure me! If you're not convinced, let's settle this in the game!"

In the game, Yang Shan is already "AFK" in the Inner Courtyard Jia Nan Academy.

In the final days of the update, Yang Shan has been busy helping his juniors level up.

While you're at it, also take down some of the Black Alliance NPCs.

Even if Dou Wang kills Dou Ling, the experience gained will be significantly reduced.

Even if there wasn't a single kill against a higher-level opponent during this period.

Yang Shan's level also rose from Six-Star Dou Wang to Seven-Star Dou Wang!

Of course, the most crucial thing is—

Yang Shan's Common Grade Soul Accumulation Pearl was finally full! Since the game was about to Server Shutdown anyway, he simply left the game running and absorbed all 100,000 points of Pure Soul Energy! Yang Shan did not leave the Game Pod.

With two days left until Lunar New Year's Eve, Yang Shan was definitely going home to visit his parents, so he took this time to get together with his friends from the game.

Yang Shan once again chose Virtual Party Hall with a Chinese courtyard style.

Jin Shankao and Ye Suifeng have already arrived, and the others will come here after they finish their game-related tasks.

"How about it, Brother Yang? I set the pace pretty well, didn't I?"

Jin Shankao boasted to Yang Shan, "The discussion has now shifted from the Guan Zhong and Bao Shuya's Friendship and Bao Shuya to the high-intensity confrontation between the Hero King Manor and Tian Hao Alliance in the next version."

Yang Shan: "Gold Elder really has the skills, I admire him!"

Ye Suifeng, standing to the side, was cracking sunflower seeds:

"Great God Yang, the Tian Hao Alliance has now swallowed up the War Soul Hall, and there's also Hao Yunqi, who's second only to you on the Strong Ranking. Our Hero King Manor is under a lot of pressure! When are you going back to the Jia Ma Empire to provide support?"

Yang Shan smiled and said, "Brother Ye, you are being too modest. Hao Yunqi has a lot of fighting power, but his skills are terrible! With Brother Ye's skills, you could easily outmaneuver him."

Ye Suifeng said smugly:

"Listen! Boss, listen! I told you I could stop Hao Yunqi, but you didn't believe me. Yang Great God admitted it himself. Give me a raise right now, and I guarantee I'll take care of Hao Yunqi!"

Jin Shankao retorted, "You think you're all that just because Master Great God praised you a couple of times?"

Then Jin Shankao stared intently at Yang Shan, making Yang Shan a little embarrassed.

"Gold Elder, I understand what you mean, but even though we're friends, I won't come if the money isn't enough!"

Jin Shankao his wrist, showing off his newly purchased limited edition Patek Philippe men's watch:

"Brother Yang, money is no problem as long as you're willing to lend a hand!"

As the two were talking, two figures, one burly and one fat, appeared at the door.

The two of them took a step forward at the same time.

Then it got stuck on the door frame.

He cursed in Chao Bafang:

Why won't you listen to me when I tell you to lose weight?

Zhu Tianpeng: "So you think I'm the only one taking the blame? You're such a big, burly guy, how are you any better than me?"

Chao Bafang: "These are muscles!"

Zhu Tianpeng: "Chicken? I'd rather have duck, goose, or luncheon meat! Step aside, let me in first!"

Chao Bafang: "Come on, Fatty, you go first!"

Zhu Tianpeng: "Damn it!"

The two buddies had been bickering all the way, but when they heard Yang Shan cough, they quickly stopped and started to greet each other.

"Hello, Boss Jin!"

"Hello, Marshal Ye!"

Chao Bafang and Zhu Tianpeng earned a lot of extra money from Jin Shankao, and they were already very familiar with each other. They often exchanged tips on how to increase favorability with Ye Suifeng.

Several grown men sat in chairs, discussing the execution of the bride price refund by the HN High Court during a live broadcast, and the passage of the anti-Semitic bill in Mei Li Jian.

Then we talked about how the current economic climate is bad, and how all the old perverts are going to Battle Through the Heavens to increase their favorability with NPCs, while the brothel technicians have gone home early for the Chinese New Year.

Finally, we talked about a high-profile celebrity singing competition that recently came out in the entertainment industry. The production team invited two formidable figures from Europe and America. One of them used his dolphin-like high notes to perform vocal flourishes, which made several domestic singers' scalps tingle.

When men get together, they're bound to talk about everything under the sun.

The laughter that had been going on abruptly stopped.

Three beautiful young women entered one after another at the entrance.

Chao Bafang's eyes widened immediately:

"Holy crap! Who are these three? Are they the girls you just signed, Great God?"

Zhu Tianpeng drooled. "The one in the middle is so beautiful, I feel like I've found love!"

Before Yang Shan could answer, the prettiest girl at the front of the group quickly approached Yang Shan and exclaimed, "Idol, here I come!"

Zhu Tianpeng burst into tears, clutching his head. "Ah, my love is gone!"

Yang Shan's lips twitched. "Lao Zhu, can you stop being so jumpy?"

The three girls who came were Yu Feifei, whom Yang Shan had specially invited, and two important members of the Meteor Association.

Mei Yangyang, and the Little Dolphin who is determined to win over the Ice Emperor Hai Bodong in the future.

The Little Dolphin is quite petite, looking like a seventeen-year-old girl next door, but in reality she is already an adult and is pursuing a combined bachelor's and master's degree at a prestigious 985 university.

Compared to the fantastical outfits in the game, everyone at this gathering wore modern clothes.

Although the skirts worn by the three beauties are far from being mini-skirts, their legs are very shapely and they look very pleasing to the eye!

However, the men present, despite their lust, still had to maintain a proper demeanor in this setting, their gazes as serious as if they were conquering a boss in a game.

Yang Shan introduced, "This is Yu Feifei, the president of the newly established guild Meteor Association from the Jia Nan Academy. You should all have heard of Mei Yangyang. As for this Little Dolphin, well, I've only met her twice."

"Hey hey hey, I'm late, I'm late!"

After Yang Shan finished his introduction, Xiao Aotian, wearing a black hoodie and jeans, walked in with his hands in his pockets.

The Li Batian, was hilarious.

Li Batian's physique is comparable to Chao Bafang's.

But he was wearing black-rimmed glasses and a plaid shirt, and he looked exactly like a programmer.

The once quiet Chinese courtyard suddenly became lively.

While everyone was eating and chatting, the conversation naturally drifted back to games.

However, we're not talking about the content of the next version, but rather about past embarrassing incidents.

For example, Ye Suifeng once showed off in front of Yang Shan, saying he wanted to fight him one-on-one.

For example, Xiao Aotian cosplayed Xiao Yan, but he was missing "Three Thousand Thunder Movement", so he was not up to par.

Xiao Aotian gritted his teeth and said:

"You can laugh now! Once I get my hands on the ' Three Thousand Thunder Movement,' you'll all have to give me a wide berth! But speaking of which, Tian Yao Company wouldn't design the ' Three Thousand Thunder Movement ' to be only cultivable by those who primarily cultivate the thunder attribute, would they?"

Jin Shankao Yang Shan:

"Look, here's a professional, specializing in lightning attribute. No one in the entire server has more authority to speak on this than him."

Yang Shan immediately started spouting nonsense. "How would I know? I haven't learned it. Movement techniques and Dou Technique are rare to begin with, and ' Three Thousand Thunder Movement ' is only at the Earth Rank. I'm still using the Profound Rank ' Thunder Spirit Flash ' right now!"

Yang Shan never publicly announced that he had learned "Three Thousand Thunder Movement".

Furthermore, he rarely uses it in front of players, and even when he does, no player can see it clearly.

In addition, when he first became famous, he was known as "the man who moves like the wind," so fast that people would exclaim "Holy crap!"

Therefore, no player has been able to provide conclusive evidence that Yang Shan learned "Three Thousand Thunder Movement".

This thing is Yang Shan's life-saving skill; even business partners would hide it if they could.

After all, the next version is going to be the "most chaotic version in history" to date! There will definitely be some internal strife among these partners.

Take, for example, that mysterious ruin that appeared after version 2.0 was released. Yang Shan is certain that if they encounter each other, they will definitely fight! Because there is only one copy of the most valuable treasure in the ruin! They will cooperate when they can, and fight for it when they can.

In-game issues should be resolved within the game itself.

Outside of the game, everyone was still having a good time.

Ye Suifeng clinked glasses with Yang Shan, then quietly asked, "Great God Yang, is someone missing from today's gathering?"

Yang Shan: "Huh? Oh, you mean Lucky Poison Hand? He's still in the game and hasn't logged off yet!"

"No! It wasn't Lucky Poison Hand!"

Ye Suifeng was somewhat anxious:

"Where is Su Yitang from your company?"

As the only female player in the top ten of the Combat Power Rankings, Su Yitang has now become one of the focal points of attention for all main combat players across the server.

After more third-person perspective videos and screenshots of Su Yitang appeared on the forum, Su Yitang has now become a sensation! So talented and beautiful at the same time? Suddenly, "Yang Shan deserves to die" once again topped the trending searches.

Ye Suifeng had only met Su Yitang a few times, but who wouldn't be attracted to Su Yitang?

Ye Suifeng knew, of course, that the relationship between Su Yitang and Yang Shan was definitely not ordinary.

But what if you just glance at it a few more times?

It's not illegal to take a few more glances at a pretty girl, is it? Yang Shan: "Oh, Su Yitang? She had something to do offline, so she couldn't come today."

"Oh."

Seeing Ye Suifeng's dejected appearance, Yang Shan patted Ye Suifeng on the shoulder:

"Brother Ye, there are plenty of fish in the sea, you know what I mean."

Ye Suifeng smiled wryly, "Of course I understand, it's just that I've finally met someone I fell in love with at first sight."

Yang Shan: "When was the last time you fell in love at first sight?"

Ye Suifeng: "Yesterday."

Yang Shan launched into a tirade:

"Damn it! You scumbag, you're going to die!"

Meanwhile, Su Yitang, who was not present, was at a large stray animal center in the suburbs of CQ City.

She was wearing somewhat worn-out work clothes, her hair simply tied in a ponytail, and carrying a large iron basin filled with the nutritious meal she had spent several hours preparing that day.

Her steps were as joyful and hurried as her mood.

Upon opening the iron gate, a courtyard comes into view.

This is a designated area for stray cats at the animal shelter.

Inside, there are many cat beds and cat trees, and the walls are made of semi-transparent fishing net, while the roof is made of glass.

This ensures sunlight and ventilation while preventing the curious cats from getting lost.

It's very cold today, and the cats are all huddled in their warm cat beds.

Su Yitang placed the large iron basin filled with homemade nutritious meals on the table before calling out:

"Big Orange."

A rather muscular orange cat came running towards them, meowing.

Su Yitang didn't feed her, but continued to call out:

"Little Clip, Yellow Tabby, Fathead Fish!"

"Little Follower, Dirty Nose, Little Nose!"

"Little Calico, Little Mute, Little Broken Gong!"

Su Yitang rattled off the names of over thirty cats as if reciting a menu.

Hearing the call, the cats, ignoring the cold of winter, rushed towards Su Yitang with pure joy in their eyes.

Some of them were lying on the ground, their bellies exposed.

Some of them rubbed their heads or tails against Su Yitang's legs.

For a moment, the courtyard was filled with cat meows.

Su Yitang kept laughing, "Don't worry, it's almost Chinese New Year, and your grandma will be coming over. She'll cook you a big meal every day!"

Cats are solitary creatures, but when Su Yitang distributed the food and put down the bowls one by one, not a single one of the thirty-odd cats bristled or barked.

They were all eating in silence.

Just as Su Yitang was about to leave, many cats immediately stopped eating their delicious and nutritious meal and started meowing loudly around Su Yitang.

"It's alright, it's alright. I still have to Gou Sheng'er and the others. Hurry up, let me have some space, be good!"

This animal shelter has three courtyards like this one.

The neighboring courtyard houses over fifty stray dogs, while the other two smaller courtyards house relatively rare stray animals such as chinchillas, rabbits, and even pigs.

"Stray animals" are not wild animals; they are pets abandoned by people, and most of them do not have the ability to survive independently in the wild.

They might even be caught by unscrupulous individuals, processed, and sent to dinner tables, or to processing plants to be made into pet food or even pre-cooked meals for humans! Su Yitang came here during her university internship.

At its peak, the entire animal shelter housed over 700 animals.

However, the income sources for stray animal centers are very limited.

There were originally several of Su Yitang's colleagues here.

They also loved this career, but were forced to leave one after another due to livelihood constraints.

In the end, only Su Yitang was left, and she almost couldn't hold on any longer.

Perhaps it is because God favors the virtuous.

Su Yitang won the first prize—a gaming helmet from Tian Yao Company —while buying a bottle of mineral water.

Knowing that games can also make money, Su Yitang, with the wish of earning food for the little ones, entered "Battle Through the Heavens" and became a socially anxious player.

Until she met Yang Shan