Game Circle Big Storm

"Ding-dong!"

"Dear players, Immortal Path will undergo a version upgrade in 5 minutes."

"The new version will unlock dungeon features, the in-game currency system, and the experience point system!"

"It will also adjust the Contribution Points exchange rate and reopen tester slots—this time, 10,000 spots!"

"All players, please prepare to log off. Countdown: 300 seconds..."

As the game announcement appeared, every player was electrified.

Over the past few days, they'd already sunk deep into the world of Immortal Path.

The game's realism was so high that some could barely tell if this was reality or a game!

The only downside was how little Immortal Path had opened up so far.

Aside from grinding monsters, most players were just idling around.

A recent Story Event had pulled all players into participation, giving them a strong sense of belonging.

Now, many players even treated Immortal Path as their second home.

They hoped it would keep getting better and more complete.

So when the system announcement came, almost every player was swept up in ecstasy.

"Awesome, the game's finally getting a version upgrade!"

"Dungeons are coming—can't wait to see what they're like!"

"What about gear? Why no gear yet?"

"Stop complaining. A game this good is rare—give it time to polish!"

"I'm not in a rush for gear. I'm more hyped about the new player slots. Ten thousand this time! I'm logging off to tell my buddy and see if we can snag a test spot!"

Players buzzed with chatter all around, and plenty of impatient ones had already logged off in a hurry.

They were off to share the good news with their bros, besties, boyfriends, girlfriends!

Earth.

A famous gaming forum.

A post titled "World's First 100% VR MMO Immortal Path—Real Gameplay Footage" had been pinned and stickied by the forum mod.

Countless hardcore gamers, after watching the post, flooded the comments.

"OP, what game is this?"

"Holy crap, it's really 100% realistic. Which company made this? Penguin? Wang Nan? Why haven't I heard of it?"

"Unbelievable. Has our tech really advanced to the point of making 100% VR?"

"Looking for a test account—high price. Starting at 100,000 Yanhuang Coins. DM me if you've got one!"

"Rich guy above, let me latch onto your leg!"

"Is this a video from the game event? Too real. I can't believe this is a game!"

"Yeah, I thought it was an actual other world!"

If, a few days ago, the small number of players in Immortal Path had kept it from making waves among gamers...

Then, with the post from a user named Patrick Star, The entire gaming scene exploded.

Countless players went wild, flocking to find out how to get a test spot for Immortal Path!

Beyond the players, game companies were also shaken to the core.

Penguin Company.

The current head of Penguin was Ma Jiaoteng, the Nth-generation descendant of the original Little Ma Ge, Ma Huateng.

Right now, Ma Jiaoteng's face was ashen as he tore into his company's lead designer, lead programmer, and department CEOs.

"Are you all dead?"

"A game like this hits the market, and you don't even know?"

"Do you have any idea what a game like this means for Penguin?"

"Huh? Answer me!"

His roar rattled the Penguin gaming division's higher-ups, who all shrank back, hearts pounding.

Seeing his subordinates cowering, Ma Jiaoteng's anger flared even hotter.

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"Investigate. Dig to the bottom."

"I want to know everything about Immortal Path."

"What are you waiting for?"

As Majiao Teng roared, the game department's higher-ups scattered like startled birds.

After his subordinates left, Majiao Teng slumped weakly into his office chair.

He muttered to himself.

"It's over, it's all over!"

"My Penguin Empire is doomed..."

"Ancestor Huateng, your unfilial descendant has failed you!"

The same scene played out at NetEase.

Ding Sanshi, descendant of the original pig-farming tycoon Ding Sanshi, also had despair written all over his face!

A 100% virtual reality online game had been born!

Under this impact, game companies like theirs faced one crisis of closure after another!

Tell me, with a 100% realistic online game out there, who the hell would still play those bug-ridden games with less than 30% realism?

Soon, the gaming giants led by Penguin and NetEase frantically began investigating the company behind Xiantu.

Unfortunately, Xiantu was something the system had cooked up!

There wasn't even a game company behind Xiantu—where could they investigate?

But the commotion stirred up by the gaming giants was quickly exposed.

This time, almost every netizen in Yanhuang knew about an online game called Xiantu!

A 100% virtual reality existence, hailed as a second world!

Everyone went crazy for it!

In just a few hours, the price of a test qualification number was driven up to a million Yanhuang coins!

Just then, it was still that famous gaming forum.

A post had been quietly pinned at some point.

The content of the post was extremely simple.

"Recruiting Xiantu test players, 10,000 slots available. Interested players can sign up and leave a comment in this post!"

That's right!

This was the system's doing!

This time, the player slots had been expanded to 10,000.

The system no longer planned to pick them one by one!

It directly dropped a post on this gaming forum.

This made it easier to recruit players!

Sure enough, within a few minutes.

Players discovered the post.

Instantly, all players were thrilled, excited, over the moon...

"Little Ma Ge, hurry to XX forum—Xiantu has opened player recruitment!"

At Penguin Company, a game executive rushed into Majiao Teng's office.

Majiao Teng, who had been slumped in his office chair, jumped up with a start!

"What?"

"Is it real?"

"Quick, gather all Penguin employees immediately and sign up on XX forum!"

"Remember, all of you use my name, Majiao Teng!"

Hearing this, the game executive backed out obsequiously!

After the executive left, Majiao Teng put his hands on his hips and laughed uproariously.

"Hahaha, this time, let's see who can snatch the test qualification from me!"

"Hmph, 100% virtual reality game, how impressive!"

"If my Penguin can't beat you, can't I just join you?"