Test Assessment

"This game has gone insane!"

"Setting aside the 4,999 reservation fee, what's with this assessment test? It costs 198 to revive every time you die. Was this game company formerly in the robbery business or something?"

"It's confirmed! This game's claim of 100% virtual realism has to be fake. They clearly have no intention of letting us enter the game. This company just plans to make money by selling assessment tests like this."

"Probably not. I heard that Luo Wu Shang, the Sword Saint from Pilgrimage, is playing it too."

"I think this game must have something special too. Otherwise, Luo Wu Shang wouldn't be playing it. But this company is way too confident. It's only an assessment test, yet failing once costs 198. How many suckers would pay for an assessment test that isn't even a game?"

"You people are making a mountain out of a molehill. It's just an assessment test. Why would anyone need to revive? Don't you all pass it in one go? Don't tell me you can't even clear it once?"

"Hahaha, it's finally my time to show my strength! I've specialized in game testing for thirty years. Brothers, see you in the game!"

"Anyone need someone to clear the assessment for them? Not 198—just 98. Contact me directly if you're interested!"

As soon as the announcement for High Martial Descent was released, over a thousand comments appeared below it in less than twenty seconds. They had completely turned the game reviews into a game forum, talking about everything under the sun.

"What a bunch of boring people."

Luo Wu Shang looked at the game reviews on her phone, then put it away and glanced at Zhang Qingwei beside her.

"Qing Wei, High Martial Descent really is a masterpiece. Fine, the Guild Leader and the others don't believe me—but you don't believe me either?"

"Of course I believe what Sister Luo says. The Guild Leader believes it too, or he wouldn't have sent Zhao Hu to investigate High Martial Descent in detail."

Inside the elevator, Zhang Qingwei wore a white shirt, a short black skirt, and black-rimmed glasses. Her long black hair fell to her waist, and every movement carried an air of intelligence. As she browsed High Martial Descent's reviews, she replied with a smile.

"You should know that Zhao Hu has been overseeing those three new games the whole time. He's been running between them every day, spinning like a top, all to seize an advantage in those three games. After all, we aren't the only guild in Pilgrimage looking for a new home now."

"I heard Zhao Hu say a few days ago that he had seen many familiar faces in all three games. The Guild Leader's willingness to let Zhao Hu investigate High Martial Descent already means he has made quite a major decision."

"Familiar faces in all three new games?" Surprise appeared on Luo Wu Shang's usually indifferent face. "Has the competition already become this fierce?"

Zhao Hu did not get along with her, but as the Fist Saint of Pilgrimage and a core senior member of Heavenly Might, the familiar faces he recognized—

were likely none other than Saint-level existences and the upper ranks of those giant guilds.

"Of course. Otherwise, why do you think your temporary recommendation made the Guild Leader bring it to the review meeting without a second word?" Zhang Qingwei looked at Luo Wu Shang and shook her head. "As for High Martial Descent, I'll find a way to assign you some newcomers who are still in training."

"Qing Wei, aren't you going to play?" Luo Wu Shang looked at Zhang Qingwei expectantly.

Although Zhang Qingwei was the Guild Leader's secretary, Luo Wu Shang had known her since they first met in Pilgrimage. She knew very well just how terrifying Zhang Qingwei's strength and talent were.

If not for the car accident that had injured Zhang Qingwei's brain and damaged her neural reflexes, she would likely have become a Saint three years ago. She would not have had to switch halfway into the guild's daily management and focus on being the Guild Leader's secretary.

"Me?" Zhang Qingwei froze, and the phone in her hand trembled slightly.

Only after a long while did Zhang Qingwei let out a deep sigh. "I... forget it. The current me is no longer suited for it."

Although virtual games differed from the computer games of centuries ago and did not require people to play before a screen, their essence was the same. Electronic signals were simply transmitted directly into the brain, allowing people to experience things more vividly.

The disabled, or even those unable to move, could act freely in virtual games. They were far superior to the computer-screen games of centuries ago.

But for those with brain injuries, these virtual games were not so fortunate.

After the accident, her neural response speed had greatly declined. Playing ordinary games was still manageable, and it did not affect her daily life, but in high-intensity combat, she simply could not keep up.

"No, no, no!" Luo Wu Shang shook her head and said earnestly, "High Martial Descent is different. Though it is also a virtual game, that sense of reality truly cannot be compared with other virtual games."

"Even my control over my in-game body is almost the same as in reality. High Martial Descent must be using some kind of new technology. Maybe it can solve your problem, Qing Wei."

"New technology?" Zhang Qingwei could not help being moved, gripping her phone tighter.

If she claimed that the past few years had worn away all her edges, that would be an outright lie. After all, she had entered Pilgrimage in pursuit of the chance to contend with the world's greatest experts.

She did not seek to become Lian Chengbi; she sought only a sword that killed!

"Qing Wei, you really should give it a try." Luo Wu Shang smiled. "Trying it won't cost you a piece of flesh. If that new technology really can solve your problem, then you'll have struck gold."

"Alright. When I have time, I'll try it." Zhang Qingwei was genuinely tempted, but as the chief steward of the Heavenly Might Guild, she had far too much to do. She could only make time for it.

The sky was bright and clear, the gentle breeze warm and pleasant.

In the courtyard of a four-story villa in the upscale Heavenly Elegance Pavilion residential district, Zhao Hu, who stood over two meters tall, glared fiercely at several trusted subordinates before him.

"What did you say? Mythic Paradise is making a move?" Zhao Hu's expression was extremely grim.

Mythic Paradise!

One of Pilgrimage's five giant guilds. In terms of history, it was even older than Heavenly Might, and it had once enjoyed glory in several masterpiece virtual wuxia games.

"Brother Zhao, it's the early stage of the games right now. Since Mythic Paradise saw us developing three new games, they gathered a large number of experts and stationed them in Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, the new game we value most."

"That's right, Brother Zhao. Mythic Paradise is utterly shameless. They discussed the new games with the Guild Leader one moment, then turned around and prepared to strike us the next. The instant we got the news, we came straight here."

"Brother Zhao, our only option now is to gather the experts from the other two new games and bring them over. It would be best if we could get several Elders and the Vice Guild Leader here as well. Only then might we be able to contend with Mythic Paradise."

Zhao Hu's trusted subordinates spoke one after another, all wearing deeply anxious expressions.

Heavenly Dragon Dynasty was the new game they valued most. If Mythic Paradise swept through it now, catching up to Mythic Paradise in Heavenly Dragon Dynasty afterward would be extraordinarily difficult.

"I understand. Go make the preparations. I'll log in immediately."

Zhao Hu waved them away, then returned to his room in frustration. He lay down in the Virtual Game Pod, took several deep breaths, and opened the newly released High Martial Descent.

"Luo Wu Shang! If it weren't for your stupidity, it could have passed review today, and the guild could have fully invested in Heavenly Dragon Dynasty."

"A game with 100% virtual realism? You really don't even bother drafting a script before lying!"

"Fine! I'll see just what's so difficult about this trash game!"

Without another word, Zhao Hu raised his hand and tapped the test assessment for High Martial Descent.