"The key to Gou Daoliu's style is to conceal one's presence, Master."
Tiana's voice reached my ears.
Although she was reluctant to come, Tiana said she was willing to provide remote assistance and used her magic to connect with their hearing.
Jiang Si, mingling in the crowd, paid no attention, only looking up at the Witch Shion in front of her.
As one of the Three Corpses, the manager of the factory on the outskirts of Chongxu sat quietly in a rocking chair, while Little Raincoat helped her count the people entering Chongxu.
"Ever since you rejected me and banished me to this island, I have been racking my brains and absorbing all sorts of unorthodox methods. Finally, I have grasped the essence of the art of survival, and this essence is hidden in the sense of existence."
To ensure their secrecy and mutual support among the Holy Church Member, a single team is always arranged to enter the Chongxu at the same time.
As Jiang Si watched the groups of people disappear into the Chongxu ahead, she calmed down.
As long as the Sonora ticket is not a problem, we've pretty much figured things out during our time on the outskirts. As long as you have a registered residence, Chongxu will take the initiative to pick you up.
What follows is an adventure in the New World ----
"Through reading classic works such as 'Saekano: How to Raise a Boring Boy,' 'Akarin's Basketball,' and 'Shakugan no Laughing Cat,' I have also gained a thorough understanding of what a sense of existence really is."
"In the later stages of 'Akarin's Basketball,' it's even possible to make an entire team disappear, leaving the opponents playing basketball against thin air. This ability to not only survive yourself but also help your teammates survive is exactly what I'm striving for."
Basically, Yarrow and Crouching Dragon and Phoenix Chick are similar Yarrow just chose the wrong path from the beginning, but it is on the right path.
This appears to be the right path, but in reality, it's full of crooked and evil ways.
"Therefore, the first element of the art of survival is to eliminate one's own presence, and only then can one make thorough preparations and have backup plans. If one is the center of attention from the very beginning, and everyone is watching and guarding against one, then no matter how much preparation or backup plan one has, it will be meaningless."
The dog, however, produced ivory.
However, wasn't this already written in Gou Dao Liu from the very beginning?
and.
"Listen, Tiana," Jiang Si said earnestly, "Sometimes, attracting attention openly is also a form of survival strategy. If you can't even grasp this, you're still far from mastering it."
After Tiana fell silent, Jiang Si nodded.
At the very least, he's teachable.
Just as he was about to give Jiang Si another lecture, someone next to him shoved him, "Can you hurry up, brother? Everyone's got nowhere to go and is desperately waiting to get into Chongxu to recruit new members for the Holy Church. You're just standing here daydreaming, you're driving us crazy!"
Jiang Si glanced at the anxious-looking young man and snorted coldly.
Patience!
They quickened their pace and walked forward.
Soon, Jiang Si and a group of people arrived at the center of the landfill, and then the dialog box naturally appeared in her mind.
[Enter Chongxu?]
This thing is perfect for Blue Flower. Once we take down the Chongxu, we can let the Blue Flower come and play with it.
After selecting "Yes", the space naturally began to distort - but the body was the first to change.
The strange phenomenon of datafication can cause stagnation in both the body and mind.
Jiang Si immediately thought of Sonora's ability, the special ability of that Snow Screen, which seemed similar to this.
After a long period of darkness, a pleasant female voice rang in my ears: "Welcome to Thriller Paradise ----"
Um?
Did you visit someone's home?
Didn't I enter Chongxu?
Looking around, he realized that all the other members of the Old World were nowhere to be seen; the place was deserted.
[Welcome! This is the Chongxu Citizen Examination Thriller Paradise. For your safety and the safety of Chongxu's property, only by passing the citizen examination can you enter the real Chongxu.]
After a moment of silence, Jiang Si decided not to pursue the naming issues any further.
He followed the signs and eventually found the exit.
After a blinding flash of light, I heard a cacophony of noise and hawking.
When he opened his eyes, the scene before him unfolded: a long queue in front of a shop.
Inside, they mainly sell helmets, and of course, expensive game pods. Next to them hangs a sign advertising Thriller Paradise.
"The most realistic immersive experience, the latest version of holographic games, taking you into a new world!"
"Gold farming, role-playing games, challenges, rewards, Close Combat Mage, regenerating warriors, ultimate zombies, god-tier heroes—multiple classes, a powerful force to be reckoned with! Leading you to the pinnacle of life!"
"Feeling lonely as a master? Come play a new online game! Starting from Zero, conquer the world, Playing with the Universe!"
Jiang Si paused for a moment, then took a deep breath.
Memories of the past flooded back, even moving him to tears.
I was reborn.
After being reborn, I arrived at the first day of the release of Thriller Paradise, bringing with me game dungeon strategies that no one else knew, the only hidden class, and the prices of resources.
No one knows that the Dust-Stained Treasure Perfume, currently inexpensive, will skyrocket in price after the second dungeon opens, and the fatigue potions that everyone dreams of will soon be sold on the street.
Scattered, unwanted god-tier skills; first kills on those bosses; all the divine pets; super guilds that haven't yet developed but will later represent China; top players in each class who haven't yet reached their full potential----
By leveraging intelligence, you can start over and never be just an ordinary player who toiled away farming gold in your previous life. You will step into the realm of the strongest players, become the sole core in the world guild war, and conquer the US and destroy Japan!
Of course, most importantly, by leveling up in the online game, one can continuously improve their strength in the real world, until finally, they achieve great things in the real world!
The Great Way is formless, but online games have form!
In the past, in order to play online games, online game novels used all sorts of starting methods, such as aliens bombing the earth, martial arts hybrids, grinding in the entire universe online game, being framed and imprisoned, traveling to NPCs, playing the role of a boss, etc. It can be said to be a dazzling array of ideas and wild imaginations.
In the end, they all turn to cultivating immortality!
But I don't know when it started, the entire online game novel genre completely disappeared. It was clearly a novel and unconventional path to enlightenment, but in the end, it was replaced by e-sports novels.
The focus has shifted from "getting stronger by playing games" to the meaningless goal of "changing my destiny by playing a game."
If you become stronger, won't you change your fate? When you can become stronger by abandoning your real-world self, online game novels will be completely dead!
He didn't understand why e-sports novels could replace online game novels. To put it bluntly, I'm just rambling. You'd be more interested in watching e-sports matches in real life than watching them in online novels. Isn't that just plain crazy? Real-life matches can be manipulated, but that's just talk.
Online novel competitions are truly manipulated by powerful figures; how could the protagonist possibly lose?
Seeing the once-declining genre of online game novels appear before her like this, Jiang Si couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
He naturally walked to the end of the line, glanced ahead, and noticed that there were quite a few familiar faces in the line.
Many of the Old World members who joined the Holy Church before are now crammed into the ranks.
"We're very sorry, but without purchasing the holographic helmet, you won't be able to participate in the Thriller Paradise game, and therefore won't be able to enter the Chongxu."
"No money? No problem! Newcomers get a loan with the lowest interest rate for joining the Chongxu. You only need to repay 60,000 Chongxu Coin per month, and it will be paid off in three years. We also provide a complete repayment service, including job recommendations, to ensure you have a clear goal and a fulfilling work-life balance once you join the Chongxu!"
Before even seeing the gates of Chongxu, I already have a three-year loan in my pocket.
Hearing this, Jiang Si felt relieved.
A series of chaotic things made him Return to Truth think that Chongxu wasn't the Kunxu he was familiar with.
I understood immediately.
No problem, that's just how Kunxu is.
I'm here today to correct Kunxu's bad habit of prioritizing money above all else.
"By taking on another ten years of loan with an 8% interest rate, you can directly rent a top-tier gaming pod. This pod can comprehensively enhance your attributes, offers hidden skills and hidden classes for you to choose from, and even gives you a chance to draw a god-tier pet—"
The staff member introduced the more advanced gaming pod with a friendly smile. Jiang Si naturally knew the advantages of the gaming pod; it was more convenient to operate than a helmet, and the benefits of spending money on it were obvious.
However, these members of the Old World are clearly not naive Little White. Those who managed to survive in the Old World have generally experienced brutal battles and competition, and are not willing to take risks.
Therefore, no one was willing to buy the game pod until Jiang Si reached the window.
When Jiang Si arrived, the manager standing next to the salesperson finally couldn't help but complain, "This batch is full of poor wretches and cowards! Not a single one dares to buy a game pod. No money, no guts—what Chongxu?"
This wasn't hidden; even the members of the Old World nearby heard it.
Everyone glared at the worker with dissatisfaction and resentment. "What kind of attitude is this!"
"Refund! I'm quitting!"
The manager simply spat and said, "Sorry, loans are non-refundable, you bunch of bumpkins."
Tiana sighed beside Jiang Si, "This is just part of a sales strategy, but will such a low-level provocation really work? Even without going down the path of cunning, ordinary people probably wouldn't fall for it—"
Give me a gaming pod.
Both inside and outside the stadium fell silent.
Everyone stared in shock at Jiang Si, who calmly announced that she wanted to acquire a gaming pod.
The manager's expression instantly shifted from disdain to a smile. "This is a real customer, Xiaolan. Open a loan account for him—"
"No need," Jiang Si said dismissively. "You're so snobbish! I don't need a loan, I want to pay in full!"
Everyone present gasped, their breath almost raising the temperature of the Chongxu!
"Uh, this doesn't make sense, Master. What does this have to do with the Way of the Dead?"
"Look closely into their eyes."
With Jiang Si's reminder, Tiana shared vision through the magic of Bingtang, quickly looked around and then became respectful.
"They all looked at you like you were an idiot or a sucker! Especially the manager and the salesperson, they weren't just mocking you, they even seemed to pity you!"
Jiang Si's lips curled into a smile. "That's right, this is the second level of Gou Dao Liu. Everyone treats you like an idiot and a sucker, not taking you seriously at all. The first thing they think of you is that you're mentally challenged, so they'll never doubt that you can accomplish anything great!"
"I'm still not very good at pretending to be a pig to eat feed, Master----"
"A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan; only after enduring hardship can one achieve great success."
I fear that after the bitterness has ended, the sweetness that follows will be like swill—
This child is beyond redemption.
When the game pod was finally purchased in full, the expressions of disdain that had initially been directed at the fool and idiot gradually turned into a hint of envy.
I've been mining for so long, isn't it all so I can come here and enjoy myself?
Otherwise, the Ten Mile Slope Mine God would be meaningless.
"Sir, you can access the VIP channel to play the game."
"Furthermore, because you purchased the game pod, you gain access to a private room and a discount. The original monthly fee of 10,000 is now only 9,000 Chongxu currency to obtain your private game room----"
"Lead the way."
In reality, the environment inside this Chongxu space looks no different from the surrounding mines.
Seats were laid out in layers, and once everyone put on their helmets, they looked just like miners.
In traditional online game novels, there are low-level professions that simply involve farming gold coins in the game, which is similar to mining.
Jiang Si, who had endured all this way and survived until now, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
For him, suppressing himself was indeed a very difficult thing; such a thing as escapism truly requires great perseverance and willpower.
However, once you enter the private room and dive into the game pod, everything can finally come to an end.
Upon opening the game, pleasant sounds filled the virtual space:
[Welcome new players! Please select the server you wish to join. Currently popular servers include Wandu's "Wangu Zhilu Ba" server, Haoyuan VS11 Super Server, and Zuan Potato Server.]
[If you wish to choose a new server, a new server will be available in three minutes.]
Here it comes—the classic new server launch scene from online game novels!
Jiang Si frantically clicked on the new gray server without hesitation.
Whether it's a newly released game or an old online game launching a new server, it's something all players will do: frantically click to join before the server opens.
Many early adopters of online games encountered a custom bug at this point, allowing them to enter the game early and obtain powerful cheats.
They seized the initiative.
The so-called first-mover advantage is the foundation of immortality. I still remember when Lord Grim took a year off, he relied on the most advanced new server to snag the [ Myriad Manifestations Umbrella ] and used it to Foundation Establishment in [The King's Avatar]!
Later, the God of War returns, stepping into the world's great battlefield. Wielding the Myriad Manifestations Umbrella, he sweeps away past enemies, crushing the Excellent Era Excellent Dynasty Guild— who betrayed him at the beginning of the story, forcing him to jump off a cliff—a scene that ignites the blood. The ending, where he achieves the Primordial Golden Core through martial arts, ascends to the Heavenly Realm, and resurrects Su Muqiu after a blood sacrifice to the Heavenly Emperor who plotted to kill his brothers, is truly a classic.
Three minutes passed in the blink of an eye. Although no bugs were triggered, Jiang Si was already feeling excited.
Once you enter the server, skip all world-building content and CGs!
I don't know who I am, I don't know where I am, and I don't know what I'm supposed to do.
In short, let's start with a massacre first.
However, a dialog box popped up as soon as I clicked skip.
[Skipping the content once costs 10 Chongxu Coin. If you want to skip all subsequent story content, we recommend the monthly subscription service, which costs only 6,000 Chongxu Coin and allows you to skip Infinity content within a month.]
One step behind leads to another, and the advantage of paying players is something that free-to-play players can never reach!
Jiang Si opted for a full monthly subscription.
Once inside, before I could even move, the character attribute chart slammed into my face like a waterfall!
[Character: Jing Bujue.]
[Level: 11 (Game Pod Newbie Gift Pack Upgrade)]
[Attributes: Strength 5, Agility 5, Intelligence 5, Constitution 5, Wisdom 5, Charisma 3]
[HP: 150]
[Defense: 5 (Defense Power 22%)]
[Attack: 5 (Accuracy: 20)]
[Toughness: 6]
After seeing the rows of data, Jiang Si finally remembered why she hadn't read any more online game novels back then.
The data flow section alone takes up most of a chapter!
A pile of data immediately dampened his enthusiasm.
Because online game novels have been dead for so long, out of respect for the deceased, people tend to only think of their positive aspects when reminiscing about them.
Only after actually experiencing it did I realize all those messy flaws, which completely demystified it.
After closing the attribute table, Jiang Si calmed down and said, "Open your backpack."
The initial backpack only has three slots; the rest require spending money.
Jiang Si didn't care much and went to buy some healing items first.
After all, a characteristic of holographic games is that a person's physical abilities can influence the game character to some extent.
You can control the game character with your own body and crush the power of those who spend money through skill.
Jiang Si also has absolute confidence in her physical body.
The game is very simple: you enter the beginner village, and after completing the beginner village dungeon, you can officially enter the Chongxu.
While everyone else was still watching the CGs and following the storyline, Jiang Si, being a wealthy player, was the first to skip both the story and the CGs, giving her a first-mover advantage and preparing to secure the first kill.
[Please prepare your weapons.]
You cannot enter the beginner village's wilderness dungeon without equipping weapons.
The cheapest weapon costs over a hundred Chongxu Coin, and if you want to buy a weapon, you also need to buy armor, which costs several thousand Chongxu Coin.
Please purchase a dungeon ticket.
The outdoor dungeons themselves are not free; you have to pay to enter them.
[The dungeon story is essential content and cannot be skipped, but you can watch ads to speed it up.]
Watching ads doesn't cost money.
When Jiang Si finally stepped into the dungeon, picked up her sword, and began slashing at the low-level monsters, the screen flickered again.
Should we purchase insurance services?
[Watch the ad to skip the battle?]
[Automatic route finding service----]
By the time Jiang Si killed the first monster, he was already drenched in sweat.
[Insufficient attributes to open the door from this side.]
[Attribute Bundled Sales Service----]
Having lived for several decades, this was probably the first time Jiang Si had truly experienced what it meant to struggle to move forward.
It's a trap at every turn; everything requires Chongxu Coin, or it's just ads.
Step by step, Jiang Si was constantly interrupted by various sales pitches and offers of services, but finally she came to terms with it.
He looked up at the rows of dialog boxes that required him to click and confirm, and laughed.
"I just want to quietly survive until Chongxu, why are you forcing me?"
Why are you forcing me?!
The terrifying Personal Reality is spreading like a virus within the game space, even altering the data of the entire Thriller Paradise!
Gou Daoliu?
A pile of excrement—the true path should be the Ultimate Path!
"System, give me some points!"
With a powerful mind and body, he begins to tear apart the entire Thriller Paradise!
When Jiang Si slowly pried open the gate of Chongxu, she saw Su Li waiting to meet them outside.
Wow----
Su Li blinked, watching Jiang Si slowly squeeze in, and paused her smoking.
He then scratched his head and looked up at the sky Chongxu.
A sharp red alarm sounded, and various magical girl-like beings swarmed across the sky like flies!
"Baby, this has really gotten a bit out of hand. Can I run away? Of course, if you let me kiss you later, I can still help you----"