The time in virtual reality is slow compared to the outside world, thanks to advanced techniques devised way long ago.
With his current level of 28, he is able to play all of the 2-Star games.
Naturally, the first thing he did was pull up a search bar and search 'cultivation', which got results.
While cultivating and pursuing the dao may not be a thing for these humans who have gone so long
without spiritual energy, it doesn't stop their imagination of fantasy powers and becoming powerful.
Naturally, there was results for cultivation, as many as seven popped up. He went through their descriptions and was pleasantly surprised.
The 1st one is the classic cultivation sandbox game with a campaign. A medieval setting, sects, spiritual energy, spiritual herbs, and demonic beasts. The cultivation realm in real life is also quite similar to the setting.
The 2nd one is a futuristic cultivation sandbox game with a campaign. A futuristic sci-fi cultivation setting with sects, spiritual energy, spiritual herbs, and demonic beasts. A combination of science and magic.
The 3rd one is a sandbox with campaign setting on planet Earth, about 2.5 million years ago when technology was in it's infancy stages and countries waged war on each other due to human desire. However, the world has spiritual energy with many of the same settings from the other games, but with realistic history.
The 4th one is a sandbox/campaign post-apocalyptic setting that combines today's tech with magic. However, humanity has fallen apart and constantly wars with each other. There is spiritual energy as well along with many settings from the other games.
The 5th one is purely campaign with a classical setting of medieval. But it only has a romance and drama genre, mainly for girls or guys wanting to get together. It still has the cultivation aspects, but it most just about falling in love.
The 6th and 7th ones were from fantasy shows/stories that people really liked, and decided to make a game out of.
Unfortunately, 6 out of the 7 are above 4-Stars. The 5th one is open to anyone, since there's barely any action. It would take a while for him to reach level 40, so he decided to purchase EXP.
Clicking the [Buy Experience Points], a list popped up showing the different costs between different packages.
[1,000 EXP/ 1.99 C] (Author's Reminder: 1 credit = 1 USD)
[5,000 EXP/ 4.99 C]
[10,000 EXP/ 9.99 C]
[50,000 EXP/ 29.99 C]
[100,000 EXP/ 59.99 C]
[500,000 EXP/ 109.99 C]
[Level 100/ 270.99 C]
Looking at the list, he pondered before checking his savings account on his console after going through a security check.
[Savings Account Total: 15,805 Credits]
This is the amount Wei Chen had accumulated after working for many years in the field of archaeology. The amount was actually around 25,000, but rent went up after getting the office position and his pay largely remained the same, putting him in the negative for a while until now.
There's also the fact that Qin Hong himself had spent around 5 thousand credits for that module and survival equipment for heading into the wilderness.
Considering that he'll get a pay raise upon completing the mission, and the fact that he wasn't too attached to this world, he doesn't care much.
The only thing he needs to do first is satisfy Chen's wish before he'll be able to fully absorb his soul instead of having to read them.
Qin Hong pressed [Level 100/ 270.99], since he wanted to reach level 100 instantly instead of working to get there. He's not a wimp anyway compared to newbies.
[Do you wish to purchase Level 100 for 270.99? Yes/No]
He pressed [Yes].
A holographic document appeared before him.
[Upon signing this document, I agree to...]
Basically, it's a simple contract confirming that he knows what he is doing, and that he's aware of the potential consequences as a result of skipping levels. That if he suffers any mental trauma as a result, it is not any of the game creators fault nor the company that sells experience points. It is his full responsibility to take care of himself.
One has to sign the contract before being able to complete the purchase. It makes sense to him, since no party wants the player to file a lawsuit for being mentally traumatized as a result. So upon signing, anything that happens to the player is not their responsibility.
Apparently, it's also called the 'cheap way' in that he temporarily won't have access to VR Programs.
VR Programs or VRP for short, are programs for level 100 players, placed by organizations in VR and reality which are basically job applications by military and security forces most of the time. Very rarely do people reach level 100 through means other than the action, adventure, xianxia, and wuxia genres so very few other organizations place themself there.
The majority of others place themself in [Education Reality] instead as it's economical.
Putting his signature with a holographic pen and clicking [I agree], the document vanished as another interface appeared while his console vibrated for a second to notify.
[Purchase confirmed!]
[Thank you for your purchase, and please enjoy your time at Gaming Reality!]
Qin Hong looked at the corner to see that his status floated in front of him.
[Congratulations for reaching level 100!]
[You have unlocked 5 achievements!]
[EXP Purchase - Purchase EXP for the first time]
[EXP Leveler - Purchase EXP and upgrade your rank!]
[Extravagance! - Spend over 100 credits on EXP]
[Arrogance! - Purchase the MAX level upgrade]
[Good Luck! - Reach level 100]
[You have reached level 100 through the 'cheap way', and temporarily will not have access to the VRP]
[SP - Survival Points have replaced your EXP to help you gain future access to VRP]
[SP is only gained through games with survival genres. The higher the stars, the more you gain per hour. Ex: 1-Star = 10 SP/h, 5-Star = 50SP/h, 10-Star = 100SP/h]
[SP is also determined by how much you involve yourself in the game. Players who constantly hide in corners to stay away from the action only gain 1% of the total amount per hour as monitored by the game system. Ex: 1-Star = 0.1 SP/h, 5-Star = 0.5SP/h, 10-Star = 1SP/h]
[Players who actively involve themself in the game gain an additional 100% SP bonus per hour. Ex: 1-Star = 10SP/h+200% = 20SP/h, 5-Star = 50SP/h+200% = 100SP/h, 10-Star = 100SP/h+200% = 200SP/h]
[Survival Points required to gain access to VRP is 10,000]
[Name: Wei Chen]
[Username: XxXfossil_slayer234XxX
[Survival Points: 0/10,000]
His face couldn't help but turn slightly black. The admin system monitoring the Gaming Reality clearly mocks and makes things difficult for players who take the easy way out!
Going through Chen's memories again, his face couldn't help but turn even more blacker.
Most people don't purchase the MAX level package because the ones that do are usually arrogant people who later come out crying traumatized. Unless the player is above level 50, most come out traumatized after they go from low stars to high stars.
Not only that, but people can tell quite easily. People who go through this cheap way don't win the level 100 clothing only available to people who work the hard way. Even if they don't wear the clothing, they get a unique badge beside their username above their head.
Then there's the fact that the UF citizens don't like arrogant people who flaunt their wealth, giving them a negative reputation.
This isn't like the cultivation realm where people with status and wealth can do whatever they want to others, while being admired and respected. The government here doesn't tolerate that and gives out heavier punishments towards those with status and wealth if they break any laws especially if it involves common people.
Most rich playboys who come through here arrogantly without going the hard way end up being laughingstock as they cry and wet their pants upon leaving.
Although his mentality is as solid as a rock, it would still be irritating if he were to be mocked and looked down on considering his past life!
What's even more embarrassing is his username, [XxXfossil_slayer234XxX]! Everyone else seemingly has better ones, yet Wei Chen picked this one due to his hobbies.
Rubbing his temple, he vowed to change this in the future.
Clearing the notifications away and putting his status in the corner, he pulled up his console and checked the notification which showed the receipt and amount subtracted. Qin Hong's new balance was 15,534 credits.
Clicking the [directions] button next to the search-bar for [cultivation], an arrow appeared in the corner of his vision and he looked. Far in the distance was a floating arrow that moved up and down, only visible to him.
Qin Hong left the [Entrance] room and did not change his clothing style, which was still casual clothing.
Upon leaving, he felt the many gazes of people casually glancing at him as they passed by. Seeing his level and the lack of a badge above his head, a few gave pity glances while others shook their head silently. A lot of others had hidden disdain in their eyes while others had excitement, as if they were about to enjoy a nice show.
He could only smile internally, and prove his authenticity in the future.