"Global News: The tenth generation virtual reality game 'Dynasty' has been developed based on the cultures of various ancient dynasties from different countries. In China, it is set in the late Eastern Han Dynasty; in Europe, it is set in the Roman era; in Japan, it is set in the Sengoku period; and in India, it is set in the Maurya Empire..."

"World Report: 'Dynasty' employs special quantum virtual technology, increasing human perception lifespan fivefold."

"Dynasty Proverb: Life is inherently unfair. 'Dynasty' gives you another chance to choose your life."

"Joker, settle your wages. You don't need to come to work anymore." A voice interrupted the Joker, who was gazing at the huge news screen on the skyscraper.

Startled, the Joker asked, "Why don't I need to come anymore?"

"The amusement park has been sold to the government. The ultra-virtual reality game 'Dynasty' is launching, and I'm going to invest in a 'Dynasty' studio."

The bald man impatiently swiped his phone on the Joker's smartwatch, confirming the payment. The notification of 8,000 yuan being credited appeared on the Joker's watch.

"A gaming studio? I can be an employee. I've played games before," the Joker eagerly recommended himself.

The bald man sized him up and said disdainfully, "You can play games? You probably can't even afford virtual reality equipment."

With that, the middle-aged man flicked away his cigarette butt and left without looking back.

Unemployed again!

The Joker slouched and left the amusement park.

A red moon hung in the sky, making the stars appear dim under its glow.

The night blanketed an extremely bustling city, with flying motorcycles and hovering cars navigating the streets, their headlights illuminating the towering, futuristic buildings.

Various world news played, and pedestrians went about as usual.

The skyscraper's holographic light advertisements lit up the high sky.

Suddenly, a beautiful holographic woman floated in the city sky, clad in armor that perfectly outlined her figure, standing proudly with a spear in hand.

"The tenth generation virtual reality game 'Dynasty' increases your consciousness lifespan fivefold."

Her voice, as if imbued with special magic, resonated throughout the city.

At the amusement park entrance, the Joker looked up at the giant holographic image in the sky and walked away in a daze.

Clang! Clang! 

The almost broken iron door of the rental apartment creaked open, making a loud noise in the night.

Lin Han was an unnoticed ordinary person in this bustling metropolis, living in a low-rent apartment with half the rent subsidized by the government, saving him 800 yuan a month.

It was now the year 2120.

In this era where machines have replaced manual labor and unemployment rates are terrifyingly high, he managed to get by through constantly finding part-time jobs and working hard, living a life of basic sustenance.

After today, he would have to find a new job again.

Lin Han wiped off his clown makeup, lay on a somewhat worn-out chair to collect his thoughts, and turned on his decent-looking computer.

Nowadays, people who could afford it surfed the internet using virtual reality devices, entering virtual reality communities to surf.

His computer, however, was a product lagging behind by more than ten generations.

"Qingfeng Studio is recruiting virtual reality game players. Base salary: 4K, commission negotiable. Requirements: Preferably with more than two years of virtual reality game experience."

"Changyun Game Studio is recruiting professional virtual reality game players. Salary negotiable, studio provides equipment. Requirements: Preferably with more than three years of virtual game experience, veteran players, and lifestyle players preferred. Senior personnel get a commission."

Looking at the job listings, most of them were virtual reality game studios recruiting professional players.

Entering the 22nd century, with the Earth's industrial development reaching its peak, regular job positions had been replaced by robots. While human material needs were greatly satisfied, the unemployment rate kept rising.

Many people at the bottom relied on state welfare for survival, ensuring they wouldn't starve but also leaving them idle and aimless.

To reduce threats to world security, countries encouraged people to surf the internet.

Eastern countries, North America, Russia, Europe, and South India had successively made breakthroughs in quantum computing, with the emergence of a 1,000-qubit quantum computer, giving humanity unlimited computing power.

The combination of quantum computing and artificial intelligence led to an era of technological explosion.

With the maturity of brain-computer interface technology, virtual reality emerged, opening the 'Inception' door for humanity.

The tenth generation of virtual reality space, a product of global quantum computing power and artificial intelligence, gave birth to 'Dynasty.'

Lin Han browsed various news posts.

The overwhelming information about the terrifying nature of the tenth-generation virtual reality technology, just the promise of increasing perception lifespan fivefold, drove countless people wild with excitement.

How about becoming a gold farming professional player in the game?

Once this idea emerged, Lin Han couldn't shake it off.

No matter how difficult it was, it couldn't be worse than his current situation. With this decision made, Lin Han resolutely opened the 'Dynasty' official website.

Upon entering, the first thing he saw were bright red characters.

"Dynasty Proverb: Life is inherently unfair. 'Dynasty' gives you another chance to choose your life."

According to the promotion, 'Dynasty' could change lives and the world, though the truth of this claim was unknown.

Seeing the price of the virtual reality pod made Lin Han's eyelids twitch.

The standard virtual reality equipment was priced at 100,000 yuan, while the highest supreme version was priced at 3 million yuan.

Virtual equipment could be purchased in installments, and those without money could apply for loans to buy them. The government offered low-interest loans, with monthly interest payments until the principal was repaid.

This was to ensure everyone could afford it.

100,000 yuan was almost his entire savings over three years.

Do it!

Lin Han gritted his teeth and placed the order.

A full-time player should be able to maintain a living by selling in-game gold.

If he could make a fortune in the game, he wouldn't refuse. This time, in 'Dynasty,' everyone started at the same point, with an additional fivefold consciousness lifespan.

...

Early the next morning, Lin Han was woken up by knocking on the door in the middle of his sweet dream.

Last night, he had stayed up until three in the morning looking up information about 'Dynasty.' He couldn't even remember how he got back to bed.

It felt like he had just fallen asleep when the damn knocking woke him up.

Opening the door, he saw two smiling virtual reality company robots, with a huge box over two meters high behind them.

"Hello, Mr. Lin Han. Your tenth-generation virtual reality pod has arrived. Would you like us to help with the installation?" one robot asked.

"Yes, please," Lin Han said, rubbing his sleepy eyes and stepping aside.

His broken iron door was big enough to let the pod in.

In his one-bedroom subsidized apartment, the two-meter-long pod just fit, though it made the place a bit cramped. But he had no choice; it was all he had.

After the robots finished installing it, Lin Han did a quick wash-up and cooked some breakfast.

Sitting in front of the virtual reality pod, he felt a pang of heartache.

Spending almost all his savings on this pod, he hoped it would be worth it. If he couldn't make money or improve his life through it, he would be in big trouble.

Checking the time, Lin Han opened the virtual reality pod and got in.

Staying up until two or three in the morning reading information last night did help.

In the Chinese service area of 'Dynasty,' the setting combined the Three Kingdoms period with elements from historical records, famous historical novels, unofficial histories, and mythological cultivation, culminating in the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

It was said to change the world and humanity.

On September 30, 2120, at noon.

Today was the launch day of 'Dynasty.' Lin Han, having prepared the nutritional fluid for the gaming pod, got in early.

"Welcome to 'Dynasty.' This will change your life."

The virtual reality pod activated, and Lin Han's consciousness went black. When he opened his eyes again, he was on a platform.

"'Dynasty' is about to begin. You can reserve your character name in advance."

"Lin Han!"

"Sorry! This name has already been registered."

"Xiao Han Ge."

"Xiao Han Ge, name available. Would you like to confirm this name?"

"Confirm... no, wait..."

"Player has confirmed the name 'Xiao Han Ge.' Would you like to change your appearance?"

Lin Han stared at the name for a moment before accepting it.

This name sounds pretty good too.

The game's face customization made his avatar somewhat resemble him but different enough not to be recognized in reality.

"The game is about to start. 'Dynasty' Proverb: Life is inherently unfair. 'Dynasty' gives you another chance to choose your life."

"Each player has one chance to draw a prize. You may win an item that changes your life. Would you like to participate in the launch lottery, 'Xiao Han Ge'?"

Without hesitation, Lin Han clicked to participate.