Lin Fang stared at his television as the announcer went on about Dao Online.
After watching for a while, he reached for the remote, but hesitated for a moment, letting the announcer's words replay in his mind for a moment.
Finally, he clicked on the remote, turning the TV off with a sigh.
"Dao Online," he muttered to himself, rolling the name around as if it tasted bittersweet on his tongue. "A game that promises immortality... launching today. No one knows who made it, and people are already losing their minds over it."
He glanced at the blank TV screen, his lips curling into a smirk.
"And they expect us folks not to play? To ignore the chance to cultivate immortality? Nonsense."
The idea was absurd.
World leaders had called the game dangerous, a possible invasion from some fourth-dimensional civilization seeking to infiltrate the Green Planet.
They'd warned everyone to steer clear, claiming it might lead to disaster. But Lin Fang wasn't the kind of person to sit idly by, worrying about what-ifs.
Who could resist the chance to cultivate immortality? To uncover the mysteries of life and death? Not him. The warnings of impending doom couldn't quench his curiosity.
"If it's true, how could anyone walk away from this?" he murmured, sitting up. "Disaster or not, I'm stepping into Dao Online. Let the chips fall where they may."
The rise of Dao Online had been nothing short of miraculous—or sinister, depending on whom you've asked.
The game's existence had burst into public consciousness just a month ago, unannounced and rapidly risen to immense fame.
Its advertisements flooded every corner of the digital world, bypassing countries' security measures that no one thought could fail. From major network channels to small forums, its presence was undeniable.
No one knew who created it or how the ads worked, but the mysterious being behind it seemed unstoppable.
The tagline was the bait that hooked millions:
"Step into Dao Online and uncover the secrets of immortality. Begin your journey to cultivate the Dao, transcend mortality, and ascend. Every treasure and skill you gain in the game can be brought back to reality."
It sounded preposterous—too bold to be anything but a scam. But the incredible presence of the ads, combined with their power, sparked a firestorm of speculation. What if it was real? Could this game truly open the door to the impossible?
However, entry into Dao Online wasn't guaranteed.
The game's creators had stated clearly, that only those with the "aptitude for cultivation" could participate.
People over the age of 16 could take a remote qualification test through the game's official website. Passing the test would grant them a unique device required to log in.
Lin Fang turned his gaze to the ring sitting on his desk.
The ring looked very menacing with a pure blackstone embedded in it.
"Can I really become an immortal?" he muttered, tracing the air above its surface with his fingertips.
The ring had appeared without warning after he passed the test. One moment, his desk had been empty; the next, the ring was sitting there, as if it had always belonged to his room.
The sight of it had rattled him at first. It was as though it had materialized out of thin air.
And he wasn't alone. Across the Green Planet, others who had passed the test had reported the same phenomenon.
A ring appeared in their homes without any explanation.
The mystery only deepened Lin Fang's resolve. If there was even the slightest chance that the game's promises were true, he had to see for himself.
…
He glanced at the clock, watching the seconds tick away. Not much time was left now.
To steady his restless energy, Lin Fang decided to step outside for a walk. The fresh air might help clear his mind and ease the bubbling anticipation he felt deep in his chest.
As he strolled through the park, the cool breeze kissed his face, and the faint rustling of leaves calmed his thoughts.
His hurried mind gradually slowed, his scattered emotions settling into a gentle rhythm.
His steps slowed as he gazed down at the grass beneath his feet. A soft smile formed on his lips.
"Grass today," he murmured, almost to himself. "But what if tomorrow it's clouds beneath my feet and stars above my head?"
The thought sent a shiver of excitement through him. If the promises of Dao Online were real—if cultivation, immortality, and worlds beyond imagination truly awaited him—then this moment was just the first step in a journey far greater than anything he had ever dreamed.
His gaze shifted upward, taking in the trees swaying gently.
"If this world has more to offer than what I see now," he said softly, his voice thoughtful, "then why not embrace it? Why not step into the unknown and see how far I can go?"
He looked out at the horizon, his thoughts clear and calm now.
"To think a game—if you can still call it that—could lead to something so profound," he said with a chuckle. "If it really is a gateway to another world, then I'll walk it. Grass today, Dao tomorrow."
The breeze picked up, rustling the leaves around him, and Lin Fang grinned, feeling an influx of dopamine.
"If it's real, then what's waiting for me on the other side? A path to immortality? A chance to touch the stars? I don't know... but I want to find out."
He chuckled, running a hand through his hair as he started walking again.
"I'll take my time, step by step. Grass, mountains, clouds, stars—whatever this world throws at me, I'll face it head-on. Not because I want to escape this life, but because...I simply want to?"
…
According to Dao Online, players don't just log into the game—they enter it with their real bodies.
"Immortality isn't something you gamble with," he muttered, standing before the mirror.
Dressed in flexible sportswear, his outfit was chosen with practicality in mind. He stretched, rolled his shoulders, and jumped a few times, ensuring there was no tightness or discomfort.
Satisfied, he walked to the desk where the ring waited. Lin Fang's gaze paused on it, his nerves and excitement rising together.
"Well," he said softly, "if this is how it starts, there's no turning back."
He took a deep breath and focused.
The moment Lin Fang reached for the ring, the world around him began to blur.
The air seemed to ripple like water, and a strange force enveloped him. He felt his stomach rumbled and churn as the room dissolved, replaced by an infinite expanse of light and shadows.
Then came the voice—mechanical yet otherworldly, echoing as if from all directions at once.
"Welcome to Dao Online. Your cultivation talent is now being activated. Please wait."
Lin Fang floated in silence as the words faded, watching the void beneath him take shape. A circular, yin-yang-shaped pattern emerged underfoot, glowing faintly.
It began to spin slowly, sending beams of multicoloured light upward before long, the colours wrapped around him like ribbons, illuminating his body as they moved in hypnotic patterns.
Yet, despite the spectacle, Lin Fang felt nothing—no pressure, no tingling, not even a change in temperature.
Still, his heart pounded in his chest.
'What's it going to be? What kind of talent do I have?'
Time seemed to stretch and warp until the voice returned, calm and clear.
"Talent activation complete. Please review your attributes. Wishing you a long life and eternal prosperity on your path of cultivation."
The barrage of colours vanished in an instant. Lin Fang stumbled slightly as he found himself standing in what appeared to be a small, crumbling Taoist temple.
The temple was quiet…eerily so, its walls cracked and its colour faded with age.
Lin Fang took a quick look around, his senses on high alert. After confirming there was no immediate danger, he drew a deep breath and focused.
"Status," he said, summoning the interface.
In an instant, a translucent screen materialised in front of him, displaying rows of text and numbers. Lin Fang's anticipation spiked as he scanned the panel.
Name: Lin Fang
Realm: Mortal
Spiritual Root: The Elemental Dao (Ancient)
Special Physique: Dao Body
Luck: Maximum Fortune
Cultivation Manuals: Qi-Gathering Art
Skills: None
Lin Fang blinked, his jaw-dropping slightly as he stared at the translucent status screen.
"You've got to be kidding me," he said, shaking his head in disbelief.
The first thing that caught his attention was the section labelled Spiritual Roots—The Elemental Dao of Ancient Grade.