The cool air greeted Ethan as his consciousness returned. He stood on soft ground, with green grass stretching as far as the eye could see. A gentle breeze caressed his face, carrying the fresh scent of earth and trees. The bright blue sky stretched above him, adorned with slow-moving white clouds.
Ethan gazed around with wide eyes, full of astonishment.
"This... it's unbelievably real."
He felt the morning dew on his skin, heard the distant chirping of birds, and even felt his heart racing with excitement. This was no ordinary game. This world felt more real than anything he had ever imagined.
Soon, a transparent panel appeared before him, floating in the air with a soft glow.
[Welcome to Immortal Cultivation VR!][Please choose your character's name:]
Ethan stared at the empty field. He could have chosen a cool name, something impressive like 'Sky Sword' or 'Thunder God.' But after a moment of thought, he decided to stick with his own name.
[Ethan Liu]
[Confirm?] [Yes] [No]
Without hesitation, he pressed the "Yes" button.
[Welcome, Ethan Liu. This world is for those who seek immortality. However, remember that every decision you make will shape your path in life.]
The message disappeared, and suddenly, golden light enveloped his body. His body felt light, as though he was floating in the air. In seconds, the world around him changed.
Now, he stood in the middle of a bustling village. Wooden buildings with curved roofs lined the cobblestone streets. Red flags waved from several doors, while the air was filled with the hum of conversations. Some NPCs—or perhaps other players—walked past, wearing traditional ancient clothing.
Ethan noticed an elderly man sitting beneath a tree, dressed in a simple brown robe. His face was wrinkled, but his eyes radiated wisdom. Not far from him, a young man with a spear seemed to be practicing basic moves, swinging his weapon with determination.
On the other side of the street, a group of players appeared to be discussing something with an NPC in blue robes, who seemed to be a village elder.
Ethan took a deep breath.
"So this is the beginning."
A large sign in the middle of the square caught his attention. Golden letters shimmered on its surface.
[Beginner's Quest: Choose Your Path]
Become a Sect Disciple – Join a sect to learn the basics of cultivation. Become a Wanderer – Train on your own and find power through personal experience. Become an Adventurer – Take on quests and fight for resources.
Ethan scratched his head. No tutorial, no guide. Just a choice that could shape his entire life.
He observed the other players around him. Some headed straight for the NPC near the sign, seemingly wanting to join a sect. Others walked out of the village, perhaps choosing to be wanderers or adventurers.
"Becoming a sect disciple seems like the safest choice, but… is it really the right fit for me?"
He remembered how, in cultivation novels, many sects had strict rules. New disciples often had to do menial tasks like sweeping the courtyard or fetching water before they could learn any real cultivation techniques. If this game system was realistic, he could get stuck in hard labor for months before being able to fight.
"Being a wanderer sounds cool, but without guidance, I could easily get lost and die too soon."
The last option, becoming an adventurer, sounded intriguing. He could take on quests, gain resources, and grow at his own pace.
Ethan looked at the quest board once more and then smiled faintly.
"Alright, I'll be an adventurer!"
The moment he touched the third option, a soft voice echoed in his ear.
[You have chosen the Adventurer path. From now on, you will explore this world without the support of any sect. All the strength you gain will come from your own efforts and experiences.]
A small book appeared in his hands. Its cover was dark brown, with golden writing on the front.
[Adventurer's Guidebook]
Ethan opened it with curiosity.
[Adventurer's Basic Guide:]
Find your own resources. No sect will provide you with guidance or protection. Everything you need must be found on your own. Learn from experience. Without a teacher, the only way to grow is through practice and battle. Explore the world. This world is vast and full of secrets. The more you discover, the greater your chance to become stronger.
At the bottom of the page, there was an additional note.
"If you're reading this, it means you've chosen the harder path. But it is precisely because of this that this path offers true freedom. Welcome to the life of an adventurer, where every step you take will shape your destiny."
Ethan closed the book and sighed deeply.
"It seems I've really chosen the challenging road."
But deep inside, he felt excited. For the first time in his life, he didn't feel trapped in a boring routine.
A notification appeared in the corner of his vision.
[First Quest: Survival]
Find a basic weapon. Find food and water to survive. Face your first challenge.
Ethan smiled.
"Alright, let's get started!"
With a determined step, he left the village square and began exploring the world that had just opened up before him. His adventure had only just begun.