Translator: CinderTL
In the days that followed, Feng Qi began preparing for the Rookie Tournament.
He felt supremely confident about the competition.
This was because his class had Liu Yue.
Liu Yue alone could rival an entire elite class.
With the added support of the Xia Family Brothers and Yan Yue—four students from domain combat teams—Feng Qi was certain he could contend for first place in the Rookie Tournament.
He also planned to use the tournament to scout the other academies.
His primary focus would be on identifying promising newcomers whom he might later recruit into the Dawn Organization in future timelines.
With five days remaining until the Rookie Tournament, Feng Qi woke up early to a call from Wei Wei.
As soon as he answered, Wei Wei's voice came through the line:
"Still asleep? How can you sleep at your age?"
"Sister Wei, stop teasing. What's up?" Feng Qi asked, sitting up with a slight sigh.
"We've received the initial version of the Future Virtual Engine from Fang Zhiyou and have been testing it. During this time, Li Xingchen from the Future Research Institute helped us debug and refine the game code you left behind. It's now fully compatible with the Virtual Engine."
Hearing this, he immediately perked up:
"How's the game running?"
"There are still many areas that need improvement, but it's already capable of basic operation. The core combat mode can barely function, but there are still imperfections that need to be refined."
"For example, the game pod configurations need to be upgraded. I've already assigned this task to Li Xingchen. He claims he can develop a high-spec version of the game pod to interface with this super virtual game within half a month."
Wei Wei paused briefly before continuing:
"During testing, we also discovered a troublesome issue. The super virtual game code you provided contains numerous art magic skills that haven't yet been developed in this timeline."
Feng Qi was stunned by this revelation.
As Wei Wei pointed out, he had overlooked a crucial detail.
The game code he had copied from the future contained many art magic skills that didn't exist in this era.
Some of these spells wouldn't be developed for decades, while others wouldn't appear for centuries. If they were released all at once, it would...
Once players master these art magics in the game and discover they can effortlessly use them in the real world, it's bound to cause a sensation.
This will inevitably attract the attention of Domain Forces from all sides.
Until we've eradicated all Domain Forces lurking within Human Civilization, such a move would be extremely risky.
With this thought, he immediately asked, "Sister Wei, how difficult is it to modify the game code?"
Wei Wei's laughter echoed back, "Not difficult at all. We're currently integrating the Cultivation Technique Database and deleting the code for art magics that don't exist in this era. With Li Xingchen's help, we should be done in about half a day."
"That's good."
Relieved that deleting the code wouldn't be a hassle, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"One more thing: thirty-five virtual game pods were airlifted from the Future Research Institute to Scarlet Base yesterday. You've been busy with the Rookie Tournament lately, right? Want to bring a few over to play with?"
Feng Qi paused, startled by the offer.
"Is that possible?"
"Of course! The more players we have during the testing phase, the more feedback data we can collect. You mentioned your students are trustworthy, so they're perfect for testing the game."
"Great. How many can you spare?"
"We can give you fifteen. We'll keep twenty for ourselves. The high-spec game pods should be in production soon, and these older models will be phased out."
"I don't need fifteen. Thirteen will do."
"No problem."
"Thanks, Sister Wei."
"You're welcome!"
After hanging up, Feng Qi eagerly anticipated the game pods' arrival that afternoon.
Before then, he decided to visit the Principal's Office.
Transporting so many large devices onto the academy grounds was no small matter.
Under normal circumstances, bringing mechanical equipment into Star City Academy required a series of approvals and inspections.
With this in mind, he immediately got up and went to the bathroom to wash up.
After finishing in five minutes, he changed clothes and hurried to the Academy Cafeteria.
After breakfast, he headed straight to Bai Fusheng's office.
A moment later, he arrived at Bai Fusheng's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in," Bai Fusheng called out.
Pushing open the door, Feng Qi found Bai Fusheng dressed in a traditional Tang suit, engrossed in a thick book.
"What new challenge are you going to throw at me this time?" Bai Fusheng teased with a smile, noticing Feng Qi's arrival.
"Grandmaster, I actually do need your help with something."
"Can I refuse? Why can't you focus on your Cultivation Technique Research instead of constantly daydreaming about this and that?" Bai Fusheng retorted, his tone exasperated.
"Grandmaster, do you remember our earlier agreement?" Feng Qi asked, walking to the desk, picking up the teapot, pouring a cup of tea, and offering it to Bai Fusheng with a smile.
Taking the cup, Bai Fusheng asked curiously, "What agreement?"
"We agreed that if I made significant progress in virtual technology within three months, you would support my subsequent research and development."
"Ah, yes, that's right. Are you saying you've already made progress?" Bai Fusheng set down his teacup, his expression slightly surprised.
"Exactly. And the initial version of the virtual game is already complete."
Upon hearing this, Bai Fusheng's face registered astonishment.
He had previously listened to Feng Qi's detailed analysis of the potential of super virtual games and agreed that developing such games could significantly accelerate the progress of Human Civilization.
Creating a super virtual game required an immense amount of engineering effort.
Although he wasn't familiar with the specifics, Bai Fusheng believed that even if entrusted to a professional development team, it would still take several years to complete.
Yet, just over a month later, Feng Qi claimed the initial development of the virtual game was complete.
"You mean the preliminary research has yielded results, right?" Bai Fusheng asked.
"No, I mean the initial development is complete," Feng Qi replied with a confident smile.
Bai Fusheng's mouth fell open, unsure how to respond.
If Feng Qi dared to make such a claim, he clearly had complete confidence in his success.
"So, you're here to request further development funding?"
"I've already secured the necessary funding. Remember when I applied for leave a while back? I spent those days at the Scarlet Research Institute and reached a collaborative agreement with them."
Bai Fusheng breathed a sigh of relief.
Hearing that the Scarlet Research Institute was backing the project, he immediately assumed the super virtual game's development was primarily their achievement. This explained how the game could have been developed in such a short time.
"Then what brings you here today?" Bai Fusheng asked with a smile, picking up his teacup and taking a small sip.
"The Scarlet Research Institute will be sending thirteen prototype game pods to the academy this afternoon. I'd like to find a suitable location within the academy to place them, but I'll need your approval to transport the pods onto campus."
Understanding the situation, Bai Fusheng immediately nodded. "That's easily resolved. I'll designate an area in the gymnasium for the game pods. As for the approval, I'll take care of it right away."
Bai Fusheng pulled out his phone and called the Security Office. After explaining the afternoon's equipment delivery, he opened a drawer, retrieved an approval slip, and instructed the security personnel to accept it upon arrival.
Closing the drawer, Bai Fusheng turned to Feng Qi. "Once the machines are delivered this afternoon, would you like me to arrange for academy staff to assist with installation?"
"No need to trouble you with such a minor task," Feng Qi replied with a smile.
"Once the virtual game improvements are officially completed, Star City Academy must be among the first to install and use them."
Gazing at Bai Fusheng's warm smile, Feng Qi nodded. "Naturally. Star City Academy will undoubtedly be one of the initial test sites. Moreover, once the super virtual game is officially released, the academy will receive 5% of the profits."
"You're actually planning to give Star City Academy a share of the super virtual game's profits?" Bai Fusheng asked, surprised.
"That was the agreement we made. Of course you'll get your share. Besides, without your support, the development of the super virtual game wouldn't have progressed so smoothly, including your help persuading Fang Zhiyou's parents."
Hearing this, Bai Fusheng's face lit up with a broad smile.
After some casual conversation, Feng Qi bid farewell to Bai Fusheng and left the Principal's Office, returning to his dormitory.
That morning, he began reviewing materials on combat command.
At noon, after lunch, he posted a notice in the class group chat instructing everyone to gather in front of the dormitory building.
Once he received confirmation from all members, he led Mu Qing and Lin Ran to the designated spot and began waiting.
About ten minutes later, Liu Yue, carrying Jianlan on his back, arrived first.
"Liu Yue, can't you ever smile? Is it going to kill you?" Lin Ran teased, stepping forward to playfully hook his arm around Liu Yue's neck.
Faced with Lin Ran's teasing, Liu Yue immediately turned his head away, adopting an aloof posture.
Seeing this, Feng Qi couldn't help but smile.
In the Future Line timeline, he and Liu Yue had been brothers in arms, sharing countless life-or-death crises. Liu Yue had risked his life to save him countless times; without Liu Yue, Feng Qi would have died countless times over.
He knew Liu Yue was only outwardly cold; deep down, he was fiercely loyal and devoted to his friends.
[That's right, Liu Yue isn't just the sharpest sword in your hand—he's also your number one burial companion!]
Feng Qi couldn't help but roll his eyes at the Narrator's snarky remark.
But it was true. In every Future Line where the Dawn Organization was established, Liu Yue always died alongside him.
While waiting, Xia Long and the other students gradually arrived.
He led the group toward the academy's main gate.
After a half-hour walk, they reached the entrance of Star City Academy.
Several vehicles were already waiting outside.
Although Principal Bai Fusheng had given advance notice, without official approval documents, there was no way to confirm that this shipment of equipment was the approved batch.
As a result, the convoy of trucks carrying the game pods was being held back.
Approaching the security guard on duty, Feng Qi handed over the approval documents.
"Sir, this is the shipment Principal Bai Fusheng mentioned this morning."
The guard took the documents, scanned them with a device, and nodded immediately. He pressed a button on his chest.
The special metal barrier at the academy's main gate slowly rose.
Five trucks carrying the game pods slowly drove into the academy grounds.
After explaining the situation to the lead transporter, Feng Qi and the students boarded the trucks as well.
After guiding the trucks forward, they came to a stop outside the gymnasium.
Feng Qi led the students to begin unloading the cargo.
The game pods were incredibly heavy, each weighing at least a ton.
Mu Qing became the absolute powerhouse during the unloading process, effortlessly lifting and carrying the pods with one hand.
It took the group about half an hour to move all thirteen game pods into the gymnasium's vacant Room 1019.
Next came the installation phase.
While the main bodies of the game pods were already assembled, they still needed to be connected to power sources and external nutrient tanks.
Following the instructions left by the Scarlet Research Institute, they struggled for quite some time before finally completing the installation of the virtual game pods.
By the time they finished, everyone except Mu Qing and Liu Yue was drenched in sweat.
"Brother Qi, what are these game pods actually for? Are they really just for playing games?"
"Of course."
"I'm not interested in games at all. You guys can play."
Hearing this, Feng Qi's gaze swept across the group.
Like Lin Ran, the others seemed equally uninterested in gaming.
Noticing their puzzled expressions, he clapped his hands to draw their attention, then smiled.
"I know none of you are particularly interested in games, but the games inside these pods are far more complex than you imagine. Now, everyone change into the special gaming suits and prepare to enter the pods."
His words only deepened their confusion.
Next, everyone began changing into the specially designed game suits.
These suits resembled the "Conditioning Suits" used at the Scarlet Research Institute, which aided the body in absorbing nutrients while immersed in nutrient fluid.
Wearing regular clothes inside the game pods would obviously be unsuitable.
Room 1019 had separate changing areas for men and women.
A few moments later, the group, now dressed in their game suits, gathered in front of the game pods.
Feng Qi then pulled out the instruction manual and explained how to activate and operate the pods.
One by one, the group entered their assigned game pods.
Feng Qi approached game pod 01.
The game pod resembled an oversized egg, deep blue in color with a metallic texture.
He pressed the activation button, and the pod's lid slowly opened.
He stepped inside, lay back, and connected the soft tubes to his body as instructed. The pod slowly lowered.
Pale blue nutrient fluid sprayed from various nozzles, quickly enveloping him. He could only breathe through the respirator in his mouth.
A green light scanned his body from above.
Suddenly, a wave of intense dizziness washed over him, and his vision instantly shifted.
Perhaps the initial entry animation hadn't been fully rendered yet, as his vision was completely dark.
While waiting, two large golden characters materialized before his eyes.
Dawn!
Immediately, a synthesized voice echoed in his mind:
"Welcome to the game "Dawn". We are currently detecting and calibrating your body metrics. Please wait."
Approximately five minutes later, the synthesized voice spoke again:
"Scanning complete. Real-name identity verification and archiving in progress."
"Verification complete. Please name your character in Dawn."
After a moment's thought, he typed "Live a Hundred Years" on the virtual keyboard floating before him.
"Naming complete. Your player name in Dawn is 'Live a Hundred Years.' Confirm? Once confirmed, this name cannot be changed."
[Pfft, is that all you aspire to? I think you should name yourself 'Muscle-Bound Macho Man.']
"Shut up, or I'll change my name to 'Narrator's Dad.'"
[Fine, "Live a Hundred Years" it is. Sounds pretty good to me.]
(End of the Chapter)
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