Chapter 5: The world gate is open
Bai Feng picked up the gaming helmet, which was large enough to cover almost his entire head, from inside the jagged-edged box. Along with the helmet came a pair of specialized gaming gloves. These gloves were designed to provide a realistic tactile sensation and to allow for free, fluid movement within the virtual world.
After slipping the gloves on, Bai Feng pressed the 'On' button located on the side. He glanced at the time—it was 11:40 AM. The world was set to open at high noon. Without further delay, Bai Feng donned the helmet, and his vision was instantly plunged into a void of darkness.
Not long after, a steady, synthesized robotic voice echoed through his ears from all eight directions.
[Welcome, New Player, to the world of Demon and God.]
Following the voice, his surroundings transformed into a vast, empty expanse of pure white. Suddenly, a translucent light screen flickered into existence before him.
[Please choose your game ID.]
Having traversed this path in his past life, Bai Feng remained unfazed. He tapped the name input field, and a floating virtual keyboard materialized in the air. He immediately typed the name he had used previously: Bai Tianyun (meaning "White Cloud of the Great Sky"). The light screen instantly transitioned to the next phase.
[Choose your Race:]
• Underworld Clan
• Sky-Wing Clan
• Human Clan
• Religious Order Clan
Bai Feng chose the Human Clan without a moment's hesitation. While other races might possess a slight edge in the beginning, humans were the ultimate key to resolving the great calamities that would come later. The screen shifted once more.
[Choose your Class:]
Bai Feng scanned the list. The game offered a multitude of classes, each granting unique abilities. The eight primary paths presented were: Soul Master, Assassin, Array Master, Alchemist, Blacksmith, Taoist Master, Sword Cultivator, and Spearman.
He didn't even need a second thought. He chose the Taoist Master. At the start, Taoists were often considered weaker than Sword Cultivators or other combat classes, but they held a secret that no one yet knew. The Path of Tao is infinite. Everything can be utilized as the Tao. Upon reaching the Element Manifestation stage, Taoist Masters could cultivate a second Taoist path. Since the Tao is everything, that second path could be the Sword, the Spear, the Bow, or Arrays.
Thus, among all classes, the Taoist Master was truly the most terrifying of all. Once he made his selection, the emotionless robotic voice spoke again.
[Taoist Master Bai Tianyun, please customize your character's appearance.]
Bai Feng made slight adjustments to his avatar. While many chose flashy white or red hair, Bai Feng kept his base hair color jet-black but added silver highlights to the tips and the strands framing his face. He chose long hair fitting for a Taoist and added a thin, groomed beard and mustache. His appearance now mirrored that of a highly sophisticated man in his thirties—refined and sharp. He then hit 'Confirm'.
[Confirmed.]
[There are still a few minutes left before the world officially opens. You will be transported to the Gaming Plaza. Please wait.]
His vision went dark once more and then brightened to reveal a massive crowd already gathered before him. The air was thick with the sounds of voices.
"Damn it, when is this world going to open?"
"I've been waiting for over an hour! This is bullshit!"
"Same here. Wait, look at the time. It's 11:59 AM. Just one minute left!"
"I'm so hyped! By the way, what race did you pick?"
"Sky-Wing Clan, obviously. According to the guide, they look pretty badass."
"I went with the Underworld Clan."
"I think I should have stuck with Humans as a human myself..."
"Hey, what are you talking about, man?"
"Just you wait. If I see you in the game, I'll kill you!"
Bai Feng shook his head as he watched the players in front of him bickering and arguing. He checked the time just as it hit exactly 12:00 PM. The cold robotic voice returned.
[All players will now be transported to the Game World. Please stand by.]
[42... 41... 40...]
The countdown began. The moment to enter the world was finally here. The numbers continued to drop.
[9... 8... 7... 6... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1]
[Players, get ready. Transporting now.]
As the announcement ended, pillars of white light erupted, and players began disappearing into the world. When his turn came, a brilliant white light completely enveloped Bai Feng's vision.
When the light faded, Bai Feng realized he was standing in a massive courtyard. Everyone's characters had transformed into their custom-designed appearances. Seeing that half the population seemed to have white hair, Bai Feng almost burst out laughing. Those with white hair looked at each other in embarrassment; perhaps they had each thought they would be the only "unique" one. The crowd became restless as they began exploring. Surrounding them were majestic halls that looked like grand palaces, glowing with an ethereal radiance. The sky, the sun, the clouds, and the breeze—everything felt 100% real.
While everyone was busy exploring, the sound of glass shattering suddenly rang out.
CRACK...
Everyone turned toward the direction of the main palace. Faces were filled with shock and terror. Was the very void itself cracking? The space in the sky tore open, revealing a glimpse of the dark universe with twinkling star clusters on the other side. Three figures emerged from the rift. All three wore matching blue-and-white robes—three old men with long white beards and hair.
Bai Feng looked intently at the lead elder and muttered to himself, "Quite the old man... acting all saintly and grand, aren't you?"
As the elders arrived, the players in the plaza became even more chaotic and noisy. The lead elder simply waved his hand.
BOOM!
A wave of violet energy rippled through the crowd. Everyone felt as if they had been hit by a violent gale, nearly being blown off their feet. The elder finally spoke.
"Silence, all of you!"
"Today, all you youths are graduating from the God-Temple. It is time for you to take your first steps into the outside world."
The players were momentarily stunned.
"Wait, we just entered the game! How did we already become 'graduates' from a God-Temple?"
"Damn, are you an idiot? According to the game's lore, we are the graduates. Get it?"
"Oh... I see."
[To be continued...]