Chapter 336: Is this an alien?

“Which type of single-player game did you play to get through?” Mu Shang asked.

“Should be the tech type, I guess,” Chen Xu replied before asking, “Do you have to finish a single-player game to get in here?”

Mu Shang was surprised, “You don’t know this? It’s common knowledge.”

“Oh, I really didn’t pay attention to that,” Chen Xu felt a slight start within and thought it was better not to ask too many questions to keep from showing any weakness.

Mu Shang seemed to recall something and patiently explained, “Generally speaking, after you finish the first single-player game, you’ll receive an Innate Divine Strength, which will determine your future development. Of course, if you’re not satisfied with the Innate Divine Strength, you can delete your character, buy a new device, and create a new account. That’s how the wealthy play.”

Chen Xu nodded in understanding, surmising from his last comment that the virtual reality equipment wasn’t cheap.

Mu Shang continued, “It’s said that if you play single-player games enough times, you might get a second Innate Divine Strength. However, the odds are very low and it takes a lot of time. Better to enter the ‘battlefield’ early, earn more diamonds, and buy a new Innate Divine Strength.”

Chen Xu thought of the second Innate Divine Strength he had received; it looked like he was quite lucky. He’d just played a few dream games and had already gotten two Innate Divine Strengths.

Also, what were diamonds?

He kept this question to himself, not wanting to reveal his ignorance of basic knowledge.

Mu Shang said, “My Innate Divine Strength is Innate Divine Strength. What’s yours?”

Chen Xu said, “Precision Throwing.”

Mu Shang was quite pleased, “Not bad, I can fight up close, and you’re ranged — a perfect match.”

As the two conversed, they walked out towards a huge plaza surrounded by many buildings with people coming and going.

While observing the surroundings, Chen Xu asked, “Are we heading to the ‘battlefield’ now?”

“Yes, we’re newbies, so we can only go to the newbie battlefield. Look, we go through that door,” Mu Shang pointed to one in a massive white building, beneath which was a door. A long queue was formed in front of it.

“According to the strategy guide, we’d better choose fantasy-type battlefields. Those rich folk love playing fantasy games, and the skill books and diamonds are priced several times higher than in tech games.”

Chen Xu thought this made sense as the games he had played before were probably all tech-type, which as a game genre could indeed be dull. Climbing up the tech tree bit by bit wouldn’t be too interesting for most people.

The two joined the back of the queue.

Though the line was long, the movement into the game was quick. In about ten minutes, it was their turn.

After entering through the door, the two were in another space, unable to see anyone else aside from themselves.

“Please select the battlefield you wish to enter.”

A grand voice sounded.

Mu Shang loudly declared, “Fantasy-type battlefield.”

“Matching now, match successful. Detecting your first entry to the battlefield. This game is free. Preparing to enter the game. Three, two, one.”

Hearing this message, an intense white light flashed before Chen Xu’s eyes.

Suddenly, another prompt popped up, “Would you like to go to the store to purchase items?”

He clicked no, prioritizing familiarity on his first game entry, unable to afford wasteful expenditures.

Until now, he still didn’t understand the game’s mechanics, what the penalties for dying were, whether revival was possible, and more. It was all a blur.

Mu Shang hadn’t mentioned these details, and Chen Xu did not dare to ask.

Moments later, his vision cleared, and he took in the surroundings. There was a mountain in front of him, and he was in a valley dotted with grey-green weeds, reaching above his ankles as he stepped through the soft foliage.

The sky was vividly clear, a deep blue.

A breeze carried the scent of the grass, taking him back to his hometown with a refreshing feeling.

He looked around but didn’t see Mu Shang anywhere.

“What a crappy game, no instructions or anything.”

He sighed involuntarily, but at least he was able to open his personal interface. In the friend’s column, Mu Shang’s avatar was lit up, presumably indicating that he was still alive in the game.

Then, he noticed the companion column, with three lit-up avatars along with the details written next to them. Clicking to check, his eyes lit up.

It said that within the first hour of the game, one could spend ten Game Coins to bring in a companion.

Without hesitation, he chose to bring in Yang Jinxia.

As for Luo Xiyun and Bai Jinxuan, he didn’t invite them. It wasn’t that he was playing favorites. Known as the “battlefield,” the content here was definitely combative, not suitable for the two of them.

Yang Jinxia was different; she thrived in any game.

After he sent the request, he began to check his possessions, finding nothing aside from his clothes. The valley was full of wild grass, unnamable wildflowers, and a few trees.

He picked up a dry, thick-at-one-end branch, which after snapping became a meter-long stick suitable for self-defense.

After these preparations, he felt a sudden sensation, turned his head, and spotted a grey-green wolf walking out from the entrance of the valley.

He recognized it was a wolf, not a dog, instantly due to its ferocity, which sent chills down his spine.

He aimed the stick in his hand at the creature, which stood at the mouth of the valley, watching him for a moment with an impatient shake of its fur before slowly advancing toward him.

In his other hand, Chen Xu held a sharp stone, deliberately chosen, trusting his accuracy more than the stick.

After all, his Innate Divine Strength was limitless hand-to-hand combat skills, not stick-fighting techniques.

Then, a bright light flashed, and Yang Jinxia’s figure appeared in the valley.

The grey-green wolf got distracted, turning its head towards the light.

Whizz.

In the split second, it looked away, the stone from Chen Xu’s hand struck the wolf’s neck.

“Owww…”

Yelping in pain, the wolf collapsed, quickly got up, tucked its tail, and fled the valley.

“Wolves?”

Yang Jinxia looked curiously as it ran off.

“Yeah, a wolf.” Chen Xu dusted off his hands and walked over to her.

Yang Jinxia glanced around and asked, “Where is this?”

“Actually, I’m not sure either,” Chen Xu shook his head.

Yang Jinxia laughed, “Another unexpected event?”

“This is definitely beyond your imagination; I think I’ve encountered aliens.”

“Chen Xu.”

At that moment, an excited voice rang out; Mu Shang appeared at the entrance of the valley, “Finally found you… huh?”

Yang Jinxia looked at Chen Xu, and although she didn’t say it aloud, he understood the question in her eyes, “Is this the alien?”

He subtly nodded.