Translator: CKtalon
Xu Jingming looked at his surroundings—he was standing in a spaceship, and through the huge glass window, he could see the strange cosmos beyond.
Nearby, an incomparably huge star was burning, and flames rose from it time and time again. Further away was a black hole. The black hole was surrounded by a dazzling crescent ring, and in the center was a black blob.
There were also neutron stars, white dwarfs, and other celestial bodies. They were scattered in nearby space.
“Hello, Xu Jingming.” A gentle voice sounded, and a woman in a black uniform appeared in the cabin. She had light-green hair, fair skin, and a light-green pattern on her face and forehead. Her pupils were like gems.
“Tm your virtual world guide,” the woman said with a smile. “Since this is your first time logging into the virtual world, I’l give you a simple introduction to the virtual world.”
“Thank you,” Xu Jingming said.
“The space you are in now is your personal space,” the woman explained. “You will directly enter this place every time you log in. Your personal space is a sphere with a diameter of ten kilometers! You can set up any scene for free—a spaceship, the sea, a desert, the depths of a black hole… You can set up
any scene you can imagine.”
“As for the stars, black holes, neutron stars, and celestial bodies ten kilometers away, they are only scenery. They can only be seen from afar and can’t be approached or touched,” the woman said. “Of course, you can pay to expand your personal space.”
Xu Jingming nodded.
Earth’s virtual world also had a personal space; he was already familiar with it.
“Tap here to open your personal interface,” the woman said. “You can see your personal information through it.”
Everything was the same. Xu Jingming tapped gently, and his cosmic citizen information appeared—
Name: Xu Jingming
Gender: Male
Subject: Hunter Cosmic Sector, Oohook Star Alliance, Earth
Lifeform: Basic Cosmic Lifeform
Education: None
Account balance: 1,000,000 cosmic dollars
Xu Jingming looked at the information and sighed with emotion. One million cosmic dollars is the global competition’s prize! It’s already a huge sum for the weak Earth.
“No educational background?” Xu Jingming asked.
“That’s because you haven’t taken the educational examination,” the woman explained. “Only by passing the examination can we confirm your educational score and grade. Educational qualifications… are very important to every cosmic citizen!”
“Where do you take the educational examination? What’s the scope?” Xu Jingming was curious.
“You can apply for an educational examination at any time in the virtual world,” the woman said. “There are many categories in the educational examination. Humanities is supplementary; even if you get full marks in theory and practice, you can only reach Lv. 60. As for the science and technology
category, there’s no limit to the number of points you can get! The deeper you master science and technology, the higher your score. Lv. 100, Lv. 120… There’s no limit!”
“The Cosmic Human Alliance has established a rule: Once one’s educational level reaches Lv. 50, the Cosmic Human Alliance will upgrade a planetary lifeform to a cosmic lifeform for free. If one’s educational level reaches Lv. 100, the Cosmic Human Alliance will upgrade them to an Origin lifeform for
free,” the woman said with a smile.
“Upgrade through external forces?” Xu Jingming was dumbfounded.
He knew that Lv. 9 meant an Origin lifeform, a lifeform above a cosmic lifeform. It was enough for an individual to lord over a basic cosmic civilization.
‘The path to Lv. 9 was very difficult, but no matter how weak a talent’ who had reached Lv. 100 in terms of education was, they could still be promoted to an Origin lifeform through external forces.
“The cost of upgrading a planetary lifeform to a cosmic lifeform via external forces isn’t high,” the woman explained. “91.5% of cosmic citizens in the Cosmic Human Alliance become cosmic lifeforms via external forces.”
“However, the price of becoming an Origin lifeform through external forces is extremely high!” the woman stated.
“How high is it?” Xu Jingming asked curiously.
“Tm not too sure either,” the woman replied, “but I’m certain that even if your homeworld’s Milky Way were to sell the entire Milky Way, it’s far from enough! It’s very difficult to rely on evolution to become a Lv. 9 Origin lifeform, but it’s even harder to rely on external forces to become one.”
Xu Jingming understood.
“Although the price is extremely high, talents with educational levels exceeding Lv. 100 are even more precious,” the woman said. “The Cosmic Human Alliance values each and every talent of this caliber, so it’s natural to extend their lifespans greatly.”
“Ordinary cosmic lifeforms have a lifespan of 3,000 years, but Origin lifeforms have a lifespan of 30,000 years. With greatly increased lifespans, these people can go further on the scientific path and contribute more to the entire human race. Even though the price of advancing to an Origin lifeform
through external forces is very high, it’s still worth it.” The woman smiled at Xu Jingming. “In fact, education will be very important even for warriors on the evolutionary path after they reach Lv. 9. Only those with extraordinary intelligence can go further on the evolutionary path.”
Xu Jingming nodded.
Citizen information was labeled separately as ‘Lifeform’ and ‘Education.’ It was obvious how important it was.
“There are also many functions in your personal space,” the woman introduced. “You can cultivate, fight, transfer money, spend, invest, and so on. The universe is also filled with countless investment opportunities.”
“Investments?” Xu Jingming looked at his one million cosmic dollars. It was best not to think too much about it. Investing in himself first took priority!
“Please look here.” The woman tapped gently.
Whoosh.
Immediately, countless shrunken virtual worlds appeared.
“There are countless virtual worlds in the virtual world,” the woman said. “For example, the largest category, Life Evolution, is also ranked at the top.”
Xu Jingming looked over and saw the names of these miniaturized worlds. For example, Life Evolution gaming world, Dark Abyss gaming world… World of Swordsmen, World of Sabermen… World of Ultimate Assassins
“The Cosmic Human Alliance has always guided cosmic citizens toward evolution through the virtual worlds,” the woman introduced. “There are all kinds of supplementary evolutionary worlds. Some are free to enter, while others require payment. You can study them slowly.”
“These virtual worlds in the second row are all educational,” the woman said as she pointed.
Xu Jingming looked at the names of the virtual worlds: Endless Scholar Path, Bare-Handed Universe Obliteration, Sacred Land of Science, Apprentice World, the Millennial Star Wars
“The third row has virtual worlds constructed by all kinds of bodies. For example, a civilization, a corporation, a special group, a sect, a school… All kinds of groups can construct their own virtual world,” the woman said. “For example, one can study martial arts with a teacher teaching them personally!
They can enter a sect or a warrior school, but the requirements are different for different groups. Most of them just require payment, but very few have requirements on strength.”
“There are also all kinds of virtual worlds that provide consumption and entertainment…” The woman pointed at the rest. “There are countless virtual worlds that have been categorized. You can slowly figure them out.”
“My introduction ends here. If you have any questions, feel free to summon me.” The woman smiled slightly before her figure tumed ethereal and dissipated.
Xu Jingming sighed with emotion before beginning to inspect the many virtual worlds.
Touching every virtual world gently gave him introductions and some information.
One needs to pay a million cosmic dollars to enter this world? Xu Jingming couldn’t help but be dumbfounded when he came into contact with a sect world. This is too expensive.
He only had a total of one million.
Just as he was muttering to himself, he suddenly received a notification.
Xu Jingming tapped gently.
“Director Zhou?” Xu Jingming was slightly surprised to see Director Zhou visit him.
“Jingming, how does it feel to log into the virtual world for the first time?” Director Zhou smiled.
“I’s dazzling,” Xu Jingming replied.
Director Zhou nodded. “The Cosmic Human Alliance does have plenty. This virtual world contains infinite knowledge and guidance for evolution. As long as one is talented enough, they can keep growing!”
Xu Jingming nodded. He also saw infinite possibilities!
“Tm here today to tell you something,” Director Zhou said. “After a discussion with the Earth Alliance and internal discussion within China, we’ve decided to invite Mr. Pang Ze to be your manager! I wonder if you’ll accept it.”
“Pang Ze?” Xu Jingming was a little puzzled. “Is that Pang Yun’s father?”
‘There was only one Pang Ze he knew.
“Yes.” Director Zhou nodded. “Pang Ze is the richest cosmic citizen on Earth! His wealth was obtained from the virtual world network, and he has the highest educational level on Earth.. His talent in education is no less than your talent in the evolutionary path!”