Chapter 3: Internal Testing Eligibility_2

"Unfortunately, you did not win the internal test qualification! But rest assured, more qualifications will be available soon. Please continue to follow 'Dark Sand'!"

Hai Ping couldn't help but feel amazed; had he, a perennially unlucky fellow, finally become a lucky one?

But then he thought that it might be the thousands of hours of gaming experience and several virtual reality game platinum trophies that had increased his probability.

Anyway, he decided not to think too much about it—into the game!

Hai Ping immediately went to wash, changed into his pajamas, and then, donning his consciousness-connecting virtual reality helmet, lay in bed. He found the most comfortable position and then entered the world of "Dark Sand."

...

His field of view included a countdown to the official start of the internal test surrounded by spectacular effects that seemed like turbulent flows of spacetime, as if preparing to traverse through time.

He could vaguely hear a war song playing nearby, evoking a sense of exhilaration.

Soon, the countdown reached zero.

The splendid spacetime effects gradually converged, forming a vortex-like portal, then suddenly expanded, as if about to swallow Hai Ping's consciousness!

Hai Ping's view immediately turned blank, the faint melody near his ears abruptly ceased, and time seemed to stand still.

In reality, Hai Ping, who had long been lying in bed, had fallen into a deep sleep.

Moments later, Hai Ping's vision returned.

However, he still couldn't control his own body but viewed a series of rapidly changing scenes before him, somewhat reminiscent of some movie's opening credits.

Then, the scene in his field of view finally settled; it was a high-altitude aerial view, piercing through layers of clouds, and the contours of a vast land could be seen.

Mountains stretched endlessly; towering ridges stood firm, and a great river flowed eastward into the sea.

The vision swept across the splendid rivers and mountains, and a deep female voice, as if right beside his ear, narrated.

"Boundless lands abound, teeming with life..."

Hai Ping had seen this opening CG before on the official website.

But the version on the website was in 2D, whereas now it felt as if he were actually there, which greatly amazed Hai Ping!

As the last line of the narration concluded, "And this is the mission of the restorers," the clouds swirled around, once again obscuring Hai Ping's view.

After the clouds dispersed, he found himself in a unique space.

It was a celestial palace floating in the sky, surrounded by mist as if it were the dwelling of immortal beings. His eyes could see large white stone columns reaching into the clouds, seemingly eternal.

But this place seemed somewhat deserted since there was only one person here.

A young man with delicate features, dressed in modern clothes, sat dejectedly on the central stone steps of the grand hall.

In front of him, four radiant screens hovered, resembling the entrances to some sort of illusion.

Hai Ping stepped forward, and as he looked at the young man, he noticed a line of text above his head: "Mediocre restorer yet to pass the trials."

"This name...

"Is this the game's 'Disheartener'?"

Hai Ping, being well-informed, had a vague idea of what was about to happen.

The young man looked handsome, though his expression was somewhat bleak.

Of course, he didn't resemble Meng Yuan. He was a character created by Meng Yuan to keep his identity in reality anonymous; if he looked exactly like an NPC in the game, both so handsome, it would be questionable.

They had to be distinctively handsome to avoid suspicion.

At that moment, the "Disheartener," following the arrangement previously made by Meng Yuan, responded,

"Another restorer here for the trials?"

"Heh, you really are unaware of your own fate, it seems you still don't know the despair you're about to face.

"Well, once I was just like you.

"Take it, this is the key to entering the Trial Illusion. With this burden passed on to you, I can finally leave and become an ordinary person once more."

As he spoke, "Discourage-brother" extended his hand, offering a particularly uniquely shaped Jade Pendant.

The Jade Pendant glowed with a rainbow of colors, seemingly forming a vortex from various beams of light, impressively memorable and clearly no ordinary item.

Zhao Haiping was stunned for a moment before he recovered and reached out to take the Jade Pendant.

As the Jade Pendant was handed over, "Discourage-brother's" face displayed a relieved yet meaningful smile, "I hope after you've experienced the endless cycle of death in the Trial Illusion and fallen into despair that you can find the next unlucky successor."

Afterward, his figure gradually disappeared, leaving Zhao Haiping alone in the vast hall.

"The beginning is quite plain and straightforward, very simple and clear. But...

"The recruitment announcement for beta testers actually told the truth, this game is indeed 100% real!"

Zhao Haiping was deeply shaken by everything he saw, heard, touched, and felt.

To say this is a game that surpasses 100% reality? Although there's a bit of exaggeration, it just about passes muster.

Because the game displayed many scenes that one simply could not see in reality!

Are there such palaces floating in the air in reality?

Previously Zhao Haiping worried whether he had set his expectations too high for this game, and if he would be greatly disappointed upon entering.

But now, it seems this game far surpasses his imaginations!

After the initial shock, Zhao Haiping couldn't help but look forward even more to the official content of the game.

He looked at the four entrances to the time-space Illusion Realm in front of him.

They were labeled with the following information.

[Assassin's Trial: King-Slayer]

[Scholar's Trial: For the People]

[Warrior's Trial: One Man's Success]

[Ranger's Trial: Take Justice into Your Own Hands]

There was also a prominent prompt.

[Upon clearing, you can obtain the corresponding identity choice, which is irreversible. The identity will influence your future combat capabilities and further development, please choose wisely! It is advisable to clear all four trials before making a final decision!]

Zhao Haiping fell into thought.

"So, this game has professions too? Assassin, Scholar, Warrior, Ranger, does passing the corresponding trial grant the corresponding profession?

"The contents of the trials must be different.

"Hmm... let's start with the assassin then."

Zhao Haiping considered for a moment, and since the game claimed to be highly difficult, the four trials definitely wouldn't be easy to clear.

Scholar sounded like a literate role, more of a supportive profession, not to Zhao Haiping's liking, and he knew nothing about it.

As for Warrior and Ranger, they seemed like purely combat roles, possibly with even higher difficulties.

Thus, Zhao Haiping decided to first try the assassin's trial, then move on to the Warrior and Ranger.

After all, according to the prompt, it's advisable to clear all before finally deciding on a profession.

Zhao Haiping stepped towards the entrance of the Illusion Realm, and then his figure disappeared.