Welcome Back

When Lin Tian pressed the confirm button on the computer screen, an intense electric current surged into his head. In a matter of seconds, everything around him blurred, and he was plunged into unconsciousness, leaving him slumped in the chair, completely vulnerable.

However, in contrast to what Lin Tian experienced, he seemed to be transported to another realm. He could discern what was around him and it felt so real, even the grass he sat on was authentic. He winked while watching his hand; the texture looked natural and realistic.

"I didn't expect the graphics to develop like this," he mumbled and then clenched his fist. "I miss these sensations."

[Welcome back, Champion of Martial Spirit! Great to see you again!]

A hologram materialized before him, its translucent blue hue catching his attention. "Champion? No one has completed the contest in three years?" he wondered, surprised by the revelation. The contest involved numerous major sects, so it seemed impossible that no one had managed to conquer it.

[We have a new server opened! Would you like to check it out?]

Lin Tian wasn't in a rush and selected the 'no' option. As a result, older servers started to appear, and all of them were locked. "It looks like they're trying to liven up the new one," Lin Tian said, his eyes fixed on a particular server.

It was the Mandala Server, where he'd made a commitment to the realm. There were so many memories there, the good and the bad, all rolled into one in the regret that he'd condemned himself. The Champion of Martial Spirit no longer had the right to hold the title after that incident.

Then, he noticed the Samsara Server, right beside Mandala that was indicated as 'optimal'. This was different from the others, which meant the server itself was still stable, even though the adventurers might be already too crowded. This isn't even surprising considering that Martial Spirit is a famous VRMMORPG around the world.

[Are you sure you want to enter the Samsara server? Your EXP will be reset.]

Lin Tian confirmed his choice; there was nothing left for him in Mandala, only memories steeped in shame. As the hologram faded and the transparent barrier vanished, Lin Tian, still leaning against a large tree, stood up and took in the majestic scenery before him.

[Welcome to the Samsara Server, adventurer! First, you must choose your race. Each race has its own advantages and disadvantages.]

He anticipated this, knowing that Martial Spirit's realm was rich with diverse variations. Humans were the most common race, excelling in physical skills but lacking in mana reserves. And the elves were the opposite, with superior magical abilities but less physical strength.

"I'm not into magic, so I'll choose humans," Lin Tian replied.

[Now, it's time to determine your Class Specialties. Follow the Main Quest.]

He chuckled, this was familiar to him. "It's still the same after nine years."

Without needing tutorials, Lin Tian made his way down the path toward a small house that stood alone in the distance. A neat garden with various flowers adorned the front yard, and a man dressed in a farmer's outfit was waiting in front of the door.

[Ravi: It's time to choose your class. What talent do you think will suit you best?]

Lin Tian had a few different options to choose from, each with its own role. There were at least a Wizard, Rogue, and Warrior, with various branch classes afterwards. This tutorial would guide all adventurers through that aspect.

"Warrior," he replied, and the NPC confirmed.

[Ravi: Just as I thought you would be. Hop in the carriage then, I will escort you to the Warrior Trial in the town.]

Not wanting to waste any time, Lin Tian went straight into the main quest, boarded the carriage, and settled in. Although he could have skipped the travel scene, he chose not to, curious to see what he might encounter.

As the carriage rolled through the village, he watched the villagers going about their daily tasks. Their movements were so lifelike that it felt as though Lin Tian was truly in a living, breathing world. It was no wonder this game had garnered so many fans and even influenced the economies of certain nations, with various businesses thriving because of it.

After a few minutes, Lin Tian arrived in the bustling town of Newbarin. The NPCs moved with impressive realism, but he didn't spot a single adventurer. This was expected, as he knew he was still in a tutorial phase, which meant he was in a special 'room channel'.

"Newbarin has improved," he murmured, his attention shifting to a castle-like structure as the carriage approached it.

[Ravi: First time at Warrior Guild, huh? Don't be too concerned. This is the perfect place to forge yourself as a warrior!]

The carriage came to a stop, unloaded Lin Tian, and then departed. He stood in awe before the massive stone castle. "I don't remember ever visiting a school like this. Guess they've updated the main quest."

When the room channel changed to normal, all the adventurers appeared. It brought a faint smile to Lin Tian's face to know that this warrior section had many users. Without hesitation, he spoke to the NPC and received a brief explanation about the classes.

There were three main classes: Guardian, Knight, and Martial Artist. The warrior section was the main donor class for the tank role, as the other recognized sections didn't have them. For Lin Tian, Martial Artist was the obvious choice after six years in the same class.

[Fred: Unbreakable defense with strong mind. I can see you are fit for that aspect. Go ahead, follow Master Verda over there.]

When Lin Tian turned his head, there were several individuals assembled there—three men and one woman. They were watching him, but Lin Tian was calm and didn't even bother. In some cases, the woman herself seemed rather familiar to him but he couldn't quite place her.

"Where are we headed?" he asked, surprised that he even voiced the question as he followed the NPC.

"To the Trials Arena, of course," the woman next to him replied without looking at him. "Didn't you read the dialogue?"

"Ah, no," he responded. "I was lost in thought and didn't catch that."

"Most of us do the same," she said and met his eyes with a warm, friendly smile. Her blonde hair seemed to shimmer as she moved. "We're all enchanted by this world, aren't we?"

He agreed with that sentiment, but Lin Tian was shocked when a hologram started to materialize before his eyes, displaying something unexpected.

[Champion of Martial Spirit. You have been bestowed a unique skill. Consider this as a reward for your dedication.]

[Passive Skill: Mountain Dragon Aura

Activation: When the HP dropped to 10%

Duration: 20 seconds

Cooldown: 60 seconds

Recover 50% stamina

Recover 50% HP

Description: Reduces all incoming damage by 90%. Reflects 20% of damage taken back to attackers, stacking up to 5 times for a maximum of 100% damage reflection.]

He was taken aback and halted in his tracks. His mouth was open wide in disbelief. "Isn't this my ability on the Mandala server? But how could I receive it again?"