Earth, Year 2030
On an otherwise ordinary night, the popular gamer forum Realitydive erupted into chaos. An anonymous post appeared without any username, bearing only a mysterious title:
"Immortal VR" — The Most Immersive Cultivation Game Ever Created.
The thumbnail showed a short clip—a man in flowing black robes stood on a cliff, the wind rustling his sleeves as dawn light shimmered off his silver sword. Behind him stretched a world too vivid, too real to be mere CG.
"This… isn't normal CGI, is it?"
"Who's the dev? There's zero info."
"Bro, this is like every xianxia fan's dream come true! (≧▽≦)"
"Signed up for the beta. I'm ready to quit my job for this."
"Are there junior sisters in this game? (^ω^)"
Over a hundred players signed up immediately—and the number kept climbing.
Meanwhile, in a remote forested realm brimming with spiritual energy, Han Wuqing watched it all unfold with a faint smile as the player statistics streamed into his projection panel.
"Welcome... May you all soon realize, it's not the game you're playing."
Suddenly, a familiar system chime echoed softly in his mind.
[DING!] Daily login detected.
Today's reward is unclaimed.
Would the host like to claim it now?
"Hm? So it has a daily login system… Yes, claim it."
Today's Rewards
– 20,000 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
– Spirit Beast Mount: [Dusk Phoenix]
– High-tier Heaven Technique Manual
Han Wuqing accepted the rewards silently. In the distance, the melodic cry of a Dusk Phoenix resonated through the sect grounds, its voice like wind chimes dancing in twilight.
As he stepped outside his chamber, his eyes immediately fell on the majestic beast calmly waiting before the sect's main hall.
Its feathers shimmered with a fiery gradient of crimson-orange, laced with glints of gold and deep violet. Under the fading sunlight, its form glowed like an eternal flame—sacred and sublime.
He gazed in awe as the Dusk Phoenix bowed its head slightly. Running his hand gently through its feathers, Han Wuqing whispered,
"Such elegance and majesty," he murmured.
"System, identify this creature."
[System Identification – Dusk Phoenix]
Class: High-Tier King Beast
Element: Fire
Classification: Lesser Phoenix (Non-Legendary)
Description: A celestial bird born at dusk, known as the flame of twilight. Its feathers emit violet-red light, like embers dancing between light and shadow. While not as divine as the eternal True Phoenix, it possesses pure and deadly flame spirit control.
(Potential to evolve into a Sacred Beast.)
[Note: Beast is in early awareness stage—mental development active. Potential for speech and transformation will emerge in later stages.]
Lines of information flowed across the transparent system screen before him, like ancient scrolls unfurling their secrets.
"So… though born from the system, this King Beast has no past experiences. It's essentially a child—curious, innocent, and unaware of the world," Han Wuqing mused.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "But even if it's not from the True Phoenix line... you're far from ordinary."
Raising his hand, the phoenix's flame gently flared in greeting, a soft pulse of resonance between them.
"You'll grow with me. Not as a mount… but as a partner."
He looked into the bird's eyes—eyes searching for meaning.
Then, in a voice both soft and commanding, as though carving its name into the sky and earth, he spoke:
"Your name… is Ziyan. The Violet Flame."
Twilight's burning light, and the guiding glow in the dark.
The phoenix let out a low, resonant cry—gentle yet filled with power, as though the name had breathed life into its soul.
Turning away, Han Wuqing faced the empty air in front of him.
"System, display the Heaven-grade technique reward."
A glowing panel appeared instantly.
> System Reward
Technique: High-Heaven Grade — Deepflame Nirvana
Optimal Use Range: Core Formation – Nascent Soul
Usable (weakened effect): Late Foundation Establishment (with high risk of rebound)
Description: A secret art mimicking the cycle of life and death of firebirds. Burns the user's essence to rise stronger from destruction. The closer to death, the greater the power awakened.
Special Effects:
– Explosive firepower for a short burst
– Can heal from grave injuries when in a calm state
– Natural resonance with fire-elemental beasts and spirits
Han Wuqing raised a brow slightly. "A technique… tailor-made for Ziyan."
His sharp gaze scanned the qi pathways described in the technique.
"This feels like a berserk mode…"
He briefly considered how appealing this might be to Earth's gamers—those unafraid of death. But he quickly dismissed the thought.
"They're nowhere near ready for Heaven-level techniques. Not yet."
He sighed, surrendering to practicality.
[DING!]
System:
"High-Heaven Grade Technique detected. Activating module: [Heaven Codex Refinement] Lv.1"
"Function: Breaks down high-level techniques into simplified forms without damaging the core structure. Ideal for beginner inheritance."
Do you wish to refine this Heaven-grade technique?
Han Wuqing paused briefly as the prompt appeared, then nodded with conviction.
"Yes."
"Processing… Complete."
[Deepflame Nirvana – Initiate Path]
Grade: Fragmented Heaven Technique
Optimal Use: Qi Refining (early to mid stages) – Foundation Establishment (early)
Usable (weakened): Qi Refining – mid (with instability risks)
Element: Fire
Description: An entry-level version of the Deepflame Nirvana technique. Increases strength and regeneration in critical states.
Effects:
– Power & resistance bonus when HP < 30%
– Fast healing + mild poison burn-off
– Max 3 activations per day
Warning: Risk of exhaustion & meridian damage for low-level cultivators
As the system finished translating the technique, Han Wuqing closed the panel. Night had fully fallen, the moonlight bathing the sect courtyard in cold serenity.
Ziyan still stood by the entrance, regal beneath the dim glow.
Without a word, Han Wuqing turned and made his way back toward his chamber. The quiet stone hallways echoed softly under his footsteps.
At the doorway, he paused and looked up at the night sky.
"The first step… has been taken."
He entered, and the door closed behind him with a quiet click.