Translator: CinderTL
On this combat line, personal strength was equally crucial.
Tranquility was only temporary; the future would inevitably bring brutal slaughter.
Feng Qi had discovered that when his heart held no fear of death, his meditative state became incomparably powerful.
This was especially beneficial for cultivating his fist intent.
The relentless, forward-charging fist intent perfectly matched his mental state.
Just like his Sacrifice Line.
Once a punch was thrown, there was no turning back. Even if mountains of blades and seas of fire lay ahead, he would shatter them with force. If he failed, death awaited.
Selfless action, fearlessness, was true invincibility.
Star Optics Academy.
Conference Room.
"Old Liang, I oppose your proposal. If Star Optics Academy wants to improve its ranking, we should focus our resources on providing better cultivation resources for our students. I wouldn't even object if you suggested improving the quality of our meals. But virtual games are too ephemeral and unreliable. I'm against purchasing them!"
The speaker was a burly man with claw marks on his face, giving him a somewhat fierce and demonic appearance.
Faced with Old Liang's proposal to purchase high-end virtual gaming pods, the man vehemently voiced his opposition.
He continued, "I understand you want to improve Star Optics Academy's ranking to secure more resources for our students. But progress requires a grounded approach. Our academy's usual resource allocation is less than one-fifth of Star City Academy's. If we waste funds on high-end virtual gaming pods and fail, it will be a loss for both the academy and our students."
In response to the man's impassioned argument, Old Liang chuckled softly and explained,
"Xiao Guo, have you even tried this super virtual game? How can you be so certain it won't substantially improve Star Optics Academy's overall strength if you haven't played it yourself?"
"Besides, do you think we can just buy it whenever we want? We have to wait in line. As far as I know, Star City Academy gets 30% of the allocation before Star Optics Academy and the other academies even get a chance to purchase. Future allocations will be determined by the Academy Joint Virtual Combat Tournament. You're oversimplifying things."
Hearing this, the burly man called Xiao Guo opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head and said:
"Star City Academy has ample resources to experiment as they please. Even if they waste some, it doesn't matter. But Star Optics Academy's resources are far more limited. The benefits of purchasing this game might not meet our expectations, making it a waste of teaching resources. I suggest we wait and see how Star City Academy's experience goes before making a decision."
Old Liang, seated at the head of the table, shook his head helplessly.
"Xiao Guo, I understand your concerns. You believe Star City Academy has resources to waste that we can't afford. But I personally went to Star City Academy and experienced this super virtual game. I can tell you with absolute certainty that it will completely resolve safety issues in our academy's combat training and significantly enhance our overall strength!"
His gaze swept over the hesitant expressions of the senior staff present. After a moment's thought, Old Liang proposed:
"Here's what we'll do: you all come with me to Star City Academy. I'll have you experience the game firsthand. Then we'll vote on whether Star Optics Academy should purchase these high-end virtual gaming pods. What do you say?"
"Agreed," Xiao Guo, the man who had spoken earlier, nodded immediately.
"Then let's set off now. Xiao Guo, arrange the transportation. I'll contact Old Bai. Meeting adjourned!"
The attendees rose to their feet, saluted the Dawn Banner displayed at the front of the conference room, and dispersed.
Several hours later, at Star City Academy.
A large bus passed through security and entered Star City Academy, then drove along the lakeside toward the gymnasium.
Moments later, the bus stopped in front of the Star City Academy Gymnasium, now known as the "Virtual Arena."
Old Liang led a group of senior officials from Star Optics Academy off the bus.
This wasn't their first visit to Star City Academy. The annual inter-academy exchange meeting for Star City was always held here.
They felt genuine pride in this academy, steeped in history and culture. It was one of Star City's most prestigious institutions.
At the same time, Star City Academy remained the benchmark Star Optics Academy constantly strived to surpass.
After a brief wait, Bai Fusheng appeared in the distance.
"Old Liang, what's this all about now?" Bai Fusheng asked with a cheerful smile as he approached.
"You know perfectly well. Just take us inside for a trial run," Old Liang retorted, rolling his eyes.
After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Fusheng led Old Liang and the other Star Optics Academy officials up the marble steps to the Virtual Arena.
A long queue had already formed outside the entrance.
Currently, the Virtual Arena housed five thousand virtual game pods, but this was still far from enough to meet the demand from the academy's students and faculty.
Although the Virtual Arena operated 24 hours a day, it still couldn't satisfy the enthusiastic students.
Sustained by nutrient solution, many students were playing the game continuously for 24 hours, making those who hadn't yet experienced Dawn—and only knew of its allure from the Star City Academy Forum—itch with anticipation.
However, the limited number of virtual game pods meant students had to queue for their turn.
Leading Old Liang and other high-ranking officials from Star Optics Academy into the Virtual Arena, they arrived at Teacher's Room No. 3, reserved exclusively for faculty use.
Seeing all the virtual pods activated, Bai Fusheng approached a screen in the corner and pressed the "Awaken" function.
The Awaken function was primarily designed for emergencies. For instance, in the event of a fire, the room's one-button activation would immediately eject all students and teachers from their virtual experiences.
Within minutes, the lids of the game pods in the room began to open.
The dozens of teachers immersed in their games sat up with bewildered expressions, clearly unaware of what was happening.
Bai Fusheng clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention. "Everyone, please exit your pods," he announced. "The teachers from Star Optics Academy have come to experience the game. Let's make way for them."
Hearing this, the crowd in the game pods wore helpless expressions.
Someone even muttered under their breath, "It's unethical to AFK," but no one dared defy Bai Fusheng's authority. They immediately rose from their game pods.
Once everyone had exited, Bai Fusheng turned to Old Liang:
"Take them to try it out. Apart from the dungeons, all other features are now available."
Old Liang nodded promptly and turned to the Star Optics Academy officials, explaining how to use the virtual game pods.
After the explanation, he led the academy staff into separate male and female changing rooms to change into their gaming attire.
With all preparations complete, the Star Optics Academy officials lay down in the virtual game pods one by one.
Having visited the Virtual Arena at Star City Academy, they were already inclined to believe much of what Old Liang had said.
It was clear that this super virtual game was immensely popular among the academy's students and faculty.
Star City Academy would never allow a purely recreational game onto campus, so the answer to whether this super virtual game could significantly enhance the academy's overall capabilities was self-evident.
However, without experiencing the game's content firsthand, they couldn't offer a fair evaluation of this super virtual game.
Filled with curiosity, they lay back in the virtual game pods and pressed the "Start" buttons on the walls.
(End of the Chapter)
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