Playing this game... could lead to death?
Chen Xuan's eyes widened as he looked at the Beginner's Guide, his hands trembling slightly at the sight of those first two sentences.
However, he quickly suppressed his unease, and even a hint of excitement he hadn't noticed himself, eagerly continued reading.
"Don't panic! Don't be afraid!
Martial Dao is a treasure of human civilization! It is also the seed for human evolution.
Although no one, including officials from various countries, knows how this miraculous game came to be.
But there's no doubt, every player is a lucky one!"
Chen Xuan felt a slight relief.
"In Martial Dao, all player gains, martial arts, internal arts, attribute enhancements, will synchronize with reality!
Moreover, equipment, weapons, and even mounts can be summoned into reality by spending a large amount of currency in the game, but this ability can only be used after the character level breaks through the 'Postnatal' realm."
"Currently, the discovered realms are divided into Unranked, Body Tempering, Postnatal, Meridian Opening... Each level has its own sub-levels. The realm enhancement evaluation in Martial Dao is complex, based on martial arts, internal arts, mental arts, combat experience, etc."
Chen Xuan never imagined that this low-end game he had been clicking through mechanically for over two hours would have so many twists and turns.
Yet, his professional spirit made him immerse himself in it, like a dry sponge eagerly absorbing the water of knowledge.
"Attention! In Martial Dao, a player's life is singular; after death, the account disappears, and all enhancements in reality are erased, including all memories of mastered martial arts and acquired Fates!
Initial players have two chances. After the first character death, re-entering Martial Dao will result in all initial attributes and points being halved! After the second character death, the player dies in reality!
However, if a character's realm reaches Postnatal at any point, an extra revival chance is granted, effective once. So, lucky ones, cherish every game opportunity!
The initial attribute options mainly focus on combat attributes like Movement Technique and Strength, followed by Constitution, then Comprehension, and lastly Fortune. Attribute enhancement is extremely difficult, only increasing through high-grade natural treasures, realm breakthroughs, and advanced rare martial arts.
For the initial background option, choose a family start with initial martial arts! If there's a 'Mysterious Origins' start, don't choose it without assurance, as it's highly dangerous with a high mortality rate..."
Chen Xuan silently read this part of the Beginner's Guide, wishing he could slap himself.
Starting with Mysterious Origins was bad enough, but damn it, it was also a crippled start!
The key is, who would have thought a simple game would bring about spiritual revival and Martial Dao evolution!
Clearly, waiting for death wasn't Chen Xuan's style, and as he continued reading the guide, he discovered that his Exclusive Fate seemed to exceed expectations...
"Encounters, the most variable existence in Martial Dao, as the name suggests, no one knows the conditions and requirements to trigger an Encounter! Nor the rewards.
Records show players have obtained rare advanced martial arts and even precious Fates through them.
Unfortunately, almost all Encounters are one-time; even if other players encounter them again, they often won't trigger, and even if they do, it's impossible to know how to trigger them..."
Chen Xuan clenched his fists, thinking of his 'Defy Heaven and Change Fate.'
Being able to see all Encounter trigger conditions and grades for scenes and characters, this alone made all the early frustrations and dangers worthwhile!
But... does he really have to face danger himself?
With this Fate, if he joined a faction, could he have veteran players protect him?
No!
Previously, Chen Xuan might not have understood the value of this so-called Exclusive Fate, but now, seeing the players' pursuit of Encounters in the guide, he knew.
If he joined a faction, to be protected, he would naturally have to show value, but once this Defy Heaven and Change Fate was exposed, even the Dragon Nation's officials might turn him into an Encounter detector!
By then, not only would his own progress be hindered, but he might also lose his personal freedom!
After all, the Beginner's Guide mentioned that choosing a region should be done with caution, as crossing regions often takes a long time...
Chen Xuan thought of the choice he made when entering the game!
He came to this Martial Dao world to pursue transcendence and power! Not to become a mascot to be protected!
However, joining a faction isn't reliable, so... what about hiring?
Thinking of this, Chen Xuan's eyes lit up, but he just kept the idea in mind, knowing he still had plenty of time to research it later...
The guide was long, and Chen Xuan read it carefully, especially regarding martial arts, such as External Martial Arts, Lightness Skill, Internal Art, Mental Art, etc. Find the original chapter at NovelPing.
Also, the background setting of this Martial Dao world, an imaginary 'Great Qian Dynasty,' with geography similar to ancient reality but reportedly much larger.
The Great Qian Dynasty, to control the martial world, stirred up conflicts, creating three rankings: Heaven, Earth, and Human.
Besides these, many top sects were mentioned in the guide, with a saying about those whose influence reached 'Renowned in the Martial World' and 'Famous Across the World.'
However, most were only briefly mentioned.
Regarding this, Chen Xuan didn't pay much attention; these prestigious sects, demonic paths, and hidden recluses were too far from him, and these sects weren't easy to join.
Chen Xuan only briefly looked at the top sects' influence range in Jinling,
Finding it seemed to be within the influence of the 'Canal Gang,' mentioned alongside the 'Beggar Sect' and 'Salt Gang' in the saying 'Three Underworld Gangs Roam the World.'
Admittedly, the name didn't have the same grandeur as those like the Azure Firmament Dao Palace, Great Brightness Temple, or Taibai Sword Sect.
On the forum, Chen Xuan spent quite a while, finally withdrawing his gaze, somewhat reluctantly closing the computer.
Knowledge gained from paper always feels shallow!
No matter what, the martial world isn't for watching; it's for walking step by step.
Thinking of this, Chen Xuan sat back in his chair, opened his tablet.
The screen turned black again, and the ruined temple in the storm seemed about to reappear in his mind.
However, just as Chen Xuan was about to focus and leave this special 'beginner's village,' he suddenly paused.
Because at that moment, he noticed that in the options for the ruined temple, besides the 'bonfire,' a new choice appeared:
[Lady in Green]
At the same time, a Fate prompt instantly appeared:
[Trigger Random Encounter character event, would you like to activate the Fate Ability 'Defy Heaven and Change Fate'? View current Encounter trajectory.]
[You activated the Fate Ability: Defy Heaven and Change Fate, the causal threads entangling the person before you gradually become clear.]
[Current Encounter is a spontaneous special Encounter, with no Encounter level displayed, subsequent outcomes and reward levels will be shown based on the trajectory...]