Looking again at the beautiful figure singing on stage, Lu Yan suddenly realized his understanding of the world version updates was too narrow.
In the Xianxia version, strength and cultivation talent represent power and status.
Yet in the urban version, everyone is just an ordinary person. Strength and cultivation talent are meaningless, and even the fundamental logic of society has undergone earth-shaking changes.
Between different versions, there is absolutely no completely corresponding relationship.
A person who reaches the peak in the Xianxia version is not necessarily authority in the urban version.
"The identity of an Internet celebrity values one's influence and popularity. From another perspective, a Celestial Pride Cultivator like Zuo Yu Fairy, from an illustrious background, does indeed have significant influence.
But... does the term 'faded Internet celebrity' imply that Zuo Yu Fairy's own influence is declining, unable to maintain her identity as a Celestial Pride true disciple?"
With so little information available, Lu Yan could only secretly speculate in his heart.
However, Zuo Yu Fairy's presence also made Lu Yan consider another kind of opportunity from the world version updates.
In the Xianxia version, Lu Yan was merely a lowly ant, unable to access cultivation technique inheritance or cultivation resources.
But in the urban version, he is the only cultivator in the world, above the mundane.
If Lu Yan could identify influential figures in the Xianxia version and find them in the urban version, leveraging his identity as the sole cultivator to establish connections, wouldn't he receive substantial assistance from these figures once they returned to the Xianxia version?
By then, cultivation technique inheritance and cultivation resources would surely be ample!
Previously, Lu Yan focused solely on entering the Qi Cultivation Stage, setting his sights on killing Gongyang Xuanyuan to eliminate future troubles, completely neglecting this greatest opportunity.
Upon realizing this, Lu Yan's heart surged with excitement, longing to take action immediately.
Yet after taking two steps towards the stage, Lu Yan's expression suddenly paused.
"No, this isn't right!"
Lu Yan whispered softly, forcibly suppressing his fluctuating emotions.
"Manifesting cultivator's strength in the urban version and establishing connections with high-level figures from the Xianxia version is indeed feasible.
But once entering the Xianxia version, will this connection truly be maintained?"
"In the urban version, although there is wealth disparity, ultimately everyone is human, with only a century-long lifespan, and essentially no fundamental difference in life.
However, in the Xianxia version, Qi Cultivation cultivators live up to 120 years; Foundation Establishment cultivators enjoy 300 years; Golden Core cultivators even attain 800 years, capable of witnessing the rise and fall of dynasties.
In front of such powerful individuals, low-level cultivators can hardly be considered the same species, already possessing differences in life essence."
This is precisely the greatest difference between the urban version and the Xianxia version.
In the urban version, one could argue all are born equal; regardless of one's affluent background, lifespans are the same.
But in the Xianxia version, being the second-generation cultivator allows for a few hundred extra years of life.
To become formidable beings such as Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivators, which of them isn't a seasoned schemer or a monstrous old creature?
Realizing this, Lu Yan's expression became increasingly grave.
"My greatest advantage in the urban version is merely being able to cast spells, being stronger than ordinary people, providing more opportunities to connect with these formidable beings.
However, once I reach the Xianxia version, my cultivation of Qi Cultivation Stage will be plainly revealed, losing the boost of being the only cultivator; I possess nothing noteworthy.
Even if relationships are tightly formed in advance, once the discrepancy in cultivation appears, changes are likely."
"Moreover, the tighter the connections in the urban version, the more likely backlash will occur.
Can a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator become a guest of a Golden Core master? Can he call a Nascent Soul Great Power 'brother'?
Version updates do indeed have information mappings, but these old monsters aren't fools; such obvious issues will surely be noticed."
"Using love or emotions to bind these old monsters is even more nonsense.
Relying on the identity of the sole cultivator to wed a high-level female cultivator from the Xianxia version, even if they become affectionate and harmonious could a few months of feelings bind such beings during version changes?
Would a powerful Golden Core or Nascent Soul female cultivator be bound by mere months of emotions, allowing a Qi Cultivation Stage ant to defile herself?"
This is just the most basic part.
Exposing oneself as a cultivator or experiencing identity changes before these old monsters will indeed bring numerous troubles.
Lu Yan could already foresee the consequences of acting recklessly in the urban version.
The circulating thoughts in his mind have successfully calmed Lu Yan down.
Standing at the stage's outermost area, his gaze passing over Ji Xingyao on stage, Lu Yan analyzed calmly:
"If I had Golden Core Stage cultivation now, leveraging version updates to connect with other Golden Core powerhouses in the urban version wouldn't be a problem, as I already possess a sufficient foundation for that, the urban version's opportunity merely aids sign.
But for now, trying to exploit bugs through version updates for instant success shouldn't be considered; the more entangled, the greater the backlash post-update."
"Thus, Ji Xingyao, this faded Internet... faded Celestial Pride, is instead the highest level I can currently engage with.
After all, I've already met her once before, and there's the Bamboo Forest Marketplace connection, establishing a relationship seems reasonable."
"Of course, it's impossible to instantly become close friends; identity differences are ultimately too great; gradual progress is the best choice."
Having set his mind, Lu Yan stood on the stage's periphery, enjoying the concert while beginning to search online for information related to Ji Xingyao.
...
Late at night, the mall stage performance had concluded, leaving only staff cleaning up site waste.
Ji Xingyao, though once a popular Internet celebrity, had ultimately faded.
Initially, it was okay for people to join in the fun, but over time the crowd dispersed, leaving only dozens to watch the entire performance below the stage.
Just finishing her performance, Ji Xingyao stood in the mall's rest area, dealing with the scowling mall manager.
The manager, dressed in suit and tie, holding a contract, spoke sternly:
"Today's crowd was not ideal; do you know how much the mall spent preparing for this stage performance?"
Ji Xingyao lowered her head, eyes slightly red, not refuting the manager's words.
"I'm very sorry."
"According to the contract, since the attracted crowd was below standard, only thirty percent of the performance fee will be paid!
The money has already been transferred to your account, and you will not be considered for the next mall performance."
After speaking, the manager strode away, leaving Ji Xingyao standing there in desolation.
At that moment, an unnoticed figure slowly walked into the rest area.