Lin Fan took a deep breath, the stale scent of instant noodles clinging to the humid air of his tiny, fifteen-square-meter rented room. The dim yellow light from the single bulb cast long shadows on his gaunt face, etched with fatigue and anxiety. The weight of his family pressed down on him, every single day. His mother lay bedridden after a stroke, her vacant eyes staring into nothingness, no longer recognizing her own son. His younger sister, barely ten, in her growing years, carried a worn schoolbag and ate meager meals that broke his heart. All their savings had been drained for medicine, for hospital bills. Real life was a suffocating struggle, and he knew he needed a miracle.
The old computer screen in front of Lin Fan glowed brightly, the words "Welcome to Nine Realms Immortal Realm!" appearing like an invitation, a final promise. He'd heard too much about this virtual reality game, about incredible rags-to-riches stories, about the ability to "exchange all in-game spirit elixirs, magic treasures, and even cultivation levels for real-world cash!" For billions worldwide drowning in economic crisis, it wasn't just a game; it was an escape, a last glimmer of hope. For Lin Fan, it was more than that—it was his only chance to save his family, to pull his loved ones from the encroaching darkness.
His fingers trembled slightly as he clicked "Start." A blinding white light engulfed his vision, a faint dizziness washed over him, then vanished. When his eyes opened, Lin Fan found himself standing in a vast plaza, the air thick with mystical energy, a stark contrast to the musty smell of his cramped room. Ancient, towering structures rose majestically, and iridescent clouds drifted lazily across the boundless sky. Billions of other players had also "transmigrated" here, their excited chatter echoing like waves against the shore.
The magnificent scene unfolding before him left Lin Fan stunned. The grand, ancient buildings, the wide paved roads, and the colorful clouds above created a breathtaking vista. Players all around were dressed in various styles, from simple beginner's clothes to elaborate outfits with dazzling light effects.
An information panel appeared before him:
Welcome to Nine Realms Immortal Realm!
Please enter your character name:
Lin Fan pondered for a moment, then typed in two simple words: Nameless One. He didn't want a fancy name, didn't want to draw attention. It was a name that truly reflected who he was at this moment—an unknown, insignificant mortal in a vast world.
Confirm character name: Nameless One? (Cannot be changed after confirmation)
He nodded slightly, clicking "Confirm."
Please select your starting point:
A vast map appeared, dotted with strange locations. Lin Fan knew absolutely nothing about this world. He randomly chose a location suggested by the system: Novice Village.
Once more, the space around him shimmered. When he opened his eyes, Lin Fan was at the gate of a small, surprisingly peaceful village. Simple thatched-roof houses dotted the landscape, and villagers in coarse cloth clothes bustled about their daily work, a stark contrast to the chaotic modern world he had left behind.
A prominent yellow text appeared before him: "Novice Quest: Meet the Village Chief." This was his first step. Lin Fan looked around, orienting himself, then began walking towards the center of the village, where a larger wooden house stood—presumably the Village Chief's residence.
As he walked, Lin Fan observed the other players. They seemed eager, some chatting excitedly, others rushing to accept quests from NPCs (non-player characters). He noticed that most people were trying to understand this new world and quickly earn their first virtual coins.
"Hey buddy, just started the game too?" A voice rang out beside him. Lin Fan turned, seeing an active young man with "Little Bao" displayed above his head.
"Yeah, first time playing," Lin Fan replied.
"Then let's go together! I'm just as new as you. Heard this game pays real money, don't know if it's true though," Little Bao chuckled.
Lin Fan merely nodded, not entirely trusting such rumors. He understood that nothing came easy, especially money. Still, he politely offered a few words in response.
Reaching the Village Chief's house, Lin Fan greeted an old man with a long white beard, sitting on the porch sipping tea. The name "Village Chief Li" was displayed above his head.
"Greetings, Chief, I'm a new player, and my quest is to meet you," Lin Fan said.
Village Chief Li put down his teacup, narrowing his eyes at Lin Fan: "Ah, a traveler from afar. You've come to my village, so you must need some help, eh?" A small system notification appeared: "Quest: Chat with Village Chief Li (Completed). You gained 10 experience points."
"I have a few small tasks in the village that need doing. Would you be willing?" Village Chief Li continued.
"Quest: Gather 10 wild mushrooms (Difficulty: Very Easy, Reward: 5 gold coins, 20 experience points)"
"Quest: Eliminate 5 wild chickens near the village (Difficulty: Easy, Reward: 10 gold coins, 30 experience points)"
Two new quests appeared before Lin Fan. The rewards were meager, but it was a start. He nodded, accepting both.
"Thank you, Chief."
After accepting the quests, Lin Fan bid farewell to Little Bao and headed alone towards the small forest behind the village to find mushrooms. He carefully observed his surroundings, trying to memorize everything. The game world felt incredibly real, from the sound of wind rustling through leaves to the damp smell of earth. Every one of his senses was on high alert.
While gathering mushrooms, Lin Fan suddenly recalled the chilling warnings from experienced players on the forums: "In Nine Realms, life is singular. Death in the game is real death!" This was not just a slogan; it was a bitter truth proven by the lives of reckless players. He'd heard that many had died in the game, their real-world bodies falling into a vegetative state, beyond saving. This sent shivers down Lin Fan's spine. He knew he had to be extra cautious, not allowing even the slightest mistake. His family, his mother and sister, were waiting for him.
He didn't want to draw attention. He quietly picked mushrooms, avoiding areas that seemed crowded or potentially dangerous. He didn't follow the crowd, didn't rush into meaningless conflicts. His goal was survival, accumulating little by little, and waiting for his opportunity.
But even in a seemingly safe novice dungeon, bad luck could strike a mere mortal like him. Suddenly, a dry growl echoed from a nearby bush. A large, shaggy Rat Wolf with glowing red eyes, unexpectedly lunged out! This wasn't a normal novice monster! It seemed to be a mutated variant, much stronger than the weak chickens he had just dealt with.
Lin Fan didn't panic. His survival instinct, honed by years of struggling, kicked in. He didn't charge head-on but retreated immediately, dodging a fatal pounce. The mutated Rat Wolf streaked past where he had just stood, its sharp claws tearing through the air. A powerful bite nearly knocked him off balance.
HP: 80/100. His health dropped quickly. This monster was not something a novice like him could handle! A cold sense of despair welled up in his chest. Could it be over so quickly? He hadn't even had a chance to do anything for his mother and sister.
He recalled forum lessons on "kiting" monsters, defensive tactics, and fleeing. Running, he swung his flimsy wooden sword wildly at the Rat Wolf. Each strike dealt minimal damage, but it was enough to keep a distance, enough to buy time. He had no hope of winning, only of escaping. He ran deeper into the forest, trying to find terrain he could use to escape the terrifying monster.
In his desperate flight, Lin Fan unexpectedly tripped over an exposed root of an ancient tree, its gnarled trunk covered in moss. He tumbled, his hand hitting something hard beneath him with a sharp pang of pain. The Rat Wolf seized the opportunity, snarling as it charged, its foul breath hot on his face. Its red eyes, like two glowing embers of death, bore down on him. He could clearly see its sharp fangs bared, ready to end him. Death was upon him!
Just then, a faint green light suddenly flashed from where his hand had struck. It was a grey, ancient jade pendant, hidden amongst the dry moss clinging to the tree root. The light was fleeting, vanishing instantly, but just as it did, the mutated Rat Wolf suddenly froze, then as if pushed back by an invisible force, it let out a pained yelp and fled in a panic, disappearing deep into the forest!
Lin Fan lay there, gasping for breath. He was alive! His whole body ached, but the relief of having escaped death was far stronger. He looked down at his hand; the grey jade pendant still lay there, utterly unremarkable. He quickly picked it up, tucking it into his inventory. Perhaps it was just a coincidence, an incredibly lucky one. But the intuition of someone who had faced many hardships, tasted despair and the slimmest chances, told him: something wasn't right.
After calming himself, Lin Fan continued his journey. He completed the mushroom gathering and wild chicken elimination quests more cautiously than ever, avoiding any suspicious areas, unwilling to encounter another mutated monster. He returned to the Village Chief's house, received his rewards, and leveled up to 2.
"Congratulations, you leveled up! Current level: 2."
A brilliant golden notification appeared, accompanied by a feeling of his body becoming slightly lighter and more agile. Lin Fan opened his character status panel:
Name: Nameless One Level: 2 Experience: 0/100 HP: 110 MP: 50 Physical Attack: 12 Physical Defense: 5 Currency: 15 gold coins
Looking at the meager numbers, Lin Fan felt a faint glimmer of hope. Despite a difficult start, he had made his first steps. Fifteen gold coins, though small, were the first money he had earned in this world, and they could be converted into real currency.
He opened his inventory, pulling out the grey jade pendant. It remained the same, inert. He tried touching it, but there was no reaction. He even tried to use spirit energy (if he had any), but nothing happened. The pendant seemed like a useless junk item, but in Lin Fan's mind, an idea sparked. This thing had appeared exactly when he was in the gravest danger, and that Rat Wolf had vanished strangely. Perhaps it wasn't useless. He remembered rumors on forums about "Easter eggs" or "bugs" hidden in the game, golden opportunities for the lucky or clever. If this truly was a "bug"...
Lin Fan made a decision. He wouldn't tell anyone about this jade pendant. He would guard it like a deadly secret, silently researching it, trying to understand its true function. And if it truly held power, he would use it to change his destiny, in the most cautious and discreet way possible, just as he had always done in real life. The path ahead might be fraught with peril, but with the jade pendant in hand, and the survival instincts of a mortal, Lin Fan felt a new spark of hope, a chance to turn the tables of fate in the "Nine Realms Immortal Realm" – a place where money, power, and countless mysteries awaited him. He would survive, he would grow strong, and he would pull his family out of the quagmire of poverty.