Chapter 14: Holographic Game (I)

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Chapter 14: Holographic Game (I)

∇ Congratulations, Challenger, for completing the exam. You have received 1,000 points as a reward, along with an additional 500 points for completing the side mission, for a total of 1,500 points.

∇ Congratulations, Challenger, for completing the mission. The store function has now been activated. Would you like to load your novice gift, the Qixiu Heart Method?

“Yes.”

∇ Loading, please wait.

∇ Loading completed. Please use the ability responsibly. Remember the system’s motto: Because of Love.

∇ Would you like to use the store?

“Yes,” Miao Lichen answered, leaning against the wall. Lowering his head, he saw his long white hair draped gracefully over his shoulders. His red clothes did not make him appear frivolous; instead, they gave him an alluring yet solemn elegance. He could feel his once robust, masculine body becoming lean and lithe. He had no doubt he could perform a backbend with ease.

Miao Lichen raised an eyebrow. He didn’t even need a mirror to know he looked like the cover of the Beauty Album. He pulled it out and looked at it. Besides the white hair and the red robes of the Qixiu Sect, his appearance had also become more refined. While his features weren’t particularly sharp before, they had softened slightly. Only his almond-shaped eyes appeared brighter and more intense.

Miao Lichen moved his body. Though it appeared more fragile, it was actually much stronger than his old one. More importantly, an unknown power flowed through it. It must be the Qixiu internal energy. The Qixiu Sect focused on internal energy, and the system had instantly granted him the equivalent of twenty years of training. He wondered how strong sects that specialized in external energy would be. Miao Lichen shifted his gaze toward the large store screen floating in the air.

The smile he always wore as a mask became slightly strained. Exchanging points for bloodlines actually granted him a bloodline. Even if there weren’t many options, it would have been fine as long as they were useful. He had never considered exchanging multiple bloodlines to become the first hybrid in history. However, these bloodlines were all rather strange. Veela bloodline? Succubus bloodline? There were some relatively normal-looking ones like Snake Demon or Dragon bloodlines until he read descriptions like “Dragons are inherently lustful,” and similar descriptions.

Flipping through the chaotic mess of bloodlines, he found two at the bottom of the list in gray text: the First-tier Angel Bloodline and the First-tier Devil Bloodline. Their bonus skills were Divine Halo and Devil Wings. The former had no offensive power, while the latter clearly stated that it was prone to bloodshed and the loss of one’s nature.

Miao Lichen decisively chose the Angel Bloodline, not because he enjoyed being a creature of God, but because he couldn’t tolerate the side effects of the other bloodlines. He didn’t want to become a creature driven by lust or a womanizer, nor did he want the side effects of the Devil bloodline that could cause him to lose his true self.

There was one more important reason: he simply couldn’t afford the other bloodlines. Only the First-tier Angel and First-tier Devil bloodlines were priced at 1,500 points

∇ You chose to redeem the First-tier Angel Bloodline.

∇ Warning: The bloodline you selected does not align with the Lovely System’s motto, Because of Love. Would you like to choose a different one?

“Redeem the First-tier Angel Bloodline.” Using someone’s lust was the absolute lowest form of strategy. A thought crossed his mind, and he froze. Lovely was still a very adorable system; it would never allow him to enter a world governed solely by lust.

Miao Lichen’s smile was as gentle as ever, but it caused the pink egg to tremble. The pink halo around the egg appeared to intensify.

∇ Warning: The Qixiu Sect character you are using belongs to Eastern culture. Your Angel Bloodline has an 80% chance of conflicting with the Qixiu internal energy. The system’s gift cannot be changed or destroyed. Your Angel Bloodline may undergo unexpected changes. Would you like to redeem the First-tier Angel Bloodline?

“Redeem the First-tier Angel Bloodline.”

∇ First-tier Angel Bloodline redeemed. Your current points are 0.

∇ The second challenge world has been drawn.

∇ Main Mission: Capture the Male Protagonist, Qi Yingfeng (Favorability 100).

∇ Reward: 2,000 points.

∇ Failure Penalty: 1,000 points.

∇ Friendly Reminder: If your points drop into the negatives, you will be considered dead.

Before Miao Lichen had time to adjust to his bloodline, dizziness overcame him and he was transported into another person’s body. The memories of this world belonged to another Miao Lichen, who was born in 2030 and was 24 years old. On his 24th birthday, a world-changing event occurred: a virtual game called Second World, which allowed players to experience 90% realism, appeared.

As the young master of a wealthy family, he naturally became one of the game’s first players. Instead of receiving one of the 10,000 standard gaming helmets, he received one of only 1,000 limited-edition gaming cabins. A total of 11,000 players entered the game in the first batch. Although this number was significant for a province or country, it was not nearly enough for the entire world. The fact that Miao Lichen received this gift spoke volumes about his privileged family background.

This young man also lived up to his status. He diligently completed every task assigned by his parents and met every expectation placed upon him, showcasing his truly versatile talent. Both his talent and learning abilities were among the best of his peers.

This gaming cabin was his 24th birthday present. In an era when life expectancy was 150 years, he was clearly still young. His parents gave him the gaming cabin in the hope that it would help him relax and engage in activities appropriate for his age. Regardless of family background, parental love for their children was universal.

Although Miao Lichen accepted his family’s kindness, he did not approach the game like a typical young man. Instead, he opted to explore business opportunities within the game, showcasing his undeniable talent as a businessman. Upon entering the game, he immediately began recruiting members and swiftly built a guild that ranked third in Second World. He dedicated himself to improving his gaming skills daily and invested his initial funds into his own company once in-game and real-world currencies could be exchanged. Despite his parents’ concerns about his choices, they allowed him to pursue his ambitions.

However, such prominent characters were often used to showcase the protagonist’s power, and this novel was no exception. As his guild flourished and became more profitable, his fiancée, Miao Mengyao, a child bride groomed to become the future lady of the Miao Family, his childhood sweetheart, and a prominent figure in his guild, fell in love with Qi Yingfeng at first sight. She became enamored with him at second sight and was eager to devote herself to him at third sight.

Miao Lichen spent most of his time striving to gain the approval of his elders, so he had no idea what love truly was. However, he had been told since childhood that she was his fiancée, so he considered her his responsibility. They clashed many times; not because of her ambiguous feelings for Qi Yingfeng, but because she used guild funds to help him.

Miao Lichen rubbed his forehead. The original had just logged out of the game and had ordered the guild to hunt down Qi Yingfeng. Qi Yingfeng wasn’t just his mission target; he was also the protagonist of this world. They should not have offended him, but it was likely too late now. Miao Lichen had great faith in the strength of the guild, which ranked third in Second World. A fledgling Qi Yingfeng definitely could not match them. The protagonist was probably feeling a mix of emotions toward them at this point.

Miao Lichen surveyed his room. The wealthy decor and neat organization reflected the original’s meticulous nature. However, he wasn’t as aloof as his room suggested; he was always smiling. In contrast, Qi Yingfeng, who was known for his romantic luck, was a cold iceberg. Perhaps it was this contrast that made him charming?

He stood up and checked his clothing. The sight of red surprised him, but it seemed that the original had indeed always dressed in red, and it wasn’t formal wear. Judging by this, the man wasn’t as serious as he appeared to be. He flipped through the Beauty Album, ready to finish reading this story, as this was his true cheat ability.

The red garment draped elegantly over his fair body, with his short black hair slicked back. He subconsciously straightened his back and his serious expression made people want to pinch his chubby cheeks.

Mother Miao did just that. He was her son, so she could do whatever she pleased. “What are you reading? Take a break and go play for a while, sweetie.”

“Okay, Mother.” Miao Lichen replied respectfully with a smile.

“Good boy.” Mother Miao said, watching her son lie down in the game cabin before leaving. As the general manager of a company, she didn’t have much time to spend with her child.

Following his mother’s suggestion, Miao Lichen returned to his only source of entertainment, Second World. The subsequent plot of this story was like most novels in its genre. He would relentlessly suppress the protagonist at the beginning, as dealing with a lone player was a piece of cake for a third-ranked guild. However, his attacks on Qi Yingfeng only made him stronger. The protagonist would then embark on a path of defeating monsters (players?), leveling up, collecting equipment, and encountering beautiful women along the way. Meanwhile, his subordinates would always be causing trouble for Qi Yingfeng to deepen the hatred between them.

After overcoming countless obstacles and difficulties, Qi Yingfeng would be equipped with powerful gear and surrounded by beauties. He would successfully persuade the other key figures around Miao Lichen to defect, leaving him as a useless guild leader. Then, he would challenge him to an official PVP match with the condition that the loser must withdraw from the game. The protagonist would emerge victorious and become a renowned expert in Second World. His unrivaled dominance in the game would force Miao Lichen to fulfill his condition and withdraw from the game.

Being defeated in the game didn’t mean he was defeated in real life. Perhaps it was because he had never experienced failure, or maybe the protagonist’s unique aura had lowered his intelligence, but he would begin searching for Qi Yingfeng in real life and attempt to trip him up. Ultimately, he would become the final boss defeated by the protagonist, his fiancée, and the many women who had gathered around him.

The Miao Lichen in this story played two antagonistic roles, exerting his indelible influence both in the game and in life. He served as a sharpening stone and a touchstone, ultimately sacrificing his young life to become a part of the protagonist’s glorious life. Not only did he anger his parents to death, but he also laid a strong business foundation for the protagonist.

Qi Yingfeng naturally would not be grateful to him or anything, but would cheer for his death. A novel would only write about the protagonist and his harem having a happy ending, not the supporting character’s endings. However, considering how narrow-minded Qi Yingfeng was and how much he valued Miao Mengyao, there was a chance his body would be left in the wilderness and not given a proper burial.

He truly was a tragic character. It had been entertaining to read about, but it was far less enjoyable now that he had become the tragic character himself.

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