The television suddenly switched to a strange screen, catching the viewers off guard. Being a channel controlled by the government, most people never expected someone could interrupt the TV signal.
However, this man on the television screen did just that.
He looked peculiar. Some young people watching him in front of their TVs even thought he might be a bit absurd. Yet, when everyone noticed that no matter which channel they turned to, it was this man on the screen, they realized he might be more than meets the eye.
“I’m an advanced player in the dream world. My views on the dream world differ from those of the country,” said Emperor Qin in a calm tone, devoid of the expected excitement or any eerie allure. He was simply speaking calmly.
“I don’t deny the dangers in the dream world, at times even life-threatening. Even I am uncertain how far I can go. But tell me, what in life doesn’t carry risks? If fate has it, even walking down the street can lead to death by a falling flowerpot or a bicycle. Life is full of dangers.”
“Just because we fear danger, does that mean we reject everything? Everyone living in this world lives amidst numerous dangers. Aren’t those alive right now doing well?”
“Besides the inevitable dangers, the dream world offers us rebirth! It’s a transformation where we can take charge!”
“This world is rife with unfairness, power, and corruption. Hard work doesn’t always yield deserved rewards; laziness and cunningness can steal credit. People are born the same, yet while you struggle for a meal’s worth, someone else’s dog eats better than you.”
Emperor Qin’s voice dropped suddenly, “How unjust!”
“The guilty can pay a hefty sum to transfer their blame, while the innocent can be falsely accused and die in prison! Those in power only see their promotions, blind to the suffering of the masses. The downtrodden struggle but find no path to change! This isn’t a world where your effort equals proportional reward! Such a corrupt and terrifying world!”
“Right now, there are people in immense agony, wishing they were dead,” Emperor Qin extended his hand, slowly forming a fist, “In such a world, what is there to hope for? Better to take control of your destiny. Don’t cater to the whims of those in power; let the world return to a fair state where the strong thrive and earn!”
“Once you enter the dream world, whatever effort you put in, you’ll receive the same or even more in return! Make yourself powerful, wealthy, and unafraid of authority!”
“Turn your mundane, purposeless life into something magnificent! If you don’t fear failure in the dream world, victory will ultimately be yours.”
With this, Emperor Qin slowly stood up from the couch, his tone tinged with disdain.
“Let me reiterate, I am fully aware of the dangers in the dream world. They might be extraterrestrial or demonic, and I might face imminent danger at any moment. But what does it matter? It offers me the power I desperately seek and the chance to change everything. Once I conquer it, all dangers vanish, and I emerge as the ultimate victor!”
“There are no free lunches in this world. The dream world isn’t serving platters to everyone; how much you get depends on your capabilities.”
“So, will you continue living a life worse than a dog’s, or will you seize the opportunity to overturn what you perceive as unjust? Think about it.”
“I’ve said my piece. I await you at the peak.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Yet, more people, as Emperor Qin described, were dissatisfied with the status quo, feeling the world was unfair. Some genuinely faced injustice, while others focused solely on their grievances, blind to others’ efforts, stirring within them a desire for change. They felt Emperor Qin was right; there was no absolute safety in this world. Even sitting at home, one might encounter an earthquake or an accident on the street. Without striving, you’ll never know your capabilities.
Perhaps, they were the pioneers of a new era?
Human desires waver between longing and perseverance.
At that moment, Song Kefeng had already arrived with nine others at the national combat headquarters.
Here, he met a hundred robust and courageous warriors. Just by looking into their eyes, Song Kefeng knew they were undoubtedly elite warriors with firm determination and outstanding capabilities. Most of these individuals held military ranks much higher than his own. However, they were gathered here, all aiming to enter the dream world, and then become his subordinates.
No, not subordinates, but comrades.
The hundred officers stood tall, each exuding a formidable aura. Song Kefeng glimpsed deep-seated suspicion and defiance hidden in their eyes. Recalling Mo Yang’s reprimands and the recent orders he had received, Song Kefeng took a deep breath, wishing he had a cigarette to hold onto right now. Honestly, he even doubted himself a bit, wondering if he could lead these hundred individuals to become the sharpest blade in the nation’s resistance against the dream world.
Song Kefeng pondered for a moment before speaking: “You should know some information about me from my files. I won’t repeat the excess. Regarding matters of the dream world, I don’t have control over the messenger who transmits the messages; I can only address them after you enter. But before that, I need to say a few words.”
“After I guide you into the dream world, you’ll also undergo my spiritual devouring, completely under my control.”
“Originally, I disagreed with this decision because I believe you are my comrades, not something else.”
“However, all along this journey, I’ve been pondering our squad’s mission. And in the end, I understood.”
Suddenly, Song Kefeng stood upright, fearlessly locking eyes with the hundred individuals in front of him. “In order for all of us to unleash our full potential, I must do this. From this moment, I’m prepared for the worst. I have no more personal desires. Every action and purpose of mine is dedicated to opposing the dream world. Even if my actions cause harm to my loved ones, I won’t hesitate in the end. You can only do the same.”
“All for the homeland. Let cruelty be damned. After all, we’re all in the same boat. I can’t promise you anything, but I can guarantee that I’ll lead every mission from the front.”
“Comrades, welcome to the dream world.”
The hundred most elite warriors selected from various military regions saluted Song Kefeng in unison and, without uttering a word, moved forward, guided by Song Kefeng, to enter the dream world.
110 observed everything and incredulously roared within Song Kefeng’s consciousness.
[What are you doing!! You, you, you! Are you, are you the subverter?! These people, they seem just like you, not the kind of hosts the dream world wants! Why would such a large group gather together?]
Song Kefeng calmly replied to 110 in his mind: “Isn’t the dream world allowing us to guide others in using various methods? Right now, I’m bringing in a total of 108 people. Shouldn’t you be happy? You should benefit too, right?”
“Also, since I’m bringing in a total of 108 people, shouldn’t you give me a hundred Level 5 Life Pill Cards, ten Level 6 Life Pill Cards, and one Level 7 Life Pill Card? After I bring them all in, please provide these items directly. Otherwise, even if I risk my head exploding, I will reveal the dream world’s breach of trust. This way, you won’t be able to continue expanding.”
110: […My core hurts so much, six spheres ownerless. Should I go ask the big shot 006 about this? I feel like my destruction is imminent!]
Mo Yang, in the hospital, looked at the properly settled Grandpa Tang and Tang Mian, his face darkened.
He clasped his waist with both hands, a series of cold sneers on his face. Despite looking handsome and imposing, at this moment, he made the hospital’s doctors and nurses afraid to enter the ward, only daring to wait at the door for instructions to enter.
“What’s wrong with you two?!” Mo Yang roared. “Both of you are severely injured, and yet, you still want to enter the dream world with me?!”
“Look at the two of you, old and crippled! And you have the nerve to say you want to enter the dream world?!”
Grandpa Tang coughed unhappily, “Mo Yang, you’re being narrow-minded. Although I can’t accompany you in battle, I’ve lived for almost half a century, and my life experiences are richer than yours. At least let me go in and observe the operation of the dream world, and then I might be able to provide you with some useful information.”
“Perhaps I can even find its weaknesses in the end. It’s Tang Mian who’s truly fooling around. This kid has never been serious; letting him in won’t be of any help. Let him stay outside and guard our home. Alright, hurry up and guide me in.”
Before Mo Yang could respond to Grandpa Tang, Tang Mian vigorously waved his uninjured arm and retorted, “Grandpa, you’re the one causing trouble and making a mess! You’re such an old bag of bones, and you’re panting after a few steps. Do you still want to enter the dream world?!”
“Stay honestly in the hospital, use your old connections to monitor the situation’s development, and pass on messages. I’m not trying to disrespect you, but if you go in, you’ll only be a burden! It’s better to let me go in! I’ve had accurate instincts since I was young, and I’m incredibly lucky!”
“Even this explosion, I felt uneasy and dragged you to the toilet, which saved us from most of the explosion’s shockwave! I can definitely help Fish Head find crucial clues and opportunities to subvert the game in the dream world!! Fish Head, doesn’t what I say make sense? Hurry up and guide me in, let’s go like when we were kids: you lead the way, I’ll follow, and together, we’ll clear all obstacles!”
Grandpa Tang was so angry that he wanted to use his cane to hit his grandson. The two patients argued loudly, one louder than the other. Mo Yang looked indifferent, turned around to the medical staff who had long been waiting at the door, and nodded.
“Hmm, their bodies can undergo surgery and subsequent treatment now. Use more anesthesia; I think they currently have a high resistance to it.”
Then, Mo Yang simply walked out of the ward.
Grandpa Tang and Tang Mian called him back, but he didn’t respond.
These two individuals were his last vulnerabilities. There was no reason to expose these vulnerabilities to danger. However, since Emperor Qin had already targeted his close circle, he couldn’t blame him for reciprocal actions.
First and foremost, remove that irritating mask from Emperor Qin’s face. If it can’t be removed, just burn it; after all, the mask has already been torn off, hasn’t it?
Over the next month, conflicts and disputes related to the Dream World persisted on a small scale. However, due to the strong intervention and control by the country and the correct measures taken to control public opinion, it didn’t pressure players forcibly brought into the Dream World and protected the majority of ordinary people.
Hence, despite China having the world’s largest population, in that month, only slightly over eight million players entered the Dream World, and the number of deaths due to turmoil was less than a hundred thousand.
However, globally, these numbers increased tenfold. Dream World players in densely populated areas like Europe and the United States surpassed forty million, with deaths exceeding one million. In India, Japan, and certain war-torn regions in the Middle East, over seventy million players entered the Dream World, with deaths surpassing ten million.
In the tumultuous Middle East, almost an entire country entered the Dream World, engaging in the horrifying collective slaughter of another nation.
Large-scale chaotic battle scenes from overseas were transmitted to the country, making the populace vividly realize the terrifying nature of the Dream World. At least, the crazed pursuit of killings, the unabashed laughter after winning battles, and the ruthless theft of gold and murder by those individuals made even level-headed citizens clearly see the horrors of the Dream World.
“It’s truly frightening. We couldn’t see its existence from start to finish. But within a short month, it drove so many people crazy.”
Amidst this chaos and frenzy, foreign governments finally began enforcing mandatory measures to resist the Dream World. However, the malicious event where the U.S. Secretary of Defense was killed by their personal bodyguard made many other countries realize that, without their knowledge, those controlled by the Dream World had already infiltrated their upper echelons.
At this point, these leaders regretted not immediately trusting the confidential letters sent by the Chinese leadership and taking action. Now, they could only start a difficult resistance in the worst-case scenario.
April 14th.
Once again, a deep and indistinct voice echoed in the sky of the Dream World.
[The total number of Dream World players has reached 140 million, meeting the minimum requirement for Phase Two activation.]
[Below are the new rules for Phase Two of the Dream World. Players, please listen carefully.]
Mo Yang, who was fishing, suddenly jerked his rod. A never-before-seen, black giant shark with a mouth full of sharp teeth emerged fiercely from his fishing line, bringing with it a fishy gust.
Wasn’t expecting the racist elements
Heck I can even say for sure if this happen in my country people will be more than happy to join. Perk of living in 3rd world country.
It is really annoying when people just going around throwing word racist on CN novel but nobody care when America make movie as if they are the only country exist on Earth or how all Japan’s manga/light novel have the “Japan are superior”. I mean look at AOT. Google video about Mikasa’s character you will see I am not the only one who noticed how the author not-subtly put Mikasa there just to represent Japan as last survival Asian race.
what happened to the other is what would happen realistically lol