Cosmic Professional Gladiator

Li Chen’an then looked at the live broadcast. He was suffering from a terminal illness, and this was his chance. However, were there any requirements for learning the genetic evolution methods?

“It’s probably not a surprise to you that mastering the genetic evolution methods is difficult. Just a single mistake can bring harm to the body. The volunteers practiced with the VR headsets.” Secretary General Angus smiled. “Now, I will announce the joint decision made by the Earth Alliance! All humans on Earth will receive a VR headset for free as long as they are six years old. In the virtual world, all humans can choose any of the ten evolution methods.”

This announcement excited Li Chen’an, Yang Qingshuo, and the others. The entire world boiled over with countless people cheering.

“A young child with a terminal illness can obtain the VR headset via application even if they are less than 6 years old,” Secretary General Angus said. “In order to let you practice the evolutionary methods in the VR headset, we’ve created a virtual world game. The difficulty of creating a virtual world game is much greater than creating a city to accommodate hundreds of millions of people! Combined with the knowledge gleaned from the civilization on Mars, we created this game called ‘Life Evolution.'”

“Life Evolution will not only facilitate the mastering of the genetic evolution methods, but it can also collect data on your physical evolution in-game. The evolution data of hundreds of millions of people will be gathered and summarized. I believe that someday in the future, humans will create a better evolutionary method, allowing us humans to become stronger and have a longer lifespan,” Secretary General Angus said. “Moreover, we can also study and do scientific research in the personal spaces of the game world. I believe that as long as we humans collectively work together, we will definitely become stronger and go further in this vast cosmos.”

“Technology will change humanity. From today onward, we humans have ushered in a new era!” Secretary General Angus said proudly. “All countries will complete the distribution of the VR headsets in three days. Meanwhile, the game ‘Life Evolution’ will officially launch at 9 p.m. on July 25, Beijing time.”

The last sentence was translated differently depending on the country.

In Japan, it was ‘will officially launch at 10 p.m. on July 25, Tokyo time.’

In India, it was ‘will officially launch at 6:30 p.m. on July 25, New Delhi time.’

In the United States of America, it was ‘will officially launch at 8 a.m. on July 25, Washington DC time.’

In the EU, it was ‘will officially launch at 1 p.m. on July 25, London time.’

…

Everyone around the world was excited.

In Xu Jingming’s house in Mingyue City, Jiangnan Province.

“The announcement about the distribution of the VR headsets across the country has been made,” Li Miaomiao said immediately.

Grandpa Xu was also checking his screen. He smiled and said, “The information was released the moment the press conference ended. That’s pretty efficient.”

Xu Jingming also checked out the information.

Detailed arrangements were made all over the country, likewise for Mingyue City. The locations to collect the virtual headsets in each county and district had been announced.

“Collection of the headsets begin at 1 p.m. tomorrow. There are 12 collection spots in our West District,” Xu Jingming said after he finished reading the bulletin. “Let’s submit the application now. Let’s choose the nearest collection center—the sports hall.”

“We’ll choose the same time.”

The entire family present submitted their applications and quickly confirmed their collection point—the sports hall.

******

At 5 p.m. on July 22nd, at the sports hall in Mingyue City’s West District, Xu Jingming and his family were waiting in line. Because every family had a stipulated time slot, it reached their turn after being in line for three minutes.

“The VR headset.” Xu Jingming carried the box he had received, feeling curious and expectant.

This was a new item. Although humans had some ideas about it, he had the actual object in his hands.

Nearly 100% virtualization? It sounded incredible.

“Let’s go home.”

Xu Jingming, Mr. and Mrs. Xu, Grandpa Xu, Li Miaomiao, and her parents left together. Hundreds of people entered the sports hall one after another with two lines for entry and one for exit. The people who left each carried a box happily.

Meanwhile, all over China and even all over the world, people of all colors received their VR headsets.

…

Amidst everyone’s anticipation, it was finally 9 p.m. on July 25.

“Shuo, it’s time. All the best.” Xu Jingming remained in contact with his friend by video call.

“I never expected to have a chance for my hand to grow again.” Yang Qingshuo’s eyes were filled with vigor. “We’ll meet in-game.”

He hung up.

Xu Jingming walked into the bedroom, and Li Miaomiao video-called her two female assistants. “Everyone, all the best. ‘Life Evolution’ is a game that almost all humans on Earth will be playing. Its popularity will far exceed all the games in history. This virtual game will be our studio’s battlefield in the future.”

“Yes, Boss,” Sister Kong and Xiaozeng replied in unison.

“Let’s begin the battle!” Li Miaomiao clenched her fists, and so did her two female assistants. Only then did the former hang up.

Xu Jingming couldn’t help but laugh when he saw this.

“What are you laughing at?” Li Miaomiao shot a glance at her boyfriend and hugged the red VR headset in her arms. “The technology level of this VR headset is extremely high. Even if it’s mass-produced, it should cost at least 10,000 apiece. To distribute it for free to the entire world… Just the cost is astonishing if you think about it.”

Xu Jingming nodded. “It’s surprising how there was no information leak before the press conference considering the magnitude of this matter. Moreover, a lot of money was spent on this, something that is a boon for all of humanity. Not only does it allow all humans to evolve, but it has also doubled our lifespans. It also allows people to make use of their sleeping time at night. The time that people have at their disposal… has actually increased by four times.”

“Not only that,” Li Miaomiao said. “They have created an unprecedented game. Seven billion people worldwide can receive a VR headset at the age of six. Who won’t log in after receiving it?”

“Not logging into the VR headset is akin to losing the chance of living life four times longer,” Xu Jingming said.

“Therefore, almost everyone in the world will be a gamer of this game.” Li Miaomiao was extremely excited as she lay down. “Let’s chat later. Let’s quickly log in. I can’t wait to take a look at the 100% virtual world.”

I wonder what’s in this game world. Xu Jingming lay on the bed and picked up the silver-grey headset on the bedside table. “Let’s begin.”

“Virtual world!” Li Miaomiao looked forward to it.

Lying on the same bed, Xu Jingming and Li Miaomiao looked at each other and put on their VR headsets.

At this moment, countless people around the world donned their VR headsets and entered the virtual world.

…

Xu Jingming first felt metal pieces stick to his scalp from the headset. His scalp then turned slightly numb, and he felt his consciousness rapidly sink.

Boom!

“Xu Jingming, welcome to the world of Life Evolution.”