Abducted by an Alien Civilization

Traditional fiction writer Li Zhonglong is abducted in his sleep and taken to Planet Shenji by its inhabitants, who arrive in a spacecraft. They then use a mix of force and persuasion to make him play a virtual game, the latest sensation among the planet's people. From that point on, Li Zhonglong is forced to play, constantly switching between the real world and the virtual game world. What is the civilization of Planet Shenji trying to achieve? Why did they choose Li Zhonglong as their target? Just how advanced is their civilization?