Can a Cultivation Game Save the Cyber World?

[My new novel, From Savior to Master Builder, is now updating... Click my author page to add it to your collection!]

One hundred percent transmigration, one hundred percent realism, one hundred percent danger: that is how people from the real world describe Kyushu.

If you aren't strong enough and don't know how to keep a low profile, you'll often be killed or captured by the locals as soon as you enter the game, ending your run.

But Kyushu lets people cultivate immortality, live carefree lives, and remain young forever. That alone has made its activation codes fiercely sought after.

Gu Zheng is different from everyone else. She doesn't compete for an activation code. She chooses to sneak straight into the game.

The System malfunctions after she enters the game? No problem, she can still play!

The rewards make no sense? No problem, she can accept them!

She's supposed to save the world after entering the game? No... No problem, she'll try her best?

The real world is a desolate wasteland. Everyone searches for something to believe in, ignoring the harsh reality. But some people refuse to give up, and seek a patch of blue sky to rescue their troubled souls.

Perhaps the path to salvation lies within.

Gu Zheng tricked a fool into sending her into the game, planning to live it up, do whatever she pleased, and enjoy herself.

As for her promise to save the world, that sort of thing is just something you say. Why take it seriously?

But the game is even more complicated than Gu Zheng imagined. Secrets are wrapped in secrets, malice hides cruelty, people's hearts are unfathomable, and the struggle over the true lineage is fraught with danger at every turn.

There is bad, but there is good, too. She gains an immortal opportunity and grows stronger, travels freely with her companions, explores far and wide, helps some lonely old folks along the way, rescues a woman fleeing an arranged marriage, gets rid of useless scum, and saves the world...

Wait, did something sneak in there?

Gu Zheng stares at the world's core in her hand, stunned.

How did she actually end up saving the world without even realizing it?

The players who survived the later stages of Kyushu thought they were already incredibly lucky: they had gotten an activation code and entered the game, survived, found an immortal opportunity, and grown powerful. Even back in the real world, they could look down on everyone else.

They were practically chosen ones, unbelievably impressive.

After the game shut down, the players looked back on their past adventures and were surprised to find the same name appearing in the records of every major event: changing dynasties, contending for the true lineage, driving out evil spirits. That name even took up an unusually large share of the records!

She led the charge in changing dynasties, fought on the front lines for the true lineage, and was first to drive out evil spirits, making her name known far and wide.

The players were baffled. Who exactly was this Gu Zheng?

Some said she had to be an NPC, others said she had to be a player using cheats, and still others claimed it was a conspiracy where an entire team had put one person's name on their work!

Before anyone could figure out the truth, the real world underwent a massive upheaval, too. The darkness that had shrouded it for so long began to recede, and people regained their freedom. Then a familiar name appeared before everyone's eyes.

People cheered at the sight of that name. Only the Kyushu players were utterly convinced: It was just a game, did she really have to be so intensely committed to saving the world?

Reader's guide:

1. The game is set in an ancient world, while reality is set in the future. The real world won't be described until later. This is my own take on the setting.

2. All-female cast, with mountains and mountains of original worldbuilding.

Preview:

----From Savior to Master Builder----

When the pressure of her studies became too much, Shi Le tried all sorts of ways to unwind and signed up for the beta test of a game called This Folder Name Is Tentative...

The opening date was undecided, the game's story was unknown, and the number of people who had signed up was one.

So much time passed after she signed up that Shi Le nearly forgot about it. Just as an out-of-control truck was about to hit her, a pop-up suddenly appeared in front of her.

?

[The beta test for This Folder Name Is Tentative... is starting~ Would you like to open the game automatically?]

On the verge of death, Shi Le inexplicably pressed confirm. She emerged unscathed from the accident scene, only to find herself in another world.

The "game world" was deserted, and the "game system" began assigning Shi Le quests.

Objective: Planet Prosperity 10,000

Reward: Turn back time to 24 hours before the accident

Shi Le, seeing that the planet's current prosperity was -100: Why don't you just send me straight back instead...?

Legend tells of a lonely planet wandering through the vastness of space and time. It exists apart from everything else and can appear anywhere, unaffected by time or space.

The planet's master is exceptionally kind and appears to help people in their hour of need, rescuing them from danger.

As their home was about to be destroyed, the people of Amika embraced one another in their final moments. Holding her younger sister's hand, Mido couldn't help thinking of that legend.

Meteorites turned the blue sky a fiery red. The heat flushed every pale face crimson. Her younger sister stifled her sobs as Mido held her close and shut her eyes to pray.

If... if the legend is real, Planet Master, please... save my sister... save my family...

The shockwave from the impact was about to wipe everything out. In terror, Mido opened her eyes and saw a tiny shape appear in the distant sky.

"Welcome here."

A voice in no known language rang out, and Mido miraculously understood it.

The legend had become reality. They should have been buried alongside their planet, but in another space-time, they were given a chance to survive.

Recruiting residents from other worlds / construction and development / everyday life among the residents

Theme: It is better to grow strong yourself than to rely on others. Only by becoming stronger can you face hardship without fear.