Insufficient balance

  July 1st, 2022, a scorching summer morning, in the capital city of China.

  "Welcome to the world of 'Rebirth', 35 minutes left until the game's public test."

  Helplessly exiting the game cabin, continuing to browse the official website, searching for some useful information.

  For a long-term unemployed man who has been staying at home, Feng Xiao can no longer remember how many online games he has played, but none of them have ever made him look forward to it like this. Except for the unprecedented features of "Rebirth", there is also the prophecy that is accurate to the point of being eerie and a mission that cannot be clearly stated.

  "Rebirth" is a virtual technology online game, its emergence was very sudden. A year ago, more than 30 countries around the world suddenly started promoting the game "Rebirth" without warning, and the intensity of the promotion was unprecedented. Television, internet, magazines, billboards, buses, even roadside utility poles and public toilets - almost every place where people appeared had a presence of "Rebirth".

  What's even more shocking is that the promoters are actually the governments of various countries. Shortly after, the governments dropped another bombshell: the writer and developer of the game was "Jade", which pushed "Rebirth" to the forefront. The game hasn't even started yet, but its popularity has already reached an astonishing level.

  What? You don't know "Jingluo"? Let me ask you seriously: Are you an earthling?

  In the 23rd century, when the global network coverage rate reaches 99%, almost all communication, information, life, transportation, and military affairs will depend on the network for existence. If someone can force a country's network to be paralyzed, then he will be an absolutely terrifying existence.

  "Jingluo" is just such an existence.

  "Jingluo" appeared in the online world 20 years ago, and no one knows how she emerged. Some people speculate that she is a "spirit" generated by the over-intellectualization of the network system, while others say she is an order manager automatically generated by the online world. However, one thing is certain: she is a god in the network, an all-powerful god. In the network, she can turn her hand into clouds and cover her hand with rain, easily controlling and changing any area of the online world.

  "The appearance of 'Jingluo' has led the people of the world from astonishment, to vigilance, then to welcome, and finally evolved into ardent worship and respect. Because her emergence can be said to have thoroughly purged the internet world of its filth, most importantly, she played a crucial role in maintaining world peace."

  In 2188, the United States gathered more than 200 hacker elites to maliciously attack the military secret system of Huaxia. At that time, the image of "Jingjing" first appeared in the online world: white sand covered her body, and her face was also lightly veiled, making it impossible to see her face. On the display screen, she warned all malicious attackers, but after failing to do so, she instantly killed the IP addresses of more than 200 people and published some secrets of the United States on the internet as a warning.

  In 2190, the island nation of Dongyue launched a military strike against a small country in East Asia on a non-existent pretext. "Jingluo" appeared to warn them, but Dongyue pretended to obey while secretly disobeying. In a fit of anger, "Jingluo" paralyzed the entire network of Dongyue, forcing it to stop its actions and apologize. The 20-hour network paralysis caused by Dongyue led to a three-year stagnation of the national economy.

  In 2194...

  In the year 2195...

  …………

  In the 23rd century, you may not know who the President of the United States is, you may not know that snails move slower than turtles, but you cannot not know the name "Jiang Ziya", because she is a person respected by people all over the world, and is a true idol for all.

  The game written by her is enough to make people all over the world look forward to it.

  According to official propaganda, "Rebirth" mainly has the following features:

  1. "Rebirth" is a simulated reality online game developed and written by "Jingluo", with a virtual degree that can reach an unprecedented 99%. It can accommodate 100 billion players online at the same time without lagging. The game is fully authorized by Feitian Group, World Online Game Union, which provides hardware and equipment support as well as currency system formulation and control.

  2. "Reincarnation" adheres to the principles of fairness and justice, transferring all data and permissions to the intelligent host "Feitian" for control, eliminating any GM or external influences. The "Feitian" system was also personally established by "Jingluo", and after the game is launched, no one can manage or modify the game data, and all changes or updates are personally executed by "Jingluo".

  3. "Rebirth" is the first online game to receive national support and assistance. Furthermore, Feitian Group has negotiated with the world's top ten banks to decide that after the game starts, it will open up the exchange business of in-game currency and real-world currency at an appropriate time, with a unified exchange rate worldwide of 1 RMB: 1 gold coin.

  4. The gaming equipment is divided into portable gaming helmets and portable gaming cabins. The global uniform price of the gaming helmet is 100 RMB, and the price of the gaming cabin is 1 million RMB. The gaming cabin can be folded into a normal suitcase size for easy carrying, and it can also inject nutritional fluids into the player's body during the game to prevent fatigue and hunger, allowing players to play continuously for up to a month.

  5. The game will start selling gaming devices on June 1, 2209, with a limit of one device per person, which will be bound to the user's identity. The game will undergo global public testing at 8:00 AM on July 1, 2209.

  So, the emergence of "Rebirth" has driven the world crazy. Meanwhile, some far-sighted online game companies in the world have gradually reduced their investment in online games and started to develop in other directions - preparing to compete with "Rebirth"? Isn't this ridiculous?

  One month ago, countries around the world began to simultaneously release gaming devices. In China, sales of gaming equipment started in retail stores across the country. Despite being prepared, the explosive popularity still left everyone speechless. Within just three days, 100 million gaming headsets and 10,000 gaming cabins were sold out. As of June 30th, over 500 million gaming devices had been sold in China, with a staggering total exceeding one-third of the country's population. This number continues to grow, with almost every person owning a gaming device except for the elderly and young children. The explosive situation is no less intense in other countries. After all, who would hesitate to spend 100 RMB to experience this revolutionary game?

  At 7:55 on July 22, 2009, with only five minutes left before the public test, Feng Xiao had already eagerly entered the game cabin. The early bird gets the worm, and who knows, maybe there are rewards for the first few players to enter the game. Feng Xiao was playing "Rebirth" with the goal of becoming the number one player, so he would try his best to take advantage of any possible beneficial factors.

  "Welcome to the world of 'Rebirth'. The game's public test is only 5 minutes away, please wait patiently."

  "Please wait patiently."

  "Please wait patiently."

  …………

  …………

  “10…9…8…7……2…1…0”

  Feng Xiao only felt a flash of white light in front of his eyes, and he had already appeared in a strange void space. The space was filled with various shapes of glowing bodies, colorful rays of light crisscrossing in the void, flashing and spinning wildly, piercing through the deepest part of his soul, making him feel extremely comfortable all over his body. At the same time, a beautiful prompt sound came from beside his ear:

  "Welcome to the world of 'Reincarnation'. As this is your first time entering the game, an identity scan will be performed. Please wait..."

  At the same time...

  In the heart of Huaxia's capital, stands the tallest building in all of Huaxia, the Yan Huang Tower. It is the largest commercial and entertainment center in the entire city, and a haven for countless wealthy individuals. However, very few people know that the top floor of this magnificent structure, which represents the prosperity of Huaxia, is actually a cozy study filled with ancient charm. This is because it is almost off-limits to everyone, and fewer than ten people in all of Huaxia are qualified to enter this room.

  "Director, 'Rebirth' has been in global synchronized public testing for 10 minutes now. Everything is going as expected, with no unexpected events occurring. However, it's predicted that the entertainment industry will be impacted for a long time to come, but it won't be fatal."

  The owner of the voice was slightly older in appearance, but his voice remained steady and powerful, with a full tone, and at this time he was bowing his head to report the situation to the man in front of him.

  In front of the bookroom's bay window, a middle-aged man with a sword-like brow and starry eyes stood upright. His eyebrows were slightly furrowed, with a hint of melancholy, but he couldn't conceal his overbearing aura as a superior being. At this moment, he was gazing down at the prosperity of the capital city with an air of superiority.

  "Wang Bo, still call me Young Master as before. Changing the title makes us seem like strangers." Long Wei turned around and said with a smile. This kind old man had taken care of his daily life since he was a child, until he became the youngest head of state in Huaxia's history, and now has no wife or children. He dedicated his life to the Long family.

  "Yes, young master." The old man responded with some excitement.

  "Master, will her method really work?"

  "Maybe so, it seems like the best solution for now. At least no one will die in the game. Besides, do we have a choice?"

  “……”

  "The gradual rise of the Huaxia nation has long caused panic among some countries with ulterior motives, and the Taiwan issue is just an excuse for them. The meeting of heads of state last year was exactly the opportunity for them to join forces to suppress Huaxia. If it weren't for 'Jade Rabbit' suddenly appearing on the conference hall screen at that time, our Huaxia nation would probably have been the target of those countries by now."

  "This time, 'Linglong' is helping us?"

  Long Wei fell silent for a moment before speaking, "In the past, Ye Huang Tian's blood washed over Dongying, shocking the entire world. However, it also left behind a handle for Dongying Country to grasp. After all, this matter was known to everyone. At last year's conference, old affairs were brought up again, and under the deliberate instigation of certain individuals, the issue was pushed to the height of 'world enemy' and 'anti-humanity'. At that time, we were indeed at an absolute disadvantage. This time, it is true that 'Jingluo' helped us temporarily resolve the crisis."

  "Master, you can't blame Ye Huangtian for that matter either, after all..."

  "I understand," Long Wei interrupted Wang Bo's words, saying with a sigh: "If I didn't have the mission of shouldering the safety of China, I'm afraid I would have killed more than him... After all, it was my son who died... The Long family has also been cut off from my generation..."

  Long Wei's body trembled, although it had been more than 20 years since the incident, but every time he remembered, the bone-piercing hatred still made him lose control for a moment.

  "Master..."

  "Alright, Wang Bo, you can withdraw first, we have guests arriving." The years of tempered willpower allowed him to quickly regain his composure.

  "Yes, young master." Wang Bo turned around and left the study.

  The moment the door closed, a figure appeared in front of Long Wei like a ghost. It was a woman with a black veil covering her face, wearing a tight black dress that accentuated her fiery figure to perfection. Although it was impossible to see her face or age, it didn't diminish her enchanting demeanor at all. The woman chuckled: "Uncle Long, you can sense my presence so quickly, your skills are almost as good as Uncle Ye's."

  Long Wei burst out laughing: "Little girl, stop flattering me. Even if I had a hundred lives, I wouldn't be a match for that pervert. How about it? Have you seen the person you wanted to see?"

  "Yes, but I still won't tell you who he is. Hehe~~ Now I'm here to bid farewell to Uncle Long, and it'll be a long time before I see Uncle Long again." The girl's voice was naturally charming, and even in front of the most powerful leader of Huaxia, she didn't show any tension or awkwardness.

  "Alright, Xiao Yaotou you can go now. Xiaotian and Xiaobing are already waiting for you. Just now Xiaotian was still complaining to me, but I told him it's your Uncle Ye's decision, and he immediately became obedient and didn't say another word, haha."

  "My younger brother waited for 'Rebirth' for a whole year, and on the day of the public test, he was taken away for special training. If he didn't cry bitterly, I would be surprised."

  "Goodbye, Uncle Long. Xiaoying will never let you down..."

  The moving figure disappeared into the study, leaving behind Long Wei with a strange expression on his face.

  The paramount leader of the Chinese nation, revered by hundreds of millions of people, Long Wei, couldn't help but wipe away non-existent cold sweat from his forehead: "Huh, finally got rid of this devil woman...but I wonder which poor kid is unlucky enough to have caught her eye."

  In the unknown space, a lone girl wrapped in white gauze floated freely in a world of colorful splendor. After a long while, the girl let out a soft sigh: "Five thousand years have passed... my mission is about to be completed... will the person from the prophecy really appear?"