Chapter 3: Closed Beta Qualification

Zhao Haiping couldn't help but admire how skillfully this game company played its marketing strategy. Compared to traditional methods, this approach really generated hype!

First, they spent a fortune to buy trending spots on all the top global websites, releasing a bizarre and absurd note. Then, when everyone was fervently discussing what it was all about and attention was at its peak, they released the official game site.

The attention this garnered was off the charts!

If they had stated from the start that this was just a game, it probably wouldn't have had the same promotional impact.

Of course, the closed beta recruitment announcement for this game was also filled with hype.

Claiming to be a "VR game with over 100% realism"?

Zhao Haiping's first reaction was disbelief.

Though VR technology in this world had developed well, it was still far from 100% realism, only reaching about 50% so far.

However, Zhao Haiping figured that since this mysterious game company could get every top news and social media site globally to advertise for it, it must have some serious backing.

It might even be the work of some top studio that had been quietly developing this technology for decades and finally made a breakthrough in consciousness-linking VR, resulting in this game.

That's quite plausible.

Unless, of course, aliens were behind it.

So, Zhao Haiping decided that he definitely had to try this game. Even if it didn't reach 100% realism, 70-80% would still put it far above any other VR game on the market.

He immediately clicked the [Reserve] button.

After clicking, a registration form popped up, but there was no need to fill out much. Logging into his account on the game platform would automatically retrieve his game data.

After successfully reserving, a message popped up saying that beta player slots would be drawn before the server went live at 10 PM tonight. Slots were limited, and early reservations didn't guarantee a spot. Selection probability depended heavily on prior VR gaming experience.

"So they're screening for players with better technical skills through previous VR gaming experience?

"That makes sense, I guess. Judging by the recruitment announcement, this seems like a hardcore, high-difficulty game. Closed beta players should definitely be veterans.

"With my thousands of hours of VR action game experience, I should have a chance of getting picked, right?"

Zhao Haiping felt a mix of anxiety and anticipation, but all he could do was wait patiently.

…

It was past 9 PM.

Zhao Haiping was still playing another VR game.

The so-called "刷片" (repeating a challenge) involved taking on a specific boss in a game and figuring out the perfect method to defeat it under certain rules. Posting the recorded gameplay was known as "posting a clip."

Thanks to advanced VR technology, players could easily record their gameplay and edit it from any perspective, without worrying about motion sickness from the first-person view.

In several VR action games, Zhao Haiping was seen as a pro player.

But tonight, despite trying several times, he was doing worse with each attempt.

The boss wasn't cooperating, pulling out tricky moves, and he kept making simple mistakes.

"No more! I can't concentrate at all!"

The thought of the upcoming VR game, touted as 100% realistic, left Zhao Haiping too restless to keep playing his usual favorites.

He checked the online discussions.

As expected, the launch of the *Dark Sands* website had only intensified the discussion around the "Order Restorer's Notes" topic.

And on every major game forum, discussion was exploding!

Most people didn't believe that *Dark Sands* would truly be a 100% realistic VR game, but players still eagerly clicked the reserve button, feeling conflicted yet excited as they awaited the game launch.

So far, people were guessing that *Dark Sands* was developed by a mysterious domestic company, given that the original *Order Restorer's Notes* content was in Chinese, and the game was based on Eastern historical themes.

Even some foreign users were coming up with conspiracy theories.

Meanwhile, domestic players were certain that the game's development wasn't by any of the big-name companies known for cash-grab games. None of them had the technology to pull this off, nor the patience – they'd brag to the world at the first hint of a tech breakthrough.

It had to be a low-profile, top-tier domestic studio that had achieved a significant breakthrough in consciousness-linking technology, bringing realism from around 50% to nearly 100%, hence this game's "dimensional descent" level of hype.

Of course, all of this was based on the assumption that the game actually existed.

Feeling anxious, Zhao Haiping clicked onto the *Dark Sands* website to check if he'd been selected for the closed beta.

"Congratulations! You have been selected as one of the first closed beta players for *Dark Sands*! Please log in at 10 PM sharp. Extended absence may result in revocation of your beta access."

Zhao Haiping punched the air in excitement.

"I got in!"

On the forums, however, others weren't so lucky.

It seemed the selection rate for the closed beta was very low. Most people saw a different message.

"We regret to inform you that you have not been selected for the closed beta. Please stay tuned as more beta slots will be available in the future!"

Zhao Haiping couldn't help but marvel that, for once, his luck was good.

Then again, maybe his thousands of hours of gameplay and several platinum trophies in VR games had boosted his odds.

No need to think about it further – it's game time!

He quickly washed up, changed into his pajamas, put on his VR headset, got comfortable in bed, and entered the world of *Dark Sands*.

…

A countdown to the official start of the beta appeared in his vision, surrounded by stunning effects reminiscent of a turbulent time-space vortex, as if preparing to traverse time itself.

He could faintly hear battle songs, filling him with excitement.

Soon, the countdown hit zero.

The dazzling time-space effects condensed, forming a whirlpool-like portal, which expanded as if to swallow Zhao Haiping's consciousness!

His vision went blank, and the faint melody abruptly stopped, as if time had frozen.

In reality, Zhao Haiping, lying in bed, had already drifted into a deep sleep.

Moments later, his vision returned.

He couldn't yet control his body but watched as countless images flashed before him, reminiscent of a movie intro.

Eventually, his perspective settled on a high-altitude view, soaring through layers of clouds to reveal the land of the Nine Provinces below.

Majestic mountains, rolling rivers flowing eastward to the sea.

A rich landscape unfolded before him as a deep female voice spoke beside his ear.

"The vast land of the Nine Provinces, where life thrives…"

This opening scene, Zhao Haiping had already seen on the official website.

But that was just a 2D version. Now it felt as if he were truly there, leaving him awestruck!

As the final line, "This is the mission of the Order Restorers," ended, clouds shrouded Zhao Haiping's vision once more.

When the mist cleared, he found himself in a special place.

It was a celestial palace floating in the sky, with misty surroundings that felt like an immortal's dwelling. Thick white pillars soared into the clouds, seemingly eternal.

Yet, the place felt somewhat desolate, with only one person present.

A handsome young man in modern attire sat at the center of the hall, looking utterly defeated.

In front of him were four shimmering screens, resembling portals to some kind of illusionary realm.

Zhao Haiping stepped forward and noticed a line of text above the young man's head: "The Mediocre Order Restorer Who Failed the Trials."

"This name…

"Is he the 'quitter NPC' of the game?"

An experienced gamer, Zhao Haiping vaguely guessed what was about to happen.

The young man looked handsome, though his expression was a bit gloomy.

Naturally, he didn't look exactly like Meng Yuan, as Meng Yuan had made Can Shang design this character.

The reason was simple: Meng Yuan couldn't reveal his real-world identity. If he and the game NPC looked identical and equally handsome, things would get complicated.

They had to be handsome in unique ways, so as not to arouse suspicion.

At this moment, the "quitter NPC" responded according to Meng Yuan's prior arrangement.

"Another Order Restorer here for the trials?

"Haha, how naive. You must not know the despair that awaits.

"Ah, once, I was as clueless as you.

"Take this – it's the key to the trial illusions. I'm handing this burden to you, so I can finally go back to living a normal life."

The "quitter NPC" extended a uniquely crafted jade pendant.

The pendant shone with rainbow colors, as if countless rays of light had converged into a swirling vortex – clearly not an ordinary item.

Zhao Haiping was momentarily stunned, then reached out to accept the pendant.

As he handed over the pendant, the "quitter NPC" showed a relieved but meaningful smile. "I hope that, after enduring countless deaths and despair in the trial illusions, you, too, find a next unlucky successor."

Then, his figure gradually faded, leaving Zhao Haiping alone in the vast hall.

"The start seems ordinary, simple, and straightforward. But…

"The beta recruitment announcement wasn't lying; this game is truly 100% realistic!"

Zhao Haiping was deeply impressed by everything he saw, heard, and felt.

To call it a game with over 100% realism might sound exaggerated, but it was somewhat fitting.

After all, the game depicted scenes that couldn't exist in reality!

Is there a floating palace like this in real life?

Earlier, Zhao Haiping had worried that his expectations for the game were

too high and that he'd be disappointed once he entered.

But now, it seemed the game far exceeded his imagination!

After the initial shock, Zhao Haiping looked forward even more eagerly to the formal gameplay.

He turned his attention to the four illusion portals before him.

Each portal displayed the following information:

[Assassin Trial: Slay the King]

[Scholar Trial: Establish a Legacy]

[Warrior Trial: The Path of Blood]

[Hero Trial: Justice in Action]

There was also a bold warning.

[Passing a trial grants you the right to choose the corresponding role. Once chosen, it cannot be changed. Your role will affect future combat abilities and progression. We recommend completing all four trials before making a final decision!]

Zhao Haiping pondered.

"So, there are roles in this game too? Assassin, Scholar, Warrior, Hero – does passing a corresponding trial unlock that role?

"Each trial must be different in nature.

"Hmm… I'll start with the Assassin trial."

After some thought, Zhao Haiping decided to try the Assassin trial first, planning to tackle the Warrior and Hero trials afterward.

The Scholar sounded like a support role, which didn't fit his preferences and expertise.

Anyway, the recommendation was to pass all trials before choosing a role.

He stepped toward the illusion portal, and his figure disappeared.