Chapter 15: Evaluation and Assessment

“This game is insane!”
“Paying 4,999 just to reserve it, that’s one thing, but this assessment test? You die once and it costs 198 to revive. Did the game company used to be robbers or something?”
“Definitely true! They claim the game is 100% immersive, but that’s a lie. They won’t actually let us enter the game. The company just intends to make money by selling this assessment test.”
“That can’t be right. I heard that Luo Wuzhang, the Sword Sage of Pilgrimage, is playing it.”
“I also think there must be something special about this game, otherwise Luo Wuzhang wouldn’t bother with it. But the developers are way too confident. It’s just an assessment test, yet they charge 198 for every failure. Who would be foolish enough to spend money on a test that’s not even a real game?”
“You guys are making a big fuss over nothing. It’s just a test—why would you even need to revive? Isn’t it supposed to be a one-and-done challenge? You can’t even pass it once?”
“Hahaha, finally my chance to show my skills! I’ve been focused on game testing for thirty years. Brothers, see you in the game!”
“Who needs someone to help with the assessment? No need to pay 198, I’ll do it for 98. Contact me if you’re interested!”
...
As the announcement of the arrival of High Martial Arts was released, in less than twenty seconds, over a thousand comments flooded in below, turning the game review section into a bustling forum filled with all sorts of discussions.
“What a bunch of bored people.”
Luo Wuzhang glanced at the comments on her phone, then turned it off and looked over at Zhang Qingwei beside her.
“Qingwei, this High Martial Arts is truly a masterpiece. Even if the guild leader doesn’t believe me, how can you still doubt it?”
“I believe what Sister Luo says, of course. The guild leader trusts you too; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent Zhao Hu to investigate High Martial Arts in detail.”
In the elevator, Zhang Qingwei, dressed in a white blouse and black skirt, wearing black-rimmed glasses, her long black hair cascading down to her waist, exuded intellect in every movement. She flipped through the reviews of High Martial Arts and smiled as she replied.
“You must understand, Zhao Hu has been overseeing those three new games nonstop, always darting between them, trying to gain an edge. After all, we’re not the only guild in Pilgrimage looking for a new game to settle on.”
“I heard Zhao Hu mention a few days ago that he’s seen many familiar faces among those three new games. The fact that the guild leader is willing to let Zhao Hu investigate High Martial Arts means a big decision has been made.”
“Familiar faces in all three new games?” Luo Wuzhang’s usually indifferent expression showed a hint of surprise. “Is competition really this fierce now?”
Though Zhao Hu and she didn’t see eye to eye, as the Fist Saint of Pilgrimage and a core leader of Tianwei, those familiar faces Zhao Hu recognizes are likely only the Saintly Existences and high-ranking members of the major guilds.

Of course, otherwise, why do you think your temporary recommendation was accepted by the guild leader without hesitation at the review meeting? Zhang Qingwei shook her head as she looked at Luo Wuzhang. “As for High Martial Arts, I’ll arrange for some of the trainees still in training to assist you.”
“Qingwei, aren’t you going to play?” Luo Wuzhang looked at her with some anticipation.
Though Zhang Qingwei is the guild leader’s secretary, as an old companion from their early days in Pilgrimage, Luo Wuzhang knew well how formidable her skills and talents were.
If not for that car accident that injured her brain and damaged her reaction nerves, she might have become a Saint three years ago and not have switched midway to daily guild management, focusing on being the guild leader’s secretary.
“Me?” Zhang Qingwei was momentarily stunned; even her phone trembled slightly in her hand.
After a while, she sighed deeply, “I... better not. I’m no longer suited for this.”
Virtual games differ from the computer games of centuries past. They don’t require players to sit in front of screens; instead, electronic signals are transmitted directly to the brain, providing a more immersive and intuitive experience.
For those with disabilities or who are immobilized, virtual games offer the freedom to move freely, far surpassing the old computer screen games.
But for those whose brains have been injured, virtual games are less forgiving.
Since her accident, her neural response speed has significantly decreased. Playing ordinary games is fine and doesn’t affect her daily life, but in high-intensity combat, she simply can’t keep up.
“No, no, no!” Luo Wuzhang shook her head earnestly. “High Martial Arts is different. Though it’s a virtual game, the realism is unmatched by any other virtual game.”
“My control over my in-game body feels almost identical to reality. High Martial Arts must be using some new technology that might even solve your problem.”
“New technology?” Zhang Qingwei was moved, clutching her phone tighter.
Over the years, it would be a lie to say she had lost her edge. After all, she had played Pilgrimage seeking to compete with the world’s best.
Not for city walls, but for the killing sword!
“Qingwei, you really should give it a try,” Luo Wuzhang smiled. “Trying won’t cost you anything. If this new technology can solve your issue, you’d be gaining a lot.”
“All right, when I have time, I’ll give it a shot.” Though tempted, Zhang Qingwei, as the steward of the Tianwei guild, had too many responsibilities and could only spare limited time to play.
...

The sky was clear and the breeze gentle.
In a four-story villa within the upscale Tianya Pavilion community, Zhao Hu, towering over two meters tall, glared fiercely at several trusted aides standing before him.
“What did you say? Mythical Paradise is making a move!” Zhao Hu’s face darkened.
Mythical Paradise!
One of the five major guilds in Pilgrimage, even older than Tianwei in terms of establishment, having shone brilliantly in several legendary virtual martial arts games.
“Brother Zhao, it’s still the early days of the game. Mythical Paradise saw us focusing on three new games, so they gathered a large number of experts and moved into our most promising new game, Dragon Dynasty.”
“That’s right, Brother Zhao. Mythical Paradise is ruthless. They were discussing the new game with our guild leader just moments ago, and now they’re making a move against us. As soon as we got the news, we rushed over.”
“Brother Zhao, we need to gather the experts from the other two new games as well. It would be best if some elders and vice leaders join us. Only then can we hope to resist Mythical Paradise.”
Zhao Hu’s aides spoke anxiously in turns.
Dragon Dynasty was their most promising new game. If Mythical Paradise cleans them out there, it would be very difficult to catch up later.
“I understand. Prepare everything. I’ll log in immediately.”
Zhao Hu waved his hand, irritated, and returned to his room. He lay down in the virtual game pod, took several deep breaths, and then launched the latest game, High Martial Arts.
“Luo Wuzhang! If not for your foolishness, we could have passed the review today and devoted the guild’s full strength to Dragon Dynasty.”
“A game claiming 100% immersion? What a shameless lie!”
“Fine! Let me see what’s so difficult about this broken game!”
Without another word, Zhao Hu tapped to start the High Martial Arts assessment test.