PCJ – Chapter 742 The Real World

However, the players of Immortal Dreamscape were not about to let the matter rest. They believed that in real life, people already had to endure enough inequality due to differences of birth. Now, even inside the game, they still had to suffer this same torment of being “unequal from birth.” This was extremely unfair. Some players with strong organizational skills used the internet to rally most of the Immortal Dreamscape players together, preparing to stage a collective protest against the game, demanding that Immortal Dreamscape change its settings and maintain a fair gaming environment. This group called itself the Dream Alliance.

Chang Zheng was one of the main organizers of the Dream Alliance, claiming the title of its leader. He was also a very well-known professional gamer. When he first entered Immortal Dreamscape, he had not realized the game had such a setting. He was very satisfied with the game at first. At the game’s launch, he went all in, wagering a million to buy the most luxurious game pod. But once inside, he discovered that his spiritual root was actually inferior, which basically meant he had no talent for cultivation at all. It was infuriating.

After asking around, he learned that there were multiple grades of spiritual roots: inferior, lower, middle, upper. His was the worst, the inferior root. If he had known that there were also supreme roots, even heavenly roots above that, he probably would have gone mad on the spot.

Among the people Chang Zheng knew, only one had a middle-grade root. Most of the others had lower-grade roots, and as for inferior root—he was the only one.

“This is way too unfair! From the very start of the game, the gap between players is already set. With things like this, the huge amount of money I invested is bound to be completely wasted!” Chang Zheng was fuming. Many others shared his frustration with this system. He wanted to gather all these dissatisfied players and stage a protest against Meishan Group, forcing them to change the setting.

But surprisingly, Meishan Group seemed unwilling to compromise with players at all. They were willing to refund purchases, but absolutely refused to alter the settings.

Thus, Chang Zheng felt compelled to rally even more people to petition Meishan Group, hoping that by increasing the pressure, Immortal Dreamscape would be forced to change. What he did not realize was that Meishan Group had never intended to make money off this game in the first place—they had a far more important agenda.

Because of the Dream Alliance’s growing influence, Meishan Group eventually had to agree to a dialogue with its representatives.

Chang Zheng and several other core members of the Dream Alliance appeared in the conference room of the Dreamscape Tower as representatives of the game’s player base.

Zhang Jiaohua, representing the Bijiang municipal government, was also present.

“Immortal Dreamscape is the finest game in the world. Technologically, it is a revolutionary breakthrough. Its design is near perfect. Especially in terms of experience, it’s absolutely peerless. But in one aspect—the spiritual root setting—it has made a fatal mistake. A game’s vitality depends on its balance. Spiritual root is the most important attribute in an immortal cultivation game. Yet right from the beginning, players face a massive disparity. Some get upper-grade roots, while others get inferior ones. This is utterly unfair. The reason we’re sitting here is because of our love for this game. We only hope it can be made even better,” Chang Zheng said passionately.

Ji Jiaxin glanced at Zhang Jiaohua, then turned to Chang Zheng: “A real world has no such thing as perfection. What we want to build is a real cultivation world. We have a scientific system for determining each person’s spiritual root. No matter how many times you test it, the result will always be the same. This is Immortal Dreamscape’s unique feature. Although many players may not understand it now, I believe one day they will. Just like in real life—you cannot choose your birth, but you can change your fate. Immortal Dreamscape gives players countless possibilities. They can choose paths suited to their conditions. This is a game with no strategies to follow, so the idea of fairness doesn’t apply. For example, there are many unique treasures in the game, each a one-of-a-kind item. Only someone with extraordinary luck can obtain them. Does that count as unfair? I hope players will treat Immortal Dreamscape as a real world, not just a game to be ‘min-maxed’ with guides.”

Another representative, Ge Weijian, also a professional gamer, stood up and asked: “So, President Ji, what you mean is that Immortal Dreamscape’s settings will never be changed?”

Ji Jiaxin nodded. “I’m sorry, but there’s absolutely no possibility of changing them. If any player feels the settings are unreasonable and wants to return their equipment, Immortal Dreamscape will offer a full refund, including covering shipping costs.”

Chang Zheng and Ge Weijian exchanged glances, both seeing shock in the other’s eyes. Before coming here, they had never imagined Meishan Group would take such an uncompromising stance.

“President Ji, I think you know that we represent hundreds of thousands of Immortal Dreamscape players. Right now the game only has that many online. If our Dream Alliance calls for a boycott, I believe it will be a fatal blow to this game. Why is Immortal Dreamscape being so unfeeling?” Chang Zheng pressed.

Mute (Yaba) answered instead: “Why? Because our vision is to create a more realistic world. In real life, many people resent their birth. They often ask, ‘Why wasn’t I born into a wealthy family? Why didn’t I come into this world with a golden spoon in my mouth?’ But the world simply is that way. You can’t choose your birth—but you can change your fate. Immortal Dreamscape is a world of endless possibilities. If you try to ‘game’ it with your old strategies, I think you’ll just end up battered and broken.”

“You’re doing this—aren’t you afraid that the enormous sums you’ve spent on developing such an incredible game will be wasted?” Chang Zheng asked in confusion.

Ji Jiaxin smiled. “Do you really think Meishan Group is afraid of losses?”

Chang Zheng and the others had no answer. Every company in the world fears losses—except Meishan Group. And they realized that even with such an apparently foolish setting, this game likely wouldn’t lose money. Once more and more people experienced the wonders of Immortal Dreamscape’s world, they wouldn’t be able to quit. Just like themselves—if they really clashed with Meishan Group, would they truly be able to give up this game?

The meeting ended on bad terms. Meishan Group published the entire dialogue unedited on their website, while the Dream Alliance members left dejected and disappointed. They had to think hard: should they keep exploring in Immortal Dreamscape, or should they quit? It seemed to be a dilemma with no easy answer.

“Zhang Jiaohua, aren’t we being a little too domineering here? Can we really afford to ignore the players’ feelings?” Ji Jiaxin asked with some concern.

“What’s there to worry about? The purpose of this game was never to make money. What we lack isn’t cash, but a chance for rapid development. What we need are geniuses. And for the sake of geniuses—we are willing to spare no cost,” Zhang Jiaohua replied.