The long sword was as white as snow. Its owner, clad in gleaming silver armor, stood gracefully atop Black Flame Mountain. The woman's face was as flawless as porcelain, her star-like eyes brimming with mirth. Her gaze drifted to the man with the ordinary face, and she smiled, saying, “I never expected that it’s already been three years since the launch of ‘Eternal Radiance.’ Three years ago, my sword couldn’t break through your defensive blade technique, and three years later, my sword still can’t get even a hair’s breadth closer to your twin blades. William Carter! William Carter, it seems that in ‘Eternal Radiance,’ we’ll never be able to determine a winner between us.”

William Carter looked at the woman before him, whose aura was as pure as frost and snow, and smiled, “President Grace, you’re too modest. Against your attacks, all I can do is defend—by that alone, I’ve already lost. There’s no need to talk about winning or losing. From what you’re saying, it sounds like you’re planning to move on to ‘Skyward.’ In that case, I wish you everlasting glory, Grace.”

“Mhm. Aren’t you planning to enter ‘Skyward’? You know, three days from now, ‘Skyward’ will launch, and all other games will be shutting down tomorrow.”

“Yeah! Boss, aren’t you coming? We’re still waiting to level up with you!” The whole time, a strikingly handsome mage in black robes and a rugged, gold-armored knight had been standing to the side. Now they rushed over, grabbing William Carter and bombarding him with questions.

Looking at the two disciples he had personally mentored from low levels, and the stunning woman he’d dueled for three years, a soft spot deep in William Carter’s heart was touched. He sighed, “Alright. If we meet again in ‘Skyward,’ Grace, let’s settle things then.”

With that, he didn’t linger any longer. William Carter’s figure blurred and finally vanished.

“Damn, Boss is a real man! Before leaving, he only said goodbye to Grace.” The two men shouted, crushed their return scrolls, and three beams of white light flashed atop Black Flame Mountain...

...

“Ding dong...”

The clock struck midnight. William Smith woke up from light sleep right on time, took off his gaming helmet, and looked around the room in a daze. Just moments ago, he’d been atop the windswept Black Flame Mountain, the taste of scorching black flames still lingering on his lips. Now, he was back in reality.

It was still the same 15-square-meter government-subsidized apartment, with the most basic amenities. But to William Smith, he was already very satisfied. William Smith was an orphan, and he felt fortunate to live in the year 2208. In the 23rd century, even orphans and the disabled received comprehensive government support, so no one was left unclothed or homeless.

This 15-square-meter government apartment had all the daily necessities, furniture, and appliances. William Smith had always been someone who knew how to be grateful. In his mind, it was a blessing from above that, twenty years ago, Old Man Fu from next door had found him in a garbage heap, helped him apply for government aid, and raised him. When he turned sixteen, he was able to receive an apartment like this. Whenever William Smith thought of these things, he felt that one should be content and grateful.

But as William Smith’s gaze inadvertently swept across the table, he noticed four neatly carved characters in the upper right corner: 求不得苦 (“the suffering of unfulfilled desire”).

“The suffering of unfulfilled desire...” William Smith murmured, a bitter smile appearing on his ordinary face. The Buddha spoke of eight sufferings: the suffering of life, the suffering of separation from loved ones, and for him, the suffering of unfulfilled desire.

“I’m sorry, Elder, Hunter Carter, and Emma Carter... I won’t be able to see you again.” In William Smith’s mind, the images of his two closest friends from ‘Eternal Radiance’ and that stunning woman surfaced.

Heaven has always been fair.

With every gain comes a loss. Some people, in pursuit of power, flatter and fawn, losing their true selves; some, for wealth, are opportunistic and profit-driven, losing genuine feelings; some are prodigies, brimming with talent, but as heaven grants them gifts, it also makes their flaws obvious.

Perhaps William Smith was just such a heaven-gifted genius—a genius at games.

Three years ago, when the blockbuster game ‘Eternal Radiance’ was released, William Smith, like countless other players in Huaxia, entered the game with great enthusiasm. On the very first day of official launch, William Smith’s gaming talent was immediately apparent: his precise mastery of skills, his superb movement in combat, and his uncanny sense for hidden quests all seemed innate, instantly setting him apart from ordinary players.

But sudden happiness, like a comedy in life, was fleeting. It lasted only four hours before William Smith felt as if his head was about to split open and had to log out. The same thing happened for several days, forcing William Smith to seek medical help. The final diagnosis left the 17-year-old utterly devastated.

Despite his unparalleled gaming talent, William Smith’s mental power was only 5—not 50, not 500, but a mere 5 points, equivalent to that of an ordinary infant.