Chapter 110: Sweeping the Globe (Including Release Announcement)

On December 15th, five million virtual machines sold out across the global market. Naturally, those who obtained one first couldn’t resist showing off. These virtual machines were far from cheap. Except in China, where the price was just under two thousand US dollars, in every other region worldwide, the price never dipped below twenty thousand dollars.

What does twenty thousand dollars mean? The average GDP per capita in the United States was barely over fifty thousand dollars. Even Qatar, the country with the highest GDP per capita, was just past the hundred-thousand-dollar mark. Now a single virtual machine sold for twenty thousand dollars, with prices in many regions soaring to thirty, forty, even fifty thousand dollars.

It’s easy to imagine how expensive these virtual machines were. Even for wealthy, high-income countries, the price was staggering. After a year's work and all expenses, there wasn’t much money left over. Given the lifestyle and consumption habits of Europeans and Americans, it was uncertain whether one could save enough in a year to afford a virtual machine.

Five million consumers worldwide had spent a fortune to acquire these devices. Naturally, social media platforms, friend circles, and chat apps buzzed with reviews and comments, with nearly every post about the virtual machine making readers yearn to own one immediately.

“Haha, did you all see this? This is my brand-new virtual machine—white, watch-style, exquisitely compact. I’m snapping this picture with my phone, which I’m about to toss in the trash. This message is the last one it’ll ever send.”

“I’ve switched to the virtual machine now. It feels absolutely amazing. Have you noticed? I can respond to every message instantly. As soon as a message appears, it transmits directly to my brain. A single thought, and I reply instantly.”

On an international social platform, messages like these sparked countless comments and likes. People truly experienced the terrifying power of the virtual machine. Replies to comments came in an instant—sometimes as soon as you finished typing, you’d get a response. Chatting with friends who had virtual machines felt almost like talking to a robot.

“Virtual machine, sob, sob... I regret it so much. My roommate invited me to order one together, but I hesitated for just a moment. Soon after, the waiting list surged beyond ten million. Now I watch my roommate lie in bed playing games with us, transforming from a novice to a pro overnight. Who can understand this feeling?”

While some flaunted their devices, others lamented online.

“Bro, being at ten million on the list isn’t bad. You’re probably just two batches away. I’m at over fifty million and have no idea when I’ll get one. I’m willing to pay 10,000 Huabi to trade spots with you.”

“10,000 Huabi? Are you kidding? The price for a spot before ten million has already shot up to 30,000 Huabi. Don’t be naive. Bro, I’ll offer 30,000 to swap with you. I’m around 20 million in line.”

“I’ll pay 100,000! Sob, even with money, I can’t buy a virtual machine now. I can only watch my roommate, who’s a total loser, win over girls with his virtual machine. I thought having money would guarantee a virtual machine, but now I’m past the 100 million mark on the list. I’m so bitter. Bro, 100,000—please help me swap spots.”

“Not having a virtual machine makes it embarrassing to go out. When I meet girls, they look down on me holding just a regular phone. Life’s unbearable.”

Some wealthy individuals cried and begged online, desperate to pay tens of thousands for a chance to get their virtual machine sooner, feeling ashamed to meet friends or socialize without one.

“No way I’m selling my spot. No matter the price, it’s not for sale. Heh heh!”

The poster left a smug smile, enjoying the cries and pleas from others.

---

In a student dormitory at a university in Imperial Capital, China, Zhang Lei and Li Qiang’s room was packed with people. Both wore virtual machines on their wrists, chatting happily while playing games with classmates. Nearby, three others were intently operating their phones with meticulous focus.

“Haha, another win! Playing games with a virtual machine feels incredible. Watch my Li Bai dominate the battlefield!”

Soon the game ended, and Zhang Lei grinned proudly. The two got their virtual machines early by participating in the initial release, making them among the first on Earth to own one.

“Damn, this game’s no fun anymore. You two keep showing off nonstop. We three might as well AFK.”

“Exactly, it’s so unfair. I used to think you playing Li Bai was impressive, but now everyone’s a pro. It’s just not right. Let me borrow your virtual machine.”

The others put away their phones, complaining. Winning usually brought joy, but facing a team led by virtual machine users took the fun out of it. Even killing opponents was a struggle, and not always guaranteed.

“Xiao Qiang, Shi Tou, come quick! Our team’s been going head-to-head with another team and lost several matches. Turns out they have virtual machine users. You two need to come save us.”

Someone hurriedly came to find Zhang Lei and Li Qiang. Having a virtual machine gave such an overwhelming advantage that even novices quickly turned into pros. Whenever a virtual machine player joined, matches skewed heavily in their favor.

---

On a major Chinese livestreaming platform, broadcasts of the popular game “King's Glory” remained wildly popular. Many top-tier players streamed on this platform, drawing large audiences.

“Damn, this Diao Chan player is slicker than me. She stole my first blood. Am I really going to lose my title as China’s best Diao Chan? I refuse to believe anyone can outplay me.”

Hai Shi was streaming, playing his signature hero, Diao Chan. He expected an easy victory but met an opponent playing the same hero who took first blood against him in mid-lane.

“Uncle can tolerate it, but auntie cannot. Diao Chan on the opposing side is coming mid to solo me.”

Hai Shi typed, directly challenging the opposing Diao Chan.

“No problem, today I’ll show you what Diao Chan’s really about.”

“Whoa, their typing speed is insane—instant replies! And they’re so arrogant, saying they’ll teach me how to play Diao Chan. I can’t take this.”

---

As Hai Shi interacted with viewers, he returned to mid-lane to duel the opposing Diao Chan. Minutes later, he was forced back to base again, utterly stunned.

“Bro... what’s going on? My Diao Chan just got soloed twice in mid. I’m speechless. Did I suddenly get worse overnight?”

Hai Shi was dumbfounded. Diao Chan was his signature hero, one he dominated even against top-tier pro players. Yet today, he was utterly crushed.

“Don’t be stupid, Hai. It’s not that you got worse. The opponent’s using a virtual machine. With one, they can achieve perfect control. No matter how fast your fingers are, they can’t be faster than thought.”

A knowledgeable viewer immediately commented.

“Whoa, virtual machine? No wonder I’ve noticed so many pros lately. I want to get one too. Anyone selling a virtual machine, hit me up with your price. Looks like without one, you can’t survive in livestreaming anymore.”

Hai Shi suddenly understood. He had heard of virtual machines but never believed they were as miraculous as rumored. Now, after being crushed, he realized just how terrifying they were.

---

Suddenly, global fashion underwent a seismic shift. From politicians and celebrities to popular influencers, from major websites and social communities to casual gatherings, from offices to gaming circles, nearly everyone went wild over virtual machines. Conversations everywhere centered on these devices, which swept the world like a storm.

Their exorbitant prices couldn’t stop the craze. The millions who owned virtual machines became the best promoters, constantly sharing their experiences of this revolutionary technology. Countless skeptics turned into die-hard fans after trying one. Wealthy elites paid multiples, even ten times the price, to buy used virtual machines.

Over fifty million virtual machines had already sold through pre-orders at experience stores worldwide. Yet every day, people still lined up and paid in advance, waiting patiently for their device, because paying early meant getting one sooner. Without prepayment, even money couldn’t guarantee a virtual machine.

News media globally covered the phenomenon enthusiastically. Headlines daily focused on virtual machines: a Middle Eastern tycoon paying a million dollars for a secondhand device, how virtual machines were transforming the world and reshaping traditional work and creativity, a famous footballer streaming live while playing, or rampant robberies targeting virtual machines in certain countries.

With the advent of virtual machines—technology that directly connected the brain to the internet—the world was undergoing unprecedented upheaval. And this was only the beginning. These devices heralded the arrival of a fully virtual world, a new reality emerging on the horizon.

P.S.: Official launch on January 1st, with a big release event. Dear readers, please support Old Niu! He’s got a family to support, and whether Little Niu gets a meal depends on all your support!