Did the Top-Ranked Girl Get Exposed Today? [HoloVerse] - Chapter 6

Behind Taoyuan Village, a stream cut through the peach grove.

The crystal-clear water, dotted with floating petals, rippled gently as schools of fish nibbled at the fallen blossoms, stirring tiny waves.

Feng Xiaoxiao helped Tao Niang bury Li Zhu and Granny in the woods.

Two tombstones stood among the trees, one inscribed “Beloved Tao Yue’s Grave”, the other “Beloved Chen Xiaguang’s Grave.”

Under a crescent moon sharp as a blade, two souls rested peacefully beneath the blossoms, along with Tao Niang’s past.

“I want to become a healer.”

Tao Niang stood with her back to Feng Xiaoxiao, who leaned against a tree. Her figure looked especially frail in the wind, like a white butterfly about to be carried away, yet a newfound strength kept her rooted in place.

“I’ve heard the Healer’s Realm Sect’s spring recruitment is about to begin. I want to give it a try.”

“The path ahead is long and fraught with danger, are you certain?”

Instead of answering, Tao Niang spoke of something unrelated: “The spring scenery in Taoyuan has always been exceptionally beautiful.”

“Yes. Peach blossoms blanket the fields like snow, a rare sight in this world. It would be a pity to miss it.”

“Such beauty… I want more people trapped in suffering to see it. And I want to… never again let spring pass me by.”

Feng Xiaoxiao untied the soft sword from her waist and handed it to Tao Niang. “Since you’ve made up your mind, take this with you on your journey.”

When Tao Niang hesitated to accept it, Feng Xiaoxiao added after a moment’s thought, “The world is treacherous. It’s better to have a means of protection than to face it unarmed.”

Slender fingers wrapped around the hilt, the weight of the sword giving Tao Niang, for the first time, a sense of control over her own destiny.

Those who could protect her were gone. From now on, she would walk alone.

Tao Niang bowed solemnly to Feng Xiaoxiao. “Such kindness is beyond words. If there is ever anything I can do to assist you in the future, I will brave any danger without hesitation!”

“Might I ask your name, miss?”

“…Xiaoxiao Yue.” Feng Xiaoxiao gave her gaming ID.

“You may call me Tao Zhiwu. Tao Niang is my childhood name.”

Tao Niang smiled, the first genuine, carefree smile Feng Xiaoxiao had seen from her since they met, as lovely as her name.

“Well then, farewell.” Feng Xiaoxiao tentatively waved.

“Farewell… Xiaoxiao.” Tao Zhiwu gripped the sword firmly and, without looking back under the moonlight, strode toward the unknown distance.

The road was long, but she pressed forward fearlessly, seeking the “life” that belonged to her.

Feng Xiaoxiao withdrew her gaze and turned back toward Taoyuan Village. While Tao Zhiwu would venture into the world, she too had her own destiny to seek.

[System Notification: You have lost “Peach Blossom Sword.”]

[System Notification: Congratulations on achieving the milestone “Peach Blossoms Herald Spring Again”: Tao Zhiwu no longer hides behind the shadows of those she once relied on but chooses to embark on a journey to seek “spring’s light” for herself and others afflicted by illness.]

[Congratulations on gaining a sworn friend in the martial world, Tao Zhiwu.]

[Congratulations on obtaining “Healing Bonus”: Healing effects received will be doubled, a token of gratitude from the future renowned healer Tao Zhiwu.]

Feng Xiaoxiao closed the interface and turned away, gradually distancing herself from Tao Zhiwu as she returned to Taoyuan Village. The sky was growing light, just as it had been when she first arrived. The villagers continued to till the fields and live their lives as usual.

No one wondered where the frail woman who once lived in the village had gone. Most merely offered friendly smiles as Feng Xiaoxiao passed by.

These are merely single-dimensional NPCs in the “World” holographic universe, programmed to follow predetermined behavioral logic.

The game also features another type of NPC, indistinguishable from real humans, such as Gou Wen and Tao Zhiwu, who can engage in deeper interactions with players.

When players become entangled with them, it might be like a butterfly flapping its wings, diverting their predetermined fates from their tracks, thereby unlocking character-specific storylines and achieving unique endings.

Different players encounter varied NPCs and trigger diverse quests upon entering the game, much like different playthroughs of the same game, each yielding distinct outcomes.

The developers claim this design offers players a more authentic and diverse gaming experience. “Tianxia” advertising slogan is: “An unparalleled, true holographic world, embark on your one-of-a-kind journey.”

Just as Feng Xiaoxiao, in her past identity as Shang Xianyue, encountered Gou Wen in his youth, now Xiaoxiao Yue meets the fully matured and powerful “Gou Wen.”

In the storyline between Shang Xianyue and Gou Wen, Feng Xiaoxiao’s final achievement was, [Gou Wen’s Death].

She failed to help the young girl escape the Demon Sect, and from then on, Shang Xianyue’s world no longer had the snake-fearing, poison-skilled woman.

In the “Tianxia” that belongs to Xiaoxiao Yue, she encounters a figure eerily similar to a memory yet entirely unfamiliar.

[Gou Wen’s Death] also differs from the common positive buff achievements in “Tianxia.” Without Gou Wen’s blessing to neutralize it, it is an outright negative debuff.

[Gou Wen’s Death] hides the antidote within the poison, a choice between life and death ultimately grants you hope.

How could the world’s top master of medicine and poison fail to recognize the final ingredient? Live on with the antidote, and close the eyes that once gazed upon you.

Achievement Description: You become immune to all lethal poison damage, but other types of damage are doubled, and a continuous bleeding effect reduces your health (cannot be dispelled).

As for Tao Zhiwu, the quest Shang Xianyue’s account received regarding her was to erect a tombstone for the deceased Tao Niang.

But this time, upon restarting “Tianxia” she encountered Tao Niang still alive, thus altering her fate.

Feng Xiaoxiao pulled her thoughts back from the past. The Shang Xianyue account had been deleted; she was now beginning Xiaoxiao Yue’s “Tianxia”, another unique journey.

During her remaining time in Peach Blossom Village, Feng Xiaoxiao completed various beginner quests and successfully leveled up to 20, meeting the requirement to leave the starter village.

The village chief, with a kindly expression, handed her the external world map. On the ancient-style map, the icon for Peach Blossom Village was already lit up.

The projection of a nearby city slowly emerged, the bustling, prosperous Shengjing City.

Following the procedure, the village chief gave Feng Xiaoxiao a token: “Since you, young warrior, aspire to venture into the world, I shall offer some assistance. This is the entry token for Shengjing City. Keep it safe.”

Feng Xiaoxiao stored the elegant wooden token in her backpack and thanked the village chief.

“Go forth. The world is full of emerging talents, and you, Young Warrior Xiaoxiao Yue, will surely carve out your own legacy.”

[System Notification: You have unlocked the map “Shengjing City.”]

[System Notification: You may now modify your gender and appearance (only one modification allowed per account; changes are irreversible once confirmed). Would you like to proceed?]

Feng Xiaoxiao selected “Yes.”

New players default to their real-world gender upon entering the game. Before leaving the starter village, all new players use the system’s default appearance. After reaching the level required to leave the village, adjustments can be made.

Currently, the game offers no other means of disguise besides this one-time opportunity to modify one’s appearance.

Players can choose to use their real-life looks in the game, let the system generate a random appearance, or input descriptive keywords to customize their avatar.

The initial adjustment range allows for a 50% increase or decrease, and most players opt to tweak their original faces slightly before diving into the game.

Some players, however, take matters into their own hands and design their appearances from scratch. For instance, Feng Xiaoxiao’s previous account had the keyword “looks incredibly formidable” entered during the customization process.

As a result, she ended up with a world-weary face, slightly downturned eyes exuding three parts indifference, three parts annoyance, and one part arrogant disdain for everyone, which, in a way, matched her state of mind at the time.

Since the game allows up to a 50% enhancement in appearance and permits players to choose avatars of the opposite gender, awkward situations have arisen during real-life meetups.

The most infamous case is the former top-ranked player, Wu Shixian, who became the butt of jokes.

At the time, she was passionately involved with a stunningly beautiful in-game partner, a woman with jade-like features and graceful elegance, who completely captured her youthful heart.

The world channel was filled daily with Wu Shixian showering her beloved with gifts and flowers, and everyone praised the pair as a perfect match.

That is, until an offline meetup event, where the two lovebirds finally met in person.

No one knows exactly what happened that day, but the once-confident Wu Shixian returned deeply shaken and sold off her top-ranked account that very night.

According to witnesses present, no woman resembling Wu Shixian’s beautiful partner was spotted. Instead, they vaguely recalled Wu Shixian chasing after a handsome, short-haired woman (a “handsome T”) for quite some time.

In a way, Wu Shixian’s decision to sell her account was wise, she lost an account but saved herself from utter humiliation.

The unfortunate soul who bought her account had to endure days of relentless mockery, desperately explaining that they were the new owner.

But the amused players dismissed it as Wu Shixian’s excuse to avoid becoming a laughingstock and continued to spam the world channel with taunts:

“The weather’s getting colder, so it’s no surprise Wu Shixian’s nose is red.”
“Xiao Xian, open the door~ I’m not like her, I really am a long-haired sister~”
“If you like long-haired sisters, you should’ve said so! I’d even get a hair transplant for you, boss…”

A long-haired beauty turning out to be a short-haired “handsome T” in real life, who could possibly fathom the psychological trauma Wu Shixian endured?

Recalling these events, Feng Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but think of another striking figure.

Under the bright moonlight, a woman with snow-white wings spread behind her locked icy eyes on Feng Xiaoxiao. Drawing her bow, the sharp whistle of an arrow shattered the night’s silence as it surged toward her with overwhelming force…

Feng Xiaoxiao reflected: Di Xiang was wrong. It wasn’t out of arrogance that she faced the killing blow head-on, it was because of Di Xiang herself. Somehow, she hadn’t dodged that arrow.

Wait! Feng Xiaoxiao jolted back to reality. What was she thinking? That woman was her current number one rival to defeat!

But then, Feng Xiaoxiao couldn’t help recalling the woman’s elegant, sharp brows when she wielded her sword, and the subtle chill when she drew near… She really was breathtakingly beautiful…

Feng Xiaoxiao gnawed angrily on a small handkerchief. Why did someone have to create such a gorgeous face in a game? It was distracting her from drawing her sword swiftly.

How utterly infuriating!

This time, Feng Xiaoxiao directly lowered her real appearance by 25% and confirmed the selection, naturally choosing the female gender.

She didn’t really want to explore how certain innate physical characteristics would manifest if she played a male character while being female…

[System: Your selection has been confirmed and cannot be changed.]

[System: Appearance settings completed. Congratulations on officially entering the world of Tianxia!]

[Personal Interface]

Player Name: Xiaoxiao Yue
Class: Flower Guardian
Level: 20 (Newcomer to Tianxia)

Equipped Skills (Unlocked):

-Bell Chime

-Budding Blossom (Shield Enhancement)

-Revive Life (Extends control duration, can be cast on players)

-Heaven and Earth Resonance

-Snowfield Sanctuary

Attributes:
Attack: 600↑
Health: 2000 (Achievement Bonus)↑
Defense: 80↓
Agility: 30

Heaven and Earth Resonance: Resonates with all things in heaven and earth, creating a wind field that reduces the target’s defense and deals continuous damage. (Note: Large-area field skill, high mana consumption)

Snowfield Sanctuary: Uses the power of ice and snow to create a barrier, reducing the target’s attack and movement speed. Within the barrier, a chill value is generated, continuously reducing the target’s health. (Note: The skill user is unaffected by negative effects. Large-area field skill, high mana consumption)

The two newly added skills are both offensive, making up for Feng Xiaoxiao’s current shortcomings in combat techniques. Moreover, the skill stacking effects are even better.

The advantage is that both are high-damage area-of-effect skills. The downside is that, with her current strength, if she manages to use both skills and the target is still able to act, she’ll have to lie down at the respawn point and cool off.

After all, she’s just a fragile character with 80 defense, even a scratch from a Sword Dream class’s sword shadow would make her health bar vanish so quickly it would look like she was faking it.