Cultivating in Online Games

For his entire life, Dugu Zhuo had been toyed with by heaven. His cultivation had been destroyed, his familial bonds had been severed, his friends had passed on, and he was burdened with the crime of patricide. Even his one and only true love, Ye Zhou, had been killed and his soul shattered. Having lost all hope, he walked every corner of the world accompanied by a spiritual jade containing a single fragment of Ye Zhou’s soul, wishing only to find the other pieces so they could be with one another in a next life. However, one day, near the end of his life, he wandered into an illusion and suddenly saw Ye Zhou being chased by several beasts. When he slew those beasts, a strange sound rang by his ears. “Ding! For slaying a monster, you’ve received 3 low-grade spirit stones.” “Ding! For slaying a monster, you’ve received a secret book, the Reverse Sword Technique.” “Ding! For slaying a monster, you’ve received a rare healing item, the Spirit Replenishing Herb.” “Ding! You’ve gained a level and restored 1% of your cultivation.” And the Ye Zhou he had just “saved” waved his sword at him furiously, yelling at him, “How dare you steal my monsters!” Dugu Zhuo: ? — In the VR game Nine Heavens, Ye Zhou met an eccentric player called Dugu Zhuo. He didn’t understand common sense, he didn’t know the controls, he was never offline, and he often gazed at Ye Zhou with hidden depths in his eyes. Ye Zhou only thought he had taken a good-looking little disciple, helping him level up step by step, and after flirting for a long time they married each other in the game. Just when Ye Zhou was considering meeting Dugu Zhuo in the real world, there was a system notification from the game: Ye Zhou: … What a coincidence, that was his husband’s name!

Original Publisher

jjwxc

Original Language

chinese

Type

Web Novel

## My Thoughts on Cultivating in Online Games I finally dove into "Cultivating in Online Games," and it's been quite the ride! With its blend of xianxia, VRMMORPG elements, and a dash of yaoi, it certainly offers a unique experience. The premise alone was enough to pique my interest. ### First Impressions Initially, I was drawn in by the concept of a cultivation world meeting a modern online game. The idea of an OP protagonist, Dugu Zhou, using his past-life knowledge to dominate the game Jiu Tian sounded like a fun power fantasy. However, I also went in with a little apprehension, hoping the power imbalance wouldn't overshadow the other elements of the story. ### What Works Well I found the humor and lightheartedness to be a major strength. The interactions between the characters, especially the side characters, were genuinely entertaining. The black cat monk and the lingzhi were particular standouts, adding a lot of flavor to the story. The gradual development of the relationship between Dugu Zhou and Ye Zhou also felt natural and unforced. It's refreshing to see a romance unfold without unnecessary drama or artificial obstacles. The plotline balances the angst of the past with the carefree environment of the game. The exploration of the contrast between real-world cultivators and game players was fascinating. The idea that players, even evil ones, possess a certain innocence due to the nature of the game, while real-world cultivators face genuine moral dilemmas, created an interesting dynamic. The unique skills and abilities of the characters really add depth to the world. ### Areas of Concern While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, I can understand some criticisms regarding the MC's overwhelming power. While it makes sense that he leverages his past knowledge, it can feel a bit much at times. I also felt that the side characters could be more developed, as they were all interesting in their own right. ### ⚠️ Spoiler Warning Some readers have mentioned key plot points, such as the nature of the main quest line being tied to the leads' shared past, the reveal of the ML's health issues being linked to his incomplete soul, and the MC working as a consultant for the game in the real world. Be cautious moving forward if you wish to experience these revelations firsthand. ### Final Verdict Overall, "Cultivating in Online Games" is an enjoyable and relaxing read. If you're looking for a story that blends cultivation elements with a modern gaming setting, features a sweet romance, and doesn't take itself too seriously, this might be right up your alley. I'd recommend going in with an open mind and simply enjoying the ride!