Ye Chen and his companions entered the most luxurious suite available, a space so expansive and flawless in its appointments—from the lighting and sofas to the walls and flooring—that even the presidential suites of Earth's grandest five-star hotels looked like dilapidated shacks in comparison.

"Please wait a moment, the City Lord will be here shortly!" the guard said with deep deference.

Ye Chen nodded slightly, leaning back on the sofa as he surveyed the room. He noticed several virtual reality helmets and nutrient pods, which sparked a brief moment of surprise in his heart.

"Virtual helmets?" With the City Lord still absent, Ye Chen walked over, selected a helmet, and connected his consciousness. Instantly, the scene before him shifted. He found himself atop a magnificent mountain peak, enveloped by swirling clouds, the sheer vastness of the heavens and the sweeping grandeur of the plains stirring an immense, heroic spirit within his chest.

"Do you choose to enter the Virtual Game World, or the War God Arena?" the intelligent system inquired.

A touch of curiosity prompting him, Ye Chen selected the Customer Service System.

"Welcome. This virtual reality is an alternate plane, known as the Spiritual Civilization, or the Dark Plane. It exists through the manifestation of certain fundamental Laws."

"How may I assist you?" a melodious voice asked.

Ye Chen paused in thought. "What is the War God Arena used for?"

"Within this virtual world, there are two major sectors: the Virtual Game World, containing countless games developed by various great civilizations for the leisure of ordinary inhabitants."

"The War God Arena is the place for trials and assessments!"

"In the War God Arena, there are designated areas: the War God Tower, the Feudal Lords' Platform, the Emperor's Peak, and the Heavenly Dao Stele! Within the virtual world, all external equipment and weaponry are illusory constructs; the focus is on refining combat techniques and secret arts!"

Ye Chen was momentarily