After a period of scientific research and exploration, most technologically advanced countries worldwide had, to some extent, developed methods for utilizing unknown energies.
The simplest approach was to capture mutated plants and animals.
These were then used to create various medicines, involving processes such as skinning, dismembering, and grinding into powder.
More advanced methods involved dissection and research, artificial synthesis, and exploration of genetic differences, in the hope of unlocking the mysteries from a genetic standpoint, mastering the core of mutation, and fully harnessing it for their own use.
However, current research progress was poor.
Control had not yet been achieved.
Whether mutations succeeded or failed, and what form they ultimately took, depended on chance and individual luck.
Due to a lack of early samples, Xiyi Nation had to forge a different path. They attempted to have ordinary people absorb the unknown energy and gain control by adjusting their movements, practicing breathing techniques, or altering their surroundings and the concentration of unknown energy.
Remarkably, through their trial-and-error tinkering,
they stumbled upon a method for absorbing unknown energy.
Although the effects were slow and the absorption rate minimal—only wisps could be absorbed after about an hour of practice—it was safe, provided one was not foolish.
Essentially, anyone who could calm their mind could learn it.
Since the method was sound, and to keep pace with the changing global environment and prevent the nation from falling behind,
Xiyi Nation, as a matter of course, publicized the most suitable and basic method for their citizens to absorb spiritual energy, urging everyone to learn it.
Upon the release of this news, the number of netizens on other online platforms plummeted. Everyone flocked to the official website, overwhelming it with traffic until it crashed. They then cursed and frantically refreshed the page, fearing they would be late, miss out, or delay their progress.
The website administrators tried their best.
However, with hundreds of millions of visitors, no amount of effort could sustain it. In the end, they had to contact major platforms to distribute the relevant content and alleviate the traffic, finally reviving the website.
Despite this, most people still preferred to wait and refresh the official website for content.
They feared that the redistributed content might be incomplete,
or contain errors.
This could hinder their progress.
Concurrently, foreigners who understood Xiyi Nation's script and language also flocked to the official website, diligently reading and comprehending the first set of martial arts broadcast exercises.
After all, besides Xiyi Nation, the safe resources related to mutations in other countries were controlled by the elite. They dared not experiment with unsafe ones, fearing for their lives.
Now that a universal and safe method was available, who wouldn't want to learn it?
For a considerable period afterward, major online, gaming, and entertainment video platforms faced a bleak future. Previously, people naturally spent their leisure time on these platforms when they had nothing else to do.
But now, who didn't want to diligently practice broadcast exercises?
Didn't everyone harbor dreams of wuxia or immortality?
If it was impossible before, that was one thing. Now that it was possible, why would anyone be willing to give up this opportunity? Even if they eventually gave up, it would be after some time, and only after realizing they were not suited for cultivation.
Therefore, during this period of enthusiasm,
various entertainment platforms suffered heavy losses.
Individuals who were once poor students, who claimed textbooks gave them headaches and the mere mention of studying made them want to die, and who hadn't touched a book since graduation, were now actively learning after work. This applied to many others, so the losses of these entertainment platforms were indeed justified and understandable.
However, human intelligence varied.
The development of the cerebellum differed.
And comprehension abilities were not the same.
Thus, after a while, disparities began to emerge. Some people grasped the basics within two or three days, while others, after a month, still couldn't stretch their muscles, and their first two movements remained awkward. Some had even developed a sense of qi.
Some had even mutated abilities as a result.
Who could one reason with about such things?
As time went on, people gradually began to give up. Some were inconsistent, practicing for three days and resting for two. This was similar to studying; if the learning process wasn't difficult, and problems could be understood with a little explanation, one would naturally remain interested in continuing.
But if learning was filled with difficulties—not understanding today's problem, still not understanding tomorrow's—if the mind simply couldn't grasp it and couldn't comprehend the meaning, it wouldn't take long.
After three to five instances, interest would wane.
Some might even consider giving up entirely, thinking at least they wouldn't feel depressed if they didn't try to understand.
The same applied to learning these martial arts broadcast exercises.
If there was progress every day, one would naturally be willing to continue. But if after one or two months, one still couldn't perform the first two movements correctly, who would be motivated to keep learning? Those with money might seek other avenues, perhaps trying to buy medicines to aid their progress.
Those without money or means
had few who were willing to compensate for their lack of talent with diligence.
Most simply gave up directly, or persevered for a little longer before abandoning it.
Others experienced intermittent bursts of effort,
followed by sustained laziness and passive existence.
Therefore, the entertainment platforms were not in dire straits for long.
After a month or two, their traffic began to rebound, and within half a year, they had essentially returned to their original levels, with little difference.
There was little the government could do to force this matter.
They could only let nature take its course.
...
Deep within the Earth's core.
Ding Yun's attention was completely captivated by the brightly glowing Myriad Worlds Blind Box Machine, and she waited with slight anticipation for it to return to normal.
Just moments ago,
about thirty seconds prior,
after Ding Yun drew another blind box, the machine suddenly displayed virtual fireworks, congratulating her on successfully drawing ten million blind boxes. It announced that she had been upgraded to a VIP member, and the machine would be upgraded to a VIP exclusive Myriad Worlds Blind Box Machine. It requested a moment of patience.
Following this, the machine began to glow.
This was likely what was meant by an upgrade.
What followed was a period of waiting. Ding Yun waited there for nearly fifteen minutes before the light emanating from the Myriad Worlds Blind Box Machine finally disappeared. What reappeared before Ding Yun was no longer the original, simple blind box machine, but one that had turned entirely golden.
It looked very much like a VIP machine.
At this point, Ding Yun naturally rushed to understand the machine's changes. However, as she grasped the specifics, her eyes twitched several times.
Because, apart from the color change,
the biggest change was only one thing.
The price had changed.
Previously, it cost one coin per draw. Now, it cost one hundred coins per draw. Furthermore, a reminder was added stating that if she was not satisfied, they could provide a service for one thousand coins per draw,
or even ten thousand coins per draw—
for VVIP and VVVIP services.
At the very end of this passage, in a small corner at the bottom, a particularly tiny section of text was hidden.
[To reduce the physical exertion of pulling the lever and opening the blind boxes, we have specially customized this service for you. Customer satisfaction is our driving force. Please continue to enjoy drawing blind boxes!]
Good heavens, it sounded quite considerate.
They knew that pulling the lever and opening ten million blind boxes was not easy for her.
This was truly attentive and thorough service.
But this was not the most outrageous part. The most outrageous part was that the price had increased a hundredfold, and could even increase to a thousandfold or ten thousandfold. Yet, the contents of the blind boxes hadn't changed. At most, the probability of getting good items had increased, from the original 1% to 10%.
This slight increase was nowhere near commensurate with the price.
Ding Yun had reason to believe that the Myriad Worlds Blind Box Machine's upgrade was likely based on the assumption that she was foolish and had plenty of money. Coupled with drawing ten million blind boxes consecutively, she probably had a desperate need for blind boxes, and would not give up even if the price increased.
This was akin to some large merchants exploiting familiar customers.
Thinking of this, Ding Yun's teeth gritted with anger, and she wished she could smash the blind box machine. This thing was too audacious, openly harvesting unsuspecting users like this!
Did it think she couldn't do without it?