With the change in Lin Yuan's citizen rank, a flurry of 'emails' quickly flooded his inbox.
"Emails?" Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow slightly and then, with a thought, connected to the network.
A holographic screen appeared in front of him.
In the Universal Human Civilization, they had long abandoned external devices like phones and computers.
Every human citizen could connect to the ever-present network using specific brainwaves.
The three ultimate intelligences, including the Goddess of Wisdom, could contact any citizen in this manner at any time.
"Open the inbox."
Lin Yuan began reading the first email.
It was from the Universal Human Civilization, congratulating him on becoming a second-class citizen, encouraging cooperation with the civilization, and so on.
At the end of the email was a surprising bonus—five million currency transfer.
"They're certainly generous," Lin Yuan mused and glanced at his bank account.
Indeed, five million had just been deposited.
The currency of the Universal Human Civilization held incredible value—five million could support a typical family of four for two hundred years.
Lin Shoucheng, his father, had worked his entire life but hadn't come close to earning five million.
Even a second-class citizen wouldn't overlook five million, as no one detests having more money.
"It seems high-ranking citizens are far more valued than evolutionaries at the same level," Lin Yuan thought to himself.
He hadn't heard of any other citizens receiving such transfers from Universal Human Civilization upon becoming evolutionaries.
Becoming an evolutionary was mostly a personal affair involving purchasing specific resources like genetic serums and was not directly related to the Universal Human Alliance.
However, becoming a second-class citizen required making contributions recognized by the Goddess of Wisdom, so high-ranking citizens were naturally more valued.
Happy with the five million in his account, Lin Yuan thought about purchasing nutritional supplements.
There would no longer be any restrictions, and regaining his full potential seemed within reach.
Lin Yuan continued to browse the other emails, which explained the various privileges he now had as a second-class citizen.
These privileges were mostly beyond the reach of regular citizens:
1. Basic Sustenance: A second-class citizen receives ten thousand civilization coins monthly from the Central Bank without lifting a finger.
2. Exemption Privilege: Actions like conscription, immigration, etc., which involve coercion, could be refused unless voluntary.
3. Virtual World Access: Second-class citizens could enter the virtual world's intranet and explore it freely.
4. Life Privilege: In the areas governed by the Universal Human Alliance, even if Lin Yuan committed a crime, local law enforcement had no authority to arrest or kill him.
5. Purchasing Rights: Certain exclusive resources within human civilization could only be bought by citizens with the appropriate rank.
Of course, besides these main five privileges, there were many hidden benefits to being a second-class citizen.
For instance, a large corporate group was required to have a certain number of second-class citizens by the Universal Human Alliance's regulations.
"It's no wonder high-ranking citizens are so rare," Lin Yuan mused, looking amazed.
His gaze fell on the third privilege: Virtual World Access.
While he understood the other privileges, this one intrigued him.
"Do you wish to enter the Virtual World?" came the dignified voice of the Goddess of Wisdom in his ear.
"Yes, enter," Lin Yuan nodded.
He was curious about this virtual world.
"Requesting connection to the Virtual World," the Goddess of Wisdom's voice continued.
"Since this is your first connection, identity verification is needed."
"Iris verification completed. Blood verification completed. Clone characteristic check completed; result is non-clone. DNA verification completed. Life unique wave pattern matched; verification completed. During your time in the Virtual World, do not resist."
As soon as the Goddess of Wisdom finished speaking, Lin Yuan's vision darkened, and his consciousness quickly plummeted.
With his strength, he could easily shake off this sensation, but doing so might prevent him from entering the virtual world, so he allowed his consciousness to sink further.
"What is this place?" When Lin Yuan opened his eyes again, he found himself in the midst of a starry sky with a softly rotating pale blue planet beneath him.
"Is this Azure Wave Star?" Lin Yuan's pupils contracted slightly.
He immediately recognized that the planet below him was the real-world reflection of Azure Wave Star, identical in continental shapes and ocean proportions.
"Esteemed citizen Lin Yuan," a solemn voice rang out.
Lin Yuan looked up and saw a beautiful woman in a white gown quietly observing him.
"I am the Goddess of Wisdom, here to introduce you to the Virtual World functions," she began.
"The virtual world you've connected to is specifically the intranet of Azure Wave Star. It's divided into seven areas: Living District, Trading District, Arena District, Central Plaza District."
As the Goddess of Wisdom introduced each area, different sections of Azure Wave Star would magnify and appear before him.
"And there," Lin Yuan's attention lingered on the 'Central Plaza Area.' In this area, a large number of silhouettes gathered around a towering stone monument at the center.
"That's the Azure Wave Evolution Ranking," the Goddess of Wisdom softly explained.
"It records the strongest hundred evolution paths throughout Azure Wave Star's history."
"I see," Lin Yuan nodded slightly, curious, "I wonder what rank the Martial Evolution Path holds?"
"The Martial Evolution Path you've developed ranks ninety-third after calculations by the highest intelligence," the Goddess of Wisdom replied.
"Ninety-third," Lin Yuan showed no particular emotion.
The Martial Evolution Path he created took him twenty years in the martial world, and with heaven-defying comprehension, its current standing amidst centuries of Azure Wave's talent isn't peculiar.
His comprehension might be unmatched, but the vast history and population burden the ranking.
"The Azure Wave Evolution Ranking will be updated tomorrow. That's when your Martial Evolution Path will first appear," the Goddess of Wisdom informed him.
"Do you wish to hide your citizen number?"
In the Universal Human Civilization, identity was verified not by name but by the unique citizen number.
After all, many could have the same name, but citizen numbers were unique.
"Yes, hide it," Lin Yuan agreed after contemplation.
He preferred to keep a low profile, as his strength and background weren't sufficient to draw attention from the prominent ranks just yet.
Having grasped the Virtual World's functions, Lin Yuan exited.
"Daybreak approaching?" Peering outside, Lin Yuan noticed the time.
"Xiao Yuan, may I come in?" His mother, Lu Qiong, spoke from outside.
Worried about him handling the forced conscription, his parents held off contacting him for a night.
As dawn approached, Lu Qiong decided to check on her son.
"Come in, the door's open," Lin Yuan invited, sitting up in bed.
"Up so early? I guess you didn't sleep well?" Lu Qiong's voice was gentle, her appearance ordinary but exuded an approachable warmth.
"Xiao Yuan, we knew about the conscription yesterday, the district chief called Shoucheng. He outright refused. You understand your father; he wouldn't trade your freedom for his advancement, and neither would I. Why would our family be separated without reason?" Lu Qiong's eyes reddened.
"Mom, don't worry too much," Lin Yuan shook his head slightly.
The forced conscription was bad luck, not deliberate targeting by others.
"You're my son, and they want to take you; how would I cope after you're gone?"
Despite the advanced technology enabling external gestation and other methods, nearly half of the couples preferred the traditional ten-month pregnancy method.
Lu Qiong was one of them.
"Here's a bank card with my savings; Shoucheng doesn't know. Keep it for future use. The password is your birthday," Lu Qiong handed Lin Yuan a card, her voice choking a bit.
"This..."
Lin Yuan hesitated slightly, aware the money was saved through her frugality.
Now, all given to him.
"Actually, I don't need this," Lin Yuan said after a pause, "I don't have to enlist."
"I know you're sensible, Xiao Yuan..."
Lu Qiong began but suddenly paused mid-sentence.
"What did you say?"