XIETIAN
Just a theory but I believe that samsara isnt a place but an area in between the lower realms(earth) and ghe higher realms(god realm)
It is kind of established that Samsara is "real". Guess would be that ones spirit travels there to experience trials and learn. That is also why there is fatal physical backlash - like the over use Yao Mei experienced, as well as projection of power, potential and looks from "life on earth" (I don't want to call it "real life" because both are real). If it is a spiritual realm, potential can be unlocked, new things can be learned and items could be carried in ones soul or used to learn/unlock abilities/potential directly.
Usually in game novels the game completely overshadows the real world. Here is seems like RL is much more important with cultivation and gods around that threaten to kill him. So a good balance between them here is that the game is the way to train and grow. And it is not 'wasted time' he could better use in the real world.