1. Online is real.
2. Bots are not allowed. So if you see bot you can send report in support. But actually I didn't see bots at all.
3. Most of players are not english speaking. But there are some international players.
4. x5 is old but still alive. x7 is not standard. Admins open x7 Phoenix twice in a year. And then merge it into x5. Some players like such gameplay (they play few month on start, have fun and then leave). Also who wants stay and play on x5 can do it.
5. Rarely. But sometimes happens.
6. There is a shop in alt + b. Some masks, hats, agathions. Bottles with low lvl buff, transforms, pets. You can check it. I'm pretty sure it's balanced. All of stuff you can get without donations. But also you can force your character's development with donations.
There is some features (in russian unfortunately):
https://forum.asterios.in/topic/1918-это-не-баги-это-фичи/
Also you can register account by referral system and get a bonus (on second profession 1 gold, and 10 gold on third). There are different links for x5 and x7.
Also you can pass clan's academy and get some money for the start.
Sorry for my English