Chapter 53: This World Is About to Be Turned Upside Down

Inside the conference hall, the reporters buzzed with excited chatter, yet their eyes remained unblinking, fixed intently on the mythic scene unfolding before them. At last, when the reporter from YouCool Entertainment completed the novice tutorial, the holographic projection flickered at the center and vanished abruptly.

“Ladies and gentlemen, due to time constraints, we won’t continue with the demonstration. Rest assured, soon you will each have the chance to experience for yourselves what the legendary, one-hundred-percent-real virtual game feels like.”

Lan Tian raised his hand, signaling everyone to take their seats. Unlike the noisy atmosphere before, now every reporter seemed transformed into the most obedient schoolchild; without a hint of hesitation, they all sat down, gazing at Lan Tian with eyes ablaze with fervor.

Only the reporter from YouCool Entertainment, whose consciousness had already returned to reality, remained standing, motionless.

“What’s wrong? Are you unable to accept the truth, or perhaps afraid to face me?” Lan Tian smiled as he approached, removed the helmet for him, and observed the shock etched on his face, speaking softly.

“Convinced now?”

“Yes… I am convinced…” Unlike the others, when the YouCool reporter recovered and looked at Lan Tian again, his gaze revealed not just fervor, but a reverence as if he had glimpsed a deity.

He had just personally experienced “Heroic Glory.” The exquisite sensations, the flawless sensory immersion, the authentic tactile feedback, and the mythic beauty of the scenery—all profoundly shook his soul.

A German philosopher once said there are two things in the world that most deeply move the human spirit: the sublime moral standards in our hearts, and the brilliant starry sky above our heads.

But now, this reporter believed the world had discovered something else capable of stirring the soul—a mythic virtual game!

He even began to wonder if he had truly traveled to the Hero Canyon.

It was so real! So real that he could not distinguish dream from reality.

He had never imagined that the legendary, one-hundred-percent-real virtual game would arrive in this world so abruptly, catching everyone off guard.

Was this man a god?

This was an ability worthy only of gods!

“Now, our friend from YouCool Entertainment will take center stage. You may ask him any questions you wish.” Lan Tian turned to the crowd, his expression inviting them to freely inquire.

“Reporter Li, your surname is Li, correct? May I ask, what did you just experience?” The reporter from iQiYi could not wait, still somewhat incredulous, eager to hear the firsthand account.

“I felt as if I traveled to another world…” Reporter Li murmured, “Everything was so real, so utterly captivating…”

The surrounding air filled with the sound of sharp, collective intakes of breath.

“Was that archer holding the bow you?” the iQiYi reporter pressed.

“I became a summoner, inhabiting the consciousness of that archer—his name is Frost Archer Bach, my very first hero.” Li’s eyes brimmed with longing as he answered.

Lan Tian, possessing innate power, had not felt the experience so intensely. But for Li, an ordinary man with no strength to speak of, suddenly inhabiting the hero Bach and wielding supernatural abilities was so dreamlike it felt unreal.

Before the iQiYi reporter could ask again, Li volunteered, “It was exactly like reality—even the sensation of pain was identical. I deliberately let a minion strike me in the abdomen, and it still aches!”

“Haha, you must have been too excited and missed the pain adjustment option in your character menu. From zero to one hundred percent, you can regulate the pain from none at all to completely authentic. Everyone can set it according to their preference,” Lan Tian quickly explained. He did not want Li’s oversight to mislead the others; the authenticity of pain might frighten many away.

Another round of gasps swept through the room.

Another miracle of technology!

Words failed all present; they ceased their questions, instead gazing at Lan Tian with expressions of unquenchable yearning.

Each look conveyed the same desperate message: Enough talk—let me try it! If I don’t experience it soon, I’ll go mad!

“Lan… Mr. Lan, I must apologize for my earlier words. Thank you for giving me the chance to witness the birth of a miracle. You are… a god!” Li bowed deeply, his voice trembling with fervor.

He could not exaggerate: he had become a devoted follower of Lan Tian, a loyal disciple of the virtual network.

Lan Tian nodded in acknowledgment, accepting the apology without further comment. He then produced ten helmets, distributing them in order of seating to the eager eyes before him.

Naturally, the two beautiful ladies waiting with anticipation received first priority.

An hour passed, then two.

Each reporter who experienced “Heroic Glory” removed their helmet and bowed deeply to Lan Tian, offering apologies for prior skepticism and expressing newfound reverence.

They understood that the world was poised for upheaval.

And this young “great man” would soon become the irreplaceable legend in the hearts of all humanity.

When everyone had finished, a hush fell over the room. Every person present fixed their gaze on Lan Tian, their eyes brimming with unspoken words.

“Don’t look at me like that, or I’ll get vain,” Lan Tian joked, making a playful face.

“Lan Tian, be proud. If you can’t be proud, who else has the right?” Wang Ling suddenly spoke, her eyes reflecting complex emotions. Her beautiful gaze sparkled. “Lan Tian, do you realize you have created a new era?”

“Thank you, I know.” This time Lan Tian did not demur, but nodded with confidence. “And this is only the beginning.”

“Showing off again—if you ever rid yourself of that habit, you’ll be truly mature.” Bai’s disdainful voice whispered in Lan Tian’s ear.

“Now, it’s time for questions. Each person may ask one.” Lan Tian’s lips curled into a smile, ignoring Bai’s grumbling. He relished the adoration in their eyes.