Chapter 162

Two weeks later.

"All-Purpose Idol" resumed broadcasting. Fans, who had been waiting eagerly, flocked into the live stream, filling the screen with excited comments.

As the live stream started, the host chatted on stage about the recent rumors that had been making waves: "Recently, there have been some particularly unbelievable things happening. I wonder if anyone has heard about them?"

"What unbelievable things?"

"Things like everyone ascending to immortality and the dead coming back to life," the previous host said. "At first, I was shocked, thinking everyone was secretly practicing immortality and not telling me. Later, I realized I had misunderstood; none of it was true."

"Really? I’ve already started looking everywhere for high-priced cultivation methods these past few days, and the sellers have already sent out the deliveries!"

"Then you should check if it’s a delivery from Wanli Group’s newly developed immersive naked-eye 5D game company?"

"Naked-eye 5D?"

"Yeah. The grand press conference a few days ago scared the whole of Beijing. It was actually a CG from Wanli Group’s game. It was originally scheduled to be released next year, with some details still needing improvement, but somehow, one of their rival companies released it early."

"Is this business warfare? But this rival company did a good job. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have known about such a fun game!"

The hosts quickly explained the shocking news about the strange supernatural occurrences in Beijing’s sky, calming down the online community. Netizens immediately started screenshotting and confronting those who spread the rumors.

[A game caused this kind of rumor, you’re all from Wanli Group’s rival company, right? I almost believed you earlier!]

[Didn’t they say business wars are legal but crazy? This seems not just crazy but illegal! Spreading rumors, why doesn’t Wanli Group sue them?]

[I knew it! So many flying objects appeared in the capital’s sky and the defense department didn’t even react? Turns out it was just a game projection!]

[But still, what kind of equipment can project naked-eye 5D at such high altitudes? Is Wanli Group secretly conducting military research behind our backs???]

Just as the discussion heated up, Wanli Group seized the momentum and held an "impromptu" press conference.

The usually secretive and mysterious head of the company, Mr. Nie, appeared at the press conference. He first sincerely apologized for the trouble caused by their new game, then released a major announcement—

"Alongside the game, Wanli Games will also release a limited edition of wearable equipment to allow players to truly experience flying and formation movement in the game. Currently, the wearable equipment is only allowed for professional use, and it will only be used during game-related activities to enhance the player experience. It may gradually be released to the public in the future, so please stay tuned."

The announcement caused the entire internet to explode.

For a moment, both gamers and non-gamers alike were excited.

[Damn, just yesterday I was talking with my friends about whether it would be more reasonable to buy a game pod or a game helmet if a full-holographic game from a novel comes out, and now Wanli Group goes straight for naked-eye 5D games!?]

[The rival company must be so jealous!! Hurry up and release it, release it! It better be out before I go back to school, I want to show off in front of my international classmates!!][I know you're all excited, but calm down for a moment. Did you see the small print at the bottom of the press conference poster? The collaboration partner is the Ministry of Defense! This technology doesn’t seem like something specifically researched for civilian players; maybe it’s another strategy from the Strategic Deception Bureau...]

[They even have wearable devices. I can’t even imagine how fast I’ll be delivering food once I wear this!]

As the netizens happily fantasized about the future, the live stream of All-Purpose Idol continued.

The fans of the show weren’t paying much attention to the host’s chat; they were more concerned with their idol's condition—whether they had gained weight or become more haggard.

The screen was filled with cheers: [Oh oh oh oh oh! My happiness is finally back!]

[Who understands?! I was really about to cry when I heard rumors that All-Purpose Idol was going to be canceled! I thought even if it’s delayed for a few years, I would watch it when it’s released. I didn’t expect it to come out so soon! So happy! An’an baby, Ke Ke baby, I’m here!!]

[Ke Xingzhou probably won’t come, right? I saw online that his Xiaoyao Sect was involved in anti-evil activities before, and the Southwest Taoist Association awarded the evil sect’s position to them. He’s probably still busy with a grand opening event in the Southwest right now.]

[What! Ke Ke is in the Southwest!? How did I not know? I’m getting up now and heading straight to Chong’er Mountain!!]

The contestants of All-Purpose Idol also thought Ke Xingzhou wouldn’t come, and for a moment, some were happy, and some were worried.

Naturally, the happy ones were the contestants near debut positions.

Their strength and fan numbers weren’t much different from those already in the debut spots, but because Ke Xingzhou’s popularity had skyrocketed so quickly, they had always been unable to enter the debut position and could only struggle at the bottom.

Now that Ke Xingzhou was gone, didn’t that mean one more position to compete for?

However, while they were relieved, they couldn’t shake a feeling of unease.

According to the sycophants around An Heguang, this filming base was really haunted. If Ke Xingzhou left, what if they encountered ghosts?

—Rumor had it that Ke Yuanbai was still being haunted by spirits and often communicated with the air!

The contestants near the debut positions had barely been happy for a few seconds before their imagination scared them. After thinking it over, they cautiously moved closer to Xie An and the others to find out if Ke Xingzhou was still coming.

Who knew, Xie An and the others weren’t sure either.

Xie An, resting his chin, sighed: “My brother said he was going to join a confidential project recently, and all contact was cut off. I don’t know when I’ll be able to contact him.”

An Heguang wasn’t surprised: “Master Ke never wanted to participate in the show and debut. Didn’t he make it obvious before by slacking off? Besides, now he has more important things to do, so it’s normal for him to quit the show.”

Everyone’s expressions varied as they all turned their eyes to the silent Ke Yuanbai.

“….” Ke Yuanbai was silent for a moment before slowly speaking, “He should still come, but…”

Everyone: “?”

But what?

Before Ke Yuanbai could continue, the next moment, they heard the door open.

Everyone turned their heads and saw Ke Xingzhou slowly walk in, a familiar fortune-telling banner draped over his shoulder—

[Ironclad Predictions]

Ke Xingzhou wore a familiar smile, the one he used to attract business, and asked them, “Anyone want a fortune reading? Three people together, one gets a free reading, special offer!”

Everyone: “???”Xie An still thought Ke Xingzhou was doing some kind of show effect, and with a smile, he walked up: "I want a reading! Brother, you're finally here, I thought you weren't coming!"

Ke Xingzhou, however, looked up seriously and stared at his face for a while. After a moment, he sighed in disappointment and said, "Your life ahead will be smooth sailing and full of happiness, but you won’t be able to gain any merit from me. I won’t read for you. Next!"

The two arrows that drove away the Heavenly Dao had undoubtedly drained all the merit from Nie Chen, Lian Cheng, and him. Now, when Ke Xingzhou opened the “Merit Withdrawal Machine” app, he found that his balance had returned to only 10 credits.

It felt like he was back to square one, and Ke Xingzhou almost wanted to cry.

What made him want to cry even more was that in the past few days, he had read for many people, but the balance on the “Merit Withdrawal Machine” app hadn’t changed at all—it was still 10 credits.

He even suspected the app was broken and was thinking about asking Lu Li what was going on.

However, ever since Lu Li developed the first smart office system for the underworld, which greatly improved its efficiency, Lu Li had been highly valued in the underworld.

In layman's terms, he had been working overtime non-stop.

Ke Xingzhou’s messages had sunk into the sea, and none of them had been opened. But he couldn’t keep slacking off like this, so he had to rummage through his stuff, find his fortune-telling banner again, and come back to this miserable show.

After all, the only wealth he could clearly expect right now was the five million promised by the Ke family, who had severed ties with him.

Thinking about that five million, Ke Xingzhou’s mood improved a little.

When Xie An was pushed aside by his brother, he was completely bewildered, and then was decisively shoved aside by An Heguang.

An Heguang always thought that Xie An was so close to Ke Xingzhou because he was the first to choose to trust him.

He thought, "Now it’s finally my turn to be first," and happily moved his face closer to Ke Xingzhou, but before he could be happy for two seconds, he too was pushed aside by Ke Xingzhou.

Ke Xingzhou: "I already told you, your only calamity was when you were a kid. Why are you still coming to me for a reading? Go away, go away, don’t block me from doing business."

An Heguang: "???"

Xie An and An Heguang, one on the left and one on the right, looked at each other, completely confused about what was going on.

Ke Yuanbai, on the other hand, was calm. He stood next to Ke Xingzhou’s fortune-telling banner and casually swept his gaze over the others: "What are you all waiting for? Today's special, ten credits per reading. If you miss it, there’s no going back."

The contestants looked at each other, unsure of what to do.

However, the barrage behind them exploded—

[Wow, I thought this was a show effect! Ten credits per reading! Ahhhh I wish I were in the capital, otherwise, I’d rush over right now!!]

[Why are you still standing there?! Hurry up!! Oh, my silly brother, I’m dying here! Even if there’s nothing to improve, just be friends with Ke Xingzhou first!]

[Let me do it! I want to ask! When will my wedding date be with Master Ke Xingzhou from the Xiaoyao Sect? After marriage, can we have twins in three years?]

[If I could marry Ke Ke, I would give up all my wealth and live a life of luxury forever!!]

The barrage covered the entire screen in an instant. However, the last two comments were precisely picked out and deleted by the patrolling moderators.

Netizens: "???"

Wait, what happened to my comment?