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Also, at everyone's request, I took two minutes to check out another studio's livestream. The character design was beautiful; I won't comment on the rest.

Those who had been enthusiastically mocking Xie Ran: ??????? Huh?

What did Lan Zhi mean by this?

Was Quest Technology short on money?

While the netizens were still completely baffled, several other major influencers spoke up one after another. Their general meaning was similar to Lan Zhi's, and they all eagerly expressed a desire to meet Xie Ran. Some were even more direct, openly @-ing Xie Ran Studio on Weibo to ask whether they accepted investment partnerships.

Only then did the netizens belatedly realize—

Xie Ran hadn't actually been bragging???

[Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit, are the big shots telling the truth?? Could Xie Ran really be capable of achieving consciousness evolution for virtual idols?]

[Oh my god, am I hallucinating?]

[Big shots, wake up! Do you know what you're saying?]

[Does this mean a celebrity is about to make a breakthrough in our country's technology??]

[Ahhh, I'm so excited to see what Xie Ran's virtual idol will be like now!]

[Same! Hurry up and bring out the idol!]

It wasn't just the netizens. Kuang Youfang and Fang Huiwang were also caught off guard by the big shots' remarks.

Kuang Youfang looked at Fang Huiwang, unable to hide his anxiety. "What's going on? Xie Ran can't really be capable of this, can he?"

Fang Huiwang was equally incredulous. "How would I know?"

Fortunately, Nangong Xu's introduction segment had ended and the performance showcase was beginning. Ni Le came down from the stage, and the two hurriedly grabbed him to ask.

Ni Le hadn't seen Xie Ran's speech. He frowned upon hearing this. "Could he have secretly partnered with another team?"

"Didn't you say no one in the country was better than you?" Kuang Youfang immediately grew agitated. "What's going on now? We're not really going to lose to Xie Ran, are we?"

"Why are you panicking?" Ni Le was extremely dissatisfied with his attitude, and irritation crept into his voice. "The concept of virtual idol consciousness was proposed ages ago. It's nothing new. Even if someone gave Xie Ran guidance, he could only make the concept sound good. Putting it into practice right now is simply impossible. I don't believe he can pull off anything impressive."

Fang Huiwang frowned. "But those major influencers all said..."

"Their perspective differs from that of ordinary netizens. They look at future possibilities, so they praise concepts and theories. But netizens only understand what they can see." Ni Le sneered. "If he can't present it at the launch event, then no matter how nicely he talks, it's useless."

As they argued, Xie Ran's voice came through the livestream. "Next, please welcome the virtual artist debuting under our company this time, Meng Feixuan."

At his words, the entire internet fixed its gaze tightly on the stage.

A figure slowly materialized beside Xie Ran. Light gathered together, forming a tall black-haired youth.

The youth was sunny and handsome, with fluffy, slightly curled black hair. He wore a simple, soft white shirt and stared blankly ahead.

Xie Ran's expression remained indifferent as he introduced Meng Feixuan's background in a businesslike tone. "Meng Feixuan was independently developed by our company. His birthday is July 29. He is a Leo..."

Unfortunately, his introduction did not cause even the slightest stir.

Whether it was the media below the stage or the livestream audience, everyone instinctively felt the same thing: That's it?

Objectively speaking, Meng Feixuan's character design and model were not bad. He had been created according to the most popular young idol image in the entertainment industry.

Unfortunately, his overall rendering still could not escape the common animated feel of current virtual characters.

Xie Ran had focused entirely on the virtual idol's consciousness evolution this time and had not paid much attention to the character's appearance. Combined with the rushed schedule, there had been no time to make adjustments, so Meng Feixuan was still using the studio's original model.

This would not have been too great a problem, but with Nangong Xu's dazzling example before him, Meng Feixuan appeared far too ordinary and crude.

Sure enough, the netizens, whose expectations had been thoroughly raised by the major influencers, immediately erupted.

[???? Didn't they say it was amazing? I already took my pants off, and this is what you're showing me?]

[Fuck, even the big shots got fooled by Xie Ran, didn't they?]

[Fooled my ass. The model isn't even finished. The second he appeared, the truth was exposed. All that bragging was for nothing.]

[Virtual idol consciousness, my ass. Look at Meng Feixuan standing there like an idiot—he's not even as lively as Nangong Xu! Did they not even set up the basic performance program?]

[I'm out. What a waste of time. I'm going back to watch Nangong Xu. Nangong Xu's performance has started!]

It could be said that the higher everyone's expectations had been before, the harsher the backlash was now. For a time, the entire screen was filled with mockery of Xie Ran.

Ni Le smugly glanced at Kuang Youfang and Fang Huiwang. "See? I told you. This thing is completely impossible to achieve right now."

Kuang Youfang finally relaxed, a smile appearing on his face. "In that case, it'll be even more beneficial for our publicity."

Just as Ni Le had said, netizens did not understand those advanced technologies. To them, only things that could be shown to them right now were real and tangible.

Onstage, Nangong Xu sang and danced, passionately interacting with the audience under the program's control and winning unanimous praise.

Fang Huiwang looked at his phone screen, unable to suppress his satisfaction. This time, Xie Ran had to regret it, right?

Yet in the livestream, Xie Ran was not flustered or embarrassed as everyone had imagined.

For him, the real purpose of this livestream had already been achieved. Next, he only had to wait for the major technology companies to come begging to cooperate with him. The true virtual idol revolution was only just beginning.

Xie Ran nodded. "Today's launch event ends here. Everyone is welcome to continue following Meng Feixuan's development."

With that, he turned around and left the stage.

The media below the stage, who had been preparing to stir things up: ???

Netizens:

[?????? What does that mean? Where's the media Q&A?]