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If that was the case, had Quest Technology given up on Meng Feixuan?

When curious netizens clicked on Nangong Xu's MV link, they were stunned once again.

In the MV, Nangong Xu's model seemed to have been remade or post-processed. He looked noticeably more refined and lifelike than he had at the launch event, and his audio system appeared to have been upgraded as well, making his voice even more captivating.

But what surprised everyone most was the stage design and the interaction between Nangong Xu and Fang Huiwang.

Nangong Xu's performance stage had been entirely digitally composited, perfectly recreating the stage setting from Tomorrow's Star ten years ago.

Fang Huiwang and Nangong Xu performed a seamless duet on that stage, complete with lively dialogue between them. They looked just like real friends interacting, breaking through the boundaries between dimensions.

And the song they sang together was none other than Tomorrow's Star's theme song.

Under the pretext of commemorating the tenth anniversary of Fang Huiwang's debut, Ambition Studio had purchased the stage design and cover rights to the theme song from Tomorrow's Star's original copyright holders.

There was no doubt that the MV was an enormous success. The remade Nangong Xu performed exceptionally well; whether in appearance, audio system, or stage performance, he was clearly leagues ahead of current virtual idols. Watching him, he did not even seem inferior to Meng Feixuan at the launch event.

The technology used to recreate the stage was even more unrivaled, showcasing the technological strength of both Black Star and Heavenly Sound.

For a time, praise for Nangong Xu flooded the internet.

Major media outlets also began publishing articles comparing Nangong Xu from every angle with Meng Feixuan, the current king of virtual idols.

Meng Feixuan's debut had been nothing short of sensational, and his steadily rising valuation spoke for itself.

But after his debut, Xie Ran had apparently either lacked the ability or seen no need to arrange any corresponding marketing strategy for Meng Feixuan. Even now, people's impression of him remained fixed on the stunning moment of his debut.

And now, even that stunning impression had been shattered.

—Nangong Xu's MV had replicated the amazement Meng Feixuan once inspired.

When Meng Feixuan first debuted, many people had questioned whether his live interactions were merely a slightly more advanced intelligent voice system, nowhere near the level of so-called "virtual idol consciousness."

The interaction system Nangong Xu now displayed, which seemed extremely similar to Meng Feixuan's, appeared to prove exactly that.

Nangong Xu's success sent Fang Huiwang's momentum soaring wildly after it had hit rock bottom and rebounded.

What was more, internal staff at the Lansi brand had leaked to marketing accounts that Fang Huiwang had actually secured his partnership with Lansi himself.

According to the staff, Fang Huiwang had performed exceptionally well in business negotiations, completely unlike certain empty-headed idol artists. This was also what had impressed Lansi's senior management and convinced them that he had enough substance to carry the brand.

Unsurprisingly, this leak added another layer of polish to Fang Huiwang's reputation. The points in those comparison posts where he had lagged behind Xie Ran had now been refuted one by one.

A high-end luxury endorsement, a turnaround on his virtual idol investment, and improved personal ability—what artist capable of securing a high-end luxury endorsement on his own could be called lacking in personal ability?

Fang Huiwang's reputation had completely turned around, while Xie Ran's momentum naturally declined in contrast.

[Fang Huiwang is incredible. How long has it even been? He's already proven himself with his strength.]

[Hahahaha, I'm fucking dying. People were still saying he was riding Xie Ran's coattails. So who was riding whose coattails, exactly?]

[No idea who made that data post, but it was way too good at steering the narrative. It painted Fang Huiwang as completely worthless. Good thing he's actually capable.]

[Whoever benefited was probably the one who made it, doge.]

[Hehe, fans of flops were still bragging about their refined artistic taste! What's the point of boasting so loudly? Does any top-tier brand even give you a second glance?]

[Come to think of it, does anyone remember how someone previously revealed that Xie Ran Studio made outrageous demands with Meng Feixuan and angered Quest Technology? Now that Heavenly Sound is partnering with Nangong Xu, does that also prove Quest Technology gave up on Meng Feixuan?]

[Xie Ran really got too full of himself. The online praise probably went to his head. He thought having Meng Feixuan meant he could do whatever he wanted, but Fang Huiwang endured in silence and secretly built up his strength, then made Nangong Xu and even secured Heavenly Sound's investment first. Xie Ran Studio must be dumbfounded now.]

[Exactly. When Meng Feixuan debuted, people hyped him up like he was something miraculous. But didn't Nangong Xu achieve the same thing now? I can't believe I bought into that nonsense.]

Ambition Studio

"Heavenly Sound's investment arrived today. Our cash flow situation has basically eased, the studio's valuation has doubled, and public opinion online is now very unfavorable toward Xie Ran Studio." Kuang Youfang handed Fang Huiwang a report, unable to hide his satisfaction.

Fang Huiwang accepted the report and gave it a casual glance. "As expected."

Kuang Youfang treated him far more respectfully now than before. Smiling, he said, "Your move of cutting off the source was brilliant. People online are now suspecting that Xie Ran was behind the publicity releases that disparaged you. Many netizens sympathize with our studio, and it's greatly improved our reputation."

Fang Huiwang was not as pleased as Kuang Youfang. He merely sneered. "That only works if you have the strength. Netizens do not sympathize with trash."

"That's true." Kuang Youfang nodded, though inwardly he was still deeply shocked.

It had to be said that the changes Fang Huiwang had undergone since returning from recording Somewhere Else with You were simply astounding.

Not only had he secured the Lansi endorsement all by himself, but the concept and approach for remaking Nangong Xu had also been his idea. Moreover, his ambition and the standards he set for himself had visibly grown stronger.

Ambition Studio's comeback could be said to be Fang Huiwang's achievement alone.

Then Fang Huiwang suddenly asked, "What's Meng Feixuan's situation now?"

Kuang Youfang looked at him in confusion. This was another change Fang Huiwang had developed after returning from the show: for some unknown reason, he had suddenly become filled with hostility toward the virtual idol Meng Feixuan.