Chapter Fifty: You Are the Lighthouse in My Life

"Right... well, okay..." Lan Tian wiped the sweat from his brow, at a loss for words. "But no matter how small a gadget it is, you’d better tell me how to make it first. If Earth’s current technology isn’t up to the task and I can’t get it done, you’ll have really played me for a fool!"

"Don’t worry, it’s simple. The server for ‘Glory of Heroes’ is me. There’s no need to set up additional servers. When the time comes, I’ll use the signal towers of all the major telecom companies around the world to broadcast a special signal, similar to mobile phone signals. This way, I can build a virtual network that covers the whole globe."

"All you need to do is create a tiny consciousness sensor and sell it everywhere. With this, players around the world can connect their consciousness to this virtual network through the sensor."

"Once the consciousness sensor is ready, just find an OEM to produce some helmets with cool designs, embed the sensor in them, and voilà—the grand, cutting-edge virtual network access helmet is officially launched on Earth."

"That’s all there is to it?" Lan Tian was still skeptical.

"That’s all there is to it." Bai nodded with certainty. "I’ll send the consciousness sensor’s manufacturing method to your computer in a bit. The process isn’t complicated; you can have any precision parts manufacturer make it. Don’t worry about counterfeits—the core code stays with me. Once the hardware is done, I’ll implant it myself."

"Relax. My core code—give Earth ten thousand years and you still couldn’t crack it."

"Alright, I get it. My job is just hardware manufacturing and setting up sales channels. So... you’re basically creating a dedicated global gaming network?" Lan Tian finally understood Bai’s intentions. He had still been thinking in conventional terms, expecting wires and connections, but Bai had created an independent gaming network outright. No wonder he was an artificial intelligence!

"How shallow! A dedicated gaming network? This is the prototype of the virtual universe network in the cosmos! The virtual network on Earth is the empire I’m building for you." Bai wore a look that said Lan Tian was hopelessly unenlightened and said with pride, "Think about it. With the consciousness sensor, everyone can enter the virtual network anytime, anywhere. And if you take the usual functions of the internet and adapt them for the virtual network, who would still want to use a computer to go online?"

"Once everyone gets used to the virtual network, we’ll open up the development source code. By then, every network company on the planet will be clamoring to join you!"

"Isn’t this your very own network empire?"

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Bai, you’re not just my guiding light—you’re my lighthouse in life!" Once Lan Tian recovered from his surprise, he couldn’t help but beam with delight. The thought that everyone going online would be under his control, that he’d be the biggest boss on Earth’s network, made him itch with excitement and feel completely at ease.

He couldn’t help but feel a little exhilarated at the thought.

"Hmph, now you see how formidable I am?" Bai held his head high, full of pride.

"I see, I see. Lord Bai, you are mighty indeed!" Lan Tian flattered him.

After discussing the details of the upcoming press conference with Bai, Lan Tian began his daily regimen.

Today was still the second movement. According to Bai, cosmic energy would rapidly transform his body, so his strength would rise quickly at first. Even with Lan Tian’s mediocre aptitude, it would take no more than a year to complete the first eighteen levels of physical training.

The real challenge would be breaking through to level nineteen. At that point, he would need to materialize his mental energy, and the cosmic energy would focus on strengthening his brain. At that stage, he’d have to be incredibly careful; even the slightest misstep could lead to a backlash from his mental energy—at best, leaving him in a vegetative state, at worst, costing him his life.

Bai’s stern warning left Lan Tian reflecting on just how perilous cultivation truly was.

Nevertheless, for the sake of protecting Earth and preventing its invasion, he was ready to give it his all.

...

The next morning, Lan Tian brought Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan to the company as promised. When they entered the conference hall, they found it had already been set up as a press conference venue.

"President Lan, the press conference is ready, and all the major media have been notified. I expect reporters will start arriving in half an hour," Fan Ming said. He looked exhausted, having spent a sleepless night preparing, but seeing Lan Tian arrive, he hurried forward.

"Good work. Thank you," Lan Tian nodded with appreciation, genuinely pleased. Fan Ming, he thought, had truly proven himself.

"It’s obvious you didn’t misjudge him, but you sure know how to make it all about yourself," Bai’s protest sounded in his ear.

Lan Tian smiled and ignored the quip, then pointed to Wang Ling and Chen Xiaoxuan to introduce them to Fan Ming. "Haha, you already know the lovely lawyer Ms. Wang. And this is Ms. Chen, the brilliant CEO of Heart of Jade Realty."

"Haha, President Chen of Heart of Jade Realty—I’ve certainly heard of you. You’re famous as the most beautiful CEO in Ning City," Fan Ming said, not forgetting his manners in front of the ladies despite his urgency. He offered his hand to Chen Xiaoxuan and smiled.

"Oh, President Fan, please don’t flatter me. I’m well aware of my own abilities," Chen Xiaoxuan responded with a charming smile, shaking his hand. "But you—I’ve admired you for a long time. Without you, President Zou Linshen’s business would never have grown so large."

"Alright, enough mutual compliments. President Fan, let’s go have a chat," Lan Tian interjected, seeing that Fan Ming had a lot to say, and led him toward the office.

"President Lan, nearly half the staff have handed in their resignations... um, most of them are men. The women, on the other hand, seem quite loyal to you." In the chairman’s office, Fan Ming reported the personnel changes the moment they sat down, his expression rather odd.

"Should I feel touched or proud?" Lan Tian chuckled.

"President Lan, aren’t you worried at all? Our Nasdaq stock price is on the verge of suspension. If not for news of today’s press conference, it would have been suspended already." Seeing Lan Tian’s calm demeanor, Fan Ming grew anxious.

Truthfully, he was deeply frustrated. After finally becoming acting chairman, he’d barely enjoyed a day in the role before the company was on the brink of collapse—enough to make anyone spit blood in exasperation.

"Heh, what’s there to worry about? You’re the boss now, so let me give you some reassurance: after the press conference, our stock price will soar beyond your wildest imagination. Do you believe me?" Lan Tian replied, a faint smile on his lips.