Chapter 2 Packaged as a Game_2

"Do you know... virtual reality games?"

Shen Shang didn't immediately answer, seemingly searching for information through some means.

After a moment, she said, "Is it a form of entertainment that simulates the real world?"

Meng Yuan nodded, "That's right. Package the Return Order trials into a virtual reality game's teaching instance, and package the historical slices into the content of virtual reality game levels.

"That way, as long as they all think they're playing a game, they won't be frightened, nor will they produce too many negative emotions, and demons naturally will have a harder time influencing them.

"As for the information about the Return Order that has already been released...

"It can just be packaged as promotional material for this game."

Shen Shang's small face showed confusion, "I don't quite understand, but based on the Return Order Ability, it's feasible, and you seem very confident."

Meng Yuan said, "The only problem is, will these people be in danger after entering the historical slices? What will happen to them if they die within the historical slices?"

Shen Shang confidently said, "Nothing will happen, because you are the only one who truly has the ability to traverse the historical slices. Even if you bring other specific individuals into the historical slices, their souls are deeply bound to your ability.

"Even if you die, their souls will only return to reality under the protection of the Return Order Ability. They won't be harmed.

"The only one in danger is yourself."

Meng Yuan nodded, "Alright then, I'm relieved. But why do I suddenly feel a bit disheartened..."

"With time pressing, what do I need to do next?" Shen Shang asked.

Meng Yuan thought for a moment, "Start with packaging the game for marketing.

"The packaged game must be listed in virtual reality devices' game stores, so as to deceive most players as much as possible.

"Can we do that?"

Shen Shang nodded, "Possible, but with our current strength, it's impossible to make it flawless.

"I can use the power of the Return Order to pull the wool over people's eyes for a while, making most overlook the suspicious aspects.

"However, as time goes by, people will inevitably discover clues, and then it will be difficult to keep this secret."

Meng Yuan didn't mind, "No problem. If it really comes to that, there will be people in reality who will help us block the news.

"After all, such news, if released, would be enough to cause panic and would also weaken humanity's self-preservation forces.

"The pressing matter of the moment is to quickly develop this epoch-making virtual reality game."

...

Five hours later.

In the same city of Tiandu, inside a rental room.

Zhao Haiping, who prided himself as a hardcore action game player, had just finished his "film grinding" for the day and was boredly scrolling on his phone.

Of course, he inevitably saw the biggest hot topic of the day again: the top news websites and social media around the world were all bombarded with the same information.

So far, the online discussion about this so-called "Return Order's Notes" was already explosively popular, with endless speculation.

Still, no one had been able to provide a convincing explanation.

However, Zhao Haiping refreshed the news feed and suddenly found that the situation seemed to have taken a turn.

Below those messages, there was a link to a website!

He clicked on it curiously and found it was a game's official website.

"The consciousness-linked virtual reality game 'Dark Sand', adapted from 'Return Order's Notes', will be grandly launched at 10 o'clock tonight! A recruitment announcement for beta testers is now issued, with limited spots. Please click the [Reserve] button below to participate right away!"

The page was simple; after entering, there was a blurry promotional CG followed by two buttons.

One was the [Beta Tester Recruitment Announcement] in the top-right corner, and the other was the huge [Reserve] button below.

The promotional CG began to auto-play.

...

This was a bird's-eye view from high above, piercing through the clouds to reveal the outline of the nine provinces.

Mountains stretched out, peaks rose high, rivers roared toward the east and into the sea.

The view skimmed over the beautiful landscapes, and a deep female voice seemed to be speaking right next to the audience, narrating in a soothing tone.

And as the voice continued, a majestic and epic background music appropriately rose, its melody changing constantly with the inflection of the voice.

"The nine provinces are vast, teeming with all living beings.

"This is the homeland of successive Return Orders, as well as the dreamland coveted by demons and evils.

"In the disordered time-space currents, ancient sages perceived the demons' scheming and left behind warnings."

The view in the footage changed, appearing to be an ancient battlefield between humans and demons.

The demons were defeated but they went into hiding, ready to strike again.

"Time flies in an instant, but the mission of the Return Order does not lighten with the passage of time, it grows even heavier.

"Demons hide within the fragments of the past, waiting for an opportunity to act.

"The past has changed, yet the people of the present are still oblivious."

At that moment, scene after scene appeared before Zhao Haiping, showing the original history being tampered with by demons, the alien races that should have been successfully repelled driving forward, the renowned scholars who should have had their names in history unfairly executed...

"The sun is setting, the tamperers hope it will never rise again.

"Find the altered historical slices amidst the chaotic and complicated time-space currents, and return them to the right track.

"And this, is the mission of the Return Orders!"

The production quality of the promotional CGI was exceptional, even better than the top triple-A titles currently on the market.

As a hardcore player of action games, this CGI had Zhao Haiping's blood boiling.

He immediately opened the beta tester recruitment announcement.

"The virtual reality game 'Dark Sand' with over one hundred percent realism is recruiting beta testers!

"Game genre: Eastern fantasy and history-themed, role-playing game with certain 'Souls-like' difficulty and intricate gameplay.

"Requirements: Good temperament, quick reflexes, strong pressure-bearing ability, some knowledge of history, and excellent physical condition.

"Additional bonus points for: High acting skills, preferably of an award-winning level!

"Or if your acting is average, as long as it fits the character, authenticity will suffice.

"Special reward: Among the beta testers, the one with the most outstanding simulated completion score will undertake the ultimate trial. After perfecting their role, their performance will be revealed to the public in the form of a movie or a game, fulfilling your movie star dream!"

Zhao Haiping watched the promotional CGI and the recruitment announcement twice before starting to understand what was going on.

"So... this isn't an April Fool's joke but a unconventional marketing strategy for a game?

"The so-called 'Return Order's Notes' was just used to preheat for this game?

"But, to buy out the top news websites and social media all over the globe to get the headlines hot and do publicity for their own game, what background does this game developer have!"