Chapter 114: Return to Earth, Super Handsome Man
After finishing the miscellaneous tasks at the Crimson Mage Tower, Li De handed over the management of the magic factory to Vina.
He then returned to his room on the fifth floor of the Crimson Mage Tower, lay down, and withdrew his consciousness from the body of the Vampire Progenitor. When he opened his eyes again, he was back on Earth.
Looking at the warm yellow light in his room, he suddenly felt as if he had returned from another world.
During this time, aside from returning to Earth to take care of physiological needs, he had spent all his time in Glory.
The excitement of Glory had almost made him forget that Earth was still his primary world.
He picked up his phone and checked the time—November 24, 2050, at 11:00 AM.
Nearly two months had passed in Glory, but only about twenty days had gone by on Earth. It seemed as though nothing had changed.
But he knew everything had already become different.
Li De stood up slightly, and an indescribable surge of immense power erupted within him.
Taking a deep breath, his dark eyes carried a hint of oppressive force, sharp and piercing like a hawk's gaze.
After stretching his body a bit, he went to the bathroom.
In front of the full-length mirror, Li De, wearing only shorts, looked drastically different compared to before he entered Glory.
Previously, while not exactly a shut-in, years of sitting in front of a computer had given him a slight hunch, some nearsightedness, and a soft, flabby physique.
But now, the reflection in the mirror revealed a completely transformed figure.
His originally decent-looking features seemed refined, becoming far more handsome.
The soft flesh on his body had been replaced by sleek, well-defined muscles, especially the eight-pack abs that were prominently outlined, exuding both strength and beauty.
Combined with the innate elegance radiating from within, the image of a god-like man emerged.
With sharp eyes, Li De gazed at his reflection with deep satisfaction.
This transformation began after he entered Glory.
As time passed and his connection to the world of Glory grew stronger, it seemed his soul underwent subtle, imperceptible changes, which in turn transformed his Earth-bound body.
Becoming a vampire meant growing increasingly perfect—it was a trait determined by their bloodline, which was why vampires were always considered a highly beautiful race.
This change in his soul, through means he couldn't fully comprehend, caused his Earthly body to undergo metamorphosis as well.
He could feel this change was wonderful—it caused no harm, so he neither resisted nor could resist it.
More importantly, there was also a dramatic shift in Li De's demeanor.
"Demeanor shifts with environment, body shifts with nurture."
In Glory, he ruled a city, able to execute anyone at will, controlling the fates of thousands.
He was the noble Vampire Progenitor, wielding immense magical powers.
He was the master of the Crimson Mage Tower, respected and feared by countless people.
The aura of authority he cultivated gave his already attractive face an irresistible charm.
A change in one's demeanor could be transformative, much like Spider-Man in Marvel movies—when Peter Parker turned dark, his entire persona shifted, and even his arrogant playboy vibe became inexplicably charming, whether dancing awkwardly on the street or otherwise.
The elegance of a vampire, the composure of a superior being, and the confidence of a high-level mage caused a monumental transformation in Li De's demeanor.
A completely new version of Li De emerged, like a butterfly breaking free from its cocoon.
Suddenly, as he stared into the mirror, Li De seemed to recall something. He closed his eyes slightly and began concentrating mana, just as he did in Glory.
One minute, two minutes, ten minutes.
After a long while, Li De opened his eyes and shook his head in disappointment.
No mana. Still no mana.
Magic could theoretically be used, but Earth lacked the essential condition for casting spells—mana.
He wasn't sure if he felt disappointed or relieved.
If mana existed, it would signify massive changes, making the future unpredictable.
Without mana, everything remained the same—it was hard to say whether that was good or bad.
However, he was already at the pinnacle of power. No matter how the future changed, he firmly held the initiative.
Putting aside his complex emotions, Li De freshened up and prepared to go out.
It had been half a month since he last saw the sunlight outside.
After washing up casually and putting on simple clothes, the impact of his transformed demeanor became even more apparent.
Messy short hair, a pure white T-shirt on top, dark blue jeans on the bottom, and a pair of white sneakers.
Though his outfit was simple, it was clean and neat, paired with the elegance of his movements, giving off an indescribable handsomeness.
Super handsome guy~
Grabbing his keys, he headed out.
Shanghai, the "eldest son" of the Republic, had become the most prosperous city on the planet.
The bustling noise of people coming and going quickly pulled his heart fully back to Earth, and he felt an instant sense of relaxation.
"No matter how strong I am in Glory, I still feel safest in my homeland, China. Praise the goddess—no, praise China!"
Li De hailed a taxi and headed to a nearby large mall. He had just seen some information online.
Today, the game developers of Glory would hold a trial event.
Over this period, Glory, the game, had quietly gained traction in China. As trial events spread, more and more people experienced the stunning world of the game.
Online discussions about Glory were increasing, but to Li De's disappointment, the official website still offered very little information. The millennia-old static webpage hadn't been updated, providing no useful clues.
The player forums were filled with chaotic guesses, mostly asking when the servers would open—nothing that interested him.
Half an hour later, after aimlessly scrolling on his phone, Li De shook his head and closed his eyes to rest.
His main purpose today was to test if he could enter the game normally through the gaming pod.
He also wanted to ask the staff for more information about Glory.
The promotion of Glory always left him feeling teased. He didn't understand the strategy of letting the public try the game but withholding further details.
In this era, using hunger marketing tactics felt outdated.
Wanda Mall, the behemoth of China, occupied a significant share of shopping malls in major cities.
Today, the place was exceptionally crowded, not just with shoppers but also with many eager to experience the game.
As Glory continued to gain attention, more and more people learned about this hyper-realistic game. The passion and enthusiasm of gamers were undeniable.
For the first black-tech virtual reality online game, players' excitement could practically ignite Mars.
On one side of Wanda Mall, a massive trial area had been set up with fifty gaming pods in operation, surrounded by nearly a thousand people queued up densely.
China's population was as overwhelming as ever.
Seeing the long line, Li De felt a headache. At this rate, he might not get his turn until late at night.
Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a girl wearing a staff badge and simple clothing. His eyes lit up.
With an impeccable smile, he approached her. The memories of the Vampire Progenitor hadn't significantly influenced him, but some subtle habits had seamlessly integrated into him.
One of them was the elegant demeanor of a true noble.
Vampires were genuine nobles—not the hollow, powerless aristocrats of Earth, but beings who controlled the fates of those beneath them. Their naturally exuded aura immediately set them apart.
And Li De's soul was no longer that of a weak shut-in. He was now an Advanced mage, possessing a powerful soul capable of manipulating magic.
Everything had transformed Li De into someone entirely different.
With every movement, several women around him couldn't help but stare repeatedly—once, twice, three times—and still felt it wasn't enough.
How could someone be so charismatic? How could someone be this handsome???
"Hey, hello."
Li De smiled perfectly, catching the attention of the crowd as he approached one of the prettiest girls wearing a staff badge.
"Hello, is there anything I can help you with?" The girl smiled sweetly, though a faint blush on her face hinted at nervousness.
"I've long admired Glory and have been eager to try it, but I arrived late today due to other commitments."
"Is there any way I could experience it now? Perhaps you have a spare gaming pod?"
"I believe you'll help me, my new friend. Am I right, Miss Starry-Eyed?"
Li De's deep, mysterious gaze resembled a starry galaxy above, while the arc of his smile was flawless.
Instantly, the overwhelming noble aura made the girl's heartbeat quicken.
"I'm sorry, company policy forbids unauthorized use of spare gaming pods," she replied firmly, despite her racing heart. But seeing the disappointment in Li De's dark, profound eyes, she faltered slightly, lowering her voice.
"If you really need to use a spare pod, you'd have to apply first. I could…"
Li De's smile widened further, but before he could respond, another voice interrupted him.
"Hey, weren't you the guy who got electrocuted the other day?"
Turning around, he saw a girl with a ponytail, wearing a white dress and sporting long, fair legs, staring at him in astonishment.
Li De's expression froze momentarily as he recognized her—the same staff member who had subjected him to Lightning Mage Yang's shocking education. He still hadn't spent the 2,000 yuan cash he had received as compensation.
"You… how did you get so handsome?" The girl, with big, round eyes and an elegant demeanor, seemed surprised by his transformation.
Ye Anxue still remembered this young man—it was her first major mistake at work. Fortunately, he had been understanding, resolving the issue for just 2,000 yuan.
She remembered him vividly and recognized him instantly.
Li De shrugged and decisively shifted his focus.
"What a coincidence, meeting you again. Hopefully, there won't be any more electric shocks this time."
Ye Anxue's face flushed slightly. "It won't happen. Our gaming pods have been improved and won't cause such issues anymore."
"By the way, are you here to try the game? There are so many people here, but we have a spare pod at our station. I'll take you there."
Her words left the nearby staff girl stunned. I just refused, and now you're agreeing? Do you have to rub it in my face?
Watching the super-handsome guy nod in agreement, she felt a pang of bitterness, as if she'd encountered a typical "bad boy."
Two hours later, Li De returned home with a strange expression.
To be honest, today's test had exceeded his expectations—he couldn't enter Glory through the gaming pod.
He couldn't even create a character to experience the game.
After trying five different pods, the same result occurred—it seemed some force was blocking him. This intrigued the staff nearby, and they even suggested bringing him back to the company to investigate the cause.
Li De, of course, had no time for that. He blamed the issue on the previous electrical mishap and left directly.
The only regret of the day was that instead of resolving his doubts or gaining more information about Glory , he had only added to his confusion.
Life was always full of dramatic twists.
"Mr. Li, are you home?"
A notification flashed on WeChat. Li De unlocked his phone.
"I'm home. Thank you for your concern, Miss Ye."
"Call me Anxue. It's very hot these days. If you have time, let's grab a coffee. I owe you an apology for what happened last time~^-^"
"It's hot, so drink more hot water. Hot water cools you down."
"Haha, Mr. Li, you're so funny. How old are you?"
"Let's talk another time. I'm taking a shower."
Li De responded casually and ignored the girl who had added him on WeChat before leaving. After taking a shower and eating dinner, he re-entered Glory.
What was the point of dating? Why not go back to studying magic? Wasn't Vina more appealing? Wasn't ruling a city more satisfying?