"'Meeting someone like you is as rare as a rainbow.' So, that's the origin of your name, Fang Zhiyou," Feng Qi remarked, nodding thoughtfully after hearing Fang Zhiyou explain the meaning behind his name.
Picking up a skewer of lamb, Feng Qi finished it in one bite before turning toward the vendor grilling skewers nearby. He shouted, "Boss, another 100 skewers of beef, 100 skewers of lamb, and five lamb kidneys!"
Watching the growing pile of empty skewers on the table, Fang Zhiyou couldn't help but feel his eye twitch.
He quickly realized that treating Feng Qi to a late-night snack wasn't as simple as he had imagined.
If Feng Qi kept eating at this rate, Fang Zhiyou was worried his wallet wouldn't survive.
After all, he was just a student, still financially dependent on his parents. The modest savings he had painstakingly built from his allowance were about to be wiped out in a single meal—and might not even be enough.
Taking a deep breath, he pushed the thought aside and took a large gulp from his beer glass. The alcohol quickly made him feel lightheaded, and with his face flushed, he turned to Feng Qi and asked:
"Qi-ge, can you finally tell me how I can make others admire me?"
Hearing this, Feng Qi grinned widely.
"I heard you're working on a virtual engine. How's that coming along?"
"It's so-so," Fang Zhiyou replied modestly. "The basic framework is complete, but there are still a lot of areas that need improvement. How did you find out about this, Qi-ge?"
Feng Qi didn't answer his question. Instead, he pressed further:
"Have you thought about refining and perfecting this virtual engine?"
"I have, but it would take a lot of time and resources. I even applied for funding from the Academy of Technology, but my request was denied. So, for now, I've decided to focus on my studies," Fang Zhiyou said, his voice tinged with resignation.
Feng Qi was momentarily surprised by this revelation. This piece of history wasn't in the database he had reviewed.
"Why was your request denied?"
"To be honest, it didn't surprise me. The materials I submitted weren't particularly groundbreaking. It's just a virtual engine framework. Both the Academy of Technology and the United Military Department already have their own virtual simulation engines. My new design clearly didn't catch their eye."
"More importantly, this world revolves around cultivation as its core developmental direction. What's the use of a great virtual engine?"
Hearing this, Feng Qi suddenly understood.
From his perspective, informed by future knowledge, Fang Zhiyou's virtual engine was extraordinary and capable of altering humanity's historical trajectory.
But from a contemporary viewpoint, it seemed irrelevant.
In modern society, virtual engines were primarily used to create game worlds, simulating real-world physics for entertainment.
Some virtual engines were also used for scientific experiments or testing advanced weaponry. However, the results from virtual simulations often fell far short of real-world testing.
For example, weapon tests were typically conducted at actual test sites, while virtual engine simulations provided little more than rough estimates, plagued by numerous bugs.
Thus, before the advent of Savior, virtual engines were seen as niche tools—barely useful and easily overlooked.
Although Fang Zhiyou was later hailed as a virtual genius in history, his recognition didn't come during this era.
His fame would only arrive when someone eventually used the virtual engine he created to develop Savior.
Much like the early days of gunpowder, which was initially used for alchemy and barely recognized, its importance skyrocketed once it was adapted for military use, becoming a revolutionary invention.
Similarly, Fang Zhiyou's virtual engine would remain undervalued until Savior was born.
After its introduction, Fang Zhiyou's Future Virtual Engine would shine like gunpowder in warfare, gaining recognition as a pivotal innovation.
Subsequent generations would continue to refine the Future Virtual Engine, bringing its simulated physics ever closer to real-world accuracy.
In time, technological and military experiments could be conducted entirely within virtual environments, saving countless resources and minimizing waste.
Watching the flushed and slightly tipsy Fang Zhiyou, Feng Qi realized that even Fang himself likely hadn't anticipated how profoundly his virtual engine would impact future generations.
The rejection of his funding application from the Academy of Technology had probably reinforced his belief that his project was merely a hobby with little practical value.
Feng Qi decided to speak up:
"Would you be interested in refining the virtual engine framework if I provided the funding?"
Fang Zhiyou froze, clearly startled by the offer, before shaking his head.
"This is just a personal hobby. I work on it in my spare time, but I plan to prioritize my studies for now."
"Do you think virtual engines are useless?" Feng Qi pressed.
"Aren't they?" Fang Zhiyou countered, his tone laced with doubt.
Seeing the faint defeat in Fang Zhiyou's demeanor, Feng Qi knew he needed to provide motivation.
"I have an idea—one that needs your help to make it a reality. If we succeed, you'll become a figure admired throughout history."
"What idea?" Fang Zhiyou asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
"I need a virtual engine with realistic physics simulations to create a highly immersive virtual game."
"Of course, the goal isn't just to make a game for players to spend money on. Let me explain what I have in mind…"
As he spoke, Feng Qi outlined the concept of Savior to Fang Zhiyou in detail.
He emphasized how such a game could address the shortcomings in practical training for academy students, while also advancing scientific research and military applications.
From initial confusion to growing interest, Fang Zhiyou's expression gradually turned serious.
He realized Feng Qi wasn't just improvising—he had come fully prepared.
Not only did Feng Qi understand the main direction of his virtual engine's framework, but he also proposed a comprehensive plan to leverage it for a variety of projects.
Hearing Feng Qi's ambitious ideas, Fang Zhiyou couldn't help but feel awestruck.
If Feng Qi's vision could be realized, the future value of the virtual engine would be immeasurable.
However, he had many doubts. Looking toward Feng Qi, he asked:
"If I complete the Future Virtual Engine, how do you plan to proceed with developing the game?"
"I can handle the physical simulation aspects," Fang Zhiyou continued, "but creating spell trajectories, algorithms, and related data would require extensive testing. How do you intend to achieve that?
"Even with a top-notch team, recording every spell into the system could take decades. By the time the game is finished, it might be decades too late."
Feng Qi smiled in response to the question.
"You don't need to worry about that. For now, your focus is only on perfecting the Future Virtual Engine. I'll take care of the funding."
"Oh, and the visual design and modeling will need to integrate with your engine. We'll have to train professionals in this area from scratch, so you'll oversee that as well."
"I haven't even agreed yet," Fang Zhiyou grumbled.
[If he doesn't agree, just send him back to the bridge and let him jump. What a waste of words!]
Ignoring the narrator's snarky commentary, Feng Qi maintained his friendly smile.
"That's why I need your decision now."
Fang Zhiyou hesitated, conflicted.
Feng Qi's proposal was undeniably tempting.
But considering they had only just met, agreeing to such an ambitious plan felt impulsive.
The plan sounded promising, but Fang Zhiyou wasn't naive. He knew that executing such a vision would require immense effort and commitment.
There was no guarantee of success. All their hard work could end up being in vain.
Yet, for some reason, his conversation with Feng Qi filled him with a strange sense of trust.
Feng Qi's radiant smile was genuinely reassuring.
After a brief silence, Fang Zhiyou finally spoke, hesitating:
"Even if I agree, my parents won't. They want me to enroll in the Star City Academy's Cultivation Techniques Research Class."
Hearing this, Feng Qi grinned.
"What are your chances of getting into the Cultivation Techniques Research Class at Star City Academy?"
"Not great, honestly. I'm not really interested in studying cultivation techniques. I'm only doing it because of my parents' expectations," Fang Zhiyou admitted with a sigh.
His words reminded Feng Qi of his best friend, Mo Fei.
Mo Fei's parents had hoped he would join a prestigious combat class at a top academy.
But unlike Fang Zhiyou's parents, they had never pressured him, letting him chart his own path.
In comparison, Fang Zhiyou was burdened by his parents' expectations.
"No interest, no motivation, right? So, you're just wasting time?" Feng Qi teased.
"Pretty much," Fang Zhiyou admitted. "If I'm not interested, how could I find the drive to succeed?"
"So, falling in love at school was a distraction?"
Fang Zhiyou felt embarrassed by Feng Qi's teasing. He quickly grabbed his glass and took a big gulp of beer to cover it up.
"While I can't help you get into Star City Academy, our virtual engine development and game studio will be based there. I'm sure your parents would approve of that," Feng Qi said casually.
Fang Zhiyou was stunned.
"A studio at Star City Academy? Are you serious?"
"Absolutely."
"I don't believe it. Star City Academy is a cultivation academy, not a tech institution. Setting up a tech studio there is pure fantasy. The principal would never agree—unless you bribed him heavily," Fang Zhiyou added skeptically.
Feng Qi wasn't surprised by his doubt.
"If I told you the studio will be housed in Star City Academy, with accommodation and meals provided, and that your treatment will be on par with the academy's students except for attending classes, would you believe me?"
"Have you been drinking, or is it me?" Fang Zhiyou looked at his beer glass, feeling tipsy.
"Neither of us is drunk. If the basics weren't secured, I wouldn't have sought you out in the first place," Feng Qi said earnestly.
"So, Star City Academy really agreed?"
"Yes."
"Why? I want to know what convinced them. Did the principal take a bribe?"
"Because I'm a genius," Feng Qi replied with a grin.
"There are plenty of geniuses. That's not a good enough reason for Star City Academy to agree." Fang Zhiyou still wasn't convinced.
In response, Feng Qi pulled out his teaching badge from Star City Academy and placed it on the table in front of Fang Zhiyou.
Then, as Fang Zhiyou stared in disbelief, Feng Qi took out a small, silver medal engraved with the words "Outstanding Contribution to Humanity."
"This is all I brought. Is it enough to convince you?" Feng Qi asked nonchalantly.
[Ladies and gentlemen, look here! A living legend showing off. The situation is spiraling out of control!]
The narrator's voice rang out dramatically.