Chapter 114, "For Such a Moment"...
Apart from the Kowloon Corridor, the VR experience in the VR experience center cannot be live-streamed or recorded.
So, after leaving the experience center, Justin and Benjamin found themselves in the predicament of "proving themselves".
Because both he and Benjamin agreed that the VR experience center in Qinghe Ancient Town was indeed the best in the world, especially Benjamin, who vaguely used the phrase "this is epoch-making".
Then, the comments section exploded, with everyone agreeing that he had definitely been paid by Qinghe Ancient Town.
Did they threaten you? Blink twice if you need help! A small town's VR equipment can't possibly be better than ours in Bangalore.
See? I told you! They'll do anything for publicity. It's all so fake.
Please, buddy, tell the truth. What really happened? Don't become one of those unscrupulous internet celebrities.
Such comments filled the comment section.
Justin protested his innocence: "If I had been paid, I would have said so beforehand. It's not like we haven't made special advertising videos before. You have to believe me, I really didn't get paid!"
Benjamin added, “I can testify that we’re not advertising for this attraction, but its VR is just…” He paused, looking somewhat dazed, “It’s absolutely amazing! I don’t think there’s any VR company on the market that does it better than them. It’s technology from another world.”
Justin nodded repeatedly: "Yes, that's exactly how I feel. Although it's not interactive yet, the sensory realism it provides blows away all other VR headsets on the market!"
Benjamin: "My job is related to VR, and as far as I know, even the top VR labs can't achieve this level of technology. It's amazing. There must be a top-notch lab supporting this scenic spot."
Has VR technology in China progressed to this level?
However, why didn't they move towards interaction?
Benjamin's words only fueled the outcry in the comments section:
Justin, to make this lie seem more believable, you actually fabricated a friend with such a professional background?!
[It's such a shame... I trusted you so much. I guess I still couldn't overcome money.]
Wow. Really. It seems that winning in culture isn't enough; technology has to win too? Even if it's fake.
[Then list the specifications. What headset? What graphics card? What engine? What's the field of view? What's the pixel density? If you don't, you're just bragging.]
Although the live stream seemed to become more popular as a result, Justin had a lot to say but couldn't.
He waved his hands: “Guys, seriously! I’m not kidding, and I definitely didn’t get paid! I swear on my channel’s reputation! I know this sounds outrageous, and I didn’t believe it at first either! But you have to understand, this isn’t just about the specs on paper! It’s about… the experience, the immersion, and the content—you have to see it for yourself to believe it!”
Justin suddenly remembered something and said urgently, "Weren't you all shocked when those dragons came out before?!"
He was both angry and aggrieved. Just now, when he passed through that corridor, everyone in the live broadcast room was very excited, but as soon as he came out, someone stirred up the situation and it suddenly turned into this scene.
It's like watching a movie, only more realistic.
Those dragons were indeed impressive, but I don't think that alone is enough to make it a world-class attraction.
While its details and dynamics are indeed handled better, many VR devices nowadays can achieve a similar level of performance.
[Agreed. It's not that it's bad, it's just that you guys are overhyping it.]
And then there are Korean IPs making a comeback, trying to profit from the chaos:
Perhaps they hired some of our Korean graphic designers? Everyone knows our game and special effects industry is world-class.
They even copy Samsung to make a good phone, and now they dare to claim they have the best VR? It's laughable.
[So what if they have a long history? Their technology is still far superior to ours. And this is the 21st century!]
Who doesn't know that China's technology was stolen?
Benjamin, of course, saw these comments as well. He knew that the comments section was talking about the kind of VR videos that are currently popular and played in a room. In fact, it uses six walls to display 3D videos, and wearing VR glasses does give you that immersive feeling.
But he wanted to say that it was different.
Unfortunately, once the video is filmed, it loses the impact of experiencing it in person.
Benjamin was a tech geek and not very articulate; after his unsuccessful attempt to explain, he stopped talking.
“Justin, it’s no use.” He shook his head and said in a low voice, “They haven’t experienced it, they can’t possibly understand what we just saw. It’s not a problem with the screen or the graphics card, it’s… something from another dimension. You can’t explain it with words.”
The comments section was filled with sarcasm after hearing his words, with messages like "disbelief," "disappointment," and "unfollowing" appearing frequently. Unless Justin can provide more direct and irrefutable evidence, it will be difficult to salvage this crisis of trust.
It was at this moment that the two returned to the main square of Zone One and encountered Xiao Zhuang.
Justin said indignantly, "Your Majesty, they don't believe that your ancient town's VR experience is the best in the world. Can that experience center broadcast live or film videos?"
He wanted to go back and experience it all over again!
What the heck is "Queen"? Xiao Zhuang's lips twitched, then he smiled and said, "I'm sorry, because of the special equipment, we can't do live streaming or filming videos for the time being."
She also expressed her regret, saying that if the VR experience could be filmed as a video, Qinghe Ancient Town would probably have trended on social media even more, and the visitor numbers might have increased by another level. In fact, despite this VR experience center trending on social media in China, there are still voices of skepticism.
After all, the Kowloon Corridor is an enclosed space. Although the visual effects are more exquisite, the impact is not as great as the short VR experience of a few dozen seconds during the Lu Ban sacrificial ceremony.
Because there haven't been any more detailed VR videos, the videos of the Lu Ban Ritual have even been slandered by many haters as having added special effects, and they've started to be considered historical records after only one year.
Upon hearing Xiao Zhuang's words, Justin was devastated.
Xiao Zhuang glanced at the comments section on his phone and understood immediately.
Unfortunately, she couldn't help him this time either.
"Why don't you try making zongzi?" she suggested kindly, changing the subject for Justin.
Justin understood what she meant, and although he was still a little frustrated, he listened to her and took Benjamin to wrap zongzi (sticky rice dumplings). The two of them, both foreign straight men who had never cooked before, were quite clumsy and made many funny mistakes while wrapping zongzi, which made the viewers in the live stream laugh heartily. Although some people were still causing trouble in the comments section, the earlier commotion eventually passed.
"Come back in three hours to pick up your zongzi," the zongzi maker said with a smile.
So the two of them went to climb Qinghe Tower and take a boat ride.
Qinghe Tower was as beautiful as ever, its green glazed tiles gleaming in the sunlight, while the carved brackets, caisson ceiling, and every detail captivated Benjamin, a lover of ancient Eastern architecture. The water in the river was even clearer under the early summer sun; such water, which would normally only be found in high-altitude lakes or at the foot of snow-capped mountains, was now present in an ancient town in Jiangnan.
Strolling along in a boat, with a gentle breeze blowing, is indescribably pleasant.
Those viewers who remained in the live stream toured Qinghe Ancient Town with Justin Benjamin, sharing this wonderful moment.
The architecture is so harmonious. The ancient bridge, white walls, black tiles... it's like stepping into a painting. So beautiful!
This is like a smaller, more cozy Venice in the East, but the food looks much tastier and there's none of that stagnant, foul smell!
The water in that river looked like huge, swaying, blue-green jelly! I wanted to jump in.
Later, they moved to Zone Two, where they watched a ventriloquism performance and a pipa performance. Lin Baosheng's ventriloquism and Fuyun's pipa playing captivated the foreigners.
[Impossible! That was all just his voice?! I just heard an entire zoo and a street brawl! I hereby declare my brain completely fried.]
This is incredible...it's beyond the capabilities of the human vocal cords.
This guy could single-handedly create a complete soundtrack for a rainforest documentary.
This reminds me of a mandolin, but with far greater power and range! Her fingers danced across the strings like flowing poetry. PIPA... is that how it's pronounced?
[Was the piece she played really called "Ambush from Ten Sides"? Good heavens, that name is so fitting, it made my heart race. I can almost picture the battlefield. Her ability to tell a story through music is amazing.]
Justin was pleasantly surprised to find that the traffic that had been lost due to the VR argument had returned, making up for the previous drop and even reaching a new peak for Lin Baosheng's ventriloquism livestream. More and more people were joining.
Justin immediately seized the opportunity and began his mukbang performance. Based on his previous experience livestreaming in other places, he knew that viewers loved exploring local cuisines. So, he and Benjamin ate their way from one end of the street to the other.
He was very satisfied, and somewhat incredulous: "Can you believe that Benjamin and I ate seven or eight different dishes and only spent less than thirty dollars?! And that's in a tourist area! My God, China is truly amazing, fantastic!"
Benjamin also praised, "Everything tastes delicious."
The initial noise and skepticism gradually faded away, replaced by praise. Some even began to doubt their earlier objections.
Seriously? This whole basket of steamed buns is cheaper than my morning coffee? The universe is so unfair!
My wallet is shedding tears of joy. Justin, try everything! That way I won't accuse you of taking money to advertise anymore.
Okay, fine. Maybe the VR aspect is exaggerated, but I'm 100% sure this place is amazing. I'm going to book tickets now.
I formally apologize for my skepticism about VR. If they can preserve and present these ancient arts so perfectly, then perhaps their technology really is that advanced. I believe it now.
As Justin watched the comments section gradually fill with positive emotions, his mood finally brightened. He took a bite of a glutinous rice cake and mumbled into the camera, "See? I told you this place is special! And we haven't seen the show tonight yet, don't go away, the live stream is getting more and more exciting!"
However, after lunch, Benjamin parted ways with Justin.
Justin wanted to stay in Zone 2 to continue playing and watching the show, and even wanted to queue up again at the VR experience center. Although Justin was also tempted, he decisively said goodbye when he saw how long the queue was at the experience center.
He's going to the woodworking workshop in Zone 5!
The manager of the workshop area was quite surprised to see a foreigner wanting to sign up for a woodworking course. Although some foreign tourists had visited their old town, Benjamin was the first to actually come to the woodworking workshop.
The housekeeper was also young, and he stumbled back to picking up the English lessons he had left with his teacher. He would occasionally look up a word, and the two of them communicated smoothly.
Benjamin was very sincere: "I really liked your videos when I saw them on YouTube before. I just went to see those dougong brackets, and they are truly a miracle."
He was still a fan of Master Li and asked the housekeeper if Master Li was the teacher today. He was quite disappointed when he found out that it wasn't.
Benjamin was very interested in the mortise and tenon course offered by the butler.
“But even the most basic course on mortise and tenon joints requires five sessions.” The butler scratched his head, looking somewhat troubled. “We usually only recommend it to annual pass holders. Do you have the time?”
Since many visitors expressed a desire for courses where adults could also truly learn the craft, the woodworking workshop launched a series of more complex courses for them, such as mortise and tenon joinery, and even building a piece of furniture from scratch, like a chair or a cabinet. Surprisingly, these courses have been very popular. Every Saturday and Sunday, many people drive specifically to attend the classes, spending half a day in the workshop.
For them, this seemed to be a way to relieve stress and relax. As a result, the number of annual pass holders in the ancient town also increased again.
Benjamin felt a pang of regret after hearing what he said. He was only staying in Qinghe City for two days, and according to his schedule, he was supposed to leave early the next morning.
His gaze darted between the other courses, wondering if he should switch to another one, but after looking around, he realized that he still wanted to learn mortise and tenon joints, after all, he had been thinking about it for a long time.
Five times... Benjamin suddenly remembered that VR experience center.
"I'll still enroll in that course!" he decided. "If I don't finish the course, I can come back in six months or even a year to continue learning, right?"
Butler: "Yes, our courses are valid for two years."
“No problem.” Benjamin said with a sigh of relief. “Then sign up. And while you’re at it, get me an annual pass.”
He felt that he would probably have to travel to China frequently in the future. With such excellent VR technology, the company would definitely send people to investigate, and he estimated that he would have to stay in Qinghe Ancient Town for a while.
That's the best of both worlds!
Benjamin's lips curled up in a smile, and he was in a very good mood.
Today is a double holiday, and the adult advanced class is full. The teacher is Xiang Dazhu. He was a little surprised to see that there was even a foreigner participating, but fortunately, he had a mobile translation app and other students who knew a little English, so they were able to communicate.
Their curriculum focuses on making straight tenons.
"This is the most basic mortise and tenon joint," Xiang Dazhu said. He never expected to become a teacher-like figure in modern times. His voice trembled during his first class, but now he was quite calm. "Don't think it's simple and not worth learning just because it's basic. All the complex mortise and tenon joints that follow are evolved from it. Including the Yingfu Wooden Pagoda, which you are very familiar with..."
He skillfully used the large screen in the classroom to display a photo of the Yingfu Wooden Pagoda, "which also uses a lot of mortise and tenon joints."
Benjamin listened intently, and for the first time, he regretted not learning Chinese with Justin.
These five lessons will teach two types of mortise and tenon joints: straight tenon and dovetail tenon. Each lesson lasts about three hours. Of course, the adult lessons are less rigid, and students can take breaks whenever they want.
Benjamin looked up from his woodworking and stretched his shoulders.
He was delighted to be here. Although the teacher looked young, his skills were truly remarkable. While the woodworking here was taught in a purely Eastern style, somewhat different from the system he had previously learned, the techniques were interconnected once one reached a certain level. He felt he had resolved many of his previous problems.
Benjamin went to the restroom and on his way back he happened to pass by another, larger workshop in the factory.
He saw a familiar face: Master Li!
He's a fan of Master Li!
Just then, Xiang Dazhu happened to pass by, and Benjamin immediately grabbed him: "Teacher, isn't that Carpenter Li?"
Xiang Dazhu felt a chill run down his spine. Oh my god, he was a step too slow.
Benjamin realized he didn't speak English, so the two of them took out their phones to talk.
Xiang Dazhu nodded repeatedly: "Yes, it's Carpenter Li. This is the advanced class. The students here are all professional carpenters with a certain foundation."
The advanced training course lasts for one month and is mainly for professional carpenters, with twenty places available. The tuition is quite high, at 30,000 yuan per month, but since it was announced to the public, many carpenters from other places have applied, and even Ye Shi'an sent several people. The instructors in this class are all top-tier carpenters like Li the Carpenter, Xiang Ming, and Xiang Qi.
Two sessions have been organized so far.
Benjamin was filled with longing.
Xiang Dazhu found this foreigner quite interesting and patted him on the shoulder: "You should focus on what you're doing first. You can't understand what the class is teaching."
Benjamin watched for a while before leaving with regret. At the end of the course, he entrusted his unfinished tenon joint to the steward. There was a special workshop to store the students' belongings, and he received a small nameplate, which he could use to retrieve it on his second visit.
"I will definitely come again," he said confidently, holding the nameplate.
The butler smiled and said, "You're most welcome."
Benjamin specifically took a boat to Zone 2 to meet Justin. Because Qinghe Ancient Town is quite large, in addition to sightseeing boats, a short-distance public transport boat service has been opened between Zone 5 and Zone 2, costing five yuan per person. This shortcut across the lake is very popular.
They went to collect the rice dumplings they had made themselves.
He and Justin had dinner and were waiting to watch the Gods Parade.
They were lucky enough to encounter night fog. Qinghe Ancient Town is now quite famous for its fog, with even dedicated online prediction accounts that report its fog conditions daily and have summarized some patterns. For example, if there is morning fog, there is a 50% chance of night fog; and the occurrence rate of night fog is even lower than that of morning fog... There hasn't been any night fog for a long time now.
It seems to have appeared specifically for the Dragon Boat Festival.
Some weather enthusiasts were baffled by this, unable to analyze the mechanism behind the fog's appearance, and ultimately concluded that it might be due to the abundance of water in Qinghe Ancient Town.
In short, Justin and Benjamin witnessed a grand procession of gods in the night fog.
"Auspicious midday, the fragrance of mugwort fills the streets—"
"The celestial chariot descends to the mortal realm, dispelling disease and bringing peace and health—"
"Shenzhou's journey brings the cure of all diseases—"
As the lights of Qinghe Ancient Town illuminate one by one, a misty, ethereal atmosphere gradually spreads, enveloping the entire main street in a dreamlike halo. Within the mist, celestial maidens, children, apsaras, and strongmen escort the divine floats. The Dragon Boat Festival's grand parade also incorporates dragon boat elements.
Finally, the divine birds flew in from afar with clear, long cries, and the golden crow chariot, radiating dazzling divine power, began its tour of the human world.
Fireworks fell in a dazzling display.
Everything was so ethereal and antique, and this pure Eastern aesthetic, almost poetic, and rich folk beliefs deeply moved Justin and Benjamin.
It transcends specific cultural forms and is a shared expression of aesthetics, faith, and reverence.
Justin's eyes welled up with tears.
“My God, I’m experiencing an unprecedented culture shock. I can’t describe how I feel right now.” Justin is a sentimental person, and his voice was filled with emotion. “This is all so beautiful! I’ve traveled to so many places around the world and seen many parades, some incredibly joyous, like the Rio Carnival, and others related to faith, like the Ganges Ave. But this one I’m seeing today is so different…”
"It has a sense of orderly elegance, solemn yet not oppressive, sacred yet not alienating. It is like an ideal divine kingdom order that has been perfectly descended to earth, ancient yet vibrant, tranquil yet full of inner joy."
"Friends, this is the outward manifestation of traditional Chinese culture."
No one in the comments section could find fault with this scene. The doubts and ridicule had long since vanished. Netizens from countless countries were equally captivated by this moment.
This makes our historical reenactment activities seem clumsy. The level of detail and atmosphere is unparalleled.
I'm speechless... This is the most breathtakingly beautiful parade I've ever seen. Like a living museum piece.
It is indeed beautiful, but our Ganges Night Ceremony is unparalleled.
[Sacred, yet inexplicably nostalgic... Is this the essence of the Chinese continent? An overwhelming scale and aesthetic. A display of an ancient civilization continuing to this day.]
This is it. This is the authentic and profound cultural experience that every true traveler dreams of. I've already started planning my trip to China.
I don't understand any of the stories behind it, but I don't need to. Just looking at it fills my heart with emotion. Pure magic.
[I'm Justin, a photographer. I sent you a private message. Please reply. Thank you.]
All the previous doubts and arguments about VR have long been swept away by its undeniable beauty. The live stream was filled with a pure, cross-cultural appreciation and admiration.
Justin looked at the comments, wiped his eyes, and smiled, saying, "See? This is the meaning of my travels, it's all for moments like this."
Back at the hotel, he named his live stream:
For such a moment.
Today's live stream actually exceeded his expectations, thanks to the initial minor hiccup. However, Justin still has one regret: the VR experience of Qinghe Ancient Town.
Benjamin comforted him, "Bro, life is always full of regrets. But if I could, I'd like to stay here a little longer and experience their VR."
What attracts him most, besides woodworking, is VR. After all, it's related to his main job, although he doesn't particularly love his main job.
Unfortunately, their itinerary was already set, and if they changed their minds, they would lose a lot of money just on the hotel.
Justin: "If I had taken the money, I wouldn't have anything to say, I'd just take the criticism. But I clearly didn't take the money!"
He's innocent!
Justin's pent-up frustration resurfaced, and Benjamin shrugged, there was nothing he could do.
......
At this moment, Lu Xiaoqi was studying the treasure chest she had obtained after leveling up in the system space.
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