Chapter 1 The Capital

Looking at the online discussions about *Turning Back is the Shore*, Qiao Liang was filled with righteous indignation.

How could they twist President Pei's intentions like this?!

Slander, utter and complete slander!

These brainless trolls were clearly the work of internet mercenaries.

Who hired them?

Those detestable competitors, of course!

Instead of focusing on making good games, all they do is resent the good reputation and high sales of Tenda Games. They hate that Tenda's emergence has stopped them from making easy money, so they resort to such despicable tactics to smear Tenda.

So hateful!

Qiao Liang only regretted that he couldn't yet stand up and make a video, exposing the malicious intentions of these internet mercenaries and defending this rare, excellent game.

But thankfully, there was only one day left until his agreement with President Pei.

Tomorrow, Master Qiao would officially make his comeback, dealing a heavy blow to those mercenaries and trolls!

Qiao Liang checked the materials on his computer and the script he had already written.

According to his plan, he would first work overtime today to create a new episode of *Divine Works*, giving a general overview of the highlights of *Turning Back is the Shore*.

After that, he would release a complete walkthrough video.

For a game like this, ten or so videos wouldn't be a problem, right?

He'd make it a series, showing off the fruits of his suffering during this period, flaunting his skills, and satisfying his fans who had been waiting for so long.

*Divine Works* first, then a series of videos like dragons emerging.

Perfect!

Thinking of this, Qiao Liang began to produce the new video.

*Divine Works* Episode Two: *Turning Back is the Shore*, a hardcore game that tests the self!

The video footage was already prepared, and the script was almost done. Next was editing, voice-over, and then release.

The content of this video didn't focus entirely on the game's difficulty, because there had already been too much discussion online about the difficulty.

In Qiao Liang's view, it was detestable that many internet mercenaries and trolls focused all their attacks on the game's difficulty, but dwelling on this point would fall into their trap.

The mercenaries' goal was to focus the topic entirely on the difficulty, demonizing the game's difficulty and scaring away casual players who lacked confidence in their skills.

Overly emphasizing this point would only allow the concept of "the game is difficult" to take root, making it even harder to attract new players.

Therefore, the game's high difficulty was a natural barrier, and the main battlefield for the internet mercenaries and trolls.

To defeat these trolls and mercenaries, he had to strike from a higher dimension, arguing for the reasons and significance of the game's high difficulty!

After prolonged suffering, Qiao Liang had found this new dimension.

That was the game's spiritual core!

Combining the game's spiritual core with its difficulty was the true meaning that this game wanted to convey to players!

Qiao Liang extracted some content he had collected from Zhongdian Chinese Network, added some insights from his gaming experience, and incorporated them into the script, completing the content for this video.

After reviewing it again and again, Qiao Liang nodded with satisfaction.

Then, he opened the video editing software.

"President Pei, don't worry, I'm here to protect you!"

...

October 7th.

Pei Qian browsed the web, checking the data for *Turning Back is the Shore*.

After the noise and commotion of the past few days, things had finally quieted down a bit on the forums.

After all, a week had passed. Those who were going to buy the game had already bought it, those who regretted being tricked in had basically already refunded it, and even some experts had quietly beaten the game.

Under these circumstances, ordinary topics couldn't provoke too much intense debate.

Games all have a golden period of promotion. Pei Qian figured that as long as he could get through this golden period, the days ahead should be easier.

Judging from the current situation, the online debate about the high difficulty had been effective. The sales growth in the past few days had obviously slowed down.

After all, the current market environment wasn't very accepting of high-difficulty games, and there were many unskilled players.

Once a game's "high difficulty" reputation became deeply ingrained, it wouldn't affect its reputation, but it would affect its sales.

Many players wouldn't admit that they were unskilled, but in reality, as soon as they heard that a game was very torturous, they would vote with their feet and not buy it.

After all, there had never been a similar soulslike game in the country, and players hadn't developed the habit. The base of players who liked to suffer was still too small.

The existence of "Pudu" had greatly improved this situation, but for Pei Qian, the current situation was still within an acceptable range.

But he couldn't let his guard down yet.

Because Master Qiao's video hadn't been released yet!

Pei Qian wouldn't be able to rest easy until that guy's video was released.

Pei Qian had also roughly prepared himself mentally for the video that Master Qiao was going to release.

Pei Qian thought that Master Qiao would probably release a very detailed walkthrough video, detailing the advantages and disadvantages of various weapons, the strategies for each boss, and so on.

After all, for Master Qiao, this was his biggest advantage compared to other up-and-comers, and it was the easiest way to create content.

If it was such a video, it wouldn't have a big impact on Pei Qian.

Because even if Master Qiao didn't release it, other experts who cleared the game would definitely release it. This was inevitable.

Similar videos would be very helpful for players who had already purchased the game but were stuck, or for cloud players who planned to watch the video to clear the game.

But it wouldn't necessarily have a big promotional effect on the game's sales.

Pei Qian had already thought about this when he invited Master Qiao to try out the game, so the problem shouldn't be too big.

As long as the final fortress of "game difficulty" wasn't breached, Pei Qian could rest easy.

After refreshing the Ellie Island webpage again, Pei Qian decided to take a break and watch a TV series.

But on the dynamic page, a new video suddenly appeared.

*Divine Works* Episode Two: *Turning Back is the Shore*, a hardcore game that tests the self!

Pei Qian: "?"

He hurriedly clicked it open.

There was also a line of small print in the introduction: "Many players gave up because this game is too difficult, which is really regrettable. In my opinion, this is not a game that discourages unskilled players. On the contrary, only unskilled players can truly appreciate the value of this game!"

Pei Qian: "???"

What the hell?

Only unskilled players can truly appreciate the value of this game?

What kind of nonsense are you spouting!

You better watch your words! You're responsible if players misinterpret the game!

Pei Qian instantly panicked and hurriedly clicked on the video to watch it.

...

"Hello everyone, I'm still your Master Qiao."

"Actually, from the very beginning of *Turning Back is the Shore*'s launch, players have been urging me to release a video."

"But the video only came out today."

"Is it because I've delayed it again? No, no, no, on the contrary, I actually received an official invitation a month ago, when this game was still in development, to experience this game."

"The reason why I didn't release the video until today is because I promised the design team that I wouldn't spoil anything for a week after the launch, so that everyone could carefully experience the game's rich content."

"I just didn't expect that everyone was only paying attention to the game's difficulty and neglecting its rich content. I have to say that this is something that makes people feel very regretful."

"What I want to say is that the game's difficulty is to better express the game's content."

"This is not a mediocre work, but a high-quality game with a peak level of immersion, surpassing all other games!"

"Dear viewers, please listen to my detailed explanation!"

After listening to this opening remark, Pei Qian was dumbfounded.

Damn it? This Master Qiao is not playing by the rules at all!

Pei Qian originally thought that Master Qiao would also dwell on the game's difficulty and turn the video into a walkthrough-oriented video, focusing more on the game's own combat system and details.

But that's not it at all!

It seemed that Master Qiao had no intention of dwelling on the game's difficulty at all. Instead, he wanted to start with the content, and even gave the game a high hat, saying it was a game with a peak level of immersion?

Pei Qian himself was confused.

Peak level of immersion?

Is this talking about *Turning Back is the Shore*?

What kind of immersion does this game have?

The game scenes are so miserable, and players are abused by monsters as soon as they enter. How can you immerse yourself in that?

With deep confusion, Pei Qian continued to watch.

"Please note that the following plot analysis content mainly comes from three aspects."

"The first aspect is the in-game details that I noticed during the game."

"The second aspect is the plot setting of the official novel of *Turning Back is the Shore* from Zhongdian Chinese Network."

"The third aspect is a series of insights I gained in the process of constantly suffering and constantly improving."

"Among them, the content of the official novel of *Turning Back is the Shore* on Zhongdian Chinese Network is richer than the game content itself. I found the answers to many of my doubts about the game in the novel. If you are interested, you may want to read this novel."

"The website address will be posted in the top comment. Please take it yourself."

Pei Qian shivered again.

How is Zhongdian Chinese Network involved in this??

Pei Qian knew about the official novel of *Turning Back is the Shore* being published on Zhongdian Chinese Network.

However, wasn't this novel being criticized miserably?

Pei Qian had once visited the comments section of this novel, and it was simply a riot of demons, spouting all kinds of abuse. He really didn't know how Ma Yiqun and the others withstood the pressure and still kept this novel on the homepage of the website.

Pei Qian felt that this novel not only didn't have any effect on attracting traffic, but also dissuaded a large number of readers, making passers-by suspect that Zhongdian Chinese Network was a nepotistic and terrible website that specialized in promoting garbage books.

From this point of view, this novel was also a great merit.

Therefore, Pei Qian didn't care about this matter.

But now, how was it suddenly targeted by Master Qiao??

Pei Qian felt his heart instantly rise, and hurriedly continued to watch.