Chapter 433 - ArtWorld's Fame (II)

Rushing smoke and confetti suddenly erupted from under the stage to the roof, followed by the lively trademark music of ArtWorld which had previously accompanied their digital advertis.e.m.e.nt online and on television. 

There was a huge billboard-sized screen near the entrance of ArtWorld showing the video coverage of the stage and often switched to other angles showing the executive seats and the VIPS, as well as the lines of customers waiting outside.

It then flashed various cuts showing the features of ArtWorld, such as massive roller coasters spanning miles of distance, an incredibly huge Ferris Wheel overlooking all horizons, and other various attractions both highly modernized and traditional. There were also many extreme sports attractions like sky diving, bungee jumping, parachuting, and more.

Aside from the actual attractions experiences, there was a part showing their specialized virtual reality hall with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities that offered the most realistic experience of various VRMMORPG and mini-games.

There was even a huge screen showing public battle arenas in the virtual space that people outside could see, which would definitely attract e-sports and gaming enthusiasts.

The highlight was a design room with modernized equipment where people could design a virtual world by themselves by simply matching and adding various elements and adjusting a few settings. They could enter inside the virtual world they created with friends. There was even a hall filled with AI robots in various pet-like and futuristic forms that could interact with people. 

The traditional themed areas offer ancient style architecture, historical role plays to create their own small movie, and lots of attractions and rides with Xianxia elements, such as a zip line designed to imitate sword flight and bumper cars designed like heavenly beasts, among others.

People could also wear intricate costumes and props to their satisfaction to look like historical figures. There were tea shops, lion dances, bamboo parks, a small circus, and more.

The western fantasy area was like Alice Wonderland, with many characters from fairytales inside and Disney-style attractions and rides. But it also included magicians, Ragnarok-style games, and even races such as elves, orcs, angels, half-beasts, and others.

There were also many other relaxation venues such as atmospheric restaurants, nature-themed parks and huts, as well as themed hotels that could accommodate customers in their extended period of stay inside ArtWorld.

The extremely vast expanse of ArtWorld was like a small world with multiple realms in different areas, from traditional streets of ancient times and the warlord theme, to western fantasy, and to futuristic themes.

There were several dressing halls in each area wherein people could wear any costume they fancy to suit the atmosphere they were looking for and make themselves believe that they were indeed part of the realm they were stepping in.

The extravagant and exhilarating video pumped up the adrenaline of the customers and the netizens. They suddenly felt even more excited to enter and experience those attractions inside.

They all looked at the entrance, wondering when the ribbon cutting would start. They could not wait to enter.

Right then, Xiong Gaiyu, the hostess for the opening ceremony, appeared in the middle of the stage. *(that was temporary set up in front of the huge gate of ArtWorld.)

The crowd fell silent as soon as the person appeared on stage.

At the same time, Xiong Zhi walked to her seat. It was in the middle of the front row, right next to Old Xiong. She sat down and looked up.

Xiong Gaiyu had truly become a beauty as perfect as a fully blooming rose in its best state. With IHZHI's nurturing and further training, she had officially become the queen of the modeling industry. Her every move and every sway of the loose waves of her hair were captivating. She oozed with confidence from head to toe.

Since the queen of modeling industry was the ambassador of IHZHI, this event had gotten even more attention from the entertainment industry. 

The flashes of camera began to rain down.

"Good day, ladies and gentlemen..." Xiong Gaiyu started her role.

She introduced today's event and thanked everyone who attended, especially mentioning the influential figures in the audience of the grand opening. Finally, she called out the creator of ArtWorld—Mr. Bang.

Mr. Bang went up to the stage and told his story. If one looked closely, they would see his eyes reddening.

For Mr. Bang, today's opening ceremony was truly an emotional event.

"…To be honest, I thought I couldn't build ArtWorld. The stakes are too high, the plan is even considered far-fetched by many people, and the experts had said that the chance of success that ArtWorld will be truly brought to reality is almost zero… Aside from those, back then, there was a towering wall that almost pushed my idealistic ArtWorld into empty nothingness.

"First, my company went bankrupt. The land that I had marked for ArtWorld got taken away. And even a very powerful company could not help ArtWorld…" He choked and paused for a moment.

"ArtWorld is my dream. I created this world since I was young. And when I grew older, I designed it little by little. After ten years of minute design and planning, the blueprint of ArtWorld came into sheets. This hard work of mine is what I'm proud of the most. I wanted to see it standing in the world…

"But when my dream was crushed and I was told that the ten years I spent with hard work would never be rewarded, I was devastated."

The crowd was silent.

"I am never a religious person. But at that point in time, I desperately wished and prayed that someone, at least even if someone takes away ArtWorld from me… as long as they can make it into a reality, I'll be grateful to them. That time, I desperately prayed, someone… just please save ArtWorld."

Mr. Bang took a deep breath and looked at Xiong Zhi.

"I almost gave up on ArtWorld. But thankfully, the heavens heard my prayer. "

He smiled sincerely at Xiong Zhi. His red eyes held unshed tears and through his gaze, he sent his most sincere thanks to the young woman in front. 

No one else knew how truly desperate he was back then. ArtWorld was his everything, his obsession. He did not know what would have happened to him had Xiong Zhi not appeared. ArtWorld, his whole life's hard work, would have been tossed aside like a useless rag and forgotten a few years later.