119: Chapter 119 Reality and Virtuality Indistinguishable, All Beings Call for the Creator God!

"He is a human... or a god?"

This question, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirred up thousand-foot waves across the globe.

This was no longer a technical issue, nor was it an economic one.

It was an... ultimate philosophical question.

When the existence of the World of Mountains and Seas became profound enough to alter time, extend life, reshape the economy, and even define "value" itself, people inevitably began to ponder a question.

Is reality still important?

A famous philosopher with the online handle "Plato's Dream" posted this on his personal homepage:

"Our so-called 'reality' is full of birth, aging, illness, death, pain, and separation; our lives are bound by a mere few decades."

"Yet, in the World of Mountains and Seas created by Mr. Lin, we possess near-eternal time. We can freely pursue knowledge, realize our dreams, and even cast off the shackles of the flesh."

"So, on what grounds can we say that the world filled with pain and constraints is the 'real' one?"

"Perhaps, we have always been living in a 'false' reality."

"And the World of Mountains and Seas is the Ark bestowed upon us by Mr. Lin, leading to the 'true reality'!"

These remarks immediately sparked a tsunami of discussion and agreement.

A trend known as "Virtual Ascensionism" began to spread wildly across the globe.

More and more people began to view the World of Mountains and Seas as their "first home."

They married, had children (virtual descendants), built homes, and started careers within the game.

For them, the real world had become a "hotel" where they only needed to return periodically to "recharge" their bodies and "replenish nutrients."

The structure of society underwent a sea change as a result.

People no longer scrambled for houses and cars in reality.

Because in the game, they could own more luxurious "immortal caves" and cooler "flying swords."

The crime rate in reality dropped to an all-time low.

Because no one had the energy to commit crimes; all their time was spent "cultivating immortality" and "grinding tasks" in the World of Mountains and Seas.

The entire world presented an unprecedented, eerie "peace" and "prosperity."

And Lin Mo, who created all of this, had long since transcended the categories of "scientist," "entrepreneur," or even "national hero."

In the hearts of countless World of Mountains and Seas players, he was the sole, supreme "Creator God."

People spontaneously erected magnificent statues of Lin Mo in the major main cities of the game.

The statues had no specific facial features, just a gentle glow.

But every player who passed by would sincerely stop and pay their respects with a gaze.

They did not pray, nor did they kneel.

Because they knew that "God" did not like such cumbersome formalities.

They only needed to live diligently in the game, strive to become stronger, and work hard to explore every corner of this world—that was the best repayment to "God."

...

Inside the Hardware Store.

Zhao Zhenhua looked at the public opinion report on "Virtual Ascensionism" and "Creator God" worship compiled by his subordinates, feeling his scalp tingle.

He found Lin Mo, who was resting with his eyes closed on a recliner in the backyard.

"Mr. Lin, things... seem to be getting out of control."

Zhao Zhenhua's tone was filled with worry.

"Almost everyone in the world treats you as a god now."

"Moreover, people's sense of alienation from the real world is growing stronger. I worry that... if this continues, the foundation of human civilization will be shaken."

"Foundation?"

Lin Mo didn't even open his eyes and lazily retorted.

"What is the foundation?"

"Is it the daily grind for a living, or the scheming for petty gains?"

"Old Zhao, tell me, if you could, would you choose to live for a hundred years, or for thirty-six thousand five hundred years?"

Zhao Zhenhua was instantly speechless.

He could not answer this question.

Because the answer was obvious.

"Look, you made the choice yourself."

Lin Mo smiled.

"I never thought about being a god, nor did I think about controlling anyone."

"I just handed the choice to everyone personally."

"They chose the lifestyle they deemed better; what is wrong with that?"

"But..." Zhao Zhenhua still felt it was improper.

"There are no 'buts'." Lin Mo interrupted him, "The future of human civilization does not lie in clinging to the pots and pans of the past, but in... looking forward."

Just then.

Lin Mo's private phone suddenly rang.

It was a call from the official number of a global streaming platform.

"Hello, Mr. Lin! We are the 'Voice of the World' streaming platform!"

The voice on the other end was incomparably respectful and excited.

"Given your immense influence across the globe, we have united with hundreds of media outlets worldwide to host an unprecedented 'Global Online Q&A' for you!"

"People all over the world have too many questions they want to ask you!"

"Could we... could we have this honor?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Mo opened his eyes.

He thought for a moment and felt that this seemed like good entertainment.

"Sure." He replied.

Three days later.

A live broadcast, without any pre-promotion but attracting over eight billion views globally, began.

On screen, Lin Mo was still as leisurely as ever, sitting in the courtyard of the Hardware Store.

The barrage of comments refreshed like a waterfall.

[God! It's the living God Lin!]

[All hail the Creator God!]

[God Lin, can I create a character of you as my Dao companion in the game?]

The live broadcast host, the most famous female host in the Dragon Kingdom, had palms sweating with nervousness at this moment.

"Mr... Mr. Lin, we have filtered the questions that global netizens are most concerned about."

"The first question is also the one asked most frequently..."

She took a deep breath and asked that ultimate question in a tone bordering on pilgrimage.

"May I ask... are you a god?"

The whole world held its breath.

Lin Mo picked up the iced cola on the table, took a big gulp, and let out a comfortable burp.

Then, he looked at the camera with a kind and innocent smile on his face.

"God?"

"No."

"I am just an... ordinary little owner of a Hardware Store."

"And by the way... I also happen to serve as the... GM of the World of Mountains and Seas."

GM!

Game Master!

When this term came out of Lin Mo's mouth.

The global audience was stunned at first, and then erupted into even more fanatical worship than before!

Not admitting to being a god, only admitting to being a GM!

What a state of mind this was!

This was a hundred times more god-like than directly admitting to being a god!

Because gods might still be bound by laws, while the GM... he was the law itself!

He could arbitrarily modify everything in this world!

His words were more effective than divine oracles!

Just as the global audience was going crazy over Lin Mo's "humble-brag" answer.

In the monitoring center of the [Dragon Vein Strategic Bureau].

Zhao Zhenhua was staring blankly at another screen.

On that screen, the energy bar representing the "national destiny" of the Dragon Kingdom was skyrocketing at an unprecedented, terrifying speed visible to the naked eye!

That golden energy pillar had now turned into a dazzling platinum-gold!

And it was still breaking through upwards, as if about to pierce the sky!

"This... this is..."

Zhao Zhenhua was too stunned by the spectacular scene before him to speak.

An expert responsible for monitoring national destiny explained in a dreamlike voice:

"It is... the power of belief..."

"When billions of people around the world focus their faith, their worship, and their spirit on Mr. Lin alone..."

"This unimaginable spiritual power, through the medium of the World of Mountains and Seas, is transformed into the purest..."

"national destiny!"

"Director Zhao... our national destiny index..."

"Has... broken through the measurement limit!"

"Our civilization... seems... seems to be... evolving!"