The daily life of the Miniature World had suddenly exploded in popularity.
The video depicting the miniature battle spread across TikTok overnight like wildfire, rapidly accumulating hundreds of thousands of likes and more than ten thousand comments. The level of engagement far exceeded Li Daoxuan's original expectations.
Leaning casually against the diorama box, Li Daoxuan scrolled through his phone with growing excitement, carefully reading the endless stream of comments posted by viewers.
"This tilt-shift photography is incredible. It really feels like a genuine miniature world."
"The props are amazing. That city wall built from Lego bricks, with tiny figures fighting on top, looks hilarious and impressive at the same time."
"This must have cost a fortune to make, right? Constructing the wall first, then painting it to look like Lego bricks. That kind of production must cost hundreds of thousands."
"It has to be CGI. If someone actually spent money building a Lego-style wall just for a video, the cost would be absurd. Computer graphics would be far cheaper."
"It's definitely CGI, but the quality is so high that it's impossible to distinguish from reality. This is clearly professional-level work, not some cheap effect."
"Even if the wall is CGI, the costumes, bows, arrows, rusty blades, hoes, pitchforks, and pot lids carried by the actors are clearly real. How much did all those props cost?"
"And that massive charge outside the city. There must have been at least a thousand bandits. The costumes alone would be incredibly expensive."
"You don't need that many actors. Just thirty or forty real people, and the rest can be digitally replicated."
"CGI, my foot. Every single person looks different, and their clothing is completely unique. There's no way computer graphics could achieve that level of detail."
"Modern CGI is absolutely capable of that. Do you think those massive battle scenes in Marvel movies use thousands of real actors? Most of them are digital creations."
"That plastic catapult was hilarious. How did they even make something like that?"
"The way the people were crushed looked disturbingly real. It almost felt like actual footage."
"Don't be ridiculous. No one would kill real actors just to film a video. Obviously it's CGI."
"The special effects are insane. They're more realistic than most movies."
"Using this level of production quality for a one-minute video is unbelievable. How much money did that cost?"
"With such a massive investment, the creator must be planning something big."
"One viral video means nothing. Plenty of accounts blow up once and disappear. If they don't maintain momentum, it's pointless."
The comments continued endlessly, pouring in faster than he could read them.
Li Daoxuan became so absorbed that he completely forgot about eating.
Although he lacked experience in producing short videos, he understood one fundamental principle. If several consecutive videos maintained strong performance, the account's popularity would stabilize and grow steadily. Once that foundation was established, the next natural step would be live-stream sales.
He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
His appearance was decent enough. He did not consider himself unattractive. If he hosted live streams personally, it might work.
Still, he would need to practice speaking first. Otherwise, once the camera was on, he might freeze under pressure, his mind going blank and his tongue refusing to cooperate.
He stood up, walked over to a mirror, and began rehearsing.
"Friends, I've secured an incredible deal for you today. These building blocks replicate the Miniature World city wall perfectly. Not 999. Not 99. Today only 9.9, with free shipping directly to your home."
After saying it aloud, he felt slightly embarrassed.
It sounded awkward.
He clearly needed more practice.
Meanwhile, escorted by Wang Er, San Shier and the others gradually approached Chengcheng County town.
After traveling several li, the outline of the county walls became visible in the distance.
At this point, Wang Er could go no further.
He was, after all, a wanted rebel. Although the imperial authorities had not yet launched a full campaign against him, allowing him temporary freedom during the chaotic winter period, openly approaching the county town would be equivalent to courting death.
Wang Er clasped his fists respectfully.
"Strategist San, brothers of Gao Family Village, I will escort you only this far. Tomorrow morning, return to this spot and call out to me. I will escort you safely back."
San Shier returned the gesture with equal sincerity.
"Many thanks, Hero Wang."
He then produced several pieces of loose silver and offered them forward.
"Please accept this and distribute it among your men."
Wang Er smiled and gently shook his head.
"We are outlaws now, rejected by society. Even if we possessed silver, there would be nowhere to spend it. Strategist San, your goodwill is more than enough."
San Shier understood.
Under such circumstances, money had little practical value.
"Then we shall meet here tomorrow morning," San Shier said.
Both parties exchanged farewells and went their separate ways.
San Shier and his group continued forward, walking quickly toward the county town. Before long, they arrived at the city gates.
Under normal circumstances, a Ming Dynasty county town was governed by a seventh-rank magistrate, assisted by more than thirty constables. Military forces were typically stationed outside the town, under the command of a separate military inspector. This separation ensured that civil and military authority remained independent.
However, the situation had changed.
Soldiers were now stationed directly within Chengcheng County town.
The guards standing at the gate were no longer elderly gatekeepers, but hardened soldiers clad in cloth armor. Sweat soaked their clothing under the blazing sun, yet their expressions remained fierce and vigilant as they scrutinized every approaching traveler.
San Shier's group immediately drew attention.
Their numbers were large, and they carried numerous bundles while wearing blades at their waists. Such a group naturally appeared suspicious.
Before they could approach fully, the guards partially closed the gate and shouted.
"Identify yourselves."
San Shier stepped forward calmly.
"I am San Shier, former strategist to Magistrate Zhang Yaocai. These people are my retainers."
The moment the guards heard his name, their expressions changed dramatically.
Their faces turned pale, and their eyes widened in shock.
"S-Strategist San?"
Their voices trembled.
"Weren't you... in Gao Family Village... turned into a ghost?"
San Shier frowned.
"When did I ever become a ghost?"
At first, he was confused.
Then he suddenly remembered.
Previously, under the guidance of Tianzun, he had staged a terrifying illusion to frighten Military Inspector Cheng Xu. The performance had been so convincing that it had left a lasting impression on those present.
Clearly, these guards had been among those witnesses.
Indeed, they had personally experienced that terrifying encounter. They had fled in panic alongside Cheng Xu and suffered nightmares for days afterward. Even now, the memory remained vivid in their minds.
Seeing San Shier standing before them again caused their fear to resurface instantly.
San Shier suppressed his amusement and maintained a stern expression.
"In broad daylight, under the blazing sun, you claim I am a ghost. It seems your own guilty conscience is troubling you."
The guards glanced upward.
The sun hung high overhead, radiating intense heat.
Ghosts did not appear so openly under such conditions.
Their fear slowly eased.
"Strategist San... what exactly happened?" they asked cautiously.
San Shier spoke calmly.
"When Wang Er of Baishui caused chaos, I fled the city with my wife to seek refuge. Now that the situation has stabilized, I have returned. Why do you look at me as if you have seen me before?"
The guards exchanged uncertain glances.
"The one we saw before must have been a ghost," one of them murmured.
"But the one standing here now..."
He hesitated.
"...is clearly the real Strategist San."