Player Reload

Yin City time, 11:25 AM.

In the World Peace House office, Zhangsun Yao lay languidly sprawled on the beige Lycra fabric couch, casually tossing a bouncy ball with one hand.

The polyurethane (PU) bouncy ball bounced back and forth between the floor, walls, and ceiling, landing precisely in Zhangsun Yao's hand each time.

The timing overlapped perfectly with the ticking sound of the metronome on the nearby table.

Creak.

The door was pushed open from outside, and You Anjian cautiously walked in, carrying a bamboo food box, "President, it's time for dinner."

The food box had a [KMH Kenmawei] label on it, marking it as from the largest chain restaurant in the slum, with top-tier chefs from all over the world.

"This is Purity Giant Crystal Salt Baked Tomahawk Steak, Pandora Winged Dragon Meat Spicy Stir-fried Lettuce, Mermaid Tears Boiled Cabbage, and Helaru Rice..."

You Anjian uncovered each layer of the food box, the aroma wafting through the room.

A faint trace of the smell was carried outside by the air conditioner, causing the big golden retriever lying downstairs at the small neighboring company to suddenly stand up, drooling uncontrollably.

"Hmm, just leave it there."

Zhangsun Yao listlessly waved her hand, accidentally letting the bouncy ball slip, which knocked over the Deathwing Naxxramas figure on the cabinet, yet she didn't even bother turning her head and continued scrolling on her phone.

You Anjian clicked his tongue, gave a helpless look back to Tie Gu, Ozaki Aozora, and others who were peering into the office from outside, silently put down the food box, and left the room.

It's been four days since the Secret Realm exploration mission ended, and Zhangsun Yao remained in a state of emo mood.

In those four days, the player forums were rife with undercurrents. Tensions between the UK authorities and the Special Affairs Bureau were nearly public, clashing in multiple arenas.

Including but not limited to patent lawsuits over Magic Tools, imposing exorbitant fines on multinational companies, and surprise raids on suspected spies long on their watch list.

The constant skirmishes left ordinary players on the forums baffled, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Some KOL bloggers who were keen on armchair politics, were engaging in wild speculation, making all sorts of connections, posting discussions and even holding livestreams.

"Listen, folks, this little Britain must be serving as the United States' vanguard, determined to break the 'China-Russia-Iran Triangle'."

"Today, we're opening a special topic to explore the political, economic, and military reasons behind the UK's all-out assault on us, and the possible developments to follow. Broke viewers, show a fan badge, those with money, sponsor a ship captain, thanks meow."

"Here, a group of British Transcendents is digging for treasure in the killing field, saying they're exploring here today, there tomorrow. Who would have thought, the Special Affairs Bureau's missile swooped down, directly pinpointing them and blew these Level 15 Transcendents' undies off."

Zhangsun Yao swiped through the phone screen, seeing these posts, her expression alternating between tears and laughter.

Including her, the first, second, and third batches of players who actually entered the Secret Realm could vaguely guess part of the truth, all keeping silent.

Zhangsun Yao knew more hidden truths, making her emotions even more complex.

At that time in the Inverted Pyramid, if it weren't for Pifu suddenly releasing toxins, she might have truly merged with Cai Anjie to become a Level 35 Transcendent, further obtaining Hidden Room Authority.

However, in hindsight, Pifu's action might have been the right choice.

In the real world, organ transplant surgeries can still result in rejection reactions, even leading to drastic personality changes.

The consequences of merging with a Demigod's leftover soul are too unpredictable, potentially altering one's personality or being usurped and parasitized.

Her parents also didn't want her to sacrifice herself permanently to revive them...

Zhangsun Yao stared at the ceiling blankly when suddenly, a friend communication beeped.

[Hello?]

The message came from Mikazuki, the white-haired, purple-eyed girl with divination abilities.

Zhangsun Yao was stunned for a moment but replied, "Hello."

The World Nuclear House and the Navigator Guild had collaborated many times before; she had heard Mikazuki's name before, and now they were acquainted.

Mikazuki paused for a moment, "Um... Do you know Mr. Pifu in the real world?"

"I do," Zhangsun Yao raised an eyebrow, becoming somewhat wary, "Why?"

"Well, about four hours ago, Mr. Pifu approached me, providing names and birthdates, asking me to divine the specific location of two British people."

Mikazuki said, "Just now, my premonition told me a strong aura of death is surrounding Mr. Pifu. But I can't contact him."

Four hours ago, in the UK...

Zhangsun Yao's expression froze, instinctively sitting up and pulling up the communication list.

Also four hours ago, Pifu's chat window, requested her as an intelligence broker, to provide a rough layout map of the UK official and civilian Transcendent strengths in London.

Including the UK's MI6 Secret Intelligence Service, the Bell Tower Mage Guild, Hellfire Superpower Club, etc.

A certain conjecture emerged in her mind, and Zhangsun Yao asked without hesitation, "You haven't told anyone else about this, right?!"

"No." Mikazuki was startled by the exclamation mark at the end of Zhangsun Yao's sentence, "I've only told you."

"That's good."

Zhangsun Yao's mind spun rapidly, solemnly said, "Do nothing further, forget this conversation ever happened."

"...I understand. Thank you for the warning."

The chat window closed, Zhangsun Yao stared quietly at the city night view outside the window, unable to calm her thoughts for a long time.

The rookie she initially encountered in the apartment building, who was somewhat disheveled and down on his luck, had now achieved a progression that she couldn't fathom.