Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!

As a comrade who had gone on a mission together and performed outstandingly, Bai E's performance undoubtedly secured full trust from Minister Eric.

Moreover, this trust became even more persuasive as Bai E's position within the military camp advanced.

From initially an ordinary member who even needed to use backdoor connections to join the special operations team, he became the captain of a special squad and even possessed the highest coordination authority in times of emergency, which undoubtedly proved his vision.

Faced once again with matters related to those ruins, even if Bai E was not here, Minister Eric would most likely find a way to contact him.

Following the minister's gaze, Pansen, who had just been promoted to a third-level Spiritual Energy user, also looked over. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire

He too had a certain impression of this comrade who had performed superbly in special operations multiple times.

However, faced with the other's eager gaze, Bai E could not agree immediately, "I need to go back and apply."

Apart from the special squad's organization, he also held the position of a regular Mecha Pilot in the armored battalion.

Unlike how he could directly receive "graduation" qualifications from the instructor after showing certain results in shooting or physical training, his performance in today's training and sparring with the instructor was slightly inferior, obviously not satisfying enough to "graduate."

For a soldier, participating in daily designated training is an unquestionable duty.

After becoming a regular Mech Pilot, operating the mecha for daily training became his primary task, even tasks from the special squad had to be deferred.

To actively apply for a special mission was likely not an easy matter.

"Is that so…" Eric mused for a moment.

Having listened to Bai E's explanation, he knew he couldn't insist.

The information department didn't have much say within the Military Department, and the few favors they could call in wouldn't likely be spent on matters of little importance.

He truly wanted the comparatively "well-understood" Bai E to collaborate with him on the operation, but if the cost was too great, then Bai E wasn't irreplaceable to that extent.

"Okay, I understand," Eric nodded and then turned to look at Pansen.

"So, Lord Pansen, do you also intend to join us?"

Pansen shifted his gaze from Bai E, who, in his eyes, had been a minor character, and who, even now as a "captain," was still too insignificant for a third-level Spiritual Energy user.

The other was improving, but he was advancing faster.

A mere ant, nothing to concern himself with.

When Minister Eric turned the question back to him, he simply nodded indifferently, "Of course."

"When are you available? Shall we coordinate our schedules?"

"Probably about a week..." Pansen contemplated briefly before making a decision.

He had just been promoted to third-level, and his foundation was still unstable.

The world of Spiritual Energy was fraught with peril, and staying in the city always left one under the "protection" of "elders." Venturing too far from the city posed certain risks for someone who had just broken through.

In the past, he might have risked his life for a chance at a "future," but now as a third-level Spiritual Energy user, he was almost standing at the apex of the city's food chain. Advancing to the fourth level was elusive, and from then on, he had to prioritize stability, waiting until he became familiar with his newfound power before venturing out.

These detailed internal ramifications, though, did not need to be shared with outsiders.

"Good, then we'll make preparations and you can contact us anytime you're available," Minister Eric decided.

Whatever important matters Lord Pansen had to attend to, they couldn't just leave at a moment's notice.

The research into virtual world subjects had not been completely fruitless in recent years, but could only be described as nearly abandoned.

How could one rely on the network when it wasn't functional, let alone build upon a virtual digital world founded on it?

Even though the interconnected network had been restarted recently, they had yet to research related aspects.

In this brief preparation period, they needed to consult a considerable amount of literature to start relearning and mastering relevant knowledge to ensure that when they reached the site, they could make as accurate judgments as possible based on their observations.

All of these things required preparation.

"Alright!"

'About a week or so?' Bai E stood aside quietly, noting this time frame in his heart.

He certainly wanted to go and see for himself.

Having the highest authority of the Root Server, he saw everything related to this domain as intimately connected to himself.

Furthermore, a "legacy" or rather "trouble" possibly left by an electronic demon definitely warranted his personal inspection.

It was even possible that a solution would require his presence, the one with the highest authority. Bai E was not willing to entrust his fate to others.

But if Minister Eric and his team were to depart now, then naturally he would have no hope of following, and in a short amount of time, he likely wouldn't have any legitimate excuse to organize or go alone to the distant Root Server ruins.

But if there was an extension of time, then he might find an opportunity to maneuver—

Or rather, a chance to demonstrate his abilities.

As long as he could perform to the "graduation" standard, regaining the relative freedom of the special squad shouldn't be a problem.

Seeing that the others had roughly concluded their discussions, and the talk about the "virtual world" was drawing to an end, Bai E turned to take his leave.

There was still time to devise a strategy for the impending excursion to the Root Server ruins, yet an evident trouble loomed close at hand.

Because he had faced the Spiritual Energy incantations of a higher-level Spiritual Energy user without daring to draw special attention, Bai E had chosen to fully accept them, so much so that now his mind was etched with the constant reminder of the reality of the "virtual world."

And the more he tried to "focus" with his will, the more ingrained the impression became.

Yet Bai E was not an ordinary person entirely lacking Spiritual Energy; with a second-level proficiency, he could easily discern this influence from an external force at the level of Spiritual Energy.

It was as if he was looking into a mirror and saw a big, ripe white pimple on his face—so obvious, and seemingly removable.

Spiritual Energy was urging Bai E to deal with this, and doubtlessly… Yue Ying was the best teacher to resolve this issue.

...

"You've come into contact with a third-level Spiritual Energy user?" Yue Ying's eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing Bai E's truthful report.

His young face displayed a serious contemplation that seemed… all the more alluring.