Transform into a human

Yue Lai, who had been lurking behind the boy, entered the Chain Crystal Network after a long absence. When he logged in, he did not use the federal citizenship "Yue Lai", but rather an account that could be described as "ancient".

"Account verification in progress... Welcome, chess observer."

One second they were in a somber campus, the next they were in a bustling market. The architecture here was incredibly diverse, including Andic people's jelly houses, fairy flower houses, human skyscrapers, and even the lairs of strange beasts, underground palaces of dwarves, and the mother nests of mechanical life forms... It was utterly chaotic.

This is Penglai Space Station, one of the three main cities of the Chain Crystal Network. It is home to hundreds of billions of intelligent life forms from Andromeda. Even the rulers of Andromeda, humans, are only a minority here.

Yue Lai was wearing a cloak that completely covered his face; if you tried to look at his face, you would be blinded by a bunch of mosaics.

This is extremely unusual in the Chain Crystal Network. Penglai is not a lawless place. There is only one possibility that someone can hide their face here: the account was registered before the Federation introduced the security protocol.

However, the Federation has been established for over five hundred years, almost reaching the life limit of immortal beings, so those who can conceal their faces in Penglai... are all truly cunning old foxes.

Yue Lai skillfully entered the trading hall, a massive building comparable to a medium-sized city in the real world. Unlike usual, he was here today to post a commission.

"Sir, is there anything I can do for you?"

"Let's change the style."

The young lady in the smart leather jacket instantly transformed into an ancient lady in an imperial style:

"Sir, what can I do for you?"

"The commission is issued, and the reward is a Level 3 encrypted document of the Prodigal's Path, 80% intact, with ritual clues as a bonus."

"Level three?!"

The young lady slowly opened her mouth wide. Level 3 encrypted tablets are usually only seen at large auctions, and even then, they are often obtained through shady means like those of swindlers and barbarians. For a wanderer to act as an intermediary... such a commission is not common!

No wonder he's an old monster who's lived for over five hundred years.

As for the decision to sell the encrypted tablet, Yue Lai had already made up his mind:

"Once I break through to the level of 'Hairpin Flower Guest,' I'll truly be involved in the 'authority' of each sect. I'd better not touch it for now, otherwise, given my unique nature as a scoundrel, I'll definitely attract the attention of the 'Star Constellation' who cultivates multiple sects."

"As for the limitations of muddling through on one's cultivation level... let's talk about that when the muddling path reaches the fourth level."

"Now, let's turn resources into 'chess pieces,' prioritize completing this current task, and also... avenge Li."

While she was pondering, the young lady had already completed the procedure:

"Can I authorize this to verify your reputation score? This is a level 3 authorization, and your reputation score must be above 1000 to post."

"Um."

Then she was shocked:

"Wow, it's a six-digit account number, starting with 001... The first day the Chain Crystal Network was established, that's over 2000 years ago..."

Working in a place that can be described as the "center of the universe," the young lady has seen a lot and has really broadened her horizons.

"Okay, reputation score verification passed, commission has been posted... commission has been accepted."

The entire process took 0.001 seconds.

Taoyuan Fortress, on the outskirts of the central star system.

Zara stood on the bridge, silently gazing at the unchanging starry sky. The excitement and pride she felt when she joined the Federation Fleet had long since faded. After all, even the most beautiful scenery can become tiresome. Now, she preferred to lie on the beach in Penglai and bask in the sun.

Even if those are virtual.

She was a lieutenant commander, a rank that wasn't low in Taoyuan Fortress, but it wasn't high either. In the Federation, a main fleet consisted of seven combat orders from bottom to top: frigates, destroyers, cruisers, battleships, deep-sea submersibles, special forces, and space carriers. Frigates were arguably at the bottom of the order.

Zara, however, did not think she was any less capable than those incompetent officers. In her view, it was all because she came from the Central faction but ended up in the Imperial faction's fleet, so it was normal for her to be suppressed.

In the federal army, there are only two ways to advance: either get promoted first and then improve your spiritual cultivation by using the secret tablets and rituals allocated by the organization; or collect secret tablets and set up rituals yourself, and your job will change accordingly after your spiritual cultivation improves.

Clearly, she now has no choice but to take the second path, for which she has to pay an expensive "position fee" to the Penglai Trading Hall every month so that she can be the first person they can find when there are relevant commissions.

However, she was clearly not the only one with this plan. For the past three years, the cost of maintaining her position had increased every month, and today it had become so high that it was suffocating her as the captain of the main fleet. However, the massive sunk costs made it difficult for her to give up, and she was now on the verge of a mental breakdown. She was well aware of this.

Looking at the officers on the bridge who seemed busy but didn't know what they were busy with, Zara curled her lips into a mocking smile.

You never know what kind of madman your boss is.

Suddenly, a special notification tone came from the Chain Crystal Network:

"Ding, a commission has been automatically accepted for you. The commission reward is a Level 3 encrypted text of the Prodigal's Path, with an integrity rate of 80%, and includes ritual clues."

"Should we cancel?"

Zara could hardly believe her eyes!

This is already top-quality encrypted tablet, but it even comes with ritual clues? Is this some kind of reincarnation of the God of Wealth?!

She repeatedly confirmed that she should choose "no," and made the choice with trembling hands.

Zara didn't even ask what the request was for!

"Damn, so generous! I'd even give myself to them. I've been wanting to get a new boyfriend for a while now..."

She couldn't wait to enter the Chain Crystal Network, even though it violated the rules, but who on the Holy Commandment dared to stop her?

"Captain Keating."

"Major?"

"Activate the independent security protocol to erase my presence on the ChainCrystal network."

"Yes, Major."

This wasn't the first time the captain had slacked off at the Chain Crystal Network, nor was it the first time he'd cleaned up his superior's messes.

Zara closed her eyes.

Instead of going to Penglai, she clicked on the address left by the client and arrived at a place... This, this is a chessboard?

Zara was stunned by the sight before her. It was as if she were on an endless chessboard, with two chess boxes standing like mountains in front of and behind her. The lines of the chessboard were like great rivers flowing to the end of her vision.

The Chain Crystal Network was created by the original twelve gods. It is not entirely under the supervision of the Federation. At least in terms of personal space, it still obeys the original agreement—the size of personal space symbolizes authority.

If we have to make a comparison, Zara's personal space is at most the size of a one-bedroom apartment, while the chessboard in front of her... could it belong to some constellation?

She quickly lowered her head, afraid to look around, lest she see something she shouldn't and die instantly. But, as luck would have it, the detailed request information popped up.

"A six-digit account number, a lifespan of over two thousand years... truly a constellation..."

The commander and deputy chief of staff of the Central Fleet to which Taoyuan Fortress belongs, General Bai Wuyu, is nothing more than a Star Constellation!

Just then, a distant voice came: "Are you willing to accept my commission?"

Zara dared not look directly at him: "I will obey your orders!"

But in my heart I was thinking:

"Chess? Which path is related to chess...?"

"No, I mustn't let my mind wander."

She quickly regained control of her thoughts; who knew if the person in front of her could see through her thoughts!

"A smart choice."

Sure enough, he could read my mind!

In the present world, the adjutant couldn't help but wonder what his superior was doing in the Chain Crystal Network, why he was sweating so much and trembling all over.

Zara almost knelt on the ground, trembling as she said, "Please forgive me..."

Yue Lai was immediately puzzled. He had only politely said that it was a wise choice for the other party to accept the commission. What was this guy talking about?

Never mind that for now, let's get down to business:

"I will pay you afterwards, but the task I need you to do is not easy."

Zara certainly didn't doubt that the person in front of her would renege on her small Level 3 encrypted document, and she knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. Thinking of her own unappreciated situation, she gritted her teeth:

"Whatever it may be, Zara will give you everything!"

"Very good," Yue Lai smiled easily, "Go to the police headquarters and do whatever you want. Remember, you must satisfy your deepest inner impulses."

"what?"

Zara hadn't expected such a strange request. It wasn't difficult, but it wasn't easy either... to pursue the deepest part of one's heart. It sounded like some incredibly difficult philosophical question, and she couldn't figure out what she wanted deep down in the short term.

"What's wrong? Do you have any doubts?"

Zara, a seasoned professional, immediately realized that even if she had a powerful backer, she should say no now. Meeting such a powerful figure was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it wouldn't be good if she made people doubt her abilities.

No, he can see right through me. Oh no, I'm so ashamed...

No, no.

Yue Lai immediately recognized the name of the "chess piece" before him: "Then it's settled. The contract is complete, Ms. Zara."

Zara didn't ask how the man knew her name, but humbly bowed and voluntarily withdrew from the Chain Crystal Network.

In the bridge, she slowly opened her eyes. In the real world, she seemed to have been doused with a bucket of water, her whole body was soaked, and her captain's uniform clung tightly to her graceful body.

"Major?"

The adjutant's eyes practically popped out of their sockets!

"Captain Keating, what is the thing you desire most deep down?"

The adjutant was stunned. Was it...so sudden? The major finally looked at me properly? Happiness came too suddenly...

"I...of course I am..."

Seeing that her adjutant couldn't utter a single word after a long pause, Zara curled her lip in disdain: "Useless piece of trash, get back to work!"

The adjutant said dejectedly:

"Yes……"

Zara didn't rush to change her clothes. Instead, she looked up at the starry sky again, and the monotonous colors suddenly became beautiful.

"What is it that I truly yearn for deep down?"

……

……

In the cordon area not far from the museum, Falken's squad, who had come from afar, was standing guard listlessly when Wander suddenly widened his eyes:

"Boss, guess who's here?"

Falken, who had been resting with his eyes closed, looked up at the road—and there it was, Li!

"Wallace?" Donald quickly leaned closer and whispered, "Weren't you going to the capital to relax? Why are you back now?"

Li said helplessly, "Stop testing me. I never said I was going to the capital planet."

Falken's squad looked at each other in bewilderment.

Donald: "It's good that you're back. What about that person? What about the Zhenhai Sword..."

Li knew who he was referring to: "You guys should shut down the Chain Crystal Network first."

Wan De: "No need to alert the enemy."

"It was all like a dream, a bubble!"

An invisible barrier was erected, and under the surveillance of the police's blockchain network, everything appeared normal.

This is precisely the path of talented individuals: literary inquisition.

"Now tell me."

"Yue Lai was framed. Malfoy and Grandpa Ji's deaths had nothing to do with him, especially Grandpa Ji..." Li felt her heart skip a beat. After a brief pause, she continued, "I was with Grandpa Ji when he was murdered. You could even say that he's helping me now."

Falken frowned; this was serious.

But there's something more pressing: "The Zhenhai Sword, could it also be related to you?"

Li nodded, and Wan De couldn't help but complain, "It seems we limited your performance before."

The policewoman said helplessly, "This was originally part of my and Yue Lai's plan to find the mastermind, but who would have thought that two swindlers would appear out of nowhere and fool us both..."

"Don't ask me anything else, I'm here to ask for the boss's help."

Falken asked in a deep voice, "What do you need me to do?"

"With your meticulous analysis, I know where I can achieve the best results!"

……

Outside the already sealed-off museum, the Falken squad, tasked with the blockade, openly arrived at the temporary gathering area for museum staff, where the elves were temporarily staying.

"One of my companions is an elf cat..."

Wander interrupted her: "Wallace, you should call her 'comrade'."

The policewoman fell silent, wishing she could punch someone twice. The saying "one is influenced by one's company" is indeed true!

"In short, the Zhenhai Sword is currently on that elf cat. We were temporarily separated because of your search, and even I don't know where she is hiding now."

"But I know she used to hide in the museum. Given the nature of the elf cat, she would definitely be unable to resist getting close to the most beautiful elf. As long as we find that elf, we can find the Zhenhai Sword by unraveling the mystery."

Elf cats don't actually look like elves, nor do they possess any elf-like qualities. Rather, these magical creatures are naturally extremely affectionate towards elves. Before the elves disappeared from Andromeda, elf cats were their most important companions.

The artificial elves of today retain some of the characteristics of the real elves, which naturally makes them more appealing to elf cats.

Falken's eyes lit up: "Once we find the Zhenhai Sword, our Falken Squad will be the heroes who saved the Police Headquarters!"

Donald was speechless: "Wake up, it was Wales who saved the police chief, what does it have to do with you?"

The policewoman was embarrassed. If she had truly found the Zhenhai Sword, it would indeed have been a miraculous turn of events. As for where that turn of events came from, don't ask...

No wonder the investigators were so motivated; it truly is a story of individual heroism.

The group quickly found their target at the temporary shelter, for no other reason than that the snow sprite was simply too beautiful!

After receiving Professor Corleone's permission, Falken approached the snow elf:

"Ms. Dong, we hope you can cooperate with the police investigation."