After the internet was disconnected, I connected to the magic world.

The car drove smoothly on the highway back to Beijing, keeping the speed at around 120 km/h, and the shadows of the trees outside the window rushed past.

Song Xian, the field clerk in the passenger seat, glanced at him several times in the rearview mirror, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

It's been almost two hours since Li Chu left Lin Ze's villa, and he hasn't said a word. He's been smoking one cigarette after another, and the smell of smoke in the car is so strong it's pungent.

"Director Li?" Song Xian finally couldn't help but ask cautiously.

"Who exactly is this Mr. Lin? What do we do next?"

Li Jianguo didn't even lift his eyelids, he just waved his hand, his voice terribly hoarse:

"Drive back to headquarters and we'll talk about it then."

Having been rebuffed, Song Xian awkwardly shut his mouth, not daring to ask any more questions.

The car drove into the headquarters compound of the Special Investigation Department. Li Jianguo got out of the car and the soldiers on guard at the gate saluted him. He just nodded slightly and walked quickly towards the conference room.

He ran into several department heads in the corridor, and they all surrounded him to ask what had happened when they saw him return.

"Director Li, how's it going? What's Lin Ze's style?"

"Yes, Director Li, did you reach an agreement? Should our action team prepare?"

"Is he really that person? Did he have any malicious intent?"

A barrage of questions surrounded him, but Li Jianguo didn't stop walking; he simply waved his hand with a stern face.

"Everyone, go to the conference room and wait. I'll talk to you once everyone's here."

Seeing his expression, everyone wisely shut their mouths and quickly followed him into the conference room.

Everyone can see that this is a big deal.

The heavy explosion-proof door slammed shut, revealing a room full of more than thirty people.

The video links from the action team, intelligence section, research group, and branches in various locations were all connected, and everyone's attention was focused on Li Jianguo in the main seat.

Li Jianguo took off his coat and draped it over the back of his chair. He picked up the enamel mug on the table and gulped down more than half of it with cold tea before wiping his mouth and glancing around at everyone.

"Is everyone here?"

"Everyone's here, Director Li. Everyone who could come is here, and the branch's video feed is ready." The head of the intelligence section nodded hurriedly.

Li Jianguo nodded, tapped his fingers on the table, and said in a deep voice:

"The first thing I want to say is that, starting now, all our sentries, surveillance personnel, and tracking personnel within a three-kilometer radius of Lin Ze's villa must withdraw."

"what?"

These words caused an uproar in the conference room.

"Director Li, why are you withdrawing? We've been watching him for almost half a month!"

"Yes, Director Li, if we don't keep an eye on him, what if he causes trouble?"

"That's the prime suspect, and they're just letting him go like that?"

"Shut up!" Li Jianguo slammed his hand on the table, his voice suddenly rising.

"I told you to evacuate, so evacuate! Not only do you evacuate, but from now on, without my written order, no one is allowed to approach within one kilometer of that villa, do you understand?"

Everyone trembled at his shout, and no one dared to speak.

They had followed Li Jianguo for so many years and had never seen him so angry.

Li Jianguo took a breath, his tone softening, and looked at the people in the archives department:

"Create a top-secret file for me right now, file number 000, name Lin Ze."

The people in the archives department quickly took out their notebooks to take notes.

"The file access is top secret. Only I and the three deputy directors can see it. No one else is allowed to touch it, ask about it, or investigate it."

Li Jianguo said, word by word, "File classification, players."

"A player?" Someone below was stunned. "Director Li, is he really a player? But he was more than a month ahead of the first batch of players!"

"They're players." Li Jianguo nodded, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, and emphasized, "The zeroth batch of players."

"Batch zero?"

Everyone was stunned.

They only know about the first, second, and third batches, so where did the zeroth batch come from?

"Yes, the zeroth batch, players who were even earlier than Xuanqing and the other five, were the earliest test players in the Kyushu world."

Li Jianguo told lies without batting an eye; these were the lines he had prepared on the way.

"Remember, he's just a player, only he entered Kyushu earlier than other players and is a little stronger."

He repeatedly emphasized the words "just a player," tapping the table as he said:

"From now on, no matter who it is or what the occasion, when they mention Lin Ze, they will say that he is a member of the zeroth batch of players, a very strong veteran player, do you hear me?"

No guessing, no spreading rumors, and absolutely no uttering a single word of today's speculation!

"Yes!" Although everyone was puzzled, they still responded in unison.

Li Jianguo nodded in satisfaction and continued, "Also, immediately send a notification to all field agents in the Kyushu world and all official players we can contact."

"Circulate Lin Ze's photo around. From now on, whoever encounters him in the Nine Provinces world is forbidden to approach him, probe him, or show any unusual behavior."

"Just treat him like an ordinary player with high cultivation levels. Avoid him if possible, and try not to get involved with him in any way, understand?"

"I'll remember that, Director Li!"

After arranging this matter, Li Jianguo leaned back in his chair and let out a long sigh.

That's all he can do.

As for the truth?

The truth should remain forever buried in his heart.

A god who can create the world out of thin air is beyond their comprehension.

The best choice is to cooperate obediently and accept the benefits.

"Director Li, did...did he say anything?"

Old Zhou from the action team couldn't help but ask, "What is his attitude towards us and the country?"

Mentioning this, Li Jianguo's expression softened considerably, and he nodded:

"They were very kind, had no ill intentions, and even told us a very important message."

Everyone immediately sat up straight and pricked up their ears.

Li Jianguo looked at everyone and said, word by word, "Once a player's cultivation level breaks through to the Innate Realm, they no longer need to enter the Nine Provinces with their consciousness."

Instead, they directly used the token to open the passage, allowing their physical bodies to enter the Nine Provinces world.

"What?!"

"Physical entry?!"

The conference room erupted in chaos; everyone stood up, their faces filled with shock.

"Not only that," Li Jianguo gestured for everyone to quiet down before continuing.

"After my physical body entered the Nine Provinces, everything I obtained there—elixirs, spiritual herbs, weapons, and even demonic beasts—was acquired."

They can all be brought directly back to the real world without paying any spirit stones or facing any restrictions.

"boom!"

This caused an uproar in the entire conference room.

"Holy crap! Really?!"

"Go in with your physical body? And you can bring things back? Doesn't that mean..."

"If we had a master of innate talent, wouldn't we be able to bring back rare and precious treasures from the Nine Provinces in an endless stream?!"

"Wouldn't that mean the entire country's strength would take off?!"

Everyone was so excited that their faces turned red, and the previous gloom was swept away.

There's actually a way to enter with a physical body now?!

What does this mean?

This means that the treasure trove of the Nine Provinces world has been completely opened to them!

"Quiet!" Li Jianguo tapped the table, and after everyone calmed down, he shook his head with a wry smile.

"Don't get too excited yet. Let me ask you, in our Special Investigations Department, are there any people in the real world who have reached the Innate Realm?"

The lively conference room fell silent instantly.

We looked at each other, but no one spoke.

"There must be some who are about to break through to the Innate Realm, right?" Li Jianguo asked again.

Silence remained.

Li Jianguo sighed: "The one with the highest cultivation level in our department right now is you, Lao Zhou, right? You've just entered the mid-stage of the Acquired Realm, haven't you?"

Old Zhou blushed, scratched his head, and nodded somewhat embarrassedly:

"Yes... I only achieved this by soaking in medicinal baths every day and taking three bottles of Qi-Gathering Pills."

you do not say.

These people all became players later, entering Kyushu late and having less time to cultivate.

Reaching the mid-stage of the Acquired Realm is already a result of accumulating resources; it's still a long way from the Innate Realm.

"According to the message sent back by Song Xian," Li Jianguo said in a heavy tone.

"Master Xuanqing and the other five core players from the first batch have all broken through to the late stage of the Acquired Realm in the Nine Provinces World."

In reality, his cultivation level should have reached the late stage of the Acquired Realm, only one step away from the Innate Realm.

"hiss--"

Everyone gasped in shock.

The day after tomorrow is the later stage!

Their highest level is only mid-stage of the Acquired Realm, while the other five are almost at the Innate Realm!

"If we let them break through to the Innate Realm first, they will be the first to enter the Nine Provinces in their physical bodies and bring out a large amount of resources from the Nine Provinces."

Li Jianguo tapped his fingers on the table. "If they have any ideas, they can use these resources to quickly build up a force in the real world."

Whether it's wooing wealthy individuals or attracting other casual players, no one can resist this temptation.

"Therefore, we must visit them to discuss cooperation before they make a breakthrough."

We need to bring these five core players to our side, and at least maintain a friendly relationship with them.

We cannot allow them to be swayed by other forces, nor can we allow them to stand on the opposite side of us.

Everyone nodded in agreement, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

The allure of the Innate Realm is too great; whoever gets the ticket first will gain the upper hand.

"Director Li, of these five people, who should we contact first?"

The head of the intelligence department quickly asked, "We've already conducted background checks on these five individuals. Which one do you think is most suitable?"

Li Jianguo raised his chin: "Go on."

"The first one is Master Xuanqing, a Taoist priest from Taisu Palace on Yunqi Mountain. He is 68 years old this year. He became a monk at the age of 16 and is devoted to cultivating Taoism. He usually stays on the mountain to cultivate in seclusion and rarely goes down the mountain. He has little interest in worldly affairs."

"The second one is Master Shi Mingyuan, a monk from Mount Wutai. He is seventy-two years old this year, about the same age as Master Xuanqing. He is devoted to Buddhism and meditates in the temple every day. He doesn't care about worldly affairs and has no interest in money or power."

"These two are people who live outside the secular world and are focused on cultivation. They may not be easy to approach, and even if we do, they may not be willing to cooperate with us."

Li Jianguo nodded; this was exactly what he had thought.

People who have spent their entire lives practicing Taoism and Buddhism are not easily swayed by worldly things, and it's difficult to get them to cooperate.

"The remaining three are Zhou Ming, 25 years old, a programmer, who is rather cautious and a bit socially anxious. He usually stays at home except for work, and has simple social relationships."

"Zhang Lei, 28 years old, salesman, has an outgoing personality, likes to show off, and is quite ambitious. This kind of person can be a good partner, but his loyalty is questionable, and he is prone to betraying principles for personal gain."

"The last one is Zhao Hao. He is seventeen years old this year and will be a senior in high school this fall. He is from Hefei, Anhui Province. His parents are both middle-level managers in state-owned enterprises. He has a very good family background."

The head of the intelligence section paused here, a slight smile appearing on his face:

"We have conducted a thorough investigation of this child. He is exceptionally righteous and patriotic. Previously, when someone on the internet said something bad about the country, he was able to engage in a heated online argument that lasted for three thousand posts."

During military training, he even got into a fight with some thugs from outside the school to stand up for someone; politically, he's absolutely reliable.

"It's just a little... a little cringey." He coughed awkwardly.

"His online name in the group is 'Haotiandi'. He always says that he is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor and will lead everyone to become immortals. His parents beat him a lot because of this."

A low chuckle rippled through the conference room.

Li Jianguo smiled, tapped his fingers on the table, and immediately made the decision:

"It's him, Zhao Hao."

"My child is only in the second year of high school and is still in school. He has a positive outlook, is patriotic, and his parents both work in the public sector, so it's easy to communicate with and guide him."

Li Jianguo made a decisive decision: "Send someone over right now to talk to his parents. Be polite and don't frighten the child or his parents, understand?"

"Yes, Director Li!"

"Meeting adjourned! Everyone in the action team, come with me to prepare our supplies. The intelligence team, immediately send over Zhao Hao's detailed address. Let's depart now!"

"yes!"

Everyone stood up and quickly walked out of the conference room. The entire Special Investigations Unit instantly started operating at high speed, like a sophisticated machine.

Li Jianguo sat in the main seat, watching everyone leave, then took out another cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Amidst the swirling smoke, he seemed to see a brand new era slowly unfolding.

Mr. Lin is right.

God has laid out the way for them; all they have to do is walk it well.

As for the others?

Let's take a step by step.

At least for now, the path is right.