Chapter 1688: Chapter 1688: X
As they approached the entrance, a masked player handed Xu Huo a business card.
It was an average-looking card, containing only the address of a guesthouse and the name of its owner.
"This is my guesthouse, usually meant for like-minded friends. If Mr. Xu would honor us with a visit, our humble place would be greatly illuminated." Zong Lanzhi removed his mask, revealing a face difficult to distinguish as either male or female. His eyes carried a smile, exuding sincerity with no hint of hostility.
Xu Huo nodded and accepted the card, escorting the group out.
"Cousin, it’s not necessary to risk your life for unrelated people. Don’t sacrifice yourself to fulfill others. Our Xu Family and the Old Yu Family weren’t born with saint genes. Don’t take risks for mere praises from the Special Defense Department," Yu Qingqing earnestly advised.
The two Super Evolvers nearby kept casting sidelong glances, as if they couldn’t discern her hinting at Xu Huo to charge more.
"Stop joking around." Xu Huo glanced at Yu Qingqing, "When you go out, tell the people outside that the next time will be scheduled for two hours later. Also, when you leave, along with Zhou Ning, both of you should go home."
Although unsure of what he meant, Zhou Ning nodded, indicating she would leave once outside.
Knowing Yu Qingqing is not the obedient type, Xu Huo specifically repeated, "Go home, understand?"
Yu Qingqing held his gaze for two seconds, then exhaled deeply and said, "I got it. I should pay my mom a visit anyway."
"Brother Xu, should I leave?" Wang Chaoqing sensed something beyond the words and cautiously asked.
"Suit yourself." Xu Huo didn’t spare him a glance, dismissing him with these three words.
The people waiting outside were already anxious and restless, especially since there was no update after anyone went inside. Upon seeing Zong Lanzhi emerge, the Special Defense Department and military personnel immediately rushed over. Before they could inquire about the situation, the accompanying Super Evolvers also came out, assisting one another.
Medical staff promptly arrived to receive them, taking the three Super Evolvers along with Jing Qing and Wang Chaoqing away.
"My brother said, usher in the second group two hours later." After briefing the Special Defense Department’s leader, Yu Qingqing requested they arrange for her and the "Capricious" members to return to Jing City.
The Special Defense Department didn’t obstruct them, immediately arranging cars and planes for departure, including for Zhou Ning.
Zong Lanzhi, having put his mask back on, briefly addressed his companions before leaving alone.
Minutes later, news of a player’s successful evolution within the Special Defense Department spread. Naturally, neither Yu Qingqing nor her group kept it secret, and the leader of the Special Defense Department couldn’t hide his pleased smile, subtly hinting at their success.
In short, the Special Defense Department felt vindicated.
No matter who it was, someone else’s success meant everyone had a chance. Thus, after the first group emerged, the atmosphere improved significantly, especially since Xu Huo personally chose the participants. There was no need for squabbling over entry order, yet the Special Defense Department worried about Xu Huo’s instructions for Yu Qingqing and others to leave.
They couldn’t imagine that an Advanced Player was tracking him; they just suspected the space was unstable, possibly prone to unexpected events. Therefore, expanding on the existing security measures, the Special Defense Department tripled the personnel and equipment, continuously extending the security perimeter.
Due to the involvement of the Player Organization, news about the evolutionary site gradually spread.
Naturally, for most, Super Evolution was an ungraspable dream, with no need to join in the excitement. However, it did offer a glimmer of hope for those who were more proactive, resulting in an increase in unofficial players entering the Primeval Forest upon identity verification by the Special Defense Department.
"At this moment, we must focus on the long-term. Whether insider or not, they’re all compatriots. A stronger compatriot makes for a stronger nation."
The highest leader spoke, and thus, under a mutually tacit understanding, the case was neither treated with grandeur nor obscured but openly followed.
"Squeeze every bit you can from one person." Unable to leave, Wang Chaoqing sat at the tent entrance, snacking on seeds and commenting.
Jing Qing, also with the Special Defense Department, didn’t share such an outsider’s detachment; rather, he felt ashamed, "It’s because we’re too weak. This should have been our duty."
Wang Chaoqing turned back in surprise, "Has your brain gone through some special evolution?"
Jing Qing gave him a cold look.
Wang Chaoqing coughed lightly, "Forget I said anything... but compared to those with sinister means, you’re a good person."
Players within the Special Defense Department have varied experiences, but those with Characteristics Special Evolution, having undergone special training, knew some participants in Spirit Evolution training faced accidents. Prolonged mental interference or excessive brain activity could cause unexpected damage to the more intelligent minds. Rumors indicated some players within the Special Defense Department had suffered cerebral failure.
To Wang Chaoqing and the others, cerebral failure lacked specific meaning, interpreted as madness or losing one’s mind.
Being a person who takes life as it comes, Wang Chaoqing was quickly excluded from the secret training groups, "I’m no fool. If something goes wrong, who will provide for my family? What about a newly found girlfriend? One has to be a bit selfish in life."
Dismissing further conversation, Jing Qing simply declared, "One day I’ll write a book, dedicated to recording these unsung heroes."
Reminded by his words, Wang Chaoqing’s eyes lit up, and he quickly fished out his phone, typing away. However, within a couple of minutes, he sighed, "You can forget about writing that book; someone’s already doing it."
Jing Qing leaned over, noticing a thread published on the Pioneer Forum, with an overly dramatic title:
"X—A Man I Call Legendary."
Jing Qing uncomfortably scratched his arm, taking out his own phone to read the thread.
The thread detailed the current evolutionary site incident, which was explosive news for players lacking insider information, especially the part about "X," the man bearing the weight of national hope single-handedly.
Although it didn’t specifically detail Super Evolution, both Wang Chaoqing and Jing Qing, having been through the Chaotic Space, immediately recognized it as the work of someone among them.
"The Special Defense Department definitely wouldn’t do such a good job; it must be Yu Qingqing. She’s Brother Xu’s cousin, likely standing by her family," Wang Chaoqing speculated.
"I don’t think so," Jing Qing frowned, "Yu Qingqing’s a bit capricious and wouldn’t write this kind of narrative. I wonder if someone’s targeting Mr. Xu."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chaoqing hastily reviewed the post again, "No way, from what I see, it continuously updates and adds Mr. Xu’s deeds, more like building momentum."