Chapter 72: On the Eve of the Instance
Tan Manyu called out respectfully, "Director Fang."
The middle-aged man with an imposing presence smiled warmly and extended his hand toward Li Zhi. "Li Zhi, hello. I’m Fang Yangxing."
Li Zhi shook his hand. "Hello, Director Fang."
The three of them took their seats. Someone came in to serve tea. Fang Yangxing was over fifty, but he exuded vigor. The sharpness in his eyes gave him an air of quiet authority, though at the moment, his gaze toward Li Zhi was filled with the appreciation one might show toward an outstanding junior.
"Xiao Tan has probably already told you—your request has been approved by the department. From now on, we’ll be partners. If you have any other demands, feel free to bring them up now. Anything within my authority, I can agree to immediately, so we don’t have to go through the hassle of filing reports later."
Fang Yangxing spoke without a trace of bureaucratic pretension, his tone as casual as if they were chatting about family matters. Li Zhi smiled. "Nothing else for now. Captain Yao’s protection and care for my family are more than enough. Thank you, Director Fang."
Fang Yangxing waved his hand. "No need for thanks. We’re all working toward the same goal." He handed Li Zhi a file folder he had brought with him. "This contains all the information we’ve gathered so far. It’s not much, but take a look. These documents are classified and cannot leave this building, which is why we had to ask you to come here."
Li Zhi nodded in understanding and began reviewing the documents.
As Fang Yangxing had said, there wasn’t much. In just three months, the official research on [Ghost] barely filled two thin sheets of A4 paper.
Too little.
The known information was scarce, with almost no reference materials to draw from. Faced with this high-dimensional technology that had invaded their world, their current science and technology were helpless.
Li Zhi read carefully, then looked up at Fang Yangxing. "Magnetic fields?"
"Correct." Fang Yangxing nodded. "We’ve detected that every time a player enters an instance, the magnetic field within a ten-meter radius around them instantly intensifies. The [Ghost] system is invisible and intangible—the only trace it leaves in this world can be detected through magnetic fields. So we speculate that instances are also generated by magnetic fields. These fields might differ from the ones we currently understand, but all magnetic fields share certain commonalities. Our players are trying to measure the magnetic fields within instances."
Li Zhi thought for a moment, then said thoughtfully, "If that’s the case, then if we were to build a shielding device targeting this specific type of magnetic field in a certain area, could we create a safe zone where people wouldn’t be pulled into instances?"
Fang Yangxing’s eyes lit up with approval. "Exactly. That’s one of our current research directions."
If the shielding device proved effective, the next step would be establishing safe zones across the country—relocating non-players or players unwilling to enter instances into these areas. At the very least, this could help maintain some degree of stability in society.
"I think [Ghost]’s existence must also follow certain rules," Li Zhi shared her speculation. "As a high-dimensional technology, it could have easily invaded our technologically inferior world without any effort. Yet it chose to initiate instance livestreams. My guess is that it can’t directly occupy multidimensional worlds. Instead, it needs these livestreams to achieve a certain purpose, and only then, according to its rules, can it fully complete its invasion."
She met Fang Yangxing’s gaze and stated her conclusion: "The key to breaking this lies with high-popularity players."
Fang Yangxing nodded in agreement. "You’re absolutely right. It didn’t create a popularity ranking just for fun. The higher your popularity, the closer you get to the truth. I’ll relay today’s discussion to the higher-ups—hopefully, it’ll aid their research. If there are any results, I’ll have Xiao Tan inform you immediately."
They chatted a while longer until someone knocked to remind Fang Yangxing of his next appointment. He stood up. "I have work to attend to. Xiao Tan will see you out."
Li Zhi nodded. As Fang Yangxing turned to leave, she suddenly called out, "Director Fang."
He looked back.
Li Zhi smiled faintly. "I thought you summoned me today to persuade me to join your ranks."
Wouldn’t recruiting her as an official member better serve their needs than a mere partnership?
Fang Yangxing studied her. "Xiao Tan must have told you—their work is dangerous. Becoming an official player means taking on corresponding responsibilities. It’s not just about clearing instances safely." He paused, then added meaningfully, "Your Li family… one is enough."
Li Zhi froze.
Fang Yangxing had already strode out of the lounge.
Your Li family, one is enough.
So Li Feng had been recruited as an official player.
The realization didn’t surprise her. From the moment she learned Li Feng had been recalled, she’d guessed as much. Given his capabilities and personal qualities, he was indeed better suited to become an official player and carry out special missions in instances.
She just wondered—had he entered any instances during this time? With so many livestreams running simultaneously every day, it was easy to go unnoticed unless a player’s popularity ranked high enough.
Li Zhi sighed imperceptibly.
Tan Manyu drove her back.
Li Zhi raised an eyebrow. "Can you drive with your injuries?"
Tan Manyu had already pulled open the car door. "Relax. Let me show you my skills."
This time, Li Zhi took the passenger seat. Noticing her studying the outdated dashboard, Tan Manyu chuckled. "Don’t let its looks fool you." She rapped the window. "Bulletproof."
Li Zhi’s expression turned solemn with respect.
On the way back, they discussed their next instance. Tan Manyu said, "I won’t team up with you this time. Take a rookie instead. I’ve got experience and props now—clearing shouldn’t be a problem."
Her individual abilities were indeed strong, and her alertness was high. As long as she performed decently in the instance, she wouldn’t be eliminated.
Li Zhi felt like a mentor, ushering one graduate out the door only to welcome the next.
Within two days, Yao Mingfeng arrived with the Team Card and her new "student"—a shy, reticent girl named Xiang Ling, who introduced herself briefly before lapsing into silence.
But if the authorities had selected her for training, she was no ordinary person. After binding with the Team Card and discussing arrangements, Yao Mingfeng took Xiang Ling away.
Li Zhi went to the kitchen to wash some fruit. Mid-bite, the doorbell rang. Since upgrading to the Mystic Tortoise Shell 2.0, her home’s security had skyrocketed. The protective barrier could sense visitors’ intentions, saving her a lot of trouble.
Apple in hand, Li Zhi opened the door to find Grandma Luo from the first floor and her middle-school-aged granddaughter.
The usually warm and cheerful Grandma Luo looked frantic, dragging her rebellious granddaughter along, on the verge of tears. "Zhi-Zhi! You have to save Hanhan! She made a bet with her classmates and started a livestream—now her viewership is skyrocketing! She’ll definitely get pulled into an instance!"
Hearing the commotion, Shang Jinru hurried over. "What’s going on? Come in, come in."
Grandma Luo tugged her silent granddaughter inside, weeping. "Everyone else is running scared, but she just had to jump into the fire! What skills do you even have? Huh? You’ll die in there!"
She raised her hand as if to strike the girl, too angry to hold back.
Li Zhi took another bite of her apple, studying Meng Hanhan. She’d seen the girl a few times—typical rebellious teen, all bravado at that age.
Shang Jinru quickly intervened. "What’s done is done. Hitting her won’t help. Let’s think of a solution."
She shot Li Zhi a meaningful look.
Grandma Luo was a good neighbor, after all. Li Zhi poked the girl with her apple. "How many followers?"
"Twenty-three thousand!"
The reply came with a hint of pride.
Li Zhi smirked. "Wanna enter an instance?"
Meng Hanhan nodded vigorously. "Of course! Several of my classmates have gone in! If they can make it out, so can I!"
Grandma Luo looked ready to faint—or strangle her. Li Zhi signaled her mother, who promptly steered the older woman into the bedroom.
Once they were gone, Li Zhi asked, "Why? For fame?"
Meng Hanhan scowled. "No!" But under Li Zhi’s calm gaze, the truth spilled out despite herself. "I want a prop!"
"What kind?"
The girl clamped her mouth shut. Li Zhi said gently, "If you don’t tell me, I won’t take you in."
The fourteen-year-old bristled. "Who said I need you?! Grandma dragged me here!"
"Ah…" Li Zhi drew out the syllable. "I thought you wanted to team up with me."
The girl had been sneaking glances at her the whole time.
Meng Hanhan flushed, caught. She glared at Li Zhi, who continued eating her apple, seemingly unfazed. Unable to hold back, the girl blurted, "If I tell you, will you really take me?"
Li Zhi smiled. "Tell me first."
After a prolonged glaring contest, Meng Hanhan caved. "I want medicine for heart disease." Her voice dropped. "At the hospital last week, the doctor said Grandma’s heart failure is really bad. Untreatable. I thought… if I go into an instance, I might find medicine there."
She looked up at Li Zhi, hope flickering in her eyes. "The props in instances are amazing. There’s gotta be something that can cure her, right?"