Following Qing Ruyan's explanation, Chen Gu understood and humbly asked for advice, "Do you have any suggestions?"

Qing Ruyan shook her head. "That depends on you. The only thing I can tell you is that with each advancement, you must do everything possible to gather various materials to increase your chances of success, and also to enhance the probability of awakening special skills during advancement."

She added, "I do have some intelligence on this matter that I can provide you with—our relationship entitles you to it for free."

Chen Gu nodded repeatedly.

"Within the Atomic Holy Church, there is a No. 8 Additive, which is the cumulative result of their many years of experience and technology, capable of greatly increasing the success rate of advancement. At your Energy Level, you will need at least one dose; of course, the more, the better."

This No. 8 Additive also has another use: to suppress the possibility of mutations during the advancement process.

"Besides, I know of a place that sells various hyper-materials, as well as remnants of super-life beings."

"These items have been thoroughly and strictly analyzed to determine their roles in the advancement process, as well as potentially activating additional skills—the accuracy of which is above forty percent, which is already quite high."

Chen Gu immediately said, "I am willing to purchase."

Qing Ruyan waved her small hand. "Don't rush. That place doesn't accept monetary transactions..."

Chen Gu's eyes widened. What does she mean? Do they accept some other form of trade?

"Mostly they trade goods for goods, or in the form of task rewards."

"They only have one trading hall, and those who can enter have all gone through a rigorous review and screening process." Qing Ruyan kept Chen Gu in suspense, then with a sly smile, she said, "I can take you there."

Chen Gu took a deep breath. "What are your conditions?"

Qing Ruyan was about to say there were no conditions, but a thought struck her, and she said with a smile, "There is indeed a small requirement. You'll owe me one, and if one day I make you very angry, you must forgive me once."

This condition bewildered Chen Gu, who asked subconsciously, "Have you done something to wrong me?"

Qing Ruyan's cover-up was "flawless." "Haha, how could that be? Um… why would you think that? It's impossible. I wouldn't do such a thing."

Chen Gu looked at her, and Qing Ruyan felt a twinge of unease. Then, feigning displeasure, she said, "Hey, hey, hey, are you going or not? If not, forget it."

"I'll go!"

Qing Ruyan lifted her chin. "Follow me."

Chen Gu followed her quickly, asking, "What's the name of this place? Is it far? Do we need to travel across Star Systems?"

Qing Ruyan smiled mysteriously. "No need for that. We'll get there soon."

"Hmm?" Chen Gu was puzzled, but Qing Ruyan had already led him through twists and turns into a special area of the branch office—where there were public game pods for "Endless Realm."

Qing Ruyan went in first and beckoned to Chen Gu, "Come on in."

Chen Gu became alert. "A game?" This young lady probably doesn't know my game account can't see the light of day...

Qing Ruyan said again, "Come in, I'll take you."

You want to take *me*? Young lady, you're a bit too naive.

Chen Gu thought for a moment. The "Idol Actor" is the military's head researcher. That matter is still secret. It's unlikely the military would have informed the Bureau of Mystic Security about this, so Qing Ruyan probably doesn't know.

So, he entered the gaming pod and logged into his account.

Chen Gu was very familiar with the login interface of "Endless Realm." After a successful character login, there would be darkness, followed by a simulated process of star wars deployment. The whole gaming pod shook as he connected to the game.

In the past, during the login process, Chen Gu would quietly wait through the darkness. There was no need to do anything at that time; even if he did, it would be useless, as the system would not respond.

But this time, Qing Ruyan's voice came through the communication channel: "Follow my instructions."

Chen Gu was puzzled but replied, "Okay."

"Release one of your skills."

"Then clap three times, pause, and clap five times again."

Chen Gu followed the instructions exactly. In the darkness, he felt that vibration again, as if starfighters or space Mechas were being launched from a mothership.

Then the screen gradually brightened, and he found himself standing amidst ancient ruins.

This was a gigantic planet, sunken into twilight. The sky was overcast. A huge, dark red sun hung at an angle above the horizon, somewhat resembling a giant salted egg yolk. It looked as if one could simply stand there, reach out, and scoop a spoonful to taste.

Surrounding him were ruins and broken walls—strangely, these ruins spanned great lengths of time and levels of civilization.

Ancient Stone Age totem poles, foundations and stone walls of temples, roof tiles and steps of majestic palaces, modern-era skyscrapers...

All the ruins were mixed together, presenting a chaotic yet harmonious and strange sensation.

Chen Gu looked around in confusion. This place seemed to exist independently of the entire "Endless Realm" game. He saw no vast fleets or ferocious beasts anywhere.

Though the place was in ruins and decay, it seemed very... peaceful?

He quickly noticed not far in front of him, a huge totem pole had collapsed, slanting into the ground.

On the totem pole, large as a hill, three big characters were inscribed. The text seemed extremely ancient, from an unknown civilization era, yet miraculously, Chen Gu understood the meaning at first glance: Heavenly Realm.

Chen Gu frowned. The "Endless Realm" game drew its inspiration from the Endless Realm, but this place had become the "Heavenly Realm."

Qing Ruyan's voice came from behind him: "This place was originally called 'Original Spirit Realm.' Nobody knows since when it started to be called the Heavenly Realm."

Chen Gu understood. "This is a virtual space, accessible from any place in the Star Sea as long as there's a gaming pod?"

Qing Ruyan said, "It's accessible from any device in this Star Sea that uses 'Virtual Full-Sensory Feedback Technology' and is connected to the interstellar network. It's not just limited to gaming pods."

Chen Gu understood. "Will the items I purchase after the transaction be mailed to me?"

"Something like that," replied Qing Ruyan as she led him further in.

After entering the ruins, Chen Gu discovered that this so-called "Heavenly Realm," while appearing as ruins from the outside, actually contained a hidden world within.

For instance, in the temple ruins that Chen Gu had just passed through, half a palace remained intact, seemingly inhabited by some mysterious entities, emitting sounds like music, as if chanting, preaching, or meditating...

Qing Ruyan was not interested in this temple at all, hurriedly walking past, muttering, "All this mumbo jumbo..."

They passed through several buildings in the ruins, and Qing Ruyan had a clear purpose, leading Chen Gu into a dilapidated Taoist temple.

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