11: Chapter 11 Young People, Opening Up Their Perspective

"Huh?"

Chen You's mouth hung open in a perfect 'O' shape, his brain completely short-circuiting.

He felt his entire system of understanding being blasted to pieces by Director Li Guoan's few casual, rhetorical questions.

I just... almost scared myself to death over a gift pack priced at ninety-eight million?

And you, sir, not only don't think it's expensive, but are actually asking me if there's anything else to buy?

What monthly card? What shop? What VIP system?

You... how are you more familiar with this than I am?

Chen You stared blankly at Director Li Guoan. The image of this stern, imposing Director of the Special Affairs Bureau, who was past fifty, instantly became unfamiliar and towering in his eyes.

That serious, square-jawed face was practically etched with the word 'professional.'

Everyone in the command center had also turned to stone.

Researchers looked at each other. Medics remained frozen in their ready-to-charge postures. Everyone doubted their own hearing.

They had anticipated countless possibilities.

Shock at the amount of funds. Caution regarding the game's content. Even concern for Chen You's condition.

But no one had expected Director Li Guoan's reaction to be disappointment that there were too few Pay-to-Win options in the game.

"What? There aren't any?" Director Li Guoan asked another question, looking at Chen You's utterly dumbfounded expression.

His tone was flat, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.

Chen You's Adam's apple bobbed up and down as he struggled to find his voice.

"Well... Director Li... I haven't had time to study it in detail yet."

He hurriedly explained, afraid this Pay-to-Win whale would think his professional competence lacking.

"That gift pack earlier was time-limited. The countdown looked urgent, so I logged out first to report to you."

"Hmm." Director Li Guoan nodded, indicating understanding.

He didn't press further about monthly cards or VIP systems. Instead, he turned and extended a hand towards his Assistant.

"Tablet."

The Assistant immediately handed over a military-grade, ruggedized tablet.

Director Li Guoan took the tablet. His slender fingers danced across the screen a few times, pulling up an encrypted transfer interface.

His movements were fluid and practiced, without the slightest hesitation. He clearly knew this procedure like the back of his hand.

Watching him operate, Chen You's heart began to beat treacherously fast again.

He had a premonition that what was about to happen next might once again challenge his cardiovascular endurance.

Sure enough, Director Li Guoan turned the tablet towards him. The screen displayed a string of dizzying numbers.

"One billion huaxia coin has just been transferred to your personal account."

Director Li Guoan's tone was as calm as if he were commenting on the nice weather.

"Go back in first and buy that ninety-eight million gift pack."

"Then check what's in that 'shop.' Buy whatever you need."

"Oh, right. If there's a 'monthly card,' get that too."

BOOM!

It felt like a bomb had detonated inside Chen You's head.

O-one billion?

He had thought that after the initial six million top-up, he'd developed some immunity to money.

He was wrong.

In the face of a 'national-level Pay-to-Win whale' like Director Li Guoan, his ordinary citizen's psychological defenses were as fragile as paper.

Director Li Guoan looked at Chen You, who seemed on the verge of fainting, and shook his head slightly.

He handed the tablet back to his Assistant, walked over to Chen You, and patted his shoulder.

The pat wasn't heavy, but it jolted Chen You, snapping him out of his monetary stupor.

"Little Chen."

Director Li Guoan's form of address had changed. It was no longer the official 'Comrade Chen You,' but carried a touch of elder-like familiarity.

"Your physical fitness and mental resilience still need work."

He pointed to the vital signs monitor beside them. The data had stabilized, but the record of that heart-stopping peak was still there.

"Just a number, and it triggered such a major stress response in you. That won't do."

"You must remember, money is the least significant thing for our project."

Director Li Guoan's words rang out, firm and powerful, echoing in the quiet command center.

"Every single one of your heartbeats is more important than those numbers."

"I need you to adapt to this fact quickly. Don't let these things cloud your judgment."

"In the Source Realm, your safety and your growth are the only metrics that matter."

"When I tell you to buy everything you can, it's not for you to squander."

"It's so you can establish our greatest advantage in this unfamiliar world as quickly as possible."

"Do you understand?"

Chen You stared at Director Li Guoan, stunned.

In the other man's deep-set eyes, he saw a vision and resolve that transcended money—something far grander.

So... my own perspective had been too narrow.

He thought Director Li Guoan was just caught up in Pay-to-Win frenzy. Turns out, the man was playing 4D chess.

Director Li is admonishing me, correcting my mindset! Telling me not to be so easily startled, to keep the bigger picture in mind!

And at the same time, he's using this method to help me undergo 'desensitization therapy' towards money!

A surge of warmth mixed with shame flooded Chen You's heart.

He abruptly straightened his posture and gave Director Li Guoan a firm, vigorous nod.

"Understood! Director Li!"

His voice was loud and resolute, completely devoid of the earlier stammering and unease.

"Good." Director Li Guoan nodded with satisfaction.

The boy was teachable.

Though still a bit shaky in the face of money, the advantage of youth was a strong learning ability. With a little guidance, he could grasp the concept.

"Time is short. Go back in." Director Li Guoan waved his hand.

"Remember what I said. Safety first. After buying everything, familiarize yourself with your new abilities first. Don't rush to explore."

"Yes, sir!"

Chen You responded again, his gaze sweeping the room.

"Forget it, I'll deal with that later..."

He lay back down on the high-tech recliner, closed his eyes, and focused his mind.

The mysterious bracelet on his wrist grew slightly warm.

[Connecting to Source Realm...]

[Connection successful!]

[Welcome back, Immortal.]

His consciousness re-entered that dark void. The gaudy, golden 'Immortal Path Launch Gift Pack' still dominated his entire field of view.

The countdown above it now read: '02:37'.

Chen You took a deep breath, trying hard to calm himself.

Recalling Director Li Guoan's words, he repeated silently in his heart: *They're just numbers, just tools, all for survival...*

He focused his consciousness on the purchase button beneath the gift pack.

[Purchasing the 'Immortal Path Launch Gift Pack' requires 98 gold coins. Confirm?]

"Confirm!"

Chen You's heart still skipped a beat.

[Please select payment method.]

[Bank card ending in XXXX is bound. Use this card for payment?]

"Yes!"

[Processing your order...]

[Payment successful!]

Almost the instant the payment succeeded, Chen You's consciousness seemed to erupt in a grand fireworks display.

Countless dazzling icons and prompt boxes popped up frantically before him.

[Congratulations! You have successfully purchased the 'Immortal Path Launch Gift Pack'!]

[You have obtained: Heaven-grade cultivation manual 'Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art' x 1]

[You have obtained: creation pill x 1]

[You have obtained: qi gathering pill x 10]

[You have obtained: Novice Storage Pouch x 1]

[You have obtained: Permanent Title 'immortal path pioneer']

[You have obtained: Gold Coins x 100]

A string of system notifications scrolled past. Chen You's gold coin balance directly changed to 108.

Chen You's heart pounded wildly. This move was basically getting it for free!

No, it was like getting paid two million to take it!

Before he could examine the contents of his pack closely, a new system prompt suddenly appeared.

[Detected that you have obtained the Heaven-grade cultivation manual 'Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art'.]

[This manual conflicts with your current manual 'Qi Guiding Technique'. Replace?]

[Note: After replacement, 'Qi Guiding Technique' will be completely overwritten and cannot be restored.]

"Obviously, replace it!"

Chen You chose 'Yes' without hesitation.

[Replacing cultivation manual...]

[Cultivation manual replacement successful!]

[Your cultivation manual has been changed to 'Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art' (First Revolution).]

[Cultivation efficiency increased by 100%!]

[Each revolution of the manual increases cultivation efficiency by an additional 100%!]

The moment the manual replacement completed, Chen You felt an indescribable warm current erupt from the depths of his dantian, instantly sweeping through every part of his body!

It was a profound, mysterious feeling, as if every cell in his body was cheering with joy.

He could clearly 'see' that the previously vague, scattered energy particles in the surrounding space had now become incredibly clear and familiar, rushing eagerly into his body!

His cultivation speed wasn't just doubled!

[Detected that you possess a 'creation pill'. Consuming it can cleanse marrow and refine meridians, allowing a direct breakthrough to Qi Refining Stage Level 1. Use immediately?]

Chen You immediately chose [Yes]!

A phantom image of a pill emitting a soft, precious glow appeared in his consciousness, then transformed into a warm current that instantly coursed through his limbs and bones.

An indescribable sense of comfort spread throughout his body. He felt as if his body had been purified, countless impurities expelled, his five senses becoming unprecedentedly clear.

[Congratulations, you have successfully broken through to Qi Refining Stage Level 1!]

[Attribute panel updated!]

Chen You immediately opened his panel.

[Character: Chen You]

[Class: Cultivator]

[Level: 1 (Qi Refining Stage Level 1)]

[Title: immortal path pioneer]

[Health: 210/210]

[Spiritual Energy: 105/105]

[Attack: 105]

[Defense: 52]

[Cultivation Manual: 'Nine Revolutions Primordial Chaos Art' (First Revolution)]

[Skill: Spiritual Sight (Passive)]

These are the stats for Level 1? That's absolutely insane!

The weapon from the first top-up only added 10 Attack! Now, without any equipment, my Attack is over a hundred!

An unprecedented sense of security welled up in Chen You's heart.

Is this the power of Pay-to-Win? I'm in love!

He was just about to follow Director Li Guoan's instructions and look for the so-called 'shop' and 'VIP system'.

Right at that moment.

"Awooo~~~~"

A shrill, savage wolf howl suddenly and violently pierced Chen You's ears.

The sound was filled with bloodthirsty hunger and cruelty, instantly diminishing the sense of security he had just gained.