264: Chapter 264 Hidden Mission? A Perfect Match!

Chen You listened to this group of top-tier strategists come up with increasingly outrageous plans, ranging from "killing with a borrowed knife" to "honey traps."

"I guess I'm still too young after all," he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

*Cough.*

A light cough, not loud, instantly cooled the boiling atmosphere of the entire command center.

Director Li Guoan had set down his teacup at some point, hands crossed in front of him, his calm gaze sweeping over everyone.

"The ideas are good, and very... creative."

He offered his affirmation first, then his tone shifted, his voice deepening.

"But a meal must be eaten bite by bite, and a road must be walked step by step."

"The temptation of the Huaxia: Map of Ten Thousand Li of Mountains and Rivers is great, and the benefits of guild hegemony are also immense."

"But before considering how to annex others, we must first ensure we aren't swallowed whole by someone else."

Director Li Guoan's gaze finally settled on Chen You, the solemnity in his eyes making Chen You's heart skip a beat.

"The Source Realm's newbie protection period has eleven days left."

Eleven days.

This number caused everyone's hearts to tighten.

The experts who were just now letting their imaginations run wild, ready to stir up storms in the Source Realm, were instantly pulled back to a cruel reality.

Yes, they only had one Chen You.

And their enemies were the alien players of the entire world.

Once the newbie protection period ended, Chen You would be completely exposed to the hunting range of all players.

When that time came, he would face endless pursuit and encirclement.

Although those few Level 90+ big shots seemed to be getting along for now, once interests conflicted, there was no doubt they would turn their blades on each other.

"Professor Pan's strategic investment approach can be kept, but not for now."

Zhang Yunhai was the first to calm down. "Our primary goal is to ensure that Comrade Chen You has sufficient self-preservation capabilities, or even counter-kill capabilities, after the protection period ends."

"I agree." Data Team Leader Sun Feng immediately pulled up a set of data.

"According to model deductions, Chen You's realm needs to reach the Golden Core Stage to potentially survive against Level 90 players."

"Golden Core..." Hearing this term again, the corner of Chen You's mouth twitched.

It still felt so far away.

"We must hurry." Director Li Guoan made the final decision.

"From now on, all strategic deductions regarding the Guild Leader Challenge will be handed over to the Tactics Team and the Data Team."

"You have five days to provide me with a detailed risk assessment and contingency plan."

"Yes!" Zhang Yunhai and Sun Feng immediately stood at attention.

"All other departments will fully cooperate with Little Chen's personal strength improvement plan."

"We have only one goal—"

Director Li Guoan held up one finger, his tone resolute.

"Before the protection period ends, at all costs, we will stack Chen You's level and realm up!"

"Understood!"

...

The meeting ended.

Heavy pressure once again loomed over Chen You's heart.

He returned to his own lounge in the command center.

"Little Chen." Director Li Guoan followed him in.

Chen You turned back and saw the old director looking at him quietly.

"Don't feel too much pressure." A rare hint of gentleness appeared on Director Li Guoan's face.

"Remember, you are not fighting alone."

"Go ahead and do what you need to do. If you need anything, just ask."

"Emergency funds have already been deposited into your card."

"If you can solve it with money, don't hesitate. Just charge forward."

"If the sky falls, we'll hold it up for you."

Chen You's heart warmed. The immense pressure generated by the 'eleven-day countdown' seemed to be diluted significantly by these simple words.

He nodded heavily, saying nothing more.

Some forms of trust require no words.

Closing his eyes, he connected once more.

[Welcome back to the Source Realm, Immortal.]

With a flash of light before his eyes, Chen You's figure appeared in the Supreme Tower.

With a thought, he opened his personal attribute panel.

[Character: Chen You]

[Class: Cultivator]

[Level: 26 (Qi Refinement Level 7)]

[Title: immortal path pioneer]

[HP: 8186]

[MP: 4622]

[Attack: 6781]

[Defense: 1592]

...

Qi Refinement Level 7.

He had originally thought he was already quite strong, but he hadn't expected...

He recalled how Amaterasu Omikami, with just a single wisp of divine fire, had nearly caused his Monarch Incarnation to collapse.

If not for the descent of the Thunder Ancestor, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Ultimately, it was a lack of strength.

All fear stems from insufficient firepower.

Whether it was dealing with the end of the newbie protection period or protecting Huaxia's interests in reality, he was still not strong enough.

Get stronger!

He must get stronger as quickly as possible!

Without the slightest hesitation, he walked straight into the Supreme Training Room.

A few seconds later, the avatar Chen You walked out.

"Hill."

Chen You walked up to the counter.

"Respected supreme member, good afternoon. Though our parting was brief, the joy of meeting again is still like a spring breeze."

Hill bowed slightly, her posture impeccable.

"I have a question."

Chen You looked at her and spoke directly.

"Can I open two Supreme Training Rooms at the same time?"

He wanted his main body and his avatar to enter a state of maximum efficiency simultaneously.

One for cultivating, one for grinding experience.

He would take advantage of the Anniversary Event to boost his level as well.

The smile on Hill's face didn't change at all as she nodded.

"Of course you can, respected supreme member."

"Your permissions are sufficient. You only need to pay double the gold coins."

Just as he thought.

Chen You understood that any problem that could be solved with money wasn't a problem.

"Good."

He nodded, but he wasn't in a hurry to open another room just yet.

Perhaps there was a better option?

"Aside from the training room, is there anywhere else... with more monsters?"

Chen You organized his words, trying to make his meaning clearer to her.

"I mean, the kind with... thousands or tens of thousands of monsters."

"Like the monster siege I experienced in Zhao City before."

"The kind where they cover the sky and earth, and you can't kill them all."

What he needed was extreme efficiency.

Although the training room had fast respawns and experience bonuses, the number of monsters per round was ultimately too low.

Killing them a few at a time was still too slow.

He needed an ocean of experience points to dive into and absorb frantically.

Hearing this question, a subtle, almost human-like glitch appeared in the smile on Hill's face.

Her eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, blinked as she looked at Chen You, her tone carrying a hint of strangeness.

"Are you... serious?"

"Of course," Chen You said as if it were a matter of course. "Is there a problem?"

"No... no problem."

Hill's smile returned to its professional state.

She pondered for a moment, seemingly searching through a massive database.

A few seconds later, she finally spoke.

"According to the Source Realm's settings, in order to test the defensive strength of every main city and provide opportunities to true warriors..."

"Every main city does indeed have a hidden quest."

"When the quest is triggered and completed to a certain stage, it will initiate a one-time... massive-scale monster siege event."

Chen You's eyes instantly lit up.

"That's the one!"

Wasn't this a leveling dungeon tailor-made for him?