35: How to solve Chapter 35? Spend money!

Inside the conference room hundreds of meters underground at the "Pay-to-Win" project command center, the lights were as bright as day.

Chen You sat at the head of the long conference table and recounted his experiences in the game this morning in detail.

From entering the City Lord's Mansion to the membership system of the Supreme Tower.

From the Heaven-rank sword technique drawn from the Lucky Wheel to the one-hit kill on the training grounds and the gold coin bounty.

As he spoke, he quietly observed Director Li Guoan's expression.

This Director with slightly frosted temples remained calm throughout, his fingers rhythmically tapping on the table with a light "clack, clack" sound, making his inner thoughts impossible to guess.

Until Chen You finished speaking, he didn't know if his impulsive act of "spending money like water" was right or wrong.

After all, from a rational perspective, there was no need to cause a conflict.

But even if he were scolded, Chen You wouldn't regret it.

Anyone who dared to insult Huaxia would find no mercy, no matter who they were!

Director Li Guoan listened quietly, his deep gaze sweeping across everyone present. He pondered for a moment before speaking.

"Using gold coins for a bounty to have others do your dirty work—this line of thinking is very good."

Director Li Guoan's voice was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"This is a form of deterrence, and also a declaration."

"Declaring the style of our huaxia civilization—good wine for friends, and shotguns for wolves."

Chen You let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"However," Director Li Guoan changed his tone, his eyes as sharp as knives.

"Next time, don't be so flamboyant. The wind will destroy the tallest tree in the forest."

"Financial power is one of our trump cards; do not expose it unless necessary."

"Understood." Chen You nodded heavily.

The malicious gazes he felt before logging off had already proven this point.

"Everyone, share your views." Director Li Guoan's gaze swept over the expert group.

tactical team leader Zhang Yunhai was the first to stand.

"Director, combining previous intelligence, I have three preliminary judgments." Zhang Yunhai spoke very quickly.

"First, the financial level of low-level players in the 'Source Realm' is far lower than we imagined. Ten gold coins is a huge sum for them, enough to make them risk their lives."

"This leads to the second question: Do they lack the money to Pay-to-Win, or do they lack a Pay-to-Win channel?"

"One gold coin equals one million huaxia coin; this threshold is extremely high for ordinary people in any country."

"I am inclined to believe that players from other civilizations have no way to access a real-world currency system at all."

"Chen You is the only exception."

"Third, and most importantly." Zhang Yunhai's tone became solemn.

"Judging from the task intensity of the Giant Chicken in the Novice Village, the 'Source Realm's' newbie guidance should be based on the average physical fitness of multiple civilizations."

"The initial physical fitness of us humans is below this average level."

"That's why Chen You felt the difficulty was extremely high before he started to Pay-to-Win."

He paused and looked at Chen You.

"Chen You, that Orc Kage you encountered in the game, how did his strength and physique feel?"

Chen You recalled: "Very strong, his muscles were like stones."

"If it were before I entered Qi Refining, I feel like ten of me wouldn't be a match for him."

But after entering the first level of Qi Refining...

Data Team Leader Sun Feng immediately chimed in: "I completely agree with the leader's speculation."

"This explains why the top of the rankings are beings like the 'Titan God Clan' and 'Elf God Clan'."

"Different civilization races likely have vastly different initial attributes and growth templates."

"We humans might be at an extreme disadvantage in terms of the initial template."

"Well said." Director Li Guoan nodded, interrupting their analysis.

"But these speculations are of no substantial help to our current predicament."

He looked around at everyone and said word for word: "Our current primary task is only one—leveling up!"

"Level up at all costs! Before the thirty-day newbie protection period ends, Chen You must possess enough power to protect himself, or even counter-kill!"

Director Li Guoan's voice suddenly turned cold.

"The system said that if a player falls, it will bring a 'great disaster' to their civilization. It said it 'might not' lead to real-world death."

"Everyone, do not harbor any illusions!"

"This 'might not' likely means that the so-called disaster includes the actual death of the player!"

"Whatever disaster it is, it is a weight that our Huaxia cannot bear!"

A cold chill instantly enveloped the entire conference room.

Yes, this is not just a game.

This is a war with the fate of the nation at stake.

Zhang Yunhai took a deep breath, bringing the topic back on track: "Chen You, your Heaven-rank sword technique, 'Heaven-Breaking Sword Technique', how do you learn the subsequent moves?"

"I'm not sure either." Chen You recalled his skill interface.

"Behind the move [Jinghong], there is a proficiency level."

"I've only used it once; it's currently at 5.3%."

"I speculate that I might have to wait until proficiency reaches 100% to unlock or learn the next move."

"That means using it constantly..." Zhang Yunhai was lost in thought. "It seems that grinding mobs is a path that cannot be avoided."

Biology Expert Zhang Ping whispered in agreement: "I also think we should grind mobs."

His eyes were full of desire for new biological samples; everyone knew this and didn't respond.

Director Li Guoan seemed to have thought of something, his deep gaze turning toward Chen You again.

That gaze was calm, yet it carried a scrutiny that could pierce through people's hearts, making Chen You's recently relaxed heart tighten again.

"Little Chen." Director Li Guoan's voice wasn't loud, but it made the entire conference room so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.

"You said just now that the 'Supreme Tower' also provides consulting services?"

"Yes, that's right." Chen You nodded. "The guide, Hill, said that supreme members have the right to consult the Supreme Tower on any issue."

Director Li Guoan leaned forward slightly.

"Then why didn't you ask?"

"Why didn't you ask it how to level up the fastest?!"

Boom!

Chen You's brain buzzed, going blank.

He froze completely, his mouth open, unable to say a word.

Right...

Why didn't I ask?

I forgot the moment I stepped out!

That seemingly inconspicuous "consulting service" hadn't caught his attention at all!

Looking at Chen You's regretful and dazed expression, the sharpness in Director Li Guoan's eyes slowly faded, turning into a trace of helplessness.

"Little Chen, you must remember." He tapped the table, his voice heavy.

"You aren't playing a game right now; you are blazing an unprecedented path."

"On this path, any piece of information could determine our life or death, success or failure."

"Your techniques are all temporary. Only intelligence can make you stronger and stronger!"

"Finding the most efficient leveling path—every minute and second saved could become the capital for you to survive thirty days from now!"

Director Li Guoan's words pierced his heart.

Chen You's face burned with shame, and he lowered his head.

"I... I understand, Director. Next time..."

"There is no next time." Director Li Guoan interrupted him directly. "Go now!"

He turned to the assistant behind him, his tone unquestionable.

"Transfer another billion to Chen You's account."

"What?!"

This time, it wasn't just Chen You who cried out in surprise; even Biology Expert Zhang Ping and Materials Expert Qian Zhonghua gasped.

A billion!

That's not game currency; that's hard huaxia coin!

Chen You couldn't help but be stunned again.

Although he was somewhat used to transfers of hundreds of millions by now.

But transferring a billion at the drop of a hat still caught him off guard.

Director Li Guoan's gaze returned to Chen You, his tone becoming more serious than ever.

"Maybe there are other ways, but for instance, they will cost money."

"After you enter, go to the Supreme Tower immediately. Every problem that can be solved with money—get them all clarified for me!"

"First, how to most efficiently reach level 10 and unlock the dungeon function!"

"Second, after the newbie protection period ends, what are the specific rules for PVP? Besides the ladder arena, what is the punishment mechanism for open-world killing?"

"Third," Director Li Guoan paused, a deep glint flashing in his eyes, "if possible, try to ask some deeper questions."

He lowered his voice and said word for word:

"Ask it: Who created the 'Source Realm'?"

"And what is its ultimate purpose?"