Chapter 69: The Supreme Institution (Part Two)

Qin Ye followed the instructions. Soon, the image shifted—a heavy, archaic stone gate rumbled open on the screen, as if sunlight poured through. A voice echoed in his ear once more.

“Inspector S9527 detected, login successful. Please remember the following regulations.”

“One: All information seen here must remain confidential. It is strictly forbidden to disclose anything to the general public. Violations will be considered a mid-level security breach.”

“Two: Spamming is strictly prohibited. First offense: one-hour mute. Second offense: twelve hours. Third: one day. Fourth: seven days. Fifth: permanent account deletion.”

“Three: Please observe public decency. If reported and verified by the Styx Mainframe, a three-day mute will be enforced.”

“Welcome to the highest authority of Huaxia, the Special Investigation Bureau’s exclusive app: Sever.”

Boom—the words had barely ended when sunlight solidified onscreen, finally revealing an antique, dignified interface.

It was weighty.

A red-and-white layout, its sides adorned with engravings reminiscent of the Sanxingdui relics. In the center, it resembled a forum.

The forum was partitioned into four sections: General Discussion, Archives, Exchange, and Tasks.

Qin Ye unhesitatingly entered General Discussion; if information was to be gathered, this was the most convenient place.

Countless threads dazzled his eyes, but one blood-red, pinned post at the top instantly drew attention.

“In three days, an announcement to all citizens of Bao’an City, Anhui Province. This is a special alert.”—A3125 (App-verified Director of Enforcement).

He quickly clicked to read further.

“Everyone should be aware by now: due to the catastrophic supernatural outbreak in Bao’an City, the situation can no longer be concealed.”

“All levels of government and the Special Investigation Bureau in Bao’an have coordinated. In three days, Bao’an will become the first region in the country to openly disclose supernatural phenomena. The Enforcement Directorate issues the following official statement—practitioners nationwide, major cultivation institutions, and all SIB branches, please take note.”

“One: Bao’an City is now directly governed. All affairs will prioritize cultivation.”

“Two: The ‘First Cultivation University of China,’ sponsored by twelve leading domestic enterprises including Black Ant Group, Shangyuan Group, and Feidu Real Estate, has been registered with a total investment of 42 billion yuan. Enrollment nationwide will begin after winter break, date to be determined.”

“Three: All civilian businesses and residences in Bao’an will withdraw from the main urban area, which will be designated as the central campus of Cultivation University, covering 350 hectares—second only to Huaqing and Yan University. At present, five real estate companies including Shangyuan and Feidu, as well as a special assessment team, have already arrived in Bao’an. The construction will be undertaken by China State Construction Group.”

“Four: Bao’an City will invite all major cultivation families, businesses, and research institutions from across the country to settle here. All preferential policies will be disclosed in three days.”

The four announcements complete, a scarlet line followed.

“All information in my possession has been posted. The remaining details will be announced in three days at Bao’an City Central Plaza. For now, only practitioners may enter Bao’an. At that time, all major directors of the SIB, deputy chief investigators, the governor, and the party secretary of Anhui will personally attend. Fellow practitioners, this is a good thing.”

“For decades, we have quietly fought against the netherworld. The underworld is in disarray, the afterlife is silent—these are secrets known to insiders, but far too many ordinary people remain in the dark.”

“China cannot afford chaos. With a population of over a billion, any mishap here would be a global catastrophe. Thus, our top priority is stability. That is why... so many ordinary soldiers, even when they join the battle and fall, receive no recognition. Even more so, countless practitioners with special identities sacrifice themselves for the nation, yet cannot enjoy posthumous honors.”

“Too many have died so we could seize this opportunity. Bao’an City will become the first pure land of cultivation in China! And I believe more such sanctuaries will follow!”

“Fellow practitioners, the struggle against the nether spirits is not one that will yield results in a few years, or even a decade. Only by standing united with the common people can we hope for ultimate victory. I sincerely hope that all freelance practitioners will come to Bao’an, laying brick upon brick, and make this place a home for every cultivator. As Director of Enforcement, I guarantee that as long as you are a practitioner and do not commit any crime, all past misdeeds will be forgiven!”

Beneath, the thread had already exploded!

“A massive supernatural event in Bao’an? Is this for real? Why wasn’t there any rumor?”—E2418 (App-verified, Yellow Ziang, freelance cultivator from Chenzhou).

“I heard about it... This news was blocked nationwide, so it’s true?” “Are those damned things finally making a move? How is the battle progressing?”

In an instant, thousands of replies piled up, and once again the director’s scarlet reply appeared: “Details will be posted in the pinned section in three days, please remain calm. Furthermore, the living world has achieved a sweeping victory in this battle—only one of Bao’an’s ten predation zones remains, trembling. Lifting the supernatural alert for Bao’an will be a trivial matter. Bao’an may become the only green zone on the map in the past thirty years.”

“A green zone... Cultivation will be so much safer!” “Indeed, my master was ambushed by a nether spirit while traveling to break through... This grudge must be avenged!” “Director, can you share the specifics of the preferential terms? I have a small antique shop—would it qualify?”

Countless posts, impossible to tally.

Qin Ye and Arthas remained silent, both deep in thought.

“What determination...” After a long time, Arthas spoke in awe.

It was almost written on his face: the course of human civilization would reach its first turning point in three days!

Cultivation, once consigned to legend, and nether spirits, only seen in film and television, would be revealed to the public! And Bao’an would become the first cultivation city in history!

And that was not even the most terrifying prospect.

What comes next?

With the first cultivation city established, what about the second? The third?

Bao’an was only a pilot. After five years, it would spread across the country like the special economic zones of old!

This was the clarion call for open war from the world of the living!

“They want to run cultivation like an enterprise, pursuing sustainable development,” Qin Ye mused aloud, fingers flying over the keyboard.

“What are you doing?” Arthas asked.

Qin Ye arched a brow with a smile. “Haven’t you noticed?”

“In the SIB branch, I was told very few users start with an S. Most are D or E.”

Arthas was baffled. “What does that mean?”

Qin Ye hit send, smiling with delight. “Let this old man show off a bit...”

Ding—a reply was posted: “I’d like to ask, will people in Bao’an still be able to leave in the future?”—S9527 (App-verified, Bao’an City Inspector).

Instantly, the thread exploded, dozens of replies flooding in!

“What the hell! S? S?? This is the first time since I started cultivating that I’ve seen an S-level heavyweight post!”—E4328 (App-verified, Liu Wen, ghost craftsman from Shanhua Township).

“Hold on, check his app verification carefully.”—D9931 (App-verified, Lin Fengya, apprentice cultivator from Donglin Town, Donghu City).

“Bao’an? Bao’an City!! The person involved?!” “No way! The actual person posting! And still alive? Buddy, do you need a housekeeper? The kind who warms your bed and makes you laugh?” “OP, what really happened in Bao’an? Can you tell us? There’s no information anywhere!”

The sense of vanity was greatly satisfied.

Yet Arthas did not laugh.

“You’re...” The soul-sealing orb floated beside Qin Ye, then nodded after a few seconds. “A protection protocol.”

“Precisely.” Qin Ye snapped his fingers. “I thought of it the moment I saw the director of the Judgement Division.”

“Look—everyone above, most E or D grade numbers, a few C grades, they all have detailed addresses, names, even positions. But this Director does not.”

“And starting from B grade, no more names, no positions—at most a location. When we pressed our fingerprints, it must have verified us with the Styx, meaning that for talents like me, and for those with high status, all are anonymous here. Even the moderators lack the authority to access Styx records. Each region will never leak the details of its key members. In other words, they actually have no idea who I really am!”

On the internet, you never know if you’re talking to a person or a dog.

For example, Qin Ye... lurking among wolves, a husky quietly watching, successfully infiltrating the party’s core, even analyzing the unspoken rules of the only communication app. Most of the SIB’s information was placed right under the eyes of an underworld errand runner... truly, it was something else...

“There’s so much room to maneuver here, for instance...” Qin Ye gleefully typed out, “I am who I am, a unique firework,” but no matter how many times he clicked, it simply would not send!

“What?!” Qin Ye was stunned. Damn... the combination of Styx and Beidou! Are you telling me it can crash?!

Ding... the next second, a message popped up: “Dear S9527, your account has been suspended for one day. Please treasure your account and avoid spamming. Thank you.”

Thank you, my ass!

Not even a second for mental preparation! Is the Special Investigation Bureau really this inhuman?

While his soul was boiling with complaints, a voice message arrived.

A3125.

“Hello, are you a newly registered investigator? I must remind you, S-level is your talent, not something to flaunt. Also, unspoken rule for S-levels: do not post unless necessary, and minimize information leaks. Finally, please make use of the search function—there’s a chat tool for SIB developed in the General Discussion section. Search for the special group for S-level investigators.”

“One-day suspension, this is a warning. Please cherish our shared home. You may now browse the other three sections. You’re welcome.”

Ding—Qin Ye was instantly kicked out of the forum, his temples throbbing.

Ahhhh... so every husky must endure the taunts of the previous wolf king before becoming the next alpha...

“Tsk, tsk... the wolf patriarch is very displeased with you... Among thousands of obedient wolf cubs, suddenly one with a patchy coat and an odd howl jumps out. It’s quite an eyesore...” Arthas was laughing so hard he was bent over. “Child, when do you most want to go home? No, now you can never go back, ever...”

When do you most want to go home?

Qin Ye fell silent for a moment.

He said quietly, “My crystal is under attack.”