Seeking Help from Xie Xu

Tu Ran glanced at Zhao Yan.

He must be anxious too, right?

After all, once a memory reader was used, nothing could be hidden—unless one could simply erase their own memory.

Her "Phantom Realm" could actually do that.

The "Phantom Realm" could modify not only others' memories but also her own. However, she worried that if she altered her own memory, she might forget she possessed such abilities in the first place—that would be a loss outweighing the gain.

As she looked at Zhao Yan, he looked back at her.

He was curious how she would handle this. She didn't seem worried at all.

Xie Zhao began explaining the Federation's reasoning. "Adopting this method will cost everyone some time, but it can present the scenes inside the Threshold more comprehensively and with better focus, leaving no detail unnoticed. It will greatly benefit everyone's points accumulation."

Tu Ran leaned back in her chair, sneering inwardly.

Easy for him to say.

She didn't believe for a second that the Federation's initial motive even slightly involved helping pioneers earn points.

Gaining points was merely an overlooked side benefit of this policy—one the Federation cared least about.

Now they were trumpeting it publicly.

Ridiculous.

The fundamental reason behind this policy was fear!

They feared pioneers deliberately concealing things inside the Threshold.

After all, a rigid holographic recording wristband could be fooled if one was determined enough—like when she had dug the "Phantom Realm" inner core from the roots of the bloodthirsty vine, she had gotten away with it.

Memories wouldn't lie, so the Federation had no choice but to bring out their precious memory readers.

By now, Tu Ran was almost certain the Federation had discovered the existence of inner cores.

Because the only thing whose value could surpass a memory reader, as far as she knew, was an inner core.

And the Federation excelled at evaluating the worth of anything; they wouldn't undertake a task with no profit.

Moreover, the Federation carefully crafted excuses to divert pioneers' attention, making them naively believe it was simply to obtain better data and more points.

Wasn't this just worrying that if pioneers learned about inner cores, it would lead to competition and plunder?

The Federation had miscalculated.

"Does anyone have further questions?" Xie Zhao's gaze swept the room.

"No."

Everyone shook their heads.

Xie Zhao stood, hands on the table. "Alright, that concludes today's meeting. Go rest well. Dismissed."

Everyone rose, bid Xie Zhao farewell, and filed out of the conference room.

Tu Ran followed the crowd out, deliberately maintaining a ten-meter distance from Zhao Yan the whole way.

Whenever he approached, she stepped back.

He wanted to talk to her, but she dodged too quickly for him to catch up. Calling her name outright would attract unnecessary attention in such a crowded setting, so he could only watch helplessly as she stepped into the elevator and gave up.

Once inside the elevator, Tu Ran's expression darkened.

Zhao Yan was another ticking time bomb.

Transparent thoughts were terrifying.

When they were face-to-face, she was fully alert and barely avoided being tricked by him.

What if they weren't facing each other? What if he hid in a nearby room, within ten meters? Her thoughts would become completely transparent!

She needed to find a way to defuse this bomb.

So many problems were piling up on her shoulders.

The memory reader was another hurdle; she had to find a solution quickly.

As for Xi Chunzhi, unknown condition, lying there costing four thousand Federal coins a day—her card balance couldn't sustain that for long.

And now Zhao Yan appeared on top of all that. She was about to lose her mind.

The elevator reached the first floor, and the doors slid open.

Tu Ran stepped out and hurried toward the maglev station.

After waiting fifteen minutes, the train arrived on time.

Leaning back in her seat, she pondered what to do next.

When the train reached Liming Station, a robotic female voice announced, "Dear passengers, we have arrived at Liming Station. Please take your belongings. Next stop, Yongchang Station."

Tu Ran followed the crowd off the train and headed toward her residential area.

It was the same old neighborhood—run-down and outdated compared to the myriad modern developments in this bustling Federation city.

She rode the elevator up, entered her bedroom, and rummaged in a corner of her wardrobe to pull out the long-unused communicator.

The one for private contact with Xie Xu.

She quickly typed a message: "Meet me. I have something important to give you."

He was the only one she could think of who might help her evade this memory reading.

The memory readers were at the Research Institute, and Xie Xu was a senior member. It shouldn't be too difficult for him to omit one person from the process.

Of course, she knew full well he wouldn't help her without gaining something in return.

She'd have to offer something worth his risk.

She waited three minutes; no reply.

He probably didn't carry the communicator for private chats with her on his person.

It might be a while before he responded.

She tossed the communicator aside and got up to grab a can of fizzy drink from the fridge, gulping down several mouthfuls.

Letting out a long sigh, she noticed the fruit in the lower compartment.

Half a month, still fresh.

The fruit she'd left at Xi Chunzhi's place had gone uneaten as well.

Now Xi Chunzhi was still unconscious and couldn't eat.

She'd deliver some once she woke up.

Tu Ran sighed, sprawled out on the bed in a starfish position, and picked up the communicator again to check—still no reply from Xie Xu.

She set it on the pillow, turned over, and simply closed her eyes to sleep.

It had been over half a month since she'd slept in a real bed. Lying here on the soft mattress felt even better than sleeping on a cloud.

Subconsciously aware that there was no danger here and no need to stay alert, she fell asleep quickly and deeply.

When she woke again, it was already three in the afternoon, past lunchtime.

Her first act upon opening her eyes was to grab the communicator.

Xie Xu had replied.

"Seven o'clock, the usual place."

The usual place was that shabby little clinic in the Black Market.

Four hours remained—no rush; she could grab a meal first.

Her stomach was already growling loudly.

Tu Ran cooked for herself: steamed rice, plus two simple dishes made from leftover greens and potatoes.

She hadn't had rice in ages, and she ate two big bowls without hesitation, finishing off both dishes as well.

After the satisfying meal, her mood lifted considerably.

She had nothing to worry about, really. The worst that could happen was her actions in the Threshold being exposed and the Federal Government sentencing her to death.

So what? With her formidable abilities, she could flee whenever she wanted. Catching her wouldn't be easy for the Federal Government.