“A moral and civil studies teacher?” Gao Ming didn’t believe Brother Chong. The other managers looked so severe when Zhang Mingli’s name was mentioned. There were so many players who had been trapped by Immortal Pharma, so why rescue this specific one?
“Speaking of, I’m also a teacher.” Gao Ming smiled. He added sincerely, “I’ll try to figure out where he’s hiding and bring him back here.”
Brother Chong and the other managers still looked worried. “Zhang Mingli has rescued a lot of people. When you see him, you’ll understand why we need you to find him.”
They discussed more details. Then, Brother Chong helped him log out of the game. They crawled out of the old nutrient tank at Fu Family Village. Everything felt like a dream.
“Brother Chong, how’s the kid? Did he pee from being scared by the others?” Fatty seemed to already have an answer. He smiled.
“Since you’re smiling so much, I’m sure you’ve already recovered. Later, you’ll go back to the deep-level nightmare of resuming your mining job.” Brother Chong patted Fatty’s frozen body. “In the future, Gao Ming is one of us. Do not leak anything about him. He has never been to Molten Fire. Do you get me?”
“I’ll erase everything.” Old Cao was once the tech master at Immortal Pharma. He handed Gao Ming an old watch. “This is our communication device. If you wear this on your wrist, it can disturb the black band to a certain degree. If necessary, you can use it to contact us.”
“Take it. Old Cao’s tech skills are trustworthy.” Brother Chong led Gao Ming out. “Perfect Life is now labelled a taboo game. The gaming chamber is banned on the market. If you see anything related to Perfect Life on the market, it is a trap set by Immortal Pharma. If you need to enter the Death Building, come to Molten Fire. We’ll help you.”
“Thank you.” Gao Ming put on the watch. He walked through Fu Family Village. This village appeared to exist between reality and dream. The doors were closed. Only white lanterns swayed in the wind.
The sun shone on him. The stench assaulted his nose. It felt like even the sun had rotten.
Gao Ming left Molten Fire with a lot. All three seeds had found a home. All he needed to do was to keep on levelling his access level in Immortal Pharma. Gao Ming went back to the old city and had a simple meal. Then, he rushed to Bai Feng’s home. As a famous tester with Immortal Pharma, Bai Feng was rich. However, she lived in an old and decrepit home.
Gao Ming pressed the bell and waited for a while before Bai Feng opened the door. She still looked as unapproachable as ever. However, her eyes softened when she saw Gao Ming.
“Come in.” Bai Feng served Gao Ming hot tea and fruits. Then, she sat down across from him quietly. The place was old but clean. There was not much furniture. The place felt empty. Bai Feng’s home had no pictures of her children. However, the two kids’ rooms were kept as they were. When she found her kids, they could move back easily.
Holding the hot tea, Gao Ming entered Bai Xiao’s room. He opened the drawer and saw a photograph that was facing downwards. He picked it up. Bai Xiao glanced at the camera with annoyance. Bai Qiao placed a flower into his hair.
The familiar faces caused Gao Ming’s hands to tremble. The people from his dream appeared in real life. A boundary was shattered just like that. He remembered Bai Xiao’s name but not the things that happened between them. He believed he had given Bai Xiao a task, but he was still waiting for the results.
Time slowly flowed in that room. Bai Feng stared at Gao Ming from the door. She saw a different expression on Gao Ming’s face. She had seen that expression many times in the mirror. It was confusion, memory and a well-hidden pain. Human emotions were hard to fake in a short moment. Plus, Bai Feng didn’t think Gao Ming had any reason to lie to her.
“Are you sure you want to work with me?” Gao Ming put down the picture. “Immortal Pharma did a lot of horrible experiments on me when I was unconscious. I hate them.”
“Even though I help them with their tests, I am not like the other testers. Immortal Pharma lost me two of my kids. I don’t care for them.” Bai Feng entered the bedroom. “I’ll work with you to help you return to your original nightmare. As long as I can save my children, I can risk everything.”
“What is your current access level?”
“Four.” Bai Feng added, “I’ve been on level four for quite some time already. I’ll soon achieve level five.”
“What is the quickest way to do that?” Gao Ming cared about that.
“To enter the level five lab, you not only need to have survival experience in the deep-level nightmares but also be acceptable to Immortal Pharma’s physical and mental modification. They will plant something into your brain. It’s because of this that I haven’t raised my access level.” Bai Feng shared her concern, “I fear I will forget my children once they do that.”
Gao Ming could understand her concern. He wondered if Molten Fire had anything that could destroy the implant.
The room was silent. Bai Feng misunderstood Gao Ming. She hesitated and said, “I was alone in the past, so I didn’t dare to try it. If you agree to help me find Bai Xiao and Bai Qiao, I can accept the brain implant.”
Gao Ming looked at Bai Feng silently.
“To be honest, that has always been my plan. I’ve stayed in the level four labs for too long. I have found nothing. I suspect Immortal Pharma has hidden my kids in the level five labs.” Bai Feng said with determination as she stared down fate. “That is why I was so desperate to meet you.”