Hearing the words "Heaven Computation Center," Bruce’s eyes widened in terror as if he had seen something horrifying and shouted:
"I don’t want to go to the Heaven Computation Center!"
"I will repay the money, I will find a job, I don’t want to go to the Heaven Computation Center!"
However, the seasoned police officer merely sneered.
"It’s not up to you."
After saying this, the young police officer dragged Bruce towards the police car outside the alley.
After Bruce left, the alley was left with only the seasoned police officer and Lu Yan. The police officer, previously arrogant, immediately changed his demeanor, rubbing his hands with a smile, and asked Lu Yan:
"My name is Old John, sir, do you need any further assistance?"
Lu Yan’s lips twitched slightly, having watched the entire process of the police apprehending Bruce, he had gained a preliminary understanding of this frenzied cyber version.
Pointing at Bruce who was stuffed into the police car, Lu Yan asked:
"Are there many people like him?"
Old John spread his hands with an exaggerated smile: "City No.14’s Lower City District has more than nine million people, and scum like that are countless.
They hide in the sewers to evade taxes, sucking the corporate body dry, truly a bunch of hopeless fools."
"I fully agree with Councilor Sheldon’s proposal that the Spiritual Energy tax in the Lower City District should be increased for three hundred years later, using the tax bill for a total overhaul of the Lower City District.
Only this way can we meet the Heaven Computation Center’s needs, and once these scum decrease, we can live a better life."
Old John’s response felt formulaic to Lu Yan, as if he wasn’t answering questions but rather dealing with a superior’s inquiry.
Lu Yan immediately realized that Old John had probably misunderstood his identity.
However, he himself didn’t quite understand his own identity, so it was unwise to talk too much with Old John, as any slip might bring unnecessary trouble.
Putting on a cold demeanor, Lu Yan nodded and made a brief comment.
Old John immediately showed a look of joy, seeing that Lu Yan had no intention to continue the conversation, he respectfully bowed to Lu Yan:
"Then, I wish you a pleasant journey through the Lower City District."
After speaking, Old John briskly walked out of the alley and got into the police car.
The police car slowly drove away from the alley, the young officer holding Bruce had been waiting for a long time, he asked immediately once Old John got in:
"Old John, why are you sucking up to that yellow-skinned monkey?"
Old John was startled, quickly covered the young officer’s mouth, and scolded him in a hushed tone:
"Fool! Didn’t you feel the presence of Spiritual Energy? That’s a genuine Spiritual Ability User!"
The young officer’s eyes widened in disbelief.
"But there are no traces of Spiritual Transformation on him, and his body appears fragile and no different from a regular person, how can he bear a large amount of Spiritual Energy?"
Old John glanced at the young officer, full of disappointment.
"How did you study in the police academy? You don’t even know that advanced Spiritual Transformation is done at the genetic level.
And didn’t you notice the clothes he is wearing are Spiritual Creation? Just that single garment is worth at least a million credit points, enough to buy both our lives!"
"I was recommended by my uncle; I didn’t attend police academy."
"Deputy Chief of the Fourth Precinct in the Central City District."
Old John’s expression froze, then he awkwardly changed the topic:
"Anyway, just remember, a Spiritual Ability User of this level is very likely from the Upper City District, maybe due to that well-publicized Spiritual Energy tax bill, remember to always speak and act cautiously."
The young officer nodded, envying said:
"Really don’t know when I could become a Spiritual Ability User!"
Old John sneered, "Without enough wealth and talent, becoming a Spiritual Ability User could become a disaster."
The police car disappeared down the street, but neither officer noticed the Spirit Talisman shining briefly in Bruce’s pocket in the trunk, then silently turned to ash.
First-grade low-rank Spirit Talisman·Eavesdropping Talisman!
In the alley, Lu Yan had recorded the conversation between the two officers in the car, and a trace of pondering flashed in his eyes.
Looking down at his clothes, it was a low-grade Magic Robe purchased in the Xianxia version, inscribed with basic arrays like dust removal and constant temperature, priced at over thirty Spirit Stones.
"Old John believes I’m a Spiritual Ability User, and the clothes I’m wearing are Spiritual Creation; he must have sensed the presence of Magical Power.
Spiritual Energy in the cyber version might relate to Magical Power, possibly evolving from Spiritual Qi in a different direction."
"If this is true, perhaps I can use the Spiritual Ability System to enhance my cultivation.
But before that, I should first confirm the general situation of the cyber version, and also figure out the USB and battery since the version update."
With this thought in mind, Lu Yan stepped towards the exit of this dirty and messy alley.
Upon stepping into the street, he was greeted by colorful neon lights.
These lights adorned the entire street, on signs, street lamps, and even on building walls, glowing graffiti was painted, the shining lights could literally blind ordinary people, making Lu Yan momentarily feel like he arrived in the land of light.
The streets bustled with diverse crowds, including muscular men like double-door fridges, cyber-modified people with half-rusted machinery, and heavily made-up humans of indistinguishable gender standing at doorways inviting customers.
No matter who they were, there was a strange tattoo on them, akin to Bruce.
The alley and street, worlds apart.
Lu Yan tried to calm his gaze, but his curiosity drove him to observe the surrounding crowds.
He noticed the street’s crowd mostly consisted of black people, with occasional white people and few Asians.
This aspect differed greatly from the previous versions Lu Yan had experienced.
"How could version changes cause racial shifts? Is my location skewed, arriving in the cyber version’s United States?"
With insufficient information, Lu Yan could only make such a guess.
Just then, a voice interrupted Lu Yan’s thoughts.
"I suppose you must be visiting the Lower City District for the first time; do you need a guide?"
Looking towards the voice, Lu Yan discovered the speaker was a young girl with green pigtails, heavily made-up face too obscured to see clearly, flat as a bamboo stick, around seventeen or eighteen years old.
Lu Yan’s eyes examined her, then nodded.
The girl’s face lit with joy, happily said:
"You can call me Lu Luo.
Since it’s your first time in the Lower City District, you must try its special feature."
"What special feature?" Lu Yan asked curiously.
"Take a deep breath."
Lu Yan tried taking a deep breath, an overly sweet aroma filled his mind, instinctively wrinkling his brows.
The nasty smell from the alley’s sewage hid this sweet scent, and he didn’t consciously breathe deep, preventing him from noticing earlier.
"Every month, Universal Giant Corporation adds neuro-pleasure fog to the Lower City District’s air, making residents willingly pay third-tier air taxes, a treatment even the Central and Upper City Districts lack!"