Regarding how to stall the master of the "Virtual World," Kāng Nà didn't specify, and Jiǎng Bái Mián didn't feel comfortable asking, as it might involve the other party's secrets.
She chose to believe this Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level, and chose to believe "Pangu Biology" who sent them to find Kāng Nà.
At least the company believed Kāng Nà could confront the master of the "Virtual World," and perhaps her abilities had certain restraining effects… Jiǎng Bái Mián said to herself in her heart.
It was obvious that those responsible for protecting Ā Wéi Yà and Mǎ Kù Sī were likely not the same Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level, but both were masters of the "Virtual World" ability. Otherwise, given Ā Wéi Yà and Mǎ Kù Sī's daily schedules, one person alone would definitely be overwhelmed. This was partly a matter of energy, and partly because the ability's coverage was limited, unable to directly affect the entire city, or even a district.
Jiǎng Bái Mián put herself in the shoes of the Mirror Church's high-level management, believing that three to five Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level, all masters of the "Virtual World," took turns guarding Mǎ Kù Sī and Ā Wéi Yà.
Otherwise, it was completely unrealistic for a single Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level to protect Ā Wéi Yà or Mǎ Kù Sī twenty-four hours a day without rest.
Doing that for a week or even a month might not be a problem, but the term of this task would inevitably be measured in decades. No human, unless they were a Ruling God, could persist at such a high intensity.
Moreover, having already entered the "Hall of Mind" and mastered the "Virtual World," they could be considered strong and high-level anywhere in the Ashlands, and should enjoy themselves. But if they had to work non-stop all year round until they died, no one would be willing.
——The "death" in "until death" could refer to the death of the master of the "Virtual World," or the death of Ā Wéi Yà or Mǎ Kù Sī.
Therefore, Jiǎng Bái Mián knew that she couldn't simply apply the previously learned "Claustrophobia" cost to Ā Wéi Yà's protector.
Who knew if it was the same Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level!
And different Awakened, even if they had one or even two identical abilities, might not have the same costs.
Unless the "Old Task Force" was really lucky, and the previous Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level happened to be responsible for protecting Ā Wéi Yà today, they could rely on the "Blind Ring" to find a way to scare the other party away. Otherwise, they would have to rely more on Kāng Nà's help.
Clap clap clap, Shāng Jiàn Yào applauded Kāng Nà's statement.
Kāng Nà glanced at him:
"Why are you applauding?"
"You spoke very well," Shāng Jiàn Yào replied sincerely, "And I think we're friends now."
Kāng Nà smiled and walked towards the door:
"Hurry up and go. If the turmoil in the Senate ends and we haven't arrived at Circle Mound Street, we'll become a joke."
Number 14 Circle Mound Street was where Ā Wéi Yà lived.
"Are you going by yourself, or taking our car?" Jiǎng Bái Mián asked carefully as she hurried to catch up.
Kāng Nà jokingly retorted:
"You don't want me to run over there myself, do you?
"I can barely make myself float, but I can't fly yet."
She spoke amiably, without putting on any airs, and seemed more like an older sister who was only a few years older than the members of the "Old Task Force."
Uh… Her basic ability is to interfere with matter, and she can affect the air and her body to a low degree? Jiǎng Bái Mián instantly deduced this important information from Kāng Nà's words.
And what surprised her even more was that Kāng Nà just casually said it,
This didn't even need to be explained, even if both sides were employees of "Pangu Biology."
Jiǎng Bái Mián couldn't help but suspect that this was either Kāng Nà's personality, or some manifestation of her cost.
"Haha, it's been a long time since I've had such a pleasant conversation. In Initial City, I can't share many things with the people around me. The risks are too great," Kāng Nà added unnecessarily.
No need to explain, explaining is concealing… Even Lóng Yuè Hóng, who was slow on the uptake in this regard, noticed something was amiss.
"Yeah, it's really depressing when there's no one to share with," Shāng Jiàn Yào empathized.
The group of five quickly left the garden villa at Number 15 Emperor Street and got into the "Old Task Force's" military green jeep.
To show respect, Jiǎng Bái Mián gave the front passenger seat to Kāng Nà, squeezing Shāng Jiàn Yào into the middle of the back row.
As the vehicle started and drove towards Circle Mound Street, an idea struck Jiǎng Bái Mián, and she asked:
"Ms. Kāng Nà, does your father seem to have a lot of say in the medical and biological fields in 'Initial City'?"
As the military's representative in these fields, Kāng Nà's father, Myers, had long since become a senator.
"Yes," Kāng Nà didn't deny it.
Jiǎng Bái Mián immediately followed up:
"Then do you know what the military's biochemical experiment was specifically in the North Anford area, uh, in a certain town?"
Kāng Nà laughed:
"The company asked me about it. I'm not too sure either. I've only heard my father mention it once or twice. It seems to involve the directional induction of aberration."
This is indeed one of the most valued cutting-edge projects in the biological field… Jiǎng Bái Mián didn't continue on this topic. While paying attention to the surrounding buildings and the checkpoints that were no longer so strict but very solemn, she asked in a casual manner:
"Ms. Kāng Nà, how did you naturally Awaken?"
"Just like that. One day, when I was sleeping, I suddenly entered the 'Hall of Stars,'" Kāng Nà replied in a relaxed tone.
She then smiled:
"But I'm not sure if I really Awakened naturally. Maybe the company added certain elements to my daily life to do experiments, like some strange eye exercises or calisthenics."
She did find these very strange.
Shāng Jiàn Yào agreed:
"Some religions even list them as their own rituals."
According to this logic, the per capita Awakened in certain countries of the Old World? Sigh, even if eye exercises and calisthenics really do have some benefit for Awakening, the applicable group certainly doesn't include me… It's been so many years, and I haven't Awakened yet… Jiǎng Bái Mián sighed inwardly.
Lóng Yuè Hóng didn't think eye exercises and calisthenics were of much help to Awakening either.
Not to mention Awakening, they hadn't played much of a role in their core function.
He had done them since he was a child, but his height was still average, and he only avoided becoming nearsighted through genetic modification!
Bái Chén, who was driving the jeep, watched the road ahead, keeping the speed at a moderate pace to avoid arousing suspicion.
When Jiǎng Bái Mián, Lóng Yuè Hóng, Shāng Jiàn Yào, and Kāng Nà were talking, she showed a pensive expression.
Before long, the vehicle entered Circle Mound Street and approached the building at Number 14, which was constructed in a very classical style.
Looking at the house with its stone pillars supporting it, the green vines winding around it, and the unusually exaggerated gate, Jiǎng Bái Mián and the others' expressions became serious.
At this moment, Kāng Nà spoke:
"Stop the car first."
Without asking why, Bái Chén reduced her speed and parked the jeep on the side of the road.
After Kāng Nà got out of the car, she turned to the members of the "Old Task Force" and said:
"Wait and watch my hand gestures. If I give a thumbs up with my right hand, you go in and find Ā Wéi Yà. If I hold up my left index and middle fingers, you find a way to cooperate with me to deal with the master of the 'Virtual World.'"
"Okay," Jiǎng Bái Mián didn't waste any words.
Then, they saw Kāng Nà openly walk towards Ā Wéi Yà's home, not concealing her presence at all.
"Is this going to be a one-on-one fight?" Shāng Jiàn Yào was a little excited.
"Don't worry about that for now. Little Red, Little White, put on the military exoskeletons," Jiǎng Bái Mián ordered.
As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly saw a window on the third floor of Ā Wéi Yà's classical villa open.
Behind the window was an old lady wearing a black beanie, still dressed in a dark robe in the summer. She had blue eyes, wore light makeup, and her clothes and accessories were quite exquisite.
As soon as she saw Kāng Nà, the old lady smiled, raised her right hand, and waved hello.
Kāng Nà returned the smile, and then her body suddenly became lighter. Wrapped in the wind, she "walked" towards the window as if floating and swaying.
"Do you want coffee, or tea?" the old lady asked kindly, stepping aside.
"I prefer tea. Don't put in strange things like lemon slices or syrups," Kāng Nà first landed on the windowsill, then floated into the room and found an armchair to sit down.
The old lady immediately instructed the servants to prepare tea and pastries, while she sat down in an easy chair opposite Kāng Nà and chatted with her.
They acted like a pair of good friends who had known each other for a long time.
During this process, Jiǎng Bái Mián, Lóng Yuè Hóng, Bái Chén, and Shāng Jiàn Yào all felt that the surrounding area had become relaxed and clear, and that they had finally surfaced from the water.
This made them suspect that the old lady was the Awakened at the "Hall of Mind" level who was protecting Ā Wéi Yà.
Lóng Yuè Hóng was putting on the military exoskeleton outside the jeep. When he saw this scene, he was stunned, thinking that a big battle was about to break out, and blurted out:
"Actually, we've already infiltrated the Mirror Church?
"Is this master of the 'Virtual World' someone from the company?"
That's why she's chatting so happily with Ms. Kāng Nà and no longer maintaining the "Virtual World?"
Jiǎng Bái Mián turned to look at Shāng Jiàn Yào:
"Look at her, she didn't do anything and she's already made a 'friend'!"
Based on Kāng Nà's previous words, she suspected that the current situation was the result of some ability.
Shāng Jiàn Yào responded with a look of longing:
"I don't quite understand, but I think it's very powerful."
At this moment, Kāng Nà subtly adjusted her posture, raised her right arm, and quietly gave a thumbs up.
Jiǎng Bái Mián and the others immediately tensed up.
Next, it was up to them.