Just over ten minutes ago, in reality.

In a deep underground facility.

"Okay, all the defense systems up to the core have been taken under my control. You can proceed without any worries now. It's so much easier with an insider helping out. But remember, you only have ten minutes!"

In a deserted area of a building, a voice as faint as a mosquito suddenly emerged. After the words were spoken, a black figure materialized out of thin air. The person was dressed in tight black clothing and carrying a plastic briefcase. After appearing, they walked quickly to a heavily secured metal door.

The individual took out a metallic card and swiped it through the slot on the door, which then beeped and opened. Inside was a narrow, cold grey metal corridor, barely wide enough for two people to pass through side by side. Without hesitation, the person in black entered.

Along the way, this person encountered four more password-protected doors. At each one, they used a different metallic card to pass through smoothly.

Arriving at another door, this time it was an iris and fingerprint scanner. The person in black placed the briefcase flat on the ground and carefully removed two transparent plastic bags. Upon closer inspection, the bags contained an eyeball and a hand!

"High-tech always requires high-tech solutions. Xiao Ba, I wonder which organization has teamed up with our boss to prepare even limb cloning."

A voice sounded again in the person's ear, but the person in black ignored it completely. They swiped a card through the slot and entered a password on a small keyboard that popped out. Then, they slipped into the metal door that had just cracked open.

Inside was a massive circular room with a domed ceiling. Seeing the countless instruments flashing various colors, the person in black showed a hint of shock in their eyes!

On the walls of this spherical room, there were instruments everywhere, twinkling like stars in the night sky.

After a brief moment of surprise, the person in black approached a metal cylinder in the center of the room and pressed a button. A keyboard appeared, but instead of entering a password, they swiftly removed a mini-computer from the briefcase and plugged a data cable into an interface next to the keyboard.

The screen of the mini-computer flickered and then displayed a small progress bar!

"Warning! Warning! Unauthorized intrusion! Defense system activated! External connections interrupted!"

At this moment, a cold voice echoed in the room. Simultaneously, the data cable was ejected, and the metal cylinder sank into the floor and disappeared instantly!

"Xiao Ba, get away! Mission failed! Damn! Its autonomous defense system has been triggered!"

"It's not a total failure. At least the virus program was successfully implanted," the person in black replied calmly while sprinting through the metal corridor.

...

Xiao Hua returned to the game, finding himself alone. Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru seemed to still be in the login space.

Standing in the corner, Xiao Hua looked around. The city was in chaos, with many players missing. Most had logged out to check what was going on, while those who returned showed signs of panic.

After about two minutes, Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru still hadn't come online. Xiao Hua started to worry. But at this moment, an elderly voice suddenly boomed across the entire game, heard clearly even by those in the login space!

"Hello everyone, I am the main brain Sky. I have sorted out the current situation where players can't log out. This event is due to a hacker's direct physical intrusion into the real-world system, attempting to sabotage the Second World game system. Since it was an unexpected intrusion, the defense program was activated late, allowing some of the virus programs to infiltrate the Second World operation system. However, please rest assured. Just a moment ago, I successfully isolated the virus in a special area.

Unfortunately, this virus was specifically designed to target the three main brains of the Second World, and none of us have the ability to completely eliminate it. Therefore, to protect the mental consciousness of all players, the defense program will keep everyone temporarily within the Second World until the virus is thoroughly eliminated by experts in the real world.

As for the safety of your physical bodies, don't worry! We have contingency plans for such rare events where logging out is impossible. Your bodies entered a cryogenic state when the defense program was activated. In this state, they will remain safe for hundreds of years. The gaming capsules used are made with the most advanced technology available today, equipped with efficient energy sources and highly durable. Except for a nuclear explosion, ordinary accidents won't damage them. In the real world, the game company is already monitoring all player capsules, and any abnormalities will be checked and maintained by specialists immediately. Even if someone's body is unfortunately damaged, the game company and insurance companies will pay for a new cloned body. So please don't worry about your safety in reality!

According to the agreement between you and the game company, any losses incurred during this period where you cannot log out will be compensated jointly by the game company and insurance companies. Please don't panic and enjoy the game."

The announcement from Sky ended here. Compared to the previous uncertainty, Xiao Hua quickly calmed down after hearing Sky's explanation.

At this moment, two figures appeared beside him, Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru. Both looked a bit pale, obviously not fully accepting the sudden change yet.

"Are you okay?" Xiao Hua asked with concern.

Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru both shook their heads slightly; their minds were still processing Sky's announcement.

Xiao Hua was a very casual person. He could use a falling sky as a blanket. He thought that worrying now wouldn't help and decided to accept the reality. As for Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru, once they came to terms with it, he would guide them. With this thought, he waited quietly.

"Xiao Hua, where are you?"

Suddenly, a private chat message arrived. Surprised, he saw it was Fang Ning! Wasn't she taking Fang Ying to another city? How did she end up in Snow City?

But at this moment, Xiao Hua didn't think too much and immediately looked around and replied: "Ten meters to the right of Warehouse No. 7 in the southern part of the city."

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"Don't leave, wait for us."

"Alright, stay calm, come slowly," Xiao Hua comforted her.

Fang Ning must have been close by, as she arrived in a carriage within two minutes. Getting off the carriage was a cold-faced girl slightly shorter than Fang Ning, who looked a bit like her. Xiao Hua recognized her as Fang Ying. She looked slimmer than a year ago but not as thin as Fang Ning described. Her icy face showed a hint of confusion upon seeing Xiao Hua, but soon recognized him and brightened up.

Seeing Xiao Hua, Fang Ning pounced on him like an octopus.

Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru, who were still in thought, were taken aback by this scene.

"Wah, I'm so scared," Fang Ning said, acting nothing like her mature self.

"Calm down, let's talk. There are so many people watching us," Xiao Hua said, feeling pressured by the women's gazes and trying to shake Fang Ning off.

"No matter what, they can look however they want!" Fang Ning clung to Xiao Hua stubbornly, ignoring Fang Ying beside her.

"Be good, listen, let go first," Xiao Hua coaxed.

With great reluctance, Fang Ning slid off Xiao Hua but kept holding his hand, glaring at Piaoling and Zhou Xiaoru.

Seeing the tension, Xiao Hua hurriedly introduced the four of them briefly.

"Xiao Hua, there's something I need to tell you," Zhou Xiaoru said solemnly after the introductions.

Xiao Hua felt a chill on his scalp. This didn't seem like a good time for anything.

"What is it?" Xiao Hua asked, slightly nervous.

"I'm leaving, going to another city!" Zhou Xiaoru unexpectedly stated.

"Why, why do you want to leave now in this state? Isn't it better to stay together?" Piaoling was confused, thinking Zhou Xiaoru might be deciding to leave because of Fang Ning's presence.

"I want to borrow some money. I have a younger brother and sister also in the game. I know which city they're in, but they don't know I'm playing. I must go find them. With the game's current state, I can't leave them unattended."

Hearing this, the others were stunned. It was reasonable to be concerned.

"No problem, which city are you going to?" Xiao Hua nodded, sending a trade request to Zhou Xiaoru and asked.

"Moonlight City... Ah, that's too much," Zhou Xiaoru said, surprised at the one million gold coins Xiao Hua placed.

"Just take it. You'll need money there too. Pay me back when you can."

Zhou Xiaoru thought for a moment, then accepted the money, nodded to everyone, and left on the carriage.

"Bastard, why didn't you try to stop her!" Piaoling scolded Xiao Hua via private chat.

"She meant what she said. It would be useless to stop her," Xiao Hua sighed.

"How do you know she wasn't lying?"

"If she was just looking for an excuse to leave, she wouldn't have accepted the one million gold. Now that she did, it means she's considering her siblings," Xiao Hua explained confidently.

Piaoling found it reasonable. Over these days, she had learned that Zhou Xiaoru, like herself, was very independent and wouldn't accept so much money unless it was for her siblings' sake.

"Your girlfriend seems quite upset with you," Piaoling remarked, sensing the hostile glances from Fang Ning.

"She's a kid sometimes. Don't take it seriously," Xiao Hua said. Fang Ning was usually mature, but could become childish and unreasonable over certain things. That's how their initial quarrel started.

"Sister-in-law." Fang Ying timidly approached Xiao Hua.

"Mm, Xiao Ying, long time no see," Xiao Hua responded, not avoiding the inevitable.

"Husband, did you convince her?" Xiao Hua privately asked Fang Ning if she had convinced Fang Ying.

"Foolish idea, it was exposed! When preparing for an activity tonight, I mentioned how nice it would be if you were here. The little one caught onto it and wouldn't let go. I couldn't bear it and directly brought her here to make her give up. Didn't expect this big glitch in the game," Fang Ning said tiredly, having expended considerable effort dealing with her sister.

"Forget it, I'm done. Do whatever you want with her, but don't try anything with her, or else!" Fang Ning gave up and threw the responsibility to Xiao Hua.

"Big sis, you can't abandon me! It'll be tough handling her alone."

"Deal with it yourself, I'm tired," Fang Ning passed the burden to Xiao Hua.

"Looks like you're quite lucky, both sisters fancy you," Piaoling observed.

"Piaoling, save me, think of a solution," Xiao Hua pleaded, hoping Piaoling might come up with a good idea.

"Let's solve the immediate game issue first. We'll deal with your relationship problems later," Piaoling suggested seriously. Reality was inaccessible, and the game would be their primary life now. How to live in the game was a significant issue.

Xiao Hua agreed and discussed with Fang Ning and Fang Ying.

"Okay, let's discuss the issues we need to solve," Xiao Hua, as the only man among them, took the initiative to start the discussion.

"Why does she need to be involved? We three can handle it!" Fang Ning was suspicious of Piaoling and questioned her involvement.

"I can answer that," Piaoling raised her hand.

"Go ahead, I'm listening!" Fang Ning stood up straighter.

"Before, I planned to quit the game. But your husband insisted I stay. I'm trapped here because of him, so he's responsible, and I naturally belong here!" Piaoling smiled sardonically.

"Brother, you can't blame me like this!" Xiao Hua panicked, realizing Piaoling's intention to cause trouble.

"No worries, isn't she cute when she's jealous? I bet I'm even cuter when angry," Piaoling smirked.

Great, looks like Piaoling decided to take advantage of the situation!

"Tell me, is what she said true?" Fang Ning glared at Xiao Hua, feeling betrayed by his actions.

"The situation isn't as you imagine..." Xiao Hua tried to explain, forgetting that explanations often lead to further questions.

"Xiao Hua, just say 'yes' or 'no'!" Fang Ning demanded, acting like a lawyer.

"Yes," Xiao Hua admitted, realizing he couldn't escape today.

"Fang Ning sister, since you and Xiao Hua were together first, I'll call you Fang Ning sister. My real name is Mo Piaoling, so call me Piaoling sister," Piaoling interjected, revealing her identity and positioning herself second, effectively fanning the flames!

"Ugh, you heartless man! I'll bite you to death!" Fang Ning, enraged by Xiao Hua's admission, pounced and bit his neck!

"Ah!!" Xiao Hua screamed.

Fang Ning was relentless, ready to bite again.

"Sis, stop biting, Sister-in-law is pitiful," Fang Ying intervened, pulling Fang Ning off, saving Xiao Hua!

"Sorry, Piaoling sister, let me off," Xiao Hua dodged, realizing Piaoling's true intention was to retaliate.

"No dodging, I won't stop until I bite you!" Fang Ning used her octopus skills, latching onto Xiao Hua and biting fiercely!

"Aaah!!" Xiao Hua screamed again.

Finally, Piaoling intervened, pulling Fang Ning off.

"Stop messing around, you've had your revenge. Let's discuss the important things!" Xiao Hua feared Piaoling would continue embarrassing him and quickly changed the topic.

The four gathered again.

"Okay, anyone with issues, speak up," Xiao Hua said.

"Me..." Fang Ying raised her hand timidly.

"Yes, Ying'er, whatever you need, I'll help!" Xiao Hua gratefully acknowledged Fang Ying's earlier intervention.

"Since Sister-in-law already has Sis and Piaoling sister, why not add me too? This is a virtual world, no laws or ethics apply..." Fang Ying shyly suggested, her face red.

"Stop!" Xiao Hua panicked, fearing Fang Ning's reaction.

But it was too late!

"Xiao Hua! Today, either you die or I do!" Fang Ning cried, attacking Xiao Hua again!

This time, Fang Ying was too shy to intervene, her head buzzing with thoughts.

Finally, Piaoling saved Xiao Hua, pulling Fang Ning off.

Finally, the four gathered again.

"This time, I'm not getting involved. You sort it out yourselves!" Xiao Hua raised the white flag, exhausted.

"That's not fair. As a man, you should take responsibility," Piaoling continued smiling innocently.

"Yes!" the Fang sisters agreed.

"Fine, bring it on, I'm ready!" Xiao Hua resigned himself to the situation.

"I think we should buy a house in the city. We don't know when the real world issues will be resolved. Although Sky didn't say it, I feel we might be stuck here for a while. Long-term living in the game without a house is impractical. The login space isn't suitable for prolonged stays," Piaoling suggested a practical issue.

"That's not a problem, I already bought a house!" Xiao Hua perked up, grateful Piaoling seemed to move past the earlier incident.

"Oh, where is it? What's it like? Show us!" Piaoling curiously asked, not recalling Xiao Hua mentioning it before.

"I haven't been there myself. It's in the northeast, a gray-marked house, currently uninhabitable."

"What's the point then," both Fang Ning and Piaoling complained, knowing the details of the "Missing Citizen" quest.

"Let's settle other issues first, then buy a new house. Given our levels, we'd likely fail the quest anyway." Xiao Hua explained that Fang Ning and Fang Ying were level 30, apparently upgraded from lower levels by the system. Fang Ning was a wind mage, and Fang Ying was an archer.

Other than the housing issue, the four couldn't think of any pressing problems. They decided to buy a house and help the Fang sisters relocate to Snow City.