Lin Xiao was back home, lying on his bed, thinking about Wang Lei.
While he was leaving, Lin Xiao had scanned 'Wang Lei's' memories, finding nothing wrong. He wondered if the system was bugged or something.
When he asked, the system simply replied, "No," without any further explanation.
If the system didn't recognize this person as Wang Lei, then it must not be him. Lin Xiao's mind was burning with questions.
Who was this person with the same appearance and memories as Wang Lei?
...
...
In an unknown location, the atmosphere was tense. The room was stark and sterile, filled with containment units and medical equipment.
The walls were lined with monitors displaying vital signs and readouts.
In the center of the room, under harsh fluorescent lights, was the red crystal, encased in a secure glass container.
Li Jing was watching as the captives were carefully placed in containment units.
The air was filled with a low hum from the machines, and the faint beeping of heart monitors added rhythmic background noise.
Suddenly, the heavy metal door behind her creaked open, and Wang Yong entered the room. He was tall, with a stern expression, his presence commanding attention.
He approached Li Jing, his eyes locking onto the red crystal in the center of the room. "What happened? How did you find this? And who are these people?" he asked, his tone serious.
Li Jing began to explain the events of the past two days. "We discovered this while investigating a series of kidnappings. My student, Lin Xiao, was looking for his missing friend, Wang Lei. During his search, he found this hidden underground lab."
She pointed towards the containment unit where 'Wang Lei' was held. "We believe these people were subjected to some sort of experimentation involving these crystals."
Wang Yong's eyes narrowed. "Your student seems to be involved in quite a lot of unusual activities lately. If he weren't your student, I might suspect he was a spy."
Li Jing shook her head. "Lin Xiao is not a spy. I have already conducted a background search on him. He's a dedicated and resourceful young kid,"
Wang Yong studied the captives and the crystal, his mind racing with possibilities. "We need to analyze these crystals and find out their purpose. If they can manipulate or control people, it could be a serious threat."
Li Jing nodded in agreement. "I've already contacted our research team. They're on their way to start the analysis. In the meantime, we'll keep these people under close observation and try to gather more information."
Wang Yong turned back to Li Jing. "Keep me updated on any developments,"
As he was leaving, he added, "Give your student access to S.A.P.I. I think this will be a good enough reward for him for this discovery."
Li Jing was taken aback. Supernatural Association Private Internet, or S.A.P.I, was an exclusive network accessible only to the pure members of the supernatural association and the members of the five great families.
It was a highly confidential platform where superpower users could exchange information, take on tasks, and buy or sell items that could enhance their abilities.
Gaining access to S.A.P.I was no small feat; it had taken Li Jing herself three years of accumulating merits to earn the privilege.
She composed herself quickly. "Understood, sir. I'll arrange it."
Wang Yong gave a nod and left the room.
She turned her attention back to the containment units and the red crystal, her mind racing.
Lin Xiao was about to gain access to a wealth of resources and knowledge far beyond what he had encountered so far.
...
...
Back in his room, Lin Xiao was still trying to wrap his mind around the day's events.
The mysterious person who looked like Wang Lei, the underground lab, and the red crystals, it was all so much to take in.
His cats, Xiao Bai and Lil' Blackie, were curled up next to him, sensing his unease.
Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Li Jing:
"Lin Xiao, due to your efforts and the discovery you made, you've been granted access to the Supernatural Association Private Internet (S.A.P.I). I'll send you the login details shortly. This network will allow you to connect with other superpower users, find information, and access resources that can help you. Use it wisely."
Lin Xiao's eyes widened. Access to S.A.P.I? What the heck was that?
Shortly after, he received another message with the login details. Lin Xiao quickly set up his account and logged in.
The interface was sleek and intuitive, filled with various sections: forums, marketplaces, free information about supernatural phenomena, a whistleblowing area, and task boards.
First, Lin Xiao explored the forums. They were bustling with discussions on different types of superpowers, training techniques, and personal experiences.
He saw threads about memory manipulation, telekinesis, and other powers, with users sharing tips, asking questions, and offering advice.
The sense of community was strong, and he realized this would be an invaluable resource for learning and connecting with others like him.
Next, he checked out the marketplaces. There were listings for rare items, training equipment, and even services like personalized coaching from experienced superpower users.
Some items promised to enhance one's abilities, while others were more practical, like protective gear or tools for specific missions.
Prices varied widely, and Lin Xiao noted a few items that could be useful in the future.
The free information section was a treasure trove of knowledge.
It contained detailed articles and guides on various supernatural topics: histories of different superpower factions, scientific research on abilities, and tips for maintaining one's mental and physical health while using powers.
Lin Xiao bookmarked several articles to read later.
When he accessed the whistleblowing area, he found it empty.
It seemed only admins could view or post in this section, which was likely designed for reporting sensitive or dangerous information anonymously.
Finally, Lin Xiao looked at the task board. It was divided into sections labeled A, B, C, and D, with D having the lowest difficulty.
He quickly realized he only had access to the D section. When he clicked on it, he found it empty, there were no missions available.
A bit disappointed, Lin Xiao decided to delve deeper into the available forums and information.
He knew that as a new member, he would have to prove himself and accumulate merits to gain access to higher-level tasks and resources.