Having sorted out the equipment issue, Li Rui felt refreshed and was just about to find a place to sleep and restore his spirit, when he received a call from Cheng Wen, asking him to come to the Superpower Division.

Li Rui naturally knew he was bound to go on such a trip, but didn’t expect it to be so urgent. He changed direction, left the capital branch, and used the Instant Wind Nine Turns to arrive at the Superpower Division.

"This Escape Technique is damn convenient."

After going through identity verification, Li Rui walked through the main entrance. After contacting Cheng Wen, he arrived at an unmarked office.

The door to the room wasn’t locked, just ajar, leaving a gap about the width of a fist.

Knock, knock.

He tapped twice, and upon hearing a voice inviting him in, he pushed the door open and entered.

There were only two people in the room, one was Song Yao, and the other appeared not too old but definitely past middle age, sitting behind a long desk. His gaze was sharp like a knife, making Li Rui feel an intense threat that quickly subsided.

He certainly recognized this person, the pinnacle of the Dragon Country’s Extraordinary figures, the Minister of the Superpower Division, Zhuo Feilong. Even someone like Song Yao, a veteran with achievements, had to be more reserved in his presence.

From the location and the participants, it was evidently an informal meeting.

After entering the room, Li Rui greeted the two and then sat next to Song Yao.

"I heard about your impressive performance in the Secret Realm this time. Many people mentioned it to me several times, so I thought I should meet you."

Zhuo Feilong seemed to try to appear more amiable, but his natural authoritative demeanor diminished the effect.

"They’re flattering me, I just cooperated with everyone," Li Rui replied modestly and then fell silent, waiting for the real purpose to be revealed by the two in the room.

Under normal circumstances, making a significant contribution on the Secret Realm battlefield should come with rewards and recognition, and private meetings like this aren’t part of the usual process.

After a few casual remarks, Zhuo Feilong abruptly shifted to the main topic: "Based on your performance this time, you’re qualified to be taken in as a consultant for the Superpower Division. If it were up to me, I’d make you a senior consultant straight away."

"But you know, there’s a system in our Division, and it’s not just up to me. We’ll find opportunities to assign you some tasks that are beneficial for your development, so it’ll be more convenient later."

Li Rui didn’t expect this first official meeting with the minister to suddenly turn into such a heart-to-heart conversation. With no experience for handling this, he just expressed thanks for the care and formally stated that regardless of the task, he would do his utmost to complete it.

In his mind, he thought, isn’t this just gilding?

Song Yao sat beside, smiling silently, a sight to behold.

Zhuo Feilong asked, "Mm, you’ve been to the chaotic land before, right?"

These words made Li Rui’s heart skip a beat abruptly.

The chaotic land wasn’t a good place. Tasks there quite easily involved the other two countries, and because of crossing borders, international impact had to be considered. It wasn’t an ideal place for getting gilded. His previous polite words seemed to have been misunderstood.

"Well, though I’ve been there, I’m not familiar with it," Li Rui blinked and said.

Song Yao found it even more amusing.

Zhuo Feilong hadn’t met someone who dared to brush him off in a long time, finding it somewhat funny, but he wasn’t about to let it pass, continuing, "As long as you’ve been there, that’s good. Take a rest for the next few days. Once you’re well-rested, find some time to go."

"...."

Li Rui was speechless, "Minister, is there a special task?"

Gradually he realized, having just come out of the Secret Realm battlefield, not even having recognition of his achievements formalized, and already being called in for task arrangement, this wasn’t normal.

Zhuo Feilong nodded slightly, "As Cheng Wen mentioned, you just went to organize equipment. Did you notice anything special?"

"Yes, the capital branch’s equipment is a bit outdated, might consider replacing it."

".... I meant, regarding your equipment."

Zhuo Feilong thought for a moment, deciding not to keep them guessing, stating directly, "All entries about the differences between reality and the Secret Realm have disappeared. Check for yourself."

Li Rui paused, immediately checked his inventory, and found it to be true.

"What’s going on?" He realized the seriousness of the issue, "When did it happen?"

"About four hours ago," Song Yao replied, "Similar situations have been reported across various locations, with the cause yet to be determined."

"It’s got nothing to do with me."

Li Rui instinctively responded, "I hadn’t even come out yet four hours ago."

Song Yao said with irritation, "Who said it had anything to do with you."

"That’s good then."

Li Rui continued, "Is it related to the chaotic land?"

Zhuo Feilong stated, "Our Intelligence Analysis Department urgently compiled information collected globally, and the situation has appeared worldwide. However, no anomalies have been found in the Western Kingdom or the Polar Alliance for now."

"The southern countries and the major forces in the chaotic land have also shown no signs of disturbance, except for an organization called the Holy Judgment High Court, need an introduction?"

"No need, no need."

Li Rui had just pretended unfamiliarity because he sensed a trap. He had even fought a match against the organization’s Little Holy Blade in the arena, it was impossible not to know. "What specific developments?"

"About three hours ago, there was a violent explosion at the Holy Mountain, the headquarters of the Holy Judgment High Court. Subsequently, the central council announced a state of emergency and began sealing off the news. To ensure the safety of our intelligence personnel, we did not forcefully probe the reason."

Zhuo Feilong never had to remind anyone this explicitly while assigning tasks, yet he showed great patience.

"We can’t ascertain whether there’s any connection between the two occurrences. However, any emerging anomalies, even those just showing the first signs, need to take action to eliminate the potential dangers."

Li Rui realized that the talk about becoming a consultant needing to build up his credentials was no idle talk. These tasks were typically the work of consultants in the Superpower Division.

The best fighters often won without any significant battle records, as many potential crises were preemptively neutralized from erupting. If uncontrollable situations arose, even resolving them brilliantly would be seen as subpar.

Concerning a change that involved the entire world’s Secret Realm, and with no notification from the Secret Realm system, it was indeed significant. Whether the Holy Judgment High Court’s movement was involved remained unknown, but checking it out proactively made sense.

Having understood what needed to be done, Li Rui was no longer apprehensive and immediately stated he was ready to execute the task at any time.

He didn’t notice the glance exchanged secretly between Zhuo Feilong and Song Yao, with the latter saying, "Additionally, when you undertake the task, find a way to inquire about a person."

"Who?"

"In the chaotic land, there used to be someone called the God of a Thousand Faces."

"Who’s that? I’ve never heard of him," Li Rui asked.

"That’s... quite normal. His period of activity was over a decade ago."

Song Yao spoke with some hesitation, "A man who single-handedly crushed the entire chaotic land, fighting from the Western Kingdom’s border to the Polar Alliance, and finally disappearing at the Dragon Country’s border."

"Oh?! I’ve heard of this person, the woman from the Field Clan once mentioned him."

Li Rui inquired, "What’s this person’s real name? Any photos? Where is he from?"

Song Yao shook his head, "This person is known as the God of a Thousand Faces, always changing appearances, wanted jointly by us and the other two major powers."

"Ah? What major crimes did he commit?"

"Well... nothing specific, like you, he appeared suddenly and vanished suddenly. But before disappearing, he fought a match with the Pope of the Polar Alliance, resulting in a draw."

"Remarkable indeed," Li Rui muttered.

Zhuo Feilong added a remark, "A draw is how the Polar Alliance describes it. However, six months later, they announced that the Pope, who was in his prime, passed away. This is hard to explain."