Mystery Paradise: Wishing Power Demon

Chapter 204: Chapter 203: Netizens Meet

Chapter 204 -203: Netizens Meet

…

At 10:35 PM, Gao Wei, Zhang Zhiyuan, and Cui Zhen’en landed smoothly on Singh Airport on Flight 297 from Eastern Airlines.

They did not deplane with the other passengers but waited until everyone else had left. Then they descended from a passenger stair truck onto the airport tarmac.

By this time, M City was shrouded in biting cold winds. Standing at the edge of the runway enveloped by night, Cui Zhen’en couldn’t help but shiver. She tightened the collar of her coat, but it did little to fend off the chill. With the tight schedule, she had hardly brought any personal items, let alone warm clothing. Her attire was almost the same as it had been in the control center—a white T-shirt and underclothes beneath her coat, and baggy pants that let the wind funnel through.

Zhang Zhiyuan took a few steps upwind, intentionally or unintentionally shielding her. Although this did not immediately raise the temperature, it filled Cui Zhen’en with a surge of warmth in her heart.

If it weren’t for Director Gao also being here, she might have moved a couple of steps closer behind him.

Just then, the screen of Zhang Zhiyuan’s phone lit up.

It was a text from Paradise: “He’s here.”

No sooner had he read these words than a black stretch limousine slowly approached. After the vehicle came to a stop, the driver hurried out, bent over to open the cabin door, and a man with graying temples stepped out nonchalantly.

He appeared to be at least in his fifties, with a noticeably bulging stomach and a face full of wrinkles. Without a doubt, age was consuming his health; even a simple walk required the support of a silver cane.

“Welcome to Russia,” the man extended his right hand, fingers laden with gemstone rings, “I am Anthony Chekhov.”

“Ah? You’re Anthony?” Cui Zhen’en couldn’t help but express her surprise.

In another world, the Russians didn’t look like this—hefty and irritable, charging like a wild bull when he ran. Although his appearance changed every time he entered Paradise, he consistently seemed to be in his thirties or forties, showing no signs of aging.

Zhang Zhiyuan was also somewhat surprised. Not being a participant in the first round of the game, he missed the opportunity to see the other players in person. Even though he had heard from Zhou Zhi about the discrepancies in their appearances, it wasn’t the same as seeing for himself and being profoundly struck by the difference.

When he shook hands with the man, Anthony laughed, “Indeed, Mr. Justice Envoy, you look hardly any different from the other side.”

“Then you must be Miss Cui.” He then turned to Cui Zhen’en, “Not bad, much younger and prettier than in the game.”

“Thank you,” she said graciously, shaking his hand.

“And the last one…” 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“Gao Wei, the leader of this operation.”

“Oh, I see,” Anthony said while shaking hands, “It must have been him who arranged the travel documents for you two. After all, I received the notification from Paradise at one in the afternoon, and by evening you were able to fly from Beifu to M City. It wouldn’t be possible without some special arrangements. By the way, where’s Mr. Xue? Didn’t he come?”

“Um, he’s busy with his own affairs,” replied Zhang Zhiyuan.

“That’s a pity. I had hoped to invite him to go bear hunting in Siberia.” He gestured for everyone to board the vehicle, “Please, get in. My private plane is on the other end of the runway.”

…

Half an hour later, a Gulfstream G700 jet turned onto the runway, and after a brief acceleration, the plane’s nose lifted off the ground, quickly ascending into the piercing night sky.

“Take these,” Anthony said while rummaging through the overhead storage to hand out several packages to the three passengers, “Inside are a set of thermal suits and a woolen scarf. You’ll need them on your way back.”

“Thank you,” Cui Zhen’en said with delight, “This is really a huge help.”

“Hehe… I’ve seen many guests who arrive in a hurry and forget about the temperature difference,” Anthony said as he spun his chair around to face them and sat down. “If it weren’t for the mission, I have some top-quality vodka here. One glass would make you forget the cold.”

“If you have plenty, I wouldn’t mind taking a bottle back to try,” Zhou Zhi said.

“Cui Zhen’en…” Zhang Zhiyuan cautioned in a low cough.

“Hahaha, why not? I like people who speak their mind,” Anthony laughed heartily. “Of course, you can have it. It’s a waste if good vodka just sits in the cabinet anyway.”

“Turns out you’re pretty generous in real life,” Cui Zhen’en raised an eyebrow.

“What, am I stingy in Paradise?”

“You borrowed our points and never returned them,” said Cui Zhen’en.

“That… is a different matter,” Anthony replied, unflustered.

“But seriously,” Cui Zhen’en eyed his cane, “if I only saw the temperamental side of you in Paradise, it would indeed be hard to associate it with the you right now.”

“My current condition is much better than it used to be. Besides, who hasn’t been young before? When I was your age, I roamed the ice plains of Siberia with just a gun. Even bears would give way to me,” Anthony said nonchalantly. “That’s precisely why I like Paradise… It makes me feel my heart still beating.”

As he spoke, he took out a bottle of red wine from the drawer of his seat and poured himself a glass. “Let’s talk business. I only know that our destination this time is New Ground Island, and we have to make the trip twice. Why go there? I mean… there’s nothing there but bomb craters and granite strata.”

Gao Wei pondered and said, “Didn’t Paradise tell you more?”

“No, the message from Paradise only mentioned the need for an aircraft available for our unrestricted use, capable of making the round trip to New Ground Island twice. As for the specifics of the mission, you’ll fill me in,” Anthony said.

Zhang Zhiyuan and Cui Zhen’en couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Just with that message, the Russian had prepared his personal aircraft that very day, waiting punctually at the airport; the influence of Paradise was evident.

“Since you’re also a participant in the Paradise game, there’s no harm in telling you,” Gao Wei slowly revealed the plan discussed by the decision-making department. “Due to the proximity required to activate the Divine Artifact, it must first be used over New Ground Island, then Cui Zhen’en will enter the game. Tonight’s flight is a rehearsal; the formal implementation will be at noon tomorrow—before that, both the pilot and Cui Zhen’en must be well-prepared.”

Having said that, he handed the other party a piece of paper.

After Anthony received it, he saw it was a set of coordinate data, accurate to the centimeter. He didn’t have a mental map, but he had already guessed that these coordinates were located above New Ground Island.

“Can it really be…” the Russian murmured, his usually calm eyes showing fluctuation of emotion for the first time, “Is that something that can be utilized too?”

“It’s hard to believe, but we’ve verified it,” Cui Zhen’en said.

When the replica of Ouroboros was brought to the Integrated Defense Center, the package was all bloodstained—obviously, it had been fed its fill of flesh and blood before being sent over. Under the watchful eyes of a group of experts, Cui Zhen’en also conducted a simulation test: They first created a small explosion in a metal drum with gas and empty bottles, and three minutes later, Cui Zhen’en activated Ouroboros.

The whole process was quite silent, as if nothing had happened.

However, when the inspector opened the metal drum, all the researchers fell into a strong doubt of their own knowledge. The paint-blasted metal drum looked brand new, as if the shattered bottles inside had been intentionally placed there.

Ouroboros not only “absorbed” the energy from the explosion, but also “eliminated” the consequences it caused.