1498 Pollution
“It’s best if you don’t know. Based on past experience, if you’re really contaminated, the more you know, the faster you’ll be corrupted.”

“Alright then.”

Fang Heng nodded helplessly. He flipped through the game log and said, “I checked the log. I shouldn’t be contaminated.”

“Not necessarily. Being contaminated won’t trigger the game hint.”

Fang Heng narrowed his eyes and became even more curious about the so-called pollution.

!!
If it was in the past, he would definitely choose to continue investigating with Ruan Ziying.

However, it was different now. The advanced game world was full of dangers. It was better to consider self-preservation first.

Besides, he only had three days to enter Watts. The most important thing was to find a way to obtain an S-level plant to complete the mission.

“Let’s both take a step back. We’ll take him to Cole’s place. You know Cole too. He’s always been a loner, living alone in the suburbs. He’s also very resistant to pollution. Have your people guard outside Cole’s house. If it’s confirmed that Fang Heng is really polluted, you can immediately notify someone to take him away, how about that?”

Shan Fucai frowned.

Ruan Ziying said in a low voice, “Fang Heng is very important to our investigation. Once he is sent to prison, the Corruption Arbitrator Council will take over. When the time comes, our investigation will only be more troublesome!”

Shan Fucai was convinced and nodded, “Alright.”

Ruan Ziying leaned over and whispered into Fang Heng’s ear, “I’ll bring you to a friend of mine later. He’s a reporter and has a lot of information on hand. He should have information on the plants that you’re interested in.”

“Go over there and rest for a while. I’ll come to find you immediately after I’m done with the things over there. Before that, do not leave the house.”

“Yes.”

Ruan Ziying solemnly reminded him, “One more thing, no matter what happens, don’t get into conflict with the local official forces. Otherwise, we will be very passive.”

“Alright.”

…

Half an hour later, Fang Heng was sent to a small hut in the suburbs.

Halfway there, five police cars arrived one after another and followed closely behind.

The owner of the hut was called Cole, a senior column editor.

After chatting with Cole for a while, Ruan Ziying left in a hurry with Shan Fucai, saying that they were going to investigate the source of the pollution.

“Oh? Are you the suspected contaminated person? How was it contaminated? It has something to do with the incident at the manor last night.”

Cole was wearing thick glasses. He led Fang Heng into the hut and looked like a curious baby. He came up to Fang Heng and looked at him from all directions. Then, he ran to the study room to get a pen and paper. He sat on the sofa and began to record the interview.

Helplessly, Fang Heng briefly recounted what happened in the manor.

After recording the whole incident, Cole licked his lips and looked at Fang Heng, muttering softly, “It’s really contradictory. I want you to be contaminated, but I don’t want you to be contaminated.”

Fang Heng thought to himself, “Are you seriously ill?”

He looked out of the window again.

While the two of them were talking, the uniformed police officers had already closely monitored the surroundings of the hut.

Troublesome!

How did he unknowingly get involved in these inexplicable things again?!

There were only three days left in the game, so he shouldn’t delay his work!

Fang Heng scratched his head and decided to focus on the present and think of a way to complete the mission first.
He didn’t talk about pollution with Cole. He changed the topic and asked, “I heard that you’re Ruan Ziying’s friend. An investigative reporter from a renowned newspaper column?”

“Ah, right, since you mention this. You should be the friend who asked about the high-tier plants and mysterious rituals, right? Wait a moment.”

Cole immediately got up and rushed to the study room. He changed into another black notebook and sat solemnly on the sofa opposite Fang Heng.

“I’m a very simple person. You help me, and I’ll help you.”

Cole flipped open his notebook and looked at Fang Heng. He asked, “Come, tell me about the ritual that your friend encountered. What was the ritual like?”

“Hmm?”

“I guessed it. Don’t doubt the sensitivity of a reporter. From your various statements, you or one of your friends must have participated in similar rituals, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t be so interested.”

Cole looked like he had everything under control.

Fang Heng frowned.

“Will you keep it a secret for me?”

“Of course, these are all my personal records. I only use my brain and pen to record them. I only record events. I use special symbols to hide any other relevant information. In the future, if someone comes to investigate, they can only investigate the events.”

Cole adjusted his glasses and said seriously, “Anyway, this is an exchange of information. You can tell me what happened to your friend.”

Fang Heng thought.

“Oh…”

After carefully recording what Fang Heng said, Cole rubbed his chin and revealed an interested expression. He then stood up and said, “Interesting ritual. It seems that your friend was also a witness to the ritual.”

“Also? Are you saying that someone else has also experienced the ritual?”

“Yes, it’s my turn to help you next. Come, follow me.”

Fang Heng followed Cole up the stairs to the attic on the third floor.

The attic was very large, more like a garbage dump. It was filled with old newspapers from various periods and large boxes filled with documents.

Because there were too many miscellaneous items and it was too messy, Fang Heng could only stay at the door area.

“Let me see. Let’s do it one by one. What do you want…”

Fang Heng reminded, “Let’s look for special plants first. They have to be of a high grade, at least S-level.”

“Oh, right, right, right.”

While Cole was rummaging through the garbage for old newspapers, Fang Heng looked out of the window.

At some point, a group of people had gathered outside the window.

Judging from their attire, they were not police officers from the local world.

“Hah! I got it!”

Cole found a few newspapers in the trash, which caught Fang Heng’s attention.

“Take a look at this.”

Fang Heng took the newspaper and started reading.

It was news from about ten years ago.

The newspaper reported that the national scientific research institution had successfully developed a new technology that combined ancient life technology and natural awakening technology. It had successfully awakened the Phoenix Firs from tens of millions of years ago.

This technology was considered a creative and innovative technology. Once this technology matured, humans would be able to replicate and revive extinct ancient creatures.

However, this technology was opposed by some party members, who believed that the resurrection of ancient creatures was extremely uncertain and dangerous.

Regardless of what the two sides of the discussion said, Fang Heng had heard a report that the Phoenix Firs that had been successfully resurrected had a strong vitality of ancient creatures. It could emit a gentle natural aura and attract birds to build nests on the tree. It was also food for some ancient creatures.