This was both an unexpected and expected conclusion.

Dirty businesses like this have always existed, but no one expected someone to target the Players. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Song Xiaohua seemed to have discovered a way to divert attention and said breathlessly, "After Players evolve, their organs have higher compatibility. Moreover, a Player’s organs are more useful than those of ordinary people and can even provide patients with better quality of life. This business started as soon as evolution began. Haven’t you investigated certain underground markets before?"

"Most of those Evolvers who get locked up ultimately meet this fate."

"Players are valuable whether alive or dead. I really only serve to bring people here... Everything else is handled by others. Some operate outside, while others work within instances, using instances as a cover for murder. As soon as someone dies, they immediately take the organs. If the Player is seriously injured, that’s even better."

Xu Huo released him. "And what’s this about someone wanting to buy my brain?"

"There’s a customized version of every business," Song Xiaohua said. "Some people believe specially evolved Players might provide unique effects. Some target physical abilities, some target senses, and some target the brain... They think using these organs is better than using the organs of ordinary Players."

"Can someone swap out brains now?" Xu Huo didn’t believe it. "If such surgeries were possible, why go to so much trouble to buy organs?"

"I don’t know about that. I only heard it’s a huge business deal. Someone offered a very high price, but they didn’t specify what it would be used for." Song Xiaohua clutched his throat and cautiously backed away; as he retreated, his hand touched some paper and a pen.

"Write a list," Xu Huo said from above, "and include the trading channels while you’re at it."

After saying that, he adjusted his earpiece. "Did you hear that? This should fall under the scope of the Special Defense Department, right?"

On the other end of the call was Nie Xuan. Xu Huo had never left the hotel where Song Xiaohua was staying.

"Someone will be here to take over shortly," Nie Xuan replied calmly. "Don’t get your hopes up too high. These kinds of things can’t be completely eradicated. This profit chain involves not only buyers but also sellers."

The sellers had now been upgraded to Players.

"No," Xu Huo remained composed, "I’m just curious about the person who wants to buy my brain. It wouldn’t be some secret research center within the Special Defense Department, would it?"

"Probably not," Nie Xuan said after some thought. "The Special Defense Department doesn’t have such an institution internally. There’s only one Super Evolution research lab, which I’ve visited. Besides that, there’s nothing openly or secretly connected... Zone 014’s technology doesn’t allow it."

"Technology lockdowns don’t just exist between countries; the same goes for game zones. Each zone is dedicated to protecting its own technology. It’s not something a few Players can just buy or steal."

The current tech within the Special Defense Department required substantial effort to obtain. They had barely stabilized their footing, let alone started to fly.

"It’s probably just another cult. Not worth mentioning."

Xu Huo didn’t care whether it was someone inside the Special Defense Department up to mischief or just another cult or Player organization. People like that wouldn’t accomplish much.

Song Xiaohua was left at the hotel for the time being. Xu Huo hung up the call, returned to the safety zone, and informed his family before heading to the Special Defense Department Headquarters.

The treatment facility was a newly constructed laboratory, built entirely from metal materials sourced from the game and reinforced. Even the doors were twice as thick as those of a bank vault. Furthermore, the facility was fully outfitted with Space-Time Prop Restriction Equipment, monitoring every corner of the lab with no blind spots.

Within the lab, Xu Huo also spotted some ready-made Psychic Disturbance Instruments—scientific gadgets designed specifically to counter Mental Power Super Evolutionaries. He had encountered this device in the hands of Players more than once before.

"Don’t misunderstand; this isn’t targeting you," Director Lü proactively explained.

Xu Huo smiled faintly but didn’t respond.

Nie Xuan, accompanying him, began discussing the Special Defense Department’s treatment arrangements.

"We’ve already consulted with Professor Tang. The estimated duration is at least one hour, depending on how things progress. Whether to extend or end the treatment prematurely will be decided by a vote involving eight psychology professors and Professor Tang to ensure fairness. You’re free to propose changes to this plan."

"Switch it to a single-vote decision," Xu Huo said. "If just one person votes against extending the treatment time, it can’t be extended. If anyone votes in favor of ending early, it will end immediately."

"No problem," Nie Xuan nodded and gestured for the assistants behind them to update the plan accordingly. Then he continued, "There’s a detailed list of fifty participating Players. You’re free to add or remove names from this list. People indirectly linked to the forced evolution incident will not be included. Out of this fifty, only fifteen are directly affiliated with the Special Defense Department."

"So the rest are special personnel directly controlled by the government," Xu Huo paused.

"Correct," Nie Xuan confirmed. "You can add or remove names freely here too."

"Remove two-fifths. Fifteen each from the Special Defense Department and government-controlled Players," Xu Huo said decisively.

Nie Xuan didn’t object, acting as a cold, mechanical liaison while relaying the finalized adjustments to the team of secretaries behind them.

The secretary team naturally had no objections; their role was merely to convey information. However, the adjustments stirred excitement and argument among those involved in the treatment—whether working behind the scenes or about to participate. Disputes arose particularly over the reduction in Player numbers.

The Special Defense Department had previously sought Xu Huo’s approval to slightly increase the number of observers, and with his agreement, submitted the expanded list. The government had meticulously selected candidates and even proposed reducing the Special Defense Department’s quota. Now, with twenty names removed, three days of arduous negotiations had seemingly been wasted.

Minister Fan didn’t care about such details. Since the Special Defense Department wasn’t at a disadvantage, he shrugged and let others take it up with Xu Huo.

Negotiating with Xu Huo seemed pointless; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been arguing with the Special Defense Department to begin with. Seeing the decision was final, they gave up on the numbers issue and shifted their complaints to Nie Xuan instead. "Can your Special Defense Department people stop talking so much?"

"Sorry, but that’s not happening," Minister Fan replied sarcastically. After all, Nie Xuan was known for being confrontational too.

Every detail regarding the treatment—from the conditions for activating the formal treatment procedures, to the emergency measures for unexpected events, to how the treatment process would be recorded—was either relayed by Nie Xuan or revised upon Xu Huo’s suggestions.

The two walked through the facility entrance and into the treatment room. Xu Huo then changed into specific clothing and shoes, equipped himself with necessary testing devices, and completed the adjustment of various instruments. The entire preparation process took half an hour, after which both sides were ready.