India's Capital – Official Residence of the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Mordan sat at the head of the long conference table, listening carefully to Umang's report.
With him were several ministers and military leaders, including General Amit.
Everyone in the room had recently started practicing real cultivation. Some didn't have much talent, but they still managed to form a root core the size of a watermelon.
This wasn't surprising. They had received guidance from the instructor clone left by Ether Clone, and they also had pills to help them create a core more easily.
But they had only started a few days ago, so they hadn't even completed substage 1 of stage 1.
Umang continued his briefing in a clear, steady voice:
"Sir, Xing Nation has pulled their troops back from the border. We have given the same order to our soldiers. The reason is simple: the beasts on land and in the ocean have become much stronger lately. They no longer attack openly—they hide and strike in groups.
The most troublesome are the bird beasts. Their flying speed has increased several times. Normal soldiers can't do anything to them. Only special nets can catch them, but those nets are very expensive—we can't use them often. The birds can fly into cities easily, so they are a serious problem.
The second big issue is the ants and small insects. They are not very strong, and their danger level is lower than the birds but higher than most other beasts.
Their biggest advantage is their tiny size. They can crawl through small cracks, swarm in huge numbers, and attack sleeping civilians and animals. They have become aggressive, just like other beasts that kill to grow stronger.
We have already lost hundreds of civilians—no gunfire, no warning, just silence and bones by morning. Civilians can kill them with everyday household items, but the real problem is finding them. People cannot stay alert while they sleep."
Mordan tapped his fingers once on the table. His voice stayed calm and even.
"Develop ways to deal with the insects and ants. For the flying beasts, drive them back into the forests. But do not harm normal animals—they should stay to keep nature balanced."
Umang gave a small, wry smile.
"But sir… even though the military has returned, they alone are not enough to handle this. We need more people."
Mordan looked at him steadily.
"But we have already launched many new recruitment schemes and offered good salaries. Are there any problems with those plans?"
Umang hesitated for a moment, then said,
"Sir… the schemes and salaries are good. Some officials tried corruption, but we have already put them in prison."
Mordan leaned forward slightly.
"Then what is the real problem?"
Umang took a breath.
"Sir… the real problem is the game, Eternal Ascendancy. Many people don't want to join the military because they are hoping to earn money from the game. Even though the game has not yet given any real money… they are still waiting. They believe this game will become revolutionary and make them rich."
Mordan fell silent for a long moment. Even he didn't know what to do. The game was created by Sir Heart… so he couldn't simply speak against it.
After a brief pause, he made up his mind.
He stood up.
"Excuse me—I need to refresh myself."
He walked into a private room nearby.
There, he took out the black rock—his secure communication device.
A projection of Sir Heart appeared in front of him.
Mordan explained the entire situation clearly.
The projection listened quietly, then paused for a moment in thought.
Finally, Sir Heart spoke.
"If people are rushing into the game… then go into the game and recruit them there."
Mordan sat back in his chair, brows furrowed in confusion.
He stared at the projection of Sir Heart, trying to process the suggestion.
Play the game… and recruit people there?
The idea felt strange, almost absurd. The Prime Minister of India—recruiting soldiers inside a video game?
The projection—Heart Clone—laughed softly, the sound calm and knowing.
"You don't know yet, but you can create your own sect in the game. A private, official sect. Then you can recruit people there. You can offer them salaries, benefits, contracts—everything. They'll play the game, earn from it, and still work for you. You can even sign real contracts with them: they obey orders in real life, join the military when needed, or stay home until called. It's all enforceable inside the game system."
Mordan blinked slowly.
"But sir… if people can simply play the game and earn enough money to live, why would they ever join the military—even inside the game?"
Heart Clone leaned forward slightly in the projection, his tone patient.
"There are reasons they would join you."
He held up one finger.
"First: stability. Game income is unpredictable. One day they earn well, the next day they don't. Your job gives them steady pay. Reliable money every month. People want security, especially now."
A second finger rose.
"Second: real benefits. As a special sect granted by the game, you can give them access to things no normal player gets. Real weapons training. Real equipment handling. Real combat drills inside the game world. In these chaotic times, people are scared. They want to be strong. They want to know how to protect themselves and their families. Your military sect offers that—training they can't get anywhere else."