South China Sea

After giving it some thought, Zhuge Hao said, "Wang Fantian has a point. Since he hasn't shown any hostility, we can't be the first to play the villain."

He picked up the red baseball cap from the table and put it back on, clasping his hands beneath his chin as he continued, "Besides, we can't be sure whether he'll undergo further mutations and gain even more unimaginable powers. Or perhaps he is part of an alien race himself, with another vast Civilization backing him."

These were all unprovable speculations. The real reason was that they could not give up the secret of immortality within Li Heng. That meant they could never choose to kill him. Instead, they had to protect his life as much as possible.

So, since he currently showed a willingness to cooperate and had a good relationship with Wang Fantian's son, there was no need to offend him.

Mi Yue and Wang Fantian nodded. Within Googol Tech, the two represented the radical and conservative factions respectively, while Zhuge Hao maintained the balance and adjusted policy according to the circumstances.

Zhuge Hao changed the subject. "However, we can't keep him in the city. If he escapes, then with his physical abilities, the large number of civilians in the city center will become his human shields. So..."

With a light tap of his hands, a world map appeared before the three of them. Pointing to a location in the waters south of the mainland, he said, "The Dongsha Islands. About 315 kilometers southeast of the Pearl River Estuary, located in the northern tropics with a tropical monsoon climate. After land reclamation ten years ago, it became a supply hub in the South China Sea. I intend to send Li Heng there."

He chuckled. "It's hundreds of kilometers from the mainland, and it has the South Sea Fleet, the strongest of the Hong Alliance Navy's three major fleets and the one responsible for the largest defensive waters. If he can really escape from there, then it won't matter where we put him."

"As for communications, access is allowed, transmission is forbidden. He may use the internet, but he cannot send information outside. All communications must be monitored throughout. Any contact with others requires prior approval."

This was Zhuge Hao's decision based on Li Heng's past behavior.

Since he disliked socializing and was emotionally detached, then they would send him far from the crowds to be a shut-in in the South China Sea.

Wang Fantian nodded in agreement before asking, "Then how should we explain this to his family?"

"The same way as before. Since he's already been under research for three years, a few more years are perfectly normal," Zhuge Hao replied. "Also, multiply the funds in the agreement tenfold. One hundred million yuan a year, with half transferred to his mother."

Wang Fantian asked no further questions. This outcome was fairly good. Li Heng himself would not suffer much; it was practically like being stationed at the border. His family would also receive a considerable sum, enough to ensure they never lacked for daily necessities.

Seeing that Wang Fantian had no more questions, Zhuge Hao said, "Then the meeting is adjourned. Fantian, contact the Southern Military Region and coordinate with them. You will be responsible for transferring Li Heng to the Dongsha Islands."

The three black stone tablets and the surrounding starry sky vanished, and Zhuge Hao's office returned to normal.

Squinting at the sunlight outside after the rain, he grabbed a handful of popcorn, stuffed it into his mouth, and chewed lightly. Next, he still had to discuss matters related to Li Heng with the other senior members of the Hong Alliance. The old man needed something to replenish his energy first.

At the research institute, Wang Fantian walked out of a sealed room and saw his son waiting outside. He said, "Li Heng will be transferred to another base. Don't worry about his safety. We'll contact the military to protect him."

He walked past his son, put on protective gear, and entered the laboratory where Li Heng was being held. Li Heng had already been released from his restraints and was sitting bare-chested on the hospital bed.

Ordering No. 1003 to cut off all surveillance, he said to Li Heng, "Your agreement will be revised and encrypted, and your compensation will be multiplied tenfold. We will arrange for you to go to the South China Sea immediately. Official personnel will explain things to your mother, and someone will protect her in secret, so don't worry. If you have any other requests, tell me now. As long as they're within the permitted scope, I'll do my best."

Li Heng nodded, showing no surprise. This result was more or less what he had expected. He definitely could not remain in the city. The authorities would not allow him to stay among the general population.

His own individual strength was secondary. The various bacteria in his body were the truly dangerous things. If those tiny organisms mutated due to the changes in Li Heng's body, their escape could perhaps kill countless lives.

Li Heng said to Wang Fantian, "Thank you for helping me. I hope to transfer my apartment in the residential district to Wang Ziyun, and I'd like to ask him to take care of my dog."

Wang Fantian raised his eyebrows. Although property in the residential district had no potential for appreciation, it was still worth several million yuan. An ordinary person would have to work for ten years to afford one. It seemed Li Heng truly had little need for material things.

But giving away a house in exchange for Wang Ziyun raising his dog... could that be called selling a house to support a dog?

"Fine." Wang Fantian agreed. It was only a small matter.

Seeing that Li Heng had nothing more to say, Wang Fantian turned and left. He needed to contact the Southern Military Region as soon as possible and transfer Li Heng. Everyone at the research institute who knew about the matter would also be ordered to keep silent and reassigned elsewhere. Only a small number of people would know the specifics of Li Heng's condition.

The room returned to its empty state. Li Heng lay on the hospital bed, staring at the white ceiling above him as he softly hummed an old song from the end of the last century: "Brave young man, hurry and create miracles."

Although he was about to be sent to the South China Sea, he was in a good mood. At that moment, he seemed to have returned to those years filled with dreams and vitality. Perhaps the countless years ahead would be the same.

Several hours later, the sun was setting. Distant buildings were draped in the colorful glow of the evening clouds, while the clouds at the horizon turned flame-red.

Several armored vehicles were parked in the open area before the research institute. Li Heng was already inside one of them, and the official explanation was that they were transporting a batch of medical supplies.

Watching the armored vehicles drive away beneath the dim sunset and disappear beyond the horizon, Wang Fantian said to his son beside him, "He gave the house to you. The paperwork has already been completed. He also asked you to take care of the little dog at his home."

Thinking of the little dog in Li Heng's home, fat as a ball, Wang Ziyun could not help smiling. The sadness of parting with his friend also faded somewhat. He said to his father, "Then I'll take my sister to Li Heng's place to pick up the dog. You and Mom can have some time alone. We left both of them aside all afternoon. Mom won't say it, but she must be unhappy inside."

Wang Fantian suddenly reached out and patted his son's shoulder, saying quietly, "Li Heng can see messages from outside. If anything comes up, leave him a message." With that, he walked forward.

Wang Ziyun watched his father's broad back and the shadow stretched long beneath the setting sun. A gentle smile appeared on his face, and he also started walking, following behind his father.

South China Sea, Dongsha Islands.

The reef platform was crescent-shaped and was also called Crescent Island. It covered 1.8 square kilometers, stood only six meters above sea level, and was formed mainly from accumulated coral and biological debris.

Ten years ago, the military reclaimed land here, expanding the entire island to around five square kilometers. It had now become a military base in the sea.

At the airport, the helicopter carrying Li Heng set him down—he had been packed inside a shipping container and suspended all the way here. Fortunately, his body was now much stronger than that of an ordinary human. Otherwise, after swaying through the air for hundreds of kilometers, he would have been half dead already.

The container was opened, and Li Heng returned to solid ground. Outside stood several researchers in protective suits, while a group of heavily armed soldiers surrounded the airport.

These were only the visible defenses. Countless automated turrets were also secretly aimed at Li Heng. The personnel here understood how dangerous he was and would not relax for even a moment.

Li Heng looked into the distance. The island was lush with vegetation and dotted with many coconut trees. The humid, hot sea breeze of the night slapped against his body, and the temperature was around twenty-six degrees Celsius. His extraordinary hearing allowed him to hear fish splashing in the surrounding sea.

"Please follow me," one of the researchers said.

Li Heng followed them onward. No one spoke to him along the way. Those who knew the details of their mission had been ordered not to interact too much with Li Heng, lest certain people try to influence him.

They entered the base gates and arrived at an exquisite duplex suite. The first floor contained a living room and bathroom, with all the furnishings provided. A wooden staircase led to the bedroom on the second floor, where there was a large bed.

The person who had brought Li Heng here said, "Inside this room, you can use the smart assistant you used before to control all appliances. If you need any food, you can submit a request to us, and we will prepare it for you. If you wish to go outside, you must apply in advance. You are not permitted to leave without authorization."

"Also, if we need your cooperation for research, you will be notified in advance. You may use the internet, but it will be monitored at all times. You are also forbidden from sending messages outside. If you want to contact your family, you must apply."

"Do you have any questions?"

Li Heng shook his head. The researchers said nothing further, closed the door, and turned to leave. They had already collected much cellular tissue from Li Heng today and needed to hurry with further in-depth research.

After all, these were Immortal Cells. If they could truly uncover the secret of longevity, they themselves could benefit as well. To them, the faster the research progressed, the better.

Sitting on the living room sofa, Li Heng casually glanced over a few corners where tiny cameras monitored him. He did not care. Lying back on the sofa, he said, "One Two Three, play some music."

"At your service," a crisp female voice replied.

All artificial intelligence required enormous computing power. Every small AI was part of a massive data center, and they actually provided services to users remotely through efficient networks.

This was also why exoskeleton mechs needed human operators. Without adequate infrastructure to transmit signals, there was simply no way to operate those precision weapons in real time.

Lying on the sofa, Li Heng listened to music while browsing information online. He had not deliberately concealed his abilities, so they had long known that his eyeballs could transmit and receive electromagnetic waves.

It was simply that Li Heng had too many special abilities. At present, the researchers' most important task was still to explore the secret of immortality.

In any case, on this island, only the academician from the Academy of Sciences with Level One authorization could send signals outside.

As far as Li Heng was concerned, as long as he did not reveal the core ability that information was power, it did not matter if the researchers learned about all the accompanying bodily mutations. They might guess that he could continue mutating, but they would never imagine that he could control it himself, much less discover the source of his power.

Time was on his side. Before long, this passive situation would change.

Besides, living on an island far from the mainland in a comfortable suite, protected by the military, with meals delivered without needing to work, did not seem too bad.

"You have a message," One Two Three reminded him.

Li Heng checked his inbox. It was a short video sent by Wang Ziyun, who was in Li Heng's former home.

In the video, he said, "My sister really likes your dog. I'll help it lose weight properly." Behind him on the sofa, a young girl in a light pink short-sleeved shirt was playing with the little dog.

"Also, you don't need to worry about your mother. When I have time, I'll go visit her."

Li Heng chuckled. This guy was still such a hopelessly nice person, always trying to handle every detail perfectly. Some things had little to do with him, yet he insisted on placing them all on his own shoulders.