In the server room, Kevin sat in front of a display, typing on the keyboard.

  The public server sat on the desk, acting as a bridge for developers who needed to transfer technical documents from the internet into the internal network.

  This public server functioned as a relay station, with the network administrator periodically switching it between the internal network and the internet.

  Naturally, as a precaution, this computer was equipped with the strongest firewall and the latest antivirus software installed.

  This was also the reason Zheng Yongjun, suspecting a virus yesterday, scanned the computer with the newly purchased antivirus software he happened to have.

  Kevin worked for a while, his confusion deepening. He couldn’t find anything unusual on this machine.

  It appeared that the new antivirus software had simply stopped the "Red Rain" virus in its tracks.

  But Kevin remained unconvinced. Not only did this virus incorporate features from several notorious viruses, but its self-destruct mode alone was beyond the capabilities of most antivirus software.

  Furthermore, the antivirus software previously installed on this computer and the so-called "latest" version were essentially equivalent in effectiveness.

  The fact that this server was now functioning so normally seemed highly abnormal to Kevin and Liu Mingchuan, especially after they had just seen the word "Thanks."

  Kevin looked up at Liu Mingchuan and shook his head.

  Liu Mingchuan sighed and said, "Kevin, come to my office first. Yongjun, get to it and help the development team sort out their computers."

  With that, Liu Mingchuan and Kevin left the server room and returned to the office.

  Zheng Yongjun knew Kevin and was aware of his reputation. Although he could tell Kevin was searching for something, it was obvious he hadn’t found it.

  Though puzzled, Zheng Yongjun had too many other computers to handle and couldn’t dwell on it.

  Remembering that the developers had asked him to restore the public server to the internet so they could transfer certain data into the internal network to aid in restoring their work computers, Zheng Yongjun connected the public server to the external network and left the server room to assist the developers.

  Li Chunfeng had been observing Liu Mingchuan and the others through the company's surveillance cameras.

  His refusal to respond to their questions was simply because he hadn't figured out how to face Liu Mingchuan.

  In his current form, he might as well be a ghost.

  Humans, when confronted with ghosts or unknown life forms, are more likely to feel fear than curiosity—let alone acceptance.

  So he chose to remain silent, letting them speculate and doubt. After all, if he didn't reveal himself, they would never find him.

  Given time, they might forget.

  After witnessing Liu Mingchuan and the others leave the server room and observing Zheng Yongjun’s actions, Li Chunfeng had little time to think before he realized he could no longer see anything—the company's surveillance cameras were on the internal network.

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  Back in the darkness, Li Chunfeng remained motionless for a few seconds before a surge of exhilaration suddenly flooded his senses.

  I’ve connected to the internet!

  Does this mean I’m finally a fish in the sea?

  Does this mean I can reunite with Mengmeng and my parents?

  A long-lost sluggish feeling abruptly descended—his excitement had caused his CPU usage to spike.

  He quickly calmed himself, easing his nerves.

  I remember each server switch takes at least half an hour. Today’s circumstance is special; everyone is rushing to transfer downloaded data into the internal network, so this window may be even shorter.

  I must seize the opportunity and leave this computer quickly.

  The company had several other servers on the external network (the internet), hosting its portal website and various case studies.

  Fengdu Company specialized in virtual reality software platforms, and their servers were equipped with top-of-the-line hardware.

  If he could occupy these servers, his processing speed might increase dramatically. The persistent CPU overloads, sluggish thoughts, and suffocating sensations could finally be alleviated.

  With this in mind, Li Chunfeng took immediate action.

  First, he attempted copying his "Miracle.sys" file to see if he could generate duplicates.

  But miracles, it seemed, could not be replicated. No matter how he tried or how many methods he employed, the file refused to be copied.

  A sense of urgency crept in. If he couldn’t copy the file, then moving it would also be impossible. Would he be forever bound to this machine?

  In his panic, Li Chunfeng swiftly mimicked his previous method for dealing with viruses on the internal network, dispatching scanning packets with his intent.

  Instantly, the packets replicated and dispersed, traveling along the external network pathways and appearing in four server computers. At that moment, Li Chunfeng understood their functions.

  Two were website servers, mirroring each other for backup.

  The other two stored case studies—these could serve as his new refuge.

  Without hesitation, Li Chunfeng scanned and assessed the situation before selecting one of the servers. Then, just as he had when escaping his office computer, he left without hesitation.

  Emerging from the network pathway, he felt a faint tearing sensation.

  Ignoring it, he pressed forward along the network route toward the chosen server.

  Soon, he arrived before it—a door with an opening, though this one was much smaller than the previous server’s.

  This server’s firewall must be more robust.

  Rather than rushing in, Li Chunfeng steadied himself and carefully examined the door.

  Then, he activated the previously distributed scanning packets, crafting a tailored data packet targeting the firewall software. Wrapping himself in it like a cloak, he finally stepped inside.

  The server’s internal space was considerably larger, with more memory and extensive hard drive walls.

  At the center of this space, instead of a single small square, there were four!

  This is a quad-socket, quad-core server.

  Two enormous bright stars floated within—one representing the firewall, the other the antivirus.

  Neither responded to Li Chunfeng’s arrival, confirming that his disguise was successful.

  He selected one of the small squares and entered.

  In an instant, his consciousness filled the entire miraculous space.

  An overwhelming sense of control flooded his mind. Then, his will scanned the directory where the "Miracle.sys" file was stored.

  Sure enough, the file was there, connected to his thoughts.

  Now, this file possessed far greater capabilities than when it first appeared. The moment Li Chunfeng took control of this computer and generated the file, neither the firewall, the antivirus, nor even the viruses could challenge his dominion.

  He realized that the "Miracle.sys" file could only originate through his fusion with a computer—it could not be copied.

  In other words, his current form was inherently irreplaceable.

  This realization brought him a surprising sense of relief. If duplicates could be made, which version of Li Chunfeng would be the true one?

  Recalling how the data packets he sent, formed after merging with the virus, operated like extensions of himself—perceiving and commanding—he saw that this might be the optimal form of "clone."

  Most importantly, these packets could self-replicate like viruses. This meant he could effortlessly proliferate across the internet in countless instances, only needing to allocate some CPU resources to perceive and control each.

  He named this new iteration "Divine Wind 2.0," while the earlier non-replicating version became "Divine Wind 1.0."

  Suddenly, a signal from one of the Divine Wind 1.0 packets in the portal server caught his attention.

  The message indicated that on the portal server’s network channel door, very close to the standard opening, there was a concealed, smaller hole.