Sang Hanhai hesitated for a mont, asking: "Are you able to verify whether it is the Saint Word Stone itself, or the text upon it that you are resonating with?"
Why is it this question again... Su Chen blanked, covertly raising his vigilance in his heart. What exactly is Sang Hanhai speculating about?
He revealed a bewildered expression. "Isn't it the Saint Word Stone? If it was the text, how could I consecutively resonate with two Saint Word Stones?"
"No." Sang Hanhai shook his head. "Actually, within our Class Decoding Departnt, another hypothesis has arisen in recent years."
"The symbols engraved upon the Saint Word Stones should be the language of gods. It is rely that our capabilities are insufficient and we cannot comprehend it, thus we are forced to utilize base-level languages to decipher them."
Su Chen blinked, unable to stop himself from feeling speechless. Can you guys internally settle on a definitive answer? Don't tell my contrived lies have to keep advancing with the tis as well?
He also knew that the Class Decoding Departnt couldn't be blad for this. They were also currently fumbling through the dark regarding many matters; overturning old theories was an extrely common occurrence.
"Then what you an is——" He didn't know how he was supposed to reply to this, so he simply tossed the question back.
"Is there a possibility that you can actually comprehend the divine language, rely that it only functions under certain, specific states?" Sang Hanhai probed tentatively.
Su Chen's heart palpitated. Sang Hanhai's deduction was practically approaching the truth, but the one capable of comprehending the divine language wasn't him.
Hm... putting it that way, what the panel recorded was the divine language, deciphered from its very essence. No wonder regardless of how those symbols shifted and transford, a single sweep of the eye was enough to record the profession.
"And what does this signify?" Su Chen tossed the question back once more.
"I don't know either." Sang Hanhai shook his head.
Su Chen: "——"
"I am not trying to placate you for fun." Sang Hanhai saw through Su Chen's speechlessness, explaining: "No one knows what this signifies. It might signify that you possess a certain trait unique to gods, that you are a natural-born god, or perhaps a Divine Son or sothing similar."
"Natural-born god... Divine Son——" Su Chen felt like the topic was straying further and further. It truly affird that classic old saying: a single lie requires countless lies to cover it up.
Seeing Su Chen grow increasingly bewildered, Sang Hanhai didn't continue speaking either. Initially instilling the concept of the divine language into his mind was enough.
Since he harbored such profound interest towards the Saint Word Stones, he would definitely ponder over it upon returning.
Su Chen put on a thoughtful expression, yet abruptly asked: "Elder Sang, then do you know the absolute limit of the professional tiers?"
Fundantally, he wanted to ask about the Morning Star Tier, but he hadn't been able to find soone to ask. During this period, his relationship with Sang Hanhai had deepened considerably.
Bringing up the divine language this ti could also be considered their relationship progressing a step further, thus Su Chen inevitably brought it up.
"The limit of the professional tiers——" Sang Hanhai shot him a look of profound surprise. But for a young man to be curious about these matters wasn't strange either. He pondered:
"The most formidable individual in our Yingfeng is none other than your founding Chief Inquisitor—an 8th-tier professional. A single step further for him is the Morning Star Tier. As for what lies beyond that, I do not know."
Su Chen's heart skipped a beat; Sang Hanhai truly knew! He couldn't resist asking: "Is the Morning Star Tier precisely the 9th-tier?"
"According to certain materials we have unearthed, that should be the case. Morning Star—the nascent star of the universe, is also an alternate moniker for the 9th-tier." Sang Hanhai nodded. This information couldn't be considered a secret, it simply hadn't been popularized on a massive scale.
"Then do we possess professions of the Morning Star Tier?" He probed further.
"Where did a brat like you get so many questions?" Light flickered faintly in Sang Hanhai's eyes, not providing a direct answer.
Su Chen appeared thoughtful as Sang Hanhai reverted to the previous topic, "Once the other Saint Word Stone arrives, I will notify you. Having finished deciphering this Saint Word Stone, I still need to translate so materials."
This was an eviction notice. Su Chen tactfully said, "Thank you for your hard work."
Sang Hanhai escorted him to the laboratory door, watching him head downstairs.
"The Morning Star Tier is the 9th-tier... the nascent star of the universe——" He couldn't help but ponder. Compared to the vast expanse of the universe, wouldn't a nascent star also be as minuscule as a speck of dust?
"And the divine language——"
Having heard quite a number of secrets from Sang Hanhai's mouth this ti, Su Chen's train of thought diverged. This speculation from the Class Decoding Departnt carried a very high probability of being the truth.
Since it is the divine language, exactly who is the writer? It couldn't possibly be those Evil Gods, right?
"Perhaps it is rely the language of a certain higher-tier civilization, and 'divine language' is simply a title." Su Chen shook his head inwardly, preventing himself from sinking into the bizarre trap loop of 'divine language'.
A shadow cascaded before him, enveloping him completely. Without even batting an eyelid, Su Chen stepped sideways, making way for the other party to pass.
"Su Chen——"
Yet, the other party stood rooted to the spot without moving, even calling out his na.
Su Chen raised his head to look, his expression congealing slightly. It was a middle-aged man with deep tear troughs flanking his nose, his pupils profoundly dark.
He recognized this guy—one of the Deputy Directors of the Supervision Departnt, Cheng Lang.
His heart subconsciously sank. The Adjudication Court was currently locked in a tit-for-tat confrontation against the Supervision Departnt. Encountering one of their higher-ups right now was definitely not a good thing.
"What a coincidence, Director Cheng is also here on official business? Please."
Su Chen didn't want to speak further with him and shuffled to the side again, clearly articulating his attitude.
"No, I ca specifically to find you." Cheng Lang stared fixedly at him.
Su Chen gathered his focus, straightening his spine and restraining his expression. The myriad of benefits of a Core Seed was equivalent to the Director-level, and an Adjudication Court Director was precisely equivalent to a Deputy Minister.
Which was to say, in theory, he and the other party could converse on equal footing. Since the other party had already laid his cards on the table, he couldn't afford to lose face either.
"What matters do you seek for?" Su Chen's voice turned indifferent.
An odd glint flashed through Cheng Lang's gaze. "Truly worthy of a Core Seed of the Adjudication Court."
"Director Cheng's flattery is unappreciated." Su Chen shook his head. "If there is a matter, just speak directly."
Cheng Lang blanked for a mont before simply stating: "You have already entered the Adjudication Court for over a month. You might not have felt anything, but in reality, every conventional Core Seed in the past had always managed to gather a substantial degree of power within less than a month of entering the Adjudication Court."
"Do you know why no factions have sought you out?"
"Because I hung a 'Do Not Disturb' sign at my door?" Su Chen pondered audibly.
Cheng Lang choked. "On one hand, it is because the other Core Seeds have already partitioned the cake to near entirety. On the other hand, it is because Chong Jingtian's reforms introduced an unprecedented degree of uncertainty to your Core Seed position; thus, many people are currently watching from the sidelines."
Su Chen naturally understood this logic, yet he rely stared at the other party suspiciously.
Cheng Lang then continued: "The position of Chief Inquisitor—seated upon the Council of Elders and commanding the colossal Adjudication Court... Everyone desperately yearns for it."
"However, the Director of the Security Bureau is similarly a mber of the Council of Elders, commanding the three major departnts of Yingfeng."
"You want to be the Director of the Security Bureau?" Su Chen's expression turned even more bizarre.
"Is it not possible?" Cheng Lang countered.
"It is possible. When is the handover?" Su Chen mused, "I fear my 2nd-tier profession won't be able to suppress the scene, ah."
Cheng Lang's face darkened, feeling quite vexed: "Please be serious!"
"You were the one who started playing around with ." Su Chen sneered.
Cheng Lang collected his emotions: "You should desire becoming the Chief Inquisitor far more. Of course, we also wish for you to beco the Chief Inquisitor."
"We are willing to provide you with so assistance."
"You guys?" Su Chen appeared thoughtful. "Specifically, what kind of assistance?"
"Top-tier professions." Cheng Lang stated in a deep voice: "There is a matter you might not be aware of. Chu Xuan... he is currently inaugurating into a 3rd-tier top-tier profession. He is holding his breath, intending to reclaim the humiliation you once inflicted upon him."
"A 3rd-tier top-tier..." Su Chen ca to a sudden realization. No wonder he hadn't heard any news of Chu Xuan; this brat was saving up for a massive ultimate move.
"The mont his advancent succeeds, he will undoubtedly trample you beneath his feet." Cheng Lang stared at Su Chen. "Do you wish to see that day?"
"Top-tier profession... If I absolutely insisted on advancing to one, the Adjudication Court should be capable of granting the opportunity as well." Su Chen shook his head.
The reason he hadn't sought out the top-tier professions hoarded by the Adjudication Court was purely because the inauguration requirents for top-tier professions were far too difficult.
He possessed a shortcut; he could upgrade his profession through the imrsion of Evil God Power. Compared to those arduous requirents, finding Mystic Energy Crystals, Lightning Cores, and similar items was clearly vastly easier.
"No, we can guarantee you obtain a top-tier profession." Cheng Lang wore an expression of an assured victory well within his grasp.
"Oh?" Su Chen was genuinely surprised. Guaranteeing ascension to top-tier... Even the Adjudication Court wouldn't dare boast such words. A re Supervision Deputy Minister actually dared to utter such claims.
"How will we go about doing this?" He revealed an expression of great interest.
"I cannot directly tell you." Cheng Lang shook his head. "If you agree, we will try our absolute utmost to nurture you. Even if you fail to beco the Chief Inquisitor, the position of Security Bureau Director is still waiting for you."
"It sounds extrely alluring." Su Chen's eyes narrowed. "Then——what is the price?"
Cheng Lang was sowhat surprised, not expecting Su Chen to remain so calm. One must know that when those other guys heard this matter, they would, more or less, display so reaction.
"Since we are treating each other with utmost sincerity, I won't hide it from you either." Cheng Lang walked outside the door alongside Su Chen. "We are deeply dissatisfied with Chong Jingtian's style of conduct. Under his leadership, the Adjudication Court has extended its hand into many places it absolutely shouldn't have."
"We only hope that, after you beco the Chief Inquisitor, you can curb this specific trend."
Cheng Lang's tone appeared exceedingly sincere: "Yingfeng's strength should not rely be expended upon internal strife."
It sounded extrely reasonable and rational. Looking at Su Chen's face, he still seemingly lacked any reaction whatsoever.
And Cheng Lang continuously increased the wagers, "The combined strength of our three major departnts, even if inferior to the entirety of the Adjudication Court, remains unimaginably imnse within Yingfeng City."
Su Chen's eyes shifted. He recalled the three Mystic Energy Crystals that he lacked, as well as the Lightning Cores.
Having finished stating his conditions, Cheng Lang wasn't impatient either. "You don't necessarily have to agree right now. You can return and ponder over it carefully."
Benefits, a bright future, even an escape route had all been laid out before his eyes. They even provided an excuse to deal with the psychological burden of biting the hand that fed him—after all, it was all for the sake of Yingfeng.
Su Chen seed sowhat hesitant. "Why seek out?"
"Because your background is the cleanest, and your mindset the most resolute." Cheng Lang stated solemnly: "With our assistance, your probability of becoming the Chief Inquisitor is overwhelmingly massive."
"Su Chen?" Who knew when Sang Hanhai had co downstairs, yet he was already standing at the door of the laboratory, shouting.
"Professor Sang." Cheng Lang imdiately turned around, going along smoothly. "The Director asked to co collect the translated materials regarding the 'High-Heat Energy Core'."
Sang Hanhai threw a suspicious glance at Cheng Lang before noticing Su Chen wave his hand, already far away in the distance. He said indifferently: "It's not done yet. You can take the completed portions of the translation first."
Stepping out of the main gates of the Class Decoding Departnt, Su Chen boarded the hover car, gazing out the window. "The Adjudication Court's reforms have allowed the Security Bureau to spot an opportunity as well."
As for his thoughts on this——
"That's truly exactly what Cheng Lang said to you?"
Behind an eerily levitating cyan-grey alloy desk, Chong Jingtian switched off the virtual screen, gazing at the slightly rigid Su Chen before him.
"Not a single character was altered," Su Chen stated solemnly.
"Specially going to the Class Decoding Departnt to ambush you... That place is not the Adjudication Court's domain, nor do we lack manpower there. It truly is an excellent place for a conversation." Chong Jingtian nodded, a surveying guise hidden within his gaze.
This was his second ti eting Su Chen. His previous understanding regarding him was largely superficial information on paper.
"What are your thoughts?" Chong Jingtian abruptly asked.
"I am a man of the Adjudication Court. I will absolutely never commit betrayal," Su Chen stated in a deep voice.
"The Adjudication Court and the Security Bureau's three major departnts... both ultimately belong to the people of Yingfeng." Chong Jingtian waved his hand. "Such things cannot be considered as betrayal or not."
Su Chen felt utterly speechless internally. He truly didn't know whether Chong Jingtian genuinely possessed such thoughts or if he was simply faking it.
"Actually, making contact with them is not necessarily unfeasible." Turning around, Chong Jingtian stated this instead. "The resources the Adjudication Court can provide you are ultimately limited. Making contact with Yingfeng's other factions also carries benefits."
"Benefits..." Light glimred faintly in Su Chen's eyes. He understood Chong Jingtian's intentions; this was to have him act as a double-agent spy.
Actually, this was precisely his plan to begin with: swallow the sugar coating and toss the cannonball back at them.
But he didn't believe he was capable of arm-wrestling against the Security Bureau's three major departnts, which was precisely why he reported this matter to Chong Jingtian. With his endorsent, there would be soone to take the bla if sothing went wrong.
"I understand." Su Chen nodded.
Gazing at this excessively young face before him, Chong Jingtian inexplicably recalled his younger self. He couldn't resist asking: "Why were you able to resist the temptation?"
"A 3rd-tier top-tier profession. They've already guaranteed your success. Do you truly harbor not even the slightest urge to simply give it a try?"
Chong Jingtian knew the three departnts' thoughts perfectly well. Utilizing the uncertainty of the Core Seeds, they would toss out benefits first to bait Su Chen onto the hook.
Following that, they would cause him to sink deeper and deeper until extricating himself beca an impossibility.
But he found it very difficult to guess Su Chen's true thoughts. Cheng Lang had just finished conversing with him, yet he arrived at his office in the blink of an eye, divulging the entire matter without holding back a single droplet.
Even if he didn't trust Cheng Lang, and didn't trust the three major departnts, facing a top-tier profession, facing the position of Chief Inquisitor, facing an escape route as Director of the Security Bureau... He actually harbored not even an inkling of an idea?
It wasn't as if the other party told him to imdiately perform certain actions right now. Yet, Su Chen actually didn't even possess the thought of trying to see where it went.
This young man... Did he already guess that he would order him to beco a double-agent spy, or was he genuinely loyal to the Adjudication Court? Chong Jingtian couldn't be certain.
Su Chen blanked. He truly never anticipated this Chief Inquisitor to raise such a blunt question.
"I still prefer having my feet firmly planted on the ground." He provided an answer that couldn't truly be considered an answer.
Ultimately, it was primarily because the bargaining chips Cheng Lang tossed out truly held no allure to him. Did he need the other party to guarantee his ascension to a 3rd-tier top-tier profession?
"No wonder..." Chong Jingtian didn't know what he was truly sighing about as he waved his hand. "Go. Just how many benefits you can pluck out from their hands will depend purely on you. However, do not ever touch that top-tier profession. I roughly know exactly what that thing entails; there will be hidden perils."
"I understand." Su Chen rose, just about to leave when he heard Chong Jingtian speak once more: "Tell , did they only seek you out?"
Piercing light flashed within Su Chen's eyes as he shook his head: "I do not know."
"I hope... there remain individuals like yourself, willing to march straight into my office." Chong Jingtian's voice carried a certain degree of anticipation.
Your sudden, sweeping reforms practically broke their hearts to pieces; who knows how viciously they're cursing you out in secret right now, yet you still actually expect soone to co forward and treat you with utmost sincerity?
Su Chen muttered to himself covertly as he walked out of the office. Exactly how many people Cheng Lang or the three major departnts had sought out, he didn't know.
But he wasn't naive enough to believe that he was the other party's sole choice either. Background the cleanest? Mindset the most resolute? Nothing more than sheer pretexts.
"The number of folks staring at truly isn't small. I should advance to the third tier as quickly as possible."
(End of this chapter)
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