"Thank you..." Zhang Yunqing walked back in from outside the main hall and expressed her gratitude to him. She was talking about the mont Pang Yongliang launched his ambush when she was sent flying away by Su Chen.
Su Chen didn't mind it. Turning around, he looked at Zhou Jun, who she had brought over in custody. At this mont, Zhou Jun was trembling like a sieve, his face completely pale, unable to even stand properly.
"Speak up. Exactly what... is going on here?" Wu Yang's expression was icy cold. He pressed down on his head, forcing him to look toward the crater.
Zhou Jun had a tearful, miserable face. "I don't know, I don't know, I genuinely don't know anything! I was rely sent here as a person-in-charge; I've only been responsible for half a year."
"Examine my mories, examine my mories—"
This thod, normally avoided by people like a venomous snake or scorpion, conversely beca his lifesaving straw at this mont.
With a wave of Wu Yang's hand, he was taken back down. Wu Yang frowned and said, "I estimate he genuinely doesn't know anything."
"But with such a massive underground space, how did they enter and exit?"
"Let's wait for the people down below," Su Chen said concisely.
Nearly a hundred inquisitors had entered the crater. In scarcely ten minutes, reports ca back.
"We have discovered sothing suspected to be an Evil God Artifact..." Upon receiving the report, Wu Yang looked up at Su Chen.
"Let's go down and take a look."
Su Chen imdiately jumped down, with Wu Yang and the others following closely behind.
It was roughly a hundred ters deep. Spotlights had already been set up all around, yet the cavern remained gloomy and dark. The reason was because the grayish-brown tal adhered to the walls absorbed the light.
"Twilight Ink Gold... it can shield against ntal energy and absorb the vast majority of detection waves..." Zhang Yunqing went up and touched it, explaining.
"No wonder... truly a massive expenditure. The value of this stuff isn't low..." Wu Yang couldn't help but marvel. Looking at Su Chen, he hesitantly probed, "Should we dig it out and split it according to the rules?"
"Whatever you see fit?" Su Chen looked around. The paths extended in all directions, entirely forged from Ink Gold. Markers were placed at every section of the pathways, indicating that they had been explored and were devoid of danger.
Along the way, they could also encounter inquisitors hauling out Believers of Black Buddha.
These Believers of Black Buddha had all been sealed by You Shan. A layer of a translucent, glass-like substance was adhered to the surface of their bodies, rendering them completely unable to move. However, their numbers weren't high; adding them all up, there were only a dozen or so.
In a re two or three minutes, the group arrived at the reported area. This was a small room, rather cramped; standing with just two or three people inside made it feel crowded.
Placed upon the circular altar in the center were three black tal boxes. Their material was practically identical to the small chest Su Chen had obtained when he killed Pang Xingwen last ti.
"Boxes forged imbued with teoric iron; they can isolate our equipnt used for detecting Evil God auras." Wu Yang recognized them at a single glance. Catching sight of Su Chen's movent from the corner of his eye, he instantly lost his voice and shouted, "Wait!"
With a crack, Su Chen had already forcefully pried open a box. Inside lay an Evil God Artifact of Black Buddha. He reached his hand out and took it out.
"You—" Wu Yang snatched it over, angrily shouting a stern reprimand: "Why are you being so reckless!?"
"If your ntal resilience isn't sufficient, rashly coming into contact with it will cause you to be corrupted!"
"It's empty," Su Chen wasn't angry either, rely pointing at the Evil God Artifact as he spoke.
Wu Yang froze. Only then did he realize that the Evil God Artifact in his hand was indeed empty.
"Furthermore, my ntal resilience is very sufficient—" As he spoke, Su Chen pried open another box.
The muscles on Wu Yang's cheeks twitched, only to hear Su Chen frown, "Empty again?"
Wu Yang reached out to take the other Evil God Artifact Su Chen was holding outward. He then saw him pry open the final box and raise his eyebrows. "Unexpectedly empty again."
"All three are empty?" Wu Yang couldn't be bothered to lecture Su Chen about the degree of caution required when coming into contact with Evil God-related items.
He was quite astonished as he said, "How could it be like this? Could it be that the Priest of Black Buddha used up all three Evil God Artifacts during the ambush just now?"
"Perhaps. Since he was discovered inside Yingfeng, he definitely wouldn't be able to escape. He probably didn't want to leave them for us." Su Chen's gaze beca unfocused; he had already opened his panel.
In truth, only one of the three Evil God Artifacts was genuinely empty. The other two had been temporarily drained by him. Two portions of [Low-Tier Power of Black Buddha] were already stored conspicuously within his panel.
Su Chen secretly surmised, 'Low-Tier Evil God Power can only take effect on 3rd-tier professions. I wonder if it can be upgraded, or if I need to drain power from better Evil God Artifacts?'
"Even if they are empty, we must still be cautious!" Returning to his senses, Wu Yang placed these Evil God Artifacts back into their boxes and handed them to the inquisitors beside him. "Register them into storage."
Turning around, he instructed Su Chen again, "The thods of the Evil Gods are difficult to fathom. Absolutely do not take them lightly."
Su Chen naturally understood this. He was rely taking the opportunity to drain their power. If they truly entered storage, he would never be able to co into contact with them again.
Knowing that Wu Yang's intentions were good, he put on an appearance of having been eagerly taught a lesson and nodded solemnly.
Since Su Chen was, after all, a Core Seed, Wu Yang couldn't say much else. Coincidentally at this ti, another new report arrived. He was stunned as he said, "The entire subterranean cavern has already been completely explored; there are absolutely no exits to the outside."
"No exits?" Su Chen was also very surprised. "Could it be that they use so sort of ability to enter and exit? Or perhaps, from the mont this place was built, this group of people has been sealed underground, rely operating the outside world via remote control?"
"Regardless, their plot is definitely not small. Fortunately, they were discovered this ti," Wu Yang said with lingering fear.
As the few of them walked outside, soone hurriedly ca forward to report again: "Discovered a half-damaged Incantation Scroll."
"An Incantation Scroll?" Su Chen's heart skipped a beat, and he asked doubtfully.
Yingfeng strictly guarded and prevented the leakage of information related to the Evil Gods. He had practically no ans to learn more detailed information through public channels.
Wu Yang increased his walking pace slightly, responding, "The number of high-ranking believers like Priests and High Priests is too few. Therefore, Incantation Scrolls exist to assist regular believers in communicating with the Evil Gods."
"So that's how it is." Su Chen roughly understood. Making a few turns within the cavern, they arrived at the location.
In the central area clustered by several inquisitors lay a half-destroyed black hide scroll. The edges still bore scorching crimson burn marks, flickering with sparks.
An inquisitor reported, "There was originally a believer here. He was likely in the midst of destroying it, but was sealed by the Chief Inquisitor halfway through, leaving half of it behind."
Wu Yang's eyes were sharp and hands were fast. He picked up the item before Su Chen could bend over. Written on it were mysterious characters resembling tadpoles. The two leaned in to take a glance, only for their eyes to swim dizzily; they didn't recognize a single one.
"This kind of incantation needs to be translated after returning, and then handed over to the Adjudication Court," Wu Yang coughed dryly twice.
Su Chen, however, said, "It might contain critical information. If we don't figure it out, the rits for our operation this ti might be greatly discounted."
"I can attempt to translate it." A voice spoke from behind. It was unexpectedly Zhang Yunqing. She said, "I have studied incantationology."
"Since I am not a Believer of Black Buddha, executing a simple translation won't cause any problems."
Wu Yang hesitated for a mont. eting the gazes of the several inquisitors, he had no choice but to hand it over. "Be careful."
No one wished for their rits to be greatly discounted.
Zhang Yunqing took it. The upper half of the hide scroll had practically been entirely burned away; only the lower half remained.
"This is Dragon Lizard Demon Hide..." rubbing it between her hands, she said, "Even among materials used to record incantations, it belongs to the high-tier—"
Walking to the side, she pulled out a piece of paper and began translating the incantations one by one.
This evidently wasn't sothing that could be completed in a short amount of ti. Su Chen and Wu Yang went out to patrol the surroundings once more.
There weren't many things left behind here. Everything that needed to be destroyed had already been destroyed. There were also so materials for executing Black Buddha's evil arts, which made one nauseous just looking at them.
Everything that needed to be sealed was sealed. The nurous inquisitors then carefully and ticulously pried open the wall crevices inside and out. Only after confirming nothing had been neglected did they prepare to hand it over to the Supervision Guards waiting outside.
"The translation is finished—" Zhang Yunqing's expression was grave. Holding a piece of paper in her hand, she hurriedly sought out Wu Yang and Su Chen.
After hesitating slightly, she still handed it to Su Chen first, massaging her forehead. "Su Chen was right. The information within it is extraordinary—"
"—My Lord within the Rift—"
What t his eyes first was a stanza of a chant. Just as Su Chen cast a glance and was about to morize it in his heart, the panel suddenly popped out.
【Priest of Black Buddha (Believer Disguise) has acquired incomplete knowledge belonging to Black Buddha. Awakened a new ability.】
【Chant -- Divine Blood Manipulation: Through complex and devout chanting, one can mobilize the Divine Blood belonging to Black Buddha.】
'It was actually absorbed as an ability!?' Su Chen was quite amazed internally. The translated text in his hand had already been taken by Wu Yang, who looked thoughtful. 'Or perhaps, this was originally an ability belonging to the Priest of Black Buddha to begin with, but since I am rely disguised and never had the opportunity to co into contact with Black Buddha, I hadn't acquired it yet.'
'I wonder how it's supposed to be mobilized. That egg could even corrupt Wei Yinshuo, so the might of the Divine Blood within it is undeniably extraordinary as well.'
As he secretly speculated, Zhang Yunqing continued:
"—Through analysis of the chant, this was likely used to mobilize Black Buddha's Divine Blood—"
"Mobilize the Divine Blood!?" Standing beside Su Chen, Wu Yang's expression was horror-stricken. More than enough events had transpired today, yet these few words still caused him to nearly lose control.
"Divine Blood... does this an there is still Black Buddha's Divine Blood within Yingfeng City!?"
"A massive disaster is about to happen, a massive disaster is about to happen—" Wu Yang's expression fluctuated between dark and clear.
Zhang Yunqing added, "What's even more troubleso is that the upper half has already been destroyed, so it's unknown what was recorded there. However, for it to be recorded together with the Divine Blood, I'm afraid it's no trivial matter."
"Fortunately, ordinary believers must rely on Incantation Scrolls to mobilize the Divine Blood, and the Priest of Black Buddha here has already been imprisoned by the Chief Inquisitor. For a short ti, no major incident should occur."
Only then did Wu Yang return to his senses, saying in a heavy voice, "Su Chen, this matter must be reported upwards at the very first possible mont."
"Mm." Su Chen nodded solemnly as well. "Submit both the translation and the incantation scroll simultaneously."
Since the matter of the Divine Blood had surfaced, Wu Yang ordered the inquisitors to thoroughly search the place inside and out once more. He even interrupted the handover process completely, strictly forbidding the Supervision Guards from interfering again.
"Su Chen, I'm looking for Su Chen—"
Right after they finished packing the items, soone barged into the main hall holding a set of inquisitor heavy armor. His voice was rushed and fraught with anxiety.
In the very first mont upon entering the door, he locked onto Su Chen and rushed up.
"Senior Brother?" Su Chen looked over in surprise. The newcor was exactly Bu Siqi, but an unprecedented unease covered his face. The mont he opened his mouth, he dropped a bombshell:
"Teng Liang... he killed ng Qi!"
Standing beside Su Chen, Wu Yang and the others were completely blown away by this bombshell. Their movents stiffened in place, staring blankly at Bu Siqi.
What exactly had they just heard?
Teng Liang, Chief Inquisitor Xia's student and one of the honorary directors of the Disciplinary Departnt, killed ng Qi, a potential-filled prospect who had just beco a Core Seed?
Was this a joke?
ng Qi was killed?
Su Chen felt a jolt of shock internally. He subsequently couldn't help but sigh in admiration at his Senior Brother; truly a man of swift and decisive action!
"What exactly happened? Why would Director Teng kill ng Qi!?" Wu Yang imdiately questioned. He was Teng Liang's die-hard subordinate, and his tone was frantic.
"Now is not the ti to talk about this. Su Chen, hurry up and co with ." Bu Siqi grabbed onto Su Chen, turning around with the intent to head outside.
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother!" Su Chen repeatedly called out. Bu Siqi's expression was terribly ugly as he completely ignored everything else, right up until he felt his hand suddenly turn empty.
He spun around in astonishnt, only to discover that Su Chen had sohow broken free from his vice-like grip.
The few people nearby were still in a state of shock, so they hadn't noticed Su Chen's flicker that looked like dropping fras.
'Entering the spatial interstitial layer for an instant and coming back out... it's actually quite a good thod for evading attacks and traps,' Su Chen couldn't help but think. Looking at Bu Siqi, his expression grew serious, his tone icy cold, "Senior Brother, calm down!"
"With you being this panicked and scattered, you won't be able to help with anything at all."
His tone was severe. Bu Siqi's expression was sowhat dazed, yet for an unknown reason, his anxious and agitated heart had indeed eased up slightly.
"Now, I need you to carefully tell exactly what happened!" Su Chen spoke again.
As if he had found a strong pillar of support, Bu Siqi took a deep breath. Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the pairs of eyes gazing at them from all around and dragged Su Chen up to the second floor.
Finding an empty room, only then did he slowly narrate, "It's like this—"
"...That's it?" After hearing the cause and effect, Su Chen was struck speechless.
He had assud Teng Liang had discovered so clue to strike so decisively. The result—it was purely an act of absolute violent aesthetics.
He also hadn't expected that a tiny hint from him would actually make Teng Liang lock onto ng Qi with the ferocity of a vicious dog.
Of course, the most crucial factor was still Old Xia. That parting speech before he left was the reason why Teng Liang took his words so seriously.
"...What's the situation now?" Su Chen asked again.
Hearing Su Chen's question, Bu Siqi had also cald down significantly by this point, saying in a deep voice, "The inquisitors present at the scene all saw it. There's no way to cover it up."
"The corpse has already been taken back to the Adjudication Court, and the Chief has initiated an 'Internal Trial'. Those guys who are at odds with Teacher will definitely seize this chance to madly add oil and vinegar."
"If we cannot prove ng Qi had a problem, then Old Teng is done for!"
This was absolutely no small matter. Additionally, Xia Hanshi's faction routinely offended quite a lot of people.
Su Chen pondered slightly and said, "Senior Brother, head back first and try every single possible thod to contact Teacher."
"Teacher himself is absent. Passing on a ssage won't be of much use," Bu Siqi understood his intent, sighing helplessly. "Old Teng struck far too ruthlessly, leaving zero room for moderation. Even if Teacher were physically here, if he couldn't prove ng Qi had a problem, he still wouldn't be able to forcefully protect him."
"Listen to . Go and contact him, and tell Teacher—" Su Chen lowered his voice to give instructions.
Bu Siqi's brows wrinkled slightly, but looking at the solemn Su Chen, he could only place his trust in him. "Alright, I will go contact him right now."
Su Chen then said, "Once I wrap things up here, I will imdiately return to the Adjudication Court."
Bu Siqi couldn't help but say, "What's left to wrap up? Hurry up and co back with ! You're the only Core Seed who actually has the right to say a few words!"
Su Chen patiently explained, "We discovered a Priest of Black Buddha at this place, along with an even more massive matter. I possess massive rits! I must handle things here properly before submitting them upward. Only then can I seize the opportunity to express my stance; otherwise, what right do I have to go up and spout nonsense?"
"A Priest of Black Buddha?" Bu Siqi was shocked. He genuinely hadn't expected that a massive incident had occurred here as well.
Su Chen's logic was sound. He didn't say anything further, hurriedly preparing to leave.
(End of this chapter)
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