Heavenly Ranking

Chapter 262 Temptation

Chapter 262 Temptation
While Ji Fuyou and his team were training in the ruins of Yindu, a noisy scene was also taking place at the Misty War Research Institute in Tiandu City.

"You said it would be done soon five months ago, but now, five months have passed and there's still no progress. If this isn't your responsibility as the dean, then whose is it?"

At this moment, it was Yun Mengqing who spoke: "You should know that the Griffin Republic has already developed the filling technology of War God Meteorite Iron and Ghost Silkworm Silk. With only a very small amount of War God Meteorite Iron and Ghost Silkworm Silk as a catalyst, they can refine Xuan Iron Heavy Armor and Spirit Silkworm Battle Suit with similar effects."

She said arrogantly, "And you, when will you be able to master the Asura Blade, the Demon-Suppressing Sword, and the Frost Iron technology? Give me a straight answer!"

"Technological breakthroughs require inspiration..."

Xia Zheng looked somewhat embarrassed.

"That's just an excuse. Ultimately, it's your poor management and limited ability."

Yun Mengqing directly said to him, "The two chairmen have already given you enough patience, manpower, and resources, and have provided whatever you asked for. How long do you plan to make them wait?"

Xia Zheng knew that he had no choice but to make a pledge.

After hesitating for a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Three months! Give me another three months! I will definitely be able to master the technology of Asura Stone, Demon-Suppressing Iron, and Frost Iron!"

"Too long!"

Yun Mengqing held up one finger: "One month!"

She said directly, "A major change is about to happen, and the two speakers urgently need some good news to win people's hearts. So, I'll give you a maximum of one month! After one month, we hope to hear good news from you."

"A month? How could that be possible in such a short time..."

"Are you still making excuses for yourself? Because of you, we missed out on a powerhouse comparable to a Martial Saint, and the higher-ups didn't say anything, yet you still haven't been able to demonstrate your worth?"

Yun Mengqing looked at Xia Zheng and sneered, "Now, whether it's the Fourth Speaker or the Sixth Speaker, they are all very disappointed in you."

Xia Zheng's face darkened: "Even without me, you might not be able to recruit Ji Fuyou."

"You said it yourself, not necessarily, but it is because of your existence that the probability has been reduced from 50% to 40%, 30%, or even 20% or 10%."

When Yun Mengqing said this, considering that the other party was ultimately a spiritual master and had long since joined their side, showing great loyalty, she softened her tone slightly.

“Dean Xia, in our faction, the capable rise and the mediocre fall. Back then, you became the dean of the War Research Institute because of your outstanding abilities, despite the opposition. But if you really feel that you are not up to the task... a little concession will actually make the two chairmen and others look at you with more respect.”

Xia Zheng sneered.

Do you want him to make way for the younger people below?
How can it be!

He's not dead yet!
Has the political struggle reached him?
"Alright, I need to coordinate all the resources of the research institute to tackle the synthesis technology of Asura materials, so I won't keep you any longer. Lü Yue, please see Master Yun off for me."

Xia Zheng emphasized the word "master" as he spoke.

Lu Yue, who was in the room as much as possible pretending not to exist, was forced to stand up when her name was called.

"Master Yun..."

"No need to send it. I just hope that Dean Xia will hear good news in a month."

After Yun Mengqing finished speaking, she turned and left.

After watching her leave, Lü Yue turned her gaze to Xia Zheng: "Dean..."

"Go ahead and do your thing."

Xia Zheng waved his hand.

"Yes."

Lü Yue responded and left, closing the door behind her.

After they left, Xia Zheng sat on the sofa, his expression shifting several times.

Depending on their background and origin, master-level martial artists can often rise to the highest rank of level three, or at least enjoy the benefits of level five public office.

And the spiritual master...

It's not difficult to obtain a Level 3 public office, but obtaining a Level 2 public office and truly entering the inner circle is not an easy task.

Not to mention Xia Zheng, who not only holds a second-level public office but also heads a powerful, wealthy, and well-connected department like the Mist War Research Institute.

A year ago, on a rare occasion when the spiritual master was in this position, no one dared to question him in the slightest.

But now...

As the mist intensifies its erosion of the Crimson Star, it also brings with it more high-level and top-tier source crystals.

Under the nurturing of these source crystals, more and more master-level martial artists, and even spiritual masters, have emerged.

Even the number of newly promoted Martial Saints has increased several times in the past six months.

Under such circumstances, some people naturally became dissatisfied with his high position and began to stir up trouble.

Yun Mengqing is an example of this.

Before becoming a spiritual master, she was aiming to become a member of the Heavenly Ranking Committee; now that she's a spiritual master...

The third-level committee members were clearly no longer enough for her.

"This is truly... a case of crossing the river and then burning the bridge..."

Xia Zheng snorted coldly.

Back then, wasn't it all to help Yun Mengqing and the others secure the interests of the Heavenly Ranking Committee?
In the end, they raised an ungrateful child.

Jingle Bell.

Just then, his phone received a picture.

This is his private phone number; not many people know this number, so theoretically there shouldn't be any spam messages.

Xia Zheng frowned and opened the image.

But after just one glance, his pupils shrank.

The picture shows a flying sword.

A flying sword forged from shimmering silver.

And the owner of this flying sword...

It was his deceased son, Xia Feng.

He had many descendants, but among them, the most outstanding, the most daring and courageous, and the only one with the potential to become a spiritual master was Xia Feng.

This is also why he went to such great lengths because of Xia Feng's death.

at the moment……

Besides the picture, the message also included a message and a number.

"To find out who really killed your son and to avenge him, dial this number."

Xia Zheng's expression changed in an instant.

After hesitating for a while, he took out another encrypted phone and dialed the number on it.

"Dean Xia."

A voice quickly came from inside: "We will send you the information about the murderer you requested soon."

"Who are you people?" "You'll know once you see the killer's file."

The voice on the phone said, "And we also have a way to avenge you."

Xia Zheng's expression was cold.

He soon received a document.

As he opened the file...

"Ji Fuyou!?"

Xia Zheng was taken aback. After glancing at the information, he quickly realized something: "You're Zhu Long's people?"

"good."

The voice on the phone said, "Ji Fuyou's men concealed their identities and made a move with the Silver Sword, but in Dragon Head Town, what information can be kept from us? And since Young Master Xia Feng's Silver Sword has appeared in Ji Fuyou's hands, I don't need to say more about who the murderer of Young Master Xia Feng is, do I?"

"How could it be him..."

Xia Zheng's eyes held a hint of disbelief: "According to our investigation, his whereabouts during that period were mostly traceable, so there was no way he had time to make a move."

"In the foggy era, anything can happen."

The voice on the phone responded in a deep voice: "Perhaps what you observed is not the real Ji Fuyou at all, or perhaps... he has access to some secret passages that allow him to travel between the two forbidden areas via another world."

They traveled through another world to visit two forbidden areas.

This is something that ordinary people don't know, but he, the director of the Mist War Research Institute, knows it very well.

Two seemingly unrelated forbidden areas on Red Star can instantly travel between worlds via special regions they call "connecting passages."

He remembered that Ji Fuyou had entered the forbidden area of Huanglong Cave for a period of time after leaving Tiandu City.

Could it be that……

There is a "connecting passage" in Huanglong Cave that leads directly to Bibo Lake!?
"However, even if you know that Ji Fuyou is the murderer who killed your son, you are probably powerless to do anything about it now."

The voice on the phone came again: "After all... not long ago, Ji Fuyou assassinated the master of my Dragon Head Town, Lord Zhu Long, the Divine Fist. Even if he had the advantage of a sneak attack and assassination, his strength is absolutely top-notch among spiritual masters."

"You're saying this on purpose, so there must be more to it. Tell me, what do you want? Or rather, what do you want to do?"

Xia Zheng sneered.

There seemed to be a brief pause on the other end.

After several seconds, he spoke again: "I'm sorry, I misspoke. When talking to a smart person like Dean Xia, you should get straight to the point."

After saying that, he went straight to the point: "Dean Xia is indeed unable to avenge your son Xia Feng right now, but what if... your strength could be improved further?"

"A step further?"

Xia Zheng frowned.

"For example, becoming a Martial Saint."

"Martial Saint!"

Xia Zheng's pupils contracted.

As the director of the Mist War Research Institute, he is not only a spiritual master, but also a martial arts master.

Furthermore, its physical strength stat is as high as 38 points.

Although he is still two or three purple physique source crystals away from reaching the threshold of Martial Saint, given his status, obtaining such a treasure is only a matter of time.

Reaching the threshold of Martial Saint is one thing, achieving Martial Saint status is another...

"Wait a minute!? You guys are eyeing those 61 pieces of material from the Heavenly Ranking?"

"As expected, Dean Xia guessed correctly right away."

"Heh, those people are personally guarded by Zuo Chunqiu, and Xiao Juechen and Zhao Changkong are also keeping a close eye on those 61 people to ensure that no one will hog the spoils. You still want to take advantage of those people? To use them to synthesize the Middle Heaven Rank and break through to Martial Saint?"

Xia Zheng's tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

“Our Dragon Head Town has naturally lost this qualification, but... several Martial Saints have been planning this for a long time.”

"Martial Saints? How many are there?"

Xia Zheng's expression changed slightly: "King of Equality, King of the Sun, who else? Lin Lun?"

"In short, as long as Dean Xia cooperates with us a little... you don't even need to be completely exposed. After it's done, 10 copies of these materials will belong to Dean Xia."

The voice on the phone said.

"Me? Those 61 people are in the hands of the Third Speaker and his ilk. What use would my cooperation be to you?"

That's our business.

The voice said, "Dean Xia, all you need to tell us is whether you plan to continue living in this muddle-headed way, watching your son's killer go unpunished, or whether you plan to take a gamble, strive to reach the Martial Saint level with the Middle Heaven rank, and then return as a Martial Saint to annihilate Ji Fuyou with overwhelming force and avenge your family?"

Xia Zheng did not speak.

In reality, more than seeking revenge for his son Xia Feng, he was concerned about what changes would occur to his identity if Xia Feng were to truly become a Martial Saint.

Yun Mengqing!?

Not to mention that she is no longer able to shake his position as the director of the War Research Institute, even if he finds a pretext to take her down and ravage her, the Fourth Speaker and the Sixth Speaker would never say a word against it.

A martial saint...

A martial arts master who also serves as a spiritual master definitely has this kind of weight!

At this point in his thoughts, Xia Zheng's mind began to change.

"What do you want to do?"

he asked in a deep voice.

"If Dean Xia is willing to join us, we will naturally inform you of our plans."

They quickly gave a reply over the phone.

Xia Zheng pondered again.

After a long pause, he finally said, "Won't I be exposed?"

"Of course, even if some people have doubts, once you become a Martial Saint, who would dare to be disrespectful to you based on mere speculation?"

The voice on the phone gave an affirmative answer.

Xia Zheng agreed with him.