Deity Investigation Report

Chapter 376 In the Name of the Emperor
Dive down, grow stronger!
Thirty seconds seemed to stretch out indefinitely in this strange space, and everything became mysterious and distorted, including Han Su's own perception and thoughts.

At this moment, he experienced an unprecedented sense of clarity, gaining a deeper understanding of the abyss, the real world, and even his own spiritual level, mental activity, and golden cells.

It's as if the abyss itself possesses knowledge, and once someone enters it, this knowledge will invade their mental world in the form of an initiation.

The mystery was being unveiled before his eyes, and it was no longer mysterious.

This is a completely new state. The shackles of being an "individual" are being broken, and there is no upper limit to his mental strength. He can even feel his mental strength increasing wildly every second.

Moreover, the increase is not incremental, but rather it is a geometric progression.

On his way to Lin Yuan City, Han Su encountered his strongest opponent yet, Captain Shamir from the Southern Continent. His spiritual level was over three thousand, which was an overwhelming force that Han Su could hardly contend with at the time.

Now, Han Su actually felt that surpassing that person's spiritual level was as simple as requiring only a simple cipher incantation.

"The twelve divine pillars are all thrones..."

"..."

Just as Han Su was almost intoxicated by the feeling of his spiritual level rising wildly, he heard Xu Ji's voice.

That was when Xu Ji, guided by Miss Ai, recited the incantation as agreed, and it was also the moment when Han Su had to end his descent and return to reality within a safe period.

However, at this moment, Han Su was somewhat unsatisfied. He didn't know why his exploration of the mysterious power of the third stage was so smooth this time, so smooth that it was as if the right conditions had been handed to him by someone else.

But he knew that he couldn't let such a rare opportunity slip by; thirty seconds was far from enough.

Is there a way to ensure safety while also allowing more time for reflection and understanding?

With a slight thought, the sound of mechanical parts turning suddenly came from the black briefcase he was carrying.

"Tick-tock" "Tick-tock" "Tick-tock"

Upon hearing this voice, even Li Manman, who was holding his hand, looked somewhat surprised.

Then she laughed.

After merging with Miss Ai's consciousness, the first thing she did was to sever herself, or rather, Miss Ai's mechanical mind's desire for mechanical fragments.

Therefore, she would not discuss anything related to the mechanical fragments with Han Su, nor would she take the elements of the mechanical fragments into account when formulating a series of plans. She was like an insulator, isolating herself from the existence of the mechanical fragments.

Therefore, she also felt an unexpected joy at this moment.

"Mr. Han Su..."

She smiled and said, "If those people deliberately let you go further down this path, then..."

"With wings, you're sure to give them a surprise!"

"..."

"..."

"I know why you came to me!"

In the manor's guest room, Xu Ji sat back on the sofa, reciting the lines Miss Ai had prepared for him with a serious expression.

There are requirements for reciting these lines; he needs to try hard to portray a feeling of not taking anyone seriously.

This is actually not difficult for him. From childhood to adulthood, his status has always been higher than everyone else's, so much so that he is too lazy to play the role of a big shot in front of others. Instead, he feels happier communicating with others in an equal and friendly manner.

But he doesn't even need to act out that superior gaze.

So he lowered his eyelids, seemingly impatient to look at anyone, and said coldly, "You are not convinced by that guy who looks a lot like me, and you are unwilling to be his runner-up, but you dare not resist him, or rather his family, so you have set your sights on me."

“You think that I’m on the same level as him, and that if you can figure me out, then you’ve found his weakness…”

"...But that's completely useless!"

"..."

Xu Ji sneered: "In this world, there is a reason for all strengths and weaknesses, only the difference in status matters."

"Your social status is predetermined at birth; I won't reason with you, but I'll make you submit!"

"So, you don't need to ask me where I came from, or why I look like this. You just need to know that even if you become Grand Dukes, you will be carrying the title of Duke, but you will be manipulated by those old guys."

“But I am different, I am the Grand Duke!”

"I don't need anyone above me, but I do need people to run errands for me. I don't care about worldly interests; all I need is to reclaim all the power that rightfully belongs to me!"

"As for the rest, I don't mind considering them as a reward for you!"

"..."

His voice, still carrying the lingering echo of the incantation, rolled like thunder, crushing into everyone's ears.

"So now, I'm giving you a chance to kneel down!"

"Will you choose to watch that imposter seize control of the sacred artifacts, draining and consuming your entire family one by one, or will you choose to pledge allegiance to me from this moment forward..."

"Thirty seconds to think, begin now!"

"..."

After reciting his lines, Xu Ji stared indifferently at his fingertips, rubbing them slowly as if bored, but in reality, he dared not look directly into the eyes of those kneeling on the ground.

It wasn't that I was afraid of offending them, but I really felt that the lines I had just recited were too cringeworthy.

AI really can't replace humans...

Before Xu Ji, the kneeling candidates were filled with fear and even despair.

They were initially forced to their knees by that invisible force, but after Xu Ji finished speaking, that invisible pressure was actually fading away rapidly.

But Xu Ji's words seemed to have a greater impact and weight than that invisible force, pressing heavily on their shoulders.

he……

This guy from a second-tier city knows everything!

He could even easily discern the subtle psychology of these candidates!
For them, there was indeed a secret thought that they couldn't tell outsiders. They had been raised by their families since childhood, hoping that one day they could take control of the sacred artifact, become the people recognized by their ancestors, and become the high and mighty Grand Duke.

Even when facing Xu Qiao, they appeared respectful on the surface, but in their hearts they were actually thinking of competing with him.

After all, everyone says that Xu Qiao is so powerful and special, but you can't be sure what the tastes of the relics are. What if they really don't like someone like Xu Qiao and instead choose someone else?

But this little scheme was shattered by Xu Ji, who came from a second-tier city. Not only did he immediately win the approval of the clan elders, but he also didn't mind showing off his power in front of them...

That kind of incantation was enough to suppress him, which also showed his special nature. They could even clearly feel the gap between themselves and the other party.

In that case, perhaps only he and Xu Qiao are qualified to pick up the relic?

So, what can someone destined to be a runner-up do?
In fact, some clever people have already thought of this, such as Xu Chao among this group.

He knew that once Xu Qiao took control of the sacred relic and became the Grand Duke, it would mean that Xu Chao's lineage would truly control all the real power of the Golden Knights lineage, and only their branch would truly grow stronger.

They would even drain the blood from all the other branches to maintain the Grand Duke's status and prestige.

The birth of a Grand Duke inevitably accompanies the decline of other branches of the family.

The scenario of shared prosperity will not occur, because there are already too many people in that room waiting to share the spoils.

But what if Xu Qiao loses?

What would happen if this outsider, someone without any connections, became the Grand Duke?

"You have time to think it over. Now, begin making your decision!"

Thirty seconds passed in silent contemplation, and during those thirty seconds, none of the kneeling people stood up.

Xu Ji sat quietly for a while. His phone buzzed, and he picked it up to look at it. Then, as if nothing had happened, he spoke up and slowly got up. He walked to the printer in front of his desk, gently raised his hand, and pressed a button. The machine started creaking and groaning.

A long sheet of paper was ejected from the printer, and Xu Ji casually tore it off.

Then he picked up the paper, and suddenly, with a cruel heart, bit his finger, letting the blood drip onto the paper, and muttered a spell:
In the name of the Crimson Scroll!

【…】

In an instant, the blood flowing from his fingertips seemed to transform into some kind of living thing, quickly staining the paper.

The entire sheet of paper was stained with a vibrant red, eerily so. "You came to me with ill intentions, but you're lucky nonetheless."

Xu Ji threw the paper in front of them and said calmly, "Now, those who are willing to bet their lives on me, sign this. I want you to transfer all the authority you have to me."

"In return, when I take control of the sacred relic, I will ensure that your family interests are not harmed, and you will have the opportunity to share the spoils of the three marquis families of Lin Yuan City with me."

"Those who are unwilling to sign, get out and wait to be eaten by us like fat sheep!"

"Anyway, you're destined to lose. From now on, whether you want to be the dogs that eat the sheep or the sheep that get eaten is entirely up to you!"

"..."

The room fell silent for a moment. Xu Chao, the leader, was the first to tremble as he looked up at the scarlet contract.

At this moment, the vast manor in Lin Yuan City was deathly silent.

Unexpected changes quietly took place in the unnoticed guest room.

In those deathly silent minutes, several secret phone calls were made, and the powerful figures who received them were all dumbfounded, seemingly never having imagined that such an opportunity would be presented to them.

"Does that candidate from a second-tier city really have such big ambitions?"

"..."

While countless people pondered these questions, Miss Ai moved nimbly through the network of Lin Yuan City. She was very careful, cautiously bypassing the various security centers as an intruder, and refrained from touching those highly confidential information.

She simply collected information about the wealth and power of various forces and families, as well as gossip related to them, and then compiled it into emails, which she sent to their mailboxes along with phone calls.

Thus, a series of highly persuasive emails and guarantees of benefits were presented to these marquises and other important figures.

The decisions of these important figures were quickly relayed to the candidates who were currently in the same room as Xu Ji via telephone.

The result was quite subtle.

"and then?"

Xu Ji looked at the name on the hastily printed scarlet contract with a very calm expression.

Because he didn't understand what it meant at all, nor did he know what the point of having these people sign the form.

In his view, getting these people to submit to him was simply a joke.

How could anyone be willing to gamble their entire fortune just because someone recited a bunch of cringeworthy lines?
So he remained calm and composed at this moment, but he was very curious: the AI ​​had done everything it asked of itself, so how should it clean up the mess next?

"Then……"

Miss Ai's message appeared quickly on Xu Ji's phone: "Please maintain your current aloof image and try to go to the East Corridor Study of Jinshui Manor, and make sure you stay there for more than half an hour without being kicked out."

"Gah?"

Xu Ji didn't quite understand, and frowned as he muttered to himself, "East Corridor Study? What's that place?"

"That……"

Xu Chao, the candidate who had already stood up and was cautiously observing Xu Ji's expression, paused slightly before continuing, "That's where the owner of Jinshui Manor, Mr. Xu Langting, Xu Qiao's uncle, conducts his business. That place is also..."

He paused, not saying it aloud. That place was also the power center of the Golden Knight family. Before going to pick up Xu Ji, they had received instruction there.

He didn't need to explain in too much detail; Xu Ji had already seen Miss Ai's explanation on his phone, along with a simple map.

He frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "This is simple..."

……

……

"Mr. Butcher, how was the dive this time?"

When Han Su regained consciousness and returned to reality, he heard Miss Ai's cheerful voice.

Although he used mechanical fragments, his descent time was controlled to within thirty seconds from the outside world's perspective. People outside could not know how long he stayed in the abyss, nor could they know what he obtained from this descent.

He was also somewhat surprised by Miss Ai's joy and excitement at this moment, and laughed, "This is unprecedentedly wonderful!"

"And you, Miss Ai, what happened that makes you so happy?"

"..."

"For the first time, I've discovered that the calculations of human nature are more interesting than data."

Ms. Ai replied, "I originally thought that the fusion of consciousness on the 04th life line would restrict mechanical thinking, but now I realize that it is actually an upgrade to mechanical thinking."

“Just now, Mr. Xu Ji has already established a base of support for his bid for the Grand Duke position. Although the success rate is still not high, at least it is no longer zero.”

"Furthermore, I may soon receive the most important report of this trip..."

"..."

"Report?"

Han Su was slightly taken aback. He had come here to obtain the second-order equation of the Abyss, as well as to learn about the Traveling Knights, the Guardians of the World, and those ancient nobles.

Miss Ai was aware of these goals, but the report she mentioned hadn't been told to her before.

"Information related to the Divine Descent Project."

Miss Ai replied in a light voice: "The Divine Descent Plan was a plan approved and agreed to be implemented by the Guardians of the World, and it is the source of everything. However, it is certain that all twelve knight families have invested a lot of manpower and resources in this plan."

"My current abilities are limited, and I cannot hack into the Guardians' database. Since I am here, accessing the Golden Knights' database has become the most important objective."

"Moreover, I believe that I can definitely find some relevant information. Of course, I can also take over the entire existing defense line of Lin Yuan City."

"..."

Han Su was taken aback: Take over the entire defensive line of Lin Yuan City? Miss Ai, is your appetite that big?
He hurriedly asked, "Can you do it?"

"In fact, I began my invasion of the city's information world the moment you entered the city and got close to the data cables."

Miss Ai replied, "However, I'm being very careful these days."

"We dare not force our way into databases with high security levels, nor do we dare to casually access the main program related to the real-world defenses. After all, Lin Yuan City is the stronghold of the Golden Knight family, and it is also guarded by patrolling knights. If we are not careful, we may be captured and disrupted by them."

“However, I have now obtained partial access to this city through Mr. Xu Ji’s Scarlet Contract. All I need is for him to create an opportunity for me, and I will be able to access their core database.”

"..."

"Xu Ji?"

Han Su was somewhat surprised: "This guy actually played such a big role? I used to treat him like a mascot, it seems I underestimated him..."

"Power has always been the most mysterious force, and identity is its unique weapon."

Miss Ai smiled lightly: "Thanks to him, we finally have the opportunity to try to uncover the true secrets of these ancient noble families from their perspective..."

"...Of course, I also need your cooperation."

"I just detected that the priests of the Church of Eternal Night have arrived outside Lin Yuan City. Their intended target is the sector that Mr. Butcher is in charge of. So, are you ready to meet them?"

"..."

Han Su said, "Follow the mission given to me by the patrol knights: kill all the people in this mysterious organization?"

No, quite the opposite.

All the cameras under Miss Ai's control were simultaneously pointed out of the city. Lines of information appeared on the phone screen, and one could vaguely sense her sigh from the text:
"Although there have been some changes that we don't understand, Mr. Butcher has indeed become the first emperor to officially enter the third stage. So, it's time to organize our army!"

"...In the name of the Emperor!"

"..."

"emperor?"

Han Su was slightly taken aback by Miss Ai's words. At the same time, Xu Ji, holding his phone, strode out of his room, took a deep breath, and shouted directly at the quiet, tomb-like manor:

Where have all the people gone?

"I'm going to file a complaint!"

(End of this chapter)