Forgotten Photo Studio

Chapter 138 Global Broadcast
Just do it.

Xu Yan formed a special hand seal with both hands, as recorded in the "Eighteen Gates Secret Records," which was specifically used to guide low-level wandering souls, while chanting a deep incantation.

He deliberately controlled the output and nature of his psychic energy, avoiding touching any level that carried malevolent energy or resentment.

Soon, an extremely faint, almost transparent, and blurry spirit, almost invisible, silently coalesced before him like a jellyfish.

It showed no signs of consciousness, simply hovering aimlessly; this was what was known as a "blank wandering spirit."

Chen Zhiwei carefully drew out a wisp of pure Yang energy from the ancient compass in his bosom, as thin as a wisp of silk, like injecting a ray of light into a transparent balloon, and gently wrapped it around the core of the "Blank Wandering Soul".

Then, she manipulated this special "vessel" that had almost no energy fluctuations and no emotions, making it drift slowly and uncertainly toward that restless, dark core, like a dandelion seed being blown by a gentle breeze.

Inside the observation room, the technician stared at the faint, almost negligible summon signal on the energy detector, utterly bewildered: "What did he summon? The energy response is so weak? What's the use of this thing?"

Lin Lan's pupils contracted slightly, and her body leaned forward involuntarily: "It's not about fighting with power... he summons 'emptiness,' 'nothingness'... using the 'emptiest' container to hold the 'purest' order, to pollute the 'turbid' chaos... truly... a genius idea!"

Inside the corridor, the "blank wandering soul" enveloped in an aura of order drifted into the outer edge of the darkness without any hindrance.

Because it has no pain to absorb, and its own presence is so faint as to be almost nonexistent.

Ultimately, guided by Xu Yan's exquisite intentions, this special vessel touched the white light pulsating at the core of darkness.

Om-! ! !
Like pure ice crystals falling into boiling magma!

The white light, symbolizing the source of suffering, suddenly burst forth with a blinding yet ominous flash. The entire dark mass, as if being violently torn apart from the inside by an invisible giant hand, began to twist and expand wildly and out of control.

A piercing scream emanated from within, as countless painful runes shattered and laws broke.

"retreat!"

Xu Yan gave a low shout and pulled Chen Zhiwei back to the corner of the wall, activating the Jade Cicada's concealment effect to its maximum.

The next second, a dull thud, originating from the very rules, echoed throughout the room.

In the midst of extreme internal conflict, that mass of darkness suddenly collapsed inward, then transformed into countless tiny, lifeless black specks of light, falling like ashes scattered by the wind.

The core white light also completely dimmed, shattered, and disappeared without a trace.

The suffocating pressure in the room vanished instantly.

The rule structure has collapsed. The target 'rule complex' has been deactivated.

[Residual Energy: Dissipates rapidly.]

[Assessment Result: Harmless treatment (permanent) completed.]

A cold, inaudible notification sounded, confirming their success.

Xu Yan let out a long sigh of relief; his back was already soaked with cold sweat.

Chen Zhiwei was also almost exhausted, leaning against the wall, but her face showed the joy of surviving a disaster and winning. The scene in front of her began to blur and dissipate slowly, like a faded ink painting.

The observation room was completely silent.

The technician stared at the zeroed threat index and the words "Permanent processing complete" on the screen, his mouth agape. After a long pause, he stammered, "...Success? Using the weakest 'blank wandering soul,' combined with a trace of pure yang energy, it triggered the target's self-destruction... This...this is using a wandering soul like a surgical scalpel..."

Lin Lan slowly sat up straight, and finally revealed an undisguised smile full of admiration and deep inquiry.

“Absolutely brilliant.” She said softly, her gaze seemingly piercing through the screen, trying to memorize Xu Yan’s appearance. “This is… the true ‘potential’ we’ve been searching for.”

In the pure white assessment room, Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei opened their eyes at the same time, as if they had just woken up from a long dream.

There was no physical injury, but the mental exhaustion was real.

Lin Lan stood in front of them, holding an electronic notebook in her hand, on which complex data was scrolling rapidly.

She looked at Xu Yan, her eyes filled with undisguised amazement and... a hint of deeper meaning.

“A remarkable performance, Mr. Xu, Ms. Chen.” Her voice remained steady, but subtle changes in tone revealed her inner turmoil. “When faced with an E+ level critical anomaly, you chose the most difficult ‘rule overriding’ path, and… you succeeded. Although it was only a temporary hibernation, this has far exceeded the cognitive scope and capability limits of Bronze-level, and even most Silver-level contractors.”

She manipulated the notebook, and two faint lights were projected onto temporary bracelets that had appeared on Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei's wrists at some unknown time.

"Congratulations on successfully passing the fast-track evaluation." Lin Lan announced, "Xu Yan, your contractor level has been directly promoted from Bronze II to Silver II. Chen Zhiwei, as a key support, has been rated as Silver III."

This leap is enormous, skipping directly from Bronze I and Silver III!

“You have been granted the corresponding permissions and resource quotas. More importantly,” Lin Lan said meaningfully, looking at Xu Yan, “you have been placed on the center’s ‘key observation list.’ I hope you… will make good use of this power.”

Lin Lan handed two brand-new, square badges with intricate silver patterns to Xu Yan and Chen Zhiwei respectively.

The badge was cool to the touch and had a unique texture, clearly indicating that it was more than just a symbol of status.

"Congratulations on your official promotion." Her tone was businesslike and rigorous, but there was a subtle, almost imperceptible consideration in her eyes. "Your personal information and new level permissions have been updated and entered into the central database. As is customary, all information regarding contractors being promoted to Silver level or above will be broadcast throughout the internal system for six hours to ensure... the rational allocation of resources and the smooth coordination of tasks."

A citywide broadcast announcement will be made for six hours!
These words exploded in Xu Yan's mind like a thunderclap.

In an instant, many previously vague clues suddenly became clear.

He had always wondered why, shortly after he was promoted to Silver rank, that mysterious and powerful "Judge" was able to find him so accurately, as if he had already locked onto him as a target.

So that's where the root of the problem lies!
Once you reach the Silver level, your name and basic information will be exposed in this internal "broadcast," like lighting a lamp in a dark forest, immediately attracting the attention of all lurking "hunters."

The forces behind the judge clearly have the authority or ability to monitor the center's reporting system.

"It seems... I don't have much time left to prepare." Xu Yan felt a chill in his heart, and a strong sense of urgency arose spontaneously.

He could almost foresee that the trigger for that bizarre cleanup mission and the brutal battle he was forced to participate in was likely this promotion announcement.

(End of this chapter)