The spacious living room was unusually filled with people.
Chen Xiang sat upright, his gaze fixed on the relaxed Director Wang, absentmindedly rubbing the cracks of his wrist tattoo. He asked,"Instructor Lin and Master Li, I apologize for not being prepared for your visit."
He deliberately avoided mentioning Wang directly.
"Little Chen, you flatter me!"Li Dongyun laughed heartily."I didn't expect to see Instructor Lin again."
He clasped his fists toward Lin Yulang."Instructor Lin, how have you been?"
"I'm quite well,"she replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Both had been held at the secret office, and while Li Dongyun suspected Lin's deep ties to the Crocodile Gate, Lin had her own suspicions about Li's true identity, likely linked to a hidden cult.
Despite their mutual wariness, they engaged in friendly banter.
Chen Shaoyan and Chen Xin poured tea for their guests while Silly Girl idly played with her fingers. Luo Saling sat calmly in his wheelchair, observing the scene like a spectator.
"Instructor Lin, Director Wang,"Chen Shaoyan greeted cautiously, then asked curiously,"Master, what brings you here at this late hour...?"
Li Dongyun leaned back on the sofa with a hearty laugh but soon turned serious."Actually, I came to see you. There have been some issues lately while you've been away from the gate…"
Chen Shaoyan blinked in surprise."What kind of issues?"
Lin Yulang listened with interest, while Director Wang occasionally glanced at Silly Girl, seemingly intrigued.
Li Dongyun took a moment before speaking softly."After Wu Jinlu's unexpected death, his son failed to rise to the occasion, and the Crocodile Gate has weakened significantly. However…"
He frowned, continuing,"A nine-ring underground force has crossed over, led by a complete madman, who's starting to rival the Crocodile Gate against us."
"Is that true?"Chen Shaoyan was visibly shocked, and Chen Xin looked equally stunned."The police haven't received any reports."
Li Dongyun shook his head."This only happened a couple of days ago. They acted swiftly. I crossed paths with their leader and exchanged a few blows—neither of us gained a clear advantage…"
Chen Shaoyan was even more surprised, and now even Chen Xiang turned his attention.
He alone understood Li Dongyun's true prowess, close to the sage level of the extraordinary!
But Chen Xiang felt a twinge of confusion. His sister had some status in the Fire Gate but was just a minor leader, while his older brother, a newly appointed high-ranking officer, held a mere symbolic position without real power.
So why had Li Dongyun come to visit them? Was it really about him?
Sure enough, Li Dongyun coughed twice and said with a smile,"Those nine-ring thugs are lawless. I can barely contend with them; the police can't suppress them either. Only the secret office might be able to intervene…"
Chen Xiang realized that Li Dongyun thought he had strong connections within the secret office, wanting him to pull some strings. But he knew better—he had no such ties, and Vice Director Wu had only been deceived by the mirror!
It was best to keep his distance to avoid any trouble if things got exposed.
While Chen Xiang pondered, Lin Yulang coughed softly and added,"I'm here to see Little Chen as well; it relates to the nine rings."
Chen Shaoyan and Chen Xin quickly turned their respectful gazes to Lin Yulang, while Chen Xiang and Li Dongyun looked on with curiosity.
Lin Yulang smiled."The chaos in the nine rings has persisted for too long. The academy intends to stabilize the situation without overt action, so they plan to let students undergo some practical training."
Pausing, he continued,"Due to certain special policies from the Inner Three Rings, first-level professors cannot enter the nine rings, and first-level instructors cannot go frequently. Thus, the responsibility falls to the teaching assistants."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shaoyan and Chen Xin grew visibly tense, knowing well how chaotic the nine rings could be. They couldn't afford to offend Lin Yulang, and the Giant Academy couldn't either.
Chen Xiang's brows furrowed."Instructor Lin, what do you mean?"
"Mid-month, the practical teaching assistants will be responsible for taking three to four outstanding students to the nine rings for training,"Lin Yulang explained softly."There are risks, but also benefits. No matter how big of a mess you make in the nine rings, the academy will take responsibility. Plus, assistants who perform well will be promoted to instructor level... Little Chen, this is your chance."
Chen Xiang frowned."Instructor, can I opt out?"
He was reluctant to take unnecessary risks.
"No, you must go,"Lin Yulang replied, glancing at Director Wang."But don't worry; they're just a bunch of thugs, nothing too troublesome."
Chen Xiang's frown deepened. He had many questions swirling in his mind: Why did the Inner Three Rings prohibit first-level professors from entering the nine rings?
The so-called chaos in the nine rings likely paled compared to true extraordinary power, yet the Great City didn't intervene. Instead, the academy's sudden decision seemed more like an attempt to assist the nine rings within the confines of policy.
After a moment of contemplation, Chen Xiang directly asked,"Instructor Lin, is the academy trying to help the common people of the nine rings?"
Chen Shaoyan and Chen Xin were puzzled, but Lin Yulang nodded,"That's the idea."
"I see,"Chen Xiang replied, his expression becoming serious as he turned to the composed Director Wang."But I'm curious about your purpose here, Director."
Wang raised his head with a warm smile."Two things: first, to see how Silly Girl is doing, and second…"
His gaze deepened."Thanks to Instructor Lin's assistance, I've managed to acquire an assistant position at the academy. I plan to visit the nine rings mid-month, and I wanted to build rapport with you, Mr. Chen."
Chen Xiang felt a jolt of unease. This man was rumored to be a sage, yet he was showing a keen interest in him—was it related to the Wu Manor incident or the black flame's detection? Perhaps both?
As Wang smiled benevolently, Chen Xiang felt a creeping sense of danger and insecurity. He considered taking preemptive action, but the orphanage had many vulnerable children. Summoning a powerful ghost could spell disaster for them.
He lowered his gaze.
As Chen Shaoyan and Chen Xin chatted with the guests, time slipped away, and the unexpected visitors took their leave, leaving the house quiet once more.
"Little brother,"Chen Shaoyan said worriedly,"the situation in the nine rings isn't good. I'll ask the Master if we can borrow some personnel."
Chen Xin, looking serious, added,"While I lack real power at the police station, I can still mobilize some officers."
In their eyes, Chen Xiang remained just the ordinary younger brother.
He smiled lightly."Sister, Brother, don't worry; we have two weeks. Besides, with the academy involved, what danger could there be?"
Chen Shaoyan still looked uneasy but didn't press further. After tucking Silly Girl into bed and insisting Lu Saleng sleep, she headed straight to Chen Xiang's room.
"Little brother,"she said seriously,"tell me honestly, have you opened that thing...?"
"Not yet, Sis. The box is right here."Chen Xiang pulled out the intricately carved wooden box from beneath his bed.
He had brought it back a while ago to prevent the original owner from discovering anything in the hidden chamber.
"Then you need to find a way to turn it in! It's a hot potato!"
"It's complicated,"Chen Xiang replied, shaking his head."It's been nearly a month; how and when to submit it is a big issue, and…"
He hesitated, his gaze flickering.
And soon, the mysterious 'Original' would come to collect the visualization diagram.
After a brief silence, Chen Shaoyan sighed, concern etched on her face. Before leaving, she firmly stated,"I'll contact a few 'underground hunters' to protect you when you go to the nine rings."
"Sis, really, you don't have to—"Chen Xiang started, but her intense gaze silenced him, and he reluctantly agreed,"Okay, I'll follow your arrangements."
After she left, Chen Xiang sank onto his soft bed, his mood darkening.
What did the seemingly sage-like orphanage director want?
He disliked the feeling of being watched and the constant pressure weighing on him."Is he truly a sage, or something even stronger?"he muttered to himself.
Recalling the day's events, he sensed something was off: the academy's sudden decision to send students into the perilous nine rings, the potential presence of a cultist sage, and the Great City's indifference toward the chaos there.
Chen Xiang buried these thoughts deep, unusually skipping his usual training, instead covering himself with blankets and drifting into sleep.
"O great Emperor Titan…"
Prayers cascaded in waves.
Next door, Lu Saleng suddenly opened his eyes, brows furrowed. A weak instinct warned him, but even after scanning the surroundings and probing the entire eight rings, he found no cause for concern.
"How strange…"he murmured before wearily closing his eyes again, succumbing to sleep.