Deep in the Living

[Central Review Court]

Used to review serious violations within the Exploration Bureau, including but not limited to the killing of other normal investigators, leaking secrets, secretly colluding with monster organizations, and damaging important internal property of the organization.

The secret chamber is the foundation of the Exploration Bureau, the key for humans to catch up with monster growth, and where privilege lies.

Luo Di caused the complete destruction of an ordinary secret chamber, so naturally, he was brought here according to the rules.

All ministers without external tasks came to the scene. However, the entire review was quite swift. After thoroughly understanding the incident and examining Luo Di's physical condition, the verdict was not guilty.

Even if Luo Di's actions were intentional,

the Exploration Bureau would not pursue the matter either.

After all, being able to cultivate a young human with ministerial-level strength at the cost of an ordinary secret chamber is a bargain too good to pass up.

[Cafeteria]

Luo Di sat on one side, eating spicy wontons.

Yu Ze and Song Huiwen sat opposite him, having undergone significant changes as well.

Miss Song's once prominently exposed sharp teeth were now completely retracted into her mouth. Although a bit would show when she opened her mouth, her normal appearance was almost no different from humans now.

Yu Ze exuded an aura that felt like immortality, making him appear much steadier.

Luo Di wiped the oil off the corner of his mouth with a napkin, looking at the two opposite, "Yu Ze, I'll later bring back the information about Master Jiang exploring the depths of the dungeon—will you be participating when Teacher Guo starts forming the deep exploration team?"

"You're overestimating me. Besides, I want to live a little longer.

I still have a certain distance to go before achieving a garden structure with the hanging plant, and even then, I can't rush... the dangers of the dungeon's depths are too great; let the teachers consider that.

Moreover, we humans have other ways to obtain Divine Status, leading to the Corner Depths."

"The secret chamber?"

Yu Ze grinned, "Looks like you know a lot about this subject, fellow countryman. Yes, human investigators with a garden structure from the hanging plant can again visit the [Relic Chamber].

Lying in the coffin will take them to an entirely new ancient area, where they will face trials before becoming gods, and passing them will grant them Divine Status, allowing them to head deeper.

The specific difficulty is unknown, but it should be much better than the deepest part of the dungeon."

"Has anyone succeeded?"

"Currently, the strongest and most senior within the Exploration Bureau is the head of headquarters. He indeed could try, but considering the unstable foundation of the Bureau, he needs to hold the fort himself.

If anything goes wrong, causing the chief to be unable to return, the Exploration Bureau might be devoured by monsters and be forced to retreat to the Boundary.

Of course, now that the Exploration Bureau has partnered with Vortex Town, perhaps the headquarters chief is already preparing."

Luo Di was a bit puzzled, "Since no one has attempted it, how can anyone know about this? Information from the Information Chamber?"

"You guessed right~ The chamber decoding managed by the Technology Development Department not only enables us to open more chambers and obtain ancient technology within but also allows us to gather various effective information.

I'm drifting on, drifting on~ Why are you asking this, fellow countryman?

With 'eligibility' in your hand, when the time is ripe, just ascend directly—there's no need to take risks, right?"

"I might likely follow the teachers on a trip to the dungeon's depths, because..."

Luo Di detailed the information about the relic.

Yu Ze was already quite surprised by this hometown friend killing Master Jiang and inheriting his legacy, but he didn't expect an unexpected gain as well.

That unknown relic turned out to be some kind of key, needing to be activated at the dungeon's deepest part—Yu Ze had never even heard of such a situation.

"Why so desperate, fellow countryman? It's making me feel pressured. Didn't Joke already die? The Outer Realm threat is also temporarily gone—wouldn't it be better to develop steadily? Venturing deep now is not worth it at all."

Yet Luo Di's attitude was exceptionally firm, "The opportunity has already been placed in my hands. I can indeed wait. But if I wait too long and real danger descends, I might be the first to die."

Yu Ze raised his sunglasses, reined in his smile, and looked somewhat surprised at this fellow countryman in front of him, "Looks like Luo Di, your greatest gain from this trip to the Jiang Mansion wasn't Master Jiang's legacy, nor the intelligence from the Corner Depths, but yourself. Go back and give the intelligence to Teacher Guo; he will make adequate arrangements.

I'll be running on both ends anyway, ready anytime."

"Mm."

Luo Di didn't linger long; after finishing the soup in his bowl, he teleported away.

Looking at the food in the bowl, Yu Ze found himself inexplicably losing his appetite, and even chewing the food in his mouth became difficult to swallow.

Forcefully swallowing the food in his throat and rinsing his mouth with cola, he spoke softly, "Wen, you should be free today, right?"

"I might need to practice with the investigators."

"Can you cancel it?"

"I can."

"Great~ Come to the office with me later; let's try to delve deeper..."

Song Huiwen's expression shifted, "Didn't we agree to wait a while?"

"Can't wait any longer~ See, my fellow countryman even killed Master Jiang, completely seizing this great opportunity. If I continue in a safe manner, I'll surely be left behind; I don't want to be just in the background of others."

...

Vortex Town, Fourth Middle School.

From the teacher's office door, Luo Di stepped out.

He had already shared all the deep memories about Master Jiang with Teacher Guo, but the latter was currently busy with matters pertaining to the town and would look into it later.

Luo Di could tell that Teacher Guo was quite exhausted recently, not relaxing his vigilance even after the removal of the Outer Realm threat. He didn't disturb him much, turning and leaving.

Specific arrangements would be left to Teacher Guo. Luo Di himself wasn't in a hurry.

Just as well, Luo Di also wanted to stay at school for a while, consolidating the legacy he just obtained from Master Jiang, as well as being able to visit the cafeteria again and learn from Hunter for some time.

The final slash that beheaded Master Jiang was still somewhat unclear to him now, maybe he could find answers with Hunter.

This was vital since enlightenment would greatly enhance his lethality.

Upon stepping out of the school gate.

Luo Di stretched greatly,

ending this chapter of his journey, from seeking a method to repair his weapon at the Jiang Mansion to inheriting Master Jiang's legacy; even he had never expected developments to unfold in such a way.

Feeling the several folds increased weight in his body, the exhaled breath,

staring at the relic sculpted with a human face and the lightning flowing over his left arm's surface.

Luo Di showed a rather content smile, planning to relax a bit today.

In the late afternoon, in the master bedroom of the villa.

Luo Di and Wu Wen leaned against each other on the sofa; the movie had reached its end, and it was about time to sleep.

Just as the credits began to roll and Luo Di was about to ask if he could stay the night,

knock knock! A series of urgent knocks came.

Beyond the jarring sound, Luo Di could even feel his entire body become uncontrollable, unable to suppress it even with the legacy just inherited from Master Jiang.

Opening the door,

Faceless was at the doorstep.

Wu Wen could only purse her lips and wave goodbye to Luo Di, indicating they'd meet in the morning.

Walking alone through the night streets,

despite having many places to rest or sleep, whether with the Sisterhood, the Gust family, or borrowing a room from Lebeite being no problem,

or immediately finding Hunter to discuss slicing-related matters ahead,

as Luo Di pondered where to head.

Sizzle… sizzle...

A bout of noise struck.

This noise was one Luo Di had heard before,

a sound from delving into Master Jiang's deep memories, an articulation rooted in the depths of the dungeon, an intensely discordant sound.

Luo Di instinctively started scratching his head, and in no small measure—handful by handful!

Not just that,

The scratch marks on his scalp seemed to heave slightly.

The world before his eyes turned pitch black, as though his consciousness had been shelved momentarily.

This peculiar state had an uncertain duration, yet his tongue showed no ominous reactions. Abruptly, an enigmatic hand, origin unknown, patted his shoulder lightly.

This touch snapped Luo Di back to reality, startling him when he surveyed his surroundings.

"What!?"

Unwittingly, he had ventured into Vortex Town's depths.

Be informed, Vortex Town's location corresponded to a dungeon. With the victory over the Outer Realm, this dungeon reverted to normal, no longer disrupted by the comic store.

Currently,

Luo Di had arrived at the dungeon entrance, a spiral staircase descending right ahead. Continuing the descent would lead to unforeseeable consequences.

"How did I end up here subconsciously? Merely gaining insight into Master Jiang's memory led to such influence, drawn by the deep dungeon? Who assisted me?"

Luo Di felt the previously felt shoulder touch, hurriedly scanning his surroundings, soon discovering a tunnel structure deeper within the alley.