Shadows of the Deep Space

"How can that be? You're the one who discovered the security breach in the city exam; that's a major achievement. You're just going to give it up?"

Okens saw Su Ming hesitating and quickly spoke to him.

"No, I'm letting you have it. I'm leaving now."

Su Ming said as he was about to turn and slip away.

Okens quickly pulled Su Ming back and said to him.

"No, I can't take credit for your work. You should report this personally to the Lord City Master."

"Oh, it's okay."

Su Ming quickly declined.

Just as they were tugging at each other, the slightly ajar door suddenly opened.

After finishing his report, Deldor was surprised to see the two of them tugging at the door.

At this moment, both Gakels and Farren also looked towards Su Ming and Okens.

"Ahem!"

Okens quickly coughed to signal Su Ming to stand properly.

Su Ming promptly straightened up in a slight panic.

Gakels immediately spoke in a deep voice.

"What are you two doing at the door? Come in."

Su Ming and Okens immediately walked inside.

Deldor retreated and closed the office door.

Farren looked Su Ming up and down, making Su Ming feel slightly uneasy. Is the Vice Chairman going to give him trouble?

Although the Danube Star Sea war was won and he played a pivotal role, Su Ming feared that Farren might hold a grudge since he had caused them issues and even snatched the Crimson Country from them.

Just then, Gakels spoke in a deep voice.

"Do you have something to report?"

Su Ming and Okens exchanged glances, communicating silently.

"You go first!"

Farren, seeing the two silent for a while, impatiently said.

"If you have something to say, speak directly. Why hesitate?"

"General Su Ming has something important to report."

Okens decisively said.

Both Gakels and Farren then looked at Su Ming. Su Ming's lips twitched slightly before he spoke seriously.

"Lord Gakels, Lord Farren! Well, recently I've been in charge of overseeing the city exams, and I discovered a problem with it. The Mechanical Sect has infiltrated the candidates, helping them achieve outstanding results. If this issue is not addressed, the consequences will be severe; their plants will completely permeate the Federation."

Upon hearing Su Ming's words, Farren's eyes widened like copper bells, furiously asking.

"What did you say?"

Gakels felt a buzzing in his mind, his face darkening instantly, but he restrained himself, speaking in a deep voice.

"Su Ming, these words are not to be thrown around lightly. Do you have concrete evidence?"

"Yes, here's the list I compiled while supervising the exams in the Thirteenth District, showing the anomalous students. I retrieved their previous files, and their grades don't match at all. Many of them suddenly transformed from mediocrity to genius!"

Su Ming raised his wristband and sent the comparative data to Gakels.

"Hmm, if this is true, then we're facing a major problem."

Gakels said, looking at the data before him with an exceptionally grave expression.

"Lord Gakels, the situation might be more serious than you imagined."

Su Ming promptly added.

"How so?"

Gakels asked, without lifting his head.

"I think it might not be limited to this batch; a thorough investigation into previous batches might be necessary."

The three of them looked at Su Ming with peculiar expressions upon hearing his words.

Su Ming was stunned, confused by the way they were looking at him. What did he say?

But the next moment, Su Ming realized he was someone who had also transformed from mediocrity to genius in an instant.

His face showed an awkward expression, realizing he had implicated himself.

Su Ming quickly coughed awkwardly, explaining to Gakels.

"Lord Gakels, my situation is rather unique, and should be considered a special case. Precisely because I'm a special case, I'm more certain there are not so many instant geniuses in this world!"

"What you say makes sense. Now, you should assist with the investigation."

Gakels took advantage of Su Ming's admission to guide the matter, although Su Ming's situation seemed similar, Gakels believed Su Ming was legitimate.

No one is foolish enough to implicate themselves, especially since Su Ming had undergone rigorous review, scrutiny, and trials.

Su Ming's face stiffened upon hearing Gakels' words, realizing he couldn't escape; what must come will come.

Just as Su Ming was about to consent, Okens suddenly spoke.

"Wait, Lord Gakels."

"What's the matter, Okens?"

Gakels turned to look at Okens, his brows furrowed in inquiry.

"Lord Gakels, wasn't the Wormhole Time-Space Defense Line breached by the monster surge?"

"I know about that; what then?"

"New information has come in. Both the Land of Lost and Abyss of Descent regions have experienced disturbances, and both have sent requests for urgent reinforcements."

Okens reported with some tension.

Hearing Okens' words, Gakels stood up directly from his chair, his face changing dramatically.

"What did you say?"

"What's going on? How did everything get mixed together?"

Farren also exploded, angrily saying.

Previously, the situation seemed good, but now, suddenly, it's as if they're caught between a rock and a hard place.

"I don't know for sure, but it's normal for this to happen. The Three Forbidden Zones appear independent, but there's an unknown connection internally."

Okens cautiously explained.

Gakels paced back and forth in the office, his aged face continuously changing.