The tall, thin researcher was about to speak when he remembered Andrew's warning. He gritted his teeth and lowered his head without saying a word.
Charlie An acted as if nothing had happened and said to Instructor Li, "You send her back."
After saying that, he quickly caught up with Chang Han, who was walking out. "It's been so long since we last met, and you helped me solve a problem today. I have to treat you to a meal."
Chang Han acted as if he didn't hear and quickened his pace.
A meal?
He was probably trying to get information under the guise of a meal.
Compared to other researchers, the two Charlie siblings were morally upright, but as researchers, uncovering the truth was practically ingrained in their bones.
When he had agreed to give the Divine Fruit to Chu Ran, he hadn't expected all this to happen. At the time, he had only thought, since Chang He couldn't use it, no one else should get it either.
Who would have thought this wasn't the end, but the beginning?
First, Chu Ran's destroyed spiritual power recovered, drawing intense attention from Central Star. Then, she created a Basic Creation that allowed Jane to be possessed by a deity. Fortunately, the final results showed no abnormalities, so he barely managed to cover for her.
Then came the Zerg invasion. Of course, Chu Ran's involvement was Lei Jianguo's fault, but Chu Ran, who should have been a transparent existence, not only saw her spiritual power suddenly increase but also summoned a powerful unknown deity to possess her, repelling the Zerg invasion and exploding onto the StarNet.
Before his nephew left, he had promised to look after Chu Ran, but with the rate at these emergencies were popping up, he truly felt powerless.
Originally, he had thought that after her spiritual power was destroyed and she moved to Old Street, she could settle down for a while.
How many days had it been?
Chang Han tiredly covered his eyes. Chu Ran had actually tested as having SS-level spiritual power potential, and the deity she summoned didn't belong to any of the three divine systems.
Either one of these was explosive news. The most terrifying part was that the person sent by the Central Star Research Institute wasn't on the same side as Andrew.
Had Andrew been so wrapped up in romance these past few years that his brain had gone to waste?!
He was just a poor middle-aged man whose spiritual power was easily damaged and could no longer fight. He simply couldn't cover such a huge secret.
Feeling the hand firmly on his shoulder, Chang Han inwardly apologized to Chang He: Little uncle has done his best. If the sky falls, let Lei Jianguo and your mother hold it up.
He turned to look at the smiling Charlie An. "What do you want to know? I'll tell you everything."
The more people holding up the sky, the better.
Inside the training room, Instructor Li glanced at the remaining researchers and said hypocritically, "You've worked hard. Why don't you all go to the cafeteria for a meal? I'll have the head chef make you something special."
"I'll take the student back first." He patted Chu Ran's shoulder, signaling her to leave quickly.
With Charlie An gone, even though the tall, thin researcher had quieted down, the other Central Star researchers were starting to stir.
However, the local researchers, who weren't wearing the Rising Sun badges, reacted faster. They directly put their arms around the Central Star researchers' shoulders and forcibly held them down. "Alright, Instructor Li, you take her back first. Some of us have been here before; we can go to the cafeteria on our own."
Once they were out of the physical training room, Instructor Li's expression turned serious. "Today's test results are both good and bad for you. The good part is that the deity that possessed you is indeed outside the three known systems. Just based on that, the Federation's upper echelons won't let any faction make any moves."
"But the SS-level spiritual power potential will inevitably attract more attention from the rats," Instructor Li said, his tone even more serious. "Some of these rats are beyond even the Federation's control."
"Don't leave the Third Training Institute for now. I'll talk to Jane and have her stay with you at all times. The defense level in your area will be raised again."
"Why?" Chu Ran touched her chin. "From what I remember, Commander Lei and Aunt Huang both have SS-level spiritual power. Although it's rare, compared to the ten SSS-level spiritual powers in history, my potential level isn't exactly earth-shattering, is it?"
"Because there are two possibilities for your SS-level spiritual power." Instructor Li thought for a moment and decided to tell Chu Ran everything.
"The first and most dangerous is that the Divine Fruit stimulated your SS-level spiritual power potential."
"Although SS-level spiritual power can't counter the Zerg Queen, SS-level spiritual power users are the main combat force against S-level Zerg. The reason the Seventh Sub-Star couldn't resist the S-level Zerg invasion before was that Life Cicadas are extremely special even among S-level Zerg."
"An SS-level spiritual power user's self-destruction can directly take out an S-level Zerg."
"Since the Zerg Queen appeared, the number of mid-to-high-level Zerg has increased significantly, but the number of S-level Zerg has only increased modestly. According to records, there are no more than a hundred S-level Zerg alive today. If the Federation produces enough SS-level spiritual power users, the threat from S-level Zerg will be greatly reduced."
"As long as you grow into an invincible existence during this buffer period, the Federation will suppress any covetousness. But those rats in the shadows, like the God Summoning Society, won't put humanity's interests first."
"The doctrine of the God Summoning Society is that the day the gods truly descend, humanity will usher in eternal peace."
"Based on data from the destroyed laboratory stronghold, raising the limit of human spiritual power to SSSS-level is one of their ultimate goals. But those born with S-level or higher spiritual power almost never break their own limits. Your appearance gives them hope, so they will stop at nothing to take you away."
"The second possibility is a bit better. Your original spiritual power potential was always SS-level. The experts misjudged the potion and underestimated your potential. That would mean fewer greedy eyes on you. However, the problem is that if this conclusion is confirmed, it indicates there's a force in the shadows, undetected by the Federation, that has been eyeing you for a long time."
"You should know how risky that is." Instructor Li patted Chu Ran's shoulder. "Based on Charlie An's attitude today, it's likely the second possibility."
"But until a final conclusion is reached, anything is possible. So we need to be prepared for all risks."
Chu Ran nodded to show she understood, then asked casually, "So will the Chu Family face stricter investigations?"
"Of course. But I don't know who will be sent this time."
This question was answered soon after Chu Ran returned to her dorm.
Lei Jianguo and Gao Yuan each sent her messages, indicating that special personnel from Central Star would be dispatched to the Chu Family to investigate the God Summoning Society incident from back then.
They didn't rule out the possibility of questioning her.
Lei Jianguo was blunt: "If those bastards come to you, you have to be extremely careful. They're a bunch of heartless people. Stay on high alert."
Gao Yuan was more tactful but conveyed the same meaning: "As a student, you should protect yourself appropriately without harming the Federation's interests. After all, there's not much you can do right now."
Chu Ran was thoughtful. It seemed the newcomers were likely hostile.
If it was still just a probability for her, for the Chu Family, it was definitely unwelcome guests arriving.
Chu Zhenzhen looked at the special investigators, all dressed in black robes with cold, merciless voices, and forced herself to stay calm. "My father hasn't woken up yet. If you want to know something, you should go to my eldest uncle or my youngest uncle."
"My mother married into the Chu Family almost ten years later. My mother and I know nothing."
The lead investigator said coldly, "Lin Shenyin and Chu Heng's acquaintance didn't start ten years later. She can't be ruled out as a suspect. As her daughter, you may have obtained relevant information later."
"What do you mean? Are you implying my mother is a homewrecker?!"
The investigator didn't bother to explain and directly ordered Chu Zhenzhen and Lin Shenyin to be forcibly taken to the temporary interrogation room.
Inside, there was not only the unconscious Chu Heng but also Chu Zhi, whose face was ashen.
On the Sixth Sub-Star, Chu Yuan's family had already been secretly locked in the military's interrogation room.