Facing the researchers' glares, Instructor Li showed no fear. "This test is done, so on to the next one, right?"
Charlie An glanced at him, plugged his Light Brain into the instrument, copied the data, and decisively deleted it from the device. Then he took a towel from his subordinate and handed it to Chu Ran. "Clean up. We'll move to the next test."
"Wait!" the tall, thin researcher interrupted coldly. "This result is clearly abnormal. It needs to be redone!"
"Redo my ass!" Instructor Li snapped. "Even I know that this kind of spiritual power test can only be done once every seven days. You want to do it twice in one day?!"
Chu Ran wiped her sweat silently behind him.
Charlie An nodded in agreement. "There were no issues with the testing procedure. If repeat verification is needed, we can do it next week."
"Charlie An, don't go too far," the tall, thin researcher said, his face dark. "All our results today must be reported."
Charlie An waited for Chu Ran to finish tidying up, then said unhurriedly, "I'll submit the report before the deadline. No need to worry about not finishing the data."
"Don't play dumb with me. If an SS-level spiritual power potential is to be reported, it must be accurate and real!"
Charlie An took back the towel, handed it to his subordinate, and turned around slowly. "Are you suggesting cheating is possible?"
"Her spiritual power potential was previously concluded by all the top experts. Are you trying to overturn their conclusions in your report?!" the tall, thin researcher said sarcastically.
The news of Chu Ran's spiritual power recovery after destruction had shocked the Human Federation. Under pressure from various sides, she hadn't been directly transported back to Central Star.
The experts sent from Central Star were the best in the field. How could the conclusion reached by so many people be wrong?
If the data wasn't wrong, the tall, thin researcher thought coldly, looking at Chu Ran, then there must be something special about her!
"No, there's one thing those experts couldn't determine," Charlie An said calmly, without any urgency. "What exactly was the potion that first destroyed her spiritual power."
"Based on the residue—"
"That trace amount can't count as evidence," Charlie An said casually. "After nearly eighteen years of metabolism, the residual potion matches more than a dozen known harmful potions."
"But—" the tall, thin researcher was furious.
Charlie An interrupted again, with a hint of impatience. "As researchers, we should respect all experimental results. The initial determination that it was the God Summoning Society's Deathly Silence Decoction was based on the traces of the God Summoning Society found in the Chu Family, plus Professor Hu's inference."
"The final report also used the word 'suspected,' and the inference about Chu Ran's spiritual power level was built on that foundation. Now that the test results differ from the inference, it means the premise was flawed."
"As a member of the Andrew Family, you should know that the rats in the shadows aren't limited to just the God Summoning Society, right?"
"But you've reminded me," Charlie An said, lowering his head to send a message to Lei Jianguo and Gao Yuan. "Thoroughly investigate the traces of the God Summoning Society in the Chu Family."
Chu Ran stood up and looked at the other instruments. "Can we continue the tests? I have plans tonight."
The tall, thin researcher glared at her. "If it weren't for Yu Mei's betrayal—"
Yu Mei?
Chu Ran touched her chin, thought for a moment. Oh, right. That was Chang He's mother's name.
Her stepfather was from the Andrew Family... Oh, so she had indirectly snatched food from the tiger's mouth.
"You'd better think before you speak."
Chang Han's voice came from the door, unfriendly.
"Who let you in?!" the tall, thin researcher snapped. "Instructor Li, is this how you cooperate?!"
Instructor Li looked at Chang Han, his expression speechless. Explain yourself.
Chang Han had no intention of explaining. He directly enlarged his Light Brain's projection, and a stern-looking middle-aged man appeared before everyone.
"Andrew... Andrew?" The tall, thin researcher's expression was shocked, then he lowered his head and stepped back.
Andrew looked at him sharply. "Andeke, you're quite bold, publicly picking sides."
The tall, thin researcher raised his head, looking uncomfortable. "The Speaker approved my coming to the Seventh Sub-Star."
"Father approved your coming to the Seventh Sub-Star to have you take care of my stepson's savior," Andrew said with a cold laugh. "Now it seems you have your own ideas."
"I didn't go against the Speaker's intention," the tall, thin researcher shrieked. "I was just afraid of a major mistake."
Andrew glanced at him indifferently. "That's not your concern. Charlie Hwaman is smart, and so is her brother. Just quietly assist."
The tall, thin researcher bowed his head in frustration.
Andrew turned to Chu Ran, polite and courteous. "I've never thanked you in person. Thank you for saving Chang He's life. For various reasons, Chang He cannot accompany my wife to Central Star, but my wife misses this son very much."
"Giving you the Divine Fruit was a decision Father and I agreed on. I've already dealt with the moles in the Spiritist Association, so you have nothing to worry about."
Chu Ran smiled. "Thank you. I wish you and Aunt Yu Mei a long and happy marriage."
Andrew's expression softened at this, his smile more genuine. "When you come to Central Star later, feel free to drop by."
"Time's tight. Since the issue is resolved, I'll hang up," Chang Han suddenly said.
Andrew's figure disappeared into the air.
The tall, thin researcher stopped causing trouble, and the others from Central Star quieted down considerably.
Instructor Li put his arm around Chang Han's shoulders and led him to a corner. "You came just in time."
Chang Han removed his hand. "When I heard members of the Andrew Family were coming, Lei Jianguo told me to be ready."
"But I didn't expect you to call Andrew."
Chang Han looked at Chu Ran, who was following Charlie An into the physical fitness testing instrument, his expression complicated. "Aunt Huang protects her. She can't have anything happen to her. Besides, she's a hero of the Seventh Sub-Star."
"We can't let heroes bleed and shed tears."
Chu Ran's physical fitness test went smoothly, with no surprises. She could only withstand B-level spiritual power, but the overall values were slowly increasing.
"It seems her body is healing itself," Charlie An murmured. "The potion back then was definitely not the God Summoning Society's Deathly Silence Decoction."
The next test was the divine power test.
The instrument was different from the one in the Edwood training room.
"Today we'll mainly test the attribution of your divine power," Charlie An explained.
Chu Ran nodded. Indeed, to the Federation, the power of an unknown deity held greater allure.
The test was divided into many subcategories, each requiring Chu Ran to inject all her spiritual power into a Basic Creation to trigger a golden light.
Strings of data appeared on the screen.
Everyone's expressions became more excited and cautious.
When the final test result came out, a researcher couldn't help exclaiming, "It really doesn't belong to any of the three categories of divine systems!"
"It's an unknown series of SS-level deity power!"
Chu Ran's expression shifted slightly. When she had used it just now, she felt that the Great Sage's power was stronger than before!
Why? Was it because of the Great Sage itself, or because of her own body's changes?
Charlie An looked at the recorded data and let out a long breath.
A good start.
"That's all for today."