Yang Yan deliberately lowered his voice: "The advancement requirements for low-tier professions just have you go for a jog, work out your body a bit. But high-tier advancement requirements are extraordinarily varied and simultaneously contain bizarre powers."
This was truly something Su Chen had never heard of before. He pressed the questions repeatedly before Yang Yan finally revealed more.
"...The Class Decoding Department had a theory a very long time ago: the higher the tier of a profession, the higher its spirituality... If one cannot be compatible, learning the related professional information will instead interfere with their own being. In severe cases, it can even drive a person to madness."
"Professions can have their own consciousness?" Su Chen wore a face of "astonishment."
"No idea..." Yang Yan shook his head. "However, this theory has long since gone unmentioned. It was my teacher who told me about it."
"Say... could a certain profession particularly admire a specific person, thereby allowing them to advance without completing any requirements at all?" Su Chen said.
"Haha..." Yang Yan was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter: "The imaginations of you young people truly are abundant."
He simply treated it as Su Chen spouting nonsense and paid it no mind whatsoever.
Shifting topics, Su Chen then asked about how the professions translated by the Class Decoding Department were circulated.
Yang Yan thought about it: "First they separate them into special professions and sequence professions, then carry out even more meticulous classifications. Various institutions in the city, and even individuals, can bid at auction for them—aside from certain professions with special functions."
"So it's an auction..." Su Chen was surprised.
"You can also trade professions for professions..." Yang Yan remarked casually. "The wilderness is pervaded with fog. Even now, there are many undiscovered settlements with strange professions passed down as legacies."
"And so, the trade of profession hunters was derived as well."
Su Chen was already in no mood to listen to the latter half of Yang Yan's sentence; he only caught "trading professions for professions."
"Hmm... looks like I've found a method. The Saint..." Su Chen calculated inwardly.
"Yang Yan..."
A voice suddenly echoed. Su Chen snapped to attention, only then discovering an additional person in the lobby—golden-yellow hair combed back immaculately, wearing glasses, with very thin lips and rather fair, pale skin.
Upon catching sight of this person, Yang Yan's expression turned dreadful, his face cold: "Jin Yunxuan."
"Back from external patrol?" Jin Yunxuan wore a faint, ambiguous smile, his gaze sweeping past Su Chen in an instant.
"The box contains a Saint Word Stone, right? Where did you go this time again—North Wind City, or West Wind City?" Jin Yunxuan sauntered over at a leisurely pace, reaching out directly toward the metal box in Yang Yan's hands.
"It's Nanfeng City!" Yang Yan jerked the box away backward.
"Oh... my apologies, I forgot." Jin Yunxuan spoke with zero remorse, pointing at the box: "You seem to have forgotten—I'm also a Class Decoder. I have the right to inspect it."
Yang Yan's expression was frigid: "This is a special type. Chief Inquisitor Xia demanded I deliver it face-to-face to Professor Sang. If you insist on inspecting it, I will report everything truthfully."
"Chief Inquisitor Xia..." Jin Yunxuan restrained his expression, but narrowed his eyes: "A special type that must be specifically delivered to Professor Sang. Quite extraordinary, huh."
Yang Yan remained silent. Right at this moment, the emotionless voice of the front desk sounded: "Professor Sang is now available. Inquisitor Yang..."
"Hold on..." Jin Yunxuan abruptly stepped forward, smiling: "Class Decoder Jin Yunxuan has urgent business requiring a meeting with Professor Sang."
The front desk voice paused. "Class Decoder Jin Yunxuan's priority level exceeds that of an inquisitor. Please proceed."
"Sorry about that." Jin Yunxuan turned around to smile at the two. "You'll just have to wait a little longer."
He strode straight into the elevator. Yang Yan's complexion was ashen. Only after a long while did he exhale a breath, speaking with a bitter smile: "Looks like we'll have to wait quite a bit more."
"It's fine." Su Chen shook his head, unbothered.
"This person's dissatisfaction toward the Adjudication Court goes back a long way. He and I also have some personal grudges." Yang Yan was helpless: "I'm merely an inquisitor. At certain times, I can only be suppressed a level beneath him."
Because they'd been cut in line, the two waited an extra hour or more before the front desk finally let them in.
"Why hasn't that guy come out?" Yang Yan frowned as he stepped into the elevator.
Ding!
The elevator doors sealed shut, carrying the two straight up to the top floor.
The entire top floor was a laboratory filled with precision instruments. After entering, Su Chen immediately swept his eyes across his surroundings.
Much to his regret, he didn't spot Saint Word Stones casually placed about anywhere.
Instead, he drew the hostility of two staff members who scrutinized him with suspicion. These people weren't Class Decoders—they couldn't even be considered apprentices, merely support staff.
"Professor Sang..." Ignoring Jin Yunxuan standing off to the side, Yang Yan walked up to the slightly portly elderly man draped in a white lab coat.
The man appeared to wear a warm, genial smile. It was merely that his right eye actually gleamed faintly white.
"This is the Saint Word Stone from Nanfeng..."
He extended it forward, but it was snatched away by Jin Yunxuan beside him. Shaking his head, Jin Yunxuan said: "This Inquisitor Yang of ours is truly inflexible in his methods. I'd just bumped into him downstairs, originally intending to take an advance look."
"After all, those little lower-tier cities like Nanfeng or North Wind lack any real capability. If some mishap occurred in identifying the Saint Word Stone, wouldn't that merely waste Elder Sang's time?"
"Yet he still refused to let me look."
Yang Yan's expression darkened. He could only watch helplessly as the other party opened the box, extracted the palm-sized Saint Word Stone, and placed it before his eyes for careful observation.
"Hmm... appears to be Heath script. This type of text is mostly used to record special professions..." He narrowed his eyes and studied it for a moment.
"According to the data, this should be a spatial-type special profession. Exceedingly rare." Sang Hanhai shook his head. "Little Jin, you specialize in Berai script. Best hand it to me instead."
"It's actually a spatial-type profession?" Jin Yunxuan's expression betrayed genuine astonishment. "It's been quite a while since a spatial-type was last discovered."
He cupped the Saint Word Stone in both hands: "I'd love to study Heath script, but you, Senior, simply refuse to take me as a student."
"Professor Sang, there's another matter..." Seeing Sang Hanhai about to turn his head and enter work mode, Yang Yan hastily spoke up.
Sang Hanhai looked over. Only then did Su Chen take half a step forward, his voice calm: "Professor Sang, Nanfeng City hopes that upon completing the decryption, you could share a copy with them."
"This is standard procedure—does it really require a special reminder?" Jin Yunxuan frowned, sweeping his gaze across Su Chen and looking toward Yang Yan: "Is this a rookie you brought along? So completely ignorant of the rules?"
"He probably isn't a rookie from the Adjudication Court, but from Nanfeng City instead, right?" Sang Hanhai raised a hand to halt Jin Yunxuan, guessing correctly. Filled with keen interest, he asked: "I hear your city has produced a good seedling."
"You're referring to... Su Chen?" Yang Yan's heart stirred slightly.
"Seems to be that name. Drew out two Chief Inquisitors into a full-blown brawl. Old Tian's been cursing Xia Hanshi the moment he sees anyone lately. I hear the kid's even a rare double Red Gold talent." Sang Hanhai shook his head, then added: "Pity he was snatched right up by that bastard Xia Hanshi."
"Double Red Gold talent?" Jin Yunxuan was also quite astonished. "Genuinely rare indeed."
Yang Yan glanced at Jin Yunxuan. Under the other party's somewhat baffled gaze, he pointed at Su Chen: "That would be him."
Jin Yunxuan's face stiffened slightly—rather unsightly—but he suppressed it quickly.
"Oh?" Surprised, Sang Hanhai sized Su Chen up and down, deep in thought: "Makes sense. An ordinary person couldn't possibly follow you here just to specifically remind me."
Su Chen let out a quiet, wry laughing sigh. "I'm fortunate to have earned the favor of two Chief Inquisitors. But as for a full-blown brawl—that's something of a case of spreading falsehoods. I'm hardly worth such treatment."
"Haha..." Sang Hanhai chuckled. "Interesting. Xia Hanshi is an utter ruffian, yet he somehow managed to take in a slick, smooth-talking student like you."
"Nanfeng City, right? I'll keep it in mind. After the decryption is complete, I'll specifically instruct my people below."
"Many thanks, Elder Sang." Su Chen bowed his head, then asked with slight hesitation: "May I ask approximately how long the decryption might take?"
This single question caused Yang Yan's expression to shift. Jin Yunxuan, however, displayed a smirk that wasn't quite a smile.
Sang Hanhai's expression also grew restrained, his tone mild: "That's difficult to pin down. Are you in a great hurry?"
"Please don't misunderstand." Su Chen then explained: "I simply feel as though I may be able to help you with the decryption."
Jin Yunxuan nearly burst out laughing. Yang Yan was also deeply confused—Su Chen wasn't a reckless person, so how could he say something like this?
"Help me?" Sang Hanhai didn't know whether to laugh or cry, waving his hands repeatedly: "I appreciate the sentiment, but this isn't something ordinary people can decipher."
"Hear me out first..." Su Chen explained: "On the way here, I heard Inquisitor Yang mention a special decryption method—where a living individual shares a particular affinity with the profession recorded within a Saint Word Stone..."
Before he could finish, Sang Hanhai's expression shifted as he interrupted: "Heavenly-Mandated Class Deciphering—you can produce a resonance with the profession recorded in this Saint Word Stone?"
Yang Yan stared at Su Chen as though he'd seen a ghost. This kid wouldn't be making this up, would he?
"Impossible!" Jin Yunxuan seemed about to say something, but Sang Hanhai cut him off. His expression gradually grew stern, carrying a certain authority: "Are you certain?"
Why does it feel like there's something else going on here?
Su Chen sensed something was off. Yang Yan was merely an inquisitor; the intelligence he received likely lagged seriously behind the Class Decoding Department's internal knowledge. Perhaps they'd already developed new theories.
But having come this far, Su Chen could only steel himself and nod. "That's correct... I've been in contact with it once or twice. Each time, there's a faint feeling in my heart—something I can't quite put into words."
Sang Hanhai said nothing, merely retrieving the encrypted hard drive stored alongside the Saint Word Stone.
After a simple decryption, he studied the documented data, frowning: "Nanfeng City deciphered a small portion. It states here that one of the advancement conditions requires three Spatial Crystals."
Three? That's far too wildly off the mark. Su Chen pondered briefly, then shook his head: "I feel as though that many aren't needed. Perhaps two, or even just one would suffice."
Sang Hanhai narrowed his eyes. "Anything else?"
"Hmm..." Su Chen hesitated. "Could I take a look at it?"
Sang Hanhai handed over the Saint Word Stone. Upon receiving it, Su Chen stared at the densely packed, ceaselessly flickering array of symbols on its surface.
He feigned deep contemplation, and only after a moment did he say with hesitation: "I feel like... a Mental-Type profession is also required as supplementary support."
Sang Hanhai remained non-committal. Taking the Saint Word Stone back, he placed it atop the cylindrical instrument at the center of the laboratory.
The lab staff responded swiftly, moving to their respective stations.
As the commands were issued, the Saint Word Stone atop the instrument began trembling even more violently. The flickering speed of the symbols accelerated, mirrored on the large screen beside it.
This appeared to be a method of forcing the symbols on the Saint Word Stone to manifest at an accelerated rate.
"Stop..." Sang Hanhai suddenly raised his hand. The instrument gradually ceased. He stood before the large screen, its entire surface covered with complex symbols, blinking incessantly.
"It really is..."
Before long, the furrows on Sang Hanhai's brow smoothed out.
"That fast?" Yang Yan's suspended heart relaxed slightly, but he couldn't help feeling astonished.
"The original decryption was like searching for a needle in the ocean. But now Su Chen has pointed me in a direction—I merely need to verify." Sang Hanhai was in good spirits. "This is precisely the advantage of a Heavenly-Mandated Class Decoder. It can accelerate decryption speed exponentially."
"There is indeed a requirement for a Mental-Type profession, but the tier isn't high. The main subject likely isn't a high-grade spatial-type profession—it's probably meant for auxiliary use."
Drawing from years of decryption experience, Sang Hanhai had already provided his foundational speculation.
Truly impressive... Su Chen couldn't help but admire. He had the panel; the other party did not.
Sang Hanhai looked at Su Chen, deliberating: "Since that's the case, before this profession is fully decrypted, come help me temporarily. I'll issue you a provisional identity pass so you can come find me directly."
"Once every two or three days will suffice." He added: "Don't worry, it won't interfere with your Adjudication Court assessment."
"Nothing would please me more." Su Chen replied immediately. His original objective had been to infiltrate the Class Decoding Department. Now that the opening had been torn, he merely needed to advance gradually from this point forward.
Yang Yan's expression shifted through several changes as he couldn't help but sigh internally.
Su Chen's luck truly ran deep. Even if it was just temporary assistance, he'd still managed to latch onto Elder Sang's connections. There would be benefits down the road.
After Su Chen provided his identity code and they exchanged contact information, he departed alongside Yang Yan.
Jin Yunxuan followed them into the elevator as well. This time, his gaze rested entirely on Su Chen with no regard whatsoever for Yang Yan beside him. Smiling, he said: "When Brother Su visits in the future, feel free to seek me out for more exchange."
"Perhaps we might even work together at the Class Decoding Department someday. A place for brutes like the Adjudication Court holds little future prospects."
"Opportunities will present themselves." Su Chen held no grudge against him and responded calmly.
On their way out riding the metal disc, Yang Yan still couldn't help but say: "I'm not badmouthing him behind his back, but this guy is no good. Be careful when dealing with him."
You are literally badmouthing him behind his back, Su Chen silently roasted in his belly, but nodded: "I understand. I'll keep an eye out."
Outside, it had already gone completely dark. Only a sliver of the silver moon remained in the sky.
Boarding the hovercar, Yang Yan said: "Let me find you a hotel nearby. It'll also be convenient for visiting the Class Decoding Department. Any requirements?"
"One with a Gravity Room." Su Chen thought for a moment. "At least five-times gravity."
"That won't come cheap." Yang Yan glanced at him. "No less than a thousand gold per night."
"Then I'll need to exchange some money." Su Chen estimated briefly, then fished out several chunks of purple metal from his luggage stored in the car's trunk.
These were Pan Yu's hidden assets—he'd never had a chance to use them back in Nanfeng.
"Vault Brilliance Stones, huh. Let me check the nearest exchange." Yang Yan opened a virtual screen, filtered through the options, and brought Su Chen along.
Using his identity ID, he opened a savings account, converting ten Vault Brilliance Stones into forty-five thousand gold.
"The processing fee is actually ten percent..." Stepping outside, Su Chen was still grumbling.
On the way to the hotel, following Yang Yan's guidance, Su Chen opened his wristband, registered using his current identity code, and connected to Yingfeng's network.
For once, Su Chen felt a touch of familiarity. Unlike Nanfeng, Yingfeng's population size and quality were sufficient to support an active online community.
Thus there were various sections where one could browse all manner of information, along with pushed news feeds and even offline delivery services.
"Adjudication Court Assessment Approaching — Suspected Ink Jade Talent Holder Emerges, Sparking Sensation!"
Su Chen spotted a news headline and tapped in to skim it. The entire article was filled with "reportedly," "allegedly," and "speculated"—nothing of real value.
"Ink Jade, huh..." Yang Yan's peripheral vision caught the screen, and he couldn't help remarking: "It's been several years since one appeared. Didn't expect one this year. Including this person, the Adjudication Court now simultaneously has two Ink Jade talent holders."
"Unfortunately, all four Core Seed positions were allocated long ago. Who knows what they'll decide this year—this fellow definitely won't be content with merely being an Inner Court Seed."
"After all, who wouldn't want to compete for the position of Chief Inquisitor?"
These matters were somewhat distant even for Yang Yan; he treated them merely as casual conversation topics.
Core Seeds, Inner Court Seeds, Inner Court Members, Outer Court Members—these were the Adjudication Court's classification standards.
"There are actually two?" Su Chen couldn't help but be surprised, simultaneously angling the virtual screen more toward his own side. What kind of hobby did this Yang Yan have—peeking at someone else's screen?
Seeing Su Chen's action, Yang Yan was also speechless inside. He'd caught a peripheral glimpse—could anyone blame him?
He explained: "Yingfeng's population alone isn't small. Add in all the cities under its governance, and even though Ink Jade talent is exceptionally rare, over years and decades, some will inevitably be discovered."
"However, talent is talent. It doesn't guarantee final achievement. There's still the stumbling block of advancement requirements. Every year, quite a few individuals with outstanding talent fall by the wayside."
He spoke with emotion: "Moreover... the higher the talent, the more one pursues the extreme. Who wouldn't want a top-tier profession at every level? You have no idea how insane the advancement requirements for high-tier professions can get."
Su Chen understood clearly in his heart. Advancement requirements were wildly varied—some could be assisted by others, some could not, and some even carried a certain subjective element.
These were all problems that talent alone couldn't solve. If you truly ended up on a dead-end professional path, forget Ink Jade—no amount of talent would help.
"We're here..." The location Yang Yan found was indeed close—they arrived in just over half an hour. The place was called Moyun Viewing Courtyard—its exterior walls painted in grey-white, soaring into the clouds.
He presented his inquisitor credentials, securing a thirty-percent discount, allowing Su Chen to stay at seven hundred gold per night.
"Contact me if anything comes up." Yang Yan exchanged contact information with him, escorted him to his room, and took his leave.
"Not a bad room. Yingfeng lives up to its reputation." Su Chen inspected the place inside and out. Every amenity imaginable was present, and with his mental energy, he detected no surveillance cameras or the like.
"Phew..." Su Chen stood before the window, gazing down at the outside world. The moonlight was dim, but Yingfeng remained bustling.
"...Ink Jade, the Saint, the Morning Star Tier..." Su Chen murmured quietly.
(End of Chapter)