By this time, Chen Gu had already thought through the stakes involved and his role in it; he was the most suitable candidate.

Chen Jixian and Mei Lixue didn't trust the gorilla, and the gorilla didn't trust them either. Chen Gu, on the other hand, had become the candidate that both parties could accept.

If it weren't for his near-degeneration into a Mutant during his previous experience at the Moon Ship Hotel, Chen Gu might have impulsively volunteered.

But with that experience behind him, he was acutely aware that "pollution" and "degeneration" were not just abstract terms to throw around; they were real and could happen without one noticing!

Chen Gu knew very well he was not a great man; he too felt fear, concern, worry, and dread…

The room fell silent for a moment before Mei Lixue took a deep breath and said, "Let me do it. Gao Mengjiu, we were classmates, you should..."

But before she could finish, the gorilla harshly interrupted her. "Absolutely not! How dare you ask me to trust you? You are my nightmare!"

Embarrassment washed over Mei Lixue. She had mustered the courage to volunteer, and here was her old classmate, showing no regard for their past connection.

Chen Jixian raised his hand. "Enough. I'll do it myself."

"No!" Chen Gu and Mei Lixue objected in unison.

Mei Lixue quickly said, "You're the branch chief! If something goes wrong, the consequences are unimaginable!"

Chen Jixian replied calmly, "When I make the attempt, you will all monitor me closely. Then, immediately arrange for tests to ensure I don't harbor any latent mutation. This is to prevent significant damage to the Bureau of Mystic Security and Wuzhaoyin City!"

Just as Chen Gu was about to speak, Chen Jixian looked over at him, making rare eye contact. "Do you remember our previous conversation? I will always be a commander, and this—this is a decision I must make!"

Chen Gu opened his mouth but eventually said, "Okay."

The gorilla frowned, seemingly worried. Chen Gu reassured him, "He can be trusted." The gorilla then reluctantly accepted.

Chen Jixian picked up the box on the table and said sternly, "Activate the highest-level security protocol!"

The lights in the room shifted, and the branch's management AI responded in a pleasant voice, "Authorization received from the branch's highest authority. Highest-level security protocol activated!"

From each corner of the ceiling, a honeycomb-shaped Energy Emitter flipped open. The lights throughout the entire building dimmed as non-essential energy consumption was paused.

All available energy was channeled into this room. The four honeycombs CRACKLED as they generated a thick, enclosed energy cage!

Then, from all four walls, narrow-aperture laser guns flipped out, automatically locking onto Chen Jixian.

Each wall bristled with exactly sixty-four laser guns, densely packed, their barrels like the spines of a porcupine.

Chen Jixian took a deep breath. "It's starting. Step back a bit…"

The others retreated, moving outside the energy cage. Once they were out, the energy cage would constrict and lock, preventing anyone from exiting.

Chen Jixian opened the box and was about to retrieve the relic when Chen Gu suddenly rushed back, slamming his hand on the box. SNAP! The lid nearly caught Chen Jixian's hand.

The three people outside were stunned. Chen Jixian frowned at him and said lightly, "Get out!"

Chen Gu cursed, "You damn well can't order me around!"

Among those present, only Man Suling was unaware of the true relationship between Chen Gu and Chen Jixian. When the young she-wolf saw Chen Gu mercilessly scold the senior leader, her eyes suddenly sparkled. So domineering, so mesmerizing!

The gorilla subconsciously sensed trouble. He looked towards the door. "Should we... step outside for a bit?"

Chen Gu waved him off, then fixed his gaze on Chen Jixian, speaking in an undeniable tone, "I'll do it. You get out!"

Chen Jixian had used the weight of his "decision" to convince him, but Chen Gu simply couldn't stand by and watch the other man walk into danger.

Even though their 'father-son' relationship was nominal at best, and their actual emotional bond was incredibly thin, Chen Gu still couldn't do it. He couldn't overcome that internal barrier.

Stand aside and watch his 'son' take the risk?

Examine this relic himself? Despite his fear and apprehension, Chen Gu decided at the last moment to step forward.

Chen Jixian's face was grim. He understood Chen Gu was using his supposed 'fatherly' status to pressure him, especially in front of subordinates. If they were alone, he might have 'caved'—after all, that's what fathers in other families did, and he rather enjoyed the feeling.

But not now. He lifted his gaze, about to reprimand him, when Chen Gu's voice softened. "Go out. I have a way to avoid being contaminated."

Chen Jixian paused, stunned. Something deep inside him seemed to stir. He asked doubtfully, "Really?"

"I... I wouldn't lie to you."

Chen Jixian's eyes reddened slightly. He slowly turned and walked towards the exit of the energy cage. He reached the edge and wanted to turn back, to say something more… But Chen Gu, looking impatient, snapped, "Hurry up and get out!"

Chen Jixian silently walked out. After a moment's thought, he issued an order: "Have Qing Ruyan on standby, ready to provide support at any moment!"

After their last expedition to the Yingudusi Devil's Pit, both Qing Ruyan and Chen Gu had submitted operation reports. Chen Jixian had secretly read them and knew that Chen Gu had nearly mutated, and Qing Ruyan had saved him.

Chen Gu was very pleased with this arrangement. This kid, he thought smugly, is still quite filial.

However, he also understood that attempting to communicate with the Evil God using this relic of the Myriad Forms Heavenly Dragon was extremely dangerous. The slightest mishap, and he would mutate directly, with no time to wait for Qing Ruyan's support.

"No way!" the gorilla strongly objected. "This mess is my fault! I can't drag you into it."

Chen Gu waved him off. "Your opinion means dogshit to me. Objection overruled. Trust your old man; I'll be fine!"

The gorilla, too anxious to care that this bastard was still taking advantage of him even now, said urgently, "It's too dangerous! You're only at the First Energy Level..."

Chen Gu had already placed his hand on the relic.

Chen Gu hadn't lied to his 'adult' son; he did have a small plan.

Just a small one.

When they had reached the earlier stalemate, Chen Gu had already switched through three memories from "The Past of Four Hundred People" in quick succession, trying to find a solution.

He found nothing of note in the memories of Milna Katerina or Griffin Wester. However, when it came to Derek Kun Shen, he did find something.

This Fifth Energy Level Quantum Wizard was himself a very meticulous researcher, always keen to understand the Endless Realm and the strange entities residing within it.

Through numerous experiments and extensive research, he had postulated three possibilities for the "temptation" and "contamination" originating from those entities. First, they could be higher-dimensional organisms employing methods currently incomprehensible to the life forms of this dimension to influence them.

However, this hypothesis also had aspects that were difficult to explain. If they were indeed higher-dimensional beings, their methods of tempting and contaminating the life in this world should not be subject to so many restrictions.

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