CHAPTER 267: CHAPTER 258: NO CHOICE

The document recorded all the information of Chu Chen.

After a moment, Lu Hongfei closed the document, looked at Zhao Qianshan with a face of confusion, and asked, "There’s no problem with this document."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianshan slammed the table and rose, coldly staring at Lu Hongfei, "I see you refuse to turn back until you hit a dead end."

At this point, Lu Hongfei’s anger was also aroused. He stared directly at Zhao Qianshan and said solemnly, "I really don’t know what Elder Zhao is referring to, please enlighten me."

Zhao Qianshan’s anger flared even more when he looked at Lu Hongfei. A terrifying pressure erupted from within him, and even with Lu Hongfei’s strength, he couldn’t resist. His face turned red as he was forced back into his chair.

The wooden chair creaked noisily as if on the verge of breaking.

Seeing this, Chu Chen hurriedly pleaded, "Elder Zhao, please have mercy."

Zhao Qianshan couldn’t help but glance at Chu Chen, but he slowly withdrew his oppressive aura.

Lu Hongfei was gasping for breath, sweat the size of beans continuously falling onto the ground.

Seeing this, Chu Chen said solemnly, "Elder Zhao, as far as I know, Director Lu is a diligent and conscientious employee. Is there perhaps some misunderstanding here?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianshan suddenly laughed and said, "I say, have you been brainwashed by him? He’s treating you like this, and yet you still speak for him."

Chu Chen was momentarily stunned, looking from Lu Hongfei to Elder Zhao, "I don’t know what wrong Director Lu has done to me. Please, Elder Zhao, enlighten me."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianshan said solemnly, "I intended to let him confess himself, but since you’re so eager to know, I don’t mind telling you. Look at this document first." With that, he pushed the earlier document back over.

Seeing this, Chu Chen quickly picked up the document and examined it. After a moment, he put the document down and smiled, "Indeed, there’s a minor error. Earlier, I obtained a Thousand-Year Stalactite Liquid from a Second-Level Secret Realm. My cultivation talent has since advanced to Green Rank Lower Grade. For such a small matter, there’s no need to be so angry."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianshan’s expression changed abruptly. Before he could speak, Lu Hongfei interrupted, "This document was sent a month ago. Before that, your cultivation talent hadn’t advanced, so there’s no error in this document." With that, he fixed a deadlock stare on Zhao Qianshan.

Listening to their discussion, Zhao Qianshan’s expression grew increasingly grim.

He clutched the document, glaring at Chu Chen, "You’re saying your initial cultivation talent was only Yellow Rank Upper Grade?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Chen nodded, "Of course."

"This... how is this possible? You can’t be lying to me, can you?"

Hearing this, Chu Chen asked, puzzled, "Why would I lie to you?"

Zhao Qianshan replied in a deep voice, "With merely a Yellow Rank Upper Grade cultivation talent, and your poverty-stricken background, how could you have cultivated so quickly?"

Chu Chen replied somewhat helplessly, "The document contains detailed records, and Director Lu also personally funded many of my cultivation resources."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianshan’s expression became grave. He scrutinized Chu Chen and Lu Hongfei, trying to find a flaw in their expressions.

But their expressions remained calm, their eyes clear, revealing nothing unusual.

After a moment of silence, Zhao Qianshan dialed a communication.

"Bring an Awakening Stone." With that, he hung up the communication.

A moment later, the office door suddenly was knocked upon.

"Come in," Zhao Qianshan said solemnly.

The person outside heard Zhao Qianshan’s displeased tone and quickly entered.

He hurried to Zhao Qianshan’s side, retrieved an Awakening Stone from a Spatial Bracelet, placed it on the desk, and respectfully said, "Elder, here’s the Awakening Stone you requested. Are there any other instructions?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Qianshan waved his hand, "You may leave."

The person dared not hesitate, immediately bowed, and exited.

Zhao Qianshan pointed to the Awakening Stone, "Chu Chen, place your right hand on the Awakening Stone and test again."

Hearing this, Chu Chen nodded and pressed his hand onto the Awakening Stone.

At that moment, a red glow flickered on the Awakening Stone, but it only lasted for a moment, replaced by an orange light, then turned to yellow, and finally a green hue emerged from the Awakening Stone, until it disappeared completely.

Watching the disappearing green glow, Zhao Qianshan was suddenly stunned, unable to recover for a long time.

Chu Chen and Lu Hongfei exchanged a glance but did not disturb him.

Several breaths later, Zhao Qianshan finally came to his senses.

He took a deep breath to calm his mood before saying to Lu Hongfei, "It seems I’ve misunderstood you. I apologize."

Upon hearing this, Lu Hongfei said nervously, "Elder, there’s no need. It’s not your fault. This kid is indeed unusual. If it were me, I would also have my suspicions."

Hearing this, Zhao Qianshan’s expression softened considerably. After thinking briefly, he retrieved a wooden box from a Spatial Ring, pushed it in front of Lu Hongfei, and smiled, "Your Guardian Beast is a Golden-eyed Fire Eagle, and I happen to have a Burning Gold Fruit here. It can enhance the affinity of your Guardian Beast with the fire and gold elements. I’ll give you this Burning Gold Fruit."

Upon hearing this, Chu Chen was stunned. Zhao Qianshan knew that Lu Hongfei’s Guardian Beast was a Golden-eyed Fire Eagle, which meant he had investigated Lu Hongfei before summoning them, but Chu Chen’s outstanding performance had convinced him that Chu Chen was a hidden extraordinary genius.

"I can’t accept this; it’s too valuable," Lu Hongfei quickly refused, waving his hand.