Chapter 666: A Family's Aspirations, A Hundred Families' Pleas
Chapter 666: A Family's Aspirations, A Hundred Families' Pleas
Even True Deities can be considered anomalies that can be devoured... Wow! Doesn't that mean...
"Exactly what you're thinking."
The Red-Haired Commissioner, with a slight upward curve of his lips, seemed to be in a good mood as he continued, "The most powerful aspect of the Crab Palace Secret Art lies in its devouring ability. Once the Crab Director captures his target, not only will he devour the opponent's anomalies, but even all non-human entities that meet the conditions will be forcibly consumed, and there's almost no chance of escape."
"What do you mean by 'conditions'?"
"It's likely referring to the Lyon Value."
The Red-Haired Commissioner blinked and explained, "When one first learns the Crab Secret Art, they can probably only devour targets with a Lyon Value lower than one-tenth of yours. The deeper one's mastery of the Secret Art, the more relaxed these conditions become.
With the current Crab Director's skill, he can devour targets with a Lyon Value lower than nine-tenths of his. It's rumored that the sixth-generation Crab Director could even consume opponents with strengths exceeding his own by one-tenth."
"..."
No wonder the Crab Director said that after reviewing my file, he believed I had the talent to learn the Crab Secret Art. It turns out this is a 'Food God' among the old predecessors!
"By the way, Lyon, although the Crab Secret Art is powerful in combat, there are some things you should know if you want to learn this Secret Art."
Ignoring the ongoing argument between the Sagittarius Director and the Deputy Directors, the Red-Haired Commissioner leaned back slightly, and with a straight face, he quipped, "Don't be fooled by the Crab Director's seemingly amiable demeanor. In reality, his style is very similar to the Sagittarius Director; they're both hardliners within the Bureau. However, unlike the Sagittarius Director's verbal toughness, the Crab Director is gentle in speech but becomes unyielding when faced with actual situations.
Over the past two decades, while he's been stationed in the Abyss, there have been demons attempting to cause trouble, but most of them have been devoured. So, he has a soft spot for the hardliners. When you study the Secret Art with him, you can pretend to be a bit tougher."
"Okay..."
"Also, that big, bloated belly of his is actually the safest prison in the entire Cleanup Bureau. Many troublesome individuals are sent there, and who knows how many ferocious opponents are locked up inside.
Moreover, this prison requires 'inheritance' from generation to generation. If you truly master the Crab Secret Art, in the future, when the current Crab Director passes on, all the imprisoned evil gods will be transferred into your belly at once."
What? So, after learning the Crab Secret Art, I have to inherit that big belly and also work as the prison warden for the Cleanup Bureau?
After listening to the Red-Haired Commissioner's introduction, Lyon couldn't help but glance at the Crab Director's big belly. His expression became slightly strained, and he couldn't help but ask, "What if, when the current Crab Director passes away, the new Secret Art successor isn't strong enough, or no one has learned the Secret Art? What will happen to the evil gods in that 'prison'?"
"The Bureau has a contingency plan for this. While it requires immense strength to cast the Anomaly Devouring Secret Art, the requirements to accept prisoners already under the control of the Secret Art and maintain the 'prison' are much lower. Basically, anyone above the entry-level can manage it.
If the position of the Crab Director is left vacant for a generation, and no one successfully masters the Crab Secret Art, then before the previous Crab Director passes away, his body and soul will be temporarily frozen. When a new Secret Art practitioner emerges, they can directly extract the prisoners by mouth-to-mouth."
"What?! Using the mouth to suck?!"
"Yes, by mouth."
After seeing Lyon's shocked expression, the Red-Haired Commissioner's eyebrows raised slightly, and he asked with a playful tone, "The Crab Palace's Devouring Secret Art is cast through the mouth. If not by mouth, how else could it be done?"
"Then, when transferring prisoners, how far can they be separated at most?"
"They can't be separated at all. You must hold them close and suck tightly."
(O_O)!
"There's no other way. After all, it involves many important prisoners, so we can't afford to be careless."
Glancing at the Crab Director, who had just contacted Lyon without going through him, the Red-Haired Commissioner held Lyon's palm and explained calmly, "The Crab Secret Art can only suppress prisoners within the body. If they move too far away, the Secret Art will be interrupted, and the prisoners might escape. That's why, during the transfer, the lips must remain tightly sealed, not even a sliver apart."
"..."
Oh my...
After hearing the detailed method of transferring prisoners, Leon couldn't help but raise his head and look towards the Crab Director in shock.
The Crab Director, with his large belly, was sitting there with a cheerful smile, listening to the bickering among the division heads. Sensing Leon's gaze, he opened his thick, greasy lips in a smile of appreciation, and then unconsciously licked his lips.
"Hiss..."
After glancing at the Crab Director's plump lips, Leon couldn't help but shudder instinctively, then lowered his head obediently, avoiding the Crab Director's appreciative gaze.
This Secret Art... it's not like I have to learn it... Farewell!
...
"Enough!"
After arguing with the division heads for several hours, the Sagittarius Director, who was presiding over the meeting, rubbed his forehead in exasperation. He then gestured for everyone to quiet down and continued with a frown, "Regarding the proposal to recall the Commissioner, let's end the discussion here for today. Since we can't reach a conclusion, we'll maintain the status quo for now and not rush to bring them back.
Apart from the matter of recalling the Commissioner, there's another important issue that I must inform you about. Director Taurus's condition is not good, and he may not be able to hold on for much longer."
?!?!
Upon hearing the Sagittarius Director's words, the Red-Haired Commissioner, who had been sneaking a smile at Leon, suddenly changed her expression, her eyebrows shooting up.
However, as if anticipating her reaction, the Sagittarius Director quickly changed the topic, speaking expressionlessly, "Although there's no immediate danger to his life, Director Taurus's soul has separated from his body and climbed over three thousand steps of the palace's staircase, incurring significant damage. It will be difficult for him to maintain his previous state, so he may have to step down from his position as a Director sooner than expected."
Tsk... This old guy is still as annoying as ever!
After shooting the Sagittarius Director a glare, the Red-Haired Commissioner sighed and leaned back in her chair. The Sagittarius Director glanced at Leon, who was behind her, and then continued, "Including the traitor Aquarius, there are currently two vacant Director positions. The Crab Director is also older and has old injuries, so he may step down in the next few years."
Even though the Sagittarius Director's words implied that his own life was coming to an end, the Crab Director didn't seem angry. Instead, he chuckled and nodded, "Yes, I won't live much longer! Including me, we might need to fill three positions at once. Additionally, Sagittarius made a mistake this time and has to guard the abyss, and Pisces's situation is rather special. It's best to start searching for successors early.
So, we old-timers have decided to initiate a joint selection process for the Secret Arts of Aquarius, Taurus, Sagittarius, Pisces, and Cancer Palaces. We aim to cultivate a new generation of Secret Art successors before we pass away.
In this round of screening, apart from recommendations from Directors and Zodiac Commissioners, the Zodiac Palace will directly select participants. All Level 2 and above Cleaning Bureau members with corresponding Zodiac Palace marks on their arms will have to participate in the corresponding selection."
Having corresponding marks on their arms... So that pat on my arm from the Crab Director must have been his 'Director's Recommendation'? After hearing the Crab Director's new arrangement, Leon instinctively looked down at his left arm and felt his mind go blank.
The round crab, which had been floating in his mind, appeared again. It held a celadon-colored porcelain bottle in its left claw, a crooked bow and arrow in its right, and stood on two black and white fish, looking fierce and intimidating towards the ox on the opposite side...
"???"
(End of Chapter)
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