Seized by the System

After Fang Ning finished reading the System Notifications, he soon spotted a problem.

Where did the Wicked Lunar Devil originate from? Who exactly was it? What mission did it have that urged it to reveal itself near the Divine Gate?

These mysteries hung before Fang Ning like curtains and fog, layered deep to shield the truth. Fang Ning was haunted by them, tangled in their tendrils.

Fang Ning had known parts of the truth behind the vitality recovery here on Earth through those from the Upper Realm – of course, most of it came from those who were detained next door.

However, he had no idea about the direction that the future was going to take after the recovery of vitality. Thus, it was impossible for him to fathom how many mysterious presences and influences had chosen to hide behind this layer of fog. Though, it would not take a genius to imagine how many powerhouses would lay low and observe in this era of vitality recovery, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

Obviously, one of the enemies for the Heavenly Axiom of the earth had appeared, and it was so powerful that only Vigilante A and the Spirit Bear could stand a chance against it.

When faced with perplexing problems, the investigator’s mind that laid within him kicked into high gear once again.

According to the standard operating procedure of a prestigious investigator, the first thing that should be done was to locate the witnesses, and collect information…

Thus, Fang Ning located the witnesses through WeChat.

“Hey, Old Man Zheng, you’re around when that wicked devil showed up, right?”

“I was just about to report to you, Venerable One. I feared that I might interrupt your cleanup around the battlefield, which was why I delayed my report. Please forgive me.” Zheng Dao took only a second to reply. He must have been staring at his phone, waiting for a message from his boss.

“You did well. Now, I will assign a task to investigate everything that happened from when the wicked devil appeared until it was terminated. Get the information, compile it, and if it’s possible, send it to me via video.”

Fang Ning already had lasting first-hand experience on how tiring it was to read a report filled with words.

“No problem, Venerable One. I’m on it, and I will send it to you as soon as possible.”

With that, Fang Ning relaxed into the couch, serenely waiting for Zheng Dao’s report.

Sir System was astonished. “So this is how you being driven and hardworking looks like? Is this how you’re going to get yourself back to gear and get used to the quick pace of work? You’re actually not investigating this yourself, are you fooling me again?”

Fang Ning had an underlying tone of righteousness as he spoke. “You’re really a fool. We’ve just eliminated a devil, and you want me to go out without even knowing any details on the enemy? Are you trying to kill us both?”

“Oh, that makes sense.” Sir System could not come up with a retort.

Hence, Fang Ning curled and stayed inside the System Space, relaxed and safe. After some contemplation, he decided that he should not sit around and do nothing during the wait, and slacking off sneakily to read novels would cause him much guilt. After all, this was still within the effective period of the aforementioned determination…

Thus, he decided to go investigate by himself. Destination? Next door.

The System Prison that was just one street away from the System Cyber Café.

///

Anderson was focused on marking the examination sheets that were collected just these few days. Some were written with contents fit for junior high, some for senior high, and only a rare few for university. There were also some for elementary schools, but fortunately, he had not come across any examination sheets for pre-school. That saved him some worry…

Previously, the Warden said to start a huge event for learning in an effort to elevate the combined quality of the sinners. To him, this was all but a way to increase the productivity and efficiency of the Draconic Penitentiary, so the maximum value and potential could be reaped from it…

No, that was wrong, this was for these sinners to contribute for the benefit of the Venerable One, so they could cleanse the numerous sins and crimes that they had committed when they were alive.

Anderson was extremely focused as he checked the papers. After all, this was a sign of trust from the Warden!

As a Soul Consumption Devil, Anderson’s knowledge on both realms was extensive. If any mistake were to be found during the marking of these papers, he would not have a good time after this.

Recently, the souls in here who assumed that they had understood the nooks and crannies of the operation of the Draconic Penitentiary were actively trying to snatch an opportunity to take his place…

These sinners were not those who were willing to stay obedient. One of them was Chen Tianxiao, the junior of Gu Buwei.

This fellow probably assumed that enough time has passed that his presence must have diminished to the extent that Sir Warden would probably forget about his much-hated characteristics and his evildoings. To him, the chance for him to start over had finally arrived.

Thus, it seemed to be very difficult for this dude to sit still these days. He had devoted extraordinary effort into his studies, burnt numerous midnight oils to finish practice questions. His results were improving day by day.

With the basics he had as a soul of a Pond-level powerhouse, one day of actual focus and hard work on his studies were equivalent to almost one month of studies for an ordinary student.

That was because most of the knowledge required understanding and application. For those that only required rote memorization, the amount the soul could stomach in one day was comparable to years, or even the entire life’s worth of information of other ordinary people.

That was how massive the difference between a Cultivator and an ordinary person was!

It seemed like it would be necessary to add in some professor-level frontier problems, those that did not have answers. This might then show the fellow that he was still light years away from himself!

The task that was the most suitable and appropriate for that soul was to obediently move more bricks and attend more tuition for another couple of years.

Anderson quietly plotted to himself the ways to deal with those potential competitors of his, planning and preparing to nip them at the bud.

When he was in deep contemplation, he suddenly snapped back into focus. Just as he wanted to stand, he sat himself back down and continued to mark the papers with utmost concentration. At the same time, he was mumbling to himself.

“This student’s understanding on the theory was still lacking. However, the skills and method of experiment were quite well done.”

“Hm, XX’s answer displayed good basic understanding of these two points. However, there is still a flaw that requires additional mending.”

///

It was rare for Anderson to not greet him first thing when Fang Ning walked into the Draconic Penitentiary. Then, he noticed that the lights in the prison officer’s office were all on. Someone was working.

He approached the office and noticed the focused Anderson through the window. The latter was busy marking the papers, leaving comments occasionally.

This was good. Even if he himself was quite lazy and had a very brief period of enthusiasm, his subordinates were hardworking! He could build his power even if he laid horizontal all day…

System Notification: [The Host’s fighting spirit is decreasing…]

Feeling sheepish, Fang Ning quickly rushed into the office to meet Anderson. Anderson immediately stood, looking panicked as he turned to greet Fang Ning.

“I apologize, Sir Warden. I was too absorbed in checking these papers. Some answers given by the students were too detailed and difficult that even I still need to contemplate for long before even I can decide if they were correct.”

“I am not worried about your work. Leave the sheets behind, I have an urgent matter to seek for your counsel.”

It only took Fang Ning one look at the pile of examination sheets at the corner of the office that was as tall as a mountain to lose his interest in checking them.

There were approximately ten thousand examination sheets there. A mountain was not an exaggerated metaphor.

“Please go on, sir.” Anderson was elated internally. It was fortunate for him to meet this boss that was a green pea that was an inexperienced as a newborn baby bird. If he had another boss, Anderson would not have such an easy time tending to him.

“You probably hadn’t had the chance to watch the previous battle, have you?” Fang Ning asked.

“Sorry, sir. If you had not summoned me, I would never voluntarily watch the live feed that displayed the external world.” Anderson’s tone was full of respect.

“Haha, there is no need for such restraint. Go and watch the replay, and I’ll ask you some questions later.”

Anderson nodded before he opened the big screen. Soon, the replay for the most recent battle started.

Throughout the replay, Anderson was trying hard to suppress his astonishment.

He never expected someone to reach much earlier like this devil, but the most surprising of all was how powerful and capable Vigilante A – no, the Venerable Dragon God – was!

In the Upper Realm, the birth of these major devils and demons that could achieve Divine Unity could be comparable to Sun Wukong, a legendary character in the Journey to the West, a myth of the humans in this realm. ¹

This realm was still in a unique phase of transition from the Era of Technology to the Era of Vitality. With this point alone, most of the powers of this devil would have been greatly restricted.

Even so, the Venerable Dragon God had terminated his enemy with just one strike of his sword, as usual. This had given him a brutal reminder that small, unnoticeable acts and rebellions were as far as he could push things. He should never even think of starting a riot, else the only end that welcomed him will be the annihilation of both his soul and spirit.

Remember, he did not feel any new souls appearing within the Draconic Penitentiary after the battle.

That meant total obliteration.

Trying to maintain his composure, Anderson somehow spoke with more respect than before, “I have finished viewing the battle. Sir Warden, please ask whatever you intend to know. I might need some time, but I will definitely provide you with a satisfactory answer.”

Fang Ning nodded, pleased. “Good. Do you know what is the origin of this devil – no, the Wicked Lunar Devil?”

Anderson said firmly, “I could give you an affirmative answer now, sir. It does not belong to us, the Upper Realm. It should be a local devil.”