Chen Gu broke out in a cold sweat. I was getting carried away, he thought. Scroll down, quickly scroll down!

After scrolling for a long time, the exchange value on the page still hovered around 500,000. Chen Gu gave up and redefined his search range: below 500 merit points.

But this time, the results that appeared were clearly inferior even to the "Great Ancient Martial Nine Forms." For example, there were items like "12 Narrow-Range Combat Techniques" and "Speed-Boosting Thunder Palm."

Chen Gu clenched his teeth. It looks like I still have to spend big.

He then limited the search range to below 2,000 merit points, and this time he finally found some suitable targets.

Chen Gu opened and browsed through them one by one. After a side-by-side comparison, he selected a few.

One was "New School Combat Compendium," with an exchange value of 2,000. This martial art was somewhat similar to the High-Energy Combat Art and possessed considerable power. If he chose this, Chen Gu could master it with half the effort.

However, "considerable power" was just that—considerable. Chen Gu always felt something was missing. It was just short of being able to make a gorilla crap itself with a single punch.

Another was "High-Tech Internal Energy Release Fist Technique," which used scientific methods to analyze and elucidate the ancient principle of "internal energy release." By strictly following the training described in this martial technique, anyone could master this internal energy release.

Aptitude? Don't even mention aptitude. Any trash-tier aptitude can be fixed with a single injection! If that still doesn't work… well, that just means your father is poor and bought a cheap, ineffective product.

It also came with a corresponding set of fist techniques.

The exchange value was also 2,000.

This set of fist techniques was powerful enough to take down a foolish gorilla with one punch, but it also had its drawbacks. Specifically, the accompanying fist techniques were quite ordinary.

It focused on the power of each punch; every strike could unleash internal energy. Since he wasn't fighting the gorilla to the death, he could, of course, send it flying with a heavy internal energy punch. However, when it came to actual missions, the deficiencies in his fist techniques would become apparent.

There was also the "Martial Body Combat Method," with an exchange value of 1,900.

The philosophy of this martial art was that any part of the body could become a weapon; the entire body was a "Martial Body."

Headbutts, elbow strikes, and back thrusts were mere child's play. It even included some moves for critical moments that involved engorging key body parts to execute stabbing attacks!

However, the manual also noted in bold red letters: Do not use unless absolutely necessary. Slay ten thousand enemies, but lose eighty thousand of your own! Caution, caution!

This martial art was actually quite good in all aspects, but… it wasn't stylish enough.

Chen Gu found it hard to imagine himself attacking enemies in all sorts of bizarre poses during battle. It was somewhat cringe-inducing.

After all, I'm an idol-type actor!

He was conflicted for a moment, unsure which one to choose. Unable to decide, Chen Gu called Marcus for his opinion.

Marcus was at home playing with his children; the sound of kids laughing and playing could be heard over the phone.

After listening to Chen Gu, Marcus thought for a moment and said, "The martial arts in the Bureau are all pretty run-of-the-mill. If you really want the most suitable one, I suggest you try reaching out to the Atomic Holy Church."

"The most suitable martial arts for professionals are definitely in the hands of the organizations where those professions originated."

Chen Gu said helplessly, "But I don't know anyone from the Atomic Holy Church..."

"So what? As long as you can offer them what they want, they will give you what you want. I remember their branch is in District 21. Go take a look before making a decision."

Chen Gu thanked his team leader, hung up, and immediately checked Milna Katerina's memories.

But the results were deeply disappointing for Chen Gu.

The memories of Milna Katerina, this Fourth Energy Level master from the Atomic Holy Church, contained very little about close combat and fighting.

A person's complete memory is vast, like an ever-expanding treasury ripe for exploration.

Chen Gu carefully examined the information and discovered that Milna Katerina had been the Atomic Holy Church's prodigy since childhood.

She had always been groomed to be a "Saintess," her duties focused on fully demonstrating the "strength" of the Holy Church to the faithful.

Therefore, her specialization was Biological Nuclear Explosion. Fighting was not something a high and mighty Saintess like her needed to concern herself with.

Since childhood, she had been accompanied by four Radiation Missionaries. When fighting was necessary, they would take action on her behalf.

Among Milna Katerina's skills, the only one somewhat related to combat was a minor she had taken in "Cannon Combat Art."

But that required her weapon, a highly destructive and extremely expensive "Atomic Power Handcannon," to be effective.

The power of each shot from this weapon was comparable to an army's main artillery.

Even in this era, it was a weapon strictly controlled by the Atomic Holy Church, unobtainable even for a hefty sum on the black market.

Now Chen Gu was out of options. He had to seek out the Atomic Holy Church. I lack confidence, but I might as well try my luck, he thought.

* * *

Over the weekend, Chen Gu asked his team leader for time off to visit a branch of the Atomic Holy Church. Marcus told him, "Going just like that definitely won't work."

Marcus helped him prepare an official letter from the Bureau of Mystic Security, verifying Chen Gu's identity and stating that the branch office endorsed his actions.

"Once you're there, only show it to individuals at the priest level or higher. The lower-ranking clergy aren't even aware of the Bureau of Mystic Security's existence and might cause a leak."

"I understand," Chen Gu nodded and drove there himself.

District 21 in Wuzhaoyin City was an ordinary district, home to common citizens, making it suitable for the Atomic Holy Church to cultivate its followers.

The branch's church was magnificently built, exuding a sense of high technology.

When Chen Gu entered, many believers were inside praying. He quietly told a clergyman that he wished to see the priest. The clergyman looked him up and down and then asked, "The priest may not have time to see you. If you wish to confess, we have others available..."

Chen Gu waved his hand. "I have some official business that only someone at the priest level or higher can decide."

The clergyman immediately replied, "I'm sorry, didn't you see the 'No Soliciting' sign posted at the church entrance?"

Chen Gu cursed silently, No wonder your Atomic Holy Church has always been so lukewarm! Other denominations embrace all humanity, accepting every lost lamb, yet you hang a 'No Soliciting' sign at your door!

"I'm not here to solicit. I'm here to make a deal with the Holy Church..."

"Sorry," the clergyman said, raising his hand. "I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

A few security guards approached, and Chen Gu reluctantly left.

He wasn't one to give up easily, though. He waited outside the church until almost noon before he saw the priest emerge, escorted by several clergy members, preparing to get into a car.

Chen Gu immediately rushed forward. "Father, I'd like to talk to you..."

The clergyman from before hurried over to stop him. "I apologize, Father." Then, attempting to push Chen Gu away with a helpless expression, he said, "Why haven't you left yet..."

Chen Gu, a bit angry now, stealthily exerted his strength. How could the clergyman be a match for him? Not only did the clergyman fail to push Chen Gu away, but he was also pushed back by Chen Gu, moving closer to the priest.

Chen Gu extended his hand to the priest. "Greetings."

The priest shook his hand. As Chen Gu slightly released the power of a Radiation Missionary, a glint of surprise appeared in the priest's eyes, followed by a gentle smile.

He waved his hand, gesturing for the clergyman to step back. "He is a friend of ours."

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