"For instance, the public code 'Hierarchy 3-04' for the 'Doomsday Holy Hand' means it is the fourth most powerful artifact in the third tier of the Hierarchy."

"Don't think this ranking isn't impressive. In fact, Hierarchy-tier artifacts are already extremely powerful. So far, there are just over fifty artifacts with public Hierarchy codes."

"It seems there are only about twenty at the Heaven tier and no more than one hundred at the Human tier."

"Of course, there are also so-called 'Secret Sequence' artifacts, which are not publicly disclosed and are secretly crafted by major organizations. The number of these is also limited, and many legendary 'Secret Sequence' artifacts don't actually exist, having been fabricated for various reasons."

"However, the 'Doomsday Holy Hand' originally came as a pair. One of them was lost a long time ago. The exact details are quite complex and unknown to outsiders. The Atomic Holy Church has been secretly striving to recover the lost one over these years."

"Judging from the content of this mission, it seems to have been stolen by the defector, Dilina."

Marcus tried hard to search his memory. "Dilina, Dilina... sounds somewhat familiar, but I can't remember where I've heard that name. Try looking it up on the star-net yourself."

"Okay, thanks, Boss," Chen Gu replied.

Chen Gu hung up the call and immediately typed Dilina's name into the search box. Countless results appeared; with billions of people in the Star Sea, who knew how many might share that name. After a moment's thought, Chen Gu added another search term: 'Yingudusi Devil's Pit.' The search results quickly narrowed, and he soon found what he was looking for.

"...One of the crew members of the Four Hundred Brave, suspected to be 'Nuclear Explosion Nun,' participated in the legendary battle against a super life form in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit..."

No wonder the Holy Church's mission encourages entering the Yingudusi Devil's Pit, offering a reward of 100 merit points just for going there.

Chen Gu searched again for the Four Hundred Brave, selected some credible events, and compiled them in chronological order. He then discovered that after the battle in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit, the Four Hundred Brave continued to exist for over another hundred years. However, during this later period, the ship's deeds were not as legendary as before.

The entire existence of the Four Hundred Brave spanned over six hundred years. Even in the current era, it would be nearly impossible for a professional to live that long. He then specifically searched for some "star crew members" and discovered that the legendary "pirate ship" must have changed crews several times.

Defector Dilina was one of the star crew members for over a hundred years before the battle in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit, but after that, no more legends about her could be found.

It seems very likely that Defector Dilina perished in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit. The results of my internet search aren't very reliable, serving only as indirect evidence. The real confirmation of Dilina's demise is the mission the Holy Church published here; they must have conducted extensive investigations to find the 'Doomsday Holy Hand.'

The merit point cost for the 'Nuclear Combat Technique' was also tiered. The first Energy Level section required 1,000 merit points. This meant Chen Gu only needed to find enough traces of Dilina's activities in the Yingudusi Devil's Pit and piece them together into a trail. That would be sufficient.

And he might even have some surplus.

This is the one. Chen Gu made up his mind. He was already planning to go to the Yingudusi Devil's Pit with Big Rabbit. This was an opportunity to complete the mission while also protecting himself by blending in with the mercenary team hired by the wealthy backer.

As for the President being a woman... I should first test the waters to see if Big Rabbit has met the President. It would be easiest if Big Rabbit hasn't. If she has, I could just forcefully explain: 'I wanted to embrace my true self, so I had some minor surgery...'

Chen Gu sent a message to the priest's assistant, indicating his acceptance of the mission. After a while, the assistant replied, "This mission is highly dangerous. To avoid unnecessary sacrifice, we need to assess you."

"Please come to the church at six o'clock tomorrow evening."

Chen Gu agreed, "I'll be there on time."

Then Chen Gu realized a problem. I need the 'Nuclear Combat Technique' to enhance my combat abilities, but I might face intensely difficult battles soon. To strengthen my combat abilities, I need to find a way to boost them as quickly as possible. Going in circles.

With no other option, Chen Gu opened the internal network of the agency again and found the martial arts technique exchange page. This time, however, he discovered a subpage under it: Sword Techniques.

With some anticipation, Chen Gu opened it. Only a dozen or so sword techniques flashed by before the list ended.

Chen Gu was startled. No wonder this subpage was designed so inconspicuously; it was indeed rather shabby.

He still took a serious look. The first technique was 'Annihilating Star Slash,' with an exchange value of 1,000,000,000.

Chen Gu was startled. After carefully counting the zeroes, he drew a sharp breath. It really is one billion! Even on the main martial arts technique page, the strongest ones were only worth two million merit points.

He carefully read the introduction of 'Annihilating Star Slash.' This sword technique consisted of only one move, but its power was immense.

It truly could achieve an annihilating star slash!

Can professionals really become this powerful? Slashing a planet in a single stroke? Like an Annihilating Star Cannon?

However, a line of fine print below 'Annihilating Star Slash' indicated: 'To achieve maximum power, this technique requires the use of the publicly listed Heavenly Item 2-01. Otherwise, its full strength cannot be reached.'

Chen Gu was dumbfounded. Requiring combination with a Heavenly Item and still daring to ask for one billion! Are they out of their minds...?

He continued to look down and soon discovered a huge price discrepancy among the dozen or so sword techniques; the cheapest set cost only 200 merit points.

Powerful sword techniques often required special weapons, or even items, to complement them.

He opened and looked through the detailed introductions of techniques under 3,000 merit points, trying his luck to find one suitable for himself.

There were seven in total. By the time he reached the fifth one, Chen Gu was already greatly disappointed, when suddenly a name leaped into his eyes: Fury of the Open Sky!

He quickly checked the details and indeed saw the phrase: 'This sword technique, when combined with 'Fury of the Open Sky,' can exert its greatest power.'

'Fury of the Open Sky' was considered the treasure of Zhaojieze City's sub-branch; if exchanged for merit points, it should rank above both 'Kunlun Thunder' and 'Fiery Banner.'

Thus, having a sword technique that complemented it was not an exaggeration.

This sword technique was called 'Explosive Heaven-Searing Sword.' Its power far surpassed the three martial arts techniques he was previously interested in. Moreover, its movements were straightforward and decisive, filled with a domineering aura, as if capable of blasting all creation apart with a single slash.

Chen Gu was particularly pleased, but upon seeing the price, his enthusiasm halved: 2,500.

Purchasing this would significantly shrink my wealth. Moreover, it's just a transitional martial art; in the future, I'll definitely prioritize the 'Nuclear Combat Technique.'

Chen Gu felt torn, but within thirty seconds, he made a decision. This is life-saving stuff; I can't be stingy. Besides, with my knack for escalating things in every mission I undertake, won't merit points come rolling in like endless worldly dust in the future?

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