173: Chapter 173 Working Together, Cosmic Warriors Each Bring Out Their Resources

The expressions of the other Cosmic Martial Artists were also grim.

Most of their thoughts were the same as Chairwoman Zhao Nianzhen's; they all realized that once the Civilization Assessment ended and the civilization was downgraded, the Federation's seven life stars would be bought by powerful individuals.

The fate of becoming slaves.

As Cosmic Martial Artists, what could they do?

"Directors, I have a question."

Jiang Chen's face was surprisingly calm as he asked, "I can understand the Federation being targeted by powerful individuals in the Universe."

"But why did he make the Civilization Management Office change the assessment rules?"

"Is our Federation's information under the constant control of the Red Water Empire's Civilization Management Office?"

Clearly, the premise for changing the assessment system and avoiding the Transcendental battle was that the other party knew of Fang Zhuo's combat power!

They felt that they would highly likely lose the Transcendental battle, which might allow the Blue Moon Federation to maintain its level or even succeed in upgrading.

Otherwise, there would be no reason to temporarily change the assessment system.

"The Red Water Empire is very far from the Federation; even with point-to-point interstellar travel, it takes two months. Our Federation's martial arts have only recently risen, and we are only a low-level Tier 2 civilization, so they have not stationed anyone in the Federation."

Chairman Song Shou looked at Jiang Chen and explained, also understanding the consideration behind Jiang Chen's question.

"Are you suspecting... that there is a mole among us, passing intelligence to the Red Water Empire's Civilization Management Office?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions became subtle.

Among the four in the civilization seed group, Fang Zhuo himself was lost in thought.

Wang Jinhua's temples throbbed, his face cold, appearing somewhat angry.

Takeuchi Reina straightened her body slightly, her hand gripping her wooden sword tightening.

Jiang Chen calmly nodded at Chairman Song Shou, "The possibility is very high. The powerful Martial Artist who has his eyes on the Federation must have ordered the Civilization Management Office to change the rules only after knowing Fang Zhuo's combat power."

"They want to avoid the risky Transcendental battle and downgrade our civilization more securely."

The few Cosmic Martial Artists looked at each other, all seeing the gravity in each other's eyes.

"The Cosmic Martial Artists present have all contributed a lot to the Federation and are trustworthy." Chairman Song Shou vouched for the Cosmic Martial Artists.

"As the person who pointed out the problem, Jiang Chen is naturally trustworthy too, right?"

Chairman Onni from the Future Group looked at everyone.

"I can vouch for Takeuchi Reina; she would never betray the Federation."

Chairwoman Zhao Nianzhen also spoke up.

"I can trust Wang Jinhua and Fang Zhuo," Director Xiao Yuan said, looking at the three Cosmic Martial Artists besides Chairman Song Shou.

"Alright, everyone in this video conference is a trustworthy partner. Fang Zhuo's combat power was indeed passed to the Red Water Empire's Civilization Management Office, but it was definitely not by anyone present."

Chairman Song Shou made the final decision.

Chairwoman Zhao Nianzhen also added, "Many people in my New Moon Group know the news of Fang Zhuo mastering the seventh layer of the Thunder Fire Blade."

Three months ago, at four in the morning, she also heard the strange sound that came from the Martial Arts Arena.

"The news spread widely."

"There are many knowledgeable people among Martial Artists from other civilizations in the Red Water Star Domain; perhaps they sold the information to the Civilization Management Office."

Chairwoman Zhao Nianzhen's eyes shifted as she looked at Chairman Song Shou, "I mean, the cultivation progress of the subsequent Flying Sky seeds of our civilization must be strictly kept confidential. Apart from us, no one else should know."

"I will personally seal the Martial Arts Arena so that not a single sound escapes!"

Chairman Song Shou nodded, "Let's do that."

The news of Fang Zhuo mastering the Thunder Fire Blade had indeed spread widely; perhaps it was a Martial Artist within the New Moon Group, or perhaps it was passed to the Civilization Management Office by Martial Artists from other civilizations after being spread multiple times.

Right now, it is not the time to catch a mole.

"Agreed."

Chairman Onni also nodded and said, "I will strictly forbid group Martial Artists from approaching the martial image instrument development room again. Our top priority now is to find a way to pass the Civilization Assessment!"

"Yes."

"We must pass the Civilization Assessment!"

The Black Cosmic Martial Artist clenched his fist and said.

Director Xiao Yuan suggested, "I suggest that we all open up and teach Jiang Chen and the other two; don't hold back any of your unique skills."

The several Cosmic Martial Artists immediately started discussing heatedly.

As Cosmic Martial Artists, their Heart-Nature was surprisingly resilient. Even though the Civilization Assessment system had changed to two Flying Martial Artists and one Cosmic Martial Artist, leaving the Federation with little hope of maintaining its level or upgrading.

But if they didn't try, if they didn't fight, who knew what the outcome would be?

Moreover, the Cosmic Martial Artists had no choice; the Civilization Assessment was a major event affecting the entire Federation, and no one could escape it.

"Wang Jinhua's Martial Aspect Divine Ability... if I'm not mistaken, its characteristics are related to metal, right?"

Chairman Onni asked suddenly. Seeing Wang Jinhua hesitate for half a second before nodding, he immediately took out some golden sand: "I have 50 grams of Vajra Sand here that can be used to strengthen his characteristics."

"Vajra Sand!"

This was a cosmic-level treasure no less valuable than the red jellyfish fluid.

Director Xiao Yuan looked at Chairman Onni, "Good, Chairman Onni, I owe you one."

"What's yours or mine? The Civilization Assessment is everyone's business. As it happens, I obtained this Vajra Sand by accident three years ago while resting on a desolate star."

Chairman Onni said, a flicker of heartache flashing in his eyes.

"Jiang Chen, your Body Control has been at the Heaven-Reaching Limit for some time, right?"

At this moment, Chairwoman Zhao Nianzhen raised her hand and took out a handful of colorful crystals:

"I originally wanted to save these for Takeuchi Reina, but since you have the highest Body Control among the three Flying Martial Artists, I will give them to you. If you can break your Body Control into the realm of Heaven-Human Unity, you will have a 40-50% chance of winning your Flying battle."

Chairman Song Shou saw this and smiled with satisfaction.

"Good, Nianzhen, you and Chairman Onni have both revealed your assets, and I won't hold back either. Takeuchi Reina, have you been comprehending the ninth layer of the Sky Light Flash recently?"

"With your Mental Energy, you shouldn't normally be stuck at the ninth layer; I assume you are comprehending the tenth layer at the same time, right?"

"Director Song has keen insight!"

Takeuchi Reina was somewhat surprised; was the insight of a Cosmic Martial Artist this terrifying?

Just one look, and he had seen right through her.

The tenth layer of the Sky Light Flash?

Wang Jinhua, Fang Zhuo, and Jiang Chen were all somewhat surprised.

The tenth layer of the Sky Light Flash was a Secret Manual Move corresponding to the Cosmic Martial Artist level!

"This Myriad Phenomenon Fruit can temporarily boost your Mental Energy significantly. When the time is right, take it, and you can master both the ninth and tenth layers of the Secret Manual in one go."

"Afterward, once your Mental Energy subsides, relying on your Martial Aspect 'Twin Pupils', I believe you will still have a good chance of executing these two strikes."

"Myriad Phenomenon Fruit?"

Takeuchi Reina asked curiously; hearing Chairman Song Shou say this, it seemed extremely precious.

"Why aren't you thanking Director Song quickly?"

Chairwoman Zhao Nianzhen hurriedly urged the Martial Artist from her group.

"Thank you, Director Song."

Takeuchi Reina bowed and saluted.

"Haha, no need to be polite, everyone is doing this for the Civilization Assessment." Chairman Song Shou said calmly, "Since the assessment rules have changed, then so be it—two Flying Martial Artists it is! If we work together, we might still have a chance?!"

"Since Fang Zhuo won't be participating, we will advance the special training originally scheduled for April. You three are free, so gather tomorrow."

Why was it assumed that he wouldn't be participating...

In the Flying battle, if he fought for it, maybe he would have a chance to participate?

Fang Zhuo's thoughts shifted, and he looked at Chairman Song Shou, "Director Song, I can make the Breakthrough to Flying Martial Artist this month!"

He was still missing the last seven Source Pattern Flowers; if he hurried, it would only take a little over ten days!

By then, using the red jellyfish fluid to assault the Flying Sky Peak, his Life Level would certainly not fall behind.

Once his Life Level caught up, Fang Zhuo felt his Comprehension Ability was no weaker than anyone else's. Based on his past cultivation experience, the eighth and ninth layers of the Thunder Fire Blade would no longer be significant obstacles.

The same went for Body Control; one year was definitely enough to cultivate to the Heaven-Reaching Peak.

Once his combat power boost was locked in, with the Martial Aspect Divine Ability 'Flame', who among the Flying Martial Artists could he not fight?