Chapter 264 218: Sacred Artifact

"Fine." The person in charge hesitated for a good while, then gritted his teeth and made up his mind. "If they want a boost, they'll get a boost!"

If someone called again, he would just say that the owner of the phone number had requested it.

When titans clashed, it had nothing to do with a small fry like him! He was just the one steering public opinion.

「Meanwhile.」

After scrolling for a full half-hour, Howard was relieved to see the comment section was finally much more harmonious. At the same time, the video's popularity was skyrocketing even faster. Feeling pleased, he went back to watching the videos…

Another half-hour passed before he finally forced himself to look away. He felt he couldn't watch any longer. 'If I keep this up… I'll probably be sitting here until dawn!'

"But this level of addictiveness… it reminds me of TT." Howard suddenly froze. 'Could it be? In the future, will this give birth to another phenomenal company?'

'If that's really the case, should I see if we can lead an acquisition…? No, it doesn't look like they're short on cash! That makes things a bit troublesome… Or perhaps I can try to sound out Chu Bamboo about it in the future?'

After pondering for a good while, he had a sudden realization.

"One," Howard asked, his eyes taking on a sharp, dark glint. "Based on these videos, extrapolate the capabilities of the AI behind the scenes… Is there any possibility it could catch up to you?"

'If there is!' Howard pursed his lips. 'Then this Zhao Shao… his suspicion level might need to be raised to be on par with Guan Qianyu's...'

After all, he knew the origin of the Celestial Net all too well.

'To be able to catch up to *that*… is that even human?!'

"…Beginning analysis! Initiating Celestial Net linked thinking." Celestial Net One pondered for a long time before finally providing an answer: "Extrapolating based on the current situation! The opposing AI appears to specialize in video production… Different AIs possess different strengths! This dictates that if the opposing AI is extremely proficient in video production, its performance evaluations in other areas will be drastically lower! Taking into account the previous manipulation of public opinion… Conclusion: It is likely an AI specialized for entertainment!"

"Sir, based on extrapolations from the available information… this type of video production, when compared to a true artificial intelligence, is a step in the wrong direction… Perhaps we can appropriately lower Mr. Zhao Shao's suspicion level!"

"?" Howard was stunned. 'His suspicion level went down instead?' He couldn't quite wrap his head around it. 'Whatever. Since it's a decision made by the Celestial Net...'

Howard was very self-aware. The reason he was the one with the codename Tank was precisely because he wasn't the type who excelled at using his brain!

He was just an executor! When it came to logical deduction, he was indeed no match for the Celestial Net…

"Then," Howard paused briefly, "pass this information to the Priest!"

But then, Howard saw a new message pop up, and an astonished expression appeared on his face. "What? That Mr. Chu is going to the White-headed Eagle tomorrow? So soon? But…"

'I originally thought he would only respond after I sent him the official notification! Why is he in such a rush to go now? Is he planning a vacation to the White-headed Eagle or something?'

Still baffled, he soon read the next part: "What does this mean… 'Going to participate in the Grand Slam Games'???"

"Aren't you a singer? Wait! You're a student athlete, too?!"

Howard was dumbfounded. Everything about this felt off. "Wait a minute! The reason he's messaging me now... could it be…"

As the realization dawned on him, the corner of Howard's eye twitched. "Celestial Net, now… get in touch with the visa center, emergency! Get the visa processed on an urgent basis… It has to be done before six tomorrow morning! And same as always, the applicant won't be showing up in person…"

'Who knew it would be this fast?'

He had said earlier that it could be done by the afternoon! That was just a pleasantry… But now… given the circumstances, he had no choice but to inconvenience the staff at the visa center and make them rush it.

Once the visa was fully approved and the notification was sent, Howard breathed a small sigh of relief.

After a moment's thought, Howard ordered two more bowls of noodles from the owner, finished his dinner, paid the bill, and left.

「A moment later.」

「The Jinling White-headed Eagle Visa Center.」

Howard got a room and, with a serious expression, contacted James again. He laid out the specific situation…

"So, let me get this straight. You're planning to come back first to help this young gentleman with his affairs, and then you'll return to Jinling to continue searching for potential Saint candidates?" James Raven was clearly displeased.

"I've met with all the suspects I could!" Howard sighed. "As for the remaining ones, like Guan Qianyu, I can't get near her at all. In fact, according to the Celestial Net, I'm already being watched by the officials here in the Divine Continent… I was probably too reckless before."

Completely oblivious to the fact that his contact with Chu Bamboo was the source of his problems, Howard was still racking his brain, wondering which Saint candidate with official connections he had approached to land himself in this mess. After all, in his eyes, Chu Bamboo was ultimately just a super-genius with a hodgepodge of skills, not a scientist.

"When I get back, I plan to request a Sacred Artifact!" Howard said, choosing his words carefully. "After all, only by using those Sacred Artifacts to test them can we confirm… whether a candidate is the true Saint!"

"…You mean you suspect this Chu Bamboo?" James Raven read between the lines.

"I wouldn't say I suspect him. He just happens to be heading over, so we might as well test him," Howard said, nodding with a blank expression. "But speaking of which, his suspicion level has certainly gone up… It's not just the songs, but also his incredible calligraphy… and most importantly, his physique!"

Howard's fingers gently tapped the table. "Originally, he was at the bottom of my list… But now, as I see it, if he manages to achieve extraordinary results in sports, his suspicion level will be second only to Guan Qianyu and Zhao Shao. And now, he just so happens to be heading to the White-headed Eagle! If all goes well and it really is him… that would be the best-case scenario!"

"Of course," Howard paused and then shrugged, "even if it isn't him, it's no big deal. Once I'm done with his situation, I can just bring a Sacred Artifact back here to the Divine Continent."

"After all, I can't figure out who the prime suspect is just by talking to them! A situation like Mr. Chu happening to go to the White-headed Eagle is a rare opportunity… You can't expect me to find the Saint without giving me any tools to do the job."

"…" After a long silence, James used the Celestial Net to sift through the vast amount of data they had collected. Following a moment of indecision, he finally nodded. "Alright, Tank. I approve your return. As for the Sacred Artifact, I will arrange a meeting. We'll let the vote decide."

Pausing for a moment, James Raven looked at Howard and stressed, "But regardless… even if you're not there, the monitoring in Jinling cannot be relaxed!"

"I know." Howard nodded, then piously made the sign of the cross over his chest.

The two looked at each other and spoke in near-perfect unison.

"May all things return to the All-Knowing, All-Powerful Lord!"

Then, the screen went dark. In its place… was a slowly closing eye.