No strange things are allowed to evolve!

“I didn’t notice that.” Jiang Shu scratched his head: “I obtained the Cataclysmic skill from the beginning, so my skill tree seems the same from beginning to end to me.”

Not only was Jiang Shu unaware, but Shenji also seemed oblivious to it.

"Really?" she asked, somewhat surprised. "How come I didn't notice?"

"Because there are too many skills in total, and there are also many skills that require certain conditions to unlock, it is indeed not easy to discover them if you are not familiar with the original number of skills before obtaining the Cataclysmic skill."

Xia Zhi calmly explained:

"I don't know if you are like me, but if I say that one leaf represents one skill, then the total number of skills on my skill tree is 2,492, including all the calamity-level skills as well as those skills whose names and effects I don't even know."

But after I acquired the Cataclysmic Skill, the total number of skills became 2,510, an increase of 18.

“No…” Shenji was shocked and couldn’t understand: “You counted all the skills on the skill tree? Aren’t there many hidden skills? How did you manage to count them so precisely? And most of the skills are ones we can’t use ourselves, right? I’ve never paid attention to the skills of other spiritual roots, I’ve never even counted them.”

"I have my own ideas."

Xia Zhi answered calmly, without offering any explanation, and simply asked Jiang Shu:

Are you familiar with the Fermi Paradox?

Jiang Shu thought for a moment and replied uncertainly, "The contradiction of a civilization that theoretically has a very high probability of existence but has always been unable to be proven due to a lack of evidence?"

"Yes."

Xia Zhi nodded in satisfaction, and then said:

"I discovered similar contradictions when I was researching those skills."

Some of these skills are clearly not up to the standard expected after level 12. Moreover, not only are their effects affected, but the spiritual points required to learn them are also comparable to those unlocked at lower levels.

These skills may be useful at lower levels, but they become less useful as levels increase.

I once suspected that perhaps a qualitative change would only occur after I had learned all these extra skills, but when I actually did it, I found that there was no difference before and after; the useless ones were still useless.

But since they exist, there must be a reason for their existence.

Therefore, I have always suspected that the Cataclysmic Skills were not skills that could only be acquired after level 12, but rather skills that could be possessed from the moment one becomes an Evolver. Only in this way could those extra skills have a place to be used.

If it's not a coincidence, then there should be one more at each level, reaching exactly eighteen at level eighteen.

This is the only reasonable approach, and it should be a gradual process.

Unfortunately, to this day, I have not found any evidence to support this conjecture.

As Shenji said, not only are there no instances of obtaining a Cataclysmic skill before level twelve, but there is also no Cataclysmic incubation ground outside of the Primordial Spiritual Root Incubation Ground.

"I see..."

Jiang Shu finally understood where that sharp glint in the other person's eyes came from when they learned that he possessed a Cataclysmic-level skill.

For Xia Zhi, he was like a ray of light that suddenly appeared in his long-standing, unresolved confusion; he was the most vivid evidence that proved the other party was not wrong.

This is of paramount importance to Xia Zhi, an evolved being with intelligent spiritual roots.

Unfortunately...

"But even so, I'm still a bit confused. To be honest, before joining the Bureau of Different Systems, I didn't even know that the Trial Incubation Ground was linked to potential, let alone that Cataclysmic-level skills could only be obtained after a second sublimation."

Jiang Shu really wanted to help Xia Zhi find the answer, but he himself didn't know what was going on.

But Xia Zhi was not discouraged by this.

Jiang Shu's appearance was already a pleasant surprise; he didn't expect to solve the problem that had been bothering him for so long in one go.

"So do you remember the name of your trial incubation ground? And how did you get in there?"

"Well... on this joyous day, I stumbled upon this place in the western suburbs by accident. The exact location was roughly next to Yunfu Temple. Before that, I had no idea of ​​the existence of evolved beings," Jiang Shu replied.

"Went in by mistake?" Xia Zhi pondered Jiang Shu's words.

"What... is something wrong?" Jiang Shu looked at Shenji again.

The latter explained: "Well... because the idea of ​​'accidentally entering' is a bit too primitive. Most evolved individuals are actually guided by someone. If we consider this as a kind of industry, most evolved individuals today are brought into the industry by relatives and friends."

On a personal level... that does happen, but such cases are rare now because evolved beings have a fairly comprehensive understanding of the hatchery.

The moment the hatchery is born, countless evolvers will try to conquer it. If the conquest is successful, the hatchery will have no impact on reality. If the conquest fails, the evolvers will isolate the hatchery. Similarly, it is rare for ordinary people to accidentally enter.

Therefore, truly wild evolved beings are almost nonexistent now. The term "wild evolved beings" basically refers to those who haven't joined any organization, and whose guides are not bound by any rules.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shu couldn't help but complain, "If you didn't say they were evolved beings, I would have thought they were from the tobacco bureau."

Shenji nodded awkwardly: "So your accidental entry, coupled with the fact that it's a catastrophe-level incubator, is an extremely low probability event. To be honest, at this point, it's practically inevitable."

The implication is that such a coincidence is impossible in the world.

This made Jiang Shu feel a little guilty.

Because he also felt that such a coincidence was impossible.

Especially after Xia Zhi and Shen Ji introduced themselves, he felt that his friend's image was becoming increasingly unfamiliar.

It's not just mysterious, it's also somewhat frightening.

However, while he could tell Xia Zhi about his own affairs, he couldn't tell Xia Zhi about his friend's affairs.

Even Jiang Shu himself didn't know the true nature of his current friend. At least until he confirmed this, or worse, until he was deemed to be hostile, Jiang Shu still wanted to do his best to protect him.

Just as Jiang Shu was pondering how to smooth things over, Xia Zhi unexpectedly didn't continue the topic.

He then asked a question.

"So, it's understandable that you posted on the forum to meet the entry requirements of Desert Lone Smoke, but how did you know that there was Boundless Sand there?"

"characteristic."

Jiang Shu answered without batting an eye:

"Because I discovered that the characteristics of the items produced by the hatchery are mostly highly consistent with the characteristics of the hatchery itself, I collected information about the characteristics of Wuliangsha and compared it with some hatcheries that I wanted to conquer. Finally, I found that Damo Guyan has a high probability of being related to Wuliangsha."

After saying that, he calmly observed Xia Zhi's reaction.

This explanation is somewhat far-fetched, but it's the best explanation Jiang Shu can think of right now.

To his surprise, Xia Zhi did not question it at all. Instead, he surprisingly praised Jiang Shu, which was completely out of character for him.

“I understand. It’s not easy for you to discover these things. Many high-level evolvers may not be as sensitive to the rules as you.”

"That's it...?" Jiang Shu blinked in surprise.

But just as he breathed a sigh of relief, he heard Xia Zhi change the subject.

"As for the real reason, I'll tell you when you're ready."

Jiang Shu was taken aback.

"Huh?"

Chapter 192 The Three Stages of Cataclysmic Skills

Jiang Shu blinked, looking completely innocent.

Generally speaking, when he makes this expression, it's immediately clear whether he's right or wrong.

Unfortunately, he was facing Xia Zhi, the director of the Bureau of Different Principles, the mountain with the highest wisdom and spiritual root.

"I am very willing to believe you."

The strategist, standing to the side, said ruthlessly and helplessly:

"But I trust him more; no one has been able to fool him so far."

"That's not entirely true."

Xia Zhi shook his head and corrected him:

"To be precise, no one can lie to my face."

No one can lie to your face...

Jiang Shu was immediately embarrassed.

At the same time, he suddenly realized something.

Could it be that the communication between the elderly Wuzheng and the bureau chief required the middleman, Consultant Liu, not only because of his status, but also because he was afraid to face the bureau chief directly?

It's hard to hide anything from him in person, so the only way to convey his thoughts is through subordinates who don't know the truth. Thinking about it that way seems quite reasonable...

So if you want to fool the bureau chief, the prerequisite is that you yourself must believe that you are telling the truth.

But that issue isn't important right now. What's important is that Jiang Shu, who was exposed to his face, doesn't know how to explain himself.

The bureau chief didn't seem to have any intention of smoothing things over or starting a new topic; he just kept stirring his coffee.

Every time the spoon made that turn, Jiang Shu felt a chill run down his back.

It's obvious that he can't beat his opponent yet; it's like the difference between a child and an adult.

This is the second time he has been completely suppressed and is at a disadvantage.

Last time, I was confused.

Feeling cold sweat almost seeping from his pores, Jiang Shu took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, actually I don't know the real reason yet. I'm investigating it myself, and it's not convenient to reveal it at the moment because I'm still completely clueless and don't know if this is good or bad. But I can assure you that I have no bad intentions. I'll tell you after I've investigated it clearly. Well... maybe it won't even have to wait until then. I might need your help during this process, but I'll have to wait until I have some clues before I can say anything. I hope you can understand."

Xia Zhi stopped spinning the spoon in his hand, which greatly reduced the pressure on Jiang Shu.

"Well, it's okay. Actually, you don't need to say so much. I've already said it. You can tell me when you want to."

Xia Zhi remained as gentle as ever.

But while he could say that, Jiang Shu absolutely could not believe it.

If you really believe that, you might lose something important.

This cannot be called a threat. Jiang Shu could sense that Xia Zhi was not the kind of tyrant who would be dissatisfied with such things and would readily say "You have already made your way to death".

Because he doesn't care at all.

But that's something even more terrifying.

Indifference is always more terrifying than hatred and loathing.

For such people, when they see a crack, they won't say much, they'll just ignore it and keep their distance.

Although it may not be obvious on the surface, and he may still play with you as usual, he has already sentenced you to death.

And you might not even know what you did wrong when the breakup happens.

Having finally achieved her current status and position in the Bureau of Different Principles, and despite the unexpected and sudden turn of events, she had ended up with a close relationship with the other party, a relationship that was like a marriage alliance between the Bureau of Different Principles and the Tongzhou Association. Jiang Shu was determined not to be sentenced to death just like that.

Otherwise, even if you have the ability in the future, or even hold a high position in the Bureau of Different Affairs, you will always be separated from this highest mountain by a veil, and how many opportunities will you miss?

It's like your ex coming back to you after you've broken up. If you're in a good mood and bored, you can play around with them and flirt a bit. But when you're in a bad mood, you should tell them to get lost.

Therefore, Jiang Shu could only try to make amends on the spot and be as sincere as possible.

Fortunately, the results seem to be quite good.

Everyone present was a discerning person, and Shenji immediately saw through the mystery.

She immediately said jokingly, "Loading cargo, you'll be so awkward."

Then he comforted Jiang Shu, saying, "It's okay, you don't need to be so nervous. You've successfully avoided the emergency and haven't been penalized."

"Do you understand me that well?"

Xia Zhi chuckled softly:

"When did I say I would deduct points?"

"Don't I know you?"

Shenji said smugly:

"I can't calculate other things, but I can calculate your personality. At first, you give others full marks, then gradually deduct points, and when you reach the critical point, you sentence them to death. In addition, besides waiting for people to make mistakes and deduct points, you also occasionally try to entrap them. When they actually do that, you think to yourself, 'That's exactly the kind of person I'm talking about,' while deducting points from them."

Isn't that you?

Even Xia Zhi was taken aback at this moment, and then laughed and said, "You actually waste your lifespan on such boring things."

“Who says this is boring? This is so interesting.” Shenji rested his chin on his hands, staring at Xia Zhi with a mischievous grin: “Besides, I only considered your personality, so it’s not a waste.”

"..." Xia Zhi was somewhat unsettled.

Jiang Shu could only awkwardly force a smile throughout the entire process, watching these two geniuses fight.