Super Gene Ⅱ: Evolution

Chapter 782: Chapter 782: Follow the Team Leader’s Decision Chapter 782: Chapter 782: Follow the Team Leader’s Decision Chi Jiu, accompanied by a few appraisers, studied the Celestial Divine Statue on the side, but unfortunately, the information they knew about the Celestial Divine Statue was all based on past records and visual materials.

No one knew what the Celestial Divine Statue had gone through after its disappearance, nor what kind of changes had occurred.

After several hours of appraisal, they still hadn’t found any flaws, but the appraisers dared not confirm the authenticity of the Celestial Divine Statue.

“Blue Eye Master, what is the conclusion?” As the appraisal time given by the Diman Tribe was running short, and the appraisers were still unable to reach a conclusion, Chi Jiu had to ask one of the elders.

The elder, known as the Blue Eye Master, respectfully said to Chi Jiu, “Lord Jiu, I have used Pupil Skill to examine the structure, material, and age of the statue, and all these aspects closely match those of a genuine Celestial Divine Statue.”

Another appraiser added, “I have checked the contours and the charm of the statue’s lines, and I also found no issues.”

“Based on the reference materials, some traces on the statue are also consistent with it.”

“…”

The appraisers discussed back and forth, seemingly able to confirm that this statue was indeed the true Celestial Divine Statue.

“So, you are saying that this Celestial Divine Statue is genuine?” Chi Jiu asked.

“That cannot be said conclusively since none of us have seen the real Celestial Divine Statue.

We can only be certain that this statue’s parameters are very similar to those of the Celestial Divine Statue, but…” Blue Eye Master hesitated.

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“But what?” Chi Jiu frowned.

“However, there appears to be an additional damage on the left eyebrow of this statue, a mark we have found in no document or resource; neither does it appear in any existing images of the Celestial Divine Statue,” Blue Eye Master explained.

“The Celestial Divine Statue has been missing for such a long time, it is not strange that it has sustained some damage,” Chi Jiu thoughtfully said.

“The key issue is that the age of this damage is also very old, it is not a recent injury, and we cannot determine the specific age of the wound, nor confirm whether it occurred before or after the loss.

There are a few similar, smaller marks on the statue that are also undetermined,” Blue Eye Master quietly said to Chi Jiu.

Chi Jiu understood the Blue Eye Master’s point, meaning that there were still some doubts about the authenticity of this stone statue.

With such an important item, any doubt meant that no one would dare to affirm its authenticity, as no one could bear the cost of a misjudgment.

After all, for the Celestial Race to reclaim the Celestial Divine Statue, they would have to pay a huge price.

If they were to take back a fake Celestial Divine Statue, not only would the loss be severe, but the entire Celestial Race would become a laughingstock.

After asking Blue Eye Master some more questions and pondering for a moment, Chi Jiu approached Lin Shen.

“Leader Lin, the appraisal results are out.

We need you to confirm them again,” Chi Jiu said.

“I don’t know how to appraise; you all can make the decision,” Lin Shen replied.

“You are the person in charge, so only you can make the decision, especially since it affects our upcoming negotiations with the Diman Tribe.

If it is confirmed to be genuine, the negotiations will proceed with the goal of reclaiming the Celestial Divine Statue.

This is a matter of great importance; you must personally confirm,” Chi Jiu insisted.

“What are the appraisal results?” Lin Shen knew he was the scapegoat put forward by the Celestial Court.

Now that they were asking Lin Shen to decide, the intention was clear—if a fake were reclaimed, Lin Shen, as the person in charge, would bear the main responsibility.

Chi Jiu had Blue Eye Master and the others present the appraisal results to Lin Shen, who carefully reviewed them upon receiving the report.

The appraisal results for almost all categories matched those of a genuine Celestial Divine Statue; however, the final item noted that there were several damages not found in any resources or literature, tagged as likely incurred during the period of its disappearance.

“Since there are doubts, it means there is a problem with the statue.

I think we should just drop the matter,” Lin Shen decisively said.

He wasn’t resolute just because Keke said the Divine Statue was a fake.

Without bringing back the Divine Statue, he would not be blamed heavily, but bringing back a fake one would be a major mistake.

Even without Keke’s matter, with such a slight and dispensable doubt, Lin Shen was unwilling to take the risk, even if it meant facing a minor punishment upon return, which was still better than making a major mistake.

To do nothing is to make no mistakes, to do much is to make many mistakes, realized Lin Shen, applying the wisdom of his ancestors.

“Commander Lin, please consider carefully once more.

This is the last opportunity to reclaim the Celestial Divine Statue.

The Diman Tribe has decided to sell the Celestial Divine Statue.

If you miss this chance, it will be difficult to reclaim it in the future,” Chi Jiu said.

“The Diman Tribe is selling the Celestial Divine Statue, how come I’m not aware of that?” Lin Shen frowned slightly.

“Whether you know or not, it’s what it is.

Commander, please make a decision,” said Chi Jiu with an expressionless face.

Lin Shen thought to himself, “Those bastards from the Celestial Court really want to hang me out to dry.

They didn’t inform me in advance about such an important matter.”

“Who are they selling it to?

Besides my Celestial Race, who else can afford to pay such a high price for the Celestial Divine Statue?” Lin Shen asked pensively.

“Tian Jiuyou,” Chi Jiu named the individual.

Lin Shen was taken aback upon hearing this; he certainly knew of Tian Jiuyou.

In fact, it was difficult not to know of this person if one was involved with the Celestial Race.

Tian Jiuyou once contended with Emperor Tianshu for the imperial throne and, after his failure, betrayed the Celestial Race to flee into exile, remaining a prominent figure on the Celestial Race’s wanted list.

Tian Jiuyou also established the Jiuyou Group outside, continuing to regard themselves as the orthodox Celestial Race.

If Tian Jiuyou were to acquire the Celestial Divine Statue, especially if it were authentic, it would be a slap in the face of Emperor Tianshu.

No wonder the Celestial Race was in such a difficult position, and no wonder Emperor Tianshu wanted Lin Shen to come.

It wasn’t just the pressure from the Celestial Court; a significant reason was that Emperor Tianshu still hoped that Lin Shen could help reclaim the real Celestial Divine Statue.

Otherwise, if the Celestial Divine Statue fell into Tian Jiuyou’s hands, Emperor Tianshu’s face would really be in a bad state.

“The deadline for identification is approaching.

How have you gentlemen decided?

Please give us an answer, so we can decide on the next steps for the Divine Statue,” an official from the Diman Tribe said with a look of amusement.

Chi Jiu and several appraisers all looked toward Lin Shen.

Internally, Lin Shen cursed, “Usually you treat me as if I’m invisible, but now when someone’s needed to take the blame, you put me on the hot seat without hesitation, you shameless lot.”

Though he cursed internally, this was a situation Lin Shen had to face head-on.

“May we have some time to discuss?” Lin Shen asked the foreign official.

“The Celestial Divine Statue will be publicly sold by tomorrow noon.

We hope you can give us an answer now, as there’s plenty of preparation work to be done,” said the foreign official.

“Give us some time to further discuss, then.”

“Please proceed.”

Lin Shen returned to where Chi Jiu and the others were and asked Chi Jiu, “Deputy Commander Jiu, what’s your opinion?

Should we reclaim the Celestial Divine Statue?”

“The identification results are before us, and we will follow whatever decision the Commander makes,” Chi Jiu was not willing to take the responsibility.

Lin Shen looked toward Blue Eye Master and the others.

Blue Eye Master quickly imitated Chi Jiu’s stance, saying, “We will follow whatever decision the Commander makes.”

“Then let’s reclaim the Divine Statue,” Lin Shen said indifferently.