"Hello, new God of Wealth."
"The power you used to strike at the Monkey Kingdom during your trial did not belong to you; it was borrowed. This will have a certain effect on your trial rating."
"I came to discuss this with you. Do you have any thoughts or objections regarding this change?"
The Heavenly Official looked at Su Wen and asked in a gentle tone.
But the Heavenly Official's figure was so insubstantial and his face so blurred that Su Wen couldn't make out his appearance or expression.
Of course, he was only a first-rank God of Wealth who had just started out, so he remained very honest about something that had caught him off guard.
"No objections."
"Good."
The Heavenly Official nodded slightly and said, "Since you have no objections, I'll begin the evaluation."
With that, the Heavenly Official waved his right hand, and the evaluation panel appeared again.
"Trial rating: Perfect." [With a frail body, stir up wind and clouds.]
Pointing at the Perfect rating, the Heavenly Official said softly, "Normally speaking, your trial rating is Perfect. You have no objections to that, correct?"
Su Wen nodded slightly. "No objections."
"As I told you just now, your rating will fluctuate because you borrowed outside power. You understand that, new God of Wealth?"
"I understand."
"So, as the Heavenly Official on duty at the trial interface, I'll adjust your trial rating. Is that all right?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now, the trial rating adjustment begins."
As soon as the Heavenly Official finished speaking, the evaluation panel began to change.
"Trial rating: Peerless." [With a frail body, stir up wind and clouds, and excel at borrowing outside power, turning it into aid for oneself.]
Su Wen stared at the rating, momentarily stunned.
If he understood correctly, Peerless... was a higher rating than Perfect, right?
And the comment below-excelling at borrowing outside power and turning it into aid for himself-counted as praise too?
"Keep watching!"
The Heavenly Official chuckled and spoke.
"Trial rating: Unprecedented through the ages." [With a frail body, stir up wind and clouds, and excel at borrowing outside power, turning it into aid for oneself. Though possessing the heart of a bodhisattva, possess the courage of the King of Hell. Upon discovering that the Monkey Kingdom intended to plunder his wealth fortune, slay the chief culprits with thunderous means.]
Su Wen: "..."
What was going on with this rating?
Though he didn't quite understand yet, things were clearly developing in his favor.
He had originally thought that the Heavenly Official had intervened because he had used the Star God's power and had come to lower his rating.
That would have been perfectly normal!
After all, the Star God had told him to get away quickly after using the Star Weapon.
But now, things didn't seem to be going quite the way he had imagined!
Still, the Heavenly Official was smiling without saying anything, so he said nothing either.
A Heavenly Official on duty in a world-a powerhouse of that level was certainly not someone he could directly reach.
So even looking at it from the worst possible angle, no matter what the other party had in mind by raising his rating, what he wanted him to do, or what price he wanted him to pay...
That was all in the future, and how much of a future did he have left?
Only someone with a future could talk about the future!
What future was there to talk about for someone who had none?
He had already died twice in the Arrow Realm exploration ten months from now, and he didn't know whether he would keep dying in the Arrow Realm exploration if he traveled through space-time again.
It was hard to say!
So he had no reason to refuse the Heavenly Official's friendly gesture, especially when it was an increase to his trial rating!
"God of Wealth, do you have any objections to this trial rating?"
The Heavenly Official smiled and said, "If you do, you may raise them, and I will review the trial rating again."
Su Wen said, "No objections."
"The Heavenly Official of the God of Wealth trial interface has withdrawn his intervention. Rewards for the trial rating will now be issued. "God of Wealth trial rating: Unprecedented through the ages." "Ding! Highest rating triggered. Issuing the highest rewards." "Issuing the God of Wealth's exclusive divine artifact: Sycee." "Settlement complete. The God of Wealth returns!"
A flash of light appeared, and Su Wen felt the world around him shift. When he came to his senses, he was already back in his home.
"That was... a surreal experience!"
Su Wen laughed aloud. Having his rating raised instead was indeed a surreal experience.
"What surreal experience? Mind sharing?"
A laugh came from behind Su Wen. The Star God, who had been sitting on the sofa, slowly rose and held out his hand. "Welcome back, God of Wealth!"
Su Wen hurriedly reached out his hand. "Many thanks for your Star Weapon. I benefited a great deal."
Hearing this, the Star God glanced over and sighed softly. "So you ended up using the Star Weapon after all. Looks like your trial wasn't easy either! Did your final trial rating change because of the Star Weapon?"
Su Wen nodded. "Yes."
"That's how it goes. Borrowing someone else's power during a trial has a huge impact on the rating. The rewards for your first trial... never mind. You came back safely, and that's enough."
"Speaking of which... have you been waiting for me at my home this whole time?"
"Yes."
The Star God nodded. "Normally, I'd wait at your home for three days. Three days is generally the longest a Heavenly Mandate Bearer's trial can take. If it goes beyond three days..."
The Star God didn't finish, but Su Wen understood.
After three days, the person was most likely dead.
"Now that your trial is over and you've come out safely, let's talk about our business!"
"Go ahead."
Su Wen's expression grew serious. He knew the main event was coming.
The Star God had given him such a powerful weapon to ensure he made it safely through the trial, so he must have had his own plans.
"God of Wealth, I formally invite you to join the organization I founded."
The Star God stood up and spoke seriously.
"One you founded privately?"
"It's affiliated with the state, but it has considerable autonomy."
"All right."
"You agree?"
"Yes. Back at the police station, I'd already joined a state institution. Li Wenze told me that when Heavenly Mandate Bearers join, they start at deputy section-chief rank, and the benefits are excellent."
Su Wen smiled as he spoke. Ever since becoming a Heavenly Mandate Bearer, he had been receiving help from the state.
First Li Wenze, then the Star God.
Even from a more personal standpoint, the sub-talent Wealth Disrupts Space-Time meant he couldn't go it alone.
Only by joining the state and relying on the power of the collective could he make the most of the talent Wealth Disrupts Space-Time.
And only by joining the state could he better carry this era to greater heights and, even more importantly... stay alive.
"Our organization is different, though."
The Star God said softly, "But your decision to serve the country is a good thing too."
"Then from now on, start wearing a mask, just like me!"
"I've already had a mask made for you, one that belongs to the God of Wealth."
"From the moment you put it on, don't reveal your true information anymore. In all your interactions, use God of Wealth as your name, codename, pen name, stage name..."
"In short, this mask will be the symbol of your identity as you move through the world from now on. The identity of Su Wen will have nothing to do with you, the God of Wealth... ever again."