I don't know what went wrong with the Vella bloodline.

Or perhaps it was subtly influenced by the star sea watch.

In any case, ever since their connection with the star sea watch began, all generations of Vellas have been female; they have never given birth to a male heir.

Mingxi looked at the high-ranking official from a certain country who raised this question: "Those perverts can become Beast Tamers' pets; do you think they wouldn't find a way to solve the problem that only the Vella bloodline can contract the star sea watch?

Even if we take ten thousand steps back, are you really sure that there are no other Vellas besides Miss Aisha?"

In an era where illegitimate children legally enjoyed inheritance rights, anyone could procreate anywhere.

What's more, in this era, technology and extraordinary skills have reached an almost omnipotent level.

Believe it or not, a pure young man who has never been in love might already have a house full of descendants, yet he himself doesn't know it?

True story, please do not verify.

Chu Chang'an agreed: "Little Mingxi is right. Since the Descent Organization targeted Miss Aisha Vella, it means they must already have a solution for the contract."

Shen Najia frowned, then continued Chu Chang'an's words: "So that Saint Lord attacked Miss Aisha because he needed the star sea watch, for Starlight Symbiosis?"

"Logically, it makes sense, but it always feels a bit..."

He paused, unable to find a suitable adjective for a moment, or rather, unable to grasp that fleeting, inexplicable feeling.

Mingxi, however, understood his meaning and interjected smoothly: "Killing a chicken with an ox-cleaver, making a mountain out of a molehill, using a sledgehammer to crack a nut?"

"Exactly! That's the feeling!

Given the strength displayed by the Descent Organization, although the Starsea Cup final day was indeed the best time for them to seize the star sea watch, was it really so urgent that the Saint Lord had to personally appear and expose so many of his trump cards?"

In other words, he didn't think the star sea watch was important enough to warrant the Saint Lord's personal intervention.

Mingxi nodded, agreeing with the old principal's view, "So, apart from the possibility that the star sea watch is indeed very, very important to the Descent, I can think of two other possibilities.

The first is that the Saint Lord has another objective, and the star sea watch is merely his 'east' in a feint; his true objective is hidden.

The second is that this so-called 'Saint Lord' is a fake, a smokescreen thrown out by the true Saint Lord.

If it's the former, that objective must be of paramount importance, more important than him exposing himself, revealing his trump cards, and abandoning a pet of the E'duo Dragon's caliber—an objective that would allow him to gain even greater benefits!

If it's the latter, then the question is, what kind of misunderstanding does the true Saint Lord want us to have?"

When Mingxi finished speaking, the conference room was silent enough to hear a pin drop.

Not only because the two possibilities she mentioned were chilling.

But also because, despite her young age, her words were clear, and her analysis went straight to the core.

Her insights even possessed strategic value.

Is this really a sixteen-year-old boy?

"It seems my new department has a heavy task ahead."

Sang Yun, the first minister of the newly established Special Anti-Terrorism Collaborative Combat Department, sighed deeply.

"The capable do more work."

Everyone complimented him.

Even if Sang Yun wasn't the minister of the Anti-Terrorism Collaborative Combat Department, he was still the vice chairman of the Alliance Beast Taming Center.

His status was equally extraordinary.

At this moment, Chu Chang'an looked at Mingxi, "Mingxi, you have rendered great service in this Starsea Cup incident. You not only saved countless lives, thwarted the conspiracy of the Descent Organization and that Saint Lord, but also revealed a huge potential threat to us."

"Your ability, wisdom, and character all prove your excellence."

As he spoke, he took out a document bearing the emblem of the Alliance Beast Taming Center and the six-star mark.

Of course, it was an electronic display document.

After all, he himself was a phantom.

But this document had the same effect as a physical one and could not be counterfeited; once she accepted it, it would immediately be bound to her personal terminal.

The document was pushed in front of Mingxi.

"I officially represent the Alliance Beast Taming Center Headquarters and invite you to join the Alliance Investigation Team, granting you the qualification of a Special Investigator."

"You will have cross-regional, cross-national, and cross-planetary investigation rights, access to high-level intelligence, three ultra-SS-level subsidies annually, and the authority to mobilize the local Alliance Beast Taming Center in emergencies."

Mingxi was stunned.

Alliance Investigation Team, Special Investigator!

And an investigator with the authority to temporarily mobilize Beast Taming Centers everywhere!

One must know that even powerful Beast Tamers usually require layers of assessment and accumulated experience to obtain investigator qualifications.

As for Special Investigators, they were even rarer, each one a treasure of the Alliance, possessing great autonomy and influence.

For example, Emperor Ji You Komodo Bill Ka Man of the Karman Empire on Yunhai Star;

And another current Vice Chairman of the Alliance, Chemi Weil.

Both were Alliance Special Investigators.

Previously, when Mingxi was reported for cheating during her Limit Tower challenge, these two Alliance investigators were the ones who conducted the investigation.

Given Mingxi's age, this was an unprecedented promotion.

It was the highest recognition the Alliance could give her!

This meant that she was no longer just an ordinary Beast Tamer, but had officially entered the core system of the Alliance, becoming an important member in maintaining world order.

She was also the youngest Alliance Special Investigator in the world!

Mingxi looked at the document in front of her but did not immediately accept it. Of course, she also saw Gong Wantang nod at her.

Gong Wantang wasn't dictating to Mingxi, but rather representing Dragonflower Country's support for any decision Mingxi made.

Mingxi knew that accepting it meant more responsibility and challenges, as an investigator had to complete specific investigation tasks.

However, becoming a Special Investigator also brought many benefits.

Just the intelligence sharing and three ultra-SS-level subsidies annually were enough to make many Beast Tamers flock to it.

Moreover, this status brought not only direct benefits but also many unspoken, invisible conveniences.

Mingxi thought for a moment:

"I will do my best!"

This was honor, power, and responsibility.

She reached out and took the document, her eyes still clear and firm.

These simple four words, however, represented the beginning of a new era.

Although others were surprised by Mingxi becoming a Special Investigator, after all, even Emperor Ji Ka Man started as a junior investigator.

Mingxi, on the other hand, went straight to the top, a sixteen-year-old Special Investigator!

How could Emperor Ji argue with that?

But the decision of the Alliance Chairman was clearly made after discussions among all parties, and even if some were dissatisfied, they could only tolerate it.

So, no one said anything sour at this juncture.

Mingxi's rise was inevitable.

Even if they wanted to oppose her, they couldn't do it openly, right?

The meeting lasted more than four hours, and by the end, Mingxi felt her back was a little stiff.

Indeed, not just anyone can be a big shot.

"Mingxi."

Just as Mingxi was about to get up and leave the conference room, Shen Najia called out to her.

"Principal Shen, do you still have secrets to chat about with me?"

Mingxi had been well taken care of by Shen Najia during her time on Green Field Star, and their relationship was quite good.

Shen Najia was a casual, uninhibited person, but not one to idly chat.

He had very little patience.

He ignored Mingxi's teasing and gestured to the handsome man beside him: "This is Yu Ye Jingwei, a Green Field Star councilor and also the Xi Bao Tower Master."

Eh? Eh?

Yu Ye Jingwei?

Mingxi's eyes widened suddenly: "Isn't he Zhou Li'an's old father-in-law?"

Zhou Li'an, the steward of Xi Bao Tower, Mingxi had participated in the Yue Ling Clan's young master selection at his invitation and obtained the Origin of Life and Destruction in the Yue Ling Secret Realm.

And she also got many Skill Stones at Xi Bao Tower.

"It seems you and Li'an have a good relationship." Yu Ye Jingwei said with a half-smile.

Mingxi returned an awkward smile, "Just a normal customer relationship."

Although there wasn't a strict separation between men and women in this world, he was, after all, someone's son-in-law, and what a father-in-law most dreaded was a woman being too close to his son-in-law.

Anyway, her relationship with Zhou Li'an was just so-so, neither good nor bad.

"Children, don't overthink things. He's looking for you not because of his cheap son-in-law."

Shen Najia said grumpily.

Mingxi: "..."

Who said age doesn't matter? Get out!

"Then, Tower Master Yu Ye, what can I do for you?"

Yu Ye Jingwei raised his hand, discreetly covering his lips as he lightly coughed, "...Actually, your father and I are friends. He was with me before he disappeared. I heard you've found him, and I'd like to ask for his terminal number, if that's okay?"

Mingxi: ⚆ _ ⚆

She hadn't heard her old father mention he had such an impressive friend, had she?

ʵ ( ⓛ – ⓛ ) ʔ

What did that expression mean? Shy?

( ๑ ‾ ꇴ ‾ ๑ )

emmm

"Children, don't overthink..."

Hearing Shen Najia's familiar opening, Mingxi quickly interrupted: "Yes! Of course, you can! My dad's terminal number, right? Lb27XXXX6288!"

As far as she knew, Yu Ye Jingwei, like her old father, had both been 'widowed' young and hadn't remarried all these years.

Could it be that his love life for the latter half of his life was tied to her old father?

Overtaking on a curve?

This was hard to judge.

So, the 'Xi Bao' in Xi Bao Tower wouldn't really be related to her, hiding his unspeakable longing for her old father?

So she was going to have a male stepmother?

...It wasn't impossible.

She herself wasn't against 'man on man,' as long as it wasn't her coming out.

As long as her Grandma agreed, she would have absolutely no objections.

Seeing Mingxi's face change like a palette, alternately pink and yellow, Shen Najia's eyes rolled even more exaggeratedly.

Children, they really could overthink things.

Yu Ye Jingwei: "..."

Ming Zhiyun: "..."

You really are a good eldest daughter to your father!

...Three days after the Supreme Council meeting, although many unpleasant situations occurred, as the Alliance's most important and core event, the Starsea Cup had to have a perfect conclusion.

So the final awards ceremony was held on a beautiful, sunny afternoon.

To dilute the panic and unease brought to audiences worldwide, especially the citizens of Saint Shield City, by the final day, the ceremony was several times grander than previous years.

Salutes boomed, fireworks bloomed.

Super first-tier celebrities from various countries assisted, the Red House Song and Dance Troupe performed, and the world's top orchestra, the Love Music Ensemble, opened with its full principal lineup.

There was also Kenya Hitlin, the old pillar of Xiao Li Country, who personally attended and sent his pets to conduct three sparring matches with the audience.

The extravagance was comparable to a queen's coronation!

And as the champion of both the singles and doubles events, Mingxi was clearly that 'queen.'

While the Lili Rin team, also champions of the team event, was overshadowed and seemed like an afterthought.

(Note: Although Mingxi and Xinglan Bei Yi's match was ruined and various non-compliant situations occurred during the process, the competition's arbitration committee ruled that Mingxi's championship title was beyond dispute.) 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Congratulations, Ming Shen!"

"Congratulations to you all!"

"Ming Shen, I love you!"

"Lili Rin, you are the best!"

"Ah ah ah ah ~! Gold, Silver, and Blue, Red, White, Black, Purple!!!"

"Ming Shen, number one in the universe!

"..."

The entire audience cheered enthusiastically, celebrating their champions! Blessing their strongest idol in their hearts!

Mingxi held the trophy, waving to the audience three circles to the left and three circles to the right.

The flowers in her hand were already wilted from her shaking.

She thought to herself: "This year's audience really isn't afraid of death. After two major accidents, several people died or were disabled, yet they still managed to pack the stands to capacity. Aren't they afraid of another incident?"

She truly admired them!

Besides her admiration, she was willing to return her most sincere thanks.

To these people who supported and encouraged her on her path to the top!

Ever since she learned that the Starsea Cup awards ceremony would proceed as usual, she and Golden Ingot Eight had been working day and night on joint signatures these past few days.

A total of 9999 copies.

The eight treasures only needed to press their paw prints, so the workload was actually okay, almost like mechanically stamping.

Mingxi, however, had to sign each character carefully.

She re-experienced the despair of her childhood:

"Why am I called Mingxi? Why can't I be called Ming Yi? Ming Er? Even Ming Tian would be fine!"

"The character 'Xi' is really too difficult to write!"

Her old father consequently suffered an undeserved calamity, being thoroughly scolded by «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» his eldest daughter.

The signing process was indeed painful, but seeing the overjoyed smiles on the fans' faces when they received the signed boards.

It was all worth it!

Of course, Mingxi wasn't someone who secretly prepared a small surprise while keeping it from her companions.

After deciding to prepare joint signatures for the audience, she entrusted Shen Linhua to notify the other two champions.

That is, Lili Rin and Gui Huai, the champions of the team event.

As for whether they wanted to give back to the audience as well, that was not her concern.

Lili Rin and Gui Huai's popularity was already far less than Mingxi's, so naturally, they wouldn't become a comparison group in this matter either.

So, after the Team Leaders and the organizers communicated, they jointly decided on the number of signatures.

9999 signatures would certainly not be enough for the tens of thousands of audience members present, so the organizers cleverly set up a lottery.

"Next, it's up to you, Emerald Green."

After the awards ceremony, Mingxi did not stay in Saint Shield City. In these troubled times, it was not advisable to linger.

She returned to the country with her team, was greeted at the airport, and celebrated by the whole nation.

After accepting some difficult-to-refuse invitations and attending various colorful banquets—

Emerald Green finally began its formal seclusion.

To refine the Nine Revolutions Heavenly Secret Fluid!