Chapter 153: Interim Protocol (1/2)
Chapter 153: Interim Protocol
Translator: EndlessFantasy TranslationEditor: EndlessFantasy Translation
”Yes!” Ye Chong nodded.
”Haha, you’re a candidate! Ah, it’s a total misunderstanding on my part!” The middle aged man fidgeted with his hands, feeling very awkward.
”What did you misunderstand about?” Ye Chong asked.
”Haha.” The middle aged man grew more embarrassed. He was going to cover himself with a laugh, but seeing as Ye Chong continued staring unblinkingly at him, he explained awkwardly, ”I … I thought you were from the Sanctuary!”
”From the Sanctuary?” Ye Chong found that odd.
”Yes. Almost all the ones as young as you around here are from the Sanctuary. In all these years, this is the first time I’ve seen a candidate as young as you!” The middle aged man showed great curiosity towards Ye Chong.
”Why are young people usually from the Sanctuary?” Ye Chong could not see the relationship between being young and being from the Sanctuary.
”All the detainees here are those who passed the Level Three Trial, but did not pass the Level Five Trial. Usually, candidates at this level are aged 35 and above, rarely are they in their twenties. The young people here are usually elites trained by the Sanctuary. That’s why I misjudged you earlier!” The middle aged man saw Ye Chong’s perplexity and explained patiently.
”Do you not like the Sanctuary’s people?” Ye Chong asked directly. While he did not tell the whole story, he could clearly feel the middle aged man’s hostility.
”Hmph, the Sanctuary’s people? Who among the detainees here would like them?” The middle aged man’s expression turned into anger.
This was obviously not a good conversation topic. Ye Chong moved on tactfully, ”Then how’s you know that I’m an applicant?”
”Hah, that’s really easy, it’s just that I didn’t notice earlier, hehe, or I would’ve known. Your travel wristband, that’s something only we detainees will have on. I’ve never seen the identification pass for the Sanctuary’s people, but I know that they don’t wear this thing.” The middle aged man laughed, pleased with himself.
”If you don’t even know what a Nine Gates point is, then you must be a first time applicant. Hehe, this d*mned place, to those who are not applicants of the Sanctuary’s people, they wouldn’t be able to get in!” The middle aged man continued on.
”Oh!” Ye Chong realized now.
After studying him for a few moments, the middle aged man said, ”Young man, you look like a decent person, so don’t walk around idly. You’ll most likely end up in Ancient Terminus, so best if you go back and prepare for the Trials. If you manage to pass the Level Three Trial, you’ll even get to stay here.”
”Ancient Terminus? Where’s that?” Ye Chong asked.
”Heavens! Your guide is too irresponsible, how could you not know that? Since when did the Sanctuary’s people become so careless?” The middle aged man wore an expression of disbelief.
”I just arrived today, right off the ship.” Ye Chong explained.
”No wonder, you’re an eager fellow! Hehe, then let me tell you all about it. Of the five Trials, you must start from Level One, and if you can’t even pass that, you’ll be punished by the Sanctuary. Hmm, as for what that punishment is, I have no idea. If you have passed Level One, but didn’t pass Level Three, you’ll be sent off to Ancient Terminus. If you passed Level Three but not Level Five, you’ll be detained in Nine Gates. Hehe, if you really passed Level Five, you’ll be allowed to leave the Orbits, and they’ll allocate a starship to send you off. Understand now, young man?” The middle aged man explained in detail to Ye Chong.
”I see.” Ye Chong began to understand the situation, and asked further, ”So what is this Nine Gates point?”
”Nine Gate points are points for your service in Nine Gates, and the local currency.” The middle aged man said, ”For example, that Eden-IV you’re looking at is worth five Nine Gate points.”
”Hmm.” Ye Chong nodded in understanding, the truth not far from what he had guessed.
Just then, the travel wristband on Ye Chong’s left wrist made a sharp buzzing sound. Noticing Ye Chong’s confused expression, the middle aged man immediately spoke up to Ye Chong, ”That’s someone calling you! Sigh, how could you come out here without knowing even that? You’re a real piece of work! See, that leaf is the connection button!” The middle aged man pointed towards an etched vine leaf beside the holographic projection aperture.
Ye Chong quickly pressed the leaf as instructed by the middle aged man. Beep, a soft sound was heard. An image of Wei Xi immediately appeared above the holographic projection aperture, with Wei Xi’s attractive profile shrunken and suspended in the air above the holographic projection aperture as her mellow voice came through, ”Mr Ye, please return, there are some changes to the Trials. Please return immediately to the Sanctuary’s trial center.” Wei Xi was cordial, but allowed no disobedience.
”Er, where’s the Sanctuary’s trial center?” Ye Chong asked.
Wei Xi recalled then that Ye Chong did not know where the trial center was, and panicked as she fumbled around, bowing a little as she searched using the photon processor before her, her confidence earlier gone without a trace. The middle aged man saw Wei Xi’s clumsiness from the side, and sympathized with the misfortune of the delicate young lady to be assigned with such a candidate.