Zhu Yuan quickly asked, "Senior, who are you talking about?"
Qingyi smiled. "Of course, Mr. Sam Li from Hare's House. Even though I can't clearly see the statue's face, standing before it feels just like standing before Sam Li…"
Especially the statue's confident, unrestrained posture—like it stood above all else. It mirrored the fearless aura Sam Li carried.
Hearing that, Zhu Yuan looked at the statue again and felt a twinge of recognition.
"Must be... an illusion. There's no way Sam Li would be sitting on a statue."
Qingyi didn't respond. She simply smiled, gazing at the statue with growing interest. The more she looked, the more it appealed to her.
Just then, voices began to rise around them—people spreading rumors that Seth was a fraud and the statue a hoax.
The next second, Qingyi drew her baton and pressed it against the forehead of a loudmouth nearby.
"This is Qingyi of the Public Security Bureau. You sure you want to keep running your mouth?"
The man flinched at her sudden action, ready to clam up—until the surrounding crowd stirred again, egging him on.
Emboldened, he snapped back, "Who's spreading rumors? You're a security officer, not a thug—you can't just accuse people! That guy from the bureau claimed the statue could give people power. But we've been waiting here all morning and haven't seen a thing. Clearly, he's lying to everyone..."
Zhu Yuan's face darkened with anger.
She reached behind her and pulled out a pair of handcuffs, ready to arrest him for slandering a Public Security officer.
But Qingyi raised a hand to stop her.
By now, talk of a "statue conspiracy" and "Seth's lies" had already spread. Even if they arrested this man, it wouldn't stop the rumors—in fact, it might fuel them.
Zhu Yuan frowned. "Then what do we do, Senior?"
Qingyi smiled. "Simple. I'll debunk the rumors right here. Once they see the statue bestow its blessing, no one will have anything left to say."
Zhu Yuan was stunned. "But... the statue hasn't responded to anyone since it gave Seth his power."
Even she had begun to wonder—maybe the statue could only grant one person the Geo attribute.
Nearby, the same rumor-spreader scoffed.
"Nothing's happened all morning, and you think it'll listen to you? It's obvious—this whole 'blessing' thing is a scam. And you actually fell for it…"
The crowd joined in, jeering and shouting.
Some called for bets. Others urged Qingyi to hurry up—people were still waiting for their own blessings.
Qingyi ignored the noise.
She holstered her baton, stepped forward, and placed her hand gently against the statue.
In her eyes was no hunger for power—but a burning desire to vindicate the statue, to dispel the lies and reveal the truth.
"O statue, if you can hear my prayer... grant me the power of stone."
Silence.
Everyone held their breath. Some waited for a miracle, others waited to laugh.
Then, someone chuckled. The crowd followed.
"I told you it was fake! And now she's accusing me of spreading lies? I ought to report her! She's not keeping the peace, she's stirring up trouble. With officers like this, no wonder New Eridu's in trouble!"
"Looks like Qingyi failed too..."
"I still believe in the statue. It healed people, it must be able to grant power. Only the devout are chosen..."
"Give it a rest. She failed. And you're still trying to defend her? What are you, the Bureau's loyal lapdog?"
"Anyone who still believes her is just as brainwashed..."
...
But just as the mockery reached its peak...
Suddenly, a golden light burst forth.
It shot up from the statue of the Seven, piercing the skies, brighter than sunlight, blinding in its intensity.
For a moment, the entire sky glowed with its brilliance.
Everyone shielded their eyes.
As the golden light bathed the crowd, they felt warmth flood their bodies. Fatigue vanished. Their anxiety melted away. A soothing calm washed over them.
When the light faded, all eyes turned to Qingyi.
She still stood there, hand on the statue.
Above her head, a gemstone glowing with soft golden light hovered in the air, slowly descending toward her.
Gasps echoed through the crowd.
It had worked.
Just like Seth had described—when the statue grants its blessing, a blinding light erupts, followed by the appearance of a golden Vision.
Qingyi reached out and caught it.
It was real.
The statue had answered her call.
Even Qingyi herself stood frozen, staring at the gem in her hand in disbelief.
Then came an uproar behind her.
"Don't you run! Still think it's a hoax? Slapped by reality! Does it sting? If not, how about a few more slaps? Still want to spread lies?"
"Filthy trolls. Bet it was you flaming the Bureau on forum too. Officer Qingyi! Officer Zhu Yuan! Arrest them all! Daring to slander the Bureau—do they have a death wish?"
"People like them are hard to catch online, but they had the guts to show up in real life and run their mouths right in front of Public Security? Stupid and evil..."
"I've seen fools before, but this? This is next-level. Just a minute ago they were mocking others—turns out they're the real clowns."
"Officer Zhu Yuan, check these guys out. I'll bet they're spies bought off by the Resistance..."
...
The crowd roared with righteous fury.
The rumor-mongers tried to flee—but the onlookers had them surrounded. Some tripped them, others grabbed them. In seconds, they were pinned to the ground.
"I-I was wrong! I was cursing myself, not the statue—please, have mercy..."
Before he could finish, Zhu Yuan had already slapped handcuffs on them.
She pulled out her communicator.
"We've apprehended several suspects for slandering and attacking the Public Security Bureau. Seth, send a unit to take them in."
...