The Almighty Diva: Reborn to be Worshipped

The sound wasn't particularly loud, but in the relatively quiet expanse of the large office, it carried a surprising clarity.

Qin Taizhang glanced over, his expression brightening as if he'd just spotted a lifeline. "Miss Ji, do you happen to know what this is?"

Ji Chuxing gave a small nod. "I've seen something like it."

Qin Taizhang looked at her as though she were his last hope. "Then… could you possibly unlock it?"

"I might be able to," Ji Chuxing replied coolly, her tone betraying little emotion. "Let me take a look."

For a fleeting moment, Qin Taizhang's face lit up with anticipation. "Miss Ji, I'd be immensely grateful for your help."

Before he could finish speaking, a young man standing behind him stepped forward hurriedly, his voice firm. "Chief Qin, this is critical evidence."

If they handed it over to Ji Chuxing and she failed—or worse, damaged its contents—the consequences would be catastrophic. No one present could afford that kind of responsibility.

Ji Chuxing didn't move immediately.

The young man was Qin Taizhang's trusted assistant. While Chief Qin clearly admired the girl, everyone knew it had more to do with Bo Yanchen's influence than anything else. The Second Master of North City had taken her under his wing, and naturally, Qin Taizhang extended her some courtesy. But even so, there were limits—allowing her to tamper with crucial evidence was out of the question.

This girl was far too young; she probably didn't even grasp the basics of Mo Family mechanisms.

He chose his words carefully. "Miss Ji, I understand your enthusiasm, and perhaps you've come across images of the Spring-Autumn Lock online. But this artifact incorporates the most advanced techniques from the Mo Family, dating back two thousand years. It's not something we can entrust lightly."

"Do you have any knowledge of Mo Family mechanisms?" he asked pointedly.

Ji Chuxing remained silent.

To the young man, her silence confirmed his suspicions: she didn't know, and now she was too embarrassed to admit it.

Shaking his head, he continued, "That technology is from two millennia ago. Even the world's foremost experts in mechanical arts might struggle to decipher it."

"Chief Qin," he added, turning to his superior, "I suggest we post a bounty on the Resource Network immediately."

Qin Taizhang adopted a gentler tone. "Miss Ji, thank you for offering, but the Spring-Autumn Lock is exceedingly dangerous. We don't know if there are hidden triggers inside that could cause harm."

If anything happened to Miss Ji, he wouldn't be able to face Bo Yanchen.

Ji Chuxing let out a soft "Oh," her expression inscrutable as she asked, "The Resource Network? You're planning to offer a reward?"

The young man was momentarily taken aback by her familiarity with the platform. Suppressing his irritation, he opened the Resource Network app and began drafting the bounty while explaining, "Of course. Something this perilous won't attract attention without at least a million-dollar incentive."

Privately, he suspected the International Special Security Bureau had brought the item intact because their own mechanism specialists were unavailable—and they certainly weren't willing to pay outsiders to solve it. Instead, they intended to shift the cost onto someone else.

Ji Chuxing listened silently, standing obediently beside Bo Yanchen as she fiddled absently with her phone.

Bo Yanchen shook his head slightly. He didn't approve of the girl meddling with the Spring-Autumn Lock, but seeing her interest, he couldn't resist asking, "Interested in mechanisms?"

By then, Ji Chuxing had already registered a new account on the Resource Network. Without looking up, she replied nonchalantly, "Somewhat."

Bo Yanchen chuckled softly. "Alright, I'll arrange for you to learn from a few masters later."

At the mention of studying, Ji Chuxing visibly winced. "No thanks. Not interested anymore."

Bo Yanchen smiled indulgently, reaching out to gently squeeze her hand. "You're impossible."

Despite his affectionate words, Ji Chuxing's expression remained impassive.

"Let's go. I'll take you back to school."

"Wait a moment."

Bo Yanchen raised an eyebrow. "Hmm?"

Just then, the young man's voice rang out, tinged with excitement. "Chief Qin, someone's accepted the bounty!"

Peering closer, the young man froze, dumbfounded. "No—it's 'Yogurt-Flavored Jelly,' a newly registered beginner account. They must've clicked by mistake!"

Hearing the username, Bo Yanchen instinctively glanced at the girl beside him.

But Ji Chuxing, her eyes gleaming with determination, strode forward and extended her hand. "I accepted the bounty. Hand over the Spring-Autumn Lock."

A million dollars—her money!

Qin Taizhang stared, stunned. The young man, realizing what had happened, grew even more agitated. "Miss Ji, this isn't a game! How could you do such a thing?"

Qin Taizhang's focus shifted elsewhere. "Miss Ji has an account on the Resource Network?"

The others in the room, including the officers who had been eavesdropping, exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and disbelief.

Who exactly was this girl? She seemed naive, yet here she was casually taking on a task tied to the legendary Spring-Autumn Lock—a relic mentioned only in history books.

Ji Chuxing nodded matter-of-factly. "Yes, I just registered it."

Qin Taizhang's eyes widened. Anyone capable of registering on the Resource Network was no ordinary individual. His tone turned serious. "Give Miss Ji the Spring-Autumn Lock."

Reluctantly, the young man obeyed, handing it over with a warning. "This is vital evidence. Don't force it, and whatever you do, don't damage it…"

Before he could finish, a faint *click* echoed through the room.

The Spring-Autumn Lock shifted slightly.

It was an intricate device, forged from pure copper, smooth and unassuming on the outside, its trigger point hidden from view. Inside, however, lay a labyrinthine network of interlocking mechanisms—impossible for anyone unfamiliar with ancient techniques to unravel.

Qin Taizhang's eyes widened in astonishment, his face alight with excitement.

The young man stood frozen, speechless.

The crowd gathered around, and Bo Yanchen, having recovered from the shock of discovering the girl's Resource Network account, stood proudly behind her. It was akin to watching a child he'd nurtured receive praise.

Within minutes, the once-pristine lock lay dismantled in pieces, revealing a yellowed sheet of paper tucked inside.

Ji Chuxing set the fragments down and brushed her hands together. "It's a high-quality replica—not even close to the Mo Family's basic mechanisms."

She shrugged. "I always wondered how the Spring-Autumn Lock, passed down for two thousand years, could be so easily found everywhere."

Holding out her hand, she declared flatly, "Pay up."

The onlookers fell silent.

The young man who had tried to stop her earlier was at a loss for words.

Qin Taizhang gazed at Ji Chuxing, admiration evident in his eyes. "Miss Ji, you possess remarkable skill. Have you studied mechanism techniques?"

"No," she replied curtly. "I simply know a bit. Since you praised me, you owe me payment."

Qin Taizhang blinked, momentarily speechless.

Bo Yanchen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Her unabashed love for money was utterly endearing.

Qin Taizhang signaled to the young man, who promptly handed Ji Chuxing a check for a million dollars. Satisfied, she tucked it away. "Let's go. Back to school."

"Wait!" the young man called out hastily.

Ji Chuxing turned, her expression unreadable. "Are you trying to take the check back?"

The young man flushed red. "No, no, Miss Ji—I apologize. My earlier behavior was disrespectful."

His words had been impolite, laced with disdain, assuming she relied solely on Bo Yanchen's influence to act recklessly.

But Ji Chuxing appeared unfazed, waving dismissively. "Boring."

With that, she left alongside Bo Yanchen, leaving the young man still uneasy.

Qin Taizhang patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Never judge a book by its cover."

The young man nodded solemnly. "Understood. I'll remember that."