Chapter 858: 455 Thirty-Two Guards

As she said this, the Red-haired Bureau Chief rose from her chair, braced her hands on the desk, leaned toward Li Ang, and opened her mouth.

"Ah…"

Huh?

Seeing the tender red tip of her tongue peeking between two rows of pure white teeth, Li Ang momentarily froze.

Shouldn't you have shared your personal journey first, used your own experience to tell me there are no useless anomalies—only useless Cleaners—and urged me not to look down on the Black Goat? Why did you suddenly open your mouth like this?

"Nee-ah! Are you spacing out?"

"You mean… I should stick my hand in and touch it?"

"Mmm-hmm!"

So that's it!

Realizing the truth, Li Ang nodded and, following the Red-haired Bureau Chief's instruction, extended his finger and lightly tapped the tip of her agile, snake-like, tender as leek-leaf tongue.

But nothing happened.

"?"

What are you fumbling for? I told you to touch the tooth!

Meeting Li Ang's puzzled gaze, the Red-haired Bureau Chief rolled her eyes irritably, then tilted her head slightly and deliberately clamped her molars down on his inserted index finger.

"Sss…"

Amid familiar static, a cascade of information popped up, flooding Li Ang's vision.

…

【Name: Second Body Guard (Protection, Activation, Concealment)】

【Appearance: A pure white, hard incisor, its enamel glossy and lustrous, showing no sign of decay or even minor wear】

【Ability: Flesh Protection, Temporary Enhancement, Anomaly Immunity】

【Cost: Permanent loss of the original tooth—not only in the flesh, but in the soul as well, leaving an irreversible defect】

【File: To ensure the safety of Anomaly 004 "Twelve Ant Nests," the Taurus Director of the Cleaner Bureau took the initiative to gather the secret arts of Taurus, Aquarius, Capricorn, and Sagittarius to forge a set of protective anomalies.

This set is built upon Aquarius' "Anomaly Creation" art, strengthened by Sagittarius' "Anomaly Enhancement" art for defense, augmented by Capricorn's "Anomaly Concealment" art for immunity, and fully manifested through Taurus' "Anomaly Forging" art.

After thirty-two days of effort, the four Directors forged thirty-two protective anomalies, naming them "Thirty-Two Guards," and entrusted them to Olivia, Director of the Cleaner Bureau's Virgo Branch, where they remain to this day…

Note: This anomaly is the Second Guard of the "Thirty-Two Guards," specifically the "Eight Flesh Guards"】

【Evaluation: Ridiculously overpowered protective anomaly. Though its effect is singular, after targeted enhancement by Sagittarius art, it suffices in normal state to repel most physical attacks.

When activated, its protective power surges dramatically under Sagittarius art's boost, and due to Capricorn's immunity effect, this anomaly's defense cannot be weakened by other anomalies】

【Corruption Value: 3. (Inactive) (Full Set) -32 (Active) (Full Set)】

…

【Name: Sixth Mind Guard (Protection, Activation, Concealment)】

【Appearance: A pure white, hard incisor…】

【Ability: Cognitive Enhancement…】

【…】

【Corruption Value: …】

…

【Name: Tenth Soul Awakening Guard (Protection, Activation, Concealment)】

【Appearance: A pure white, hard canine…】

【Ability: Soul Revival…】

【…】

【Corruption Value: …】

…

No way?!

Watching the flood of anomaly data scrolling before him, Li Ang widened his eyes in shock and tapped the Red-haired Bureau Chief's molars with a trembling voice:

"All thirty-two of your teeth… are protective anomalies?"

Hmph, how's that? Surprised?

Satisfied with Li Ang's astonishment, the Red-haired Bureau Chief raised an eyebrow:

"Wu-li-wa-la…"

Ugh, your finger's still stuck in there.

"Pah!"

She released her teeth, tilted her head back, spat out Li Ang's finger, then pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her lips before smiling sweetly:

"Though unnumbered, this set rivals any anomaly within the top thirty. In pure defensive power, it ranks among the top three.

To forge this set, the Bureau spent heavily, and I even gave up nearly all my stored anomalies—but the result? Unmatched defense.

With all thirty-two guards activated, I have virtually no weaknesses. Even a 70-point Li Ang value deity like the Four Pillars couldn't take me down by surprise; they'd have to endure my 【Bloody Murderous Hair】 attacks and outlast me until I collapse."

"…"

The system's evaluation was right—your anomaly set is genuinely absurdly overpowered…

Recalling the protective effects he'd touched, and imagining how those true deities would fare against his Bureau Chief, Li Ang hissed softly, feeling a pang of despair on their behalf.

This set of protective anomalies, the "Thirty-Two Guards," was like thirty-two impossibly thick iron shells—combined with the Chief's near-seventy-point corruption value, fully defended, she was nothing less than an iron monolith—an iron gate!

"Li Ang."

Unaware her definition had wavered between amphibian and metal, the Red-haired Bureau Chief, observing Li Ang's thoughtful expression, gently reminded him:

"I'm telling you this because while anomaly rank matters, ability and trait matter more. If your strength and Li Ang value are high enough, even low-rank anomalies can play a stunning role in battles against true deities.

Just like my 'Thirty-Two Guards'—each has a low Li Ang value, and the whole set sums to only thirty-two—but in my hands, they're stubborn enough to make every true deity sweat."

"Similarly, that stupid goat, though merely near-deity tier, holds one primordial sin in each of its seven parts, and its inherent abilities are exceptional. Used well, it's far from weak—that's why I kept it close before.

Li Ang, when you reach sixty Li Ang value, those seven parts of the stupid goat might also achieve effects like the 'Thirty-Two Guards.' So if you can collect them, do so."

"…"

Understood…

Though the Red-haired Bureau Chief spoke subtly, Li Ang still caught her meaning…

It's not the goat that's weak—it's the handler.

Though his record is impressive, his current corruption value is far too low, and his enemies are too powerful—so despite their strong abilities, the Goat's parts can't affect targets because their rank is too low.

Meanwhile, 【Unfair Serpent Pact】 and 【Screaming Hand】 work because their materials are true-deity grade, allowing them to force effects on true deities through their high rank—but that doesn't mean they're better than the Goat's set. At least not yet. I still have no right to dismiss the Goat's parts.

Hmm… seems I've been getting too comfortable lately. I've gotten a bit arrogant.

Mentally warning himself to stay grounded and humble, Li Ang took a deep breath and sincerely thanked her:

"Thank you, Chief. I'll remember these words… By the way, where's the goat's tail now?"

"Still on that female reporter's ass."

Pointing to the storage room diagonally across from her office, the Red-haired Bureau Chief smiled sweetly:

"I'm good at killing demons, not making them obey me. If you want that anomaly, you'll have to negotiate with her ass yourself."