A Rich Lady Will Buy You a Good Sword

"What level has Xiao Tian reached now?"

Li Aoxiao and Lin Yinjia both clearly showed surprise and excitement in their eyes.

Ye Tian smiled apologetically. "Sorry, Two Uncles, but I can't reveal that for now."

"Don't ask them. These two children are in rather special circumstances. Even I don't know what level they've reached."

"But I can guarantee that Xiao Tian and Haochen will definitely enter the Final Round and contend against the other Five Great Holy Temples!"

Nalan Shu spoke with absolute certainty, brimming with confidence.

With things having been said to this extent, no one pressed further.

Li Aoxiao could not help sighing. "I never expected Haoyue City to produce such young geniuses. What a blessing for Haoyue City!"

"Indeed. It seems Haoyue City Magic Branch Hall and the Knight Branch Hall will truly shine this time!"

Lin Yinjia nodded in agreement from the side.

Lin Jialu and Li Xin exchanged glances and smiled at the same time.

Only Chen Chunhua, the master of Haoyue City's Warrior Branch Hall, looked rather displeased.

He had originally thought the Chen brothers were quite presentable. Even if they were not the strongest among this year's contestants, they should not have ended up at the bottom.

He had even felt somewhat proud just moments ago.

But now, it seemed the clowns were actually from their Warrior Holy Temple!

"Ah!"

Chen Chen and Chen Si instinctively looked at each other and sighed at the same time.

"Since the children have all gotten acquainted, I'll continue."

Suppressing the joy and excitement in his heart, Li Aoxiao continued explaining the details of the Demon Hunter Squad selection competition.

"Although you are all elites of Haoyue City, participating in the Demon Hunter Squad selection competition will not be so simple."

"The qualifications and process for the selection competition are extremely demanding!"

"To take part in the main competition, you must first earn your entry tickets. In other words, the six of you must each kill five Demon Race soldiers through your own efforts before you qualify for the main competition."

"Of course, the Holy Temple Alliance permits contestants from the same city to cooperate."

After all, the Demon Hunter Squad selection competition was meant to select elites from the Six Great Temples and form them into teams that could rely on one another.

The battles before obtaining qualifications for the main competition also served as early preparation.

Or rather, as a miniature version of a Demon Hunter Squad.

Professionals who were solitary by nature and unwilling to cooperate, yet lacked sufficient strength to protect themselves, were simply unfit to join a Demon Hunter Squad.

It was better for such people to be eliminated early!

"Haoyue City lies in the southeast of the Alliance, only a little over four hundred li from the border. After several days of discussion, we have planned an excellent route for you to infiltrate Demon Race territory."

"The Alliance has sent an inspector responsible for the Haoyue Branch Hall to oversee your efforts to obtain qualification."

"Remember this well: once you have hunted enough Demon Race soldiers, retreat immediately. Do not get carried away in battle!"

"Also, if you truly encounter danger, ask the inspector for help even if it means losing your qualification. You only have one life, understand?"

Hearing Li Aoxiao's earnest words, they all nodded.

Even Li Xin and Lin Jialu, who had fought Demon Race soldiers before, could not help feeling nervous.

After all, they would be leaving human territory and entering Demon Race lands.

No one knew what might happen.

Even with an inspector accompanying them, there was no guarantee they would return safely.

And in every Demon Hunter Squad selection competition, there had been contestants who died within Demon Race territory.

At that moment, Li Aoxiao and the other four stood up at the same time.

Seeing this, Ye Tian and the other five hurriedly rose as well.

"This time, you represent not only yourselves, but also the Haoyue Branch Hall and Haoyue City."

"No matter the final outcome, we still wish you good results in this competition!"

With that, everyone drained the tea in their cups.

"Additionally, to help you go farther in the competition, Haoyue City has prepared some gifts for you."

"Come with me!"

With that, Lin Yinjia and Li Aoxiao took the lead out of the side hall.

Haoyue City's Administrative Hall had four floors.

Led by the two men, the group arrived at a room on the top floor guarded by more than ten warriors.

Several broad wooden tables stood inside, their surfaces neatly arranged with all kinds of equipment.

Chen Si and Chen Chen's breathing visibly quickened, and a strange light flashed through Long Haochen's eyes.

Only Li Xin and Lin Jialu remained as composed as ever.

The two of them were little rich ladies. Lin Jialu had even put the Shield of Radiance up for sale, so naturally they did not lack equipment.

As for Ye Tian—

Though he did not want to admit it, he was not lacking in equipment either.

Ever since Li Xin and Lin Jialu had become his Retainer Knight and Magic Attendant respectively, they had taken care of all his equipment needs.

There were now two complete sets of equipment inside the Forget-Me-Not Ring.

One set had been given by Li Xin, while the other had been given by Lin Jialu.

It made Ye Tian feel as if he were being kept by rich ladies.

"They are all Magic Equipment. They may not be especially high-grade, but they are at least much better than the common goods sold on the market."

"You may choose freely, but you can only choose one item for each equipment slot."

"As long as you obtain qualification for the main competition, the equipment you choose will be yours permanently!"

This could be considered an investment by Haoyue City.

"I won't need any."

Lin Jialu was the first to shake her head and withdraw.

Ye Tian and Li Xin also chose to pass immediately afterward.

Long Haochen and the Chen brothers did not stand on ceremony, stepping forward one after another to select equipment from the pile.

Haoyue City truly had been generous!

Any one piece of Magic Equipment would be worth at least several hundred gold coins on the market.

A Tier 3 Knight only received five gold coins per month, after all.

Chen Si ultimately chose a full suit of Heavy Armor, paired with a heavy Tower Shield and a longsword enchanted with a speed-enhancing effect.

Chen Chen chose a suit of Fire attribute Light Armor and a pair of Fire attribute longswords.

Long Haochen likewise chose a suit of Light Armor, along with two Greatswords enchanted with the Light attribute and Fire attribute respectively.

"Since you have all made your choices, use the remaining time after returning to familiarize yourselves with your new equipment. You will depart early tomorrow morning."

"Lastly, I wish you all a safe return!"

With the pre-battle briefing over, the six returned to their respective Branch Halls.

Ye Tian went alone to a street not far from the Haoyue Branch Hall and stopped in front of a Flower Shop called Willow Leaf.

"Mom, I'm back!"

"Xiao Tian!"

Liu Mei, who had been tending to the flowers inside, beamed with joy.

Mother and son embraced.

Ye Tian had rented this storefront and, after discussing it with his mother Liu Mei, turned it into a Flower Shop.

After all, Ye Tian spent long periods at the Haoyue Branch Hall, and his mother needed something to make her life more fulfilling.

"Mom, the Demon Hunter Squad selection competition is about to begin. To obtain qualification, I may have to make a trip into Demon Race territory tomorrow."

"Into Demon Race territory?!"

Upon hearing that, Liu Mei's face immediately turned pale with fright.

Ye Tian comforted her softly. "Don't worry. I'll protect myself."

Liu Mei opened her mouth, but she had no way to stop him.

In the end, all her countless words became a single sigh.

"Xiao Tian, you must take good care of yourself. I'll wait in Haoyue City for your safe return."

"Mm!"

Feeling the rough palm against his cheek, Ye Tian nodded solemnly.