The Box

He had hidden until the latter half of the night.

After confirming that the surroundings were safe, Chen Sanshi melted into the night and returned home before dawn.

Not wanting to disturb Lan Jie'er, who was sound asleep, he quietly took out the box beside the bed and examined it carefully.

On the surface, it was an utterly ordinary Sandalwood Box. There was not even a decorative pattern on it, just a bare, smooth exterior and a strange-shaped keyhole.

They called this thing an "immortal treasure."

What did that mean?

Could it really be a treasure left behind by immortals?

Chen Sanshi's curiosity burned brightly.

He had no key, so he tried to pry it open directly, only to find that the box would not budge.

Even with the strength to easily draw a Two-stone bow, supplemented by mobilizing his qi and blood, he could do nothing to it.

But at the end of the day, it was still made of wood. Surely it could be smashed open.

Yet Chen Sanshi was not foolish enough to actually do that.

For all he knew, there might be some mechanism hidden inside. Forcing it open could very likely damage the "immortal treasure" within.

Helpless, he could only put the item away for now and wait until he had a chance to figure out what mechanism the box used and what could open it.

"Whew..."

Chen Sanshi let out a long breath.

This night had truly kept him busy enough.

But now that Qin Feng had been eliminated and he had become the first to cultivate qi and blood, things should become a little more comfortable from here on out—after he was promoted to Squad Leader and obtained the qualifications for Elite Selection, at least?

With his thoughts running wild, he used Gu Xinlan as a soft pillow, pressed her beneath him, and fell into a deep, comfortable sleep.

The next day.

Chen Sanshi rose early and headed to the Military Camp.

Before he even entered, he heard everyone in the Military Colony discussing what had happened the previous night.

"You lot didn't go last night, so you have no idea how chaotic the city was. I saw it all with my own eyes from nearby!"

"Even Xiang Tingchun personally made a move. Together with the masters of the Tianyuan, Tailei, and Zhao martial arts schools, he cornered that barbarian assassin in an abandoned courtyard."

"Just when they were about to capture that barbarian alive, another group of masked killers suddenly appeared!"

"Though their faces were covered, judging by their martial arts styles, they were probably barbarians too—and even more formidable ones. Every last one was a master at Bone Tempering or above! One of them could even exchange blows with Xiang Tingchun."

"They forcibly injured the master of Tailei Martial Arts School and slaughtered their way out through the city gate with the assassin."

"Of course, more than half of them died too."

"..."

Listening to their discussion, Chen Sanshi realized that the fighting in the city last night must have been extremely fierce.

And something about it sounded off.

The assassin had been rescued?

Then how had he ended up dying from severe injuries?

Could it be that the masked killers had also come for the "immortal treasure," and after leaving the city, the two sides had fought each other again?

The barbarian assassin had narrowly escaped, only to die of grievous wounds—and Chen Sanshi had happened to encounter him?

If so, was it possible that the reason the box could not be opened was because the key was in the hands of that other group they had mentioned?

This matter really was tangled as a ball of hemp.

Chen Sanshi arrived at the Military Camp and found that Wang Zhi had not yet come, so he prepared to practice for a while at the Training Ground.

"Chen Sanshi."

He had only just picked up the Plum Blossom Spear when someone called his name.

Turning around, he saw Song Yan's second uncle, Luo Dongquan, Commander Luo.

Commander Luo wore a smile and beckoned to him. "Come here for a moment."

"Commander Luo."

Chen Sanshi planted the iron spear upside down and did not move. "Whatever you have to say, say it here."

"Fine."

Luo Dongquan did not get angry. With his hands clasped behind his back, he said, "I have something I would like to ask of you."

What could a dignified Hundred Household Commander possibly need to ask of him?

Chen Sanshi did not speculate too much. "Please speak freely, Commander Luo. But I am lowly in status, so I fear there may be little I can help with."

"Your talent is excellent—the best I have ever seen since I began practicing martial arts."

Luo Dongquan sighed. "My nephew cannot compete with you anymore, but do not misunderstand. I have no intention of making things difficult for you. If one's skills are inferior, one must accept it.

"I wish to ask you to give Yan'er next year's first-half Elite Selection opportunity and participate in the second half instead.

"Of course, I am not asking you to do this with empty words alone."

He took out a silver note. "This is a one-hundred-tael silver note. It can help you buy plenty of Blood Replenishing Soup and beast meat to increase your cultivation speed. Delaying things by only half a year should be quite worthwhile, shouldn't it?"

Elite Selection was held twice every year, once in the first half and once in the second half.

Each Thousand Household Office could send at most one person each time.

It sounded as though waiting half a year was nothing.

But why did he not let his own nephew wait half a year?

Only a fool would believe that.

Chen Sanshi certainly would not delay himself over such a small sum of money. "Thank you, Commander Luo, but I do not think that is necessary. Song Yan's talent is quite good. He will definitely have no problem participating in the second-half Elite Selection."

Commander Luo maintained his smile. "Fine. Even if a deal cannot be made, goodwill remains. Since you are unwilling, then forget it. Do not take today's matter to heart..."

"Old Luo, you're quite the good fellow!"

A fat hand suddenly flashed out and snatched away the silver note.

Wang Zhi had somehow quietly appeared beside them. Grinning from ear to ear, he said, "You were planning to give Sanshi a congratulatory gift, weren't you? Good heavens, one hundred taels—so generous? You really are the richest one among us!"

"Wang!"

Luo Dongquan reached out, trying to snatch the silver note back.

Wang Zhi was incredibly quick-eyed and nimble-handed. He retreated again and again while stuffing the silver note into his robes. "Since when does a gift get taken back?

"Or are you saying, Old Luo, that this was not a gift, but an attempt to threaten and tempt him?

"Should Xiang Tingchun be informed about this?"

"You..."

Luo Dongquan could not speak for a long while. In the end, he only sneered and turned away.

Chen Sanshi watched in stunned amazement.

Commander Wang truly had skill. With only a few words, he had obtained a one-hundred-tael silver note!

"What did that Luo fellow want from you?"

Wang Zhi spat at Luo Dongquan's retreating back.

Chen Sanshi told him the truth.

"What a rotten heart."

Wang Zhi scoffed. "Do you know why he wanted you to participate in the second half?

"It is said that Governor Sun is already advanced in years. Next year's first-half Elite Selection will be his final year taking personal disciples.

"Starting from the second half, someone else will be teaching instead!"

Chen Sanshi was not particularly surprised.

"Enough. Keep your distance from that Luo fellow in the future."

Wang Zhi said, "Stand here and wait. Xiang Tingchun and Assistant Magistrate Zhang have both arrived. They are about to sound the assembly horn and gather your batch for inspection."

He then explained the process.

Under normal circumstances, Elite Selection only chose from the newest recruits of that year.

Those who displayed talent within a short period of time had higher potential and were worth nurturing.

In a moment, Thousand Household Commander Xiang Tingchun would personally inspect their cultivation, while the county office's assistant magistrate would verify when they had enlisted and been registered, as well as whether there had been any favoritism or fraud.

Once everything was verified, it would be reported to the Governor-General of Liangzhou's Mansion.

After that, the Governor's Mansion would send a dedicated Elite Selection Officer over after some time to personally confirm that there was no fraud.

Only then would they head to Liangzhou's Eight Great Camps to participate in the true Elite Selection, which would determine their future rank and position within the Eight Great Camps.

"Bwooo—"

Commander Wang had just finished explaining.

The assembly horn sounded at that very moment.