The Box

He hid until the middle of the night.

After confirming his surroundings were safe, Chen Sanshi blended into the darkness and returned home before dawn.

Without disturbing the sleeping Lan Jie'er, he quietly took out the box by the bedside and examined it carefully.

On the surface, it was just an ordinary sandalwood box, without any decorative patterns, completely bare except for a strangely 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 was piqued.

He didn't have a key, so he tried to pry it open directly, but the box didn't budge.

He, who could easily draw the Two-stone bow and mobilize his blood energy, was completely unable to do anything.

But after all, it was still made of wood, so it should be smashable.

However, Chen Sanshi wasn't foolish enough to do that.

Who knew what kind of mechanism was hidden inside? Forcing it open might damage the "Immortal Treasure" within.

Helpless, he could only put the item away for now, planning to study the box's mechanism and figure out what could open it when he had the chance.

"Hoo..."

Chen Sanshi let out a long sigh.

This night had been quite eventful.

But now that Qin Feng was dealt with and his blood energy cultivation was the first to be completed, his promotion to Squad Leader and qualification for the elite selection should make his life a little more comfortable, right?

Lost in thought, he used Gu Xinlan as a soft pillow, pressing her beneath him as he drifted into a comfortable sleep.

The next day.

Chen Sanshi woke up early and headed to the military camp.

Before he even entered, he heard everyone in the Military Colony discussing last night's events.

"You guys weren't there last night, you don't know how chaotic the city was. I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Even Commander Xiang personally took action, cooperating with the Cult Masters of the Tianyuan, Tailei, and Zhao Clan martial arts schools to corner that barbarian assassin in an abandoned courtyard."

"Just as they were about to capture the barbarian alive, another group of masked killers appeared!"

"Even though their faces were covered, judging by their martial arts style, they should also be barbarians, and even more formidable ones, all experts at the Bone Tempering level or above! One of them could even go toe-to-toe with Commander Xiang."

"They severely injured the Tailei Martial Arts School's Cult Master and killed their way out of the city with the assassin."

"Of course, they also lost more than half of their men."

"..."

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

And something felt off.

The assassin was rescued?

Then how did he die from his injuries?

Could it be that the masked killers were also after the "Immortal Treasure," and they fought again after leaving the city?

The barbarian assassin managed to escape by sheer luck, but was also severely wounded and died, and he just happened to run into him?

If that's the case, is there a possibility that the reason the box can't be opened is because the key to unlock it is in the hands of the other group they mentioned?

This matter was truly complicated.

Chen Sanshi arrived at the military camp and found that Wang Zhi hadn't arrived yet, so he decided to practice in the training ground for a while.

"Chen Sanshi."

Just as he picked up the Plum Blossom Spear, someone called his name.

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

Commander Luo smiled and beckoned him over: "Come here for a moment."

"Lord Luo."

Chen Sanshi planted his iron spear into the ground, remaining still: "You can say whatever you need to say here."

"Alright."

Commander Luo wasn't angry and clasped his hands behind his back: "I have something I need to ask of you."

What could a mere Commander need to ask of him?

Chen Sanshi didn't speculate too much and asked: "Please speak freely, Commander Luo, but I am of humble status and fear I may not be able to help."

"Your talent is exceptional, the best I've seen since I started practicing martial arts."

Commander Luo sighed: "My nephew can't compete with you anymore, but please don't misunderstand, I have no intention of making things difficult for you. If you're not as skilled, you have to accept it."

"I want to ask you to let Yan'er have the opportunity for the elite selection in the first half of next year, and you can participate in the second half.

"Of course, I'm not asking you to do this for nothing."

He took out a bank note: "This is a one-hundred tael bank note, which can help you buy a lot of Blood Replenishing Soup and beast meat to improve your cultivation speed. It's only half a year later, it should be very worthwhile, right?"

There are two elite selections each year, one in the first half and one in the second half.

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

It sounds like only half a year later doesn't seem like much.

But why didn't he let his nephew wait half a year?

Only a fool would believe that.

Chen Sanshi would not delay himself for this little bit of silver: "Thank you, Commander Luo, but I don't think it's necessary. Song Yan has good talent, and he will definitely be fine participating in the elite selection in the second half of the year."

Commander Luo maintained his smile: "Okay, friendship comes before business. Since you are unwilling, then forget it. Don't take today's matter to heart..."

"Old Luo, you're really kind!"

A fat hand suddenly flashed and snatched the bank note away.

Wang Zhi had quietly arrived at some point, grinning from ear to ear: "You're planning to give Sanshi a congratulatory gift, aren't you? Good heavens, one hundred taels, so generous? You're the richest one here!"

"Wang!"

Luo Dongquan reached out, trying to get the bank note back.

Wang Zhi was quick-eyed and retreated repeatedly, stuffing the bank note into his chest as he spoke: "There's no reason to take back a gift!

"Or are you saying, Old Luo, that you're not giving a gift, but trying to coerce and lure him?

"Do you want me to let Commander Xiang know about this?"

"You..."

Luo Dongquan was speechless for a long time, and finally sneered and turned to leave.

Chen Sanshi watched, dumbfounded.

Commander Wang has great skill, getting a one-hundred tael bank note in just a few words!

"What did that Luo fellow want with you?"

Wang Zhi spat on the ground as he watched Luo Dongquan's retreating back.

Chen Sanshi told him the truth.

"His intentions are truly malicious."

Wang Zhi sneered: "Do you know why he wanted you to participate in the second half of the year?

"Rumor has it that Governor Sun is old, and the first half of next year will be his last year to take personal disciples through the elite selection.

"From the second half of the year onwards, someone else will be teaching!"

Chen Sanshi was not very surprised.

"Alright, just ignore that Luo fellow from now on."

Wang Zhi said: "Stand and wait. Commander Xiang and Assistant Magistrate Zhang have arrived. We'll soon be ready to blow the assembly horn and gather this batch of people for inspection."

He explained the subsequent process.

The elite selection is usually only from the newly recruited soldiers of that year.

Only those who show talent in a short period of time mean they have a high ceiling and are worth cultivating.

Later, Commander Xiang Tingchun will personally inspect the cultivation, and the county magistrate will confirm the time of enlistment and whether there has been any favoritism or cheating.

After verification, it will be reported to the Governor-General of Liangzhou's Mansion.

Then, the Governor's Mansion will send a special elite selection officer to personally confirm if there is any deception.

Finally, they will go to the Eight Great Camps in Liangzhou to participate in the real elite selection, which will determine their status and position in the Eight Great Camps in the future.

"Buzz--"

Commander Wang finished speaking.

The assembly horn also sounded.