The Terrifyingly High Elimination Rate

Time flew by.

An hour later, the apprentice assessment officially concluded. Out of the hundred people in Lin Baichuan's group, only 43 passed, less than half. This showed just how high the elimination rate was.

At the entrance to the prison, the hundred people split into two groups.

The 43 who passed gathered together, their faces filled with excitement as they chatted animatedly about the future. The 57 who were eliminated looked dejected, their faces ashen. Many even lay on the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

"Sigh! Demons aren't that easy to kill."

Yang Zhan, standing beside Lin Baichuan, glanced at the sobbing individuals and sighed deeply.

Lin Baichuan also nodded slightly, a sense of melancholy filling his heart.

Although the assessment only required them to kill the lowest-tier Soldier-Tier First-Rank Demons, their strength was no weaker than a Body Refinement Ninth Stage human martial artist.

And they, the apprentice Demon Slayers, though all having entered the martial path, were a bunch of rookies who had never seen blood. Coupled with their innate fear of demons, many were so terrified the moment they saw a demon that they trembled uncontrollably, unable to unleash even ten percent of their strength, let alone kill an enemy.

Surviving was already a matter of great luck.

"Perhaps failing is actually a good thing for them," Lin Baichuan mused inwardly.

Demon Slayers constantly faced either demons or evil cultivators, essentially living with their heads on the chopping block, always in the face of life and death. This life wasn't something everyone could adapt to.

These people failing to pass the assessment might be able to live out their lives peacefully, which was also a good thing.

"The 43 who passed, follow me. I'll arrange your accommodations..."

Just then, a deep voice sounded.

It was an Intermediate Demon Slayer, thin and gaunt, his eyes scanning everyone like a vulture before he turned and walked out of the Demon Suppression Division Prison. Seeing this, Lin Baichuan and the others immediately stopped their discussion and followed.

About ten minutes later.

Led by the Intermediate Demon Slayer, the group arrived at a residential area. Many people were already gathered at the entrance of this area; they were the apprentice Demon Slayers from other groups who had passed the assessment.

They were now gathered together for the unified arrangement of their residences.

Lin Baichuan subtly scanned everyone. Including his group of 43, the total number was less than 300. The elimination rate had reached a staggering 60% plus. Clearly, their group's passing rate was relatively high, while some other groups likely had a passing rate of less than 20%.

"Alright, everyone's here. We'll now begin assigning residences. We at the Demon Suppression Division treat our official Demon Slayers very well; each official Demon Slayer will have their own independent courtyard."

A man dressed as a Senior Demon Slayer walked out, his gaze like a blade sweeping over everyone before he continued, "Do you see the residential area before you? This is Residential Area No. 19. It has a total of one thousand courtyards, each with a corresponding number.

Later, you will line up to receive your number plates and then find the courtyards corresponding to your plates.

Oh, right, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Fu Gang, and I am the steward of this Residential Area No. 19. If you have any matters in the future, you can come to me. Of course, this is limited to official business. Now, everyone, please line up and collect your number plates."

Immediately!

Everyone promptly lined up to collect their number plates. Lin Baichuan and Yang Zhan, having arrived a bit later, were towards the back. However, with fewer than 300 people in total, the distribution of number plates was very fast. In less than ten minutes, Lin Baichuan received his plate.

"Number 579. What's yours?" Yang Zhan glanced at the number on his plate and then looked at Lin Baichuan.

"Number 799. It seems these plates are assigned randomly," Lin Baichuan said with a slight smile. "Let's go find our courtyards first!"

"No problem, let's find courtyards first. We'll meet up here later. Regardless, passing the assessment today means we've officially become Demon Slayers. It's a day worth celebrating. I heard Tianyin Workshop has a really good new wine lately. How about we check it out tonight..." Yang Zhan chuckled.

"Tianyin Workshop?"

Lin Baichuan let out a light laugh. "Is it the wine that's good, or the people?"

Tianyin Workshop was a top-three establishment in Cangwu County City. He'd heard that the women there were all exceptionally charming. If Yang Zhan claimed he was going to Tianyin Workshop just for drinks, Lin Baichuan wouldn't believe him even if he were beaten to death.

"Heh heh, the wine is good, and the people are even better... Anyway, I'm treating tonight, and you have to come, kid!" Yang Zhan chuckled.

"If there's a feast, how can I be absent?"

Lin Baichuan chuckled.

If he had to pay for things like visiting brothels and listening to music, he would definitely not go. He'd rather spend that time cultivating at home.

Of course, he wouldn't admit that he was short on cash and penniless.

As a fine young man of this era with infinite pursuit of martial arts, how could he be infatuated with beauty? Women would only affect his drawing speed.

However, if Yang Zhan was treating, that was another matter entirely. Yang Zhan was a complete rich second generation. Eating his food and drinking his drinks was like a peasant uprising and land redistribution; Lin Baichuan naturally wouldn't miss out.

"Hahaha... You brat, I knew you'd take advantage of me. But I'm happy today, so I'll let you have your way this once."

Yang Zhan burst into laughter and then entered Residential Area No. 19 with his number plate, heading off to find his courtyard. Seeing this, Lin Baichuan naturally didn't delay and strode towards the very edge of the courtyards.

His number was 799, so his location would definitely not be in the central area.

It would either be at the very back or on the edge.

Indeed!

Lin Baichuan walked along, traversing more than half of the residential area. Finally, in the eastern edge area, he found a relatively remote and isolated courtyard. This courtyard was hidden behind a massive osmanthus tree. If you didn't get close, you could hardly see it, and it was also at the very edge of the residential area.

So it appeared somewhat remote and desolate, but it suited Lin Baichuan perfectly. Although remote, it would also be much quieter and less likely to be disturbed.

Pushing open the door, the courtyard wasn't large. It only had one main hall, two bedrooms, and a utility room. However, the yard itself was quite spacious, with a large open area of at least several hundred square feet, clearly intended for the residents to practice martial arts.

However, judging by its appearance, it seemed it hadn't been inhabited for a long time. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, making it look somewhat desolate.

Lin Baichuan glanced up at the sky and, without wasting any time, began clearing the courtyard.

It was still early, and he didn't know what else to do. He decided to clean up the yard first, as he would likely be living here for a long time. It couldn't remain so messy and neglected.