Lowering Her Rank?

The Black Annihilation Army encampment here was not close to the residential area, but since this was the Training Ground, Gu Qingyang and the other commanders had been stationed here year-round.

The Training Ground had been opened up by the clan's Saints and contained vast mountainous terrain. Anyone familiar with it could see traces of the Beast Domain and the Barren Ancient Region within it.

Large numbers of magical beasts were kept here to temper the new recruits joining the Black Annihilation Army.

For those branch-line members of the Gu clan who wanted to obediently become pampered young soldiers, the Training Ground was their final obstacle.

Their age and strength might be acceptable, but if they failed the trials, the Black Annihilation Army would not recruit such young masters.

Besides the rookies, quite a few regular Black Annihilation Army soldiers who had returned to the Gu Realm were also stationed here. Most had come to replenish supplies and, incidentally, watch the rookies make fools of themselves.

The Flame Wings on Kurumi's back vanished as she led Xun'er and Zi Yan straight toward the encampment.

"Stop right there!"

Two men clad in black armor and holding heavy spears blocked Kurumi's path. "Please present proof of identity."

Kurumi glanced at them. These men possessed peak nine-star Dou Emperor strength, though their auras were somewhat unstable.

She handed the jade token sent by the Elder Council to one of the Black Annihilation soldiers. After inspecting it, the two exchanged a glance.

Bang!

The two Black Annihilation soldiers dropped to one knee. "Greetings, Commander!"

Kurumi put away the Jade Pendant, nodded at them, and led Xun'er and Zi Yan deeper into the encampment.

"Is she really a commander?" one of the Black Annihilation soldiers asked.

"Don't worry about it." The soldier who had inspected