Entering the Selection

The next morning

Zhou Yi got up early. After washing up, he followed his memory to find Ling Liang's house, a very simple wooden hut.

"Ling Liang, you heard what Steward Wu said yesterday, right? Do you want to join the Patrol Team?"

"Brother Zhou, I, I, I don't have any grand ambitions. I just want to chop bamboo for a few more years, save some money, and then marry a wife who can give me sons," Ling Liang said, avoiding his gaze.

Zhou Yi also understood that this was the mindset of most people in this world. Let the strong handle things when disaster strikes. They just wanted to live comfortably and peacefully. Not everyone had the courage to face the Weirdness directly.

Zhou Yi understood Ling Liang's thoughts and said to him:

"Alright, I'll try first. I heard there's an assessment to join the Patrol Team, and I might not even pass.

After speaking, Zhou Yi bid farewell to Ling Liang and then found Steward Wu.

"Steward Wu, I've decided. I'm ready to join the Patrol Team!"

"Youngster Zhou, have you thought it through?" Steward Wu looked at Zhou Yi sternly and said.

"Steward Wu, I've thought it through!" Zhou Yi replied seriously.

"Alright, I'll be frank with you, kid. If I recommend someone to the Patrol Team, I, this old man, also get some benefits. However, there's still an assessment before entering the Patrol Team. Whether you can join depends on your own fortune."

"Steward Wu, can I ask what the assessment is first?"

"Don't rush. Someone will explain it to you when we get there. Let's go, I'll take you to register first."

After speaking, Steward Wu strode north.

Seeing this, Zhou Yi quickly followed.

They arrived at the entrance of a huge mansion, and Steward Wu led Zhou Yi directly inside.

Upon entering the gate, they found themselves in a martial arts training ground. The ground was cleared, with only a table and stool placed in the center. A middle-aged man was sitting on the stool.

Scattered around the training ground were youths of similar age to him. However, some of them were in tattered clothes and had pale faces, suggesting they were sent here by their parents due to financial difficulties.

Besides them, there were a few youths dressed in fine silk robes, with proud expressions on their faces, as if they looked down on everyone else.

"Zhou Yi, I'll go register for you first. You wait here."

Hearing Steward Wu's words, Zhou Yi withdrew his gaze, stopped looking around, and replied to Steward Wu before finding a corner to wait.

Zhou Yi watched as Steward Wu quickly walked to the middle-aged man's side and spoke in a low voice. After a while, Steward Wu walked back towards Zhou Yi.

"Alright, I've registered you. Whether you become a dragon or a worm from here on depends on your own fortune. I'm leaving now. Someone will arrange things for you next."

"Mm, thank you, Steward Wu."

Steward Wu didn't say anything more. He simply extended his hand and walked towards the door.

After watching Steward Wu leave, Zhou Yi withdrew his gaze and stood quietly in place.

Zhou Yi waited for a while. The middle-aged man seemed to have finished registering the names and stood up from the stool.

"My name is Xie Tong. You can call me Instructor Xie."

"Just because you're standing here now doesn't mean you'll be standing here a month from now."

"Next, I will teach you a stake method. If you can't get the basics within a week, then you can go back where you came from. The Patrol Team isn't suitable for you!"

After speaking, the middle-aged man struck a pose, squatting down with his legs, his hands held in front of him as if cradling an infant.

"Alright, follow along. Tell me when your body generates inner strength."

Xie Tong finished speaking, and the youths in front of him began to imitate the pose.

Xie Tong went around guiding the youths' stances.

Zhou Yi stood for thirty minutes and felt his legs go soft, unable to hold on much longer.

Looking around, several youths in tattered clothes were already trembling, their faces pale, sweat pouring down their faces, yet they gritted their teeth and persevered.

The youths in fine silk robes next to them were also struggling to maintain their posture.

After guiding them, Xie Tong sat back on the stool and quietly observed the youths' performance.

At noon, Xie Tong finally allowed the youths to rest and led them to the Patrol Team's mess hall.

"You have half an hour to eat. After you finish, return to the training ground to practice."

Xie Tong left after speaking, and the remaining trainees rushed towards the food like hungry tigers.

While eating, Zhou Yi opened the modifier.

Name: Zhou Yi Race: Human Strength: 0.6 Speed: 0.7 Physique: 0.8 Spirit: 1.2 Cultivation Method: Unknown Stake Method + (Not yet initiated)

Technique; None

Yin Energy; 5

Zhou Yi saw a plus sign appear behind the stake method. With a thought, he clicked it.

A strange power surged through his body. The Unknown Stake Method had changed to "Beginner," and his body, exhausted from standing, was once again filled with vitality.

Zhou Yi looked at the modifier again.

Name: Zhou Yi
Race: Human
Strength: 0.7
Speed: 0.8
Physique: 0.9
Spirit: 1.2
Cultivation Method: Unknown Stake Method + (Beginner)
Martial Arts: None
Yin Energy: 4

After mastering the stake method, his Strength, Speed, and Physique each increased by 0.1. Zhou Yi thought for a moment and added the remaining Yin Energy to the stake method.

The Unknown Stake Method's realm changed to "Minor Accomplishment," and only two points of Yin Energy remained. The plus sign behind the stake method had also disappeared.

"It seems I can't improve further. I need to find a way to get more Yin Energy," Zhou Yi muttered softly.

At this moment, the modifier's interface had changed to:

Name: Zhou Yi
Race: Human
Strength: 0.9
Speed: 1
Physique: 1.1
Spirit: 1.2
Cultivation Method: Unknown Stake Method + (Beginner)
Martial Arts: None
Yin Energy: 2