Thinking back to Su Fei's performance just now.
He had taken Chen Hu's True Qi attack head-on without falling behind, then flicked the poisoned needles away with a backhand.
"Eighteen years old, and already at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm."
"Ordinary martial artists at your age are still going in circles in the Body Tempering Realm. Your talent for the martial path—tsk, tsk—is truly impressive."
When the people around them heard Su Fei speak,
the place erupted. The surrounding Imperial Guards were like a lake struck by a massive boulder, instantly boiling over.
"Did I hear that right? Fifth level of the True Qi Realm? And he's only eighteen?"
One had to know that Imperial Guard General Banner Officers were generally only at the Peak True Qi Realm.
An eighteen-year-old at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm was already considered exceptionally outstanding among Qingzhou Prefecture's younger generation.
"No wonder he could lift that thousand-pound stone lock. No wonder he could cripple Chen Hu so easily. This man is actually a genuine martial arts prodigy."
"Then the rumors about Su Fei loving to visit the pleasure quarters might be true. A martial arts prodigy works himself tired from training—it's normal for him to have a few hobbies."
Someone suddenly saw the light, and the way they looked at Su Fei changed completely, becoming filled with awe and envy.
"Chen Hu only broke through to the True Qi Realm at twenty-two. Compared to Su Fei, he's practically nothing. At eighteen, Su Fei is already at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm—breaking through to the Xiantian Realm is as certain as ten fingers gripping ten rings."
"Even the Mortal Transformation Realm is within reach. Hiss, Su Fei's talent is terrifying indeed."
"I was wondering why Su Fei was so formidable. Turns out he had hidden himself so deeply. Those people who called him trash before—do you know how formidable Su Fei is now?"
"I think Su Fei had been keeping a low profile and didn't want others to know his true strength. But Chen Hu kept provoking him on the arena, so he couldn't hold back anymore and erupted, crippling Chen Hu."
"This round, I'm backing Brother Su."
The martial artists who had mocked Su Fei alongside Chen Hu all shrank their necks and dared not make a sound, terrified that Su Fei would hold a grudge against them.
They had never imagined that this dissolute young master they had ridiculed was actually a martial arts prodigy who had concealed his true abilities.
Listening to the discussions below the stage, Captain Li became even more satisfied with Su Fei.
Standing on the arena, he announced directly,
"From this day onward, Su Fei shall join the Imperial Guard. Because of his exceptional talent, I hereby grant him the position of Imperial Guard Squad Leader, under my command."
A wave of cheers immediately rose from below the stage.
"Congratulations, Captain Li, on acquiring such a fine talent."
"Congratulations, Squad Leader Su."
Su Fei cupped his hands and bowed to Captain Li.
"Your subordinate, Su Fei, thanks Captain Li for his promotion."
He knew that from this moment on, he had officially joined the Imperial Guard and become an Imperial Guard Squad Leader.
His monthly salary would be ten taels of silver.
Captain Chen's threat certainly remained, but with the system in hand, what was there to fear from a mere Xiantian Realm captain?
He would soon surpass him.
Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the mission "Imperial Guard Employment Trial." You have received the martial art Thunderous Saber Art and thirty years of cultivation. Extract now?
The system prompt rang out in his mind, and the corners of Su Fei's lips lifted slightly.
With the Thunderous Saber Art and thirty years of cultivation, his strength would surge again.
Captain Li continued,
"Su Fei, tonight I will host a feast at the Ronghua Tower for drinks, to celebrate your joining the Imperial Guard."
"And while we're at it, I'll introduce you to the other Squad Leaders."
Having lived two lives, Su Fei immediately understood.
"How could I trouble you, sir? Let me handle the hosting."
As night fell, carriages and horses flowed endlessly before the buildings in the main city district, their interiors brightly lit.
Inside a private room on the second floor, two round tables were laden with all kinds of delicacies. Braised pork knuckles gleamed with oil, while the fragrance of steamed perch wafted through the air.
There were also hot dishes and cold platters, meat and vegetables in every combination.
Jar after jar of Daughter's Red wine was carried to the tables by the attendants, the liquor poured into cups.
Captain Li sat in the seat of honor. Su Fei sat to his left, while several more senior Squad Leaders sat to his right.
More than ten Imperial Guard Squad Leaders sat at the two tables.
Captain Li raised his wine cup, stood, and looked around.
"Come, raise your cups."
"Today, I am introducing a new brother to our ranks—Su Fei. A young talent with considerable martial arts potential. He has just passed the employment trial and has been granted the position of Squad Leader."
Everyone raised their cups in turn, their gazes falling squarely on Su Fei.
The events at the training ground that day had already spread throughout the Imperial Guard. No one dared underestimate this eighteen-year-old genius at the fifth level of the True Qi Realm.
He was now the youngest Squad Leader in the Qingzhou Imperial Guard Thousand Households Office.
"Greetings, Squad Leader Su."
"Brother Su is young and accomplished. Please offer us your guidance in the future."
"General Su Zhan showed me kindness in those days. Now that Su Fei has joined us, we are family from now on."
"If you encounter any difficulties, Brother Su, just speak freely."
Su Fei raised his cup and stood, his expression modest.
"Everyone, I have only just joined the Imperial Guard and do not understand many of the rules. I will need everyone to guide me in the days ahead."
Captain Li laughed heartily.
"Su Fei, there is no need to be reserved. We Imperial Guards do not care for empty formalities—we only look at ability."
"I saw your performance at the training ground today. You had backbone. Chen Zhenyu relies on his Chen family background and his backing, and he has always acted overbearingly. It was about time someone took the edge off his spirit."
The moment he said this, discussion broke out around the table.
Clearly, quite a few people had grievances against Captain Chen.
The drinking continued until midnight before everyone finally dispersed.
As the night deepened, Qingzhou Prefecture's streets shed their daytime bustle, leaving only scattered lights.
Su Fei declined several Squad Leaders' invitations to the pleasure quarters and returned home alone beneath the moonlight.
The instant he stepped into his own small courtyard, Su Fei impatiently called out to the system in his mind.
"Extract the Thunderous Saber Art and thirty years of cultivation!"
Extracting rewards. Obtained martial art Thunderous Saber Art (Beginner Level), thirty years of cultivation.
In an instant, countless diagrams of saber techniques flooded into Su Fei's mind.
They transformed into a small figure practicing the Thunderous Saber.
At times, it was like sudden thunder exploding, the saber's force swift and tyrannical.
At times, it was like a wild wind sweeping the earth, saber light crisscrossing in every direction.
He happened to be lacking a saber art he could use in combat.
As an Imperial Guard, he ought to know at least one saber technique.
"System, improve the Thunderous Saber Art!"
In the first year, you studied the Thunderous Saber Art day and night, swinging your saber a thousand times every day and committing its foundational moves to memory! In the fifth year, you practiced saber techniques amid a torrential downpour and grasped the essence of the Thunderous Saber Art. Your saber speed increased by thirty percent, and the Thunderous Saber Art broke through to Minor Accomplishment! In the thirteenth year, you attained enlightenment on a night of thunder and lightning, integrating a trace of heaven and earth's thunderous power into your saber force. The Thunderous Saber Art broke through to Major Accomplishment! In the thirtieth year, you achieved complete mastery. Your saber moved with your intent, your intent merged with thunder, and the Thunderous Saber Art broke through to the Perfection Realm! Cultivation results being fed back.
Su Fei instinctively assumed a saber-wielding stance, his fingers seeming to grip an invisible long saber.
He could clearly feel that the Thunderous Saber Art had already fused with his body. As long as he had a saber in hand, he could unleash the Thunderous Saber Art at the Perfection Realm at any time.
At the request of our many readers, we now offer an ad-free VIP membership feature.
Click to view
Before you continue