Exhibiting Strength

The Martial Dao Stone lit up, but it was only a rather dim red glow. Li Yao's face instantly turned ugly.

"Organ Refining Realm, low-grade vitality and blood."

The old man glanced at him and spoke flatly.

Next was Lin Yu's turn.

Lin Yu drew a deep breath, sliced his finger, and dripped his blood onto the Martial Dao Stone. The stone flashed, revealing a steady and bright red glow.

"Organ Refining Realm, high-grade vitality and blood. Very good."

A rare trace of approval colored the Black Robe Elder's voice.

Lin Yu bowed slightly and stepped aside, a confident smile on his face.

Basically, all the reserve team members had around mid-grade vitality and blood, which counted as the average level.

The few whose vitality and blood were only low-grade were considered lacking in talent.

"Next!"

As the old man announced it, Qin Bo walked up.

Once again came the familiar finger-cutting process.

Qin Bo sliced his finger and dripped his blood onto the Martial Dao Stone.

In an instant, the Martial Dao Stone blazed with light. A dazzling blood-red radiance shot into the sky.

It was several times stronger than the light Zhou Ruixue and Lin Yu had produced earlier.

Faint dragon roars and tiger howls echoed from within the radiance, as though it contained endless power. Even the air around the square trembled.

"This... This level of vitality and blood power is simply unheard-of!"

The Black Robe Elder's eyes widened, his face filled with shock.

The other officers were also rooted to the spot.

They had spent many years in the Demon Suppressing Division and had seen countless martial artists with extraordinary talents, but Qin Bo's powerful vitality and blood was truly a first.

"This boy's potential is limitless. His future achievements will be boundless!"

An officer recovered from his shock and could not help praising him.

The young martial artists on the square erupted into an uproar. Some revealed looks of envy, while others wore faces of utter disbelief.

A flash of delight and admiration crossed Zhou Ruixue's eyes.

Li Yao's expression grew even uglier. His heart churned with jealousy and regret. He had actually looked down on Qin Bo earlier.

"Body Tempering Peak, transcendent vitality and blood!"

The Black Robe Elder announced excitedly, his voice trembling slightly.

Without a doubt, this result made Qin Bo the center of everyone's attention in this assessment. "What's your name?!"

The Black Robe Elder asked excitedly.

"This junior is Qin Bo. Greetings, Elder."

"Good, good, good. Qin Bo, you possess transcendent vitality and blood. Your future path in martial dao is limitless."

"I announce that you pass the assessment directly and don't need to participate in the assessments that follow."

Qin Bo was stunned. He did not have to take the assessment?!

That would not do. He had heard that the third round was actual combat.

In other words, he would need to fight the eerie creatures in real combat.

Even a mosquito's leg was still meat.

He would never let this opportunity slip away.

Thus, he spoke.

"Elder, I still want to participate in the assessment. I don't want special treatment!"

When the Black Robe Elder heard this, he immediately nodded.

"Good. Guard against arrogance and impatience. You have what it takes."

"Then this old man won't force you."

At this time, the other martial artists taking the assessment on the square also finished their vitality and blood tests one after another, and the assessment entered its second round.

Although it was called the second round, it was actually just an opportunity to display their abilities, so they could be assigned their posts later.

The Demon Suppressing Division had talismanists, physicians, spirit tamers, and so on.

"Second-round assessment."

"Talent display."

The moment the Black Robe Elder finished announcing it, a young martial artist eagerly stepped forward.

He rapidly formed hand seals with both hands, muttering incantations under his breath.

A moment later, a talisman emitting a faint glow appeared before him.

Runes flickered across the talisman, and the power of lightning faintly flowed through it.

"I specialize in the art of talismans. This is a Thunderstorm Talisman I made. Its power can injure a late-stage Resentment-level eerie creature."

The young martial artist spoke confidently.

The Black Robe Elder nodded slightly. "Not bad. Your comprehension of runes is quite deep. With proper nurturing, you will certainly become an outstanding talismanist in the future."

Next, another martial artist displayed his ability to prepare healing pills.

Someone else summoned a small Resentment Ghost, displaying the talent of a spirit tamer.

The Resentment Ghost summoned by the spirit tamer was surrounded by a faint gray mist. Though small in size, it radiated a sinister aura.

With only a glance from the spirit tamer, the Resentment Ghost vanished from its original position.

The next moment, it appeared beside a stone pillar at the edge of the square. With a wave of both hands, it actually brought the stone pillar crashing down, displaying impressive attacking power.

"Precise control, and the Resentment Ghost's strength is passable as well. Train diligently in spirit-taming arts. In the future, you will certainly play a major role in the Demon Suppressing Division."

The Black Robe Elder gave his assessment.

When it was Zhou Ruixue's turn,

she drew her treasured sword.

"A martial artist! Swordsmanship."

The moment Zhou Ruixue finished speaking, a biting sword intent erupted from her. Her blade shimmered with a cool, clear light, as if it had gathered the frost and splendor of heaven and earth. With a light tap of her feet, her figure moved like lightning, and she instantly began dancing across the square.

She displayed an exquisite sword technique. Sword blossoms flashed, and every strike carried sharp Sword Qi.

"Not bad. No wonder she is City Lord Zhou's daughter. Her foundation is so solid."

After Zhou Ruixue finished her display, the Elder gave his evaluation.

"Thank you, Elder."

"Mm, go down for now. Next."

Soon, Lin Yu also leaped forward.

"A martial artist. Spearmanship!"

With a loud shout from Lin Yu, a long spear had somehow appeared in his hand.

The shaft was pitch-black, and the spearhead glinted with a cold radiance.

He planted both feet firmly. The aura around him abruptly changed, and a bold, murderous air swept toward them.

He suddenly stepped forward, and the long spear in his hand shot out like a flood dragon emerging from the sea, thrusting several times in an instant.

Spear shadows layered one over another. Every thrust carried tremendous power, tearing through the air with sharp, shrill whistling.

Immediately afterward, Lin Yu displayed an exquisite spear technique. As his body turned, the long spear danced like a flying dragon.

At times, it was like a fierce tiger pouncing on its prey, mighty and heavy;

at times, it was like a nimble snake darting from its lair, cunning and vicious.

Light surged along the spearhead, with faint arcs of lightning flickering within. Clearly, he had fused his own strength into his spear technique.

"What a spear technique! The Lin family's Thunderclap Spear Technique has already reached considerable proficiency in his hands. It seems he has worked hard in his daily training."

An officer nearby could not help praising him.

"Exactly. Once he breaks through to the Blood Condensation Realm and gains the support of vitality and blood power, its might will multiply."

Everyone on the square also cheered. Lin Yu's spear technique was fierce and sharp without losing its agility, displaying the martial artist's boldness and skill to perfection.

"Not bad. You are the Lin family's second young master. To train this spear technique to such a level, you must have put in quite a bit of effort."

The Elder praised him generously.

"Next!"

Li Yao then displayed his attainments in movement techniques.

His figure darted across the square like a ghost. He was so fast that people could only see afterimages.

No one had expected that Li Yao, whose vitality and blood talent was low-grade, would possess such movement techniques.

"Not bad. It seems your movement technique is quite extraordinary."

This time, the Elder praised him as well.

Dozens of people continued stepping forward to display their abilities. Most of them were martial artists.

Those with special abilities remained a minority.

Finally, Qin Bo took the stage.