For a moment, everyone's eyes turned toward him.
Because he was the only person with an exceptional qi-and-blood talent, even the Elder's gaze remained fixed on him, wanting to know Qin Bo's true strength.
Qin Bo stood in the center of the plaza, his expression calm.
He slowly closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath, and circulated the qi and blood throughout his body.
In an instant, a powerful yet restrained aura spread from him, and the surrounding air seemed to tremble.
When he opened his eyes again, a sharp glint flashed within them.
At some point, he had already gripped the familiar Pig Slaughtering Saber in his hand.
The blade trembled slightly, emitting a deep hum, as if answering its master's formidable will.
At this moment, the crowd below the platform erupted in an uproar.
"What kind of saber is that?! Why is it so broad?"
"It looks like a kitchen cleaver!"
"No, it's a specialized pig-slaughtering saber. I've seen one at a butcher's stall before."
"Gasp... A pig-slaughtering saber?! Could Qin Bo actually be a butcher?"
"Hard to say. Even if he is a butcher, he's still stronger than you or me."
Qin Bo ignored the crowd's discussion, focusing all his attention on the Pig Slaughtering Saber in his hand.
He lightly tapped his foot against the ground, and his figure shot toward the enormous boulder at one side of the plaza like a bolt of lightning.
The boulder stood more than twice the height of a person. The Demon Suppressing Division used it to test martial artists' strength.
Just as everyone was baffled, Qin Bo had already reached the boulder.
He raised the Pig Slaughtering Saber high. With a thunderous shout, he unleashed a killing move.
A colossal blood-colored blade aura burst from the saber in an instant, carrying an earth-splitting momentum as it savagely cleaved toward the boulder.
With a deafening boom, the boulder was split in two. Shattered stone flew everywhere, and billowing dust filled the air.
Yet the blade aura did not dissipate. It continued surging forward.
It plowed a deep trench into the ground, only gradually vanishing dozens of meters away.
"This... this power!"
"With just one move, he split the boulder in two, and it still had such terrifying force left!"
Everyone below the platform was so shocked that their mouths hung open.
Those who had initially looked down on Qin Bo for wielding a Pig Slaughtering Saber now completely cast aside their contempt.
A flicker of delight and approval crossed the Black Robe Elder's eyes as he nodded and murmured:
"This young man not only possesses powerful qi and blood, but his comprehension and application of martial techniques are also beyond ordinary. Given enough time, he will certainly achieve great things."
Qin Bo abruptly stepped forward and unleashed his improved Pig Slaughtering Saber Technique.
This time, he no longer merely infused the technique with his strength.
Instead, he poured into it his understanding of the martial path, his insights into power, and all the experience he had accumulated through countless battles.
Blades flashed brilliantly, shining like a blood-red rainbow.
Every slash carried the momentum to split mountains and shatter rocks. Wherever the blade aura passed, deep cracks appeared across the ground.
Not only that, but as he performed the technique, a faint layer of blood-colored radiance surfaced around Qin Bo's body.
Within the radiance, countless blood shadows seemed to roar and gallop. This was an apparition born from the high-level fusion of his qi-and-blood power and spiritual energy.
"This... this saber technique is actually so powerful!"
"His control over power is simply beyond imagination!"
The martial artists around them exclaimed one after another. They had never witnessed such a shocking display of martial prowess.
An even greater look of delight and gratification flashed through the Black Robe Elder's eyes.
He knew that the Demon Suppressing Division had struck gold this time.
Qin Bo then sheathed his saber and stood upright.
"Martial artist, saber technique, power!"
After Qin Bo uttered those brief words, the surroundings fell silent for a moment. Then thunderous applause and cries of amazement erupted.
Everyone was thoroughly convinced by the immense power and exquisite saber technique Qin Bo had displayed with a Pig Slaughtering Saber.
"Kid Qin, not bad. I imagine your saber technique has already reached the realm of unity between man and saber, right?"
The Black Robe Elder came over and asked.
"Yes, Elder. You have a keen eye."
"What a prodigy!"
"The Demon Suppressing Division will have successors from here on."
After praising him for a while, the Elder finally allowed Qin Bo to leave the platform.
"The first two assessments are over. We now have a basic understanding of everyone's situation."
"Before the third assessment, let me make something clear."
"Before the assessment begins, you still have a chance to give up joining the Demon Suppressing Division."
After the Elder spoke, some people began whispering among themselves.
Most of them had no idea what the assessment would involve.
"The third assessment is actual combat!"
"For this actual-combat assessment, you will face the eerie alone. There may be a danger to your lives."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd exploded.
Many people wore hesitant expressions, and some had already begun to lose their nerve.
After all, eerie entities had always been mysterious and terrifying. If one failed to deal with them properly, they could very well end up dead.
"This... isn't this too dangerous? I thought we were just sparring with the other candidates."
A tall, thin man said with a pale face.
"Exactly. If we lose our lives, we'll have nothing left. I think I'd better withdraw."
A fat man beside him wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself.
While everyone was talking over one another, Qin Bo remained calm, and even a trace of anticipation flickered in his eyes.
As long as he faced the eerie, he could continue collecting lifespan. It would soon be time for him to begin burning lifespan for cultivation.
"Silence!"
The Black Robe Elder let out a furious shout, and the entire scene instantly quieted.
"The Demon Suppressing Division bears the heavy responsibility of fighting the eerie and protecting all living beings."
"If you lack even this much courage, how can you shoulder such a duty? Those who wish to withdraw may step forward now."
For a moment, some people slowly stepped out and stood to one side.
Most of them looked ashamed, but their instinct for survival still overcame their yearning for the Demon Suppressing Division.
Meanwhile, the Demon Suppressing Division guards waiting nearby wore smiles on their faces.
Clearly, this also counted as part of the assessment, though no one knew what hidden principles lay behind it.
"Very good. Those who remain are people of courage. Guards, take those who withdrew outside."
"The rest of you, prepare yourselves. Next, I will send each of you to a different eerie location."
"Remember, your objective is to survive there for three days and gather as many clues about the eerie as possible. After three days, someone will retrieve you regardless of the outcome."
The Black Robe Elder spoke.
"If there are no problems, go down and prepare!"
"The third assessment will begin promptly at dusk."
Qin Bo returned to his temporary residence and began preparing for the upcoming assessment.
He carefully inspected his Pig Slaughtering Saber.
Although he had conveniently taken this Pig Slaughtering Saber from Master Li's home,
it was ultimately still an ordinary object and might soon be unable to keep up with his strength.
"System, system, do you have any divine weapons or something like that?"
"Since you've bound yourself to me as your host, give me a good saber!"
In the silent room, there was no response.
Qin Bo could not help rolling his eyes.
Before you continue