Proficiency Panel

"Bronze Leopard Squad Seven, return to the bureau!"

The massive gates, cast from bronze and iron, slowly swung open, and a group of dust-covered riders emerged, galloping in from outside.

Clad in Mysterious Silver Lock Armor and carrying Wild Goose Feather Sabers, their faces were half-concealed by iron masks, presenting a truly imposing sight.

On the training grounds to either side, hundreds of youths in simple cloth attire, who had been practicing their martial arts, halted their movements upon hearing the announcement. They turned their burning gazes towards the riders, their eyes filled with admiration and longing.

"The esteemed lords have returned from slaying demons. I'm sure they've achieved great merit this time, having killed many Malevolent Spirits."

"I truly wish that one day I can join the Demon Subduing Bureau, eradicate Malevolent Spirits, and uphold justice in the world."

"We've trained diligently in the Champion Camp for years, isn't this precisely what we're striving for? Let's continue our drills. Surely, one day the lords will notice our efforts."

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, a young man with sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a face as refined as jade stood by a wooden post nearby, still practicing his fist techniques.

His gaze had not strayed elsewhere from beginning to end; he was utterly focused.

It had been a year since Ning Xiu arrived in this world. Thanks to the memories left behind by his predecessor, he had grown accustomed to his identity and understood the current state of affairs.

Over five hundred years ago, Malevolent Spirits suddenly appeared across the land, wreaking havoc and tormenting the populace, plunging the world into misery.

Subsequently, the imperial court established the Demon Subduing Bureau, recruiting extraordinary individuals, Buddhist monks, and Taoist priests from all over the realm to jointly combat and subdue demons. Only then did the world begin to improve slightly.

However, engaging with Malevolent Spirits carried unpredictable risks, and the Demon Subduing Bureau frequently suffered casualties. To inject new blood and replenish their ranks, the Demon Subduing Bureau established the Champion Camp under its purview, recruiting boys and girls between the ages of ten and fourteen for unified training.

Once they reached the age of eighteen, they could participate in the camp's selection process. If a disciple was underage but demonstrated exceptional talent, far exceeding the selection standards, they would also receive an early invitation to the selection.

Those who passed would officially join the Demon Subduing Bureau, while those not chosen would be assigned to serve in prefectures and county offices across various regions.

Although these individuals could not become Demon Subduing Captains, they could still protect the populace and investigate Malevolent Spirits.

Skillfully completing a set of fist techniques taught by the instructor against the wooden post, Ning Xiu drew his strength back and slowly exhaled.

[Primordial Yang Fist, Proficiency +1]

As the voice echoed in his mind, Ning Xiu nodded with satisfaction, and a semi-transparent panel slowly materialized before his eyes.

[Primordial Yang Fist: Level 4 (599/800)]

[Golden Bell Shield: Level 3 (211/400)]

When Ning Xiu first transmigrated a year ago, he discovered he possessed a Proficiency Panel.

As long as he diligently practiced any martial art or technique, its proficiency would continuously increase, allowing him to quickly master it or even achieve continuous breakthroughs.

Over the past year, he had been diligent, practicing the fist techniques and hardening skills taught by the Champion Camp instructors over ten times daily, regardless of the weather.

He would not return to his room to rest until he was utterly exhausted. His level of diligence and the intensity of his training were unmatched by anyone in the entire Champion Camp.

It was precisely this diligent spirit that made Ning Xiu highly regarded by the camp's instructors.

They were waiting for him to grow a few years older, further solidify his martial arts foundation, and temper his character before recommending Ning Xiu to the Demon Subduing Bureau for a chance to join.

"Ning Xiu, the Demon Subduing Captains have safely returned from slaying demons outside. It's so impressive, why don't you go take a look?"

Just as Ning Xiu was about to practice another set of Primordial Yang Fist, a dark-skinned youth ran up to him excitedly.

This person was He Yunlang, Ning Xiu's good friend in the Champion Camp. He was two years older than Ning Xiu, and his lifelong ambition was to join the Demon Subduing Bureau and hunt demons and suppress evil for the imperial court.

Counting his age, it seemed he was eligible to participate in the Demon Subduing Bureau's selection this year.

"What's the point of looking? It's better to seize the time and practice more fist techniques," Ning Xiu said earnestly, looking at the wooden post.

After a year of unwavering persistence through wind and rain, Ning Xiu had only managed to raise Primordial Yang Fist to the fourth level, expending a significant amount of energy and time.

Golden Bell Shield, a hardening skill, was even more difficult to master, reaching only the third level in a year.

If he were to join the Demon Subduing Bureau at this level and attempt to slay demons, it would be no different from seeking his own death.

Regardless of whether he could join the Demon Subduing Bureau on his eighteenth birthday during the selection, Ning Xiu wanted to try his best to cultivate Primordial Yang Fist to its peak state, making it crucial to seize every moment.

"You've been practicing this set of Primordial Yang Fist every day for the past year; you've already mastered it by heart. Why are you still practicing it? Why not try some spear techniques or palm techniques? It would show you have a wider range of skills and could increase your chances of being noticed by the Demon Subduing Captains during the selection," He Yunlang advised.

Ning Xiu chuckled, "Greed for quantity leads to poor quality; specialization is the best strategy. You wouldn't understand."

Primordial Yang Fist was just a common fist technique within the Champion Camp, accessible to everyone.

According to the camp instructors, this technique was created by a Martial Dao Fifth Rank martial artist from Great Shang. Practitioners could enhance their Blood Energy and strengthen their physique.

Although it wasn't a technique specifically designed for combat, it had the beneficial effect of helping beginners hone their foundation and strengthen their bodies and blood.

After a year of practicing, Ning Xiu had never fallen ill, big or small. His energy was abundant daily, and his limbs were strong. Therefore, he placed great importance on Primordial Yang Fist, making it his primary cultivation martial art.

Looking at the entire Champion Camp, among the disciples, if one were to speak of attainments in Primordial Yang Fist, Ning Xiu would be second to none. He was indeed quite a remarkable individual.

"You focus solely on Primordial Yang Fist and one hardening skill, and don't touch any other martial arts or techniques. You're truly the strangest person since the founding of the Champion Camp," He Yunlang sighed, shaking his head.

As the two were chatting, the Martial Instructor responsible for managing this training ground suddenly strode over from a distance.

His expression was very serious, clearly indicating that something unusual had happened. The disciples, who had been discussing the impressiveness of the Demon Subduing Captains, immediately fell silent, waiting for the Martial Instructor to announce the important matter.

"Those whose names are called, follow me. Everyone else, continue your drills. Ning Xiu, He Yunlang, Li Chang, Su Lanzhu, Wang Bing..."

The Martial Instructor finished speaking after listing more than thirty names.

Upon hearing his and He Yunlang's names mentioned, Ning Xiu immediately stepped out of the crowd. The Champion Camp was managed in a military fashion; here, the instructor held the highest authority, and everyone simply had to follow his orders.

Gathering the more than thirty apprentices whose names had been called, the Martial Instructor promptly left the training grounds.

The remaining group of apprentices exchanged confused glances.

"Where is the instructor taking them? Could it be for the selection process?"

"That can't be right. Several of the people whose names were called haven't even reached eighteen yet, so they're not old enough for the selection."

"We'll ask them for details when they get back."

Inside a military tent, a middle-aged man clad in Mysterious Silver Lock Armor sat in the chief seat.

When Ning Xiu and his group entered the tent and saw him, their faces registered surprise.

Only those from the Demon Subduing Bureau wore Mysterious Silver Lock Armor throughout the Great Shang Dynasty. To have a Demon Subduing Captain at the Champion Camp today—could it be that the selection was truly starting?

"Greetings, esteemed Demon Subduing Captain," they said, cupping their fists.

"No need for formalities. I am not here for a selection today. Rather, the Demon Subduing Prison is short-handed recently, and we need to select a group of apprentices from the Champion Camp to help out. If you can endure it there for a while, once staffing is sufficient, you will be directly registered in the Demon Subduing Bureau's roster, without needing to participate in the selection."

"Demon Subduing Prison?" Ning Xiu glanced curiously at the Martial Instructor standing beside him, having never heard of such a place.

The Martial Instructor's real name was Wu Yan. He was once an Iron Horse Demon Subduing Captain in the Demon Subduing Bureau, but after being injured by a Malevolent Spirit during an expedition to slay demons, he was unable to continue his duties. Thus, he retired early from the Demon Subduing Bureau and came to the Champion Camp to serve as an instructor.

Ning Xiu figured he would know about the Demon Subduing Prison.

"The Demon Subduing Prison is a place specifically used by the Demon Subduing Bureau to imprison Malevolent Spirits. Recently, cases of Malevolent Spirits have surged near Chaotian Capital, and many have been captured, but there are too few prison guards to handle them, so more personnel are needed. You will accompany this gentleman to the Demon Subduing Prison to assist. If you can persevere, you will be directly admitted into the Demon Subduing Bureau later, saving considerable effort," Wu Yan explained.

The apprentices he had called out by name today were all individuals he had high hopes for.

This was a rare opportunity for the Demon Subduing Bureau to request personnel from the Champion Camp, and Wu Yan naturally chose to put forward Ning Xiu and his group.

"Yes!"

To be able to work for the Demon Subduing Bureau was the dream of every apprentice in the Champion Camp. With a Demon Subduing Captain personally coming to recruit, naturally, no one would refuse.

Seeing that the thirty-odd people were present, the Demon Subduing Captain did not linger. He stood up and led Ning Xiu's group out of the Champion Camp, directly into the Demon Subduing Bureau headquarters.

The Demon Subduing Bureau headquarters was located within the Great Shang's capital city, 'Chaotian Capital,' just across the wall from the Champion Camp.

What Ning Xiu never expected was that the Demon Subduing Prison was located beneath Chaotian Capital, a place completely devoid of sunlight.

Following the Demon Subduing Captain down a thousand steps and passing through dozens of thousand-pound gates, the group finally reached the entrance of the Demon Subduing Prison.

The entrance here was shaped like a cast-iron tiger's mouth, with an iron plaque bearing the two characters 'Demon Subduing' hanging above it. Lit only by torches and oil lamps, the atmosphere was extremely grim.

"Go inside. Someone inside will arrange tasks for you. After you've diligently endured this period, I will personally guide you in joining the Demon Subduing Bureau," the Demon Subduing Captain said to Ning Xiu and the others, standing outside the tiger's mouth gate without any intention of entering.

"Thank you, sir."

With no other choice, they complied. After bidding farewell to the Demon Subduing Captain and entering the Demon Subduing Prison, He Yunlang immediately walked up to Ning Xiu and said excitedly, "I never expected to be able to work for the Demon Subduing Bureau this time, and even get to experience something like the Demon Subduing Prison, which outsiders don't know about. Ning Xiu, it seems we're not far from becoming Demon Subduing Captains now."

"Be careful. The Demon Subduing Prison holds nothing but Malevolent Spirits, whose methods of harming people are unimaginable. Don't celebrate too early," Ning Xiu said in a low voice.

In the Champion Camp, besides practicing basic fist techniques, Ning Xiu's most frequent activity was reading the books in the camp.

Those books contained a lot of information about Malevolent Spirits. For example, there was a Malevolent Spirit called an 'Nightmare Fiend,' which could kill people in their dreams, its methods silent and undetectable.

There was a Malevolent Spirit called a 'Ghoul Servant,' formed from the soul of a person eaten by a tiger. They would become servants of the tiger, deceiving innocent passersby into falling into a trap, leading them to be eaten by the tiger.

And there was a Malevolent Spirit called a 'Night-Wailing Child,' formed from a child who died prematurely. It resembled a child and often appeared at night, liking to play on children's beds, causing children to be unable to sleep soundly at night. If not driven away, the child would fall gravely ill.

It was precisely because he had read the descriptions in the books that Ning Xiu did not show the same excitement as He Yunlang, but instead remained very cautious.

This task of helping the Demon Subduing Bureau at the Demon Subduing Prison might not be as simple as they imagined.

As soon as they entered the Demon Subduing Prison, a burly man dressed as a prison guard walked over. After sizing up Ning Xiu and the others, he spoke, "You're all here to help, right? Cells seventeen through one hundred and thirty-two in the Huang Zone. Each of you can pick any cell. You just need to execute the Malevolent Spirit imprisoned within. Once you're done, you can rest for the day."