The Dream of Wanting to Linger Was Shattered

Primordial Yang Fist: Seventh Layer (730/3000)(+)

Golden Bell Shield: Fourth Layer (112/800)(+)

Spiritual Eye Qi Observation Technique: First Layer (21/200)(+)

Great Sun Profound Scripture: Not Yet Started (10/100)(+)

Universal Proficiency: 2400

Three days had passed since his last visit to the Three Saints Hall. During these three days, Ning Xiu had executed three Evil Spirits in the Xuan Zone, accumulating a total of 2400 points of Universal Proficiency.

Compared to martial arts like Primordial Yang Fist and Golden Bell Shield taught in the Champion Camp, the difficulty of cultivating the Great Sun Profound Scripture was clearly much higher.

After three days of training, he had only gained 10 points of proficiency. For this, Ning Xiu had even reduced his training time for Primordial Yang Fist, yet the results still hadn't improved.

According to the old man who guarded the Three Saints Hall, for those who chose the path of martial arts, having Internal Energy within their body was the symbol of stepping into the Ninth Rank.

If he relied solely on self-cultivation, it would take at least a month to reach the first layer of the Great Sun Profound Scripture. This pace was far too slow.

Ning Xiu decided not to save his Universal Proficiency anymore. He would spend it all for a satisfying boost.

He directly added 100 points of Universal Proficiency to the Great Sun Profound Scripture. The moment it reached the first layer, Ning Xiu felt a surge of heat suddenly emerge from his dantian and spread outward. This heat traveled along his eight extraordinary meridians to every part of his body, circled three times, and then returned to his dantian.

Although this heat was very faint, Ning Xiu could clearly sense its existence.

So this is Internal Energy.

Having touched a new realm for the first time, Ning Xiu couldn't help but feel a bit excited. He directly channeled the Internal Energy from his dantian to his palm.

With a forceful slap against the wall of his room, a concave palm print immediately appeared on the surface made entirely of stone bricks.

Though the indentation was shallow, it was enough to demonstrate the power of Internal Energy. Before, without the aid of Internal Energy, even if Ning Xiu had smashed his hand until it was ruined, he could never have achieved such a result on a stone wall.

Primordial Yang Fist cultivates blood and qi to protect me from Evil Qi, but the Internal Energy cultivated from the Great Sun Profound Scripture gives me the strength to fight Evil Spirits. This is the real trump card for self-preservation. Looking at the palm print on the wall, Ning Xiu rejoiced inwardly.

He added all the remaining Universal Proficiency to the Great Sun Profound Scripture, directly boosting it to the fourth layer in one go.

Immediately, Ning Xiu felt that the Internal Energy in his dantian had thickened by at least half. If the Internal Energy of the first-layer Great Sun Profound Scripture was like a wisp of gas, then the fourth layer had nearly condensed into liquid.

This cultivation speed was certainly unmatched throughout the entire Great Shang.

Primordial Yang Fist: Seventh Layer (730/3000)(+)

Golden Bell Shield: Fourth Layer (112/800)(+)

Spiritual Eye Qi Observation Technique: First Layer (21/200)(+)

Great Sun Profound Scripture: Fourth Layer (910/1600)(+)

Universal Proficiency: 0

Now that I'm already at the Martial Ninth Rank, I could join the Demon Subduing Bureau. But rather than having to go out and deal with Evil Spirits every day, it's much easier to stay in the Demon Subduing Prison and execute them here. Ning Xiu thought as he looked at the panel.

Bang bang bang!

Just then, a knock suddenly came from outside the door.

Ning Xiu walked over and opened the door to see He Yunlang standing outside, his face full of joy.

"What's wrong? You're so happy."

"The warden has summoned all Executioners to the Main Hall. Today, some Demon Subduing Captains have come to the Demon Subduing Prison to recruit people. If we get chosen, we can join the Demon Subduing Bureau directly!"

Hearing this news, in contrast to He Yunlang's excitement, Ning Xiu's face showed reluctance.

He had no desire to join any Demon Subduing Bureau now. Staying in the Demon Subduing Prison and lying low as an Executioner for ten or eight years was his true dream.

But there was no helping it. Such matters were not for a mere apprentice of the Champion Camp to decide. Ning Xiu had no choice but to follow He Yunlang to the Main Hall.

When Ning Xiu arrived at the Main Hall, most of the Executioners were already present. He was among the last few to arrive.

In the crowd, six men and women wearing Mysterious Silver Lock Armor and bearing extraordinary auras immediately caught Ning Xiu's attention.

Demon Subduing Captains!

"Everyone quiet down. Line up properly and wait for the Demon Subduing Captains to make their selections. Don't try to show off too much." A warden standing nearby reminded them loudly.

Ning Xiu and He Yunlang walked into the crowd one after another to line up. Unlike He Yunlang, who actively stood at the outermost edge of the formation, Ning Xiu kept pushing toward the very center of the crowd, not stopping until he was in the innermost position.

This behavior was an extremely obvious attempt to hide, leaving many Executioners puzzled. However, since Ning Xiu's actions were beneficial to them, no one spoke up to stop him.

But Ning Xiu didn't notice that among the six Demon Subduing Captains, a woman was constantly sizing him up with her gaze.

This woman was petite, with a baby face and skin as fair and delicate as a porcelain doll. If she took off that Mysterious Silver Lock Armor, no one would ever guess she was a Demon Subduing Captain.

Compared to everyone else who wanted to stand on the outer edge, Ning Xiu's behavior of constantly squeezing inward struck Su Qianqian as very amusing.

A Champion Camp apprentice who cultivated Internal Energy ahead of time—not bad talent. But he's a bit cowardly, trying to hide in the crowd to avoid selection. Su Qianqian thought to herself, already planning to check on Ning Xiu first.

If Ning Xiu knew what Su Qianqian was thinking at this moment, he would certainly be surprised—he had only just gained Internal Energy, yet someone had already seen through his secret at a glance.

"Esteemed Demon Subduing Captains, all the outstanding apprentices we've recruited from Champion Camp recently are here. There are also some executioners trained by our Demon Subduing Prison. Please take a look, ladies and gentlemen. If any show potential to join the Demon Subduing Bureau, they will serve with utmost loyalty."

The Prison Warden walked over to the six Demon Subduing Captains and said with a smile.

"Alright, then I won't stand on ceremony. I'll pick first." Su Qianqian stepped forward first, cupping her hands to the other five with a smile.

Su Qianqian was the leader of Bronze Leopard Squad 6. A few days ago, while out on a demon-hunting mission, her entire squad had suffered heavy losses, with many members fallen.

For this selection, the six had agreed beforehand to let her choose first, to fill the vacancies in her squad.

According to plan, Su Qianqian could recruit seven people this time. The moment she stepped out, she drew everyone's attention.

In this chaotic age of Evil Spirits, both men and women could rely on cultivation to protect their families and country, slaying demons and subduing fiends. As long as one had enough talent and diligence, women could also join the Demon Subduing Bureau and hold important positions.

Su Qianqian looked like a young girl of sixteen, but she was a genuine Immortal Path Seventh Rank Bronze Leopard Rank Demon Subduing Captain, possessing both strength and beauty.

With such a capable and adorable female superior, who wouldn't want to work under her?

So when they saw Su Qianqian was the first to pick, many young Champion Camp apprentices instinctively puffed out their chests, intending to show their best side.

Yet, under everyone's gaze, Su Qianqian walked straight into the crowd as if she already had a target in mind.

Wherever she passed, people around her stepped aside, keeping their distance from Su Qianqian.

Watching Su Qianqian move deeper into the crowd without so much as glancing at anyone else, people couldn't help but wonder—what was this Demon Subduing Captain doing? Why wasn't she picking anyone?

Ning Xiu, standing in the middle of the crowd, was initially calm. But as Su Qianqian kept walking toward him, an uneasy feeling stirred in his heart.

No way? Sure, I'm handsome, the type a young girl might like, but that shouldn't be enough for a Demon Subduing Captain to single me out in a crowd.

But as Su Qianqian drew closer and the people around him who had been shielding him scattered away, Ning Xiu was certain now.

This little woman was coming straight for him. What a disaster.

Slap.

Finally, Su Qianqian stopped in front of Ning Xiu, looking up at him with interest—he was a full head taller than her.

Seeing the expressions around him that screamed "Why you?" Ning Xiu awkwardly scratched his chin. It wasn't like he wanted this.

"You don't want to join the Demon Subduing Bureau?" After staring at him for a few breaths, Su Qianqian asked.

Her voice was pleasant—gentle and soft, like a light breeze whispering.

If Su Qianqian weren't wearing the Mysterious Silver Lock Armor of a Demon Subduing Captain, Ning Xiu would never have believed she was a Great Shang Demon Subduing Captain.

"Not really. I do want to." Facing Su Qianqian's gaze, Ning Xiu had to reply.

"Any hidden ailments? Trouble with your legs? Greedy for money or women?"

"No. I'm perfectly fine."

Su Qianqian nodded, then suddenly extended two fingers and jabbed at a spot three inches below Ning Xiu's navel.

The move was so sudden that Ning Xiu didn't react at all—after all, that spot was quite private for a man.

Who would expect a clean, cute, well-behaved little girl to suddenly poke you there?

His dantian was struck, and Ning Xiu instinctively mobilized his Internal Energy, shaking Su Qianqian's fingers away.

Seeing this, Su Qianqian's eyes lit up, and she immediately said, "Good. You'll come with me and join the Demon Subduing Bureau."

At these words, countless envious glances turned toward Ning Xiu, jealous that he had been chosen by Su Qianqian.

"Who is that guy? Why did that Demon Subduing Captain go straight for him and touch him there? Is there some story?"

"I know Ning Xiu. He's a hard worker who trains diligently every day, but he's quiet. Shouldn't have any history with that Demon Subduing Captain."

"I wish that pretty Demon Subduing Captain had picked me. Working under her would be a treat for the eyes even when dealing with Evil Spirits."

Amid the murmurs around him, Ning Xiu stepped out of the crowd and stood waiting off to the side.

From this moment on, he was a probationary Demon Subduing Captain. Now that Su Qianqian had chosen him, his dream of staying in the Demon Subduing Prison and carrying out easy executions every day had gone up in smoke.

Take things as they come. Ning Xiu quickly calmed down. After all, outside, there would still be Evil Spirits to kill—just harder and more troublesome.

After Ning Xiu, Su Qianqian carefully selected six more people, though none of them were as outstanding as him.

Following her, the other five Demon Subduing Captains took turns picking, quickly choosing the ones they favored.

What surprised Ning Xiu was that He Yunlang, standing at the edge of the crowd, hadn't been chosen. Watching his dejected expression, Ning Xiu felt a pang of emotion.

The one who most wanted to join the Demon Subduing Bureau didn't get in, while the one who most wanted to lie low in the Demon Subduing Prison ended up joining. Truly, fate played cruel tricks.

"Alright, go back and rest. Don't lose heart. Being sent here by your instructors means you're all the best apprentices in Champion Camp. If you weren't chosen this time, there's always next time." The Prison Warden looked at the disappointed youths and offered words of comfort.

Perhaps too disappointed, He Yunlang didn't even greet Ning Xiu before leaving the Main Hall without looking back.

Watching his best friend from Champion Camp, Ning Xiu couldn't help but think he'd need to find a chance to whisper in Su Qianqian's ear.

He had to get her to recruit He Yunlang into the Demon Subduing Bureau. From what he'd observed, the six apprentices Su Qianqian had picked after him weren't necessarily better than He Yunlang.

It was just strange that none of the six Demon Subduing Captains had chosen him. What a shame.

"Follow me." Her goal at the Demon Subduing Prison was achieved, and there was no need to waste time lingering. Su Qianqian waved her hand and led Ning Xiu and the other six out of the Demon Subduing Prison.

The Demon Subduing Bureau classifies its Demon Subduing Captains into four ranks: Iron Horse, Bronze Leopard, Silver Tiger, and Golden Dragon.

The Iron Horse Demon Subduing Captain is the lowest rank, responsible for going out to investigate various strange incidents and gather intelligence on Evil Spirits.

If selected by a Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captain, one no longer needs to do these tasks and only has to follow the team on expeditions to subdue demons.

A Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captain can command a squad of ten, specifically tasked with eliminating Evil Spirits that the Iron Horse Demon Subduing Captains have flagged, as well as known Demonic Creatures and Evil Spirits.

The Silver Tiger Demon Subduing Captain handles Evil Spirits that the Bronze Leopard Demon Subduing Captains cannot deal with. Any overly dangerous matters are reported to them for resolution.

The Golden Dragon Demon Subduing Captain is the most mysterious within the Demon Subduing Bureau. The other Demon Subduing Captains only know that such high-level experts exist, but not what they are actually responsible for.