The Evil-Expelling Bureau lay east of the Thunder Ministry General Office, separated by two streets.
Above the training ground's main gate hung a plaque of black iron. Its seven characters were written in ancient seal script: "Thunder Directorate Evil-Expelling Bureau."
The strokes were hard as blade carvings. Fine sparks of lightning flowed along every line, and staring at them too long made one's heart tighten for no reason.
By the time they arrived, more than three hundred people were already standing in the training ground.
"Looks like those above Earth Immortal, or supernatural power wielders from renowned sects and great schools with some real foundation, simply wouldn't appear at a place like this for an assessment!"
With one sweep of his gaze, Wang Xuan saw through the background of everyone present. There was not even a single Golden Immortal among them.
Rogue Cultivators from the lower realm made up the largest group, numbering over two hundred. Next came minor mountain gods of all sorts, around seventy or eighty. Another thirty or forty underworld magistrates from water palaces had come.
Most were Earth Immortals, with the occasional Celestial Immortal mixed in.
Yet each and every one looked aged. Clearly, they had not advanced through fierce, diligent cultivation, but had slowly endured their way up through years of seniority.
"The time has come. The assessment begins."
A sharp shout like rolling thunder descended from the high platform of the training ground.
The speaker was Lei Lie, deputy general of the Evil-Expelling Bureau. He wore black thunder armor, his face hewn like a blade. A Thunder-Sound Mace was slung diagonally across his back, and his aura was as heavy as a mountain of thunder pressing down upon them.
Behind him stood eight thunder soldiers holding halberds, each with solidified Killing Intent. The training