Monopolizing Four Red Tokens! A Genius Bait Plan?

Feng Qingzhu and the others, upon reaching the Iron-Scaled Python Demon, appeared quite strained, barely able to obtain even a single Red Token.

Yet Lu Ming, after securing one Red Token, had plenty of leeway and even struck out repeatedly.

If not for Chen Ping, Yun Potian, and the others joining forces to resist Lu Ming, he likely could have swept up all the Red Tokens.

In the end, Lu Ming alone claimed three Red Tokens, while the remaining four went to Feng Qingzhu, Liu Yiyi, Chen Ping, and Yun Potian.

"Adding the Red Token from the quiz, he alone... holds four portions of Demon Meat?"

Chen Feng stared at the scene, his eyes red with jealousy, anger, and resentment.

But the outcome was set. On the high platform, Wei Jinlin announced the results:

"The scramble is over! Lu Ming takes three Red Tokens; Feng Qingzhu, Liu Yiyi, Chen Ping, and Yun Potian each take one. Come collect your Demon Meat later."

As Wei Jinlin spoke, his eyes were fixed solely on Lu Ming, a hint of surprise in his heart.

He had clearly seen Lu Ming execute the Cloud-Piercing Finger just now—it was at the Minor Accomplishment realm!

He had assumed that even if Lu Ming could reach Minor Accomplishment with the Cloud-Piercing Finger, it would be around the time of the Grand Examination at the earliest. He never expected it to come so early.

It seemed Lu Ming indeed had considerable talent in acupoints.

Though acupoints had no orthodox path, and even if Lu Ming had talent there, he couldn't develop in that direction, it at least proved that Lu Ming's martial talent wasn't limited to mere entry-level. He did have some potential to cultivate the Formless Divine Art.

This year's Military Service Bureau had finally produced a passable seedling.

A trace of relief surfaced in Wei Jinlin's heart.

Beside him, Xu Shou and the others exchanged glances.

"I thought that with Lu Ming's Flesh Refining cultivation, he couldn't possibly snatch a Red Token. How did it turn out... so absurd?!"

"He alone took three Red Tokens. Adding the one from the quiz, that's four. So much Demon Meat—even I'm a bit tempted."

"Is this kid just naturally brain-damaged? Pure dullness? Not afraid of the pressure? Otherwise, I really can't believe it."

Meanwhile, Qin Zhonghai's eyes were bright, a silent smile on his face. He was very satisfied with Lu Ming's performance.

Today's scramble result proved that Lu Ming was indeed a martial genius, and the strongest genius among the four surrounding Military Service Bureaus!

When he returned this time, the Pavilion Master should have nothing to say.

"Senior Brother, each Director has a special recommendation slot. I think this Lu Ming is not bad..."

Xu Shou, after some deliberation, tested the waters.

Before he could finish, Wei Jinlin's face darkened: "He is a disciple of my Red Cloud County's Military Service Bureau. You'd better nip those thoughts in the bud!"

Xu Shou exchanged a knowing look with the other two Directors.

Clearly, Lu Ming was Wei Jinlin's chosen one.

Xu Shou chuckled and said, "Senior Brother, don't worry. I was already planning to recommend Chen Ping. I won't compete with you."

He had calmed down by now, thinking to himself that while Lu Ming seemed impressive, he was only at Flesh Refining cultivation today. The flaw in his training talent was too obvious. Recommending such a lopsided genius wasn't a safe bet.

Chen Ping was better—low-key and modest. In this Red Token scramble, he was one of only two outside disciples besides Red Cloud County's own to gain anything.

With this portion of Demon Meat, Chen Ping might break through to Tendon Refining before the Grand Examination. That cultivation level alone would be enough to dominate the crowd. Even if Lu Ming had other talents, the gap in cultivation would suppress him.

In the martial world, the foundation of power was ultimately cultivation realm!

"Senior Brother Lu is mighty! Taking three Red Tokens alone—truly a skill that stuns the crowd!"

"I saw it long ago—Senior Brother Lu is a martial genius. I was right!"

"Back when Senior Brother Lu turned the tide for the Li Family in the arena match, I admired him greatly. Watching his performance today, he truly has the bearing of a hero!"

"Congratulations, Senior Sister Feng, on winning a Red Token!"

"Congratulations, Senior Sister Liu..."

At that moment, as Lu Ming and the others withdrew from the Iron Stake Area, those who had obtained Red Tokens were surrounded by the crowd of disciples, showered with flattery and praise.

Even though Lu Ming had offended Shen Changfeng, no one cared now. Lu Ming held four Red Tokens—that was four-tenths of the Demon Meat!

Demon Meat was a great tonic for martial arts, its effects far surpassing the cultivation medicines of the county's major powers. If anyone could get half a portion, they might take a step further.

With such a martial opportunity at hand, Shen Changfeng alone could no longer pose enough of a threat.

Not just Lu Ming—Feng Qingzhu, Liu Yiyi, Chen Ping, and Yun Potian were also surrounded by the crowd, warmly invited.

Among them, Feng Qingzhu had also won a Red Token in the quiz, now holding two. Even with her aloof, icy demeanor, she couldn't stem the crowd's enthusiasm. She was surrounded by the second-largest group after Lu Ming.

"With the Red Token matter settled, I now announce something more important. I called you all here today to also discuss dealing with the Earth Dragon Beast."

Just as the Grand Martial Arts Arena was buzzing, Wei Jinlin suddenly spoke from the high platform, startling everyone into silence.

The entire venue fell quiet, everyone turning to look at Wei Jinlin in shock. Discuss dealing with a demon?

Wei Jinlin's face was grave as he continued: "The Earth Dragon Beast is no ordinary demon. If we don't eliminate it, the consequences will be endless.

"I have discussed with the other Directors and the various powers in the city, and we have proposed a genius bait plan.

"Today, we are here to select the geniuses who will serve as bait to ambush the Earth Dragon Beast."

A genius bait scheme?

Lu Ming's eyes flickered as he listened to Wei Jinlin's detailed explanation.

After hearing the full plan, Lu Ming sank into thought.

This so-called genius bait scheme was actually to turn the tables—select a few of the most talented disciples as bait to lure out the Earth Dragon Beast!

At the time, Wei Jinlin would hide in the shadows, waiting only for the Earth Dragon Beast to be drawn out before stepping in to slay it!

Meanwhile, the others would remain stationed at the Military Service Bureau to prevent the Earth Dragon Beast from sneaking up on their home base.

After hearing this plan, Lu Ming immediately realized that, across the entire Red Cloud County, the only one capable of dealing with the Earth Dragon Beast was likely Wei Jinlin alone.

"The geniuses acting as bait will face some danger—they'll have to confront the Earth Dragon Beast head-on! There's a possibility of life-threatening risk."

Wei Jinlin spoke slowly.

"So, I won't force any of you to accept.

"But, to be honest, this is also a rare training opportunity, one that can test your overall physical condition and your martial will.

"We plan to select ten geniuses; those who win the Red Token will have priority.

"Once the genius bait scheme succeeds, the geniuses who served as bait will, based on their performance, receive a joint recommendation from the four of us Directors of the Military Service Bureau.

"As long as you don't flee, at worst, you can join a Third-Rate Sect.

"If you perform well, joining a First-Rate Sect isn't out of the question either."

At these words, a flicker of fervor appeared in many eyes—at worst, they could join a Third-Rate Sect?

And even a chance to join a First-Rate Sect?!

This was a golden opportunity to rise in one leap!

After all, looking back over the past decade, the number of Military Service Bureau disciples from Red Cloud County and its surrounding counties who had joined First-Rate Sects could be counted on two hands.

Those who managed to join a Third-Rate Sect each year were also as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns.

Take Zhou Zhen, for example—he returned from the Third-Rate Lingyun Sect, calling himself a discarded disciple, yet he alone stirred up the county town's affairs and had become an extremely formidable figure.

If a Third-Rate Sect was like this, then a First-Rate Sect would be even more impressive.

And now, with good performance in the genius bait scheme, there was a chance to join a First-Rate Sect.

"Lu Ming, Feng Qingzhu, Liu Yiyi, Chen Ping, Yun Potian—the few of you, are you willing to act as bait?"

Wei Jinlin looked first at the disciples who had won the Red Token.

Among the crowd, Chen Feng, once widely recognized as the top disciple of the county's Military Service Bureau, now found himself ignored. Watching Lu Ming and the others surrounded like stars around the moon, his heart bled.

One misstep, and the whole game was lost!

Seeing Feng Qingzhu, Liu Yiyi, and the others step forward one after another, agreeing to serve as bait, he clenched his fists!

At this rate, Lu Ming might become a disciple of a First-Rate Sect, and he would never have a chance for revenge.

But just then, his gaze sharpened—he suddenly noticed that Lu Ming hadn't stepped forward immediately.

"Could it be..." Chen Feng's heart stirred, his eyes locked tightly onto Lu Ming.