Old Su Mo—The Bureau's Resources and Techniques Are All Under My Care

An incense stick burned down to its end, wisps of blue smoke curling upward.

On the high platform, Chief Examiner Li, a Centurion, stroked the short beard on his chin, his gaze nailed to the figure standing in the arena with his hands behind his back. For a long while, he said nothing.

Beside him stood Su Mo, the Technique Pavilion steward, dressed in a long gray robe and clutching a purple-clay teapot. He clicked his tongue in amazement as well. "Old Li, how many years have you overseen these examinations? Have you ever seen a newcomer who came for the supplemental assessment after just three days on the job and still killed over two hundred beasts?"

"Twelve years in total. First time I've seen it." Centurion Li gave a wry smile. "Judging by combat strength, the killing power of that Flying Sword Art is no weaker than that of an ordinary full-fledged Demon Exterminator at the early Intent Comprehension Realm. It's only because his physical cultivation is still stuck at Body Tempering and he hasn't condensed astral force. Otherwise, he'd qualify to become full-fledged right away."

One of the attendants beside them could not help cutting in. "But the Bureau has ironclad rules. A newcomer's probationary period must last at least three months. Even if their combat strength exceeds the standard, they still have to serve out the full term before taking the assessment to become full-fledged. Doesn't that mean he has the ability of a full-fledged Demon Exterminator while drawing a probationer's salary?"

"Rules are rules." Centurion Li shook his head, though the smile in his eyes could not be suppressed. "Still, it's a good thing. The Bureau hasn't produced a talent like this in years. Once he finishes those three months, we'll promote him as an exception."

While the group chatted atop the high platform, the roars of the beasts below had already grown sparse.

The final spark at the incense tip burned out. With a resounding clang, the attendant struck the gong, its sound rolling across the entire training ground.

"The assessment is over! Return the beasts to their cages!"

The iron gates crashed down, and the remaining Black-Wind Wolves and Ironback Boars were driven back into their enclosures.

Every gaze in the arena snapped toward the tally board. The bright red number on its highest line stabbed at their eyes.

The attendant responsible for calling out the names drew a deep breath and announced the results in a booming voice.

"Xu Jin, two hundred and seventeen kills—more than triple the top-grade threshold. Confirmed as exceptional top-grade!"

The entire crowd instantly erupted.

"Two hundred and seventeen? Did I hear that right? In previous years, sixty kills were enough to pass as top-grade. He exceeded that by more than three times!"

"A record! He absolutely shattered the historical record for supplemental assessments!"

"Captain Chu's ancestral graves must be smoking green! He picked up a monster like this! Who was it that said he was some wild-road nobody brought in to make up the numbers? Step forward and take your beating!"

The waves of discussion nearly lifted the roof off the training ground. Everyone stared at the upright figure in the center of the arena, their eyes filled with shock and envy.

The attendant raised a hand to quiet them and continued calling the names.

"Wang Lei, eighty-nine kills, top-grade."

"Zhao Kun, fifty-six kills, second-grade."

"Ma San, twenty-one kills, third-grade."

When Ma San's name was called, the mocking laughter around him vanished. Instead, the crowd fell somewhat quieter.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Ma San stared at his result. His face alternated between red and white until nothing remained but bitterness in his mouth.

He had once relied on his Black-Iron Heartguard Mirror, thinking he could at least charge into second-grade. Yet now, he had barely scraped the edge of third-grade.

Then he looked toward the figure in the center of the arena, who had not moved his feet even half an inch from beginning to end. The little venomous resentment in Ma San's heart had long since scattered completely.

The gap was too vast—so vast that he could not even summon jealousy. He only felt that his earlier attempt to pick a fight had made him look like a clown dancing on a stage.

He no longer had the face to remain. Lowering his head and wrapping his clothes tightly around himself, he silently squeezed out of the crowd.

Wang Lei, however, walked over. The arrogance had vanished from his face. He clasped his fists toward Xu Jin, his tone sincere. "Earlier, my horizons were too narrow, and I offended you in many ways. Brother Xu, Wang truly accepts your strength wholeheartedly."

Xu Jin gave a slight nod in return.

The man could recognize the gap and rein in his arrogance. He was not so unpleasant after all.

After the assessment ended, Xu Jin followed an attendant to a side courtyard to collect his rewards.

The treatment for exceptional top-grade was substantial: a bronze identification plaque engraved with the words "Exceptional Top-Grade," an access token for an independent small courtyard, five portions of basic body-tempering medicinal liquid, two bottles of pills for nourishing qi and blood, and permission to access the second floor of the Technique Pavilion.

The attendant handed over the items one by one, his tone far more respectful than before. "Brother Xu, the small courtyard is on the west side of the compound. It's very quiet. You can collect the medicinal liquid and pills from Logistics on the first day of every month. You may visit the Technique Pavilion whenever you wish—just use the bronze plaque for entry."

Xu Jin accepted each item. They carried no small weight.

His fingers rubbed over the smooth medicinal bottle as the cultivation principles he had read earlier in the archives flashed through his mind.

The nine stages of Body Tempering came down, in the end, to qi and blood. The first three stages tempered skin and flesh, requiring only the hard work of strengthening sinews and bones;

the middle three stages tempered the sinews and bones, requiring medicinal liquid as assistance;

the final three stages condensed qi and blood, requiring pills and cultivation methods working together to refine one's qi and blood until it became as dense as mercury and pulp.

As for the Intent Comprehension Realm, one had to repeatedly temper qi and blood, transform qi into astral force, and become capable of releasing it outward to injure others before one could be considered initiated.

Why was cultivation so difficult for independent cultivators? No money, no medicine, no cultivation methods. The fifth stage of Body Tempering was a hurdle; even after seven or eight years, or perhaps a full decade, they might never cross it.

Within the Demon Suppression Bureau, however, so long as one's rating was high enough, resources were abundant and techniques could be chosen at will. Reaching the threshold of Intent Comprehension within three to five years was commonplace.

Xu Jin knew clearly that with Swallow the Sun, Refine the Form as his foundation and Palm-Rolling Sword Formation as his killing move, his combat strength was sufficient. But his physical cultivation still needed to be built up step by step.

Joining the Demon Suppression Bureau truly had been the most reliable shortcut.

He had barely stepped out carrying his things when he saw an elderly man in gray standing beneath the corridor. It was the very man who had stood beside Centurion Li on the high platform.

When the old man saw him emerge, he smiled and beckoned. "Little Xu, right? I am Su Mo, steward of the Technique Pavilion. Most of the Bureau's technique manuals and cultivation resources fall under my care."

Xu Jin's heart stirred, and he quickly clasped his fists. "Steward Su."

"No need for such formality." Su Mo waved a hand, his manner as easygoing as casual conversation. "I watched your assessment. You used Flying Sword Art well, and your foundation is solid. I happen to be returning to the Technique Pavilion, so I'll take you over for a look. I can give you a few pointers on choosing cultivation methods, so you won't fumble around on your own and take the long way around."

This was a windfall falling from the heavens.

Naturally, Xu Jin would not refuse. "Then I'll trouble Steward Su."

The two walked side by side toward the Technique Pavilion. Along the way, Su Mo casually asked about the origins of Xu Jin's inheritance. As usual, Xu Jin answered with the story that he had found a damaged ancient scroll while entering the mountains as a child.

Su Mo did not pursue the matter. He merely nodded with a smile. "Having a fortuitous opportunity is a good thing. On the path of cultivation, talent, opportunity, and temperament—lacking any one of them, you cannot go far. Your temperament is steady, you show restraint in your actions, and you are neither arrogant nor impetuous. You are good material."

He paused, then added, "I heard Chu Feng recommended you? That kid from the Extermination Faction has a better eye than little Zhang, at least."

Xu Jin did not take up the topic of factions. He simply replied, "Captain Chu has helped me greatly."

Su Mo glanced at him, and the smile in his eyes deepened.

So young, yet he understood propriety and knew when to advance and retreat. He did not cock his tail because of his talent, nor did he involve himself in factional disputes. That was truly rare.

Had it been anyone else, once a steward in charge of resources took the initiative to speak with them, they would already have climbed the pole as high as they could. Yet this boy remained neither servile nor overbearing. Rare indeed.

As they spoke, the two had already arrived before the Technique Pavilion.

The three-story stone building was ancient and imposing. Two evil-suppressing stone beasts stood at its entrance, and a heavy, solemn aura washed over them.

Su Mo raised a hand and patted Xu Jin on the shoulder. "Go on in. Whether you choose the right cultivation method will directly affect your future development. Today, this old man will help you judge them. I guarantee you'll pick the one that fits your hand best."