If He Isn't First, Who Is?

"You..."

Du Yuanxiu's expression shifted slightly, and anger rose in him at once.

Was this openly questioning the fairness of the Demon-Suppression Bureau's examination system?

Just as he was about to lose his temper, Xu Ye gave a slight wave of his hand. "Since you refuse to accept it, investigate however you like. I have no objections."

Listening to the doubtful murmurs around him, he remained calm and unruffled from beginning to end.

What a joke.

With his ninth level of Meridian Opening strength, it would have been strange if he could not take down these demons.

But it would not do if others refused to believe it.

He still wanted the reward for first place!

No one was allowed to stir up trouble for him.

Hearing this, Zhao Heng snorted coldly.

No matter what, he could not believe that Xu Ye had slain so many demons.

They were both at the sixth level of Meridian Opening—how could this guy be so absurdly powerful?

At this moment, hearing Xu Ye's words, Du Yuanxiu immediately understood what he meant. Too lazy for further nonsense, he slightly raised a hand in signal.

Lü Tao took out a jade token and spoke a few words into it.

A moment later, a gust of demonic wind swept out from the entrance to the Demon Prison, followed closely by a voice from within.

"Number of demons slain confirmed valid!"

It was a simple sentence, with no unnecessary words.

Yet it successfully verified the authenticity of Xu Ye's demon kills.

"It was actually real?"

"My heavens!"

"How did he do it?"

"He killed ten times as many as Young Master Zhao Heng. Doesn't that mean first place is unquestionably his?"

Everyone present knew that, in order to ensure the examination's authenticity, the Demon Prison kept secret records as well.

Thus, upon hearing the voice from inside the Demon Prison, the entire crowd erupted.

It was actually true. This guy had not cheated.

This was far too ridiculous!

A full one hundred and twenty demons!

If he was not first, who was?

For a time, everyone looked at Xu Ye with strange expressions.

No one could figure out where this guy had come from.

And he was so strong, too!

"Who exactly is he?" Lin Yuyan looked at Xu Ye with even greater curiosity.

The questions she had about him only grew, as did her interest.

"This... is impossible..." Zhao Heng's face fell, utterly unable to accept it.

How could this be real?

How had this guy done it?

"Does anyone still think it's fake?" Xu Ye smiled as he looked at the crowd.

He liked shattering all doubt.

At those words, no one spoke up to question him again.

Not even Zhao Heng said anything further.

Though he still could not accept it, he did not dare question it anymore.

Seeing this, Du Yuanxiu nodded in satisfaction and announced loudly, "Since no one has any objections, I declare this examination concluded. Those who passed, follow me!"

With that, he turned and headed toward another part of the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

The successful examinees hurriedly followed.

Zhao Heng shot Xu Ye a vicious sidelong glare before following as well.

Being suppressed by Xu Ye time and again had made him extremely displeased.

This was the first time it had ever happened to him since birth.

Lin Yuyan also gave Xu Ye a long look before turning to follow.

As for those who had failed the examination, they could only sigh dejectedly and slink away from the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

"Come on! You've struck it rich this time." Lü Tao patted Xu Ye on the shoulder.

Xu Ye followed, his heart also brimming with excitement.

Passing the examination meant that he had officially become a member of the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

Most importantly, he would be able to learn stronger cultivation arts.

And there was the reward for first place!

A first-rank martial skill.

It was something he had dreamed of obtaining.

Before long, led by Du Yuanxiu, Xu Ye and the others arrived at a great hall within the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

The instant they stepped inside, everyone felt a murderous, solemn aura wash over them.

Looking up, they saw many spirit tablets arranged throughout the hall.

The tablets stood silently within the hall, adding an inexplicable heaviness to the place.

Other than Du Yuanxiu and Lü Tao, everyone curiously examined the tablets.

Seeing this, Du Yuanxiu spoke in a ringing voice, "As you can see, those standing before you are all martyrs who gave their lives to protect the people of this world."

"It was because of their sacrifices that the common people have room to survive today, and that you are able to stand here. Our Demon-Suppression Bureau will never forget them."

"I believe neither will you. And I believe that in the future, you too will become people like them—steadfast in your hearts, slaying demons and defending the righteous path, protecting one land and its people."

Hearing this, everyone was filled with solemn respect, and their gazes toward the tablets became reverent.

They had never imagined that the people commemorated by these tablets had sacrificed themselves in life to slay demons and eradicate evil.

Nor had they imagined that, without their knowing, so many people of the Demon-Suppression Bureau had been sacrificing themselves for them.

Even Lin Yuyan and Zhao Heng fell silent at this moment.

Their eyes held reverence and awe for these tablets.

At this moment, Xu Ye's gaze swept across the tablets in the hall one by one.

At last, his eyes settled on a particular tablet.

It read: Spirit Tablet of Demon Guard Xu Cheng'an.

Xu Cheng'an—this was his father's name.

In an instant, countless thoughts surged through Xu Ye's mind, and his emotions churned like stormy waves.

The Demon-Suppression Bureau had not forgotten his father. His father, too, had entered the Hall of Martyrs.

Those who came after would forever remember his name.

Lü Tao seemed to notice Xu Ye's gaze. He glanced at the tablet, then stepped forward and patted Xu Ye. "If Old Xu could see what you've accomplished now, he would be proud of you too!"

Xu Ye came back to himself, took a deep breath, and nodded slightly.

Looking at Xu Cheng'an's tablet, a firm resolve had already taken root in his heart.

Just as everyone had more or less regained their senses, Du Yuanxiu spoke softly. "Now that you have passed the examination, you are about to become members of our Demon-Suppression Bureau. According to our rules, you need only swear before these martyrs that you will remain true to your hearts, slay demons and defend the righteous path, and protect one land and its people. Then you may become Demon Guards of our Demon-Suppression Bureau."

Lü Tao added, "This ceremony is not asking you to give anything. It is asking you to tell these martyrs that they have successors."

Hearing this, everyone was immediately filled with solemn respect, without the slightest resistance.

Including Xu Ye, they all faced the tablets and swore solemnly.

"From this day onward, we join the Demon-Suppression Bureau. We shall remain true to our hearts, slay demons and defend the righteous path, and protect one land and its people!"

As their voices fell, the echoes lingered in the hall for a long time.

Only after a while did Du Yuanxiu draw a breath and come back to himself. "I hope you remember today's oath. Our Demon-Suppression Bureau will certainly not treat you poorly."

With that, he raised a hand slightly. Before long, a group of Demon-Suppression Bureau members entered carrying trays.

Once they had taken their places, Xu Ye and the others saw that each tray held a token, a set of black uniforms specially made for the Demon-Suppression Bureau, and an ink-black horizontal saber.

These were the standard equipment of a Demon-Suppression Bureau Demon Guard.

Everyone was immensely excited at the sight.

After battling for so long, they had finally seen the result.