Rank-One Cultivation Method, Rank-One Martial Skill

Seeing the excited expressions on the crowd's faces, Du Yuanxiu spoke calmly. "Now you may change into our Demon-Suppression Bureau's uniforms and wear our Demon-Slaying Sabers at your waists. From this day onward, you are Black-Robed Demon Suppression Guards of the Demon-Suppression Bureau!"

At these words, everyone was thrilled.

Within the Demon-Suppression Bureau, it was no different from officialdom; there was also a hierarchy of ranks.

What differed was that the Demon-Suppression Bureau distinguished ranks by the color of one's uniform. From low to high, they were black, white, azure, blue, purple, and gold. The farther down the line, the higher one's status and the greater one's authority within the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

It also represented greater strength.

Those who had just entered the Demon-Suppression Bureau wore the lowest rank of black robes.

Above them were white robes.

If one wished to advance, one needed either sufficient merit or sufficient strength.

For example, Du Yuanxiu was a White-Robed Demon Suppression Guard.

Lü Tao was Du Yuanxiu's subordinate, yet he too was currently only black-robed.

Even so, that was enough to make people excited.

At the very least, they had successfully become Demon Suppression Guards.

After all, several hundred people had taken this assessment, yet only thirteen truly stood here.

It was easy to imagine that although the assessment had seemed simple, it had been extremely difficult.

Afterward, without another word, everyone stepped forward to receive their own Demon Suppression Guard uniforms and changed into them.

Xu Ye did the same. Once he had put on the black robes and slung his saber at his waist, even the air about him changed.

At that moment, he was no longer a streetwise youth, but a true Black-Robed Demon Suppression Guard.

From now on, anyone who wants to threaten me or go after Zhizhi will have to weigh their options first, Xu Ye thought to himself.

His goal had finally been achieved.

From this day onward, anyone who wished to deal with him or his younger sister would first have to see whether the Demon-Suppression Bureau allowed it.

The two siblings had finally gained a sliver of footing in this chaotic age of demons and monsters.

Very soon, after everyone had changed into their uniforms, none of them could conceal their excitement.

The Demon-Suppression Bureau's uniforms truly were extraordinary.

Even a spoiled dandy like Zhao Heng, who looked so arrogant, seemed considerably more upright in those black robes.

As everyone chattered excitedly without pause, Du Yuanxiu stepped forward and continued, "The Demon-Slaying Sabers in your hands are also specially crafted by our Demon-Suppression Bureau. They cut iron as though it were mud and can sever a hair blown against their edge. Remember to protect them well, because they will be your comrades in life-and-death battles."

"And the tokens in your hands are both your identities and your proof of passage to move freely within the Demon-Suppression Bureau."

Hearing this, everyone tightened their grips around the hilts of their Demon-Slaying Sabers and fastened their waist tokens.

Xu Ye did the same, carefully examining his waist token.

On its front were engraved the three words "Demon-Suppression Bureau," while the back bore his name.

This was his identification within the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

Xu Ye solemnly fastened it in place.

Only then did Du Yuanxiu nod in satisfaction and give a slight wave of his hand.

Immediately afterward, another group of people entered carrying trays.

Everyone turned toward the sound and saw an ancient-looking book resting on each tray.

At the sight of it, quite a few people, Xu Ye included, had their eyes light up. "A cultivation method?"

Du Yuanxiu smiled faintly. "This is the first benefit the Demon-Suppression Bureau has prepared for you all: the rank-one cultivation method, the Demon-Subduing Scripture."

"Of course, these are only copies. Remember, you may only cultivate them yourselves. Anyone who privately passes them on to others will die!"

This truly was a benefit from the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

How precious was a rank-one cultivation method?

To give one out upon joining the bureau was truly a grand gesture.

As soon as Du Yuanxiu finished speaking, everyone but Zhao Heng and Lin Yuyan eagerly stepped forward, cradling the rank-one cultivation methods as though they had obtained priceless treasures.

Xu Ye did the same. He stepped forward and picked up the rank-one cultivation method, his heart surging with excitement.

A rank-one cultivation method... I'm sure I'll be able to reach the Qi-Controlling Realm, perhaps even higher, Xu Ye thought.

Aside from protecting himself and his younger sister, obtaining a cultivation method to improve his strength was what he needed most upon joining the Demon-Suppression Bureau.

Now, his wish had finally been fulfilled.

A rank-one cultivation method would be enough to sustain his cultivation for quite some time.

Reaching the Qi-Controlling Realm was now only a matter of time.

"Tch! What a bunch of country bumpkins, acting as if they've never seen the world," Zhao Heng said disdainfully, curling his lip at the sight.

As the county magistrate's assistant's son, he naturally did not lack such cultivation methods.

Thus, he looked down on how excited everyone was.

Lin Yuyan said nothing and quietly put away the Demon-Subduing Scripture.

Although the Lin Family also possessed cultivation methods, the Demon-Suppression Bureau's methods were fine works as well. There was no reason to refuse something free.

Seeing this, Zhao Heng quietly put his away as well.

At this sight, quite a few people inwardly despised him.

You put on such an act—if you have the nerve, don't take it!

Still, no one dared say anything to Zhao Heng. After all, his status was there for all to see.

As for Xu Ye, he could not be bothered to spare Zhao Heng a glance.

At that moment, Du Yuanxiu clapped his hands again.

Another person entered. This time, aside from a book, there was also a money pouch on the tray.

Everyone's eyes lit up at the sight.

Du Yuanxiu looked at Xu Ye and smiled. "In today's assessment, you undoubtedly took first place. Thus, this is the reward the Demon-Suppression Bureau is giving you: the rank-one martial skill, the Demon-Subduing Saber Technique. It forms a set with your Demon-Subduing Scripture, and the two are even more powerful when used together."

Hearing this, Xu Ye was instantly overjoyed.

A martial skill!

That was also what he lacked most right now.

And now, he had one.

Upon hearing Du Yuanxiu's words, everyone looked at Xu Ye with envy and longing in their eyes.

A martial skill!

It was something as scarce as a cultivation method.

No one would not want one.

Yet now, it had been given to Xu Ye. It would have been strange if they were not envious and jealous.

Still, they had nothing to say.

This was a ruthless man who had slain one hundred and twenty demons and monsters in a single hour.

He deserved these rewards.

"What's there to be so smug about?" Zhao Heng snorted coldly at the sight.

He felt utterly miserable inside.

He did not lack cultivation methods, but he needed martial skills!

After all, who would not want more means to preserve their life?

Unfortunately, it had all gone to Xu Ye instead.

It should have belonged to him!

Damn it!

He disliked Xu Ye even more now.

Lin Yuyan also looked at Xu Ye with some envy.

But she did not feel upset. This was what Xu Ye deserved.

"Besides the rank-one martial skill, there is also an additional reward of fifty taels of silver," Du Yuanxiu added with a smile.

Those words made quite a few people even more envious.

That was fifty taels!

Many people could not accumulate that much even in several years.

Lin Yuyan and Zhao Heng, however, felt nothing at all.

They simply did not lack such things.

Without hesitation, Xu Ye accepted the rewards and thanked him. "Thank you, sir!"

Whether it was the rank-one martial skill or the silver, both were things he desperately needed right now.

His pressing needs had now been resolved.

"You need not thank me. These are all what you deserve," Du Yuanxiu said with a smile, greatly satisfied with Xu Ye's performance today.

Then he looked at the others and said, "Those of you who did not receive anything need not lose heart. So long as you serve in the Demon-Suppression Bureau in the future, whether cultivation methods, martial skills, silver, or gold, all may be exchanged for merit. Our Demon-Suppression Bureau will never mistreat anyone."

"Yes!" Everyone nodded, already beginning to look forward to it.