Demon-Slaying Commandant

The examination instructor's palm struck toward Yang Xiao's shoulder with measured force.

Yang Xiao watched that palm without sensing any threat. In fact, just as it was about to hit him, a trace of surprise welled up in his heart.

Was the other man's strength a little too light? The pressure it brought him did not even match that of the Bull Demon from Three-Demon Mountain.

By instinct, he also held back a little.

He merely raised his right hand to meet it.

The two palms collided.

The middle-aged man's expression changed instantly.

A terrifying force surged from Yang Xiao's palm, crashing into his body like mountains toppling and seas overturning!

He felt his chest tighten, his throat turn sweet, and a mouthful of blood sprayed straight out!

His entire body flew backward, slammed heavily into the wall, and slid to the ground.

Dead silence filled the hall.

Those waiting in line, those registering applicants, and those conducting the examinations all stared blankly at the scene.

People had been sent flying during tests before, but they had always been the ones taking the examination—not the instructor!

"Is that young man a monster? He sent the examination instructor flying!"

"I've been registering names here for more than ten years, and I've never seen anyone so arrogant!"

"Yang Xiao. I'll remember that name. If we form a team in the future, I hope I can join him. He's a thigh worth clinging to!"

"This guy's in for it. He offended the examiner the moment he arrived. Won't he be given the cold shoulder from now on?"

"The Demon Suppression Division only cares about strength. There don't seem to be many in our batch who are stronger than him..."

The middle-aged man clutched his chest, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and struggled to his feet, his face livid.

He looked at Yang Xiao with shock, confusion, and a trace of shame.

Being sent flying in public by a newcomer under countless watching eyes—who could possibly save face after that? If word got out, how could he continue to show his face?

This eighteen-year-old youth was absolutely no ordinary Qi Gathering cultivator!

"Shen Qingyang!" the middle-aged man suddenly roared. "Why didn't you tell me earlier that this kid's cultivation was so profound?"

Shen Qingyang had appeared before the two of them at some point. He stood with his arms crossed, a smile on his face.

"What was I supposed to say? If I'd told you earlier, would you have believed me?"

The middle-aged man's expression grew even uglier.

He drew a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the stabbing pain in his chest, and sat back down behind the table.

"Passed."

He picked up his pen, glared fiercely at Shen Qingyang, then wrote Yang Xiao's name in the booklet, his voice muffled.

"Go over there to collect your things."

He pointed at the counter beside them.

"Don't take Old Xiao to heart. Though he lost face in public, he won't come after you for revenge." Shen Qingyang smiled as he explained. "I won't accompany you any farther. Until we meet again by fate."

Yang Xiao nodded solemnly. "Thank you."

He walked to the counter and gave his name.

After a moment, a young woman emerged from behind the counter, carrying a tray.

On the tray lay a waist tablet, a set of black martial attire, and a thin booklet.

"This is a Captain's waist tablet, proof that you can enter and leave the Demon Suppression Division and claim missions," the woman explained. "The Demon Suppression Guards' uniforms come in inner and outer sets. If they're damaged, you can collect replacements.

"The Merit Booklet is used to record your completed missions and Merit points."

Yang Xiao accepted the three items and examined them one by one.

The waist tablet was black. The front was engraved with "Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division," while the back bore the four characters "Captain Yang Xiao."

The uniform had a plain white lining inside. The outer garment was made entirely of black silk, with simple cloud-patterned exorcism stitching. The belt was made from some kind of beast hide, its texture tough and resilient.

When he opened the Merit Booklet, the first page recorded his name and position. The Merit column read zero.

"Additionally," the woman added, "newly appointed Captains have one chance to enter the Cultivation Manual Archive for free and choose a cultivation manual."

Yang Xiao's eyes lit up.

The Cultivation Manual Archive! This was exactly what he had been waiting for!

The armory in Xiangyun County's government office was filled with nothing but basic martial arts. The highest-grade manual was the Origin-Guiding Qi Gathering Art, which guided Body Forging perfection cultivators to break through.

The Demon Suppression Division's Cultivation Manual Archive surely contained an immense variety of manuals, allowing him to choose to his heart's content.

"Where is the Cultivation Manual Archive?"

"Turn left when you leave. The largest pavilion is it."

The woman pointed toward the rear of Merit Hall, then added, "The Cultivation Manual Archive is open all day. You can put your things back at your residence before going."

Yang Xiao nodded, stored away the waist tablet, Demon Suppression Uniform, and Merit Booklet, then turned and followed the directions in the booklet toward his small courtyard.

The Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division was enormous, like a small town, so the residences were naturally located inside it as well.

Yang Xiao passed through numerous Martial Arts Arenas and pavilions before finally finding a secluded courtyard.

There was only one row of side rooms, a small courtyard, and a thin white wall surrounding it.

It was only half the size of his place in Xiangyun County, but even a sparrow's small body had all its vital organs. At least he would not have to squeeze in with others.

He had heard that those only at the Body Forging Realm lived in four-person dormitories. Compared with them, his circumstances were already much better.

Yang Xiao pushed open the door and entered.

The room was not large, but it was clean and orderly. There was a bed, a table, and a wardrobe—more than enough for one person.

He fetched some water and a rag, gave the room a simple cleaning, and only then put down his luggage.

He hurriedly changed into the uniform issued by the Demon Suppression Division, hung the waist tablet at his side, and walked two laps around the room. It fit reasonably well.

After tidying up, Yang Xiao picked up the Spring Embroidery Saber and prepared to leave.

The Cultivation Manual Archive was a five-story building with carved railings and painted beams. Its entire structure was coated in red lacquer, giving it considerable charm.

One of the doors stood open, with many people coming and going inside and out.

Two Demon Suppression Guards stood at the entrance. When they saw Yang Xiao approach, they stopped him.

"Show your waist tablet."

Yang Xiao took out the Captain's waist tablet and handed it over.

The Demon Suppression Guard glanced at it, nodded, and stepped aside.

The first floor inside was a spacious hall. Bookshelves stood packed around it, each densely filled with cultivation manuals and secret texts.

Everything was neatly categorized and easy to see at a glance.

Yang Xiao drew a deep breath but did not continue upward. He had already asked when he entered: a first-time selection could only be made on the first floor.

His gaze swept across row after row of bookshelves.

"Blazing Flame Palm," "Vajra Fist," "Profound Ice Force," "Armor-Breaking Saber Technique"...

Every one of them was a treasure unavailable in Xiangyun County's government armory, and all required at least the Qi Gathering Realm to practice.

But Yang Xiao was not in a hurry to choose.

He continued forward until he reached a set of somewhat more advanced bookshelves.

There were visibly fewer manuals here, but each one carried deeper meaning, and there were more choices as well.

The "Blazing Sun True Art" could transform one's spiritual energy into fire attribute energy, greatly increasing its power.

The "Profound Nether Palm" was soft and unending. It could cultivate a bone-piercing cold force that penetrated flesh and skin, reaching straight into the marrow.

The "Heaven-Breaking Saber Technique"...

Yang Xiao suddenly found himself uncertain.

He had two equipment slots, yet could choose only one cultivation manual.

At present, he was stuck at Twelfth Qi Gathering Orifice Perfection. Naturally, it would be ideal if he could obtain a manual that allowed him to break through to the Liquid Condensation Realm.

The gap between major realms was enough to raise one's strength considerably.

With that thought, he searched toward the bookshelves he had not yet examined.

"Lord Yang!"

After walking only a few steps, he encountered a young man wearing a dark green brocade robe.

The newcomer's face was piled with smiles, his enthusiasm tempered by a proper sense of restraint as he stood at an appropriate distance.

"Congratulations on passing the Demon-Slaying Captain examination in a single stroke, Lord Yang. To possess such strength at such a young age—truly, the young were coming on strong!"

Yang Xiao stopped and sized him up from head to toe, confirming that he had never seen him before.

"Who are you? Do you know me?"

The young man cupped his hands. "I am Xu Qingshan. I entered the Division five years before Captain Yang and currently serve as a Demon Suppression Guard within the Division."

"I happened to see Captain Yang's examination in the Martial Arts Arena just now. It was truly a thunderclap that stunned everyone—remarkable!"

Yang Xiao gave a slight nod. Before understanding the man's background and purpose, he had no intention of currying favor with him.

"You flatter me."

Xu Qingshan stepped forward, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes.

"Sir, you've come here to choose a cultivation manual, haven't you? I'm fairly familiar with this place and can explain a thing or two to you."