"It's fine. I'll help Xinran pass the entry qualification assessment first, then act on my own."
Jiang Feng said this because each city would only send one inspector. If they split up the team, they would not be able to proceed at all.
"That works too," Yuwen Ao said. He had complete confidence in Jiang Feng's strength. With his help, Jiang Xinran and the other two would undoubtedly pass the entry qualification assessment.
"All right, it's settled, then. Be careful, and think before you act. The inspector won't intervene during your assessment unless you choose to give up your eligibility for the tournament."
"Of course, if your lives are in danger, you can ask the inspector for help immediately. Your safety matters more to us than anything else," City Lord Bai added.
Jiang Feng and the others all nodded.
"To help you achieve good results, we've prepared some equipment for you. Come take a look."
City Lord Bai led everyone to a room on the top floor of the Administrative Hall, guarded by numerous soldiers.
The moment Jiang Feng entered, he felt waves of spiritual energy.
There were only a few large tables in the room, covered with all kinds of weapons and equipment.
"This equipment isn't particularly high-grade, but it's much better than what you'll find on the market. It's more than sufficient for your current cultivation levels. Go ahead and choose whatever suits you. However, you can only select one piece for each equipment slot."
At the sight of the equipment, Jiang Feng could not help feeling pleased. When Yang Haoyu left, he had only left behind an Inheritance Ring, without preparing any equipment for him.
Although Jiang Feng had earned quite a few gold coins from missions over the past two years, why pay for something he could get for free?
Besides, he would soon have an important use for those gold coins. To ensure he had enough, Jiang Feng had spent almost nothing over the past two years.
Yang Zhan's and Wang Zhen's eyes positively gleamed. It was obvious how desperately they wanted this equipment.
Jiang Xinran nudged Jiang Feng and said, "I already have suitable equipment. Go and choose yours."
Jiang Feng nodded. As the daughter of the Magic Sub-Temple's master, Jiang Xinran naturally had no shortage of fine equipment.
Jiang Feng stepped forward and browsed the selection.
In the end, he chose a relatively lightweight suit of dark silver armor. Its plates were thin and light, mainly covering his upper body, elbows, and knees. Faint fluctuations of light element emanated from it, clearly marking it as magic-grade equipment.
Magic-grade equipment was the highest grade available here, however.
While choosing weapons, Jiang Feng suddenly spotted a longbow in a corner, accompanied by five arrows. Bows were very uncommon weapons, as none of the professions within the Six Great Temples specialized in archery.
For his second weapon, Jiang Feng chose a spear. It was silver-white throughout, with scale-like patterns engraved along its length.
Most knights used swords. Very few chose spears, lances, or similar weapons, and those who did were usually Guardian Knights.
Still, Jiang Feng had always been interested in spears. He also wanted to see what it would be like to unleash knight skills with one.
Yang Zhan and Wang Zhen each chose a suit of heavy armor and a pair of axes.
So they were both axe warriors.
Compared with knights, warriors had virtually no restrictions on their choice of weapons and used all sorts.
Jiang Feng smiled faintly. "All right, I've finished choosing."
When City Lord Bai saw his choices, he could not help asking, "Jiang Feng, aren't you a Retribution Knight? Why did you choose those weapons...?"
"I already have a knight's sword," Jiang Feng said. "I like these two weapons as well, and I'm curious to try them. Is that all right?"
"Of course," Bai Ran said.
"Familiarize yourselves with your equipment when you get back," Yuwen Ao said. "Once the inspector arrives tomorrow, it'll be time for you to leave."
"Yes."
At dawn, at Starjoy City's east gate.
Jiang Feng, Jiang Xinran, Yang Zhan, and Wang Zhen arrived early to wait, each leading a white horse.
Seeing that Jiang Feng was also leading a horse, Yang Zhan and Wang Zhen asked in confusion, "Jiang Feng, where's your mount?"
"I don't have one yet," Jiang Feng explained.
"That's a shame. With your cultivation level, a matching mount would surely be very powerful. It would be a great asset in the Demon Hunt Squad Selection Tournament," Yang Zhan said regretfully.
Before Jiang Feng could speak, Jiang Xinran said, "Jiang Feng is at the fifth tier. Even without a mount, reaching the finals will be a breeze for him."
"Haha," Jiang Feng laughed. "Then if I don't make it, you'll have to take responsibility."
After the four had waited a while, they saw Yuwen Ao, Temple Master Jiang, and the others arrive with a blonde woman.
The blonde woman was tall and slender, dressed in a white gown edged in gold. Her delicate waist looked small enough to encircle with one hand, and her exposed skin was snowy white and smooth.
She had bright eyes, pearly teeth, and a finely sculpted nose. Her grace was unparalleled, and even without makeup, she possessed a beauty that could topple kingdoms. Every movement revealed a captivating elegance.
Hers was a beauty that seemed beyond the mortal world, dazzling time itself.
Was this the inspector?
Jiang Feng and the others could not help feeling puzzled. The blonde woman did not look very old, and she wore no armor, making it impossible to determine her profession.
Moreover, the blonde woman's beauty seemed to surpass all bounds.
In Jiang Feng's eyes, Jiang Xinran was also exceptionally beautiful. Perhaps because she was younger, however, she did not possess the blonde woman's peerless splendor.
The blonde woman looked at the four of them and smiled faintly. "I didn't expect Starjoy City to have four contestants this year. Not bad."
Despite her words, Jiang Feng felt that her gaze remained fixed on him, carrying a hint of curiosity and scrutiny.
"Inspector," everyone hurriedly greeted her.
"Starjoy City is some distance from the Alliance's border. You should set off early," the blonde woman said.
"Yes, Inspector. Please, after you," Yuwen Ao said respectfully.
"Mm." The blonde woman waved a hand and stepped lightly forward, her graceful figure gradually vanishing from sight.
Jiang Feng and the other three bid farewell to Yuwen Ao, Temple Master Jiang, and the others, then mounted their white horses and set off.
"Let's go." Though the inspector was nowhere to be seen, they could still hear her voice.
Jiang Feng looked around and seemed to detect a concealed fluctuation of spiritual energy, though he did not know whether it belonged to the inspector.
Only after Jiang Feng and the others had gone far into the distance did Yuwen Ao and the rest look away.
"I wonder how many of those four children will ultimately become honorable demon hunters," Temple Master Jiang murmured.
Yuwen Ao smiled without speaking. Jiang Feng of their Knight Sub-Temple was at the fifth tier, after all. He would certainly reach the finals and face the finest young talents of the other five temples.
"Jiang Feng is practically guaranteed to make it, and young Xinran has a very good chance too," City Lord Bai said. "If Yang Zhan and Wang Zhen have a little luck, they might reach the finals as well."
"Hmph. Do you think so little of our Warrior Sub-Temple?" Temple Master Li of the Warrior Sub-Temple snorted.
"Of course I hope all four of them reach the finals," City Lord Bai said with a hearty laugh.
Although Starjoy City was one of the Alliance's frontier cities, it was still a full twelve hundred li from the border. Jiang Feng and the others therefore set out in the morning, camped for the night, and resumed their journey at dawn the next day.
After three days of travel, Jiang Feng and the others finally reached the Temple Alliance's border.
They rested for four hours at the Alliance garrison. That night, after eating, Jiang Feng and the other three donned their equipment and quietly entered Demon Territory.
Before you continue