The Chief Banner Officer Selection, Yin-Yang Nine Imperial Controls

Third Demon Suppression Army, Third Battalion!

Chu He strode into the hall, his gaze sweeping left and right:

Unlike its emptiness last time,

the hall was packed today. Fifteen figures sat along the two sides. At the head of the left side sat a chief banner officer with a second-grade token hanging at his waist; the rest were all junior banner officers. At the front, Zhang Wei sat upright with a scroll in hand.

At that moment!

Everyone in the hall also turned their eyes toward Chu He, their gazes varied: some welcoming, some wary, some hostile.

"Junior Banner Officer Chu He, reporting back!" Chu He said, cupping his hands toward Zhang Wei.

Thump!

Zhang Wei set down the documents in his hand and smiled. "Sit, quickly. I truly never imagined you would do such a splendid job on your very first mission."

"When I first received the scroll, even I thought I had misread it. You completed two missions in one outing and even slew a White Lotus Cult protector. Chu He, you have rendered quite a service this time."

The more Zhang Wei spoke, the broader his smile became. Clearly, he was very pleased that Chu He had achieved such results.

"Thank you for your praise, sir."

Chu He nodded and sat down on the right.

"Your missions have been reported to the higher-ups. The rewards should arrive within the next couple of days." Zhang Wei nodded at Chu He, then raised his voice again:

"I summoned all of you here this time to announce two important matters. First: orders have come from above for a joint mission. The details are unknown, but you must prepare for a hard battle.

"Second: Yuanbao unfortunately fell during his last mission. Therefore, before we embark, we need to select a chief banner officer from among you."

A joint mission!

The selection of a chief banner officer!

Faint sounds of heavy breathing rose within the hall. Clearly, both pieces of news had startled everyone somewhat.

First, a joint mission could only be called that when several battalions or more were mobilized, and it was certain to be immensely dangerous. It was often perfectly normal for dozens or even hundreds of Demon Suppression Guards to fall during one joint mission. Even company commanders frequently faced the danger of death.

Of course!

Danger and opportunity coexisted. Joint missions were often the easiest places to earn merit and receive rewards from above.

Rumor had it that the Third Army's thousand-man commander!

Had once been merely an ordinary junior banner officer with average talent. Because he had rendered great service during a joint mission, headquarters had taken notice of him and bestowed many cultivation treasures upon him, including a treasure plant capable of improving his constitution.

Afterward.

He had soared straight upward, becoming a fifth-grade expert in just a few decades, and was very likely to become the next commanding officer.

The ranks of the Yun Province Demon Suppression Bureau:

At the top was the garrison commissioner, with two commanding officers under him, as well as the thousand-man commanders who led the three armies.

Normally, thousand-man commanders were fourth- or fifth-grade experts, commanding officers had to be fifth-grade experts, and garrison commissioners had to be sixth grade or above.

Of course!

These were the rules on paper. Stronger provinces might set higher requirements, while weaker provinces lowered theirs.

It was not that the imperial court had never considered balancing this out. However, national strength was waning, and the provincial Demon Suppression Bureaus all opposed it, so the matter had come to nothing.

Thump!

A junior banner officer stood and said:

"Sir, are there any specific requirements for merit points or strength in this chief banner officer selection?"

"No requirements!" Zhang Wei waved a hand. "Anyone second grade or above may participate. Martial prowess will decide the rankings."

"The selection will take place in the arena the day after tomorrow. Experts from the other camps will also come to watch. Whoever takes first place will become chief banner officer."

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone rose and bowed in acknowledgment.

Drive shone in all their eyes. Being a chief banner officer meant not only status and authority, but also the resources to match.

Heavenly Blood Pills!

They were essential pills for a martial artist's cultivation. Junior banner officers could receive ten each month, while chief banner officers received fifty-a full five times as many.

Wealth, companions, methods, and land-wealth came first!

"All of you may leave and prepare!" Zhang Wei picked up his scroll again, then said, "Chu He, stay."

"Yes, sir!"

Everyone answered and filed out, many giving Chu He a long look.

"Chu He, congratulations on breaking through to second grade. I could hardly believe it when Tie Jun sent me word. You truly have extraordinary talent."

Zhang Wei shook his head and sighed:

"What a pity. With your aptitude, if you had been born into a powerful clan, you would surely have reached third grade by now, with boundless prospects ahead."

In this world!

Apart from certain special exceptions, people generally underwent Foundation Establishment at eighteen or older, formally beginning their attempt to become martial artists.

Because!

After one became a martial artist, the body would rapidly grow stronger, and the various meridians within would become somewhat fixed. Becoming a martial artist in childhood would instead cause the meridians to take shape prematurely, affecting future cultivation.

Thus, apart from certain wealthy and powerful households that used secret methods to let their disciples become martial artists a few years early, everyone else did so after eighteen.

If Chu He had belonged to a powerful household, his talent should have already brought him to third grade, with boundless prospects ahead. Although the Demon Suppression Bureau offered decent status, it was far too dangerous; one could easily be alive in the morning with no guarantee of surviving until evening.

"Sir, may I ask why you asked me to stay?"

Chu He got straight to the point.

"Chu He, I only wanted to give you a fair chance in this selection. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

"To put it bluntly, deaths are far too frequent in the Demon Suppression Bureau. Within a year at most, another position is certain to open up."

Although his words were unpleasant, they were an indisputable fact. In the Demon Suppression Bureau, as long as one survived and raised one's cultivation, there was no fear of having no position available, because they truly were short of people.

"Thank you, sir."

Chu He cupped his hands. "However, I contend only for the present. The chief banner officer position will be mine, without exception."

Zhang Wei: →_→

He had originally worried that Chu He would feel disappointed if he failed to become chief banner officer. Yet judging by the situation now, Chu He had never believed he would lose from the very start. Well, he had drive.

"Good. You may go!"

"You rendered considerable service this time. Although your rewards have yet to arrive, you may go to the Treasure Pavilion and choose a fourth-grade martial skill."

Zhang Wei waved a hand helplessly.

"Mm!"

Chu He nodded and left at once.

Afterward.

He went straight to the Cultivation Arts Pavilion. After passing the gatekeeping elder's inspection, he ascended to the second floor for the first time and looked around.

It was considerably emptier than the first floor. All the cultivation arts stored here were fourth or fifth grade. Normally, only those ranked company commander or above were qualified to enter.

Without hesitation!

Chu He headed straight for the martial skills section. The Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art was among the very best cultivation arts in the Demon Suppression Bureau, so there was no need to replace it.

At present, only the path of hidden weapons could quickly increase his strength. With his powerful soul power, he could wield hidden weapons far more effectively than ordinary people.

In the end!

From the many versions, Chu He selected the "Yin-Yang Nine Imperial Controls." It was an advanced cultivation art derived from the Nine Netherworld Controls and would be relatively easy for him to use.

Leaving the library!

After instructing Lu Feng and the other four to train on their own, Chu He returned to his quarters and began cultivating in seclusion:

"System, add points!"

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on mastering the first level of the Yin-Yang Nine Imperial Controls. Two Demon Points consumed."

"Ding! Congratulations, host, on mastering the second level of the Yin-Yang Nine Imperial Controls. Two Demon Points consumed."

"Ding, ..."

A string of system notifications rang out in his mind.