Selecting Teammates

After the hall quieted down again, Song Xuanji continued speaking:

To balance fairness and safety, we have decided to pair up and act together.

"The team rosters have been finalized and are with the respective department Si Zheng. You can confirm them yourselves after the meeting."

"Next, Brother Qin will take you to select your respective team members."

Qin Bailian stood up and led the group toward the square of the Commandant's Mansion.

Along the way, disciples from each department gathered around their respective Si Zheng, asking who their partners were.

Su Ying was no exception. She walked a few steps to Xiao Tianqi's side and asked in a low voice:

"Uncle Xiao, who am I paired with?"

"You and Shen Qingwu," Xiao Tianqi answered readily.

Su Ying frowned.

Shen Qingwu and she had fought before the final round of the arena; he was from the East City Demon-Slaying Bureau.

The two cities, East and West, have a long-standing feud, and this arrangement doesn't seem very appealing.

However, Shen Qingwu's strength is indeed not weak, and the two of them together are considered top-tier among Grandmaster.

"What about Lu Feng?" she asked again.

"Lu Feng and Lu Shuang in the same group."

Su Ying paused, "What? Lu Shuang?"

"What, you have a problem with that?"

Xiao Tianqi glanced at her.

"This is the result of discussions among all parties and will not be changed. Lu Shuang is extremely powerful, and it's safer for her to cooperate with Lu Feng. It's a good thing."

Su Ying bit her lip and remained silent.

She knew Xiao Tianqi was right.

Teaming up with Lu Feng significantly increases their chances of survival.

But that inexplicable unease still lingered in my heart, like a thorn stuck in my throat.

"I was originally planning to put you and Zhao Changgeng in the same group, but he has already broken through to the Great Grandmaster and has a separate mission," Xiao Tianqi added.

Su Ying gave a soft snort and said nothing more.

Before long, the group arrived at the square of the Commandant's Mansion.

Thousands of people stood in neat rows in the square.

Ten people were arranged in each row, with the ones standing at the very front all being demon slayers, possessing Nei Jin cultivation.

The nine people behind them were the Demon-Slaying Guards, whose cultivation levels ranged from the Early Ming Jin to the Early Nei Jin.

These people were all transferred from various places by the West City Demon-Slaying Bureau.

"Each of you choose a team. Tomorrow morning, we'll head to the front lines together," Qin Bailian said to Lu Feng and the others, standing on the steps.

As soon as the words were spoken, the disciples from each department rushed into the square and headed towards the teams they had chosen.

Those with quick hands targeted the demon slayers with high cultivation levels, while those with slower hands set their sights on the demon slayers in the team who possessed Nei Jin cultivation.

Lu Feng noticed that several captains with decent Nei Jin cultivation were suddenly surrounded by several people.

"Aren't you going to grab them? All the good ones are almost gone."

Su Ying was somewhat surprised to see Lu Feng standing still.

"Didn't my senior sister go either?" Lu Feng smiled.

"I noticed there are still quite a few female disciple teams over there that haven't been selected."

"Furthermore, most male team leaders are not very willing to lead female soldiers."

Lu Feng followed her gaze.

Sure enough, several groups composed entirely of women were standing at the edge of the square.

Lu Feng's gaze lingered on the female disciples for a moment before sweeping over the other participating disciples who had already secured their spots.

Some people looked smug, while others were still arguing.

"Then, senior sister, I'm going to choose the people."

After speaking, Lu Feng stepped into the crowd.

As soon as he appeared, many demon-slaying guards cast burning gazes at him.

Most of these people had heard about the results of the Five-City Grand Competition and knew that the young man in front of them was the number one at the Hua Jin Realm and was now Grandmaster.

Following him, regardless of how many enemies you kill, at least the chances of returning alive are much higher.

Unfortunately, the rule is that the team leader chooses the members, and they don't get a chance to volunteer.

Everyone could only watch helplessly as Lu Feng walked past the groups of people, their hearts pounding with anxiety.

Lu Feng didn't rush to select people. He walked to the first team and asked:

What are you each good at?

The demon slayers in that team were taken aback for a moment.

When other adults come to select people, they simply glance at their cultivation level and call out names directly; they don't ask any questions.

However, he only hesitated for a moment before straightening his back and answering crisply:

"Reporting to your Excellency, I am skilled in swordsmanship, having mastered it to a high level. He excels in movement techniques, he is adept at close combat, he..."

He introduced himself and his nine teammates one by one, speaking very quickly and clearly, clearly demonstrating his training.

After listening, Lu Feng nodded, said nothing, and turned to walk towards the next team.

He asked around as he went, making each team introduce themselves.

Some answered in detail, some were so nervous they became incoherent, and others were busy boasting about how many monsters they had killed.

Lu Feng remained expressionless, and left after asking his question.

More and more eyes followed him, everyone wanting to know what he was looking for.

He stopped in front of a line that was entirely made up of women.

This team stood on the very edge, and was ignored by everyone from beginning to end.

Seeing Lu Feng approach, several of the younger female disciples even subconsciously took a half-step back.

Lu Feng repeated his old question, "What are you good at?"

The leading female demon slayer quickly regained her composure and clasped her hands in greeting:

"Reporting to my lord, I am skilled in lightness skills and agility, she is skilled in agility, she is skilled in lightness skills, she is skilled in stealth reconnaissance..."

This team of ten people had mediocre cultivation levels; the highest-ranking captain was only at the Early Nei Jin, while the rest were at the Ming Jin.

But they all have one thing in common: they are fast and skilled in movement techniques.

This is exactly what he needs.

He doesn't need these people to kill many monsters for him; what he needs is a fast-reacting, quick-running intelligence team, which would be far more useful on the battlefield than ten burly men who only know how to fight recklessly.

"You're all the ones I'll take. Come with me," Lu Feng said.

The group of female disciples were all stunned, as if they hadn't heard clearly.

The leading demon slayer opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he managed to squeeze out a sentence:

"M-Sir... Are you sure?"

"Okay. Follow me."

Lu Feng didn't repeat himself, and turned to walk towards Xiao Tianqi.

The female disciples exchanged glances, their faces filled with flattery and surprise.

A moment later, they hurriedly jogged after them.

When Lu Feng led the team back behind Xiao Tianqi, Su Ying had already selected the people.

Behind her stood another group of women, two of whom possessed Nei Jin.

Seeing Lu Feng return, Su Ying leaned over and gently nudged him with her elbow:

"What exactly were you asking, all those questions you were asking?"

Ask them what they are good at.

"This team is all skilled in movement techniques and lightness skills, which suits me perfectly."

Upon hearing this, Su Ying immediately turned around to ask about the situation of her team.

A moment later, she turned back, puffing out her cheeks:

"I only have two people here who are skilled in light-footed techniques. Lu Feng, how about we switch?"

"Sure," Lu Feng said with a smile.

"Never mind, I was just teasing you." Su Ying pouted.

"These people, they just do errands. There's not much difference between them."

After she finished speaking, she paused, then added:

"If you encounter any problems you can't solve once you reach Severed Cloud Pass, remember to send me a message."

Lu Feng felt a warmth in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face, only nodding slightly.

"Know."