Chapter 1 Announcement of Results

The Great Qian Dynasty, the thirteenth year of the Jingtai reign.

Qinghe County, Demon Suppression Division.

Majestic stone beasts stood on either side, the vermilion gate was tightly closed, and the plaque with the three characters "Demon Suppression Division" hung high above, exuding a somewhat grim atmosphere.

At this moment, the area outside the Demon Suppression Division was packed with people, a dense, dark mass of heads.

Today is the day the results of the triennial recruitment of new staff for the Demon Suppression Division are announced.

Those who make the list can enter the Demon Suppression Division and become trainee Demon Suppression Envoys.

For ordinary people who want to make a living, joining the Demon Suppression Division and becoming a Demon Suppression Envoy is the only way out, and also the only ladder to instant success.

As a result, countless people flock to it.

"Brother Lian, do you think... we can make the list?"

In the crowd, a dark-skinned boy nervously scratched his head and looked at Shen Lian beside him with a simple smile.

"We'll find out soon enough whether it works out or not," Shen Lian replied with a smile.

Li Hu chuckled and pounded his muscular chest: "That's right, we've been preparing for so long, we're sure to get into the Demon Suppression Division."

Shen Lian neither confirmed nor denied this.

A month ago, he was just an ordinary office worker, working from nine to five every day, struggling to make a living, until he hit the jackpot and was transported to this world overrun by demons.

Having learned about this world, he knew very well that to survive here, he needed a place to settle down and make a living.

The Demon Suppression Division is undoubtedly the best choice.

Two weeks ago, he and Li Hu took the Demon Suppression Division's exam together, hoping to become members of the Demon Suppression Division.

Today, the Demon Suppression Division released its list of successful candidates, so the two of them naturally came to see it.

As long as their names appear on the list, they can join the Demon Suppression Division and become trainee Demon Suppression Envoys.

"quiet!"

Suddenly, a sharp shout rang in everyone's ears.

The clamor of the crowd froze instantly.

squeak-

The heavy, vermilion gate swung open, and a middle-aged man dressed in a black flying fish robe with a long sword at his waist strode out.

His face was stern, with a hideous scar running from his left forehead to his right jaw, giving him an aura of great authority.

"Lord General Banner!"

"It's Commander Zhao Shan!"

A gasp rippled through the crowd, and everyone involuntarily took a half-step back, clearing a large space.

The man's name was Zhao Shan, a seventh-rank Demon Suppressor and one of the three chief officers of the Demon Suppressor's Division in Qinghe County. It was said that at least eighty or one hundred demons and evil spirits had died by his blade.

"Today is the day the Demon Suppression Division announces its recruitment results. The Demon Suppression Division is recruiting thirty people in total. Those who are on the list can join the Demon Suppression Division and become trainee Demon Suppression Envoys."

Zhao Shan scanned the entire room and announced loudly.

Upon hearing Zhao Shan's words, Shen Lian's pupils contracted.

Recruiting thirty people?!

It's worth noting that at least several hundred people participated in the Demon Suppression Division's assessment back then, but only thirty were accepted this time, which shows how low the probability of becoming a trainee Demon Suppression Envoy is.

Zhao Shan turned to the side and waved his hand towards the inside of the door.

"Post the notice!"

Two demon-suppressing envoys dressed in black flying fish robes carried out a huge imperial edict and slammed it heavily against the stone wall next to the gate with a loud bang.

"Don't push! Don't push me!"

"I was here first!"

"Get out of my way! You're blocking my way!"

The crowd erupted in chaos, rushing towards the list like madmen.

The scene quickly spiraled out of control. People pushed and shoved each other, shouting and cursing, revealing the ugliness of human nature in an attempt to see their names first.

"Brother Lian, quick! Let's go take a look!"

Li Hu quickly grabbed Shen Lian and tried to rush forward.

"No rush." ​​Shen Lian stopped him. "The rankings are there, they won't disappear. If your name is still there, it won't matter if it's a moment later. If your name isn't there, there's no point in fighting for first place."

After thinking it over, Li Hu felt that Shen Lian's words made sense, so he patiently waited in place.

"I succeeded! I succeeded! Hahaha, I'm an apprentice Demon Suppressor now!" A thin boy cried tears of joy.

"How could... how could my name not be on the list? Impossible, this is impossible!" A richly dressed young man was distraught, unable to believe that he had failed the exam.

Soon, shouts of mixed emotions, both joy and sorrow, rang out from in front of the list.

Some were overjoyed, some wept bitterly...

The myriad aspects of life are fully revealed before a thin list.

After the crowd in front of them dispersed a bit, Shen Lian and Li Hu walked over.

Li Hu held his breath, widened his eyes, and searched for each name from top to bottom.

"No...no...Ah! Brother Lian! Look!"

Li Hu suddenly exclaimed, grabbing Shen Lian's arm and pointing his fingers, which trembled violently with excitement, straight to a position in the middle of the list.

"Li Hu! That's my name! I won! I, Li Hu, won!"

He was so excited that his face turned red, and he hugged Shen Lian, jumping and hopping around. The force of his hug made Shen Lian feel a little breathless.

"Cough cough, I know, let go." Shen Lian finally managed to break free and looked in the direction Li Hu was pointing.

Below the name "Li Hu," separated by two other names, is the name "Shen Lian."

He won too.

An indescribable excitement welled up from the bottom of my heart.

"Great! Brother Lian! We've all been hit! We've all become Demon Suppressors!" Li Hu exclaimed happily from the side.

Shen Lian patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to calm down: "You're just an intern Demon Suppressor. You still have a long way to go before you become a full-fledged Demon Suppressor."

Li Hu nodded with a simple smile.

"Those whose names are on the list, assemble at the training ground immediately!"

Zhao Shan scanned the crowd and immediately shouted.

Filled with excitement and trepidation, the group stepped into the Demon Suppression Division.

Soon, the thirty people who passed the test gathered at the Demon Suppression Division's training ground.

Zhao Shan strode over, his gaze sweeping over the group of young faces.

"Congratulations on passing the Demon Suppression Division's examination and becoming a member of the Demon Suppression Division. From this moment on, forget your previous identities. Whether you were a rich young master or a beggar on the street, from now on you only have one identity—Demon Suppression Envoys!"

"For the next three months, you will undergo the most rigorous training, including demon identification, swordsmanship, and the ironclad rules and regulations of the Demon Suppression Division."

"Now that you've joined the Demon Suppression Division, you must abide by its rules. I don't like people who don't follow the rules."

Zhao Shan pointed to the west side of the training ground: "That's the armory. Each person will receive a standard longsword and two sets of flying fish robes. Tomorrow at dawn, assemble here dressed in your uniform. Now, dismissed!"

After saying that, Zhao Shan immediately walked away.

After Zhao Shan left, many newly recruited trainee Demon Suppressors headed towards the armory on the west side of the training ground.

The armory was a spacious, single-story stone building, guarded by two demon slayers dressed in flying fish robes.

The group entered one by one. On one side of the room stood densely packed wooden shelves, neatly arranged with standard long swords. On the other side of the shelves were stacks of neat flying fish robes, with dark red totems embroidered on the chest, which were the symbols of the Demon Suppression Division.

"Line up to receive your supplies. Each person will receive two sets of flying fish robes and a long sword. After receiving them, please sign your name on the roster," a demon-suppressing envoy said solemnly.

Soon, Shen Lian received the flying fish robe and long sword.

The flying fish suit was heavy and made of tough fabric, clearly designed for both movement and protection. The long sword was drawn halfway out, its blade flashing coldly, obviously not made of ordinary iron.

Shen Lian and Li Hu found their names on the roster and then pressed their fingerprints on it.

When I left the armory, it was almost dusk.

The accommodations for trainee Demon Suppressors were located in the office on the east side of the Demon Suppressor's Office. It was a row of simple brick and tile houses, with two people per room. Shen Lian and Li Hu happened to be assigned to the same room.

The room was simply furnished with only two wooden beds, a square table, and two wooden cabinets, but it was kept very clean.

Shen Lian placed his longsword on the wooden table, but he dared not relax. The Demon Suppression Division was not a safe place, and the next three months of training would not be easy.

As night fell, the Demon Suppression Division gradually quieted down.

[Host]: Shen Lian

[Realm]: None

[Combat Strength]: 0~1

[Martial Arts]: None

Skill Points: 1

Shen Lian lay on the hard bed, and a blue light screen appeared in front of him, recording his own data.

He can see not only his own data, but also that of others.

Today, he saw Zhao Shan's combat strength as: 60~120.

This combat power stat is very high!