Chapter 38 Selection

The next morning.

Just as the group of Demon Suppressors gathered at the training ground, ready to begin today's training, they saw Zhao Shan striding in, accompanied by several veteran Demon Suppressors.

"What is Commander Zhao trying to do?" Li Hu couldn't help but ask.

Shen Lian shook his head: "I don't know."

"Perhaps there's some kind of arrangement," Chen Yun said softly.

Zhao Shan stopped at the front and glanced at the newly appointed Demon Suppressors present: "Before today's training begins, I have something to say."

Everyone looked at Zhao Shan, curious about what he was going to do.

Zhao Shan announced loudly, "Qinghe County belongs to Qingzhou. Our Qinghe County Demon Suppression Division is under the jurisdiction of the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division. In a few days, it will be the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division's annual 'New Talent Competition.' At that time, all the newly appointed Demon Suppression Envoys from the seven counties and three prefectures under Qingzhou Prefecture will have to go to Qingzhou Prefecture to participate in the competition."

A rookie competition?!

This immediately caused a commotion in the training ground.

Li Hu asked in a low voice, "What is the Rookie Competition?"

Chen Yun said softly, "I once heard my elders mention that the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division holds a new talent competition every year to assess the strength and potential of newly appointed Demon Suppression Envoys from various regions. Those who perform exceptionally well not only receive generous rewards but also have the opportunity to receive special training from the state's Demon Suppression Division, and may even be directly selected to serve in Qingzhou Prefecture."

Zhao Shan continued, "Qinghe County has been allocated five spots in this Rising Star Competition. To participate, one must possess sufficient strength. The Demon Suppression Division will hold a competition, and the top five newly appointed Demon Suppression Envoys will be able to travel to Qingzhou."

Upon hearing this, the eyes of many newly appointed Demon Suppressors became burning with fervor.

Everyone knows that going to Qingzhou Prefecture to participate in the competition is not only an important experience, but also related to one's future career.

Winning by force is naturally the fairest and most just way to elect an opponent.

"The Rookie Challenge...this is a rare opportunity." Wang Lin clenched his fist, his eyes filled with determination.

Li Hu rubbed his hands together excitedly and said, "Brother Lian, we need to prepare well and try our best to secure a spot in the 'Rookie Competition'!"

Shen Lian remained calm as he looked ahead. Many newly appointed Demon Suppressors were eager to try their luck, their eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"The competition is scheduled for three days from now," Zhao Shan said in a deep voice. "The pairings will be determined by drawing lots, and the winners will advance. You are all the future of the Demon Suppression Division, and I hope you will give it your all and show your true strength."

Afterwards, everyone began their cultivation for the day, but their minds were clearly no longer on cultivation.

"I've heard that Qingzhou Prefecture is full of experts. Last year's winner of the 'New Talent Competition' is now at the sixth level of the Body Tempering Realm and is quite famous in the prefecture."

"Our Qinghe County has always ranked in the middle among the seven counties. I wonder if we can make a breakthrough this year and achieve better results."

Many newly appointed Demon Suppressors are looking forward to the upcoming "Rookie Competition".

The Rising Star Competition is undoubtedly a shortcut to entering the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division. As long as you can perform well in the Rising Star Competition, you will have the opportunity to directly enter the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division.

Aside from this method, it is undoubtedly very difficult to enter the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division. Even a master like Zhao Shan can only stay in Qinghe County.

Qinghe County and Qingzhou are not even in the same league.

Joining the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division undoubtedly offers a better future.

Soon, the day's training came to an end.

However, the people in the training ground did not leave. The selection competition was in three days, and only the top five could go to Qingzhou to participate in the "New Talent Competition".

No one wants to miss such an opportunity.

"The selection competition is in three days, so we can't afford to relax these next few days," Shen Lian said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over Li Hu, Chen Yun, and Wang Lin. "We all need to intensify our training and strive to secure a spot to go to Qingzhou Prefecture."

Chen Yun nodded and said, "Qingzhou Prefecture is full of talented people. It is a rare opportunity for us to exchange skills with experts from various counties there."

Li Hu grinned and pounded his chest: "Brother Lian, don't worry, I absolutely won't slack off these next few days! I'll fight tooth and nail to get into the top five!"

Wang Lin nodded, his eyes gleaming with fighting spirit: "Being able to spar with the geniuses from various counties in Qingzhou Prefecture is something to look forward to, not to mention the chance to qualify for a trip to Qingzhou."

Then, the group took their stances on the training ground and began practicing their sword techniques and stances.

Shen Lian had already mastered the "Demon Subduing Blade Technique," but he still did not relax. Instead, he repeatedly pondered the changes in the transitions between blade techniques, striving for perfection in the connection of each move.

He knew in his heart that the selection in Qinghe County was only the first step. Qingzhou Prefecture had gathered young talents from seven counties and three prefectures in Qingzhou, including many powerful geniuses.

He is far from being good enough to stand out in the "Rookie Challenge".

The atmosphere at the training ground remained tense for the next two days.

All the newly appointed Demon Suppressors were putting in their best effort, training hard to compete for a spot in the "Rookie Competition".

Besides practicing diligently on his own, Shen Lian also frequently sparred with Wang Lin, Li Hu, and Chen Yun, pointing out the flaws in their moves.

Inside the government office.

Shen Lian and Li Hu had just finished a day of training, but neither of them felt tired at all; on the contrary, they felt exceptionally fulfilled.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged on the bed, not in a hurry to rest, but calmed his mind and circulated the "Tiger Subduing Armor" mental technique, feeling his blood and qi surging in his body and circulating in his meridians, and the martial arts mark between his eyebrows flickered slightly.

"The Rookie Showdown..." Shen Lian muttered to himself.

The Demon Suppression Division of Qingzhou is the central hub of Qingzhou Prefecture, and its members are numerous experts.

Being able to stand out there means a broader stage, more abundant resources, and the possibility of becoming stronger faster.

"Strength is ultimately the most important thing."

He recalled the fight with the man in the straw hat that night at the lantern festival. If Zhao Shan hadn't arrived in time, they would probably have been in grave danger.

Even now that he has mastered the "Demon Subduing Blade Technique," he is still no match for opponents at the fifth level of the Body Tempering Realm or above.

He was confident about the selection process in Qinghe County.

But what about Qingzhou Prefecture?

What kind of strength do those geniuses from the prefectures and counties themselves possess?

Everything is still uncertain!

"Brother Lian, tomorrow is the selection day. I'm really looking forward to it." Li Hu licked his lips, clearly still a little nervous.

This "Rookie Competition" only has five spots available, which means 25 people will be eliminated, making it extremely brutal.

Shen Lian laughed and said, "Qinghe County is just the starting point for us; Qingzhou Prefecture is where we can truly unleash our potential."

Li Hu exhaled and said, "All the newly appointed Demon Suppressors will go all out this time. I wonder if I will have a chance to secure a spot."

"Just do your best!" Shen Lian said calmly. "This selection is intended to test our cultivation results. Just show your true strength."

Li Hu clenched his fist and nodded emphatically.

Shen Lian's gaze was resolute. In tomorrow's battle, he not only wanted to win, but to win decisively and cleanly.