Chapter 90 Azure Dragon Guard

Qingzhou City, inner city, Chu Mansion.

In a secluded training courtyard, Chu Chunqiu, shirtless, punched the iron stake in front of him repeatedly.

With each punch Chu Chunqiu landed, a dull thud resounded, leaving clear fist imprints on the iron stake, his eyes filled with intense rage.

"Young Master Chunqiu, the Second Master requests your presence in the study."

An elderly man who looked like a butler appeared at the gate of the courtyard and bowed to Chu Chunqiu.

Chu Chunqiu continued his movements until he unleashed the final punch, then slowly withdrew his stance. He took the handkerchief handed to him by a servant, wiped the sweat off his body, put on his outer robe, and walked straight to his study.

Inside the study, Chu Xiong stood with his hands behind his back by the window, gazing at an old pine tree in the courtyard.

Chu Chunqiu stood in the center of the study, bowed his head slightly, and said, "It is my incompetence that has disappointed you, Uncle."

Chu Xiong turned around, his face revealing neither joy nor anger: "Disappointed? Reaching the eighth level already makes you one of the best in the Body Tempering Realm in recent years, so how can you say you're disappointed?"

"But what about Shen Lian..." Chu Chunqiu raised his head, a hint of resentment in his eyes.

Chu Xiong slowly walked to the desk and sat down, saying, "It's a fact that he took less time than you. Acknowledging the excellence of your opponent is the magnanimity of a strong person. If you can't even do that, you'll only be blinded by the emotions of defeat and make little progress."

"Nephew understands." Chu Chunqiu took a deep breath and said, "It's just that Shen Lian comes from a humble background and by chance won the 'New Talent Competition,' and now he's in the Trial Tower... Nephew just feels..."

"You feel you've disgraced the Chu family?" Chu Xiong picked up his teacup. "Chunqiu, you must remember, a temporary victory or defeat means nothing. The Chu family has stood tall in Qingzhou for a century not because of any one person dominating in a particular generation, but because of its continuous foundation and talented individuals. You are indeed the leader of this generation of the Chu family, but that doesn't mean you must always surpass everyone. A true strong person is one who can turn the excellence of their opponents into motivation for progress, not a stumbling block."

Chu Chunqiu remained silent for a moment, then bowed and said, "Thank you for your teachings, Uncle."

"I have already sent people to investigate Shen Lian," Chu Xiong said after putting down his teacup. "The Shen family in Qinghe County has long since declined, his parents died early, and he has no special background."

His rapid rise to prominence is likely due to a combination of hard work and unforeseen circumstances. But that's not important. What matters is that he's now a member of the Demon Suppression Division and has earned honor within the rules.

The Chu family can compete and suppress, but they must never be accused of being a "sore loser" or "bullying others with their power," especially within the Demon Suppression Division.

"What should the nephew do?"

Chu Xiong tapped his fingers lightly on the table and said, "There's no need to do anything special. The four guards will be assigned soon. As is customary, newly appointed official demon-suppressing envoys will be assigned based on their performance in the trial tower, their personal wishes, and the needs of each guard."

You are destined to join the Azure Dragon Guard, and I will place you under my command.

As for Shen Lian... this young man possesses both superior willpower and combat prowess, and Commander Zhou Mang seems to greatly admire him. If I'm not mistaken, he will most likely be recruited by the Azure Dragon Guard.

At that time, you will be colleagues, and also competitors. Within the Demon Suppression Division, competition is everywhere: assessments, missions, resource battles…

In these places, you can show your true skills and defeat him fair and square. Let everyone see who the real number one is.

"Nephew understands. Within the rules, strength speaks for itself." Chu Chunqiu immediately understood Chu Xiong's meaning.

Chu Xiong nodded slightly and said, "In addition, I have received news that floods and strange disturbances caused by evil spirits have been occurring frequently in various parts of Qingzhou recently, putting considerable pressure on the Demon Suppression Division. You new recruits will probably soon have real combat missions."

"I see."

After Chu Xiong's words of encouragement, Chu Chunqiu felt much better.

After Chu Chunqiu left the study, Chu Xiong sat alone for a while. He took out a thin file from the drawer, which contained Shen Lian's brief file.

"A rootless duckweed, though it may encounter some storms, how long can it remain afloat?" Chu Xiong muttered to himself, then closed the file.

……

After the Trial Tower incident, undercurrents were stirring within the Qingzhou Demon Suppression Division.

Shen Lian's name spread throughout the entire department in just a few days. From an ordinary demon-suppressing envoy from a small border county, he suddenly became a rising star.

A record of clearing the eighth level of the Trial Tower in just over two hours is enough to make one stand out among the direct descendants of the four great families of Qingzhou.

However, Shen Lian was not complacent because of this. He knew the principle of "the tallest tree in the forest stands out". In the past few days, apart from completing his daily training, he hardly left the house and focused on comprehending the "True Qi Condensation Method" and nurturing the "True Qi Seed" in the small courtyard.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged on a stone bench in the courtyard, his eyes slightly closed, his internal energy and blood slowly circulating according to the route in the "True Qi Condensation Method".

After several days of contemplation, he has gained some insights into the concept of "ten orifices returning to one".

"The so-called 'Ten Apertures' are actually ten key acupoints in the human body, distributed in the limbs, torso, and head. Each time one is opened, the Qi and blood become stronger, and the physical body becomes more resilient. The 'Ten Apertures Return to One' is to gather, compress, and condense the Qi and blood from the ten major acupoints in the dantian, using the 'True Qi Seed' as a guide, attempting to condense a trace of true Qi in the Body Tempering Realm," Shen Lian muttered to himself.

"This 'True Qi Condensation Method' is indeed exquisite, completely different from ordinary body-tempering techniques. Ordinary techniques only focus on opening up acupoints and strengthening qi and blood, while this method focuses on how to transform qi and blood into a higher level of true qi."

Shen Lian stretched his muscles and bones, and the injury to his left shoulder had fully recovered.

Where is Shen Lian?

A clear voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

Shen Lian opened the courtyard gate and saw a young demon envoy dressed in a light blue outfit standing outside, with the Azure Dragon Guard's badge hanging from his waist.

"My name is Shen Lian," Shen Lian said, bowing slightly.

The young man looked Shen Lian up and down before saying, "I am Zhang Zhao, a centurion of the Azure Dragon Guard. I have been ordered by Commander Zhou Mang to summon you. The assignment of the four guards will take place today, and all newly appointed official Demon Suppression Envoys must be present."

"Okay," Shen Lian nodded.

Zhang Zhao continued, "Shen Lian, you performed well in the Trial Tower. However, it's not easy to get into the Azure Dragon Guard; you'd better be careful."

After saying that, he strode away.

[Combat Strength]: 90~115

Shen Lian watched Zhang Zhao leave, then activated [Combat Power Detection] to check the opponent's combat power data, and found that he was indeed strong.

He went back inside to change into his flying fish robe, slung his long sword at his waist, checked his belongings to make sure the 'True Qi Seed' and the bamboo slip containing the 'True Qi Condensation Method' were properly stored before leaving the courtyard.

Soon, Shen Lian arrived at a black stone building.

More than twenty people had gathered at this moment, all of whom were official Demon Suppression Envoys, including Chu Chunqiu, Zhou Tong, Wang Chuan, and Chu Wenyuan.

There were also several young martial artists whose names Shen Lian couldn't recall, but whose auras were not weak.

Chu Chunqiu stood at the very front of the crowd, exuding an extraordinary aura. Seven or eight people were gathered around him, clearly centered around him.

Upon seeing Shen Lian arrive, Chu Chunqiu merely glanced at him indifferently before looking away.

Shen Lian didn't mind and stood alone to the side.

"Brother Shen!"

Chu Wen squeezed through the crowd.

Chen Yun and Lin Feng also came with Chu Wen.

"Brother Chu," Shen Lian said with a smile, "why are you all here?"

Chu Wen said, "I wasn't originally qualified to participate in the Four Guards' assignment. But Commander Zhou Mang gave me special permission to come and observe, so that we, the members of the reserve battalion, could broaden our horizons."

Shen Lian nodded and said, "I see."

Chu Wen said in a low voice, "Brother Shen, I've inquired about it. The most competitive of the four guards this time is the Azure Dragon Guard. It's said that more than a dozen people want to join the Azure Dragon Guard."

"Oh?"

Shen Lian looked curious and gestured for the other person to continue.

Chu Wen continued, "The Azure Dragon Guard will recruit five people, the White Tiger Guard will recruit seven, the Vermilion Bird Guard will recruit six, and the Black Tortoise Guard will recruit eight."

"The Azure Dragon Guards are primarily engaged in offensive and combat roles. They gain merit points quickly and advance in rank rapidly, which naturally attracts people," Shen Lian said calmly.

"But the Azure Dragon Guard also has the highest mortality rate among the four guards." Chu Wen sighed. "Last year, the Azure Dragon Guard carried out thirty-seven extermination missions, with twenty-three killed and forty-one seriously wounded. In comparison, the Black Tortoise Guard only lost five people."

Shen Lian remained calm and said, "The path of a martial artist is inherently fraught with danger. If you are afraid of death, you might as well go home and farm."

Chu Wen was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly and said, "Brother Shen is right."

Just as everyone was waiting, Zhou Mang suddenly appeared.

"Commander Zhou!"

Many of the demon-suppressing envoys present clasped their hands in greeting to Zhou Mang.

Zhou Mang surveyed the entire room and slowly began to speak: "Today's assignment of the four guards will be conducted according to the usual practice of the Demon Suppression Division, based on the results of the Trial Tower, individual wishes, and the needs of each guard. I will first announce the recruitment quota and requirements for each guard."

He took out a scroll, unfolded it, and read aloud:

"Azure Dragon Guard, recruiting five members. Requirements: formidable combat strength, unwavering will, and proficiency in direct combat. Must pass a practical combat assessment."

"White Tiger Guard, recruiting seven. Requirements: agile, observant, and skilled in tracking and infiltration. Must pass the reconnaissance test."

"Six Vermilion Bird Guards to be recruited. Requirements: outstanding mental strength, talent or interest in formations and talismans. Must pass a spell test."

"Xuanwu Guard, recruiting eight people. Requirements: outstanding endurance, skilled in defense, and those with medical or logistical skills are preferred. Must pass an endurance test."

Zhou Mang put down the document and continued, "Now, all those who intend to join the Azure Dragon Guard, step forward."

As soon as he finished speaking, more than ten people in the hall stood up.

Shen Lian, Chu Chunqiu, Zhou Tong, Wang Chuan, Chu Wenyuan, and several other young martial artists with considerable aura all stood up.

Zhou Mang glanced at them and nodded, saying, "Fourteen people. As per usual, the Azure Dragon Guard recruits five people, and eight must be eliminated. The practical assessment will be conducted in the training ground. Now, follow me."

On the training ground, the runes on the bronze bodies of the three "Demon-Suppressing Bronze Cauldrons" lit up, and a nine-fold gravity field instantly enveloped the entire area.

Zhou Mang stood at the edge of the arena, pointing to the circular area marked in the center: "The practical assessment is very simple. Two people will form a group and enter the circle to spar. Within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the one who leaves the circle loses, the one who falls to the ground and cannot get up loses, and the one who voluntarily surrenders loses. The winners will advance to the next round until the top five are determined. During the assessment, it is forbidden to intentionally injure or maim others, or to use hidden weapons, poisons, or other underhanded methods. Violators will be disqualified and severely punished according to the rules."

"Now we'll draw lots to determine our opponents."

A servant brought over a container of lots, and the thirteen people drew lots in turn.

Shen Lian drew number '6'. He glanced at the wooden slip in his hand and then looked at the others.

A burly, dark-skinned young man stepped forward, cupped his fists at Shen Lian, and said, "My name is Lei Meng. Please enlighten me."

Shen Lian returned the greeting with a cupped hand: "Shen Lian."

The two walked into the circular area.

The other groups also took their positions.

Zhou Mang ordered someone to light an incense stick and place it in the incense burner: "The contest begins!"

Lei Meng, who was opposite Shen Lian, let out a low roar. His muscles bulged and his blood surged, and the sound of tigers and leopards could be faintly heard.

He stepped forward and charged forward, his right fist smashing down towards Shen Lian's face.

"External martial arts training?"

Shen Lian's eyes narrowed, and he also threw a punch.

Their fists collided, producing a dull thud.

Shen Lian and Lei Meng both retreated, their eyes showing surprise.

"Such powerful strength!" Lei Meng shouted and pounced on Shen Lian again.

This time, he threw out both fists simultaneously, the wind howling as each punch was powerful and heavy, clearly demonstrating some kind of fierce and powerful fist technique.

Shen Lian used the "Spirit Serpent Step" to weave through the fist shadows like a snake, while observing Lei Meng's weaknesses.

After a few moves, Shen Lian discovered that although Lei Meng's external martial arts were strong, his movements were somewhat clumsy and his turning was not flexible enough.

He seized an opening, circled around to Lei Meng's side and behind, and threw a punch at him.

Bang!

Lei Meng grunted, his external martial arts skills broken by this punch. He gritted his teeth, turned around, and threw a horizontal punch, but Shen Lian easily dodged it.

Shen Lian gave him no more chances, his footwork shifting as he unleashed a series of palm strikes.

Each of his palm strikes hits the vital points precisely, with just the right amount of force, neither causing serious injury nor weakening the opponent's fighting ability.

After more than ten moves, Lei Meng was already panting heavily, and his movements had slowed down considerably.

Shen Lian seized the opportunity and threw a punch.

The powerful force erupting from his fist forced Lei Meng out of the circular area.

"Shen Lian wins!" the referee announced loudly from the sidelines.

Lei Meng steadied himself and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Shen Lian, saying, "Brother Shen, your skills are superb. I am completely convinced of my defeat."

"You flatter me!" Shen Lian said, cupping his hands in greeting.

At this time, the battles in other circles also came to an end one after another.

Chu Chunqiu defeated his opponent in just three moves, and Zhou Tong, Wang Chuan, and Chu Wenyuan also won easily.

The first round ended with seven out of fourteen players being eliminated, leaving seven players remaining.

"Round two, draw lots," Zhou Mang said expressionlessly.

Seven people drew lots, and Shen Lian drew number '3'.

This time, his opponent is Wang Chuan.

Wang Chuan was burly and taller than Lei Meng, with muscles as hard as iron, clearly a martial artist who specialized in external martial arts.

As he stepped onto the field, each step was heavy and powerful, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

"Shen Lian, I know you're very strong," Wang Chuan said in a deep voice, "but I won't admit defeat easily."

Shen Lian nodded and said, "Please."

The two walked into the circular area.

Wang Chuan let out a low shout and charged towards Shen Lian like a wild bull, his right fist gathering powerful force as he slammed down on Shen Lian.

Shen Lian used the "Serpent Step" to dodge.

Wang Chuan's offensive was like a storm, each punch incredibly powerful.

What's even more terrifying is that his defense is extremely strong.

Shen Lian struck him several times, but failed to have any effect on him.

"His external martial arts skills are even stronger than Lei Meng's. No wonder he's from the Chu family," Shen Lian said, his eyes narrowing slightly.

He patiently dealt with Wang Chuan, waiting for the right opportunity.

After more than thirty moves, Wang Chuan's offensive slowed down, and his breathing became somewhat disordered.

It's now!

Shen Lian unleashed the full power of the "Spirit Serpent Step," circled behind Wang Chuan, and pointed a finger at a major acupoint on his back.

Wang Chuan sensed danger and tried to turn around to defend himself, but it was too late.

The force of the fingers goes straight into the acupoints.

Wang Chuan was jolted, his external martial arts skills instantly collapsed, and he froze on the spot.

Shen Lian withdrew his fingers and took two steps back.

Wang Chuan slowly turned around, his face pale, and said with a bitter smile, "I lost."

Shen Lian nodded to Wang Chuan.

"Shen Liansheng!"

The second round ended quickly.

Chu Chunqiu, Zhou Tong, and Chu Wenyuan all won, determining four spots. One spot remains, to be contested by the remaining losers.

Wang Chuan stood out from the remaining few people and won the last spot.

Shen Lian, Zhou Tong, Chu Chunqiu, Wang Chuan, and Chu Wenyuan emerged victorious, earning the qualification to join the Azure Dragon Guard.

Inside the lobby of the Black Stone building.

Zhou Mang stood at the very front, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

Behind him stood four silver-badge envoys, each representing one of the four guardians: Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.

"The selected members of the Azure Dragon Guard are: Chu Chunqiu, Shen Lian, Zhou Tong, Wang Chuan, and Chu Wenyuan," Zhou Mang announced loudly. "The five of you are officially incorporated into the Azure Dragon Guard immediately. The rest will be assigned to the White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise Guards according to their assessment results."

Zhou Mang then announced the selections for the other three guards.

"In three days, each guard will be assigned its first mission. During this time, you may familiarize yourselves with the environment of the headquarters and collect the supplies for your guard posts."

Zhou Mang said in a deep voice, "In addition, at Chenshi (7-9 AM) tomorrow, all official Demon Suppression Envoys must go to the General Affairs Office to collect their monthly salary and basic supplies."

Everyone responded in unison.

Shen Lian then returned to the courtyard, changed out of his flying fish robe, and sat cross-legged on the bed.

He closed his eyes and began to practice the "Tiger Subduing Stance" mental technique.

Qi and blood flow slowly throughout the body, nourishing every meridian.

After breaking through to the sixth level, the sixth acupoint in his body had become stable, and his qi and blood were much more abundant than before.

Silent all night.

The next morning, Shen Lian arrived at the General Affairs Office early.

The General Affairs Office was a three-story building, with a long queue in front of it, all of whom were Demon Suppressors who had come to collect their salaries and supplies.

Shen Lian waited silently in the queue.

About fifteen minutes later, it was his turn.

"Name," the clerk behind the counter said without looking up.

"Shen Lian." Shen Lian said, handing over the waist token.

The clerk took the waist token, checked it against the register, and then took out a bag of silver, three bottles of pills, and a set of clothes.

"This month's salary is thirty taels of silver, three bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills, and a set of Azure Dragon Guard uniforms." The clerk handed the items to Shen Lian. "Sign and affix your seal."

Shen Lian signed his name and put the items away.

Just as he was about to leave, the clerk said again, "Wait, there's also this."

The clerk took a wooden box from under the counter and handed it to Shen Lian.

Shen Lian took the wooden box, opened it, and found a bronze token inside with the words "Azure Dragon" engraved on the front.

"This is the Azure Dragon Guard's waist token, which must be worn at all times," the clerk explained. "With this token, you can enter and exit the Azure Dragon Guard's garrison, receive garrison missions, and exchange for exclusive Azure Dragon Guard resources."

"Thank you." Shen Lian put away the Azure Dragon Guard waist token.

Shen Lian returned to the courtyard and checked the items he had received one by one.

Thirty taels of silver wasn't a lot, but with his food and lodging covered by the Demon Suppression Division, it was enough for his daily expenses. The three bottles of Qi-Nourishing Pills were commonly used supplementary pills in the Body Tempering Realm, capable of strengthening the foundation, nourishing the vital energy, and accelerating blood circulation.

After changing into the Qinglong Guard uniform, Shen Lian looked at himself in the bronze mirror. The man in the mirror had handsome features, a calm gaze, and a long sword at his waist. He had already shed the naivety he had shown in Qinghe County.

"Azure Dragon Guard..."

Shen Lian muttered to himself, his right hand stroking the bronze token at his waist.

In the afternoon, Shen Lian went to the Qinglong Guard's garrison to report for duty.

The Azure Dragon Guard's garrison is located in the core area of ​​the Demon Suppression Division. The main gate is adorned with a plaque inscribed with "Azure Dragon," and two lifelike stone sculptures of azure dragons with bared fangs and claws stand on either side.

The gate was guarded by two veteran Azure Dragon Guards, both with the cultivation level of the fifth level. After checking Shen Lian's waist token, one of them led Shen Lian inside.

Passing through the front yard, they arrived at the central training ground. Dozens of Azure Dragon Guards were already training there. Shen Lian noticed that these Azure Dragon Guards generally possessed powerful auras, with the lowest being at least the sixth level of cultivation, and quite a few at the seventh or eighth level.

"New guy?" A burly man with a thick beard walked over, sizing Shen Lian up and down. "My name is Zhao Tiezhu, squad leader of the Azure Dragon Guard. What's your name?"

"Shen Lian".

"Shen Lian?" Zhao Tiezhu's eyes lit up. "You're the Shen Lian who cleared eight levels of the Trial Tower?"

Upon hearing this, several Azure Dragon Guards around Shen Lian all turned to look at him.

Shen Lian nodded and said, "It was just luck."

"Lucky my foot!" Zhao Tiezhu laughed, patting Shen Lian on the shoulder. "Being able to pass the eighth level takes real skill. We, the Azure Dragon Guard, love brothers with real ability. Come on, I'll take you to see Commander Zhou."

The two crossed the training ground and arrived at the main hall in the backyard.

Inside the hall, Zhou Mang was discussing matters with several Qinglong Guard commanders. Seeing Shen Lian enter, Zhou Mang gestured for him to wait a moment.

A moment later, the centurions took their leave.

"Shen Lian, you're here." Zhou Mang sat in the main seat, pointed to the chair next to him, and said, "Sit."

Shen Lian sat down as instructed.

Zhou Mang sized him up and slowly said, "Zhao Tiezhu should have told you about the rules of the Azure Dragon Guard, right?"

"Not yet, but I'll go into details."

"Let me give you a brief overview." Zhou Mang picked up his teacup. "The Azure Dragon Guard is divided into five teams, each with ten men and a squad leader. As a newcomer, you'll be temporarily assigned to the fifth team, led by Zhao Tiezhu. You must complete at least one guard post mission each month, with merit points awarded based on mission difficulty and performance. There's also an internal competition within the guard each month, with the top three receiving extra resources. In addition, the Azure Dragon Guard has a dedicated armory and training rooms, which can be accessed by redeeming merit points."

Shen Lian listened attentively.

"The Azure Dragon Guard's missions mostly involve eliminating demons and monsters, suppressing rebellions, and protecting important officials," Zhou Mang said seriously. "The level of danger is far greater than that of the other three guards. Every mission may involve a life-or-death test. If you're afraid, you can still apply for a transfer to another guard."

Shen Lian said calmly, "Now that I've joined the Azure Dragon Guard, there's no reason for me to back down."

"Good." A hint of appreciation flashed in Zhou Mang's eyes. "The fifth team has a mission tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM). Be prepared."

"Yes."

After giving a brief explanation, Zhou Mang gestured for Shen Lian to leave.

"Brother Shen, come on, let me introduce you to the brothers in the team." Zhao Tiezhu warmly put his arm around Shen Lian's shoulder.

The fifth team's quarters were located in a side room on the east side of the courtyard. Pushing open the door, one could see seven or eight people inside, some sitting and some standing. Upon seeing Zhao Tiezhu enter, they all stood up.

"Brothers, this is our newest member, Shen Lian, a tough guy who's cleared eight levels of the Trial Tower," Zhao Tiezhu introduced. "He'll be one of our fifth team members from now on."

All eyes turned to Shen Lian.

A tall, thin young man was the first to bow: "Chen Ping, sixth level of the Heavenly Realm, skilled in archery."

A short, stocky man next to him said in a deep voice, "Shi Lei, sixth level of the Heavenly Realm, external martial arts."

Then everyone introduced themselves in turn.

Apart from Zhao Tiezhu, who is at the seventh level of cultivation, the rest of them are at the fifth or sixth level.

Shen Lian memorized everyone's name and characteristics, then cupped his hands and said, "Shen Lian, I'm new here, please give me your guidance."

Zhao Tiezhu waved his hand and said, "Alright, we're all family, let's skip the formalities. Shen Lian, your bed is over there, put your things down first. We'll go to 'Drunken Immortal Pavilion' tonight for a welcome-back dinner."

"Thank you, Brother Zhao."

Shen Lian walked to the bed by the window and put down his belongings. The accommodations of the Azure Dragon Guard were not as good as the single courtyards, but they were more lively. The members of the team spent a lot of time together, which made it easier to develop a tacit understanding.

In the evening, Zhao Tiezhu led all members of the fifth team to "Zui Xian Lou".

They went to a private room on the second floor again, but this time there were more people, so they booked two large tables. Zhao Tiezhu ordered a table full of dishes and several jars of "Qingzhou Laojiao" liquor.

"Come, let's toast Brother Shen!" Zhao Tiezhu raised his glass. "Welcome to Team Five!"

Everyone raised their glasses.

Shen Lian picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp.

Chen Ping leaned closer to Shen Lian and whispered, "Brother Shen, I heard you suppressed Chu Chunqiu in the Trial Tower?"

"It just took a little less time," Shen Lian said.

Shi Lei laughed and said, "That kid Chu Chunqiu, relying on being a direct descendant of the Chu family, is usually arrogant. This time you outshone him, he's probably furious."

Chen Ping cautioned, "Chu Chunqiu is indeed highly talented, but he is narrow-minded and vindictive. Brother Shen, you must be careful in the future."

Shen Lian nodded: "Thank you for the reminder."

Zhao Tiezhu took a swig of wine: "What's there to be afraid of! We, the Azure Dragon Guard, value strength and merit. No matter how arrogant Chu Chunqiu is, he still has to follow the rules. Shen Lian, work hard, earn merit and get promoted as soon as possible. Then it's not certain who will be in control of whom."

The crowd burst into laughter.

Shen Lian felt a warmth in his heart. The atmosphere of the Azure Dragon Guard was better than he had expected. Although these men were rough and tough, they were straightforward and righteous, without too many hidden agendas.

Late at night, everyone returned home having enjoyed themselves.

Back at the Azure Dragon Guard's camp, Shen Lian lay on the bed, but couldn't fall asleep.

Our first mission will begin tomorrow.

Although Zhao Tiezhu has not yet explained the details of the mission, the fact that an entire team has been mobilized indicates that it is no small matter.

He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and began to regulate his breathing.

The body's Qi and blood circulated slowly. The sixth acupoint was as stable as a mountain, while the seventh acupoint showed signs of loosening. If one could break through the seventh level, their combat power would rise to another level.

Before we knew it, the east had turned white.

The entire fifth team assembled at the training ground.

Zhao Tiezhu, clad in black armor and with a heavy sword at his waist, solemnly said, "Black Wind Ridge is located thirty miles north of Qingzhou City. It was originally just an ordinary mountain forest. But half a month ago, strange things began to happen in the ridge. First, woodcutters who went into the mountain disappeared one after another. Then, hunters found that the number of animal carcasses had increased abnormally, and the deaths were gruesome, as if they had been drained of their life essence."

Chen Ping added, "Three days ago, two hunters managed to escape, saying they saw a dark shadow moving about deep in the valley, accompanied by the sound of a baby crying. The county government sent four constables into the mountains to investigate, but only one returned. He is still delirious and keeps muttering 'black smoke, green eyes, cannibalism.'"

Shen Lian frowned slightly and said, "A baby crying? Sucking on life essence? It sounds like some kind of sinister thing."

Shi Lei exhaled and said, "Nine times out of ten it's a demon. These things that suck the life essence of humans and animals are the most troublesome."

Zhao Tiezhu nodded and said, "Therefore, this mission is designated as a mid-grade C-level mission, with merit points awarded per person, fifty points each. If we can find the source and eliminate it, there will be additional rewards. Black Wind Ridge is fraught with danger, so everyone be careful."

Everyone responded in unison.

A moment later, the ten men rode out of the city and galloped north along the official road.

The horse's hooves kicked up dust, startling the birds in the roadside forest.

Shen Lian, mounted on his horse, couldn't help but exhale. This was his first mission since joining the Azure Dragon Guard, and he was naturally filled with anticipation.

"Nervous?" Zhao Tiezhu asked with a smile.

"Some!" Shen Lian replied truthfully.

Zhao Tiezhu grinned and reminded him, "The first mission is always like this. Remember three things: First, stay with the team and don't get separated. Second, don't panic in case of trouble. Our Azure Dragon Guard brothers have all crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Third, don't be soft-hearted when you need to be. Showing mercy to demons and evil is being cruel to yourself."

Shen Lian nodded emphatically.

About an hour later, a series of mountain ranges appeared ahead. The mountains were not high, but the forests were dense, and from a distance they looked like dark green waves.

At the foot of the mountain stands a boundary marker with three weathered characters engraved on it: "Black Wind Ridge".

This is the territory of "Black Wind Ridge".

The ten men reined in their horses at the foot of the mountain. Zhao Tiezhu dismounted and took out a map from his pocket, spreading it on the ground: "According to the descriptions of the hunters who escaped, the incident mainly occurred in the 'Crow Valley' area in the southeast. We entered the mountain from the east, followed this stream upstream, and after about five li, turned south, heading straight for the valley entrance."

Chen Ping squatted down to examine the map closely, his finger tracing several mountain paths on it: "The terrain on both sides of the stream is gentle, but the forests are dense and the grass is thick, making it easy to set up an ambush. I suggest the vanguard slow down and leave a mark every hundred paces."

"Alright!" Zhao Tiezhu put away the map. "Dismount and proceed into the mountains on foot. Two men will guard the horses; the rest of you will come with me."

The group tethered the horses to a secluded grove at the foot of the mountain, leaving two team members to guard them.

Shen Lian followed Zhao Tiezhu and the others into the mountains and forests.

At first, the mountain path was relatively flat.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting dappled patterns of light. The sounds of birds and insects filled the air, just like any other mountain forest. But as you ventured deeper, the surroundings gradually quieted down.

It was eerily quiet.

Shen Lian gripped the hilt of his sword, and the [Combat Power Detection] feature quietly activated, displaying the data of the surrounding team members in his field of vision:

Zhao Tiezhu: 85~105

Chen Ping: 72~88

Shi Lei: 75~92

……

All of them were at least at the sixth level of the Heavenly Realm, with Zhao Tiezhu even reaching the peak of the seventh level.

"Stop." Chen Ping, who was scouting ahead, suddenly raised his hand.

Everyone immediately stopped and crouched low. Shen Lian looked in the direction Chen Ping pointed and saw a corner of cloth peeking out from the bushes on the left.

Zhao Tiezhu gave a hand signal, and two team members quickly surrounded them. A moment later, one of them whispered, "It's a corpse!"

The crowd gathered around. A male corpse lay in the bushes, dressed in coarse cloth and shorts, likely the attire of a woodcutter. The body had begun to decompose, but there were two small holes in the neck, the surrounding skin a purplish-black color.

"His essence and blood have been drained." Shi Lei squatted down to examine it. "Judging from the size of this hole, it wasn't done by a wild animal."

Chen Ping used his dagger to pry open the corpse's collar, revealing its chest. There, on the chest, was a dark red mark shaped like a distorted infant's face.

"This is..." Shen Lian's pupils contracted slightly.

"Blood Infant Seal." Zhao Tiezhu's face darkened. "It's definitely not an ordinary demon. Continue forward, but remain vigilant."

Everyone continued forward, each gripping their weapon tightly, breathing softly, and landing silently.

After walking another two miles, at a bend in the stream, the group discovered a second body.

This time it was a young woman, dressed in rags, seemingly a refugee who had fled here. Her death was similar to the woodcutter's, but the hole in her neck was larger, and the bloody infant mark was clearer.

"Something's not right," Shen Lian suddenly said.

Zhao Tiezhu looked at him: "What do you mean?"

Shen Lian pointed to the opposite bank of the stream, "Look at the location of these corpses. The first corpse is in the bushes on the east side, and the second is on the rocky beach on the west side, about three miles apart. If a demon were roaming and hunting in the mountains, the corpses should be scattered everywhere. But these two corpses are almost in a straight line, pointing towards Crow Valley."

Chen Ping frowned and said, "It looks like a guide that was deliberately placed there."

"It seems this is very likely a trap." Shi Lei gripped the iron rod in his hand tightly.

After a moment's thought, Zhao Tiezhu said, "Whether it's a trap or not, we must go to 'Crow Valley.' Let's change our route and take the ridge instead of the stream. It will be more difficult, but the view will be wider, and we'll be less likely to be ambushed."

The group turned to climb the mountain ridge.

The steep slopes and dense forests slowed our progress considerably.

Shen Lian used the "Spirit Serpent Steps," his movements as light and agile as a monkey, darting among the rocks and trees with even more ease than some of the veteran team members.

Zhao Tiezhu saw this and nodded secretly.

About half an hour later, the group reached the ridge. The view suddenly opened up, overlooking most of Black Wind Ridge.

In the distance, a narrow valley came into view. The valley entrance was narrow, with steep cliffs on both sides, and a faint black mist lingered in the valley. This was "Crow Valley".

"Look!" Chen Ping said, pointing to the entrance of the valley ahead.

Everyone looked in the direction Chen Ping was pointing.

Several corpses were scattered at the entrance of the valley, dressed in various clothes, including woodcutters, hunters, and even two constables.

All the corpses were facing out of the valley, as if they were attacked from behind while fleeing.

Zhao Tiezhu's face turned grim. "It's a remnant of an array. This monster can even set up arrays? This is troublesome."

Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying came from the valley.

The cries were shrill and piercing, and everyone felt disoriented, their blood churning within them.

"Keep your mind focused!" Zhao Tiezhu roared, shattering the crying and distraction.

Shen Lian circulated the "Tiger Subduing Stance" mental technique, suppressing the discomfort as his blood and qi surged. He focused his gaze on the black mist in the valley, vaguely seeing several dark figures moving within it.

"There's more than one," Shen Lian said in a deep voice.

Zhao Tiezhu nodded and said, "Everyone, prepare for battle. Chen Ping, take your men and occupy the high ground on the left, prepare your crossbows. Shi Lei, you lead three men to guard the right flank and prevent any flanking maneuvers. Shen Lian, you will advance with me from the front."

Zhao Tiezhu gave the order, and the men quickly took up their formation.

Chen Ping led two archers up the left rock face, while Shi Lei led three others to guard the right flank.

Zhao Tiezhu, Shen Lian, and two other knife-wielders slowly descended the ridge, approaching the valley entrance.

Just as everyone approached, black mist suddenly surged at the valley entrance, and three dark figures abruptly rushed out from it.

Those were three monsters that looked like humans but weren't.

The three monsters were hunched over like old women, wearing tattered black robes, their exposed skin a bluish-gray color and covered with wrinkles.

What's most terrifying are their faces; they have no facial features, only a pair of bright green eyes embedded in their foreheads, and below them, a mouth full of fine teeth.

Zhao Tiezhu gritted his teeth and said, "Is it a ghoul witch, and three of them at that!"

The Corpse-Eating Witch feeds on the life essence of living beings, and especially favors infants.

The adult witch is comparable to a martial artist at the seventh level of the Body Tempering Realm, and is skilled in illusions and insidious formations, making her extremely difficult to deal with.

Shen Lian stood beside Zhao Tiezhu, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword, and the [Combat Power Detection] quietly activated.

[The Ghoul-Eating Witch (left)]: 88~112

【The Ghoul-Eating Witch (Middle)】: 92~118

[The Ghoul-Eating Witch (Right)]: 86~110

All three possessed the combat power of the seventh level of the Heavenly Realm, and their auras were strange, clearly indicating that they were not only skilled in physical attacks.

The witch in the center let out another laugh that sounded like a baby crying: "Fresh blood...it's been so long since I've tasted it..."

Zhao Tiezhu suddenly attacked, his heavy sword flashing as it slashed towards the witch in the center, the wind from the blade tearing through the air.

The witch did not take the hit head-on, but instead retreated explosively backward.

"Where do you think you're going!" Zhao Tiezhu roared, his sword thrust becoming even stronger.

The witch let out a strange laugh, her figure suddenly becoming ethereal, transforming into a cloud of black mist that dissipated. The blade flashed through the black mist, only creating a ripple, without harming it in the slightest.

"A phantom body?!" Zhao Tiezhu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly sheathed his sword and went back to defend.

At the same time, the remaining two witches began to move.

On the left rock face, Chen Ping pulled the trigger, and three crossbow bolts shot out, aiming straight for the face of a witch.

The witch let out a strange cry, her black robe billowing out, sending all the crossbow bolts flying.

"Brother Shi, behind us!" Shen Lian shouted.

Upon hearing this, Shi Lei didn't hesitate and swung his iron rod horizontally. The iron rod whistled through the air as it struck the empty space behind him, but with a muffled thud, it actually hit the target.

"Aww..."

The witch screamed, and a dark figure staggered backward, its chest caved in.

The recoil from the iron rod made Shi Lei's arms go numb.

After being injured, the witch let out a shriek at Shi Lei, her emerald green eyes on her forehead shone brightly, black mist surged around her, and the depression in her chest healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"Regenerative ability?!" Shi Lei thought in shock.

The injured witch instantly recovered, her emerald green eyes fixed on him, her black robes fluttering without wind, and several tentacles formed from the black mist around her, shooting towards Shi Lei.

Shen Lian had been preparing for this moment. When he saw the witch attacking, he unleashed his "Spirit Snake Step" and drew his longsword, using the "Mountain-Splitting Strike" to slash straight at the witch's nape.

The blade flashed sharply, and the sound of it cutting through the air was chilling.

"Sizzle..."

A tear appeared in the black robe, revealing bluish-gray skin. The witch let out a strange cry, her emerald green eyes gleaming fiercely, and attacked Shen Lian.

Shen Lian was prepared and retreated rapidly. At the same time, he raised his left hand, and three pebbles flew out of the air. This was the "Flying Locust Stone Technique" that he had recently practiced.

Shen Lian was eager to see the power of this "Flying Locust Stone Technique".

The witch quickly waved her robe to block, instantly knocking down two pebbles. The third pebble accurately struck the witch's emerald green eye on her forehead.

"Aww..."

The witch let out a piercing scream, her eyeballs ruptured instantly, oozing dark green viscous fluid. She frantically waved her black robe, causing the black mist to churn violently, and her aura steadily weakened.

"Its eyes are its weakness," Shen Lian roared.

Shi Lei lunged forward, slamming his iron rod down at Shen Lian with immense power of blood and qi.

boom!

With a powerful sweep of his staff, he instantly killed the witch.

The other two witches, seeing their companion killed, let out angry screams in unison.

The witch's black robe suddenly expanded, and black mist surged out like a tide, instantly covering an area of ​​more than ten feet in radius.

"Everyone be careful!" Zhao Tiezhu shouted angrily.

Everyone immediately became cautious.

The witch suddenly appeared behind Shen Lian, and several withered tentacles extended from under her black robe, wrapping around him.

Shen Lian snorted coldly and charged at the tentacle with his sword.

He used the "Serpent Step" to weave through the gaps in the tentacles, his long sword trembling as he unleashed the "Mountain Splitting Strike" and slashed down at the witch.

Click!

Shen Lian brought his sword down, striking the witch's emerald green eyeball.

With her emerald eyes shattered by Shen Lian, the witch struggled wildly, gradually losing control, and her aura weakened considerably in an instant.

Taking advantage of the situation, Shen Lian rushed forward and, with a swift stroke, severed the man's head.

The second witch is dead!

Everyone looked ahead and saw that the last witch was locked in a fierce battle with Zhao Tiezhu.

This witch is the strongest of the three witches.

Even with Zhao Tiezhu's strength, he couldn't kill him in a short time.

"This beast is more troublesome than I imagined," Zhao Tiezhu said, frowning.

He exerted all his strength, his swordsmanship fierce and domineering, each strike capable of splitting stone and shattering monuments, yet he felt somewhat powerless against that witch.

Suddenly, a beam of green light shot out from the emerald eye on the witch's forehead, aiming straight for Zhao Tiezhu's eyes.

Zhao Tiezhu felt a blur before his eyes, and several ghostly infant figures rushed towards him, their mournful cries exploding in his mind.

He felt a chill run down his spine, realizing it was an illusion attack. He quickly circulated his qi and blood to protect his mind, while simultaneously shouting, "Break!"

The sound was like thunder, scattering the ghostly figures.

But in that instant of distraction, three black mist tentacles attacked Zhao Tiezhu.

"Watch out, Brother Zhao!"

Shen Lian's voice rang out, and three pebbles flew through the air, accurately striking the three tentacles and stopping their attack.

Zhao Tiezhu seized the opportunity, sweeping his heavy blade horizontally and severing all three tentacles simultaneously. The severed tentacles turned into black smoke and dissipated, while the witch let out a painful scream.

"Thanks, Brother Shen!" Zhao Tiezhu nodded to Shen Lian.

Shen Lian had already arrived with his sword and stood side by side with Zhao Tiezhu.

The two men, one on the left and one on the right, blocked the witch's escape route.

The other team members also gathered around. Chen Ping took up a high position and nocked his crossbow. Shi Lei and three knife-wielders guarded the surrounding area to prevent the witch from escaping.

Seeing that her companions had all been killed and she was surrounded by the crowd, the witch suddenly transformed into dozens of tiny black shadows and shot off in all directions.

"Trying to escape?" Zhao Tiezhu roared, sweeping his heavy blade horizontally. The blade energy swept out like a bolt of lightning, annihilating several dark figures.

Shen Lian then used the "Spirit Serpent Step," his figure moving like a ghost, slashing with his longsword, each strike accurately hitting a dark shadow.

Where the blade flashed, the shadows scattered and crumbled.

However, these shadowy figures were merely a smokescreen; the witch's true form had already used the black mist as cover to escape into the depths of the valley.

"Chase!" Zhao Tiezhu charged out first.

Shen Lian followed closely behind, and the rest of the team members quickly caught up as well.

Scattered white bones began to appear on the ground, belonging to both humans and beasts, all of whom had been drained of their life essence.

"Just how many lives has this beast taken?" Shen Lian asked, his brows furrowed.

Soon, Zhao Tiezhu stopped the witch and stared at her menacingly.

"You've killed so many people, and you still think you can leave alive?" Zhao Tiezhu said coldly.

Shen Lian, Shi Lei, and the others appeared and surrounded the witch.

Seeing that she was surrounded, the witch became agitated, her aura suddenly surged, and she grinned maliciously.

"You... all deserve to die..."