Chapter 56
A triumphant return, promoted to squad leader!
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Gu Lin dragged the corpse of the Golden-Toothed Lizard out of the lava cave.
Even in death, the ancient demonic aura emanating from the lizard's corpse remained intense.
The demon core was a striking golden color!
A genuine royal bloodline demon!
A royal bloodline demon, with the potential to grow into an eighth-tier great demon, posing a devastating threat to the Divine Dynasty.
This lizard, in less than a few months, has already reached the middle level of the first tier, equivalent to the fourth to sixth level of the Cave Profound Realm.
In the battle within the magma, the Golden-Toothed Lizard, with its thick skin and flesh, was only able to have its internal organs and heart meridians destroyed by Gu Lin unleashing nine consecutive moves of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.
"This time my luck is pretty good." Gu Lin smiled slightly and carefully put away the demon core.
Of course, luck favors the prepared.
If we hadn't purchased the Demon-Seeking Gu in advance and opened up the Gu Path during the mission, how could we have possibly found the Golden-Toothed Viper Lizard?
This will get you promoted to sergeant!
Imagine others who have been working in the Holy Land for over ten years and are still low-level cavalry at thirty, while you can be promoted to squad leader in just a few months, with a second xiezhi embroidered on your official robe, commanding five cavalry and directly controlling eighteen swordsmen. That feeling is indeed quite wonderful.
"A great contributor!" Gu Lin gently stroked the Seeking Demon Gu and placed it back into the container.
Then they took away the carcass of the golden-toothed lizard.
.....
Nine days later, he rode back to Luoxia Mountain.
The wide, flat granite avenue drew the attention of hundreds of holy knights and swordsmen.
Everyone looked at the figure in the black xiezhi robe, their gazes falling on the sack on the horse's back.
"It's an ancient, demonic aura."
The holy cavalry looked horrified.
Many members of the Holy Land looked on with envy.
It's definitely the corpse of a demon with royal blood!
Because only demons with royal bloodlines have corpses that do not decompose and retain an ancient aura even after many days of death.
"How lucky is this newcomer!" The members of the Holy Land were completely out of their minds.
Someone recognized Gu Lin: "He's the newcomer who provoked the Sima clan and forcefully killed the Pingzhun Bureau official."
Many of the valiant riders exchanged glances.
It turns out to be this ignorant and fearless madman. Heaven is truly unjust; such an arrogant and domineering person is blessed with great fortune!
Gu Lin galloped away on his horse, completely ignoring the envious and jealous glances he received.
He went straight to the East Temple government office and then to the office of Cao Baihu.
As a subordinate, one should first report to the authorities before reporting the achievement to the Discipline Inspection Commission.
Inside the yamen, Commander Cao was astonished after hearing the story.
He strode out of the yamen and ordered Gu Lin to open the sack.
After just one glance, Commander Cao shook his head and chuckled, pointing at Gu Lin and praising him:
"You're incredibly lucky!"
It is indeed a viper lizard of royal bloodline, and it is still in its juvenile development stage.
The other holy land's elite cavalry must be furious. After ten years of service, they've remained stagnant, while a newcomer, instead of meditating in the Spirit Cleansing Pool, went off to hunt down a royal-grade bloodline lizard.
A new recruit is about to be promoted to sergeant!
Commander Cao calmed himself down and said with a smile:
"congratulate."
Gu Lin, feeling refreshed, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect:
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Cao!"
Commander Cao waved his hand, "Stop flattering me, it's just that you have great luck on your side."
He paused slightly, his smile fading, and solemnly reminded her:
"Don't get carried away and forget your promise. If you don't make it into the top ten of the competition, even if you're a squad leader, I will personally expel you from Dongsi Temple!"
"If you get into the top ten, the Divine Dynasty's reward will automatically increase by one level. Wouldn't that make you a squad leader?"
"Make the most of this opportunity!"
Gu Lin respectfully agreed.
He wants more than just to be in the top ten, and more than just to be promoted one level.
He wants to become the leader of the younger generation in Chuzhou!
That would allow you to be promoted three levels!
"Go to the Daoji Division," said Cao Baihu, then turned back to the yamen.
Gu Lin quickly headed to the Daoji Division, causing a stir along the way.
At the summit of Luoxia Mountain, four sacred sites stand in distinct rows, with the Daoji Division situated precisely in the center. From above, four enormous statues—a lotus flower, a three-legged golden crow, a qilin, and a xiezhi—guard the magnificent palace.
Before they even entered the Daoji Division, six middle-aged men dressed in official robes adorned with the sun, moon, and stars arrived upon hearing the news.
Gu Lin respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute:
"Gu Lin, the valiant cavalryman of Dongsi, greets the three lords!"
The leader was dressed in a red robe adorned with the sun, moon, and stars. He scrutinized the figure for a moment before ordering his men to remove the corpse of the golden-toothed lizard.
As for the demon core, it definitely belongs to Gu Lin as spoils of war.
The leading official asked:
"Where should we slay this demon?"
Gu Lin took out his pen and inkstone, drew a map, and presented it to the other party.
The leading official nodded and said with a smile:
"Go back to your office first."
Gu Lin accepted the order and left.
......
As dusk approached, Gu Lin waited in the yamen for a long time before the arrival of the Daoji Division.
The leader unrolled the scroll and said in a rhythmic, melodic voice:
"Gu Lin, a valiant cavalryman from the East Temple, trained in the Cloud and Water Swamp and killed a Golden-Toothed Lizard of royal bloodline. He has rendered meritorious service to the Divine Dynasty and is hereby promoted to squad leader of the East Temple, enjoying the treatment of a ninth-rank official in the Divine Dynasty."
Gu Lin took the scroll and said respectfully:
"I will strive diligently and make further contributions!"
The leading official nodded and couldn't help but smile; even he envied the newcomer's good fortune.
"Your five subordinates will be assigned by your superior, Cao Qingzhi."
After saying this, the Daoji Division members put down the four boxes and left in an orderly fashion.
Gu Lin watched them walk away, then carefully stroked the scroll.
Then he opened the box.
The first large box contained twenty sets of official robes: ten sets of official uniforms, five sets of court robes, and five sets of sacrificial robes.
On the black official robe, two ferocious xiezhi were embroidered!
The second small box contained only a gilded waist plaque, which was carved with two xiezhi (mythical beasts).
Gu Lin picked up the waist token and dripped his blood essence into it.
The third small box contained the official document for a ninth-rank official appointment in the Divine Dynasty.
That's secondary, since even the lowest-ranking elite cavalry of the Eastern Temple's Heavenly Profound Guard have the authority to investigate officials below the seventh rank in the Divine Dynasty, so a ninth-rank official is not worth mentioning.
The fourth box contained a light, jade-colored belt, a sacred artifact unique to the East Temple. It contained a cloud-piercing arrow; if anything happened, patting the belt would launch the arrow, and swordsmen within a fifty-mile radius would rush to the scene.
Gu Lin donned a brand-new official robe and a jade-colored belt, making him appear even more dignified.
"I wish I could be a centurion," he couldn't help but daydream.
First of all, I'm extremely envious of that storage ring specially bestowed upon me by the central government of the Divine Dynasty.
Then there's the power of the centurion. It all comes down to Lord Cao, the centurion. So what if the Sima clan is a sixth-rank aristocratic family? So what if the Sima clan is spread across the four sacred lands? I'm going to draft an official document in a dignified manner, and the Sima clan can only accept it!
"Take it one step at a time." Gu Lin had a goal in mind.
The Chu Prefecture Grand Competition is of paramount importance; it is the only opportunity to be promoted directly to the third rank without any prior promotion.
If I win the championship, I'll be the captain!
Firstly, he would have more power and influence, and secondly, he would be cultivated and given important positions by the Shincho Toji Temple!
Just then, a colorful-winged pigeon flew in through the window.
Gu Lin took out the letter.
It was a congratulatory letter from Yan Shouxu and Wei Xuan.
Despite the short distance, none of the ghostwriters were qualified to set foot in the East Temple government office, so they could only send congratulatory messages.
"Has the news spread this far? Sergeant Gu, it certainly sounds better than Gu Xiaoqi." Gu Lin said with a smile.
......
P.S.: A 5.7 rating at the start? Hahahaha, I'm completely devastated.
Even in death, the ancient demonic aura emanating from the lizard's corpse remained intense.
The demon core was a striking golden color!
A genuine royal bloodline demon!
A royal bloodline demon, with the potential to grow into an eighth-tier great demon, posing a devastating threat to the Divine Dynasty.
This lizard, in less than a few months, has already reached the middle level of the first tier, equivalent to the fourth to sixth level of the Cave Profound Realm.
In the battle within the magma, the Golden-Toothed Lizard, with its thick skin and flesh, was only able to have its internal organs and heart meridians destroyed by Gu Lin unleashing nine consecutive moves of the Eighteen Subduing Dragon Palms.
"This time my luck is pretty good." Gu Lin smiled slightly and carefully put away the demon core.
Of course, luck favors the prepared.
If we hadn't purchased the Demon-Seeking Gu in advance and opened up the Gu Path during the mission, how could we have possibly found the Golden-Toothed Viper Lizard?
This will get you promoted to sergeant!
Imagine others who have been working in the Holy Land for over ten years and are still low-level cavalry at thirty, while you can be promoted to squad leader in just a few months, with a second xiezhi embroidered on your official robe, commanding five cavalry and directly controlling eighteen swordsmen. That feeling is indeed quite wonderful.
"A great contributor!" Gu Lin gently stroked the Seeking Demon Gu and placed it back into the container.
Then they took away the carcass of the golden-toothed lizard.
.....
Nine days later, he rode back to Luoxia Mountain.
The wide, flat granite avenue drew the attention of hundreds of holy knights and swordsmen.
Everyone looked at the figure in the black xiezhi robe, their gazes falling on the sack on the horse's back.
"It's an ancient, demonic aura."
The holy cavalry looked horrified.
Many members of the Holy Land looked on with envy.
It's definitely the corpse of a demon with royal blood!
Because only demons with royal bloodlines have corpses that do not decompose and retain an ancient aura even after many days of death.
"How lucky is this newcomer!" The members of the Holy Land were completely out of their minds.
Someone recognized Gu Lin: "He's the newcomer who provoked the Sima clan and forcefully killed the Pingzhun Bureau official."
Many of the valiant riders exchanged glances.
It turns out to be this ignorant and fearless madman. Heaven is truly unjust; such an arrogant and domineering person is blessed with great fortune!
Gu Lin galloped away on his horse, completely ignoring the envious and jealous glances he received.
He went straight to the East Temple government office and then to the office of Cao Baihu.
As a subordinate, one should first report to the authorities before reporting the achievement to the Discipline Inspection Commission.
Inside the yamen, Commander Cao was astonished after hearing the story.
He strode out of the yamen and ordered Gu Lin to open the sack.
After just one glance, Commander Cao shook his head and chuckled, pointing at Gu Lin and praising him:
"You're incredibly lucky!"
It is indeed a viper lizard of royal bloodline, and it is still in its juvenile development stage.
The other holy land's elite cavalry must be furious. After ten years of service, they've remained stagnant, while a newcomer, instead of meditating in the Spirit Cleansing Pool, went off to hunt down a royal-grade bloodline lizard.
A new recruit is about to be promoted to sergeant!
Commander Cao calmed himself down and said with a smile:
"congratulate."
Gu Lin, feeling refreshed, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect:
"Thank you for your guidance, Lord Cao!"
Commander Cao waved his hand, "Stop flattering me, it's just that you have great luck on your side."
He paused slightly, his smile fading, and solemnly reminded her:
"Don't get carried away and forget your promise. If you don't make it into the top ten of the competition, even if you're a squad leader, I will personally expel you from Dongsi Temple!"
"If you get into the top ten, the Divine Dynasty's reward will automatically increase by one level. Wouldn't that make you a squad leader?"
"Make the most of this opportunity!"
Gu Lin respectfully agreed.
He wants more than just to be in the top ten, and more than just to be promoted one level.
He wants to become the leader of the younger generation in Chuzhou!
That would allow you to be promoted three levels!
"Go to the Daoji Division," said Cao Baihu, then turned back to the yamen.
Gu Lin quickly headed to the Daoji Division, causing a stir along the way.
At the summit of Luoxia Mountain, four sacred sites stand in distinct rows, with the Daoji Division situated precisely in the center. From above, four enormous statues—a lotus flower, a three-legged golden crow, a qilin, and a xiezhi—guard the magnificent palace.
Before they even entered the Daoji Division, six middle-aged men dressed in official robes adorned with the sun, moon, and stars arrived upon hearing the news.
Gu Lin respectfully clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute:
"Gu Lin, the valiant cavalryman of Dongsi, greets the three lords!"
The leader was dressed in a red robe adorned with the sun, moon, and stars. He scrutinized the figure for a moment before ordering his men to remove the corpse of the golden-toothed lizard.
As for the demon core, it definitely belongs to Gu Lin as spoils of war.
The leading official asked:
"Where should we slay this demon?"
Gu Lin took out his pen and inkstone, drew a map, and presented it to the other party.
The leading official nodded and said with a smile:
"Go back to your office first."
Gu Lin accepted the order and left.
......
As dusk approached, Gu Lin waited in the yamen for a long time before the arrival of the Daoji Division.
The leader unrolled the scroll and said in a rhythmic, melodic voice:
"Gu Lin, a valiant cavalryman from the East Temple, trained in the Cloud and Water Swamp and killed a Golden-Toothed Lizard of royal bloodline. He has rendered meritorious service to the Divine Dynasty and is hereby promoted to squad leader of the East Temple, enjoying the treatment of a ninth-rank official in the Divine Dynasty."
Gu Lin took the scroll and said respectfully:
"I will strive diligently and make further contributions!"
The leading official nodded and couldn't help but smile; even he envied the newcomer's good fortune.
"Your five subordinates will be assigned by your superior, Cao Qingzhi."
After saying this, the Daoji Division members put down the four boxes and left in an orderly fashion.
Gu Lin watched them walk away, then carefully stroked the scroll.
Then he opened the box.
The first large box contained twenty sets of official robes: ten sets of official uniforms, five sets of court robes, and five sets of sacrificial robes.
On the black official robe, two ferocious xiezhi were embroidered!
The second small box contained only a gilded waist plaque, which was carved with two xiezhi (mythical beasts).
Gu Lin picked up the waist token and dripped his blood essence into it.
The third small box contained the official document for a ninth-rank official appointment in the Divine Dynasty.
That's secondary, since even the lowest-ranking elite cavalry of the Eastern Temple's Heavenly Profound Guard have the authority to investigate officials below the seventh rank in the Divine Dynasty, so a ninth-rank official is not worth mentioning.
The fourth box contained a light, jade-colored belt, a sacred artifact unique to the East Temple. It contained a cloud-piercing arrow; if anything happened, patting the belt would launch the arrow, and swordsmen within a fifty-mile radius would rush to the scene.
Gu Lin donned a brand-new official robe and a jade-colored belt, making him appear even more dignified.
"I wish I could be a centurion," he couldn't help but daydream.
First of all, I'm extremely envious of that storage ring specially bestowed upon me by the central government of the Divine Dynasty.
Then there's the power of the centurion. It all comes down to Lord Cao, the centurion. So what if the Sima clan is a sixth-rank aristocratic family? So what if the Sima clan is spread across the four sacred lands? I'm going to draft an official document in a dignified manner, and the Sima clan can only accept it!
"Take it one step at a time." Gu Lin had a goal in mind.
The Chu Prefecture Grand Competition is of paramount importance; it is the only opportunity to be promoted directly to the third rank without any prior promotion.
If I win the championship, I'll be the captain!
Firstly, he would have more power and influence, and secondly, he would be cultivated and given important positions by the Shincho Toji Temple!
Just then, a colorful-winged pigeon flew in through the window.
Gu Lin took out the letter.
It was a congratulatory letter from Yan Shouxu and Wei Xuan.
Despite the short distance, none of the ghostwriters were qualified to set foot in the East Temple government office, so they could only send congratulatory messages.
"Has the news spread this far? Sergeant Gu, it certainly sounds better than Gu Xiaoqi." Gu Lin said with a smile.
......
P.S.: A 5.7 rating at the start? Hahahaha, I'm completely devastated.