Chapter 65
The whole mountain is in shock; he's promoted to squad leader! [Part 1]
Luoxia Mountain.
East Temple Government Office.
The Gengshen Fangya Office.
The four—Flower Girl, Wind Girl, Folding Fan, and Iron Fist—chatted casually.
"Who do you think will win this competition?" the flower girl asked with a smile.
The folding fan replied lazily:
"Any one of those six people has a chance to win. According to rumors, the upper echelons of the four holy lands are confident of victory and have full confidence in their newcomers."
The three nodded in agreement.
Six newcomers, one of the three great sixth-rank clans of Chuzhou, each with a prodigy.
Huangfu Qingming of the Huangfu clan was a member of the Tianxuan Guard.
Dugu Jinyang of the Dugu clan was residing in the Wendao Academy.
Sima Zongheng of the Sima clan lived in their Eastern Temple.
The other three are cultivators of the Holy Body.
Du Fuyao of the Martial Peak Hall possesses the Mysterious Phoenix Sacred Body!
Huo Fengchun of the Martial Peak Hall possesses the Brahma Battle Body!
Pei Hao of the Wendao Academy is a promising talent!
The Wind Maiden chuckled softly, her voice clear and melodious:
"I just hope that Corporal Gu can make it into the top ten."
"That's right." Flower Girl, Folding Fan, and Iron Fist all nodded in agreement.
This is also why they followed Corporal Gu.
In the battle at the Martial Arts Cliff, Gu Wuzhang strolled leisurely, yet he was able to crush Sima Yu, a direct descendant of the Sima clan who was at the seventh level of the Cave Profound Realm. His ultimate combat power truly has a chance to break into the top ten.
If you make it into the top ten, you'll be promoted one level.
That must be Squad Leader Gu!
"By the way," the flower girl said curiously, "there are only half a month left until the competition, is Sergeant Gu still out there training?"
Just then, the mute man suddenly rushed into the government office and began gesturing wildly at the four men.
"You should write it down," the flower girl said helplessly, handing over a pen and notebook.
The mute man, his face beaming with excitement, scribbled a line of words down with his pen.
The four looked at each other, and each could see the shock in the other's eyes.
"How is this possible? Let's go!" The flower girl was utterly incredulous.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]
at the same time.
The Wuji Hall is a government office.
Zhao Can was working on documents at his desk.
As the squad leader of the Martial Arts Hall, he was in charge of ten elite cavalrymen and dozens of sword-wielding men. In addition to his cultivation, he also had to handle official duties.
"Lord Zhao!"
His confidant pushed open the door and entered.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Can put down his wolf-hair brush.
The valiant cavalryman looked grim and cautiously said:
"News has come from Luoxia City that Gu Lin of Dongsi has returned with a mirage demon of royal bloodline."
In an instant, Zhao Can's expression froze, his gaze fixed on his confidant like a sharp blade.
The confidant quietly lowered his head.
"Are you sure?" Zhao Can asked, each word uttered slowly and deliberately, as if it were rolling out from his stomach.
A trusted confidant sighed:
"Absolutely true."
Zhao Can looked up, his breathing unusually rapid, and dismissed his confidants.
The government office was completely silent.
Bang!
Zhao Can pounded his fists on the rosewood table, his anger bordering on hysteria.
Why is fate so kind to this beast?!
Why?!
I, Zhao Can, have worked hard in the Martial Peak Hall for six years. With the help of my superiors and the support of the Sima family, the three-headed, three-legged golden crow on my official robe is a source of my pride and confidence!
That bastard has only been with the company for a little over four months, why is he on the same level as me?!
Why?!
Zhao Can was furious, his anger, hatred, and jealousy completely clouding his judgment!
......
Luoxia Mountain Avenue.
He rode swiftly, heading straight for the East Temple government office.
Many elite cavalrymen rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.
This story is absolutely shocking!
In just a few months, they successively killed demons with royal bloodlines.
Is it luck?
Was the second time also a stroke of luck?
He's a newcomer!
A newcomer has to step on the heads of many others!
The Sima clan members from the four sacred sites all had gloomy expressions.
As a figure in a robe adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi approached, the valiant cavalrymen were visibly terrified.
"wrong......"
The aura of the demon with the royal bloodline has lingered for many days since its death; it is clearly the aura of a third-tier mirage demon!
How could a mere newcomer in the Cave Profound Realm achieve the status of a great demon in the Mountain and Sea Realm?
Could it be that the mirage demon was buried in the cave and this newcomer just happened to pick up the corpse?
Absolutely impossible!
You should know that the mirage crystals of the mirage demons are extremely valuable, so how could it possibly be his?
The Sima clansmen, their faces ashen, hissed:
"How could someone surnamed Gu hunt a third-tier mirage demon? Report this to the Daoist Discipline Department; this must be thoroughly investigated!"
"To fabricate lies and deceive the divine dynasty is a heinous crime!!"
Zhao Can had the same thought in his mind and followed the Sima clan to the Daoji Division.
Gu Lin rode his horse at full gallop, remaining calm and composed throughout.
Before even stepping into the East Temple government office, they saw five women, including the Flower Girl and the Wind Girl, waiting quietly in the distance.
The five people stared intently at the mirage demon's corpse for a moment, then respectfully clasped their hands in greeting:
"Greetings, Lord Gu!"
It's not Sergeant Gu, it's Lord Gu!
The more respectful titles reveal the five people's inner emotions.
Gu Lin nodded and asked softly:
"Have you completed the task assigned to you?"
The four spoke in unison, and the mute nodded emphatically:
"Reporting back to you, sir, it's all taken care of!"
Now they truly submit to this boss.
Even a blind man could see that Lord Gu has a bright future.
Just then, a figure dressed in a snow-white official robe with the mythical beast Xie Zhi led a group of people toward them.
Gu Lin dismounted and bowed respectfully:
"Master Cao!"
Cao Baihu examined the mirage demon's corpse, then stared intently at Gu Lin, a hint of envy flashing in the depths of his eyes.
If he had known that this mission involved a royal bloodline demon, he would have definitely taken action himself, or assigned it to a trusted general even if he did not meet the conditions for assistance.
The strangest thing is, wasn't Gu Lin an assistant?
Is it his place to take the mirage demon's corpse?
Gu Lin's expression remained unchanged.
Commander Cao stated frankly:
"Go to the Daoji Division first."
The group headed to the Daoji Division.
Coincidentally, many members of the Sima clan also arrived at the Daoji Division.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, several officials from the Daoji Division, dressed in robes adorned with the sun, moon, and stars and wearing red official hats, strode in.
The leading official asked in a stern voice:
"With your cultivation level, how can you possibly slay demons?"
"The sacred land's duty is to slay demons and maintain social stability. One can be promoted by slaying demons with royal bloodlines, but one must never take evil paths. Someone reported that you spared no expense to purchase the corpse of a mirage demon."
After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
The most valuable things about a mirage demon are its mirage crystals and mirage pills; Gu Lin could easily afford just its corpse.
That's considered taking the wrong path!
Their rebellious and shameless actions, disregarding the ironclad rules of the East Temple, are unforgivable!
This is just like local officials' performance evaluations, which involve falsifying data and deceiving their superiors.
Gu Lin sneered.
Who reported it?
It must be the Sima family!
Before he could speak, Commander Cao stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"This is an official matter for the East Temple. Gu Lin has been specially appointed to exorcise the demon. The Daoist Discipline Office can retrieve the official documents."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Can and the Sima clan members' faces were shrouded in gloom.
The Daoji Si official nodded and ordered his subordinates to investigate.
After a long wait, half an hour later, the Daoji Division received the official document.
The leading official asked in a deep voice:
"In this mission, you were the assistant, and you only had 1,300 contribution points. How did you manage to take away the mirage demon's corpse?"
Gu Lin remained calm and composed, speaking slowly and deliberately:
"From joining the Yin-Yang Sect to eliminating the Mirage Demon, I planned the entire process, using strategy and tactics to trap the Mirage Demon like a turtle in a jar."
"As everyone knows, the mirage demon can hide within a cultivator's body. Without a well-thought-out plan, and without my decisive intervention at the crucial moment, it would be impossible to eliminate this demon!"
"Senior Dongji is very understanding and knows my hardships. He only took the Mirage Crystal and Mirage Pill, leaving me this Mirage Demon to encourage me to make new contributions for Dongji. It is truly my good fortune to have met such a senior!"
While they were speaking, officials from the Daoji Division took notes.
The leading official, though skeptical, firmly stated:
"The Dao Discipline Department will immediately investigate. You will temporarily reside in the Dao Discipline Department's quiet room for cultivation, pending further written approval. Do you have any objections?"
Gu Lin remained silent for a long time before nodding and saying:
"No objection."
If Yuan Qin denies it, he will definitely argue his case. In the end, his powerful attack did indeed kill the demon.
"Please." The official from the Daoji Division gestured.
Gu Lin was taken to the Daoji Division for confinement.
.......
Three days later, the sky was clear and blue.
In a valley in Jiangzhou, a breathtaking sea of flowers stretches as far as the eye can see, and a woman of stunning beauty is practicing her spiritual cultivation amidst the blossoms.
"Coo coo..."
A colorful dove landed on the woman's shoulder.
Xuanyuan Qinyin opened her eyes and took the official document from the pigeon leg.
With just a glance, her beautiful eyes were extremely cold, and her stunning face was shrouded in a chilling aura.
"You planned the whole thing? You strategized and orchestrated it? You turned the tide at the crucial moment?"
"I fought two people and a demon all by myself, and you deserve all the credit?"
"I understand the greater good and know your hardships? You're only taking the Mirage Pill and Mirage Crystal?"
"What's so difficult about you? Feigning unconsciousness to launch a sneak attack? The Mirage Crystal is in that bastard's hands now!"
"Shameless! You're absolutely shameless!"
"I'm so angry! I'm so angry!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin gritted her teeth, her chest heaving with anger.
She wanted nothing more than to tear the document to shreds on the spot.
If Gu Lin were standing in front of her, she would definitely trample him underfoot and vent her pent-up frustration!
After calming down, she could only bite her lip and sulk.
Should the Chuzhou Circuit Commissioner truthfully explain the situation?
What about saving face?
Her Xuanyuan Qinyin had her Mirage Crystal stolen by a newcomer in the Cave Profound Realm, and even her demon core was given to her by someone else. It was too embarrassing if word got out, and she would become the subject of gossip among her colleagues when she returned to the Holy State.
You were defeated by someone at the Cave Profound Realm?
"You'll regret it if you make me suffer a great loss!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin gave a cold shout, clapped her fingers, and a wolf-hair brush and a stamp were launched from her gilded storage ring.
"Everything is as Gu Lin said."
She pressed her seal heavily!
East Temple Government Office.
The Gengshen Fangya Office.
The four—Flower Girl, Wind Girl, Folding Fan, and Iron Fist—chatted casually.
"Who do you think will win this competition?" the flower girl asked with a smile.
The folding fan replied lazily:
"Any one of those six people has a chance to win. According to rumors, the upper echelons of the four holy lands are confident of victory and have full confidence in their newcomers."
The three nodded in agreement.
Six newcomers, one of the three great sixth-rank clans of Chuzhou, each with a prodigy.
Huangfu Qingming of the Huangfu clan was a member of the Tianxuan Guard.
Dugu Jinyang of the Dugu clan was residing in the Wendao Academy.
Sima Zongheng of the Sima clan lived in their Eastern Temple.
The other three are cultivators of the Holy Body.
Du Fuyao of the Martial Peak Hall possesses the Mysterious Phoenix Sacred Body!
Huo Fengchun of the Martial Peak Hall possesses the Brahma Battle Body!
Pei Hao of the Wendao Academy is a promising talent!
The Wind Maiden chuckled softly, her voice clear and melodious:
"I just hope that Corporal Gu can make it into the top ten."
"That's right." Flower Girl, Folding Fan, and Iron Fist all nodded in agreement.
This is also why they followed Corporal Gu.
In the battle at the Martial Arts Cliff, Gu Wuzhang strolled leisurely, yet he was able to crush Sima Yu, a direct descendant of the Sima clan who was at the seventh level of the Cave Profound Realm. His ultimate combat power truly has a chance to break into the top ten.
If you make it into the top ten, you'll be promoted one level.
That must be Squad Leader Gu!
"By the way," the flower girl said curiously, "there are only half a month left until the competition, is Sergeant Gu still out there training?"
Just then, the mute man suddenly rushed into the government office and began gesturing wildly at the four men.
"You should write it down," the flower girl said helplessly, handing over a pen and notebook.
The mute man, his face beaming with excitement, scribbled a line of words down with his pen.
The four looked at each other, and each could see the shock in the other's eyes.
"How is this possible? Let's go!" The flower girl was utterly incredulous.
[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]
at the same time.
The Wuji Hall is a government office.
Zhao Can was working on documents at his desk.
As the squad leader of the Martial Arts Hall, he was in charge of ten elite cavalrymen and dozens of sword-wielding men. In addition to his cultivation, he also had to handle official duties.
"Lord Zhao!"
His confidant pushed open the door and entered.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Can put down his wolf-hair brush.
The valiant cavalryman looked grim and cautiously said:
"News has come from Luoxia City that Gu Lin of Dongsi has returned with a mirage demon of royal bloodline."
In an instant, Zhao Can's expression froze, his gaze fixed on his confidant like a sharp blade.
The confidant quietly lowered his head.
"Are you sure?" Zhao Can asked, each word uttered slowly and deliberately, as if it were rolling out from his stomach.
A trusted confidant sighed:
"Absolutely true."
Zhao Can looked up, his breathing unusually rapid, and dismissed his confidants.
The government office was completely silent.
Bang!
Zhao Can pounded his fists on the rosewood table, his anger bordering on hysteria.
Why is fate so kind to this beast?!
Why?!
I, Zhao Can, have worked hard in the Martial Peak Hall for six years. With the help of my superiors and the support of the Sima family, the three-headed, three-legged golden crow on my official robe is a source of my pride and confidence!
That bastard has only been with the company for a little over four months, why is he on the same level as me?!
Why?!
Zhao Can was furious, his anger, hatred, and jealousy completely clouding his judgment!
......
Luoxia Mountain Avenue.
He rode swiftly, heading straight for the East Temple government office.
Many elite cavalrymen rushed to the scene upon hearing the news.
This story is absolutely shocking!
In just a few months, they successively killed demons with royal bloodlines.
Is it luck?
Was the second time also a stroke of luck?
He's a newcomer!
A newcomer has to step on the heads of many others!
The Sima clan members from the four sacred sites all had gloomy expressions.
As a figure in a robe adorned with the mythical beast Xie Zhi approached, the valiant cavalrymen were visibly terrified.
"wrong......"
The aura of the demon with the royal bloodline has lingered for many days since its death; it is clearly the aura of a third-tier mirage demon!
How could a mere newcomer in the Cave Profound Realm achieve the status of a great demon in the Mountain and Sea Realm?
Could it be that the mirage demon was buried in the cave and this newcomer just happened to pick up the corpse?
Absolutely impossible!
You should know that the mirage crystals of the mirage demons are extremely valuable, so how could it possibly be his?
The Sima clansmen, their faces ashen, hissed:
"How could someone surnamed Gu hunt a third-tier mirage demon? Report this to the Daoist Discipline Department; this must be thoroughly investigated!"
"To fabricate lies and deceive the divine dynasty is a heinous crime!!"
Zhao Can had the same thought in his mind and followed the Sima clan to the Daoji Division.
Gu Lin rode his horse at full gallop, remaining calm and composed throughout.
Before even stepping into the East Temple government office, they saw five women, including the Flower Girl and the Wind Girl, waiting quietly in the distance.
The five people stared intently at the mirage demon's corpse for a moment, then respectfully clasped their hands in greeting:
"Greetings, Lord Gu!"
It's not Sergeant Gu, it's Lord Gu!
The more respectful titles reveal the five people's inner emotions.
Gu Lin nodded and asked softly:
"Have you completed the task assigned to you?"
The four spoke in unison, and the mute nodded emphatically:
"Reporting back to you, sir, it's all taken care of!"
Now they truly submit to this boss.
Even a blind man could see that Lord Gu has a bright future.
Just then, a figure dressed in a snow-white official robe with the mythical beast Xie Zhi led a group of people toward them.
Gu Lin dismounted and bowed respectfully:
"Master Cao!"
Cao Baihu examined the mirage demon's corpse, then stared intently at Gu Lin, a hint of envy flashing in the depths of his eyes.
If he had known that this mission involved a royal bloodline demon, he would have definitely taken action himself, or assigned it to a trusted general even if he did not meet the conditions for assistance.
The strangest thing is, wasn't Gu Lin an assistant?
Is it his place to take the mirage demon's corpse?
Gu Lin's expression remained unchanged.
Commander Cao stated frankly:
"Go to the Daoji Division first."
The group headed to the Daoji Division.
Coincidentally, many members of the Sima clan also arrived at the Daoji Division.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, several officials from the Daoji Division, dressed in robes adorned with the sun, moon, and stars and wearing red official hats, strode in.
The leading official asked in a stern voice:
"With your cultivation level, how can you possibly slay demons?"
"The sacred land's duty is to slay demons and maintain social stability. One can be promoted by slaying demons with royal bloodlines, but one must never take evil paths. Someone reported that you spared no expense to purchase the corpse of a mirage demon."
After he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.
The most valuable things about a mirage demon are its mirage crystals and mirage pills; Gu Lin could easily afford just its corpse.
That's considered taking the wrong path!
Their rebellious and shameless actions, disregarding the ironclad rules of the East Temple, are unforgivable!
This is just like local officials' performance evaluations, which involve falsifying data and deceiving their superiors.
Gu Lin sneered.
Who reported it?
It must be the Sima family!
Before he could speak, Commander Cao stepped forward and said in a deep voice:
"This is an official matter for the East Temple. Gu Lin has been specially appointed to exorcise the demon. The Daoist Discipline Office can retrieve the official documents."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Can and the Sima clan members' faces were shrouded in gloom.
The Daoji Si official nodded and ordered his subordinates to investigate.
After a long wait, half an hour later, the Daoji Division received the official document.
The leading official asked in a deep voice:
"In this mission, you were the assistant, and you only had 1,300 contribution points. How did you manage to take away the mirage demon's corpse?"
Gu Lin remained calm and composed, speaking slowly and deliberately:
"From joining the Yin-Yang Sect to eliminating the Mirage Demon, I planned the entire process, using strategy and tactics to trap the Mirage Demon like a turtle in a jar."
"As everyone knows, the mirage demon can hide within a cultivator's body. Without a well-thought-out plan, and without my decisive intervention at the crucial moment, it would be impossible to eliminate this demon!"
"Senior Dongji is very understanding and knows my hardships. He only took the Mirage Crystal and Mirage Pill, leaving me this Mirage Demon to encourage me to make new contributions for Dongji. It is truly my good fortune to have met such a senior!"
While they were speaking, officials from the Daoji Division took notes.
The leading official, though skeptical, firmly stated:
"The Dao Discipline Department will immediately investigate. You will temporarily reside in the Dao Discipline Department's quiet room for cultivation, pending further written approval. Do you have any objections?"
Gu Lin remained silent for a long time before nodding and saying:
"No objection."
If Yuan Qin denies it, he will definitely argue his case. In the end, his powerful attack did indeed kill the demon.
"Please." The official from the Daoji Division gestured.
Gu Lin was taken to the Daoji Division for confinement.
.......
Three days later, the sky was clear and blue.
In a valley in Jiangzhou, a breathtaking sea of flowers stretches as far as the eye can see, and a woman of stunning beauty is practicing her spiritual cultivation amidst the blossoms.
"Coo coo..."
A colorful dove landed on the woman's shoulder.
Xuanyuan Qinyin opened her eyes and took the official document from the pigeon leg.
With just a glance, her beautiful eyes were extremely cold, and her stunning face was shrouded in a chilling aura.
"You planned the whole thing? You strategized and orchestrated it? You turned the tide at the crucial moment?"
"I fought two people and a demon all by myself, and you deserve all the credit?"
"I understand the greater good and know your hardships? You're only taking the Mirage Pill and Mirage Crystal?"
"What's so difficult about you? Feigning unconsciousness to launch a sneak attack? The Mirage Crystal is in that bastard's hands now!"
"Shameless! You're absolutely shameless!"
"I'm so angry! I'm so angry!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin gritted her teeth, her chest heaving with anger.
She wanted nothing more than to tear the document to shreds on the spot.
If Gu Lin were standing in front of her, she would definitely trample him underfoot and vent her pent-up frustration!
After calming down, she could only bite her lip and sulk.
Should the Chuzhou Circuit Commissioner truthfully explain the situation?
What about saving face?
Her Xuanyuan Qinyin had her Mirage Crystal stolen by a newcomer in the Cave Profound Realm, and even her demon core was given to her by someone else. It was too embarrassing if word got out, and she would become the subject of gossip among her colleagues when she returned to the Holy State.
You were defeated by someone at the Cave Profound Realm?
"You'll regret it if you make me suffer a great loss!"
Xuanyuan Qinyin gave a cold shout, clapped her fingers, and a wolf-hair brush and a stamp were launched from her gilded storage ring.
"Everything is as Gu Lin said."
She pressed her seal heavily!