Chapter 78: Promotion Ceremony! A New Breakthrough in Sword Technique!

The next day, early in the morning.

The Demon Subduing Office promptly delivered a notice to Lu Zhangsheng's home.

After getting up and washing, Lu Zhangsheng opened it and looked.

"In ten days, Lu Zhangsheng will be promoted to Mysterious Rank Demon Subduing Officer."

The large characters were stamped on the surface, and the seal of the FuduDianZhu was also engraved above.

Just then, Fang Qing and her brother walked over.

Seeing the document in Lu Zhangsheng's hand, they were full of surprise.

"Brother Changsheng is being promoted again?"

Fang Tao wore an expression of disbelief.

He knew that Lu Zhangsheng had only been promoted recently, and didn't expect another promotion.

Moreover, after this promotion, he would be only one step away from the FuduDianZhu.

This discovery made the two extremely delighted.

"I'll fetch some fine wine and dishes to celebrate."

Fang Qing, smiling broadly, walked toward the kitchen.

Lu Zhangsheng put away the document and returned to his study.

He opened the panel, and a blue light screen appeared in the void.

Source Energy Points: 260.

Through the past few days of excavation, the Spiritual Creature grew a bit more.

He was quite pleased to see his own resources increase almost every morning.

"Add points."

Without hesitation, he immediately moved toward the plus sign after the Mystic Origin Slash.

"Hum……"

A faint wave descended into his mind again, as if a master were constantly practicing the sword technique.

【After ten years of arduous cultivation, the Mystic Origin Slash has finally reached the Minor Accomplishment stage...】

Skill: Mystic Origin Slash (Minor Accomplishment)

Source Energy Points: 60.

After this sword technique upgrade, his attack power increased slightly again.

It gave Lu Zhangsheng a bit more confidence regarding the upcoming strange situation.

……

Time passed slowly, and ten days soon elapsed.

This day was Lu Zhangsheng's promotion ceremony.

Since becoming an official Demon Subduing Officer, he had completed many missions, and with this recent strange heavenly disaster, he earned this promotion.

This was unique among all commoner warriors.

After receiving the news, a great many warriors in Changping County rushed to spread the word.

No one expected that this commoner warrior Lu Zhangsheng would actually take this step.

It gave countless ordinary people hope, and Changping County began to boil with excitement, as if a festival.

Countless people headed to the central square of the county town, preparing to attend the ceremony.

Early in the morning, Fang Qing and her brother got up early, waiting in the courtyard, faces full of excitement.

After washing, Lu Zhangsheng hurried with the two to the central square of the county town.

The square was already filled with onlookers among the common folk.

Together with some ordinary warriors, the scene was extremely lively.

As for colleagues from the Demon Subduing Office and warriors of the Mystic Armor Army, many arrived and watched the ceremony from both sides of the raised platform.

As today's protagonist, Lu Zhangsheng wore a set of azure official robes, looking rather imposing.

After arriving at the central square, he slowly walked toward the raised platform.

Soon, Qin Ruobing and the other two FuduDianZhu, along with a group of clan warriors, arrived at the scene.

However, the warriors of the four great families wore expressions with an inexplicable air.

When everyone had gathered, the promotion ceremony officially began.

The Demon Subduing Office clerk Yao Chen slowly stepped forward, cleared his throat, and loudly announced:

"For his outstanding merits, Lu Zhangsheng of the Yellow Rank Demon Subduing Office, approved by the Prefecture City, is hereby promoted to…"

"Hold!"

Before Yao Chen could finish, a deep voice rang through the entire venue.

Everyone's gaze was drawn there.

A middle-aged man in white stepped out; he was a warrior from the Chen family.

Lu Zhangsheng stood quietly at the center of the platform, hands behind his back, with a calm expression.

"The good show is finally about to begin."

He and Qin Ruobing had long anticipated this day.

Having that great killing weapon in his hand, the opponent would only bring disgrace upon themselves.

A group of noble family warriors around thought Lu Zhangsheng was nervous, and all showed a mocking grin.

They had long known what would happen today.

Conversely, many commoner warriors displayed a look of resentment.

Regarding Lu Zhangsheng's ordeal, many had also heard of it; today the aristocratic powers suddenly launched an attack, which also made many feel somewhat ashamed.

In the distance, the two FuduDianZhu, XiaoTiansi and HeChunlin, their eyes twitched slightly; after exchanging a glance, they had already made up their minds.

"What is this lord doing? Today is a critical moment for Lord Lu's promotion...."

Yao Chen wore a displeased expression.

The middle-aged man didn't beat around the bush, speaking loudly: "I've heard that in this mission, only Lord Lu returned alone, or perhaps he encountered a rare heavenly disaster; I feel there are many suspicious points...."

"What suspicious points?"

Yao Chen continued to press, his displeasure practically written all over his face.

He belongs to Qin Ruobing's lineage, so he naturally has a close relationship with Lu Zhangsheng.

"Five went, only one returned—that's the biggest suspicion."

The middle-aged man's tone was very grave.

Although he didn't say it outright, anyone could see that his implication was that Lu Zhangsheng's fate was inseparable from the deaths of the four.

Upon hearing this, the crowd present all shuddered, their faces turning grim.

This is practically a hint: if Lu Zhangsheng fails to produce evidence, it would prove the other side is guilty.

Many common martial artists showed indignant expressions.

"Are common martial artists not entitled to return safely? What kind of bullshit logic is this?"

"Is it normal only for aristocratic martial artists to return safely, while a common martial artist returning means there's something fishy?"

A group of common martial artists felt furious inside.

They have long been oppressed by the aristocratic powers, and now the other side doesn't even bother to give them face.

Since Lu Zhangsheng's rise, many ordinary martial artists within the DemonSubduingOffice have taken him as their goal to strive for.

XiaoTiansi and HeChunlin also looked toward Qin Ruobing, their expressions full of deep meaning.

"What does Hall Master Qin think? Those in high positions naturally find it awkward to be too direct."

However, anyone could discern the hidden meaning behind those words.

It's nothing more than: Lu Zhangsheng is your subordinate, Hall Master Qin; should this be explained? Seeing this, a group of martial artists from the Four Great Families' faces lit up with excitement.

As long as Lu Zhangsheng opens his mouth to explain, it will only get darker; some things simply cannot be explained.

Everyone waited for Lu Zhangsheng to speak.

For a moment, the venue fell deathly silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Fang Qing and her sibling also looked at Lu Zhangsheng with worry, tightly clenching their fists.

Around them, a group of ordinary people also watched silently; such a scene is rarely seen.

Lu Zhangsheng gave a light smile; this was the moment he had been waiting for.

If he himself were to blow the whistle, it would seem too petty; the four are already dead, and exposing the scandal would be somewhat inappropriate.

But now it's different; this is the other side's demand, and it has nothing to do with him.

Lu Zhangsheng calmly took out a recording stone from his hand; this object belonged to Chen Qiushi.

He gently activated it with his qi and blood, and a light curtain appeared in the void.

On the light curtain appeared many silhouettes, reenacting the events of that day.

A group of people stared intently at the void recording, hoping to discover something.

Afterward, the scene of the four selecting wives and interacting with them gradually emerged.

The crowd finally sensed something amiss.

"Chen Lang, will you always be with me?"

"Yes."

……

As time passed.

Their communication grew increasingly frequent, until the final day.

A black shadow flashed by, and the void recording abruptly stopped.

"Idiot."

Members of the Four Great Families cursed aloud.

Choosing the route arranged by the heavenly disaster and waiting to die is worse than just charging into battle; even if they ended up dead, it wouldn't be so embarrassing.

Many family martial artists even turned red-faced, their eyes darting away.

Even if a group were utterly foolish, they would still know what happened.

Nearby, a group of common martial artists stared at the Four Great Families' members with strange expressions.

Now the Four Great Families are thoroughly notorious; they might become famous throughout the prefecture city.

Even XiaoTiansi and HeChunlin's faces looked extremely grim.

That their own subordinates would do such a thing left both of them without any face.

"Any objections, everyone?"

Qin Ruobing gave a faint smile, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.

Through this incident, she not only preserved her dignity but also deepened her authority.

The members of the Four Great Families dared not meet her gaze, all lowering their heads.

"And what about Hall Master Xiao and Hall Master He?"

She glanced gently at XiaoTiansi and HeChunlin.

"We have no objections."

XiaoTiansi and HeChunlin gave an embarrassed smile, inwardly cursing the members of the Four Great Families fiercely.

"Then let's continue the promotion ceremony."

Qin Ruobing then spoke, her eyes full of authority.

With no one else obstructing, the subsequent promotion ceremony proceeded smoothly.

"Promote Lu Zhangsheng to Mysterious Rank ZhenYaosi."

Yao Chen immediately shouted loudly.

The resonant voice rang through the heavens.

After the shout, he walked toward Lu Zhangsheng and handed him the appointment document.

"Congratulations, Sir Lu; shortly I will deliver the official seal and robes."

Yao Chen bowed his hands, his face beaming with a smile.

"Congratulations, Sir Lu."

At that moment, a group of civilian warriors gathered around, beginning to offer congratulations.

Such a young Mysterious Rank ZhenYaosi held great promise, causing everyone not to dare be complacent.

"You all are too polite."

Sir Lu returned the salute to the crowd.

Soon, the people on the scene gradually dispersed.

Lu Zhangsheng led the Fang siblings toward their own courtyard.

Along the way, the Fang siblings' faces flushed with excitement.

"Brother Changsheng, you were so impressive just now."

Fang Tao looked enviously.

After nearly two years of martial cultivation, he finally entered the mid‑stage of Refining Skin, though his talent was not especially high.

Conversely, Fang Qing had already reached the consummate stage of Refining Skin, which surprised them both.

Lu Zhangsheng did not expect them to be very strong; as long as they could protect him, it was enough.

With Lu Zhangsheng's promotion ceremony concluded, the news instantly ignited the whole city.

Chen Qiushi and his companions became widely known throughout the county, turning into popular dinner‑table talk.

At the same time, Lu Zhangsheng's reputation grew louder.

He also acquired many labels.

Fast Blade, a prodigy among civilians, the fastest‑rising Mysterious Rank ZhenYaosi in history…

For a time, Lu Zhangsheng became the target for all civilian warriors in the city, countless people hoping one day to become a Mysterious Rank ZhenYaosi.

After returning home, Lu Zhangsheng lay low, ignoring the outside clamor.

He kept training diligently at home, or went into the mountains to collect Spiritual Creatures, living a very fulfilling life.

He cared little about his own fame.

To him, strength was the foundation.

Being too famous was not a good thing; he planned to settle down for a while to prepare for the strange future circumstances.

Time drifted slowly.

In the blink of an eye, half a month passed.

During this period, the city was unusually calm, and the Wenxiang Sect members ceased causing trouble.

It seemed they were preparing some major move.

Lu Zhangsheng also kept watching the County Lord's residence; that group sent a black cat there every few days.

Obviously, the other side's plan was continuously advancing.

(End of Chapter)