Chapter 130

Over the next few days, Lu Zhangsheng had been familiarizing himself with his own cultivation techniques and martial arts at home.

His strength was also rising steadily, and the atmosphere of the entire county city was eerily calm.

Three days later.

Early morning.

Early in the morning, after receiving the summons from Qin Ruobing, Lu Zhangsheng walked toward the Demon-Suppressing Division main hall.

Passing through the neat and prosperous streets, under the awe-filled gazes of many commoners, he arrived in front of a main hall.

Stepping inside.

He saw Qin Ruobing's willow eyebrows slightly furrowed, as she was lowering her head to approve official documents.

Below, a beautiful figure was also standing, which was none other than Tong Yuhua.

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng arrive, Qin Ruobing slowly put down the writing brush in her hand and said with a smile:

"Calling you here today is mainly because of the Deputy Hall Master assessment."

"The prefecture city will hold the assessment in ten days; with your strength, you can actually wait for the next time, and this time I am just notifying you as a matter of routine..."

In her view, the strength of the two had not yet reached Tuotai, so there was almost no possibility of passing.

There was some hope for the next assessment.

Lu Zhangsheng and the other heard this, and their expressions moved slightly.

The other party had already made it very clear; she didn't think highly of the two and wanted them to participate next time.

At this time, Lu Zhangsheng smiled: "If the assessment is passed, what benefits will there be?"

This had always been Lu Zhangsheng's doubt; so many martial artists were desperately trying to become Deputy Hall Masters, so there must be some secrets.

Qin Ruobing smiled beautifully, making people feel like they were bathed in a spring breeze.

She picked up a teacup and took a sip, then spoke again: "Do you know about the sect's True Disciples? Deputy Hall Masters are actually about the same; they are Innate seeds cultivated within the Imperial Court."

"Every month, there will be a portion of precious martial arts resources, which is a great help to martial artists."

"Of course, the assessment is also quite strict, requiring multiple analyses of each martial artist's comprehensive potential regarding age, root bone, and strength."

"Some martial artists who are at Tuotai Perfection but are older simply cannot pass."

"Not only that, but Deputy Hall Masters also have the qualification to lead a hall independently, and you will naturally know the benefits in the future..."

Her tone was gentle, and she spoke a great deal.

Lu Zhangsheng and the other listened quietly to Qin Ruobing's narration, and their hearts gained some understanding of this.

Simply put, after becoming a Deputy Hall Master, both cultivation resources and status would be greatly improved.

This was also the benefit that every martial artist dreamed of.

After listening, Tong Yuhua felt somewhat dejected in her heart.

With her strength, it was almost impossible to pass this assessment.

However, she still wanted to try; even if she couldn't pass, she could accumulate experience in preparation for the next assessment.

Lu Zhangsheng's thoughts moved slightly.

The Imperial Court acting this way was enough to prove the preciousness of Innate experts.

They spared no expense in consuming massive resources just to cultivate more Innate experts.

He had long enjoyed reading and had learned many secrets from some ancient books.

The Innate Dao was extremely miraculous.

As the transformation of human nature toward "divinity," this step was crucial.

The ancient strongmen in legends who claimed to be "gods" were those who cultivated upward from the Innate path to finally reach such a terrifying realm.

Lu Zhangsheng himself was already at the late Tuotai stage, and he was not far from this step.

Naturally, he had to make plans early.

Moreover, although the Imperial Court was weak, it still possessed billions of territories, and the resources given to Deputy Hall Masters must be extremely rich, so he naturally wouldn't miss it.

He was determined to take the position of Deputy Hall Master of Changping County.

"What are your plans?"

Seeing that Lu Zhangsheng and the other were still deep in thought, Qin Ruobing said softly.

Lu Zhangsheng smiled lightly: "This subordinate intends to try."

He didn't explain too much; once he passed the assessment, the other party would naturally understand.

Tong Yuhua also nodded solemnly.

"This subordinate's thoughts are the same as Patrol Envoy Lu's."

She also thought that Lu Zhangsheng was just like her, holding the idea of familiarizing himself with the rules, and didn't think much of it.

"Very well, since you both want to try, then gather at the City East Square tomorrow morning."

Qin Ruobing said lightly.

"Besides you, the people participating from Changping County this time are Chen Zhanpeng and Zhu Houyu."

In her view, the pass rate for these two was also less than ten percent.

Although the two had slightly stronger strength than her subordinates, it was also very difficult to pass in one go.

Subsequently, the three exchanged for a while longer, and Lu Zhangsheng and the other stood up and left.

The next day, early in the morning.

When Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua arrived at the City East Square, Chen Zhanpeng and the other had already arrived.

Seeing Lu Zhangsheng and the other arrive, Zhu Houyu and Chen Zhanpeng were both stunned, their eyes revealing a trace of doubt.

In the eyes of the two, Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua had almost no hope of passing the assessment, and they didn't expect them to choose to participate.

Zhu Houyu and the other did not greet Lu Zhangsheng and stood on the spot with faces full of arrogance.

The two had never regarded Lu Zhangsheng as a competitor; the battle for the Deputy Hall Master of Changping County would definitely be produced between the two of them.

Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua arrived at a corner of the square and didn't bother with Chen Zhanpeng and the other, waiting quietly.

Time passed slowly.

A cup of tea's time later, Qin Ruobing, in a purple long dress, slowly walked over from a street corner in the distance.

Her whole person exuded a noble and cold temperament.

Soon she arrived in front of the few.

"Since everyone has arrived, let's set off."

Her tone was flat, and her eyes scanned the entire scene with a hint of majesty.

"We obey the order."

Zhu Houyu and the others bowed their hands, their faces full of respect.

Subsequently, Qin Ruobing took the lead and walked toward the outside of the city.

Lu Zhangsheng and the others followed closely behind.

Soon, the group arrived near the city gate, each mounted a precious horse, and went toward the outside of the city.

"Clatter, clatter, clatter..."

The few whipped their horses and galloped on the official road, speeding toward the direction of Qingning Prefecture City.

When Lu Zhangsheng's group went to the prefecture city to participate in the assessment, this news instantly spread throughout the entire Changping County.

Countless martial artists were quite surprised.

In the eyes of everyone, even Zhu Houyu and the other had little hope.

They didn't expect Lu Zhangsheng and Tong Yuhua to dare to go and participate in the assessment.

The two were destined to return empty-handed this time.

Even the two Deputy Hall Masters Xiao Tianci and He Chunlin thought so, but they didn't say it openly.

Two days later.

Qingning Prefecture City.

As one of the top major cities in the entire Qingzhou besides the state city, the city had a large population, with millions, and there were also many strongmen.

The Dazhou Dynasty highly valued martial arts, and the martial arts halls everywhere in the territory were enough to prove that many people, as long as they had surplus grain at home, would let their children practice martial arts to seek a good future.

Within Qingning Prefecture City, there were even some Tuotai experts, and the several Deputy Hall Masters were the best among them.

As for Innate experts, ordinary people rarely saw them; besides the few on the surface, the specific number was unknown.

At noon, the sun was shining brightly.

Outside the official road in the eastern part of Qingning Prefecture City, five figures galloped over on horseback, kicking up bursts of dust.

The five were none other than Lu Zhangsheng's group.

After two days of traveling, they finally arrived outside Qingning Prefecture City.

Lu Zhangsheng looked up toward the city ahead.

He saw an extremely magnificent giant city like a giant dragon, crawling on the earth.

The city walls were all piled up from cyan giant stones, more than ten zhang high, and there were even traces of blood and blade marks on them, as if they were telling the traces of time.

"What a magnificent and sturdy city."

It was Lu Zhangsheng's first time coming to the prefecture city, and seeing this situation, he couldn't help but be quite surprised.

Even Tong Yuhua and Zhu Houyu and the others had faces full of yearning.

Changping County was just a corner, and only in the prefecture city could one grow into a true Innate expert.

The position of Deputy Hall Master was a key to entering Qingning Prefecture City.

The few naturally had to try their best.

"Let us enter the city."

Qin Ruobing took the lead and went toward the direction of the city gate.

Lu Zhangsheng and the others followed closely behind. Not long after, the group arrived at the city gate, Qin Ruobing directly took out her own waist token, and under the awe-filled gazes of the guards on both sides, the group officially stepped into Qingning Prefecture City.

Just as he stepped in, Lu Zhangsheng felt something different.

The streets were not only wider than those in the county city, but even the commoners in the city were much more robust, obviously living much better than those in the county city.

Everywhere in the surroundings was filled with laughter, as well as various peddling sounds and conversations, each sound entering the ears.

The commoners on the entire street saw Lu Zhangsheng's group and all avoided them, their faces full of awe.

People who could ride horses in the prefecture city were either high-ranking officials or noble relatives, not people they could afford to offend.

Lu Zhangsheng's group moved forward all the way.

Soon they arrived outside the Demon-Suppressing Division government office, and after the group handed over their horses to the steward, they directly entered the Demon-Suppressing Division.

Qin Ruobing led the group and walked toward the reception area; along the way, there were also many young talents who came to participate in the assessment, all of whom were experts from other county cities.

Not long after, Lu Zhangsheng's group arrived in the northwest, an area of large buildings.

"You all rest here for a few days, and when the time comes, go directly to the Trial Tower in the central area of the Demon-Suppressing Division to participate in the assessment."

Qin Ruobing's tone was flat.

"We obey the order."

Tong Yuhua and the others nodded solemnly.

Subsequently, Qin Ruobing turned around and slowly left.

Tong Yuhua and the others also walked toward the reception area ahead.

Walking all the way, Lu Zhangsheng also sensed many young experts, and there were also some Tuotai experts.

The number of experts in the prefecture city was indeed much higher than in the county city.

Soon, the group walked to an open space in the center.

At this time, many people were already standing in the open space.

A large number of figures surrounded two young men, their faces quite ingratiating.

"It is said that these two are the talented figures of Jingshan County and Wanlong County, named Han Mingxuan and Xu Peng, who are quite famous in the prefecture city; this time it is highly likely that they will pass."

Tong Yuhua looked at the front quietly and explained.

Lu Zhangsheng also noticed these two.

A man in a black robe had a sinister face and was Han Mingxuan from Jingshan County, and the other man with a hooked nose and eyebrows like hooks was Xu Peng from Wanlong County.

The two had extremely powerful momentum, and it was rumored that they had late Tuotai strength.

At this age, they were already gifted.

"Lord Han and Lord Xu are destined to pass the assessment, others are just here to go through the motions..."

Some people around began to flatter one after another.

Among these people, there were also some who were at Blood Exchange Perfection and those who had just stepped into Tuotai strength.

They were all here to familiarize themselves in preparation for the next assessment.

Han Mingxuan and Xu Peng were both full of arrogance.

Everyone present was not taken into their eyes; with their strength, it was enough to easily suppress the vast majority of Patrol Envoys on the scene.

For Lu Zhangsheng's group that had just arrived, they only glanced with their peripheral vision and then ignored them.

"Let us also go and make friends with these two lords."

Zhu Houyu and Chen Zhanpeng also walked toward the front one after another.

As aristocratic family children, being good at making friends with experts was also a required course.

Lu Zhangsheng, however, was disdainful and turned to walk toward the rest area.

Tong Yuhua followed closely behind.

Seeing this, Zhu Houyu and the other couldn't help but mock "country bumpkins" in their hearts.

Prefecture City Demon-Suppressing Division, in a gorgeous main hall.

Qin Ruobing sat in the lower seat, with a smile on her face.

Sitting on the steps was a middle-aged man with an elegant temperament, exuding astonishing pressure from his whole body.

This person was none other than Liang Jinghui, the Hall Master of the Prefecture City Demon-Suppressing Division, who had been an Innate expert more than twenty years ago, and his strength was unfathomable.

"Uncle Liang, haven't seen you for many days, your demeanor remains the same."

Qin Ruobing's tone was quite close.

The other party was also one of her biggest backers in the prefecture city and had a good relationship with her father's side.

"Haha... Niece Qin's strength is gradually increasing, and I'm afraid she is not far from Innate."

Liang Jinghui laughed heartily.

For this junior niece, he also thought highly of her, although her talent could not be considered top-notch.

"Your Changping County hasn't produced any talented figures in recent years, are you also here to participate in the assessment today?"

He spoke again, with some doubt in his eyes.

"There are a few good seedlings, preparing to let them gain some experience in preparation for the next assessment."

Qin Ruobing smiled lightly and stated her purpose directly.

Liang Jinghui also nodded with a face full of understanding.

This kind of scene was also common.

It seemed that the batch of people under the other party's command were almost all here to accompany the run, so he didn't pay too much attention.

Over the next few days, Lu Zhangsheng stayed in the room, waiting quietly.

In the blink of an eye, the day of the assessment arrived.

This day, early morning.

Lu Zhangsheng walked out of the pavilion and walked toward the central assessment place.

Along the way, he also met a large number of experts, most of whom were at early Tuotai strength, and a small number were at Blood Exchange Perfection.

A group of people, like a tide, surged into an open square in the center.

In the center of the square, a golden giant tower more than twenty meters high stood in the open space, its whole body flickering with radiance, which was quite miraculous.

On the first floor of the ancient tower, three golden characters "Tongtian Tower" were also carved.

"It seems this tower is the final assessment place."

Lu Zhangsheng's expression moved slightly.

He scanned the entire scene and soon discovered the figures of Qin Ruobing and the others.

Lu Zhangsheng paced toward the few.

Not long after, he arrived behind Qin Ruobing and stood with Tong Yuhua and the others.

"Hall Master Qin, are there any precautions for the assessment here?"

Tong Yuhua asked with some curiosity.

Zhu Houyu and the others also turned their heads to look at Qin Ruobing.

Obviously, they were also very curious.

"The scene inside is only known to Hall Master Liang; you only need to show your greatest potential, and the Tower Spirit will naturally evaluate every participant."

Qin Ruobing smiled lightly.

"Tower Spirit?"

Lu Zhangsheng was somewhat surprised.

"This object has existed since the founding of Dazhou, and it is said that its birth has some connection with Dragon Qi."

Qin Ruobing explained with a smile.

"Many thanks to the Hall Master for the explanation."

Lu Zhangsheng and the others bowed their hands.

At the same time, they also had some understanding of today's assessment.

According to his own guess, this kind of assessment was likely a semi-public assessment; besides some high-level officials of the Demon-Suppressing Division, it would be difficult for others to know in a short time.

This could also make it difficult for the means of many experts to be leaked, and the safety would be greatly enhanced.

Just as the few were talking, a beautiful woman in black led several men and walked over slowly.

One of the men was none other than Han Mingxuan.

Soon, the group arrived in front of Qin Ruobing and the others.

Seeing the person coming, Qin Ruobing's expression turned cold: "Someone is truly like a lingering ghost."

This beautiful woman in black was named Zhou Mei'er, who was also a Deputy Hall Master on the county city side; ever since they worked in the prefecture city many years ago, because of the competition for the Deputy Hall Master position, they had never been on good terms.

"Cackle... I haven't heard that there are any geniuses under Hall Master Qin who want to participate in the assessment."

"Regarding the means of cultivating talent, some people are still quite lacking."

Zhou Mei'er cackled, her face full of mockery.

Han Mingxuan under her command would definitely win first place this time, and others were destined to be suppressed.

Seeing her old rival suffer, she felt extremely comfortable in her heart.

As for the other party's background, she was not afraid, as she herself was not without a backer.

"Hmph..."

Qin Ruobing's eyes turned cold, and she didn't speak again.

There was a thick smell of gunpowder on the scene.

Zhou Mei'er held her head high, like a proud peacock.

Han Mingxuan on the side also looked at Lu Zhangsheng's group with faces full of disdain.

These people were simply not worthy of being his opponents.

(End of chapter)