https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-378-The-Secret-Realm-Left-by-Jingbo-Immortal/12991151/
Chapter 379: Exploration Qualifications
Chapter 379: Exploration Qualifications
August 16, 2024
Upon hearing Tan Kun's open discussion about the secret realm, Su Chen decided to directly inquire further.
"It was about two years ago when a direct disciple of Tahe Sect entered it for training."
"That was a direct disciple of Tahe Sect. I wonder how much more talented and gifted they were compared to us."
"But in the end, do you know what happened?" Su Chen asked, feigning confusion.
"What happened?"
"That direct disciple was dragged out by the Pavilion Master of Tahe Sect, and the Pavilion Master himself looked pale when he came out."
"We, on the other hand, only ventured half a mile deep into the realm. It's a waste of contribution points, and we don't gain much from it."
"If we go any deeper, it's easy to encounter danger."
"To be honest with you, Su, even the Sect Master of Tahe Sect couldn't reach the deepest part of that secret realm. It's just a way to trick us and deplete our contribution points."
Hearing this, Su Chen furrowed his brows.
Considering the difficulty of this secret realm, could he possibly gain any benefits from it? However, the slightly positive news was that since the exploration was so challenging, there was a chance that the treasures might still be intact within.
During their conversation, Su Chen asked Tan Kun about the so-called battle squads.
From Tan Kun's explanation, these battle squads seemed similar to the ones in Heavencradle City.
However, these squads were not necessarily composed of disciples from the same sect, and their numbers were significantly larger than the small teams in Heavencradle City.
Each squad had around two to three hundred people.
The reason everyone had gathered at Hongfeng Canyon was to help Tahe Sect eliminate demons and earn contribution points for the sect.
To earn these contribution points, one had to join these battle squads.
At the moment, it seemed like Su Chen could give it a try and join one of these squads.
Upon arriving in Jin Kingdom, Su Chen had read a book called "Comprehensive Guide to the Great Jin," but he still lacked a thorough understanding of the kingdom.
By joining the battle squad, he could not only earn contribution points but also gain more knowledge through conversations with others.
Although the overall strength of Jin Kingdom's young martial artists was significantly stronger than that of Great Zhou, not everyone was a genius.
For example, Tan Kun, who was standing in front of him, had only reached the seventh rank of the Profound Realm.
Young talents like Su Chen and Gu Feng would be considered above average in a large country like Jin Kingdom.
Their conversation went smoothly, and Tan Kun directly took Su Chen to join a battle squad.
"Su Xing, Sixth Rank Initial Stage," Su Chen reported his alias and slightly understated his cultivation realm.
Joining a battle squad was relatively easy, as there were no guaranteed rewards.
In the squad, you were only given an opportunity, and the amount of contribution points you earned depended on your own efforts and competition.
Su Chen, following Tan Kun, joined the third battle squad.
The squads were named by Tahe Sect, starting with the first, second, and third squads.
The first two squads were led by direct disciples of Tahe Sect.
The squads with later numbers were led by outsiders.
The areas near Hongfeng Canyon that were more advantageous for demon extermination were mainly assigned to the first and second squads.
Su Chen's third squad could only deal with demons in the northern part of Hongfeng Canyon.
The terrain in the northern part of the canyon was significantly more treacherous than the southern part.
The complex terrain provided convenience for the demons.
If Tan Kun had been in the north earlier, he probably wouldn't have been ambushed by the leopard demon.
After registering, the middle-aged man in charge of the squad asked Su Chen what type of task he preferred.
Su Chen looked over the options and saw that besides demon extermination, there was also an exploration task.
The canyon was only about eight miles wide, so it didn't seem necessary to conduct reconnaissance.
Moreover, according to the squad's information, the contribution points for completing the exploration task were even higher.
However, one had to pass the squad's assessment before officially undertaking the exploration task.
Su Chen wasn't worried, as this was his area of expertise.
If he couldn't pass the assessment, then it was probably best not to attempt the exploration task.
Su Chen and Tan Kun stayed in a bamboo building near the canyon, along with other members of the third squad.
In the evening, they gathered and chatted, sharing interesting stories.
Su Chen listened to their discussions, trying to learn as much as possible about Jin Kingdom.
After resting in the bamboo building for three days, someone from the squad came to notify them.
They informed Su Chen to go to the north of Hongshi City to participate in the assessment and training.
Only those who passed the assessment would be allowed to undertake the exploration task.
During these three days, Su Chen also observed the operation of the battle squad.
Every day, the squad would release numerous tasks.
Once a task was accepted, it had to be completed.
For example, tasks like guarding and demon extermination.
After accepting a task, martial artists were not allowed to leave freely; they had to follow the squad's arrangements until the task was completed.
As long as they didn't drop the ball, the rewards for completing these tasks were relatively stable.
If no task was accepted, they could act like Tan Kun had on that day, freely hunting demons and exchanging their heads for contribution points.
The general rules were similar to those of the major sects in Great Zhou.
On his way to the northern part of Hongshi City, Su Chen noticed that quite a few people were participating in the assessment.
There were around twenty people in total.
Tan Kun mentioned that this assessment occurs monthly.
In a small battle squad, over twenty people apply to become exploration disciples every month.
The exploration disciples seemed to be in high demand.
Not far outside Hongshi City, there was a fairly large courtyard.
And this assessment was held in this very courtyard.
The Pavilion Master in charge of the Third Battle Squad's exploration missions lived here.
Upon entering the courtyard, someone immediately came to guide them, leading the group to the spacious backyard.
Su Chen noticed that these guides were likely members of the Third Battle Squad, judging by their outer robes, which resembled Tan Kun's.
However, their duties seemed more akin to servants in a mansion.
Su Chen and the others arrived early, around 9:45 AM, and everyone was present.
Some of the courtyard's staff were also standing around.
When asked about the situation, they were told to wait.
They waited until 11:15 AM when a middle-aged man with a large belly walked over from the west corridor.
Su Chen had never seen a martial artist with such a physique in a long time.
It seemed unlikely for one to become fat after entering the martial path.
Yet, this was the Pavilion Master in charge of the Third Battle Squad's exploration missions.
"Pavilion Master, this month's candidates are all here, a total of thirty-four."
As the guard beside him reported, Ren Yanfei had already sat down.
The people around him were very considerate, bringing him a chair.
"Give it to them. You have fifteen minutes to tell me what kind of demon left this scent."
Ren Yanfei, with his large belly, looked indifferent, as if he found it all rather boring.
Each person in Su Chen's group received a box.
Inside was a piece of cloth.
Apparently, the cloth had been soaked in some kind of scent.
Pavilion Master Ren Yanfei wanted them to identify the demon by smelling the cloth.
Could they really determine the demon from the scent? Su Chen frowned, as he didn't dare boast about his abilities in many areas.
Except for dealing with demons, Su Chen considered himself an authority.
The people around him also frowned, likely finding it difficult to distinguish.
Ren Yanfei only gave them fifteen minutes, and even that seemed a bit too generous based on his expression.
The fifteen minutes passed in a flash.
Ren Yanfei stood up from his chair and walked towards the first person.
"Tell me, what kind of demon left this scent?"
Each person had received a different box, and the cloth inside was unique.
your
hand and lead you away from the others, ensuring privacy.
"It's probably the scent left by a yellow-spotted leopard demon."
Hearing this, Ren Yanfei turned to look at the person beside him.
He took a sheet of paper from them.
After reading it, Ren Yanfei hummed softly.
"You're useless. Get out."
The disciple who received this evaluation instantly turned pale.
Many of those who came for the assessment were experts in dealing with demons in their hometowns.
They hadn't expected such a harsh judgment.
After speaking, Ren Yanfei shifted his gaze to the next person.
"Mine is the scent of a long-haired fox demon."
"Useless. Leave."
The third person spoke up.
"Pavilion Master Ren, mine is the true scent of a long-haired fox demon."
Ren Yanfei smiled and hummed.
"You're also useless, but slightly less so."
"However, you can stay here in the courtyard for three months to learn. We'll re-evaluate you then."
Hearing this, the person seemed excited.
In reality, 'learning' meant doing menial and tiring tasks for him.
But compared to the previous two who were sent away, this person felt fortunate to stay.
As Ren Yanfei continued, his evaluations seemed to fall into three categories.
The worst were called 'fools', followed by 'useless', and finally, 'filth'.
He seemed to favor the term 'useless'.
Casually, he often gave this judgment.
About a third of the candidates were kept.
The next moment, it was Su Chen's turn.
"This might be the scent of a wolf demon's feces. It's challenging to identify as the scent is too dispersed."
Hearing this, Ren Yanfei coldly hummed.
"What? Do you expect those wild demons to leave a perfectly intact trace for you?
But you're slightly better than the previous ones. At least you identified it as a wolf demon's feces.
You're still useless, but it's better.
Come back for another assessment in three months."
Three months of learning? For Su Chen, this was too long.
Especially since this Ren Yanfei couldn't teach him anything.
"What? You don't want to?"
"I don't agree with your assessment, nor do I think I'm useless. And I'm certainly not filth."
Su Chen left with a parting remark and headed out of the courtyard.
"Wait."
Ren Yanfei, seeing Su Chen about to leave, paused, deep in thought.
Su Chen stopped briefly, and Ren Yanfei approached.
"You're Su Xing, right? I'm not here to persuade you.
I just want to change my evaluation of you. You can't be called useless.
You're a fool."
(End of Chapter)
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