Chapter 74: The Provincial Capital and a Squadron Leader Opening
That day, the breeze was gentle, the sun was bright, and the sky was clear.
Wang Botao was in an excellent mood, because after working hard for so many days, he had finally broken through to the Aperture Opening Realm.
A piece of good news like this naturally had to be shared with Brother Lu.
“Oh? Old Wang, you broke through to the Aperture Opening Realm too?”
The moment Wang Botao got out of the car, he saw Shangguan Ling walking out of the villa.
The second- and third-ranked members of the 56th cohort had both broken through to the Aperture Opening Realm in less than two months.
That level of talent and strength had already surpassed many Jurisdiction Heads from previous classes.
“Heh, do you think Brother Lu will be shocked when he sees that we broke through?”
Wang Botao and Shangguan Ling exchanged a glance, and each could see the relief in the other’s heart.
They had finally managed to narrow the gap with Brother Lu a little.
Although the distance they had closed was negligible, the Ninth Level of the Qi Condensation Realm and the Second Level of the Divine Sea Realm were still separated by a full eleven levels.
Now, through their own hard work, they had reduced that gap to ten levels.
Even though it was still a heavenly chasm, at the very least they felt a little better inside.
Qiyun Villa.
This was Wang Botao’s first time coming here.
The moment the door opened, they were just about to announce their good news when, in the next instant, they sensed Lu Zhan’s aura.
“Brother Lu, I broke through—holy shit!!! Lu... Brother Lu... you... you broke through again?!!”
Wang Botao and Shangguan Ling were both left standing there in stunned disarray.
No, what was going on? Why did it feel like the harder they worked, the wider the gap between them and Brother Lu became instead?
“Oh, Old Wang. You came at just the right time. I have to make a trip to the provincial capital this afternoon, and I’ll probably be gone for a while. Keep an eye on the jurisdiction for me. If anything happens, call me directly.”
“Oh.”
Wang Botao and Shangguan Ling dropped onto the sofa and answered weakly.
“What’s wrong?”
Only after handing each of them a bottle of cola did Lu Zhan realize that something seemed off with their mood.
What’s wrong?!
Wang Botao and Shangguan Ling looked at each other.
At this point, if the two of them were placed beside Brother Lu, who would even remember that they were from the same class?
Brother Lu was truly a monster!
“Brother Lu, what are you going to the provincial capital for?”
Gulp, gulp. “Ah!” Lu Zhan took a big swig before continuing, “Commandant Li and Commandant Zhao jointly recommended me for a squadron leader position.”
“What!!! A squadron leader position!!!”
Clatter! Clatter!
The cola bottles fell straight to the floor from Wang Botao and Shangguan Ling’s hands.
“Damn, Brother Lu, you’re really bringing honor to us newcomers!”
Wang Botao remembered that last time, Commandant Li had helped Lu Zhan apply to the higher-ups for a squad leader position, but the request had been rejected in the end.
But that time, it had only been a nomination for squad leader. A squad leader generally managed three to five jurisdictions.
A squadron was different. It could directly manage an entire county.
And Shanzhu County was no small county. It was the largest county in Linhai City, and also the most prosperous area.
Who knew how many eyes in the whole of Linhai City were fixed on it?
Brother Lu was not even a squad leader yet, so the competition was definitely going to be fierce.
“Wait, Brother Lu, if I remember right, aren’t all the squadron leader positions in Shanzhu County already filled?”
Shangguan Ling frowned.
A county generally had five to ten squadron leader positions, without division by district.
And since Shanzhu County was a large county, it had a full nine squadron leader positions.
“I heard that last night, a Malicious Specter-level specter appeared in our county. It was vicious. One of the squadron leaders died at its hands.”
“So now there’s an opening.”
Only after hearing Lu Zhan’s explanation did Wang Botao suddenly understand.
No wonder Brother Lu had been jointly recommended by Commandant Li and Commandant Zhao. After all, just a few days ago, Brother Lu had single-handedly dealt with two Malicious Specter-level specters.
“Brother Lu, this is actually pretty funny. A month ago, they were still trying to stop you from becoming a squad leader. And now? You’re going straight for one of their squadron leader positions!”
“Hahahaha!”
Wang Botao burst out laughing as he spoke.
He could more or less guess what the two Commandants were thinking. It was simple. You would not let him become a squad leader?
Fine. Then we’ll go straight for a squadron leader slot.
It was the classic case of refusing to open a window, only to have the roof torn off instead.
“Brother Lu, you still haven’t even become a squad leader. Could the higher-ups knock you down again on the grounds of seniority?”
Quite a few people in the Demon Extermination Bureau liked to obsess over rank and seniority. Last time, Lu Zhan had been rejected precisely because they said he lacked enough experience.
Lu Zhan smiled.
“Then what do you think the Commandants are bringing me there for this time?”
“Strength is the real foundation. Seniority can only hold back ordinary people.”
If the other side was unwilling to give him the position, then the solution was actually very simple. He would just beat every squad leader flat.
Then the slot would naturally fall into Lu Zhan’s hands.
“Hahaha, that makes sense. What strength do they even have to stand on ceremony and talk seniority in front of you, Brother Lu?”
Shangguan Ling thought of Brother Lu’s current realm and terrifying combat power.
This time, it was probably a done deal.
“While I’m gone, take it easy in Peach Blossom Alley. The thing that managed to bring down an experienced squadron leader last night won’t be simple.”
Lu Zhan was not worried for himself. He was mainly worried about Wang Botao and the others.
At those words, Shangguan Ling and Wang Botao both turned serious.
Malicious Specter Realm, the third realm of specter beings.
For newcomers like them who had only just stepped into the Aperture Opening Realm, it was an existence of extreme danger.
If they ran into it, they would not stand the slightest chance of escaping alive.
“Brother Lu, what exactly is going on with that thing?”
Shangguan Ling asked with some apprehension.
“The details still aren’t clear, but the Demon Extermination Bureau will update the full file. When the time comes, pay close attention to it.”
“Alright, then we’ll wait for you to come back, Brother Lu.”
Wang Botao nodded.
“Oh right, Brother Lu... when I have time, can I come cultivate at your place?”
Wang Botao asked a little awkwardly.
It could not be helped. The moment he stepped inside, he had realized that the spiritual energy density in Qiyun Villa was far higher than the outside world.
Even compared to the Cultivation Room at the Demon Extermination Bureau, it was not inferior in the slightest.
“Sure. Here, take the key.”
As he spoke, Lu Zhan handed a ring of keys to Wang Botao.
Then he added a reminder:
“If you really run into something you can’t deal with, staying alive comes first. You can count this place as a safe zone for now.”
Even in its semi-open state, the Four Symbols Mountain-Guarding Grand Array was not something a Malicious Specter Realm being could break into.
As for anyone trying to harbor ill intent... heh, the array was not just for decoration.
“Thank you, Brother Lu!”
That afternoon.
Lu Zhan arrived at Shanzhu County North Station and waited for the high-speed train to pull in.
Suddenly, his phone screen lit up.
This time, it was an internal message from the Demon Extermination Bureau. The title read in striking words: “Supplementary File on the Death of a Shanzhu County Squadron Leader.”
Lu Zhan opened it and swept his gaze quickly across the screen:
[ Target Codename: Night Shadow ]
[ Time of Appearance: 2:00 a.m., August 19. Appeared at the ruins of the textile mill in the old urban district of Shanzhu County ]
[ Witness Report: Extremely powerful. It devoured Squadron Leader Hu Guangming, who was at the Sixth Level of the Divine Sea Realm. Its strength may have risen to an even higher level ]
“Hu Guangming... I didn’t expect it to be him.”
Lu Zhan closed his phone. He had heard of this man before. Even among squadron leaders, Hu Guangming had not been considered weak. He was an experienced Jurisdiction Head. Lu Zhan had not expected him to die at the hands of that thing.
“Hopefully, while I’m away, that thing won’t run into my jurisdiction and start causing trouble.”