Chapter 33: Evaluation for Promotion to Official Star-Shaper

The headquarters of the Seventh Division of the Jincheng Siyao Hall was bustling with excitement early in the morning.

A crowd had gathered around the training ground, consisting mostly of local residents invited to watch the assessment ceremony and learn a bit about rescue procedures. Media reporters from television stations were also in position, their cameras set up like a battery of artillery. The atmosphere was electric; the annual youth training assessment of the Siyao Hall was a key promotional event and something of a local tradition. It served to boost public confidence in the face of demonic disasters while simultaneously attracting new recruits to join the youth training team, injecting fresh blood into the organization. Even students from the Jincheng Demon Hunter Academy had come to observe.

One spot in the spectator stands stood out. Jiang Jiuli, having just finished an interview, sat with her sword on her back, her large eyes scanning the training field as if searching for someone. Yet, the crowd’s attention was not on Jiang Jiuli, but rather on the human tower sitting next to her.

She stood over two meters tall and weighed well over 250 pounds. Her muscles were as defined as steel bars, and her skin was porcelain white. With her broad shoulders and stout, powerful frame, she looked like a human tank. What made it even more startling was that she was a girl. She wore her long golden hair in twin ponytails and was dressed in a white tracksuit. Strangely, she was actually quite beautiful, with delicate features and a touch of baby fat on her cheeks that made her appear somewhat adorable.

With such a behemoth sitting beside her, even the beauty of Jiang Jiuli couldn't draw the crowd's gaze. Jiang appeared exceptionally petite, completely engulfed in the shadow of this "Kongming Barbie."

Mo Wanrou raised a hand to shield her eyes from the sun and couldn't help but complain, "(｡･ˇ～ˇ･｡) 'Ugh, it's so hot. There are so many ways to earn academic credits, so why come here? Did you get interviewed by my cousin? Hehe~'"

Her voice was incredibly sweet, a stark contrast to her physical size. The person who had just interviewed Jiang Jiuli was indeed Mo Wanrou’s cousin, Mo Ji.

Jiang Jiuli smiled. "The Dean asked me to take care of some business here, and I can earn some credits by observing the ceremony. Isn't that great? Besides, there are so many handsome young officers from the Siyao Hall here; who knows, maybe one of them is your type?"

Mo Wanrou’s eyes sparkled. "(｡ ⁰̷̴ ꒨ ⁰̷̴ ｡) 'Oh, so little sister Li has finally opened her eyes! No wonder you kept looking around—so that's what you were after?'"

Jiang Jiuli blushed. "I... I wasn't." She had her own reasons for coming, of course, but the person she was looking for hadn't arrived yet.

In the staging area of the training ground, over a dozen division captains were preparing their respective youth training teams. Each team was vying for dominance; since the number of spots for permanent promotion was limited every year, they were all direct competitors.

The number of successful promotions from each team was a matter of pride for the captains. However, the other captains were currently looking at Wei Pingsheng with a sense of resentment. Because of a recent demonic disaster, a trainee under Wei's command had saved a child, and on the way back, they had even saved a youth attempting to jump off a bridge, turning the incident into a high-profile news story. Even Wei Pingsheng had given an interview that morning, leaving the other captains feeling bitter.

"I say, Old Wei, you've got some nerve, dragging a bunch of greenhorns from the youth team to the scene of a demonic disaster? Weren't you afraid something would go wrong?"

"And didn't it almost go wrong? I heard one of them was nearly crushed to death. If something had really happened, where would the Seventh Division's reputation be?"

"Old Wei, if you ask me, you're old enough to retire. You aren't even a genetic warrior, just an old martial artist—why are you still pushing yourself on the front lines?"

"Whoever loses today, don't forget to treat us to a meal, hahaha..."

Wei Pingsheng glared at the other captains with an annoyed expression. "(￢益￢ꐦ) 'Treat you to a meal, is it? Just don't cry over the bill later!'"

After finishing his sentence, he shot a look at Lin Huairen, Tian Yu, and the others, and the team members snapped to attention. "Show me some dignity!"

"Yes, Captain Wei!"

Wei Pingsheng was currently looking for Ren Jie. It was almost time for the start, so why hadn't that brat shown up yet? Could something have gone wrong with his recent forced-evolution surgery?

Just as he was thinking about it, he saw Ren Jie skulking in from outside the training ground. The team members were stunned to see Ren Jie looking so full of life; they had all seen how severely he had been injured just days ago. How could he be acting like nothing happened after only two days?

Seeing Ren Jie in one piece, Wei Pingsheng let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward to pat him on the shoulder. "Where have you been wandering off to? Why are you so late?"

Ren Jie looked indignant. "(•̀へ •́ ꐦ) 'You wouldn't believe it. The private cars outside the Siyao Hall were parked in such a mess—how can people block emergency exits like that? I had to take photos and report every single one of them to get the traffic police to tow them away. My phone is almost out of battery, honestly...'"

In the spectator stands, several people could be heard grumbling as they went to move their cars. Mo Ji, who was about to step forward for an interview, had a dark expression; she had just received notice from the traffic police that even their media vehicle had been towed. *Do you have to be so righteous?*

Wei Pingsheng’s mouth twitched. *Surely even the combined performance of the entire traffic department doesn't match your record, does it?*

"Let's not talk about that. There's a matter at hand. This morning, a notice from the Demon Hunter Academy was sent to our Seventh Division. They are offering you an exceptional admission as a student for this year, with all tuition and fees waived."

"Once the assessment is over, there's no need for you to come back to the Siyao Hall. Go home and prepare to report to the Demon Hunter Academy."

As soon as these words were spoken, the other captains’ eyes widened, and Lin Huairen and the others dropped their jaws.

∑(°口°๑) "What the hell? The Demon Hunter Academy? Are you kidding me! The Academy is recruiting from the outside? Even the top students from the Divine Martial High School have to break their backs trying to squeeze in. What kind of qualifications does Ren Jie have?"

In truth, even Wei Pingsheng was confused. The Demon Hunter Academy was recruiting from the Siyao Hall? Even though Ren Jie had awakened his ability and become a genetic warrior, flame abilities weren't exactly rare, and he was far behind those who had been training at Divine Martial High School for three years. But this was a great thing, and Wei Pingsheng supported it a hundred percent.

Ren Jie was stunned. The Demon Suppression Division moved fast; they had made an agreement last night, and the notice had already arrived today?

(︶.̮︶〃) "I'm not going! I want to get promoted and get a raise here at the Siyao Hall, grow strong, and become a good officer who serves the people and saves lives!" Ren Jie said, looking proud.

Wei Pingsheng: ???

He landed a solid rap on Ren Jie’s head. "Is your brain full of paste? Why would you turn down such a great opportunity? Are you afraid of missing out on the benefits here? Don't worry, this is an exceptional promotion. I'll help you apply for the benefits and medicinal supplies from the Siyao Hall—you won't be shorted on anything..."

Lin Huairen and the others also began to get anxious.

"Damn, Brother Jie? Have you lost your mind? You're not going to the Demon Hunter Academy? You'd be soaring to the heavens! What kind of future is there in struggling at the Siyao Hall?"

"Yeah, yeah! If you go to the Academy and become a professional Demon Hunter, you could look out for us, right?"

Wei Pingsheng’s mouth twitched. *You guys have some nerve—did you forget you're here for your own promotion assessment today?*

Ren Jie said weakly, (๑ᵒ̴̶̷̥́ωᵒ̴̶̷̣̥̀) "No, no, I'm not going. Actually... I'm mostly afraid that if I go to the Academy, I'll be bullied by my classmates~ The Siyao Hall is so great; the people are kind, they speak nicely, and I just love it here, okay?"

Lin Huairen and the others' faces turned black. *Pfft! With your personality, we should be thanking our lucky stars if you don't bully them! Heaven knows how many beatings I've taken from you in the last month alone!*