Chapter 34: The Show-off

Wei Pingsheng glared at him. "Just go, listen to me for once. Do you really think I’d steer you wrong?"

Ren Jie chuckled, "Don't worry, Uncle Wei. I know what I'm doing. I’m not the type to waste an opportunity, but let me think about it some more."

Regardless of the true motives behind them wanting to recruit him into the Demon Suppression Division, they definitely wanted something from him. Some paths, once taken, offered no turning back. Therefore, until he had the Lantern Spirit Grass in his hands, Ren Jie didn't want to commit easily. He would treat it as a transaction.

Wei Pingsheng frowned, "Fine, no rush to give them an answer. As long as you have a plan..."

He was about to add something else, but Mo Ji, who had been waiting for a long time, finally found an opening and shoved the microphone right in front of Ren Jie’s face.

"Hello, I am Mo Ji, a reporter from Jin City Television. We heard that two days ago, during the demonic catastrophe, you risked your life to save a child, and on your way home, you saved a young person who had jumped off a bridge."

"For an intern Spirit Light Officer, this is undoubtedly worthy of praise, and you just expressed your longing to become a full-fledged Spirit Light Officer."

"I want to ask: in your life, have you ever risked your life for someone?"

At this, Mo Ji looked at Ren Jie with a solemn expression, her eyes filled with anticipation. Wei Pingsheng also looked at Ren Jie with pride; this was the honor he deserved.

Ren Jie replied triumphantly, "Risk my life? Why would I need to risk my life for that? I’ve been on my own for eighteen years—born single, stayed single."

"Wait... is this a dating show?"

Mo Ji’s expression froze, Wei Pingsheng stared at Ren Jie in utter confusion, and Lin Huairen and the others turned beet red from holding back their laughter.

*What kind of weird logic is that, you idiot?*

Mo Ji gritted her teeth. *Is this kid doing this on purpose?* As a seasoned professional interviewer, she had never encountered anyone like this before. *Who said anything about dating?*

"Aha... ha-ha, it seems you are quite concerned about your romantic life. If any viewers are interested, you can contact him privately."

"I would like to know, is there anything you want to say to everyone? This is a live broadcast, and many people are watching."

As she spoke, Mo Ji gave Ren Jie a meaningful look, signaling him to behave.

Ren Jie’s eyes lit up. *Oh, this is great!* He straightened his posture and switched to a formal broadcasting tone for the camera.

"I want to tell everyone: if you have a problem, find Ren Jie! It’s guaranteed to be solved!"

"I provide services for home renovations, moving, errands, home appliance repairs, cat walking, dog walking, babysitting, massage and scrubbing, wall painting, arguing on your behalf, designated driving, and even fishing out stuck drill bits. Don't worry if your baby has no milk!"

"Phone number: [Number], Ordering website: [URL]"

Wei Pingsheng covered his face. *Where did this attention-seeking clown come from?* How did a perfectly good Spirit Light Hall interview turn into an infomercial?

"Someone! Drag him away! Get him out of here right now!"

Ren Jie, still enthusiastically spouting his advertisements, was forcefully dragged away by Lin Huairen and the others. Mo Ji’s face turned dark, and she stood there, stunned and at a loss. *I shouldn't have asked him.*

"The... the Youth Training Team assessment is about to begin. Let’s look at the assessment categories. There are nine in total..."

In the audience, the mountain-like Mo Wanrou let out a bell-like laugh. "That guy is so interesting. This is the first time I've seen my sister get played during an interview. Xiao Li? What are you looking at? Oh? So you like that type?"

Jiang Jiuli finally snapped out of her trance and rolled her eyes at Mo Wanrou. "Stop talking nonsense. I don't like that type, not even if I were dead!"

Seeing that Ren Jie was alive and kicking, without any missing limbs, Jiang Jiuli finally felt relieved. The guilt she had felt over the past few days hadn't faded; she still felt like she owed him. It seemed Sister Nuoyan had really helped her out.

She just didn't understand why the academy valued Ren Jie so much that they were willing to admit him as an exception. Whether it was his level or his combat experience, Ren Jie was far behind the other students. Even his awakened ability wasn't rare; once he entered the Demon Hunting Academy, he would definitely be left behind.

She decided she would just look after him more in the future; it would be a way to repay her debt.

Just then, a sharp, piercing microphone screech echoed through the hall as the Captain of the Seventh Brigade of the Spirit Light Hall spoke:

"This assessment will recruit 100 Spirit Light Officers, selected based on total scores. Those accepted will receive one injection of the Spirit Awakening Gene Serum, be enlisted in the military, and enjoy the benefits of a Spirit Light Officer."

"Additionally, the candidate who places first overall in this assessment will receive an extra 30,000 yuan as a bonus."

"I hope everyone strictly follows the assessment rules and successfully becomes a Spirit Light Officer."

"May the Spirit Light burn within me, guarding the hearths of all families!"

The resonant voice echoed throughout the venue, sparking a wave of discussion. Lin Huairen and the others turned pale. There were over a thousand interns participating in the final assessment—ten into one—the odds weren't great.

Just as everyone was feeling anxious, they suddenly felt a wave of heat from behind. Looking back, they saw Ren Jie’s skin flushed red, emitting astonishing heat that distorted the air. Sparks were even flying off his body, and his eyes were filled with excitement!

Lin Huairen and the others covered their faces. *Damn it!* This guy was already fired up. *Could it be that Brother Jie is actually aiming for first place?* There were plenty of ruthless experts in the Youth Training Team; it wouldn't be that easy.

However, Ren Jie couldn't hear anything anymore. All that echoed in his ears was that 30,000-yuan bonus.

*I am definitely taking this first place.*

*Anyone who blocks my path dies!*

"I announce the Seventh Brigade Youth Training Team assessment officially begun!"

"The first item: Comprehensive Physical Fitness Test."

But no one could have guessed that the very first item of the assessment would be a standing long jump. Don't let the simplicity of the test fool you; it was an extreme test of explosive power and physical coordination. Jumping was easy, but jumping far was hard.

Candidates stepped forward one by one. The good ones could jump four or five meters, and those with strong physical foundations could manage eight or nine. Everyone knew that they had all received a Spirit Awakening Gene Serum injection at age 15, making their physical fitness far superior to that of normal people.

Although most hadn't awakened any special abilities, their physical fitness could be steadily increased through daily intensive training. If they continued to receive gene serum injections, their physical stats would improve even further.

People like this, who had no special abilities but relied on gene serums and rigorous training to boost their physical performance, were called Martial Masters. Some Martial Masters who had tempered their bodies to a monstrous level could even trade blows with second or third-tier gene warriors without falling behind. There were even cases of them winning through combat techniques and tactical planning.

However, a Martial Master’s potential was limited. Their path was too short; without awakening an ability, they lost the ticket to reach the top. For humanity, this path was a dead end. Or perhaps... the path of the Martial Master was a struggle for the weak to defy their fate.

Take Wei Pingsheng, for example; he was a Martial Master with no abilities. In the Spirit Light Hall, the vast majority of officers were Martial Masters—a group of people toyed with by the God of Fate.

It wasn't that there were no gene warriors in the Spirit Light Hall, but they were rare. After all, few gene warriors were willing to become Spirit Light Officers...