Chapter 122: The Five Great Talents

“Sir, has the examination begun?”

Today, Hu wore a new black silk robe embroidered with a serpent pattern. The eight senior Demon Suppression Envoys stood excitedly, all dressed in fresh attire. Led by Baili Feihong, they stood within the Demon Suppression Hall. Before them was a dense crowd, predominantly young scholars with bright faces, brimming with youthful vigor and barely able to conceal their excitement.

This recruitment of Demon Suppression apprentices and envoys was open to all martial artists across Feiyuan Island. According to the strategy Baili Feihong had previously set, there were to be eighty-eight apprentices and twenty-two envoys admitted. The evaluation consisted of four parts: a written test, an interview, a foundational assessment, and a martial trial.

The written test measured one’s cultural literacy—whether they could read and write. The interview inquired into their background and physical condition. The foundational assessment gauged their innate potential, and the martial trial involved a contest against the eight elderly envoys themselves. Originally, the martial test was to be conducted against fiendish beasts, but all the fiendish beasts on Feiyuan Island had been wiped out by Baili Feihong’s overwhelming blood energy. Such creatures had become a rarity on the island.

“Begin.” Baili Feihong’s brow glimmered with a silver light as his half-open divine eye swept across the crowd.

During the previous Demon Suppression Bureau examination in Dongbin City, demons had infiltrated by using secret arts that evaded detection. Demons were ever-changing, and with the emergence of a mysterious divine residence on Feiyuan Island, Baili Feihong worried that some recruits might be controlled by demons. Nangong Zhen of the Primal Demon Sect, wielding the sinister Primordial Demon Heart Talisman, was particularly elusive; without activating his divine eye, even careful observation could not detect them.

Among the over three hundred candidates in this examination, Baili Feihong had found no issues. Whether other factions had infiltrated the bureau was no longer crucial; during the interviews, the elder envoys would carefully screen out any suspicious individuals.

Hu led people into the forest to conduct the written test, as the hall was already overcrowded with hundreds of people, making it impossible to hold the exam there. Fortunately, the patrol bureau had provided ample tables and ink brushes to facilitate the process.

Among the crowd, the most conspicuous was Inspector Yang. A formidable man himself, he was also participating in the examination. If he passed, he would resign his position in the patrol bureau.

The test paper was simple: a single essay. Quality was not judged; only coherence and the ability to write were required. Even such a simple test eliminated a third of the candidates.

Baili Feihong, who monitored the city, sighed. The Dongbin City Demon Suppression Bureau had repeatedly warned those who did not meet the criteria to leave to lessen their burden. Some, hoping for luck, were outright killed by Zheng Yishan.

“Sir, the papers have been graded; the interviews may begin.”

The eight Demon Suppression Envoys served as examiners. During the test, they had already noted those who failed. The written test was indeed simple—just literacy was needed.

“The interviews rely on your strict scrutiny,” Baili Feihong said.

“Rest assured, sir,” Hu replied. “If any lie before us, I will detect it. Moreover, Tefala, the alchemist, has developed a Truth Serum.”

At the mention of Tefala, the alchemist, Baili Feihong’s face showed satisfaction. If placed on Earth, this fellow would quickly rise to the top among scientists. His alchemy had been tested and unanimously recognized by the Demon Suppression Bureau. The Truth Serum was a casual mention by Baili Feihong, but the alchemist had soon realized it. This serum was not a rare medicine; various secret medicines for interrogating criminals existed in the Great Yuan and Fala nations.

The interview content remained confidential. Eight small dark rooms were set up in the Demon Suppression building, dividing the candidates who passed the first round into eight groups for interviews. The process went smoothly. Those who falsified their records were deemed unqualified immediately.

Ultimately, one hundred eighty candidates remained for the third round, among them forty from Feiyuan Academy. Scholars were not without problems—today, those who could study at Feiyuan Academy were mostly scions of noble families or offspring of the island’s major powers, wealthy and influential.

Baili Feihong held no prejudice against them, but their answers posed issues. The Truth Serum had laid bare their innermost thoughts. Even if Baili Feihong allowed them to proceed, these individuals dared not remain in the Demon Suppression Bureau.

“The third round: testing skeletal and muscular foundation.”

Baili Feihong still did not fully understand the principles behind this foundational test. However, he knew that human bodies differed; some were naturally gifted for martial cultivation. Such individuals, with sufficient resources, could quickly break through and achieve heights unattainable for ordinary people. Conversely, some were simply unfit for martial arts—rotten wood that no teaching could shape. Such people entering the bureau would be courting death.

The bureau’s primary duty was to slay demons and monsters. Weakness was not fatal; they could perform missions in groups. But without strength, frontline deployment was a death sentence. Were they to serve as mere demon food?

The third round proceeded quickly but concluded only by two in the afternoon. The kitchen had prepared lunch for all, naturally only for those who passed this round. Those who failed were sent home without delay. Hu wore a smile.

“Sir, this round uncovered five individuals with exceptional aptitude and unique talents.”

“Oh?”

Baili Feihong recalled his own aptitude test: mid-level talent, balanced elements of fire and water, no special gift. Yet he had cheated fate, so talent was not his sole reliance. For ordinary people, talent was crucial; those with true gifts were one in ten thousand. Such talent was a bloodline resurgence—their ancestors must have been legendary masters.

“Feiyuan Island truly harbors many geniuses,” Baili Feihong remarked.

“Who are these five? If their backgrounds are clean, they should be specially cultivated.”

Special cultivation—Baili Feihong himself had been nurtured in such a manner by Gongyang Yan.

“The first is Qin Suqing from Feiyuan Academy, female, eighteen. Her father was a maritime merchant who perished in a storm at sea. Her family is clean; she entered the bureau seeking protection. Her father left considerable wealth, but as a young woman, she naturally attracts unwanted attention.”

“Her strength is at the peak of the Blood Refining stage. She began martial training after her father’s accident, less than a year ago.”

“Her aptitude is outstanding, with the talent: Intuition.”

Hu spoke softly.

“Intuition? That counts as a talent?”

“Yes, sir. She possesses superhuman intuition, sensing danger and evading crises multiple times this past year.”

“Foresight to avoid misfortune?”

“That is only part of it. According to my inquiries, her intuition is a form of advanced perception.”

“A fine talent.”

Baili Feihong praised.

“Yes, this talent does not grant her overwhelming power, but if she develops well, she will become a pillar of the Demon Suppression Bureau.”

As an experienced veteran, Hu understood Qin Suqing’s value more deeply.

“Against demons of equal strength, this talent ensures her invincibility.”

Baili Feihong nodded and urged Hu to continue.

“The second candidate’s identity is somewhat special.”

Hu’s expression turned solemn.

“How so?”

“He is the son of Governor Chen.”

“Governor Chen?”

“Yes.”

Baili Feihong furrowed his brow. Although Governor Chen sided with the Southern Navy, he was beloved by the people for his governance. Nangong Zhen had not killed him, but under the influence of the Primordial Demon Heart Talisman, Governor Chen had become mentally incapacitated. The highest official on Feiyuan Island had his mind stolen—a humiliation to the Great Yuan Empire.

Nangong Zhen was an outer elder of the Primal Demon Sect, the arch-enemy of the Guliang royal family. The Guliang clan wished to annihilate the sect entirely. The Primordial Demon Heart Talisman alone made the Guliang family wary. Unfortunately, the sect was not to be trifled with. At the height of the Great Yuan Empire’s strength, even its armies could not subdue the Primal Demon Sect, especially now as the empire’s fortune waned.

“Governor Chen was competent in office. On that basis, I cannot reject his son outright. After all, his son has passed our bureau’s exams and reached this stage.”

“Chen Xingyan, eighteen, early Spirit Refining stage, excellent aptitude, talent: Fire Affinity. He is quite famous on Feiyuan Island, known as the Little Fire God.”

Hu mentioned the young man, and a handsome face appeared in Baili Feihong’s mind. His half-open divine eye naturally detected Chen Xingyan’s presence but had not known his background until now.

Knowing Chen Xingyan was the governor’s son, Baili Feihong mused on the proverb “like father, like son.” Governor Chen was formidable and had cultivated Confucian magic, making him a renowned scholar on Feiyuan Island. Sadly, he had encountered Nangong Zhen; otherwise, an early Primal Demon Sect disciple would not have planted the Primordial Demon Heart Talisman in him.

“He’s a talent; I’ve heard rumors about him.”

Commander Yan had once tried to recruit the Little Fire God as a disciple but was refused. His martial skills came from his family. Governor Chen’s ancestors had served as prime ministers in the previous dynasty, though now a thousand years past, the Great Yuan Empire would not care for such lineage. Even the Guliang family’s ancestors served as Grand Marshals in the former Qin dynasty.

“Sir, I have heard that after reaching the peak of Spirit Refining, Chen Xingyan plans to return to Great Yuan, seek a sect, and apprentice under a master.”

Hu relayed the intelligence.

“To ascend higher in martial cultivation, one must join a sect or our Demon Suppression Bureau. Of course, if the Divine Surveillance Bureau desires him, that would also suffice.”

Only a few powers possessed martial legacies capable of elevating one to the pinnacle of Martial Saint or even Celestial Immortal realms, and were willing to teach. The Netherworld also counted as a sect.

Since he chose the bureau, Baili Feihong had no reason to reject him. Though Chen Xingyan had reached Spirit Refining, Baili Feihong favored Qin Suqing more.

“Assign Chen Xingyan as a Demon Suppression Envoy, temporarily ranked Class A. After three months of training, promote him to Guardian Envoy.”

Spirit Refining level corresponded to Guardian Envoy status within the bureau. Baili Feihong would not suppress him nor needed to. A Guardian Envoy at the Spirit Refining stage posed no threat to him personally. But for the bureau, Chen Xingyan’s position would be a dagger pointed at the provincial government.

Zhong Ziling had become governor of Feiyuan Island; Chen Xingyan’s promotion would be a powerful counterbalance.

“He is exempt from the martial trial,” Baili Feihong declared. “With his strength, testing his martial skills here is pointless.”

“Third candidate: Shangguan Zhen.”

“From the Shangguan family?”

Feiyuan Island had three cities: Zhennan, Baili, and Yongsheng. The Zhennan Navy dominated, but many powerful clans originated from these cities. The Han family of the Feiyuan Commerce Guild was among the top families but was slaughtered by Zhong Ziling. Their followers naturally aligned with Wang Chongqing.

The Shangguan family had deep ties with the Zhennan Navy. Ancestor Shangguan Qing was one of Feiyuan Island’s pioneers and a former high-ranking general of the Zhennan Navy before it was infiltrated by the Yan family. Even today, the Shangguan family retained considerable influence.

Baili Feihong remembered the Shangguan family because of their shipbuilding legacy. Besides warships, they mastered various sea vessel crafts. Though Yan Fei’s arrival had secured control over the military factories, Baili Feihong still needed the Shangguan family; their shipbuilding techniques were unmatched.

“This candidate’s arrival surprised me. Shangguan Zhen is uninterested in the family business but passionate about martial arts.”

“Twenty-two years old, at the Zang Refining stage, above-average aptitude, talent: Superhuman Strength.”

Baili Feihong nodded. To strengthen the Demon Suppression Bureau, attracting major island powers was essential. Even after his departure, the bureau should remain resilient.

Shangguan Zhen’s admission was meaningful. His motives no longer mattered; what mattered was whether he benefited the bureau. If so, accept him.

“Exempt from the martial trial; assign Class B Demon Suppression Envoy,” Baili Feihong decided.

“The fourth candidate, Zhou Xiaoqing from Feiyuan Academy, from the Zhou family of Yongsheng City. Late Blood Refining stage, above-average aptitude, talent: Water Manipulation.”

Baili Feihong nodded again.

“However, this woman admires Chu Qingyi at the academy. Her purpose in joining the bureau is simple: to clear Chu Qingyi’s name.”

“Chu Qingyi’s closeness to her is just a cover for his identity. Allowing her entrance will not cause waves.”

Baili Feihong smiled meaningfully. Chu Qingyi’s physical form had been severed by him, but his soul had escaped; he would surely return. If Zhou Xiaoqing remained in the bureau, Chu Qingyi might focus his attention on her.

“Even if you do not appear, no matter your stratagems, I will overcome them.”

Zhou Xiaoqing’s talent was intriguing. Feiyuan Island was surrounded by sea; her water manipulation talent made the entire region her domain. Keeping her could allow study of her talent’s subtle mysteries.

His “White Dragon of the Waves” had already merged with the Primordial Return Cauldron, but further upgrades were difficult. Merging with water manipulation mysteries would greatly benefit Baili Feihong.

“The fifth is Inspector Yang, Yang Chengfei.”

Hu said this with some surprise; Inspector Yang had hidden his capabilities well.

“Oh?”

Baili Feihong was also surprised.

“What talent?”

“Spirit Communication.”