Wild cultivation begins with wielding the Taiyin talisman.

The ensuing battle was unremarkable. Among the hundreds of people, only Lin Ye was an eighth-rank cultivator, and cultivators were not the majority; seventy percent of them were ordinary people without any cultivation.

When they met Ning Che, most of them immediately admitted defeat, with only two daring to challenge him.

First, there was the girl with pigtails, named Yingfei, the Yingfei of "grass growing and orioles flying." She was just a mortal, knowing she was no match for him, but she said she wanted to take this opportunity to learn from Ning Che. Because of what had happened before, Ning Che went along with it and had a training match with her.

Secondly, he encountered Zhao He in the finals. This man was exceptionally talented, possessing mastery of over ten spells and a very solid cultivation level. Had Ning Che not broken through, he would have undoubtedly faced a fierce battle. But now, he had no chance of resisting under the sword energy and was unfortunately defeated.

After three days, Ning Che emerged victorious.

The gong sounded one last time across the training ground. The officer in charge of the enforcement team walked onto the stage with the roster in hand. Just as he was about to announce the names, someone interrupted him, "Wait!"

Mu Qingming strode over, and in a flash, he passed through the crowd.

With his signature smile still on, he announced loudly to the crowd: "I'm sorry to tell you all, there are two more spots available. Since the original competition has ended, these two spots will be temporarily given to the fourth and fifth place finishers."

However, this might not be convincing enough. I think we should set up a challenge stage tomorrow, allowing everyone to challenge the fourth and fifth place finishers, with only the last one standing qualifying for a tiebreaker.” He then turned to Yu Congrong: “What does Commander Yu think?”

"Good." Yu Congrong nodded.

The interrupted list of nominees was then republished.

Ning Che was naturally first, Zhao He second, and Chen Mu fifth, thus giving them an opportunity.

Ning Che looked at Mu Qingming calmly, knowing perfectly well what the man was up to. These two spots were a safety net; whoever he wanted to choose would be selected no matter what.

Is it really such a coincidence that he drew Lin Ye out of hundreds of people?

Or is it that Commander Yu is planning to do something?

Since the person Mu Qingming wants to choose will be selected regardless, then changing the result of the draw isn't about eliminating one of them. Rather... is she trying to send a signal?

Ning Che seemed to be deep in thought.

The following day, the tiebreaker match began as scheduled.

The martial arts arena, which had been quiet, was once again packed with people. The two defenders were Yu Xinheng, a member of the Yu family who was originally ranked fourth, and Chen Mu, who was ranked fifth.

Yu Xinheng was knocked off the stage by Lin Ye in two moves, nearly losing an arm. Chen Mu, relying on the medical skills and magic he learned from Huichuntang, combined with the basic offensive and defensive techniques of the mountain guardian, steadily defeated eight challengers and managed to retain his spot.

The most eye-catching player in the entire tiebreaker was undoubtedly Lin Ye.

One ruthless and powerful spell after another was unleashed, crippling the second challenger in a single blow, after which no one else dared to step onto the stage.

The moment the enforcement officer announced the results, Lin Ye abruptly turned his head, staring intently at Ning Che below the stage, his eyes filled with resentment and madness. Ning Che met his gaze expressionlessly, but a plan had already been made in his mind.

The reason for Lin Ye's abnormality will be known tonight.

As evening fell, the final list of five selected for the Mountain Guardians' Personal Guard was officially announced: first place went to Xing, second place to Zhao He, third place to Chen Mu, fourth place to Lin Ye, and fifth place to Yu Xinheng.

As the unsuccessful candidates dispersed, some were dejected, while others were quite composed. The newcomers from the city who weren't cultivators were even laughing and joking. Clearly, they hadn't held out much hope of being selected, and were content with their gains.

Zhao He pushed through the crowd and strode up to Ning Che. His calloused hands patted Ning Che's shoulder heavily, and his voice was filled with undisguised excitement: "Brother Xing, well done! You really make us men from the mountains proud!"

"Come on, come on! Chen Mu and I already found out there's a well-established tavern down the mountain. Today it's my treat, let's have a good drink together to celebrate you taking first place!"

Chen Mu, who was standing to the side, quickly followed, a gentle smile on his face. He cupped his hands in agreement with Ning Che and said, "That's right. Brother Xing has won three consecutive battles in the arena these past three days. He deserves the honor and we should celebrate properly."

I also have some family-inherited medicinal wine hidden here, which I'll bring along to help you replenish your depleted energy, Brother Xing.

Both men were full of enthusiasm, waiting for Ning Che to respond and set off. Many of the candidates who hadn't yet left also turned their heads, laughing and joking, all feeling that this victory celebration was only right and proper.

Ning Che shook his head slightly, cupped his hands in return to the two men, and said, "I appreciate your kind intentions, brothers. However, I'm afraid I can't attend the victory celebration banquet today. How about we postpone it until after the camp entry ceremony?"

Zhao He's smile froze instantly. He stood there, stunned, scratching his head in confusion. "Huh? Why? We won this spot through our own hard work, what's wrong with celebrating? Does anyone dare to gossip?"

Ning Che explained softly, "We've only finalized the rankings and haven't officially started working yet. If we make such a big fuss about it now, it might seem frivolous and arrogant."

Zhao He slapped his forehead and said, "Brother Xing, you've thought things through! It was my oversight that almost caused us trouble."

Chen Mu followed up on the conversation and finalized the rescheduling, "Then it's settled. After the induction ceremony, when we officially become the mountain guardians, we'll have a private celebration. I have some wealth, so I'll be the host, and no one can refuse!"

Seeing the two men's cheerful demeanor, Ning Che smiled faintly and nodded, saying, "Then I thank you both in advance."

The three exchanged smiles and, amidst the congratulations from other candidates, chatted as they walked side by side toward the barracks area.

As they spoke, Ning Che deliberately steered the conversation toward the leaders of the mountain guards. Chen Mu was generous and shared some information about the leaders and four deputy leaders, information that most city dwellers would know to some extent, but the original owner of this body was completely unaware of.

The noisy martial arts arena gradually faded behind them. Ning Che walked in the middle, his fingertips gently stroking the hilt of the Crescent Moon Blade at his waist, the smile in his eyes fading slightly.

That night, instead of practicing his spiritual discipline, he went to Yu Congrong's residence in the mountains.

The place was brightly lit and there were no guards.

Yu Congrong was a sixth-rank expert, so naturally she didn't need anyone to protect her.

Ning Che knocked on the door.

"Enter."

A crisp female voice came from inside the door.

Ning Che pushed open the door, gently closed it behind him, and looked up.

The room was sparsely decorated, with floor-to-ceiling black wooden bookshelves standing on all four walls, filled with books of all kinds, their covers showing signs of wear from repeated reading. In the center of the room was a large desk, densely stacked with files.

Ning Che couldn't see the person sitting behind the files, but he could hear her voice: "I didn't expect you to come so soon."

She paused, her voice tinged with a hint of sarcasm, "I thought you'd at least observe for three days, until you entered the camp and figured out how deep the water was before daring to step through my door."

Ning Che stood in the hall, not caring whether the other party could see him or not. After bowing to the table piled with books, he said, "The situation is what it is, and I have nothing to do but wait and see."

Yu Congrong's voice rose slightly, as if he were quite interested: "Oh? What's the situation?"

"With a list of hundreds of candidates, it's impossible that I was matched up against Lin Ye, whom Mu Qingming values ​​most, in the first round. It's too much of a coincidence."

Ning Che stated calmly, "But Mu Qingming would never arrange this duel at the beginning, so it can only be your doing, sir."

He paused, then continued, "You changed the lottery results not to make me lose, nor to make Lin Ye fail because of me."

He merely wanted to use this confrontation to see my true colors, and also to use me to dampen Mu Qingming's arrogance. More importantly, he wanted to send me a signal—you and Mu Qingming have never been on the same side.

笃.

Ning Che heard something fall onto the table. Immediately afterward, Yu Congrong got up, walked to the center of the hall, and looked at Ning Che from only two steps away.

Ning Che looked at her, neither humble nor arrogant.