I slay evil in the Department of the Supernatural

Chapter 137, Section 136: The Prodigy Ranking, Number 11, Blood Bodhi (Seeking monthly votes)

After leaving the director's office, Xu Lindong returned to the third team's office and gathered all the team members together.

He got straight to the point, explaining the details of the current competition for the top talents, then swept his gaze across the crowd: "That's the situation. The upcoming mission is very risky; there's a possibility of injury, or even death."

"Anyone who wants to quit can choose to be transferred to the logistics team, or apply to transfer to another team to perform regular tasks, which will be much safer."

"But if you decide to stay, you have to be mentally prepared. This time, you're coming with me into the subway to investigate anomalies and retrieve evil objects. There's no turning back, and the same goes for other missions in the future."

The meeting room fell silent, the atmosphere heavy.

Everyone can sense that the national situation is changing and competition is becoming increasingly fierce.

Danger may occur at any time near the many low- to medium-risk sinkholes in Jiangcheng.

Choosing to stay at this point means facing the risk of life and death.

After a moment, Li Yunfan sighed and was the first to raise his head.

"Captain, I choose to withdraw."

His tone was calm, unlike his usual nonchalant manner, and carried a sense of determination: "I plan to transfer to the logistics team. I can produce tributes and provide support from the rear, which will be just as helpful."

"Moreover, after being transferred to logistics, if the team makes a contribution, the logistics personnel can receive an extra 3% of the merit points issued by headquarters. Although it is not much, it is the best option compared to other teams."

He paused, then lowered his voice: "I know my own limitations. My talent and combat strength can't compare to those of a true genius. After several missions, I understand my own capabilities even better."

"Forcing myself to follow will only slow down my teammates—I don't want to be that burden."

Seeing Li Yunfan make such a clear decision, the other two newcomers, Xia Ping and Lin Che, also expressed their intention to withdraw and switch to logistics.

Wang Shuo remained silent for a moment, a hint of struggle flashing across his face, but ultimately he didn't speak and chose to stay in the main team.

He is, after all, a veteran in the team, and his spirit has reached 55. He has the potential to reach Sequence Nine in the future.

I'm not willing to give up now.

Xu Lindong turned his gaze to Xiao Mufeng.

"And you?"

Xiao Mufeng smiled slightly, playful yet decisive: "Captain, you don't need to look at me. I'm definitely staying in the main team. I came here to gain experience and become stronger."

Xu Lindong nodded.

Since Xiao Mufeng made this decision, it is clear that his family also agreed.

Moreover, this junior is quite strong in combat, and her fighting style is clever enough. She has a lot of room for growth, so we can take her along.

Tang Lei, the last one, needs no further explanation.

He is the candidate for the next captain jointly considered by Xu Lindong and Lu Qian. His spirit and energy are over 73, and he has rich combat experience. He is more than qualified to stay in the main battle team.

"Now that they've all made their choices," Xu Lindong glanced around, "Xiao Qing, please write this down and make arrangements for them."

Meet at 8:00 AM two days later. Prepare yourselves. Meeting adjourned.

"Yes!" Xiao Qing responded immediately.

The group got up and left one after another.

Xiao Mufeng, who was walking behind, suddenly quickened his pace and handed a warm paper bag to Xu Lindong.

"Captain, I brought you breakfast. We just finished eating at the canteen, so we grabbed an extra portion on the way."

Xu Lindong took the still-steaming bag, thanked him, and pulled out a straw to open the soy milk.

Xiao Mufeng didn't rush to leave. Instead, he turned his head to look at him for two seconds, his eyes crinkling into a smile: "Captain, you seem a little different today."

"How is it different?" Xu Lindong took a bite of Jiangcheng's specialty glutinous rice chicken.

"I can't quite put my finger on it—I just feel more composed, my eyes are brighter, and I'm very confident."

She blinked. "What good news? Can you give me a sneak peek?"

Xu Lindong chewed his food, and upon hearing this, he merely glanced at her sideways and smiled mysteriously.

You'll find out the day after tomorrow.

After he finished speaking, he carried the breakfast and continued walking forward without saying anything more.

Xiao Mufeng lagged behind, watching his retreating figure, muttering under his breath, "So mysterious," but a hint of curiosity and anticipation flashed in his eyes.

After finishing their meals, they threw the food waste into the trash can labeled "Civilized and Hygienic, Keep Evil Spirits Away".

Xu Lindong pulled out the newly acquired Pride Token from his pocket.

The token felt cold to the touch, with a light screen on its surface, seemingly similar to the recorder used before, except that it had an additional dark gold lightning bolt pattern on the front.

He pressed the button, and a flowing light screen immediately appeared on the token.

The names, regions, merit points, and mission records of all those selected nationwide are listed on it.

At the top of the screen, the rankings change in real time.

[First Place]

Qin Jiu, leader of the Shanghai headquarters action team, current strength: Heavenly Dao Sequence Seven [Lord Rock Mountain], Human Dao Sequence Seven [Hunting Marquis of a Hundred Miles]

Merit Points: 131900

Key achievements: Led the team to clear out the "Deeply Polluted Area of ​​Shanghai's Bund", and single-handedly killed five Sequence 8 "Rotten Tide Bone Demons".

Successfully recovered a runaway Class B paranormal object.

The second to twentieth place winners were almost entirely from Shanghai or Beijing, with the occasional name from a major coastal city in eastern China.

Jiangcheng's name was nowhere to be seen on the list.

"The number one prodigy is actually someone who cultivates both paths, probably trained by the Extraordinary Research Institute."

Xu Lindong slid his finger down.

The light screen swept across unfamiliar code names and battle records like flowing water, until finally, at the eighty-sixth place, a figure belonging to Jiang Cheng was seen.

"[Rank 86]"

Xie Zhou, leader of the Jiangcheng headquarters special operations team. Current strength: Heavenly Dao Sequence Eight [Mountains and Lands].

Merit Points: 48220

Key achievements: Led the team to handle the "Jiangcheng Zhongwei Tiankeng Guandi Temple Evil Object Incident," and assisted in sealing a "Yin Vein Rift" in the Jiangcheng Water Palace that was on the verge of going out of control.

Finally, Xu Lindong found his name at number 793.

"Xu Lindong, squad leader of Jiangcheng Third Team."

Current strength: Rank 9 [Guardian General]

Key events:

Helps ward off "evil-looking facial shaving knife"

Help resist the "powerful backers" who dominate the bicycle industry.

Assisting in handling "hazard lights flashing car out of control incidents" (area pollution cleanup).

Accumulated merits: 10500

"The speed at which I've accumulated merits is already fast enough, but it's still not enough when compared to the rest of the country."

Moreover, this ranking doesn't seem to be based entirely on merit, but rather on the events handled.

'

Other prodigies might not always handle such dangerous situations as he does.

However, those who have been with the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs for a long time, have a high frequency of missions, and accumulate a lot of merit will naturally have their ranking rise accordingly.

Now the Top Talent Competition Ranking has been released.

Even the list of supernatural phenomena isn't enough to satisfy everyone.

Originally, after his advancement, the Divine Ranking needed to continue to refresh the records of events that matched the strength of Sequence Nine in order to continue to improve his ranking.

But now, the list of supernatural beings can only serve as a list for replenishing resources.

After getting a general idea, Xu Lindong put away the token, looked at it no longer, and turned to walk towards the administration building.

At the filing office, Director Huang was organizing files with his head down when he heard footsteps. He looked up and immediately saw the approval slip in Xu Lindong's hand.

"Captain Xu, what are you doing—"

"I just came from the director."

Xu Lindong handed over the note approved by the director, "Write a report to register and collect the promotion materials."

Director Huang took the note and glanced at it. His hand trembled slightly, and his eyes showed not only surprise but also an incredulous shock.

"Blood Bodhi—Corpse Heart—What are you going to do—"

"I'll pursue both." Xu Lindong said calmly, but a smile appeared on his face.

Director Huang took a deep breath.

Since it was approved by the director, it is obviously compliant.

But this is so stunning.

She didn't ask any more questions, quickly completed the registration and stamping, and handed the receipt back to him: "Go to the supplies department to pick it up, Director Hu is on duty today."

Thanks.

Xu Lindong took the receipt and turned to go upstairs.

Supplies Department.

Director Hu took the approval slip and documents, his eyes widening as he looked at the names of the two supplies, "Lizheng Blood Bodhi" and "Zombie Corpse Heart".

"Receive the Blood Bodhi, and also—Corpse Heart? No wonder headquarters sent these two supplies directly this morning."

He looked up at Xu Lindong, his voice filled with disbelief: "The director personally approved it? And you even got the Extraordinary Research Institute's approval?"

Xu Lindong smiled and nodded: "Yes, it's the certification from Researcher Qu of the Extraordinary Institute."

"Holy...holy, I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

Director Hu's mouth trembled slightly; he hadn't sworn in many years, but now he was almost unable to hold back.

He held this position for over a decade, handling countless promotion-related materials.

He had never even heard of anyone who could take away two top-tier extraordinary substances from different sources at once, and even advance in two different paths simultaneously.

The director actually agreed? And the research institute actually gave the go-ahead?

Director Hu carefully reviewed the approval slip again, feeling a slight throbbing in his head.

He himself was only a Sequence Nine with average aptitude, which is why he was content to stay in logistics.

But this kid in front of me—he actually wants to take two paths at the same time?

This was beyond his comprehension.

But the sense of propriety he had developed over the years allowed him to instantly suppress all his doubts.

This kind of thing is obviously a secret.

Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask.

Director Hu took a deep breath, turned around, unlocked the door, and took out two sealed boxes from the innermost cold storage cabinet.

"The Blood Bodhi was just delivered by the research institute this morning."

He patted a box. "The Corpse Heart is also carefully selected, with a yin energy concentration that meets the standard. The blood of the extraordinary creatures used for supplementation is in the side box."

Xu Lindong took the box; it felt heavy in his hand, its coolness carrying a subtle pulse.

Director Hu's lips moved, but he couldn't help but sigh, "You kid—you're really hard to understand."

He suddenly smirked, half-jokingly probing, "Speaking of which, Xiao Xu, you're always either on missions or cultivating, have you settled your personal life yet? My girl is actually—"

"The one who often buys durian candy but doesn't eat it herself?" Xu Lindong suddenly interjected, a smile flashing in his eyes.

Director Hu was taken aback, his expression slightly embarrassed: "Well, that's because she—knows how to share."

Xu Lindong picked up the suitcase, turned and walked towards the door, waving his hand: "Thanks, Director Hu. I only like to eat beef, I don't like to eat sugar."

Director Hu stood there, staring at the empty doorway, shaking his head and chuckling, "You brat—"

Returning home with two extraordinary resources, Xu Lindong first took a bath and changed his clothes.

Then, several high-quality offerings, extraordinary biological blood, and extraordinary potions were placed in the room in preparation for timely replenishment after the breakthrough.

Next, he will be in top form to complete his promotion to village head.

Just then, Chaofan's phone rang.

The caller ID showed Qu Nan.

"Mr. Qu," Xu Lindong answered the phone.

Qu Nan didn't stand on ceremony and went straight to the point: "Director Zheng told me that you don't want to make a breakthrough at the Jiangcheng branch. I won't force you, but I have one request."

"Go ahead," Xu Lindong said.

"Call me immediately after you complete your promotion and explain your true situation, focusing on whether you have any supernatural material disturbances."

Qu Nan said sternly, "If any conflict arises, immediately halt all further promotions. Only proceed after confirming there is no further unrest. Remember, report back immediately."

"I understand, don't worry."

Xu Lindong agreed.

After ending the call, he sent messages to Sister Xun and Uncle Yi, explaining that he was going into seclusion to break through his cultivation barrier and asking them not to disturb him.

Then he closed the door, using the power of the door gods to seal all doors and windows, completely isolating the inside from the outside.

He took the blood bodhi out of the box.

This is a dark red crystal, about the size of a pigeon egg.

Its surface appears to be entwined with countless blood-like threads, and it is scalding hot to the touch, radiating a scorching and profound energy fluctuation, like a ruby.

Xu Lindong focused his mind, and various pieces of information about the village head's promotion surfaced in his mind.

Pushengli needs sufficient influence, as well as management experience in the relevant position or qualifications in an elite field.

As the squad leader, his influence and experience already met the requirements, and his promotion was just a natural progression.

Without further hesitation, he tilted his head back and swallowed the Blood Bodhi.

Instantly, it felt as if a blazing flame had rolled into my throat, and a surge of extraordinary power was surging in my mouth, even more stimulating than popping candy.

Meanwhile, deep within the ghost market, an ancient house was shrouded in gloom.

The white-haired old corpse gently patted the armrest of the chair with its withered, bony hand.

The last remaining paper doll shopkeeper shrank forward, its two patches of rouge on its face appearing bright red in the dim light.

"Go find that customer. You've received the deposit, and once the clothes are finished, you need to give them to him/her."

The old corpse's voice was hoarse. "Our Ghost Market's rule is that once a customer pays, they must receive the goods. We treat everyone fairly, young and old."

"yes..

"7

The paper doll shop assistant nodded stiffly, and the ghostly flames in the eye sockets flickered.

"Your shop owner has been missing for many years. Now that the shop has reopened, please take care of things properly."

The old corpse turned to the shadows behind him. "You two, follow him. Follow the scent left behind by the transaction to find him."

Two exceptionally sinister figures slowly emerged from the darkness.

A figure, ethereal and elusive, covered in wet water plants, exuding the fishy smell of riverbed silt.

The other was skinny and sparsely haired, with his joints creaking like dry wood rubbing together with every step he took. He was none other than the old ghost who had confronted Xu Lindong earlier.

They nodded slightly and silently followed behind the paper figures.

The white-haired old corpse sat back down in the armchair, and a deep voice came from the black wooden coffin opposite him: "Why insist on meddling in the affairs of the mortal world? We promised that deity that we would separate the living and the dead, each minding our own business."

The old corpse remained silent for a moment, then slowly shook its head.

"I sensed a faint yet familiar aura."

The ghostly fire in its eyes flickered uncertainly. "I'm not sure if it is—but if it is, then perhaps the chaos behind the Gate of Hell in Fengdu, and even the entire chaotic underworld, can be saved."

It gazed at the hazy, ghostly mist outside the old house, as if it could penetrate the yin and yang realms and see into the human world.

"Look at the mortal world. Although there are occasional disturbances, it is generally stable thanks to the presence of gods and humans. But what about the underworld? It is leaderless and remains chaotic and disorderly."

It sighed softly, "Now those foreign villains are causing trouble again, and people's hearts are restless—people often say that ghosts are terrifying, but ghosts know the poison in people's hearts."

How many people in this world can be like that god—always maintaining a childlike heart?

"How could He... still be alive?"

A bewildered sigh came from inside the coffin.

A sudden gust of cold wind swept through the hall, bringing with it a faint, musty smell of paper ash and rotten wood, and the ghostly figures fell silent.

Inside the Extraordinary Research Institute in the capital city.

Qu Nan walked through layers of encrypted corridors and entered a bright and spacious analysis room.

On the holographic screen opposite, a massive amount of data streamed down like a waterfall.

Several people in lab coats were discussing something in hushed tones, the air thick with a focused and tense atmosphere.

He connected an encrypted file to the terminal and retrieved the roster for the "Transcendence Project".

Enter the name at the bottom of the list: Xu Lindong.

No.: 11

The cursor blinks as the file information is loaded item by item.

The list already has ten names, each with a detailed talent rating and progress tracking.

Xu Lindong's name was listed as the eleventh, but Qu Nan put a parenthesis after his name.

(To be confirmed)

The cursor paused for a moment, then he typed "save".

The list is automatically archived, and the data is synchronized to the core database.

Qu Nan stared at the screen, her eyes calm.

This position presents both an opportunity and a test.

It's not that no one has been selected before.

One of them was even rated as having "double advanced" talent.

Ultimately, it still failed, and the name disappeared from the list.

The "Transcendence Plan" never supports idlers.

Being able to get in simply means having an admission ticket.

If we really want to move forward, we have to rely on our strength.

But as long as Xu Lindong can demonstrate enough potential, even if it's just a preliminary stage, the research institute will eventually make an exception for him.

Resources, guidance, and all forms of assistance can be provided.

After all, this was a plan personally initiated by a god.

However, people across the country who can reach this standard are extremely rare.

Qu Nan closed the interface, got up, and walked deeper into the laboratory.

Behind the glass walls on both sides of the corridor, instruments glowed softly, and researchers hurried along, no one looking up.

The entire research institute is like a giant, precisely operating machine—quiet, efficient, and intolerant of errors.

He pushed open the door and walked into his independent analysis room, where Xu Lindong's test report from the Jiangcheng branch was still displayed on the screen.

"Xu Lindong—can you do it?"

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