28: The ratings shocked everyone!

As soon as the Demon Suppression Baptism concluded, the shock had barely subsided, and the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division was in an uproar.

A battle report, stamped with a freshred seal, was sent to a higher level at an unprecedented speed.

The content of the battle report was incredibly explosive: a Body Tempering Realm kid named Li Dong, in the most adverse conditions, forcefully withstood an ambush from a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast, used that deadly energy to Breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage, and then even caused the Baptism Altar to glow and vibrate, achieving an 【Extraordinary】 rating that broke Mu Shi County's historical record!

This report was written vividly, detailing how Li Dong was in the most chaotic energy zone, how he persevered, how he broke through at the brink of death, and the special light pillar that pierced the heavens, along with the astonishing phenomenon of the altar.

It quickly spread within the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division and even reached surrounding counties, causing quite a stir.

Many high-ranking officials who were not present, upon seeing this report, immediately thought: Isn't this just storytelling? It's too fake! It's impossible! They all demanded an immediate investigation, suspecting that their subordinates might have fabricated it to claim credit.

As the person in charge of this Baptism, Zhang Wu naturally knew how true this report was.

He withstood the pressure and provided the most detailed corroborating evidence. The old man who presided over the Baptism tremblingly stepped forward to testify, and several other deacons who helped maintain order also nodded repeatedly, stating that they had witnessed it firsthand and there was no falsehood.

Zhang Wu further emphasized the fact that Li Dong had killed a Foundation Establishment Stage Demon Beast before the Baptism, which further proved that Li Dong's Talent was not baseless but had a solid foundation, significantly reducing the voices of doubt.

On the other side, Zhao Zhen, the unlucky fellow, still felt a dull ache in his chest, and upon hearing the news of the "Extraordinary" rating and the altar's phenomenon, he almost fainted from anger.

He was naturally unwilling and began to use his connections and channels to spread rumors, saying that Li Dong was just lucky, like a blind cat catching a dead mouse, and that the altar's phenomenon was merely accidental.

He wanted to belittle Li Dong's achievements, but the problem was that the two big words 【Extraordinary】 were hanging there, and the altar had indeed trembled. In the face of such irrefutable evidence, his pale and powerless explanations appeared particularly ugly and incompetent, and they were quickly drowned out by the tide of discussions.

The major Families and Sects within Mu Shi County had very well-informed channels.

They also quickly learned of this astonishing news.

The name Li Dong, previously just a "country bumpkin" mentioned by Zhou Xian and others, now streaked across the night sky like a comet, attracting everyone's attention.

They began frantically inquiring about Li Dong's background, wanting to know what kind of person this kid really was.

Farsighted Families even began to consider whether to send people to approach this "initial stock" and place their bets early.

"Have you heard? The Demon Suppression Division's Baptism produced a Prodigy!"

"An Extraordinary rating! My goodness! I've lived long enough to see everything!"

"I heard it made Zhao Zhen's face turn green with anger, haha!"

"What's this kid's background? We need to find out!"

"Before he gets poached by the Prefecture, should we quickly try to get close to him?"

Various discussions rose and fell throughout the county, and Li Dong became the hottest topic.

However, Li Dong himself, as the center of attention, wasn't too concerned about the external commotion.

He was currently quietly staying in the accommodation arranged by the Demon Suppression Division, consolidating his newly Breakthrough Foundation Establishment Cultivation.

The Spiritual Qi within his body was more than ten times more abundant than during the Body Tempering Realm, flowing with a brand new vitality.

He was also sifting through the information provided by the System. The massive amount of experience points made him feel as if he could level up at any moment.

More importantly, he was focusing on the absorption of the spirituality fragments and the System's special interpretation of the 【Extraordinary】 rating.

【Ding! System notification: Congratulations to the host for achieving the final rating of Demon Suppression Baptism: Extraordinary!】

【This rating is a direct manifestation of the host's extremely high "Spirituality Awakening" degree.】

【During the Baptism process, the host absorbed a large number of associated spiritual entities (spirituality fragments), greatly promoting the improvement of his own spiritual essence.】

【"Spirituality" is the cornerstone of future higher-level Cultivation (such as Mental Energy Domain, Law comprehension), and the higher its Awakening degree, the greater the potential.】

【The Baptism Altar is a gathering place of ancient "Spirituality"; the host resonated with the altar's core, further enhancing his Spirituality Awakening.】

Li Dong looked at the System notification and only then truly realized how precious those spirituality fragments were.

They were not just experience packs that provided experience and pure energy; they were also the key to enhancing his own "Spirituality," a profound and mysterious essence!

And the Baptism Altar, it turned out, was such a place.

No wonder it vibrated because of his "Extraordinary" rating, because it detected "Spirituality" that was of the same origin as it, and which he had absorbed and enhanced.

Just as Li Dong was engrossed in his thoughts about "Spirituality," a gentle knock sounded on the door. Zhang Wu's familiar face appeared at the doorway.

"Kid, did I disturb you?" Zhang Wu grinned, striding in, his face still showing traces of unwaning excitement.

"Elder Zhang, please come in." Li Dong stood up to greet him.

Zhang Wu sat down and first patted Li Dong's shoulder heavily, the force carrying undisguised admiration and congratulations.

"Good kid! Well done! An 【Extraordinary】 rating! Haha! I've never seen anything like it in my life!"

He laughed for a while, and the expression on his face gradually became serious.

"However, the impact of this matter is not small. The Prefecture Demon Suppression Division has already noticed you."

Li Dong's heart stirred; this was within his expectations.

"I just received news that the Prefecture is very interested in your situation and may issue a transfer order, inviting you to the Prefecture for further study," Zhang Wu said, with a hint of complexity in his tone.

Prefecture! That was a much larger stage than Mu Shi County! A hint of anticipation welled up in Li Dong's heart.

"The Prefecture Demon Suppression Division, that's a true Dragon's Den," Zhang Wu's tone shifted, his expression grave, "Geniuses are as common as dogs, and the factions are very complicated, unlike our small county where we see each other all the time. The competition is fierce, and open and hidden attacks are impossible to guard against."

"Even," Zhang Wu lowered his voice, "there might be deeper dangers hidden there, beyond what you can imagine now."

He looked at Li Dong and earnestly warned him: "Going to the Prefecture is a good thing; a bigger platform means more opportunities. But you must be prepared; it's not a greenhouse there. Always stay vigilant, don't easily trust anyone, and everything will depend on yourself."

After Zhang Wu finished speaking, he looked at Li Dong steadily, waiting for his reaction.

"Thank you for the reminder, Elder Zhang." Li Dong nodded.