5: Guards
The assessment ended at noon.
"Han Yi, Li Tie, Han Zhong... Passed."
The scene after Han Yi passed was somewhat unremarkable. Among the hundred or so people in the Mining Camp, only five, including Han Yi, passed the assessment, which inevitably left the other Disciples looking dejected.
Han Yi was not surprised that Li Tie passed.
After all, during their last exchange, he discovered that Li Tie's value was '5~6', on the verge of breaking through to the Stamina Refining. Coupled with Li Tie being from a blacksmith background and possessing astonishing strength, this assessment was merely child's play for him.
However, Han Yi was somewhat surprised that the others managed to pass the assessment.
He knew these three as well; they were usually quiet, but their performance in the assessment was surprising. Indeed, every place has hidden talents, and one should not underestimate others!
"Those who passed the assessment gather by me," Instructor Lin said, pointing at the five individuals, including Han Yi. "You few will report to the guard team camp with Manager Liu tomorrow. Remember not to be late."
With that, Instructor Lin nodded slightly to Manager Liu and hurried away with the Disciples.
After Instructor Lin left, Manager Liu resumed his usual aloof demeanor, coldly announcing, "All Disciples may disperse. Today is a day off from work; tomorrow, the mining tasks will resume."
Ignoring the complaints of the Mining Disciples, Manager Liu turned around, a smile on his face, and said to the five, including Han Yi, "Rest well tonight, pack your belongings, and we will depart together tomorrow morning."
After Manager Liu left, the surrounding Disciples swarmed around.
"Big Brother Li, after joining the guard team, I hope you won't mind helping your little brother..."
"Yi-ge'er, the key to exerting force in the Mountain Crushing Fist is..."
The Disciples surrounded them, trying to curry favor, including Qian San and the others who had spoken ill of him at the training ground before!
However, looking at the string of '1~2', '2~3'... from the crowd, Han Yi felt quite speechless.
"If you don't work hard normally, what's the use of clinging to Buddha's feet now!"
In the crowd, someone suggested going to the mess hall to celebrate, and everyone nodded in agreement. The group, sweeping along the five, including Han Yi, grandly headed towards the mess hall.
After the meal, Han Yi returned to his room.
Let's pack now. I'm finally leaving the life of a Mining Disciple! Han Yi couldn't help but feel a little emotional as he looked at his simple room.
Han Yi didn't have much in the way of belongings, just a few fire crystal stones left over from mining, two sets of clothes for changing, and a short dagger for self-defense. Things like bedding were provided by the Crimson Flame Sect and would naturally be issued again upon reaching the guard team.
Since I have nothing to do, let's try the effect of the qi and blood powder!
When eating in the mess hall at noon, he had already learned how to use the qi and blood powder from Han Zhong.
According to Han Zhong, one only needed to mix the qi and blood powder with warm water and take it slowly.
He also warned Han Yi that although qi and blood powder was just the most common Medicinal Pill, it was best to take it in two doses the first time to avoid the body being unable to withstand the medicinal effect and wasting the medicine in vain.
This Han Zhong doesn't seem like an ordinary person either. To have this kind of knowledge, he must have been someone of wealth or status before becoming a refugee, Han Yi thought to himself.
After taking half a dose of qi and blood powder, there was no initial feeling. After about a dozen breaths, Han Yi only felt a warm current flow from his abdomen, passing through his tailbone, slowly moving up his waist and spine, and then flowing to all his limbs and bones.
The surging qi and blood caused Han Yi's body to feel numb and hot, especially in his arms, which were heavily trained by practicing the Mountain Crushing Fist, where veins bulged.
"This is a good opportunity for cultivation!"
Han Yi forcibly controlled the muscles and skin of his body, assumed a stance, and performed the Mountain Crushing Fist.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh
His arms swelled up like inflated balloons, and each punch thrown brought up a strong gust of wind in the room.
After practicing the Mountain Crushing Fist three times in a row, Han Yi let out a long breath.
It's effective!
My qi and blood seem to have grown much stronger than before!
[Realm]: Stamina Refining (55/100)
[Martial Art]: Mountain Crushing Fist (Mortal Grade, Trait: Stone Crushing, Minor Accomplishment 4/20, Can be improved)
Half a dose of qi and blood powder had such an effect?
Han Yi felt a little surprised and delighted. Moreover, his body seemed to have completely absorbed and digested the medicinal power of this half-dose of qi and blood powder, without experiencing the symptoms of being unable to handle the supplement and wasting the medicine that Han Zhong mentioned.
Indeed, taking medicine is the way to go! Han Yi thought to himself. I heard that joining the guard team means receiving a dose of qi and blood powder at the beginning of each month!
He was starting to look forward to life in the guard team.
Striking while the iron was hot, Han Yi took the other half dose of qi and blood powder with water while the qi and blood in his body were surging.
[Realm]: Stamina Refining (59/100)
'6~7' He looked at his overall strength and frowned slightly.
"Only the lower limit increased slightly? It's as I expected, a significant increase in overall strength probably requires breaking through a major Realm to be effective!"
Early the next morning, Disciples were already knocking on the door, leading the five, including Han Yi, to gather with Manager Liu outside the camp.
The fire crystal stone mine was located in a canyon in Black Rock Mountain. The three Mining Camps were arranged in a triangular formation, firmly occupying the mine, while the guard team camp was located at the mouth of the canyon.
Huff, huff, huff
"This is the guard team camp," Manager Liu said, panting.
The terrain in this canyon was uneven, making the walk quite tiring.
Manager Liu took a breath, wiped away some sweat, and said with a smile to the group, "This is the guard team camp. Just go inside and report at the registration office."
Before anyone could reply, Manager Liu glanced around, then flicked his sleeve.
"You are all the outstanding individuals among our Mining Disciples. When you become successful in the future, don't forget to look after this old man."
As he spoke, he took out several pouches from his sleeve.
"These are your wages for the past few months. You must accept them!"
After receiving the pouch, Han Yi casually weighed it in his hand.
Wow, the weight must be at least ten taels of silver!
According to Han Yi's understanding, one tael of silver could be exchanged for 10 large coins, roughly equal to 1000 copper coins. Ten taels of silver would be more than enough for a family of four to live a prosperous life for a year!
Han Yi looked at Manager Liu, whose old eyes were slightly narrowed, his smile carrying a hint of cunning, exactly like an old fox.
He couldn't help but feel a little emotional. This Manager Liu was truly old and shrewd, utterly cunning. No wonder he could stand out from the crowd of Mining Disciples and become a manager despite not having strong cultivation.
The guard team camp was noticeably cleaner and more spacious than the Mining Camp.
On the weapon racks in the training ground, long spears, short swords, and broadswords were displayed in abundance; wooden dummies, stone locks, and wooden mallets were neatly arranged. Even the Disciples' living quarters were much sturdier.
"Why aren't there many guard team Disciples around during the day?" Han Yi felt a little strange.
"At the end of the month, the guard team needs to carry out an escort mission to escort a batch of fire crystal stones to An Yan County," Meng Hu said before Manager Liu could reply.
Meng Hu's well-informedness stemmed from having an older brother who had already become a guard team Disciple.
According to Meng Hu, the guard team members capable of performing missions were divided into ten teams, totaling forty Disciples. At the end of each month, several teams needed to be dispatched for escort missions. Coupled with other small teams undertaking tasks like hunting monsters and exploring, the camp was naturally empty now.
Registration Office
"Name?"