224: Chapter 224 Arrangements, Tomorrow

Chen Ran did not spare another glance at the Savage Bull Demon lying in a pool of blood.

Crimson blood flowed along the ground, gradually pooling into a shocking puddle.

Chen Ran casually returned the standard long blade to the weapon rack; as the blade slid into its sheath, it emitted a crisp metallic ring.

He turned around and walked steadily toward the exit of the arena.

Seeing him approach, the crowd on the viewing stand subconsciously held their breath.

The crowd receded like a tide to both sides, silently clearing a wide path for him.

The veteran members of the Demon-Slaying Squad who had previously been mocking and jeering now lowered their eyes, their faces flushed, not daring to meet his clear, deep gaze.

To be able to kill a sixth-rank Yao Beast in just a few strikes—this level of strength was not insignificant, even within the Demon-Slaying Squad.

In the martial arts world, the strong have always been respected, and those with greater ability come first.

Warden Wen Ruoxu stood at the entrance of the passage, clapping his hands lightly, and said with a smile, "Congratulations."

"Brother Chen, that strike of yours was truly stunning and breathtaking. You have perfectly passed the recruitment assessment."

Chen Ran nodded slightly and replied indifferently, "I leave the arrangements to you, Brother Wen."

He paused, his gaze passing over Warden Wen Ruoxu's shoulder to scan the depths of the dark, gloomy passage.

Faintly, the low growls of Yao Beasts could be heard from other steel cages.

"Brother Wen," Chen Ran said, withdrawing his gaze, "I wonder if it would be possible to bring out a few more of the Yao Beasts imprisoned here?"

Hearing this, Warden Wen Ruoxu couldn't help but freeze, looking at Chen Ran with a face full of astonishment.

"That last strike left me wanting more," Chen Ran said with a calm expression. "I would like to borrow a few more Yao Beasts to practice with and stabilize my Realm."

"Brother Chen, you certainly have high spirits," Warden Wen Ruoxu said with a bitter smile, shaking his head. "However, the Yao Beasts within the Demon-Slaying Squad are not creatures that can be slaughtered at will."

He pointed to the overlapping light screens of the Formation deep in the passage and explained patiently:

"Brother Chen, you may not know this, but most of these Yao Beasts are live specimens used by the Formation Master within the bureau to test killing Formations, or by alchemists to test medicine."

"The origin, rank, and destination of every single one are strictly recorded and under the jurisdiction of internal affairs."

"The Savage Bull Demon today was only approved after I specifically applied to my superiors under the guise of the new recruit assessment."

Warden Wen Ruoxu patted Chen Ran on the shoulder and sighed, "If Brother Chen still wishes to kill more, I am afraid you will have to wait for some time."

"I will need to find a reason, resubmit the paperwork, and wait for it to go through the layers of approval before I can bring another one out."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ran's brows furrowed imperceptibly, and a trace of regret flashed in his eyes.

It seemed that wanting to slaughter wantonly within the Demon-Slaying Squad to obtain the gifts of the heavenly book of prison suppression would not be an easy task.

After bidding farewell to Warden Wen Ruoxu, Chen Ran followed the dark, deep corridor toward the outer courtyard of the Demon-Slaying Squad.

Just after turning a corner, a slender figure appeared in his view without warning.

The person stood quietly in the shadows, with white hair casually draped over their shoulders and a wide grey robe fluttering in the draft.

There was not a shred of aura overflowing from his body, yet he seemed to have merged with the surrounding darkness.

"Captain Xia An," Chen Ran said, stopping his steps with a calm expression and bowing slightly.

"Having passed the assessment today, do you have any thoughts?"

Chen Ran lowered his head slightly and replied, "I have just arrived and my practical experience is still shallow. I am acutely aware of my own shortcomings. I wonder if there will be opportunities in the future to engage with more Yao Beasts to hone my Dao?"

Captain Xia An paused and looked deeply at Chen Ran. "Once you are familiar with the affairs of the squad, there will be individual combat training, at which time I will personally arrange some Yao Beasts for you."

Chen Ran's heart stirred at these words. "Thank you."

Captain Xia An waved his hand slightly, and his figure flashed, disappearing into the depths of the dark corridor like a ghost, as if he had never appeared.

Only a cold voice remained, echoing in the darkness. "Come see me at the practice field tomorrow at the hour of the sheep."

For the rest of the time, Chen Ran, under the guidance of a squad deacon, familiarly toured the environment of the Demon-Slaying Squad.

The Demon-Slaying Squad occupied a vast area, with an architectural style that was simple and solemn, divided into inner and outer courtyards.

The outer courtyard mostly consisted of offices for handling daily files and handing over missions, with people coming and going, revealing a bit of worldly hustle and bustle.

The inner courtyard was the core, heavily guarded.

As a member here for exchange and study, his current duties were relatively relaxed.

He only needed to report for duty between the hour of the sheep and the hour of the rooster, participating in some basic Formation drills and outer perimeter patrols.

The rest of the time was his to freely manage.

This was undoubtedly excellent news for Chen Ran.

He had plenty of time that he could use to Cultivate and digest the various benefits brought by the heavenly book of prison suppression.

Unknowingly, it had grown late. The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the horizon a desolate, brilliant dark red.

The biting evening wind blew, sweeping up fallen leaves from the ground and carrying a hint of late autumn chill.

Chen Ran finished his day's schedule and slowly walked out of the thick, weathered bronze gates of the Demon-Slaying Squad.

Outside the gate was a wide and quiet bluestone street.

Tall ancient locust trees were planted on both sides, their lush branches and leaves blocking the sky and casting mottled shadows on the ground.

As soon as Chen Ran stepped out of the gate, his footsteps paused slightly.

His gaze passed over the layers of tree shadows and landed beneath an ancient locust tree not far away.

There, a stunningly beautiful figure stood quietly. It was a woman.

She wore a plain white long dress that swayed gently in the evening wind, resembling an iceberg snow lotus blooming in a secluded valley, aloof and cold.

Her figure was tall and graceful, with beautiful curves, yet she exuded an aloof temperament that kept people at a distance.

Her long, dark hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, held up casually by a single, unblemished mutton-fat jade hairpin.

Her skin was whiter than snow, and her features were as beautiful as a painting.

She stood there quietly, like a Fairy from the Nine Heavens who had wandered into the mortal world.

Passersby subconsciously slowed their pace, their eyes full of astonishment and awe, yet no one dared to step forward to strike up a conversation, nor even dared to speak loudly.

"Good heavens, which family did this Fairy come from? How can she be so beautiful..."

In front of the Demon-Slaying Squad's gate, a young guard swallowed hard, lowered his voice, and muttered to his companion.

"She's been standing here for nearly half an hour. Who exactly is she waiting for? Doesn't she get tired?"

The older guard glared at him and scolded in a low voice, "What business is it of yours why she's here?"

The young guard shrank his neck but couldn't help his curiosity. "Tell me, why did she come to our Demon-Slaying Squad? Could it be she's waiting for someone?"

"Nonsense. If she's not waiting for someone, is she here to enjoy the scenery?" the older guard said irritably.

"Hiss." The young guard gasped, his eyes full of envy.

The Demon-Slaying Squad was mostly filled with crude martial artists who licked blood from the edge of a blade; usually, even a female mosquito was a rare sight, let alone a woman of such devastating beauty.

Who on earth could have such incredible good fortune?

Just as the two guards were secretly speculating, a young man's gentle voice suddenly came from behind: "Why did you come here?"

(There have been too many things going on in my life lately, and I've been suffering from severe writer's block. I've been struggling to manage everything, only able to find time to write a little in the middle of the night. Once I handle the matters in my personal life after a while, it should get much better. Finally, asking for gifts and update reminders.)