Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Chief Instructor Wan's real name was Wan Hui. He had once been a Thousand Household in the Blood Cloak Guard, a peak tier-four Martial General.

But during a mission, he encountered a formidable enemy. Although he had managed to slay his opponent, he had sustained severe injuries that affected his foundation, greatly reducing his cultivation level. Therefore, he retreated to Iron Furnace Camp and had been the chief instructor ever since.

It was said that this former Thousand Household had neither children nor dependents and had always been alone.

These were the data about Wan Hui known to all the novices who joined the camp.

Wan Hui was extremely strict in educating the newcomers, often confining them to solitary rooms for reflection, earning him the nickname "Living King Yama."

However, for Wang Chen, a standout newbie in the ranks of the novice Blood Cloak Guards, Wan Hui's appreciation and favor were undisguised!

It was no unusual matter for him to give special treatment to Wang Chen.

Yet, Wang Chen's first "small lesson" from Wan Hui did not involve any secret cultivation technique.

The Chief Instructor first asked meaningfully, "Do you know who our enemies are in the Blood Cloak Guard?"

Wang Chen paused and answered, "The Rebel Faction and corrupt officials."

Although he did not know much about the Blood Cloak Guard, he was aware of the initial purpose of its establishment by the Great Ancestor of Great Liang.

This organization, loyal only to the Emperor, was somewhat a hybrid of the imperial security department and the commission for integrity.

Especially the Rebel Faction, they had always been the primary target of the Blood Cloak Guard's harsh crackdowns!

The state of Great Liang had already been declining for five hundred years, accumulating chronic maladies. A century ago, the national strength had begun to wane.

Particularly thirty years ago, a decisive war for the nation's fate had erupted between Great Liang and its formidable northern enemy, Great Qi. The result was that Great Liang had suffered the loss of tens of thousands of soldiers on the Black Soil Plains, losing a vast amount of territory.

The impact of this battle was still profoundly felt today, and coupled with various heavy-handed local policies, it led to widespread popular discontent. The Rebel Faction seized the opportunity, causing endless trouble for the Imperial Court.

Suppressing the Rebel Faction naturally became the largest task of the Blood Cloak Guard!

"Wang Chen, you must remember that our Blood Cloak Guard can befriend anyone, but there are two groups we must never associate with, or else it would be self-destruction."

Wan Hui held up one finger, "First, the Rebel Faction, and I need not say more."

Wang Chen nodded.

Then, the Chief Instructor raised a second finger, "Second, the 'Demons!'"

As he uttered the word, the oil lamp on the table suddenly flickered and the room darkened as if the temperature had also dropped, adding a chill and ghostly atmosphere!

"Demons?"

Wang Chen felt a chill in his heart, "What are Demons?"

"Demons, the Demons from folklore."

Wan Hui lowered his voice and said, "Demons that devour humans and souls!"

Before his voice fell, he suddenly raised his wrist and struck toward Wang Chen, his palm revealing a piece of yellow paper.

Slap!

Wang Chen had never imagined that the Chief Instructor would strike at him. Given the closeness of their distance and Wan Hui's far superior cultivation level, Wang Chen had no time to dodge and was struck squarely.

Instantly, a piece of talisman paper filled with blood-red symbols was affixed to Wang Chen's forehead.

Instinctively, he leaned back and in a flash, tumbled twice, increasing the distance from Wan Hui.

He felt both shocked and angry, a sense of humiliation akin to capsizing in a gutter!

But Wang Chen immediately sensed something was off.

Despite Wan Hui's swift attack hitting his vital spot, it had not caused him any harm.

The talisman paper affixed to his forehead also had no effect on him.

At most, it was just a bit uncomfortable.

Most importantly, after his move, Wan Hui remained seated, smiling amiably without showing any hostility.

If the Chief Instructor had really intended to harm him, Wang Chen might have already lost his life and wouldn't have had the chance to return to the Haotian Realm.

After steadying himself, Wang Chen pulled the talisman paper from his forehead and gave a wry smile, "Chief Instructor, what is this?"

Unaware of the circumstances, he did not feel it right to blame the other for the sudden attack.

Even if it was just a joke.

"This is a Demon Identifying Talisman."

Wan Hui put away his smile and gestured for Wang Chen to sit down and talk, "It's expensive, so don't damage it."

"Demon Identifying Talisman?"

Wang Chen took a seat opposite Wan Hui and suddenly realized, "You want to check if I am a demon?"

"Exactly."

Wan Hui looked deeply into Wang Chen's eyes, reached out to take a thick file, and tossed it in front of him, "Take a look at this."

Wang Chen picked up the file and began to read.

The more he read, the more shocked he became.

The file detailed the life of Ling Zhiyuan from his birth up to the attack he experienced with his father, covering minute details, many of which involved the secrets of the Ling Family and exceeded Ling Zhiyuan's own memory.

It took Wang Chen a full stick of incense in time to finish reading.

The intelligence system of the Blood Cloak Guard was truly terrifying and formidable!

After all, Ling Zhiyuan was not a famously known individual, merely an incompetent legitimate son from a local noble clan, with no astonishing performances or outstanding deeds.

That the Blood Cloak Guard could gather such detailed intelligence on him showed the vastness of their hidden strength.

"Your performance since joining the camp differs greatly from what is recorded in this file,"

Wan Hui said, "Therefore, I must first ascertain whether a demon has possessed you!"

"Fortunately, you are not."

Wang Chen paused, then said, "Actually..."

"There's no need to explain."

Wan Hui waved his hand, "Everyone has their secrets, all you need to know is that you are not a demon, then there's no need to reveal them, especially since your experiences are not ordinary."

Ling Zhiyuan was indeed talented, just previously unmotivated. Then, having gone through a tragic and intense change, it was not unusual for him to grow overnight.

Cases of potential being unleashed due to intense stimuli were not uncommon throughout history!

Wang Chen couldn't help asking, "Chief Instructor, are others besides me also to be verified?"

"Of course."

Wan Hui revealed a sly smile, "Allowing a demon to infiltrate our ranks in the Blood Cloak Guard would be catastrophic. All newcomers must pass verification before being officially enlisted; you were simply tested early."

"Additionally…"

He leisurely said, "From now on, don't call me Chief Instructor anymore, call me Master!"

Without hesitation, Wang Chen stood up and bowed, "Disciple Ling Zhiyuan, greets Master!"

This old man was truly formidable; acknowledging him as Master was definitely not a loss.

On the other hand, Wang Chen was also wholeheartedly playing his current role.

"Good disciple, no need for such formalities,"

Wan Hui chuckled and helped Wang Chen up, "Don't feel disadvantaged. Just between us, I was not a mere tier four peak Martial General, but had fallen from a higher cultivation level due to injuries."

Wang Chen was startled!

If a tier four peak Martial General was just his fallen state, could his Master be a tier five Martial Ancestor?

Wang Chen suddenly felt like he had latched onto a golden thigh!

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The first update is here.