Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

Strictly speaking, demons are the greatest enemy and threat to the Blood Cloak Guard!

It is said that the initial demons came from beyond the heavens, were indescribable beings of distortion and illusion, parasites that after inhabiting a human, would survive by drawing upon greed, anger, and evil thoughts and eventually consume the soul to take possession.

Those whose bodies have been taken over by demons, their every action and movement showed no difference from before.

Only at specific times or in special environments would they reveal their true nature, fearsomely feasting on blood and flesh.

Even in a normal state, demons would spread demonic thoughts to contaminate others, in order to strengthen and increase their kin!

Centuries ago, the Cangqing Nations were aware of the terror of demons and tried all means to annihilate them, resorting to the extremes of slaughtering cities and nations just to completely eradicate the breeding ground for demons.

By now, the might of demons is far from comparable to that of hundreds of years ago, with most people even unaware of the existence of demons.

However, the demons that have survived have become more cunning and deeply hidden.

They don't easily show themselves anymore.

But this only applied in peaceful and stable environments.

The more chaotic a place is, the greater the power of demons.

When a nation is on the brink of collapse, demons surely arise, and even though Great Liang hasn't shown evident signs of its last days, incidents involving demons occur from time to time, and the situation isn't optimistic!

However, the Imperial Court of Great Liang placed the Rebel Faction above demons, considering them to be the primary target. They redeployed the majority of the elite Blood Cloak Guard to pursue the rebels, greatly underestimating the threat posed by demons.

Of course, this was Wan Hui's opinion.

The Chief Instructor informed Wang Chen that the person who had severely injured him years ago had been tainted by demonic thoughts and committed irredeemable evil acts, thus being besieged and killed by the Blood Cloak Guard.

And that person had been Wan Hui's close friend!

At this point, Wan Hui's expression turned somewhat downcast, appearing older and revealing a trace of weariness.

"This Demon Identifying Talisman can be considered a gift from me. Carry it with you regularly, and you'll be less likely to be tainted by demonic thoughts."

He added, "It can also be used to determine whether others have been possessed by demons, but remember, the talisman can only be used a limited number of times. Once it's used up, you'll have to exchange it for your own merits—don't expect this old man to give you another one for free!"

Wang Chen caressed the Talisman Paper in his hand and asked, "Master, is this an item from the Daoist Sects?"

"Yes, the Buddhist Sect also has pages of scripture for subduing demons, and they have a similar effect."

Wan Hui earnestly instructed, "In this world, aside from Daoist and Buddhist teachings, all others are Heretical Sects, most of which are linked to demons. If encountered, better to kill incorrectly than to let them go!"

His voice was laced with a cold and fierce intent to kill.

Wang Chen nodded, "Disciple remembers, better to kill incorrectly than to let them go."

Wan Hui said in a solemn voice, "Wang Chen, our acquaintance can be considered fate. If you wish to avenge your father and reclaim the Ling Family, your master is willing to help you once."

"Thank you, Master."

Wang Chen shook his head, "The vengeance for my father's murder cannot coexist under this sky; your disciple intends to recoup the blood debt and reclaim the Ling Family himself!"

"Good!"

Wan Hui patted Wang Chen heavily on the shoulder, "That's my good disciple!"

If Wang Chen had asked him for help in revenge, Wan Hui, while still regarding Wang Chen as his disciple, would not have held much hope.

Wang Chen's performance pleased him greatly!

In the following days, Wang Chen trained rigorously with the other Blood Cloak Guard recruits at the Iron Furnace Camp during the day.

At night, he would join Wan Hui in the training hall to learn.

Wan Hui's primary Cultivation Technique was different from the Mysterious Sun Haven Seven Fiend Wheel passed down from Ling Zhiyuan's family, but the former fifth-tier Martial Ancestor didn't require Wang Chen to switch techniques, instead continuing to cultivate the Seven Fiend Wheel.

And he provided in-depth guidance.

His experience and knowledge in martial arts greatly complemented Wang Chen's deficiencies.

Additionally, Wan Hui passed on four superior martial arts to Wang Chen: the Liaoyuan Spear Technique, Pojun Saber Technique, Great Strength Eagle Claw Skill, and Horizontal Training Secret Technique, each capable of being cultivated to the level of a fifth-tier Martial Ancestor!

Among them, the Liaoyuan Nine Strikes and Pojun Five Sabres were the essence of Wan Hui's lifelong learning.

He had only passed these on to Wang Chen!

Wang Chen did not disappoint the head instructor's expectations, whether it was the Liaoyuan Spear Technique, the Pojun Saber Technique, or the Great Strength Eagle Claw Skill and the Horizontal Training Secret Technique, his comprehension and mastery speed were extremely fast.

Wang Hui was also very surprised by the extraordinary talent Wang Chen displayed in the realm of martial arts.

He felt as if he had found a treasure.

The relationship between master and disciple also made rapid progress.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

The apprentices of the Blood Cloak Guard had reached the time for "graduation."

During the last three days at the Iron Furnace Camp, it was time to participate in the assessments. All the knowledge and skills they had learned had to be displayed during these few days.

The instructors would grade them with "A, B, C, D."

Whoever received the most "A"s would naturally be the ultimate winner!

And Wang Chen, in the assessment subjects of reconnaissance and tracking, stealth and concealment, espionage and assassination, poison application and antidote preparation, wilderness survival... etc., he received an "A" grade in every assessment item.

This shocked all the instructors.

Since the founding of the Iron Furnace Camp, there had been only a handful of freshmen who had achieved full "A" grades, with the last one being decades ago!

Without any suspense, Wang Chen received a Silver Badge.

He also became an official member of the Blood Cloak Guard.

Silver Badge Blood Cloak Guard!

"Wang Chen, everyone says that tonight there's a gathering at the Exquisite Pavilion..."

After the badge awarding ceremony, a fellow new recruit came up to Wang Chen and asked, "Will you be coming?"

His attitude was somewhat tentative.

Wang Chen was undoubtedly a very special and unique presence among this batch of apprentice Blood Cloak Guards.

His talent far exceeded his peers, and he gained the appreciation of the instructors; he even caught the attention of the "Living King Yama," who conducted private lessons for him every night, inciting admiration, envy, and hatred in others.

But Wang Chen had no friends; he did not have a single friend among the new recruits.

In fact, it wasn't that no one wanted to get close to Wang Chen, some people had tried to approach him. But they soon realized that Wang Chen devoted all his time to studying and cultivating, leaving no time for socializing.

So they had to give up.

Now that everyone had graduated, it was uncertain who would stay in Jiangyuan City, so some thought of organizing a banquet to deepen the friendship among classmates.

"I still have things to do, I won't be able to attend," Wang Chen shook his head and said, "You all have fun."

"Well, okay then," the other party replied, very disappointed but not daring to force Wang Chen. He could only leave with resignation.

After sending away a few people trying to curry favor, Wang Chen once again came to the training room to see Wang Hui: "Master!"

"Mhmm," Wang Hui nodded, "Are you ready?"

Wang Chen bowed with clasped hands and said, "Disciple is ready!"

"Good," Wang Hui waved his hand and said, "Go on, the quicker the better. Don't delay the important tasks. You only have five days."

"Disciple understands!"

After bidding farewell to his master, Wang Chen left the Iron Furnace Camp.

But he didn't return to Jiangyuan City. Instead, he rode on a fine horse lent to him by Wang Hui and set off on the road to Anyang City!

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Here comes the second update.