Inside the dining hall, the newcomers engaged in animated conversations, most of whom were experiencing the excitement of receiving internal cultivation methods for the first time. However, only those who had reached the tenth level of martial arts could unlock the acupoints.
At that moment, the few martial artists who had attained the tenth level were comparing their success from the previous night's training. Even among the five centurions, there was no exception.
Bai Shui, who had practiced internal methods since childhood, had already unlocked eighteen acupoints, thus excluded from the competition. Huang Fei managed to unlock three acupoints in one night, which was considered impressive.
Yun Feifei, feeling slightly inadequate, pouted and said, "I only unlocked two acupoints; you all must be feeling so proud!"
Her words were clearly directed at Huang Fei, leaving the burly man feeling somewhat embarrassed, while Bai Shui chuckled silently. In truth, everyone could see that Huang Fei had a particular interest in Yun Feifei.
As Huang Fei awkwardly shifted, Wu Qingtiger chimed in, grinning as he said, "I did alright, managing to unlock six acupoints thanks to my ample true energy!" His face radiated excitement, and with his near-advanced martial artist status, the acquisition of internal methods indicated that a breakthrough was imminent.
"Truly impressive, Brother Wu! You're extraordinary!" Yun Feifei exclaimed with enthusiasm.
Huang Fei and Bai Shui echoed their admiration.
However, they were not surprised, given that Wu Qingtiger was a half-step advanced martial artist. Such progress was expected of him.
In comparison, the group was even more curious about Ye Tian's results. After all, he was a genius who had amazed even the centurions, a tenth-level martial artist at just seventeen years old.
"Ye, my younger brother, what about you?" Wu Qingtiger asked with a hearty laugh.
Yun Feifei, her eyes wide with curiosity, eagerly stared at Ye Tian, teasingly saying, "Little Tian, quickly tell your sister how many acupoints you unlocked last night!"
Huang Fei and Bai Shui leaned in, all ears.
Seeing their interest, Ye Tian smiled lightly and replied, "Like Brother Wu, I unlocked six acupoints as well."
"Ah!"
The group was momentarily stunned, their mouths agape as if they could swallow a duck egg.
Then, an audible gasp filled the room.
"Is it really necessary to be this dramatic?" Ye Tian rolled his eyes, feeling slightly helpless.
In response to his protest, Wu Qingtiger and the others simply remarked, "You, young man, are bizarre!"
Ye Tian rubbed his nose, wearing a wry smile.
"Six acupoints? You managed to unlock one in just half an hour! That kind of speed can only be matched by Brother Wu, who is at half-step advanced martial artist status," Bai Shui remarked in awe.
Huang Fei appeared disheartened and muttered, "I finally understand what it means to be overshadowed by others."
"Little Tian is truly impressive; once you're successful, don't forget about Sister Yun!" Yun Feifei joked playfully, leaving Ye Tian at a loss for words.
Wu Qingtiger and the others expressed their admiration, acknowledging the undeniable strength of Ye Tian's talent, which had even astonished the centurions.
"Alright, it's New Year's Day. Do you have any plans?" Ye Tian interrupted their musings, smiling as he asked.
"Of course, we're going out together to enjoy the festivities! The New Year's Eve celebration in Blood Jade City is incredibly lively..." Before anyone else could respond, Yun Feifei chattered excitedly about the shopping, capable of going on for hours.
The others soon began to feel overwhelmed by her enthusiasm.
At that moment—
A blood-clothed guard entered the dining hall, proclaiming loudly, "The centurion commands that all newcomers proceed to the training ground immediately."
After delivering the message, the guard hurriedly left.
The newcomers froze for a moment before quickly abandoning their bowls and rushing towards the training ground.
"It seems our shopping plans will have to wait," Ye Tian remarked with a chuckle as he set down his bowl.
The others laughed; they were finally free from Yun Feifei's relentless chatter. Only Yun Feifei remained reluctant, yet she dared not defy the centurion's order, angrily leaving her bowl behind and following Ye Tian and the others to the training ground.
The vast training ground had only Centurion Zhao Dapeng present. Upon the newcomers' arrival, they quickly lined up under the orders of the five centurions and saluted Zhao Dapeng.
After returning the gesture, Zhao Dapeng got straight to the point, his tone icy as he said, "Today is New Year's Day. Normally, you would have a holiday, but that is no longer possible."
Everyone held their breath, their expressions serious as they listened intently to Zhao Dapeng's words.
"Just moments ago, we received news that merchant caravans returning to celebrate the New Year in Blood Jade City were attacked by numerous bandits and mountain thieves. They not only lost the goods they brought back but also their lives," Zhao Dapeng said coldly.
The newcomers' expressions turned solemn.
"It appears we are to eliminate the bandits!" Ye Tian thought to himself, quickly deducing Zhao Dapeng's intentions.
Wu Qingtiger and the others also seemed to grasp the situation, showing they were no fools.
Zhao Dapeng's voice was now sharp, filled with murderous intent: "You may not realize the importance of merchants. Given Blood Jade City's remote location, its prosperity is largely due to these traders facilitating commerce. Take this blood knife in my hand as an example—"
"Clang!"
Zhao Dapeng unsheathed the blood knife, the blade gleaming with a fierce aura, radiating a dazzling light that caught everyone's attention.
Instantly, many newcomers looked at the blood knife with envy.
"To forge this blood knife, one essential material is the crimson flame stone. This type of ore is not found in Blood Jade City, but only in the distant Chilin City. Without those merchants bringing the crimson flame stone, we would never possess this blood knife!"
Zhao Dapeng's voice grew colder, and the murderous intent in his words was palpable, making all the newcomers feel it.
Ye Tian, standing below, felt a dawning realization; it was no wonder Zhao Dapeng was so furious. These mountain bandits were courting death—robbing goods was one thing, but to kill was crossing a line.
"This matter has angered both the city lord and the commander. Initially, they planned to send the blood-clothed guards to eliminate these bandits directly, but considering that you newcomers still need training, this presents a perfect opportunity. If you succeed in eliminating the bandits, you will become true blood-clothed guards," Zhao Dapeng declared emphatically.
The newcomers' eyes brightened at his words; everyone yearned to officially become blood-clothed guards, eagerly anticipating this day. This truly was a great opportunity.
Even the centurions, including Wu Qingtiger, Huang Fei, and Bai Shui, felt a surge of excitement.
"I have the map to the bandits' lair. Each of you five centurions will take one and depart immediately. Remember, do not spare any of the bandits—kill them without mercy!"
Zhao Dapeng commanded coldly, his icy gaze filled with deadly intent.
Ye Tian and the others solemnly accepted the maps and respectfully bowed. They then turned to the newcomers and collectively shouted, "Everyone, go get your horses and gather in front of the barracks immediately!"
"Yes!" the newcomers responded in unison, then scattered to fetch their horses.
"We take our leave!"
Ye Tian and the others clasped their fists in farewell and proceeded to the stables to fetch their steeds.
Zhao Dapeng watched them depart, letting out a soft sigh. The bandits who dared to attack the merchant caravans of Blood Jade City were undoubtedly formidable. If these newcomers were careless, they might suffer greatly, and many could even lose their lives.
But what of it?
To become a Blood Clothed Guard, one must endure trials soaked in blood and steeped in death; all five thousand of them had gone through this, with no exceptions.
"I hope at least half of them return alive," Zhao Dapeng murmured, turning to leave.
...
In an open area before the Blood Clothed Guard camp, Ye Tian, Wu Qinghu, and the other five centurions mounted their black blood steeds, their expressions grave, each gaze sharp and filled with a chilling aura of determination.
Behind them stood five hundred newly initiated Blood Clothed Guards.
"Set off!"
"Onward!"
...
With a mighty roar, they spurred their horses and galloped toward the city gates.
As they rode, the throngs in the streets paused to watch, many already aware of their purpose.
Whispers and chatter filled the air, a cacophony of speculation.
The soldiers manning the city walls appeared to have been informed beforehand, allowing Ye Tian and his party to exit the city swiftly.
Outside the city, in a clearing, Ye Tian and his companions came to a halt.
"Brothers, and dear Sister Yun, our targets differ this time, so we must part ways here. Take care!" Wu Qinghu declared earnestly, his face grave.
The bandit groups were not a single entity; they would operate separately, each unit fighting their own battle.
"Stay safe!" Huang Fei added, clasping his fists.
"Don't let your guard down. I have word from home that these bandits are no ordinary foes. Be cautious, brothers!" Bai Shui cautioned, his tone serious, for his connections with the Bai family granted him insight that others lacked.
Ye Tian and the others nodded. In truth, none of them were arrogant or careless, so they would remain vigilant.
"Take care!"
"Be safe!"
...
Thus, the five parted ways, each leading a hundred newcomers toward their respective targets on the map.
Ye Tian's objective this time was a den of bandits, their numbers and strengths unknown, shrouded in uncertainty that would require them to scout thoroughly.
Not far from Blood Jade City, they stealthily entered a forest, each holding their breath and keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.
"Kid, where exactly are we headed? Why have you stopped?" A familiar voice broke through the silence; Ye Tian knew without turning that it was the bothersome Liu Hongwu.
However, he chose to ignore her for now. Seeing Liu Hongwu approaching, he instructed her to gather the other centurions for a discussion.
Though Liu Hongwu had a peculiar temperament, she was still very disciplined. With a pout, she went off to summon the other nine centurions.
"Look there, that great canyon ahead is our destination..." Ye Tian said, holding the map and pointing toward the distant gorge.
The centurions gathered around, scrutinizing the map before glancing at the canyon before them.