I Can Strengthen Infinitely-Chapter 131 - 111: Promotion
Zuo Zonghao glanced at Qin Yuesheng: "Did you discover anything after killing those Ghost Race members?"
"Using the Exorcism Toad, I searched the entire Cold Mountain Temple and found several stone towers emitting malevolent energy. In the place with the most malevolent energy, I discovered a secret chamber with an altar, where three headless corpses were hidden."
Huang Ting’s eyes widened immediately: "Headless corpses! Were there a lot of Yellow Talismans stuck on those corpses?"
Qin Yuesheng nodded: "Yes, there were."
"It seems that quite a few Ghost Race members know about this seal."
Zuo Zonghao: "Daoist, what exactly is going on? Please explain carefully. Every time an anomaly occurs, various disasters accompany it. We have come all the way from Chang’an to Cyan Yang City to prevent any major catastrophes the anomaly might cause here."
"Under that seal are the heads of thirteen Great Ghost Venerables. The reason they were sealed back then was not that the Yellow Dragon Dao Sect was unwilling to act but because they were powerless. They could only rely on the seal and the power of the earth’s fire to gradually annihilate those Great Ghost Venerables. Recently, the seal started to loosen, and we suspect that after all these years, those Great Ghost Venerables still haven’t been annihilated and remain in this world.
What surprised me is that the matter of the seal, originally a secret, has drawn much attention from the Ghost Race for some reason. They have secretly come to Cyan Yang City to break the seal and release the Great Ghost Venerables."
Huang Ting glanced at Qin Yuesheng: "If my guess is correct, the altar you saw should be part of the Three Corpses Array, and the three corpses inside are extreme Yin refined corpses, specifically for connecting with the bodies of the Great Ghost Venerable heads in the seal. These Ghost Race members are secretly plotting to release the Great Ghost Venerables into the world."
As soon as Huang Ting said this, everyone fell silent.
As members of the Seven Star Bureau, they often encountered various eerie events and frequently eliminated ghosts and monsters, possessing both courage and knowledge.
But no one expected that the waters in Cyan Yang City would be so murky, and this time their opponents were no longer just ghosts or monsters but anomalies, the Ghost Race.
This was far more dangerous than any enemies they had encountered before.
"Daoist, where is the seal located? We need to guard it to prevent anyone from accessing it," Zuo Zonghao said.
Huang Ting seriously replied, "Sir, these are not ordinary foes. If you think that relying solely on soldiers can handle those Ghost Race members, you’re gravely mistaken. It’s best to leave this matter to us at the West Qi Mountain Temple."
Zuo Zonghao, as if hearing a joke, burst into laughter: "Daoist, although the upheaval before the Yuwen family’s overthrow during the previous dynasty led to the destruction of many literature and records, making it hard for us to learn much about ghosts and monsters, in terms of exorcism methods, the Seven Star Bureau has gathered the finest resources of the entire Great Tang. Don’t overestimate the legacy of your West Qi Mountain Temple.
Tell me the location of the seal. This is the Great Tang’s land, and as long as the Seven Star Bureau exists, no ghosts or monsters can cause chaos here. Whether they are ghosts or the Ghost Race, they must obey the Seven Star Bureau’s rules."
Zuo Zonghao’s words were resolute, fully displaying his determination and spirit.
Bai Hao and the others immediately straightened their backs, their faces reflecting pride and confidence.
This is the Seven Star Bureau!
Since Zuo Zonghao had spoken, Huang Ting naturally had no reason to withhold the information he wanted. After all, the people shouldn’t fight the officials, and as long as West Qi Mountain Temple was within the Great Tang’s borders, it had to abide by the regulations.
"The seal is located in the Cheng family mansion in Cyan Yang City."
Zuo Zonghao: "What is the seal?"
"Dig three zhangs down, and you’ll see the Underworld Officer. Reaching a bronze door is where it is."
Having obtained all the intelligence he needed, Zuo Zonghao, a man of efficiency, stood up to bid farewell and prepared to leave for a closer look at Cyan Yang City.
Huang Ting also rose to lead the way for them.
Walking at the end of the group, Qin Yuesheng secretly took out the Spirit Fox Mind’s Eye to observe. He saw white energy surging throughout West Qi Mountain Temple, indicating a righteous atmosphere, with the white energy emanating from Huang Ting and Zuo Zonghao being the thickest, highest, and largest, indicating the extraordinary strength of the two.
Just after stepping out of the mountain gate, Zuo Zonghao suddenly turned to Qin Yuesheng and asked, "Are you currently at the First Layer of the Internal Power Realm?"
"Lord Zuo, you have sharp eyes," Qin Yuesheng responded.
Instantly, everyone looked at Qin Yuesheng in disbelief.
So young, at the First Layer of the Internal Power Realm?
Is that for real?
Among them, none was more shocked than Bai Hao himself. He always thought Qin Yuesheng’s strength, if reaching external bone forging, was already quite impressive.
Who would have thought the other party wasn’t at bone forging, nor muscle hammering, but at the same level of strength as him, the First Layer of the Internal Power Realm!
"How is this possible? Just recently at Shui Village, there was no inner strength within his body," Bai Hao pondered in disbelief.
"Receive one move from me, succeed, and I’ll promote you to Iron Toad," Zuo Zonghao said calmly.
In the Seven Star Bureau, the difference between Wood Toad and Iron Toad isn’t just about the materials used for the Exorcism Toad. Authority, status, and resources all see a certain rise.
The Wood Toad and Iron Toad officials present all looked at Qin Yuesheng with envious eyes.
In the Seven Stars Bureau, those below the Inner Power Realm are considered Wood Toads. Reaching the First Layer of the Inner Power Realm qualifies you for promotion to Iron Toad.
Originally, this process was very complex. You needed someone to recommend you and then report for assessment. But now, Zuo Zonghao has given Qin Yuesheng this opportunity, sparing him from many obstacles invisibly.
Bai Hao felt both complex emotions and gratification; complex because Qin Yuesheng’s climb has been shockingly swift, achieving the same status as him in less than a month.
Gratification because Qin Yuesheng, after all, was his selected candidate, and it feels like the seeds he sowed have finally borne fruit.
Their relationship is good, and if Bai Hao earns the qualification to be a Coppertail, he could ask Qin Yuesheng to recommend him.
"Alright." Qin Yuesheng resolutely agreed.
"Prepare yourself, there’s only one move." Zuo Zonghao raised his palm, and a seemingly ordinary yet swift strike followed.
This strike looked so normal, yet Qin Yuesheng felt a shock throughout his body, his clothes and hair quivering. In his view, the light around Zuo Zonghao dimmed abruptly, and a giant snarling monkey face suddenly appeared.
Buzz!
A purely Inner Strength-formed white palm seal reached before Qin Yuesheng in an instant.
Great Vajra Palm!
Qin Yuesheng poured his Inner Strength into both arms, and both palms simultaneously collided heavily with the palm seal.
The ground cracked instantly, soil flew, and the floor around Qin Yuesheng sunk several inches. His clothes split into strips, and his upper garment shattered into ribbons.
Bam!
The Inner Strength scattered outward, expanding to the surrounding. Spectating Seven Stars Bureau officials instinctively blocked with their arms, yet their outcome was not much better; their sleeve garments tore apart miserably.
When the soil dispersed and dust settled, Qin Yuesheng’s figure reappeared in everyone’s view.
His arms were covered in scars, with hand injuries being the most severe, almost unrecognizable.
Qin Yuesheng eyed Zuo Zonghao cautiously. Even a so-casual strike had such impact; what exactly is this person’s strength?
Moreover, that strike seemed to conceal something else.
"To withstand thirty percent of my Inner Strength and remain standing is impressive." Zuo Zonghao nodded, "From now on, you are an Iron Toad official of the Seven Stars Bureau."
"Lord Zuo, were you just trying to kill me earlier?" Qin Yuesheng suddenly asked.
Everyone immediately looked at Qin Yuesheng in surprise, then at Zuo Zonghao, uncertain of the situation.
Facing Qin Yuesheng’s inquiry, Zuo Zonghao directly stated, "It was merely a test. If you are human, naturally you wouldn’t die; if not, death deserves no pity."
"Do you suspect I belong to the Ghost Race?"
"It’s rare to have the First Layer of the Internal Power Realm strength before twenty. Even across the world, such is uncommon. It is simply my routine duty as an official of the Seven Stars Bureau."
Zuo Zonghao took out a small porcelain bottle from his chest, saying, "Though your ability seems unusual, since it has been confirmed you are human, neither how unusual nor the methods you rely upon concern me. This bottle of Rejuvenation Pills is a gift for your promotion."
Having thrown the porcelain bottle to Qin Yuesheng, Zuo Zonghao turned and left.
Accurately catching the bottle, Qin Yuesheng’s mind spun with countless thoughts.
Zuo Zonghao, this person; personal and official matters are clearly separated; intriguing.
...
After returning to Cyan Yang City, no need for accompanying officials. Zuo Zonghao directly led Bai Hao and other Iron Toad officials, along with Qi Feng and other Wood Toad officials, to the Cheng family’s residence to inspect the seal.
Due to his ragged state and injured arms, Qin Yuesheng was excused from accompanying them.
Actually, considering Qin Yuesheng’s current physique, these injuries are hardly bothersome, healing in mere hours.
But naturally, he couldn’t openly share this; his exceptionally robust body is one of Qin Yuesheng’s major cards.
If Zuo Zonghao didn’t use Inner Strength, he might not withstand three moves from Qin Yuesheng.
With nothing to do, Qin Yuesheng naturally returned to the Qin Mansion to change clothes, or else his tattered look while walking the street was too much like a beggar.
On the way home, Qin Yuesheng took out the Rejuvenation Pills given by Zuo Zonghao, cautiously placing one in his mouth. He was prepared to immediately activate his Health Nourishing Technique to vaporize and expel it if any odd symptoms emerged.
All-Purpose Essence +5000.
