[Year 1 of cultivating the Spirit-Seizing Technique: You gained a basic understanding.]

...

[Year 30 of cultivating the Spirit-Seizing Technique: You mastered the art of seizing spirits.]

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[Year 140 of cultivating the Spirit-Seizing Technique: Your Spirit-Seizing Technique finally reached Proficiency.]

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[Name: Bai Yuan]

[Class: Demon Hunter, Sword Ghost, Boxer, Spirit Cooker, Skin Painter]

[Skills: Chaotic Blood Hidden Tiger Saber (Initiate), Toad Venom (Master), Ten Thousand Poison Hand (Master), Spirit Extraction (Master), Spirit-Seizing Technique (Proficient)...]

[Enhancement Points: 0]

Bai Yuan had upgraded the Spirit-Seizing Technique to Proficient in one go.

Spirit Extraction was merely the introductory method for a Spirit Cooker. Even though Bai Yuan had raised it to the Master level, all it did was broaden the range of the extraction.

The Spirit-Seizing Technique, however, was different.

The true meaning of the Spirit-Seizing Technique lay in the word "seize." Learning it allowed one to forcibly extract the spirit from a living creature—an incredibly domineering ability.

Of course, there were few targets Bai Yuan could currently use it on—at most, he could handle demons at the Tendon-Altering level, and that was only because of his own considerable strength.

The Spirit-Seizing Technique had immense potential. Cultivated to a high enough level, it could kill from a distance, making it no weaker than any advanced Martial Arts Technique.

In the end, all these techniques were just clever applications of refined power.

That was why the barrier to entry for a Spirit Cooker was so high; one had to be an Entering Martial Artist to even begin. Perhaps this was also why the art of Spirit Cooking had been lost to time.

Having practiced many different techniques, Bai Yuan gradually came to realize that all paths led to the same destination. Any technique, if practiced to a high enough level, could become a deadly weapon.

With the Spirit-Seizing Technique, Bai Yuan had many more ways to acquire spirit.

Demons had become the fastest way to obtain it.

First seize their spirit, then kill them for Enhancement Points. Not a single bit would go to waste.

The Lingzhou People often said that a demon’s body was a treasure trove, and it turned out to be true!

More importantly, with the Spirit-Seizing Technique complementing Spirit Extraction, he finally had a chance to break through to the legendary realm.

This trip to Qingzhou had been a massive haul for Bai Yuan.

...

Ling Province, Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.

Shuofang Jiedu Envoy Du Qinghui gazed at the confidential letter sent from Qingzhou, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly.

’That young fellow Bai Yuan is getting more and more interesting.’

He handed the letter to Dong Wanjun, who was at his side.

Du Qinghui said, "Lord Dong, that disciple of yours is truly impressive. The King of Qingzhou had nothing but praise for him in this letter."

He had dealt with the King of Qingzhou before and knew full well that the Prince was an incredibly proud man. Ordinary young talents would never catch his eye.

For Bai Yuan to earn the King of Qingzhou’s praise was no small feat.

A flash of surprise appeared in Dong Wanjun’s eyes.

He knew, of course, that Bai Yuan had gone to Qingzhou to help one of the King of Qingzhou’s sons quell a demon uprising. He just never expected the King of Qingzhou to personally write a letter of thanks.

Jiang Changping, who stood to the side, also looked astonished.

He had interacted with Bai Yuan many times, and the young man continued to exceed his expectations.

Du Qinghui clapped his hands and laughed heartily.

Qingzhou had always been a thorn in his side, but now, thanks to Bai Yuan, the situation had eased. He was naturally delighted.

Although the King of Qingzhou, with the nation’s best interests at heart, had ceded Qingzhou to him, the King was still a member of the Royal Race. Even though Du Qinghui held a second-rank office, blood was thicker than water. Emperor Xuanyang would always favor his own relatives, so Du Qinghui had always maintained a delicate relationship with Qingzhou.

Du Qinghui said, "Lord Dong, have that disciple of yours make a trip to Ling Province. I want to meet him."

He was eager to see for himself just what kind of person this young man praised by the King of Qingzhou was.

Dong Wanjun cupped his hands. "This subordinate obeys."

...

Huanglong Prefecture.

"What in the world did you do in Qingzhou, you brat?"

Yang Fangyu was extremely well-informed. He found Bai Yuan almost at the exact moment the official from Ling Province arrived in Huanglong Prefecture.

He and Li Huan were friends of many years, so of course he knew the temperament of the King of Qingzhou.

It was no easy feat to be noticed by such an important figure.

Bai Yuan replied helplessly, "I just destroyed a Demon Stronghold."

’Of course,’ he thought, ’I also happened to drive off the Soul Chasing Tower Lord from Ling Province...’

He figured the King of Qingzhou’s special letter to Du Qinghui must have something to do with Li Huan.

But since Du Qinghui wanted to see him, it was a necessary trip. After all, the man was his superior’s superior; he couldn’t afford to offend him.

According to Yang Fangyu, it was already a blessing that Du Qinghui wasn’t causing trouble for him. He certainly couldn’t go looking for it himself.

Under Yang Fangyu’s envious gaze, Bai Yuan rode out of the city on his horse.

At noon the next day, Bai Yuan finally arrived in Ling Province.

Although Bai Yuan held the position of Demon-slaying Guard General of Lingzhou, this was his first time actually visiting the city.

Lingzhou was a full three times larger than Huanglong Prefecture, with five times the population. While it couldn’t compare to Qingzhou, it was still a major city in Shuofang.

He had just entered the city when Yin Li, the Vice General of the Demon Slayer Guard, who had already heard the news, was waiting for him at the city gates.

Bai Yuan wouldn’t dare to neglect his duties to his superior, and Yin Li felt the same way about his own. Thus, he had been waiting at the city gate since early on.

"Lord Yin."

Bai Yuan cupped his hands toward Yin Li.

Yin Li trotted over to Bai Yuan’s Demon Horse and personally took the reins.

Seeing Yin Li’s eagerness, Bai Yuan didn’t refuse.

’This is how officialdom works,’ Bai Yuan thought. ’You have to give your subordinates a chance to show their diligence. Refusing might actually make Yin Li suspicious.’

"Lord Bai, what you’ve done has made all the brothers in the Demon Slayer Guard feel proud to be associated with you."

"Those bastards from the Patrol Office don’t even dare to hold their heads up when they enter the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office anymore. It’s so satisfying!"

Yin Li chattered on.

The Demon Slayer Guard and the Patrol Office both fell under the jurisdiction of the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office. Though one handled humans and the other handled demons, they were locked in a fierce rivalry.

Previously, because a Demon had snuck into Ling Province, the Demon Slayer Guard had suffered greatly and couldn’t hold their heads high in front of the Patrol Office.

But ever since Bai Yuan became the new General, the Demon Slayer Guard felt they could finally hold their heads high again; they even walked with their backs a little straighter.

"My lord, we’ve arrived at the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office," Yin Li said respectfully. "Would you like to visit the Demon Slayer Guard first?"

Bai Yuan swung himself off his horse. "I’ll go see Lord Du first."

"As you command."

Yin Li bowed deeply, then led Bai Yuan’s Demon Horse to the Demon Slayer Guard’s stables.

Bai Yuan, meanwhile, walked straight toward the main hall of the Prefecture Magistrate’s Office.

Only after the Officials at the entrance announced his arrival did he step into the great hall.

The hall was filled with people, most of whom Bai Yuan had never seen before.

An old man, his face so wrinkled that the lines resembled deep gullies, sat majestically in the Grandmaster’s Chair at the head of the hall. To his left sat Dong Wanjun, and to his right, Jiang Changping.

"Bai Yuan, Demon-slaying Guard General of Lingzhou, pays his respects to Lord Du."

Bai Yuan knelt on one knee, performing a military salute.

Though he was not a career soldier, the rank of Demon-slaying Guard General was a genuine military position, so he performed a military salute.

Seeing Bai Yuan, Du Qinghui laughed in satisfaction. "In the future, there’s no need for such formalities with me."

At these words, the expressions of everyone in the hall shifted.

These people were the representatives of the major powers from outside Ling Province.

They all knew that Du Qinghui was not one to overlook minor details. On the contrary, as the former Left Imperial Envoy of the Imperial Inspection Office, Du Qinghui placed extreme importance on etiquette.

Yet today, Du Qinghui was being uncharacteristically lenient with a young man, which clearly showed the young man’s standing in his eyes.

"Lord Dong, this disciple of yours is truly young and promising."

Dong Wanjun replied, "You praise him too highly, Lord Du. My young disciple still has much to learn."

This time, Du Qinghui brought up Xu Dingchun, a rare occurrence.

"No wonder Old Xu holds you and your disciple in such high regard. This time, I am thoroughly convinced."

When he said this, the expressions of the people in the hall grew even stranger.

Everyone knew that Du Qinghui and Xu Dingchun were mortal enemies—the kind who wouldn’t surprise anyone if they came to blows in the Imperial Court one day. Of course, the one getting beaten would most likely be Du Qinghui...

But for Du Qinghui to admit inferiority to Xu Dingchun today was certainly surprising.

The Cangsong Taoist of the Celestial Profound Sect was also in the hall. Compared to the others, his expression was even more complicated.

This was his second time meeting Bai Yuan.

He hadn’t expected Bai Yuan to grow so quickly. Now, even a regional powerhouse like Du Qinghui held him in high regard.

The disappearance of the Celestial Profound Sect disciple, Xu Hui, was already known to Xu Hui’s master, who would be arriving in Ling Province soon.

But given the current situation, it seemed that even if that "Perfected Man" from the Celestial Profound Sect arrived, he wouldn’t dare make a move against Bai Yuan. Doing so would surely infuriate Du Qinghui.

And if Du Qinghui became angry, even the Celestial Profound Sect would have to tread carefully.

Just thinking about it gave the Cangsong Taoist a headache.

He had originally come to Ling Province just to go through the motions, but he never expected to get himself into so much trouble.

In his heart, he had already cursed Xu Hui ten thousand times.

’Couldn’t he have died somewhere else? Why did he have to die on Shenfu Mountain, and without leaving a single shred of evidence?’

Du Qinghui was in an excellent mood and, in a rare display, offered a few more words of praise for Bai Yuan.

Bai Yuan remained extremely humble throughout the exchange.

This won him the favor of many of the Elders from the various powers. To remain composed in the face of both praise and potential disgrace at such a young age—his temperament was far superior to that of many disciples in their own sects.

"Lord Du, the Demon Slayer Guard has many pressing matters. This subordinate will take his leave now."

Seeing that Du Qinghui had said his piece, Bai Yuan spoke at the opportune moment.

Du Qinghui smiled and waved his hand. "Go on."

’Such diligent officials are a rare find these days.’

’The Xuan Yang Empire is facing difficult times, yet so many officials are merely occupying their posts without doing any work, hiding away in their corners. They can’t compare to Bai Yuan at all.’

The more he looked at this young man, the more he liked him.

...

After tethering Bai Yuan’s Demon Horse in the stables, Yin Li had been waiting outside the main hall.

The moment he spotted Bai Yuan’s figure, he immediately rushed forward to greet him.

He asked with a look of anticipation, "Lord Bai, did Lord Du have any instructions?"

Who was Du Qinghui?

The former head of the Imperial Inspection Office, and now a regional overlord. The previous Demon-slaying Guard General of Lingzhou had never even exchanged a single word with the Shuofang Jiedu Envoy.

It couldn’t be helped; the difference in rank was just too great.

Those who could interact with Du Qinghui were at least at the level of the Prefect of Lingzhou.

Bai Yuan rolled his eyes internally.

He had also thought that Du Qinghui must have had something more important in mind to summon him all the way from Huanglong Prefecture to Ling Province. He never imagined it would just be to praise him in front of all of Ling Province’s powerful figures.

Without a doubt, his name was now etched in the memories of all those people. It would be difficult to keep a low profile now.

However, Bai Yuan was no longer the little Hunter who lived day to day, never knowing if he’d see the next. Since he had become a powerful figure, he had to adopt the mentality of one.

Constantly hiding in the shadows was a poor strategy.

The benefits of a good reputation could significantly shorten the time he needed to train his techniques.

But as the saying goes, the tree that stands tallest in the forest will be the first to be broken by the wind. He also had to be wary of the enemies lurking in the shadows.