Chapter 55: Passing the Level (Please follow, favorite, monthly tickets, and recommendation votes)

When Su Mu opened the door, he immediately saw two people standing not far from the entrance with their backs to him.

They were dressed in fine silk and dark robes, with the character "Ping" (Peace) on their backs standing out strikingly.

The Taiping Division!

Su Mu wanted to greet them, but he realized he didn't even know how to address "Brother Taiping."

By then, the two had already turned around.

One was none other than Brother Taiping, whom Su Mu had met once before; the other was slightly older and a complete stranger.

"We meet again."

Brother Taiping stood with his hands behind his back, his tone quite cheerful. "In just one short year, you've gone from a mere refugee to a constable squad leader of the South City Division. You truly live up to my judgment."

*Brother, could you watch your wording? That "judgment" part is easily misunderstood,* Su Mu grumbled inwardly. He bowed slightly and said, "Under the guidance of Lord Meng's saber techniques, I have not dared to slack for a single day. Fortunately, I have not failed your high expectations; I have achieved some success with the Wave-Subduing Saber Technique."

"Hit me."

Before Brother Taiping could speak, the older man beside him suddenly spoke up. "Use your strongest method. Hit me."

Su Mu: "..."

*Isn't this request a bit too rude? This is our first time meeting.*

"If he tells you to move, then move," Brother Taiping let out a "Heh" and said, "Don't hold back. Use your greatest strength, and don't worry about hurting him. This is Zhao Ponu, the Zhenfu Commissioner of our Wuling City Taiping Division. Even if he stood perfectly still, you wouldn't be able to harm him."

*The Zhenfu Commissioner of the Wuling City Taiping Division?*

Su Mu's eyes lit up, and he understood immediately.

This big figure likely wanted to test his mettle.

If he continued to hide his abilities now, he would only look foolish.

"Commissioner, please forgive my insolence!" Su Mu said with a slight bow.

Before his voice had even faded, Su Mu's expression turned solemn, and the long saber at his waist was violently unsheathed.

The moment the blade left the scabbard, Su Mu's focus condensed like never before. The skin across his entire body tightened abruptly, and the power he had cultivated through the perfection of Skin Tempering was unleashed at full strength for the first time.

*Buzz!*

In an instant, the saber light flowed like a streak of radiance, slashing out nine afterimages.

The air itself was sliced open, emitting a sharp, tearing sound.

The Nine-Layer Wave-Subduing Strike!

It really was the Wave-Subduing Saber Momentum!

*To master the Wave-Subduing Saber Momentum in just one year... this little brother is quite something.*

In the blink of an eye, the blade was only an inch away from Zhao Ponu.

Suddenly, Zhao Ponu raised his hand. His movement seemed slow yet was actually incredibly fast as he flicked his finger.

*Clang!*

With a crisp sound, Su Mu felt a violent tremor in his hand. A massive force surged through him, and his right hand could no longer grip the long saber.

*Stomp! Stomp! Stomp!*

He had to take several steps back before he could forcibly neutralize the force.

At that moment, the long saber fell perfectly, plunging into the ground in front of him, exactly one foot away from his toes.

Su Mu was horrified. *Is this the pinnacle expert of Wuling City?*

With just a casual flick, he was already struggling to cope.

The absolute gap in strength rendered all technique useless.

The Wave-Subduing Saber Momentum could be broken by a mere flick of a finger.

However, Su Mu did not lose heart. He was still young; by the time he reached Zhao Ponu's age, it wasn't certain who would be stronger.

"You... have reached the perfection of Skin Tempering?"

Su Mu was shocked, but he had no idea that Zhao Ponu's shock was even greater than his own.

When he had observed Su Mu on the street yesterday, he had assessed his cultivation.

If he hadn't misjudged, Su Mu had not yet reached the perfection of Skin Tempering yesterday.

That was why he had made that bet with Lin Qihuan.

He had said that if Su Mu reached Skin Tempering perfection overnight, he would give him a chance.

Because he believed it was impossible.

Zhao Ponu's figure blurred, appearing before Su Mu as if teleporting, and he grabbed Su Mu's arm.

Knowing Zhao Ponu had no ill intent, Su Mu simply didn't dodge.

Even if he wanted to, he wouldn't have been able to.

Holding Su Mu's arm, Zhao Ponu carefully inspected the skin.

It was indeed the perfection of Skin Tempering, without a doubt.

Furthermore, while the effect of his Skin Tempering could not compare to innate Copper Skin, it was slightly stronger than ordinary Skin Tempering.

In just one year, not only had he mastered the Wave-Subduing Saber Momentum, but he had also achieved perfection in Skin Tempering!

With such comprehension and talent, he would be considered an outstanding individual even within the Taiping Division.

It was just a pity he had started his martial path too late.

Zhao Ponu released Su Mu's arm, shook his head, and sighed.

"He really did reach Skin Tempering perfection?"

Lin Qihuan also leaned in, glanced at Su Mu's skin, and clicked his tongue in amazement. "Boss, what do you have to say now? I told you, my eye for talent is unmatched."

"Su Mu, age seventeen, refugee background, currently a constable squad leader of the South City Division. In one year, he mastered the Wave-Subduing Saber Momentum and achieved perfection in Skin Tempering. Comprehension and talent are sufficient," Zhao Ponu said in a deep voice. "During his tenure as squad leader, he solved two homicide cases and six thefts, maintained peace in his jurisdiction, and personally paved roads for the local residents. Character: passing."

As Zhao Ponu spoke expressionlessly, cold sweat broke out on Su Mu's back.

*So, all my actions these past days have been under the watchful eyes of the Taiping Division?*

Fortunately, in his pursuit of "performance points," he had worked diligently in his position as squad leader and hadn't failed his duties.

Otherwise, he would definitely have received a "failing" grade for character!

This was a stroke of luck born of diligence. Or perhaps, hard-working people aren't destined for bad luck?

"Su Mu, are you willing to join the Taiping Division and fight alongside us?" Zhao Ponu asked, looking at him.

Su Mu was ecstatic. Was he willing?

Of course he was!

The name of the Taiping Division alone would allow the scions of the Wang family—one of the four great families of the Inner City—to discard their interests in the Outer City just to befriend him.

Setting everything else aside, joining the Taiping Division meant he would at least no longer have to worry about being bullied.

*He Yu Xing, Zhao Ji—I'm no longer in the same league as you lot.*

He wanted to shout "I am willing" immediately.

But his cautious nature surfaced once again.

"I heard that the threshold for joining the Taiping Division is reaching the fourth stage of Body Tempering before the age of twenty. Can I really do it?" Su Mu asked seriously.

Rights and obligations are relative.

While the Taiping Division enjoyed special imperial privileges, they were also tasked with slaying demons and evil spirits.

Demons truly existed in this world; Su Mu had seen them with his own eyes.

Those were the enemies of the Taiping Division.

Joining the division with too low a cultivation level would not be a good thing.

Su Mu estimated that the threshold of the Taiping Division wasn't set arbitrarily.

It was like the safety regulations in a factory in his previous life; perhaps behind every seemingly heartless rule lay the lives of many people.

"Reaching the fourth stage of Body Tempering before twenty tests one's talent," Zhao Ponu said. "Your talent and comprehension are not an issue. I can make an exception and give you a chance."

"If I am willing, I can join the Taiping Division?" Su Mu asked.

"Yes, and no," Zhao Ponu replied. "You will only have the qualification. Whether you actually join depends on your own ability. Even the geniuses you mentioned who reach the fourth stage before twenty only pass the first step through selection. To truly join the Taiping Division, they must pass the final trial. I can give you a chance to stand at the same starting line as them. You will have three years. Within those three years, as long as you can break through to the Blood Exchange Realm, you will be qualified to have the words 'Taiping' embroidered on your uniform."

"I am willing."

Before Zhao Ponu had even finished speaking, Su Mu had already answered.