From the fusion of Tongbei Quan to the Longevity Martial Saint

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing raised his eyebrows, finally realizing that there was a spirit carp or other spiritual creature on top of this Qi Gathering Pill.

This opened up a whole new world for Fang Qing.

"Now, one Qi Gathering Pill can restore more than 100 stamina points to me."

"Wouldn't a single, palm-sized crucian carp replenish over 200 stamina points for me?"

Thinking of this, Fang Qing's eyes lit up immediately.

This is a great thing, especially since it can improve one's physical constitution.

One fish, two ways to eat it.

Sure enough, the top ten in the preparatory camp received the best of everything, from food and clothing to other necessities.

Thinking of this, Fang Qing felt a surge of excitement.

Next, Ding Mingcheng announced that after a short while, they would quickly pack their bags and head to Tiger Beach immediately.

Fang Qing didn't have much to pack, except for some valuable Qi Gathering Pills.

When he came out, the servants in the reserve camp had already brought out the horses.

The next moment, thirty fine horses carrying the members of the reserve battalion charged toward Tiger Beach, following behind Ding Mingcheng and several salt patrol instructors.

There is a key body of water located between Yancheng and Yangzhou.

The once wide river suddenly narrows here.

This caused the water flow rate to increase dramatically.

Most importantly, the banks are mostly rocky mountains, which means there are many reefs beneath this section of the waterway.

Only experienced boatmen who have traveled this route year-round can determine the depth of the reefs by observing changes in the water's current.

Every year, we hear stories of boats sinking at Tiger Beach after hitting the rocks below.

Fang Qing and his group first rode horses to the outer perimeter of Tiger Beach, and then took a boat.

Finally, they met up with Gu Changyuan and the others at a relatively flat area called Tiger Leaping Gorge, below Tiger Beach.

Several salt patrol tents were casually set up on this open space.

Gu Changyuan and several colleagues from the Salt Patrol Guard were gathered around a map of the area surrounding Tiger Beach, frowning as they pondered something.

Hearing footsteps, Gu Changyuan looked up and saw Fang Qing and more than thirty other young men from the reserve battalion approaching. He immediately put down his charcoal pencil and went to greet them.

Without any hesitation, Gu Changyuan walked directly up to Fang Qing and patted Fang Qing's incredibly strong and unusually broad shoulder forcefully:

"Brother Fang, it seems you've grown quite a bit taller in just a short time."

Now that the New Year has passed, Fang Qing is only 17 years old.

Fang Qing's height is now comparable to Gu Changyuan's.

Although Fang Qing is not as burly as Gu Changyuan now, Gu Changyuan can already imagine that Fang Qing will definitely be quite big when he comes of age.

The reserve battalion of the salt patrol had been fighting against salt bandits for many years.

The individual combat ability required is extremely high.

Gu Changyuan liked Fang Qing's tall and imposing physique.

Most importantly, most people with a physique like Fang Qing are physically strong but intellectually simple-minded.

But Fang Qing is the type who combines wisdom and courage.

This made Gu Changyuan love it so much that he made no attempt to hide his admiration.

Fang Qing quickly cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Gu Changyuan.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Changyuan pulled Fang Qing aside.

He lowered his voice and said:

"As for the scientific expedition quota, Lord Lin has already replied to me, so there shouldn't be any problems."

During this time, you should focus on preparing well at the preparatory camp.

"I'll be waiting for you to make a name for yourself in the martial arts examination."

Upon hearing this, Fang Qing's eyes lit up immediately.

Regardless of whether it's for the sake of True Essence Realm cultivation techniques,

It was still to fulfill Xie Yunzhou's long-cherished wish.

Fang Qing knew that he had to participate in the martial arts examination.

Now, as long as Gu Changyuan helps me secure a spot in the martial arts examination, all obstacles will be cleared away.

For the next period of time, Fang Qing only needs to focus on cultivation.

"Thank you for your help, Brother Gu and Salt Inspector Lin."

Gu Changyuan burst into laughter and couldn't help but pat Fang Qing on the shoulder again.

He was waiting for Fang Qing to say those words.

Fang Qing is a person who values ​​loyalty and righteousness, which can be seen from the fact that Fang Qing was willing to leave the Shanhe Boxing Academy for Xie Yunzhou.

If we can get Fang Qing's words today, it means that if Fang Qing passes the martial arts examination in the future, he will definitely enter the Salt Patrol Guard.

It's even possible that the starting hand is Silver Guardian.

When any organization or institution grows to a certain size, various factions will exist within it.

The same applies within the Salt Patrol Guard.

Fang Qing was someone Gu Changyuan had personally recruited into the Salt Patrol Guard. Having a colleague as brave and resourceful as Fang Qing as his right-hand man...

Gu Changyuan will be even more at ease within the Salt Patrol Guard in the future.

At this moment, Zeng Qian and Zhan Bo, who were in the distance, saw Gu Changyuan walk to the side with Fang Qing, and especially at the end, the two were chatting and laughing.

Zeng Qian and Zhan Bo exchanged a glance, a hint of envy flashing in their eyes.

Gu Changyuan is a Silver Guard within the Salt Patrol Guard. In terms of rank, even if they join the Salt Patrol Guard in the future, he will be the superior of their superior.

Fang Qing was still in the preparatory camp when she was already chatting intimately with Gu Changyuan, clearly indicating that the two had a close relationship.

Only the top ten prodigies in the preparatory camp receive such treatment.

When Lu Jianfeng saw that Fang Qing not only knew Ding Mingcheng, but also seemed to be even more familiar with Gu Changyuan than Ding Mingcheng, his pupils shrank and a look of utter shock flashed in his eyes.

Gu Changyuan had originally learned through his own channels that Fang Qing and Ding Mingcheng, the Bronze Guards, were having a very close relationship.

To be honest, Lu Jianfeng's father was also a copper guard in the Salt Patrol Guard.

Both being bronze guards, Lu Jianfeng wasn't particularly intimidated by Fang Qing.

Now, however, he saw Fang Qing getting along so well with a Silver Guard, which was completely beyond Lu Jianfeng's expectations.

The next moment, Lu Jianfeng clenched his fists tightly, then slowly relaxed them after a while, his eyes filled with helplessness.

He was defeated by Fang Qing and has now dropped to 51st place.

Fang Qing directly occupied his house.

Most importantly, Zeng Qian, the woman he likes, has been actively contacting Fang Qing on multiple occasions. Anyone with eyes can see that Zeng Qian has feelings for Fang Qing.

Whether in matters of the heart or in his career, Lu Jianfeng is now completely outmatched by Fang Qing.

That's not all. Now even Lu Jianfeng's proud father, the Bronze Guard,

They were completely crushed by Gu Changyuan's appearance, leaving not a trace.

This made Lu Jianfeng clench his fists again.

"Someone who walks on sand dares to ride on my head."

The next moment, a look of determination flashed in Lu Jianfeng's eyes.

There were some things he didn't want to do so early.

He knew he had to make up his mind to do it.

……

Soon, Fang Qing and his group obtained the key information about the mission from Gu Changyuan.

Tiger Beach was originally occupied by a very powerful group of salt bandits.

Last time, Lord Lin personally took action and wiped out the leader and most of the remaining members of the salt bandits in Tiger Beach.

However, the second-in-command, who was in charge of all the affairs of the gang, led a group of people and escaped.

Through interrogation by the head of the gang, Gu Changyuan learned that the second-in-command possessed an account book that served as evidence of collusion between the salt bandits of Tiger Beach and some powerful families in the capital.

This time, the salt patrol guards had directly stirred up a hornet's nest.

On the surface, these salt bandits were engaged in the illegal trade of salt.

Even the salt bandits at Tiger Beach robbed merchant ships that passed through the waters in front of them.

In reality, these salt bandits were all backed by powerful clans and aristocratic families.

The powerful clans and aristocratic families had their tentacles extended to the officials and nobles in the imperial court.

Therefore, although Gu Changyuan did not say it explicitly, Fang Qing could already imagine that the impeachments from the officials in the court, like snowflakes, had probably already reached the Yangzhou Salt Commissioner's Office.

If Gu Changyuan moves a little slower, even the Salt Inspector Lin would probably not be able to withstand such pressure.

The Salt Inspector, Lord Lin, gave Gu Changyuan a direct order: this evidence must be obtained.

It is imperative to obtain firsthand evidence of these salt bandits' communications with the powerful clans before they retaliate.

Both sides are now racing against time.

It all comes down to who gets the crucial evidence first.

Gu Changyuan originally had more than enough men to wipe out the salt bandits at Tiger Beach.

Unfortunately, although this second-in-command only had the cultivation level of the seventh level of Body Tempering, he was very quick-witted.

They chose a cave that was easy to defend and difficult to attack as their stronghold.

Gu Changyuan and his men attacked several times, but failed to capture the city.

Moreover, the jade-faced scholar declared that if Gu Changyuan dared to continue attacking them, he would destroy the account book.

The dilemma of being hesitant to act has put Gu Changyuan and his group in a difficult situation.

"But don't rush. We've already surrounded the second-in-command of Tiger Beach, and their supplies can no longer be transported up there."

Everyone's just trying to outlast each other, seeing who can't hold out the longest.

Our thinking is that we can't just sit and wait to die, so we're dispatching thirty members of your reserve battalion to conduct a comprehensive search to see if we can find the ledger that the second-in-command buried somewhere before we even get there.

Fang Qing nodded upon hearing this.

We finally figured out the origin of this mission.

Just then, Gu Changyuan waved in the direction of Lu Jianfeng from afar.

"How is your godfather's health lately?"

Lu Jianfeng was already feeling frustrated because Fang Qing and Gu Changyuan were having such a pleasant conversation.

Upon seeing Gu Changyuan greet him, the gloom in his eyes vanished instantly.

He hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully bowed with his hands clasped.

"Thank you for your kind thought, Lord Gu!"

"My godfather is in very good health. Just the other day he was talking about how he missed the days when he fought alongside you against the salt bandits at Tiger Beach."

As he spoke, he moved closer.

Gu Changyuan's gaze swept over Fang Qing and Lu Jianfeng.

These two people in front of him were the most promising talents in the Salt Patrol Guard reserve camp.

Fang Qing was burly and much stronger than Lu Jianfeng.

What's even more remarkable is that he is courageous and resourceful, acts with composure, and is a capable individual.

Lu Jianfeng deliberately straightened his back, standing like a javelin, his face full of a defiant spirit.