The path to immortality through martial arts begins with being forced into marriage!

Upon hearing about the quota for the Demon Suppression Division, a hint of embarrassment flashed across Zhou Wenyuan's face: "Haha, Brother Cui is indeed ambitious and eager to make progress. Good thing, good thing!"

"Our county does indeed have one opening for the Demon Suppression Division, but..."

"It's not a direct entry spot. After you go there, Brother Cui will still have to go through a selection process."

"Of course, having this recommendation slot means you can skip the initial selection process and numerous complicated checks, and directly participate in the core assessment—that's already a huge convenience!"

Cui Yi felt as if a flock of crows were flying overhead.

Is Zhou Wenyuan playing word games this week?

The reward notice only stated that it was for a position in the Demon Suppression Division, but did not specify whether it was for an assessment.

Now, not only have I killed the tiger demon, but I've also become a member of Qinglin County's talent pool, even avoiding the complicated selection process.

If he could get into the Demon Suppression Division, Zhou Wenyuan could also claim the title of meritorious recommender.

This damn magistrate's brain is actually quite sharp.

However, Cui Yi did not experience any significant emotional fluctuations.

After all, he had seen too many things like this in modern times.

"So there was this connection. Thank you for clearing up my confusion, Lord Zhou."

"I am already extremely grateful for the recommendation. As for the assessment, I will do my best and dare not fail your recommendation."

Seeing Cui Yi's cooperative attitude, Zhou Wenyuan's embarrassment vanished, and his smile returned to its natural warmth: "Oh, Brother Cui, you're too kind!"

"With your skills and temperament, young man, passing the test will definitely not be a problem!"

"Consider this a favor I owe you, brother. If you ever encounter any problems in Qinglin County that you can't handle, just let me know, young brother!"

"Come on, everyone, drink up! Let's drink until we drop tonight!"

As the banquet drew to a close, the atmosphere had become quite harmonious.

Zhou Wenyuan was in high spirits. He not only ordered the registrar to bring four hundred taels of silver notes on the spot and handed them to Cui Yi with a red cloth, but also repeatedly said that he would process the recommendation documents as soon as possible.

Lin Songshan then handed over three hundred taels of silver to settle the payment for the escort trip.

Cui Yi did not refuse; he felt it was only right and proper for him to take the money.

After the dinner, Zhou Wenyuan personally escorted the three of them out of the yamen. The three coachmen had already found a place to stay and were waiting outside the yamen.

Cuijia Village is located west of Qinglin County, and it happens to be on the same official road as the caravan heading to the county town's post station.

"If Brother Cui doesn't mind, you can ride in the carriage for a while and rest for a bit."

Since Lin Songshan took the initiative to invite him, Cui Yi naturally wouldn't refuse.

However, Lin Songshan is getting on in years. He was frightened today, and after a long journey, plus drinking a little wine and being exposed to the wind, he was completely exhausted.

Not long after getting into the carriage, Lin Zhiwei's consciousness became hazy and she drifted off to sleep. Her condition wasn't much better.

Inside the carriage, no one spoke for a moment.

Just then, the nine-story pagoda deep within Cui Yi's consciousness suddenly fluctuated.

Unlike the subtle fluctuations when absorbing Cui Zhi and others before, this time it was a very clear buzzing sound!

Cui Yi trembled violently and instinctively closed his eyes.

The phantom of the pagoda shone brightly in the center of his mind, its gray-white body now shimmering with a strange luster between pale gold and blood red.

The immense vitality merged perfectly into Cui Yi's body, just like a clay ox sinking into the sea!

In that instant, Cui Yi's aura suddenly solidified, then surged to a new peak before stabilizing!

Qi Refining Realm, Peak!

Almost at the same time, Lin Songshan, who was resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened his eyes, his eyes flashing with a sharp light, and he looked at Cui Yi with undisguised shock!

Such a noticeable fluctuation could be clearly sensed even by an ordinary person without true qi!

Cui Yi himself was also very surprised. As a result, the vitality reflected by this tiger demon not only improved his realm, but also directly granted him fifty-five years of lifespan!

Keep in mind that this is merely a Qi Refining stage demon beast!

If one could kill a Foundation Establishment level or even a higher-level demon beast...

Cui Yi's heart was in turmoil, but he tried his best to remain calm. Meeting the shocked gazes of Lin Songshan and Lin Zhiwei, he said apologetically, "I had some insights just now, and I hope you will forgive me, Manager Lin and Miss Lin."

Some insights?

Lin Songshan's lips twitched slightly; such an insight was simply unheard of!

But he was a seasoned veteran, and he instantly suppressed the turmoil in his heart, putting on a smile again.

"Young Master Cui is exceptionally talented and blessed with good fortune; I admire him greatly!"

"A good horse needs a good saddle. I heard that Brother Cui is looking for martial arts techniques. I happen to have a fragment of a martial arts manual here. I wonder if Brother Cui would be interested?"

As he spoke, Lin Songshan gently stroked an antique ring on the index finger of his right hand.

In that instant, a glimmer of light flashed on the surface of the ring, and then a tattered scroll appeared in his hand.

"This item is called the Surging Waves Technique, a mid-grade Yellow Rank martial art."

"However, this martial art is somewhat special. It is not a martial art used for direct attack, but rather leans towards the support category."

"The Surging Waves Force can be fused with any martial art. As for how well it can be fused and what power it can achieve, it all depends on the talent of the user."

Seemingly afraid that Cui Yi might overthink things, Lin Songshan then explained, "The Surging Waves Technique is a reward given to every manager by the Flowing Cloud Merchant Guild. It can be given as a gift or cultivated by oneself."

"But most of the managers are not cultivators, so they are mostly used to give favors or exchange for money."

"Today I see that you, young brother, possess extraordinary talent, and giving it to you will not bury this powerful and surging spirit."

"only......"

"This 'surging waves' technique is incomplete; it is a fragment. The complete version is kept at the Chamber of Commerce headquarters."

"An annual offering competition is held, and those who win a prize will have the opportunity to comprehend the entire text."

Cui Yi was stunned for a moment when he saw the martial arts technique that Lin Songshan handed over.

He hadn't expected the other party to give him martial arts skills.

Judging from what the other party is saying, they simply think they have some talent and want to invest in you.

"I am honored that Manager Lin thinks so highly of me, and I would be very grateful if I could accept such a generous offer."

Seeing that Cui Yi accepted the Surging Waves Force without hesitation, Lin Songshan breathed a sigh of relief.

After Cui Yi alighted from the carriage, Lin Zhiwei finally couldn't help but ask, "Grandpa."

"That 'Surging Waves and Overlapping Force' is a genuine mid-grade Yellow Rank auxiliary force cultivation method. In Donghai City, it would be worth at least five thousand taels of silver."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Lin Songshan did not answer immediately, but slowly leaned back on the soft cushions of the carriage, his smile fading.

"Wei'er, what do you think of Cui Yi?" he asked instead of answering.

Lin Zhiwei was stunned for a moment. "He is very capable and courageous, unlike ordinary country boys, or even some arrogant sect disciples. He is also very steady in his actions."

"It's more than just being steady."

Lin Songshan's eyes gleamed. "Wei'er, what you've seen today is merely the tip of the iceberg!"

"This child is almost demonically intelligent."