I started by slashing through the enemy's territory, and I drew so many affixes that my hands w

Logistics Department, Headquarters of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Spirit Suppression.

Jiang Qin knocked on the door politely.

"Knock knock—"

"Enter."

An aged voice rang out.

Old Master Long sat by the window, drinking tea as if it were their first meeting. Upon seeing Jiang Qin enter, he couldn't help but put down his teacup and smile.

"You're quite the show-off, kid. I've been staying in the Zhenling Bureau without stepping out of my house, and I've already heard that as soon as you came back, you suppressed the geniuses of the other three academies and almost broke their mentality with one move. It's good that you're like this, so that they won't be arrogant and develop a bad habit of being conceited."

"You've come here for the Spirit Pool?"

Jiang Qin nodded and said, "Yes, I plan to set off for the East China Headquarters tomorrow to report for duty."

"Heh, everyone else avoids trouble, but you're the opposite, you're determined to get into trouble."

Old Long shook his head, stood up, and casually waved his hand.

A wooden barrel appeared in the room, and soon the blue spiritual liquid filled the barrel.

"Jump in."

"The Spirit Pool...that's it?"

Faced with Jiang Qin's skeptical gaze, Elder Long shook his head and chuckled, "The name 'Spirit Pool' sounds nice, and it is of great help to martial artists in the Spirit Sea Realm. However, you are already in the Divine Manifestation Realm, so its effect on your strength is limited. But... the most important thing about the Spirit Pool is that it helps experts temper the meridians, rather than improving strength."

"Go ahead and soak in it; I will personally perform the baptism for you."

Jiang Qin, still somewhat doubtful, took off his clothes and, wearing only his underwear, crawled into the wooden tub.

There was nothing strange about it.

Elder Long sat cross-legged and pressed several acupoints on Jiang Qin's body with his fingers, completely sealing his spiritual power. Then, with his precise control over spiritual power, he transformed it into threads thinner than a hair, which burrowed into Jiang Qin's body...

Jiang Qin closed his eyes, but because his spiritual power was sealed, he couldn't feel any changes within his body.

Instead, a tearing pain, as if the meridians were being ripped apart, came from all over his body.

This pain cannot be blocked; it penetrates deep into the nerves.

……

The baptism lasted for 5 hours, and the temperature in the room continued to rise.

These are all caused by the surging qi and blood within Jiang Qin's body.

Compared to his previous self, his physical body has undergone a significant improvement, with his skin faintly radiating golden light, a sign that he has reached the second level of the Ninefold Golden Body.

He suddenly opened his eyes and broke through the acupoint blockage on his own.

A surge of spiritual energy swept over his entire body like a tidal wave.

Old Long nodded in admiration, not forgetting to remind him: "The missions carried out by the East China Bureau are extremely dangerous, far beyond what you have done before. Remember—the inner circle is fertile ground for flowers to grow, while deadly crises are just the norm on the frontier."

Within the national borders, it is referred to as the "circle".

The frontier is where true martial arts masters can truly showcase their skills.

Suddenly, the roar of an aircraft could be heard.

Jiang Qin had just finished getting dressed.

The door was pushed open, and the investigators from the East China Bureau who were responsible for greeting him walked in expressionlessly. They first nodded to the old man next to them, and then looked at Jiang Qin and took out their identification.

"Several waves of cultists attacked the city yesterday. The East China Bureau is currently understaffed. Investigator Jiang Qin, you are ordered to go to the headquarters immediately."

"Come with us now."

Jiang Qin scratched his head; they weren't even giving him a moment to catch his breath.

So be it.

I'll be going sooner or later anyway, it's just a matter of going a day earlier.

"Then I'll have to trouble you two."

"Then Elder Long, I'll be leaving now. I'll need you to deliver a message to the academy."

"It's alright, it's nothing."

After exchanging greetings, Jiang Qin followed the two men outside.

This time he didn't bring Su Lingwei and Chen Xiaohu. Even if he wanted to, the East China Headquarters would never agree, because in the upcoming battle, the strength of a Spirit Sea Realm cultivator would be no different from sending someone to their death.

A sword-shaped aircraft landed on the rooftop of the Magic City Town Spirit Bureau.

Jiang Qin followed the two inside.

The aircraft slowly ascended into the air, heading straight east...

In the cabin.

The two investigators were resting with their eyes closed, but the chill emanating from them had not dissipated at all, as if this feeling of being unapproachable had been etched into their very bones.

At that moment, two fragrant animal legs appeared in front of the two.

They opened their eyes at the same time and looked at Jiang Qin with confusion.

Jiang Qin chuckled, "Seniors, I don't have much experience. I've only been with the academy for less than a year, and I don't know much about the affairs of the General Administration. Could you please give me a brief overview?"

...

Outside the gatehouse of Zhenling Academy.

After listening to what the investigator from the Spirit Suppression Bureau who delivered the letter had to say.

Su Lingwei's eyes widened, and she grabbed his collar, saying incredulously, "He just left like that? What about all the beast meat I hoarded with him? I spent all my savings on it!"

"Tell me! What are we going to do with my flesh?!"

"I spent half a month painstakingly baking those!!"

The investigator, whose head was spinning from being shaken, had a lot of grievances to share.

It's not like I took your meat, why are you taking your anger out on me!

...

Inside the aircraft, two investigators from the General Administration were eating with grease on their faces.

They weren't going to eat for nothing; they readily explained some things about the General Administration to this younger colleague.

"The East China Headquarters and its local branches have the same responsibilities. The only difference is that the tasks they perform are more difficult. When I joined the Headquarters, there were about a hundred people, but now I'm practically the only one left."

"That's right! And you don't need to call us seniors. Your position is deputy law enforcement officer, which is one rank higher than ours."

"Being an adjutant to an enforcement officer is not something an ordinary person can do. They need to accompany the enforcement officer on missions and must have at least the strength of the Divine Realm. There are also many casualties. According to the investigation, on average, each enforcement officer has to replace one adjutant every year. If they encounter a radical one, they may not even survive a week."

"The duty of an adjutant is to accompany law enforcement officers and carry out operations in cases that pose a significant threat to the country."

"You asked how many law enforcement officers there are at headquarters? Hmm... let me think. If we don't count the titled law enforcement officers, there are probably around 30. They're always on the go. I've been at headquarters for three years, and I haven't seen them many times."

During their casual conversation, the two investigators learned that Jiang Qin had actually been awarded the First-Class Merit Citation twice, which made them understand why he was able to be promoted to adjutant at such a young age.

You should know that the next rank above the adjutant is the law enforcement officer.

Just like a garrison envoy is only responsible for the safety of a city.

The law enforcement officers, regardless of which city they arrive in, can directly take over military and political power, wielding immense authority. Therefore, the selection process, starting with the adjutants, is extremely rigorous, especially in terms of personality.

"Better to have none than something of poor quality"—that's the headquarters' attitude.

An hour has passed since we left Shanghai, and the city has long since disappeared, replaced by a primeval forest.

Gradually, an island in the middle of the lake came into view.

The East China Bureau was located in the center of the small island.

The base consists of fortresses made of special metal, from which aircraft occasionally fly out and head in different directions.

Jiang Qin looked down at the fortress through the aircraft window.

"This is... the East China Headquarters of the Suppressing Spirits Bureau."