As spiritual energy revived, I, having acquired certain attributes, gradually ascended to immortalit

Chapter 116 Public Competition?

"It's not that simple."

Fang Shu shook his head, his expression turning serious. "The revival of spiritual energy is not just a matter for one country, but for the whole world."

"The supernatural powers of Xia Kingdom are not just official; these civilian forces are also part of it. They are also part of Xia Kingdom's fighting force, and we cannot just stand by and watch them go to their deaths."

He explained, "This commotion is quite significant. Not only have domestic civilian forces taken notice, but some foreign forces have probably also noticed it. After all, there are eyes in the sky."

Nationwide, especially in coastal areas, police patrols have been increased.

Foreign forces.

Upon hearing this, Shen Qing and the other two exchanged glances; they hadn't even met before.

"So," Fang Shu changed the subject, "after discussing it for a long time, we came up with a solution: martial arts."

The internal martial arts competition scheduled for July has been changed to an open contest open to the entire supernatural world, with the Bureau of Supernatural Affairs and various civilian forces each sending five individuals to compete.

"What?"

After hearing Fang Shu's explanation, Shen Qing and the other two were filled with astonishment. A challenge to the authorities? Were they sure they hadn't misheard?

"There should be some restrictions on martial arts competitions, right?" Shen Qing was the first to react.

He then thought of the woman who could walk on air; he didn't believe that there were any equally powerful individuals among the common people.

"Of course there are limitations." Fang Shu nodded. "The requirement for participation is that your rank cannot exceed the seventh grade. Oh, and let me remind you of something."

From now on, we will no longer refer to the vague system of E and F grades.

Instead, it ranges from Rank 9 to Rank 1, with more detailed information for each stage. The information will be sent to you later.

He continued to explain: "When a supernatural being of the seventh rank or above makes a move, it affects the surrounding environment and cannot be restored in a short period of time."

The spiritual energy recovery is still insufficient, and restoring the depleted internal energy is also very troublesome, so it's best to avoid taking action if possible.

"But would they really accept a seventh-rank official position?"

Shen Qing and the others were still puzzled. Even so, how could those folk forces find a seventh-rank official or something?

Not to mention five.

"Who knows what they're thinking?" Fang Shu shook his head; he didn't know either.

"But the higher-ups don't care. This competition is not only to ensure the combat strength of the Xia Kingdom's supernatural world, but also to prevent unintentional internal depletion."

This is also the first time the official team has truly showcased their strength, given the intensifying spiritual revival.

The initial rules were as follows: first, the strongest person would be selected from each branch office, and then five people would be chosen from among these individuals to represent the Bureau of Dissidents in the competition.

Xie Chong's eyes widened instantly.

"Does this mean that, aside from that sixth-rank official who's practically a nuclear weapon, the personnel the bureau has sent are arguably the five strongest in the entire country?"

Fang Shu nodded, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards Shen Qing.

"That's what I mean, so Shen Qing, what are your thoughts?"

In the evening, the Binhai branch was unusually empty.

Most of the operatives are in the hospital, and the deputy director and a captain are still in the intensive care unit after their lifespan was burned out.

Representatives from various religious sects have not yet left, so naturally someone needs to be on duty.

Shen Qing, Xie Chong, and their field team, whose combat capabilities were not significantly affected, naturally became suitable candidates.

Inside the monitoring room, dozens of screens display real-time footage of the base's interior and exterior.

Shen Qing leaned back in her chair, still thinking about what the captain had said during the day.

"The Binhai Branch has three officers of the seventh rank. The strongest is the deputy director, but he is still in the intensive care unit and hasn't come out yet. The other two have admitted that they are not as good as you."

"The bureau has decided that if you are willing, you will be chosen to represent Binhai in the internal selection process a few days from now, without having to compete in the competition."

""

And that's not all. According to the captain, in order to represent the official team in the competition, and given his contributions, it seems he's going to be promoted again?

Well, nobody wants a promotion and a raise.

Yesterday's events made him realize that his position and rank in the Bureau of Extraordinary Affairs also represented responsibility.

He initially just wanted to find a job with decent pay and benefits.

"I told you, I've been cultivating for almost two months longer than you, how come the difference is so big?"

Xie Chong stood beside him, constantly nagging.

"When you go out and come back, they won't all call you 'Commander,' will they? No, wait, your rank is higher than mine now, Major?"

Shen Qing didn't reply, but suddenly frowned and stood up abruptly.

"What's wrong?" Xie Chong was taken aback, and his playful smile vanished instantly.

Shen Qing held up a finger to signal him to be quiet, then lay down on the ground, closed her eyes, and listened intently.

There's someone in the corridor.

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes. "It didn't sound like a normal person walking; it was like someone tiptoeing, as if trying to avoid attracting attention."

.

"What?"

Xie Chong stared blankly at the surveillance camera, which showed no ghostly figures, but he was already used to Shen Qing's various methods and had no doubts.

Was it a covert operation? Or interference with surveillance? Or perhaps both?

Shen Qing frowned, stood up, and said, "I'll go take a look."

Xie Chong nodded, not worried about Shen Qing acting alone. Given Shen Qing's strength, he should be the one worried about his own safety in the monitoring room alone.

Thinking of the situation of the other members of the team, he immediately called out.

At this moment, Shen Qing had already arrived in the corridor, which was empty, just like the surveillance footage showed, and he didn't see anyone.

He continued forward until he reached the vicinity of the emergency staircase.

Then he suddenly stopped and threw a punch—he could hear breathing and heartbeats in his ears.

"Bang!"

With a muffled thud, the metal wall dented slightly, blood splattered, and half an arm appeared out of thin air, falling to the ground.

Then, a figure fell off the wall, wailing and clutching the wound of his severed arm.

"Kill him!"

Realizing he had been exposed, two more figures jumped down from the wall, wielding long knives, and attacked Shen Qing from the left and right.

Including the one on the ground, there is one seventh-rank and two eighth-rank, for a total of three people.

Shen Qing was slightly taken aback. Apart from the official forces, which other power in the Xia Kingdom could possess such combat strength? Were they those visitors from another world?

"Kid, you asked for this!"

The leader, a seventh-rank official, suddenly spoke, using Xia Guo Mandarin, but it sounded strange, and his eyes were full of contempt.

A mere eighth-rank official dared to come looking for them alone. But then again, this base is currently at a loss in terms of combat strength.

Otherwise, they wouldn't dare to sneak in so easily.

Two long swords were already slashing in front of him, which, in the eyes of that seventh-rank official, completely blocked Shen Qing's possibility of dodging.

But the next second, the composure on his face froze.

He saw Shen Qing twist his body at an incomprehensible angle, using the air to propel himself through the gap between the two knives.

The two men wielding the knives widened their eyes in shock, but they had no time to think anymore.

"boom!"

After landing, Shen Qing launched a punch like a cannonball.

The eighth-rank supernatural being was instantly sent flying backward, his chest exploded, and when he hit the ground, his eyes were still open, but he was already lifeless.

Then, turning around, Shen Qing delivered another chop to the seventh-ranked soldier.

The seventh-ranked soldier had just raised his arm when a tremendous force, accompanied by excruciating pain, came from his forearm. Before he could react, his bone snapped with a "crack".

Then he was lifted into the air, crashed into the wall, and lost consciousness as everything went black.

Shen Qing shook the blood off his hands and looked down at the seventh-grade weapon.

"He's still breathing. Keeping a seventh-rank cultivator should be enough, but his strength is still a bit too much. It's disgusting to see him like this in the base."

97

He raised his hand and pressed the earpiece. "Xie Chong, tell the logistics department to clean up the corridor."