Gu Yuan arrived at the Demon Suppression Division, heading towards the Scripture Repository. Halfway there, a Xuan-level Demon Suppressor blocked his path.
"May I ask if you are Gu Yuan, Demon Suppressor Gu?"
A young figure halted Gu Yuan's progress.
Gu Yuan looked surprised, then nodded hesitantly. "I am. Is there something I can help you with?"
"Greetings, Demon Suppressor Gu. The Division Chief sent me to escort you to the main hall of the Demon Suppression Division. Please follow me," the young man said with a smile.
Gu Yuan felt a pang of confusion. The Division Chief?
Could it be the Division Chief of the Demon Suppression Division's headquarters, the strongest person in the organization? That couldn't be right. What was his current status, and what was the Division Chief's status? How could he, at this moment, catch the attention of such a figure?
Despite his doubts, this was, after all, the headquarters of the Demon Suppression Division, and he wasn't worried about any danger. He knew of the main hall and was willing to go.
If it was truly the Division Chief inviting him, he wondered what it could be about.
Outwardly, Gu Yuan nodded and replied with a smile, "Certainly, thank you for your trouble, brother."
"It's no trouble at all, no trouble. Please follow me," the young man waved his hands. Although this Gu Demon Suppressor had only recently become Xuan-level, the fact that the Division Chief personally summoned him to the main hall surely meant he possessed extraordinary qualities. It wouldn't hurt to build a good relationship now.
With this thought in mind, he began to chat with Gu Yuan as they walked.
Gu Yuan learned that this person's name was Lu Yi, and he was also a Xuan-level Demon Suppressor. However, he was a member of the Division Chief's personal escort team.
After every Tian-level Demon Suppressor, a selection of Demon Suppressors would be chosen to join their ranks. Lu Yi was fortunate enough to become a member of the Division Chief's team.
His current strength was in the Blood Qi realm, having reached the stage where his blood qi was as potent as a tiger's. As he followed the Division Chief, it was believed he would quickly advance to the next realm.
The two walked and talked, their ages being similar.
Ten minutes later, Gu Yuan and Lu Yi arrived in front of the main hall of the Demon Suppression Division.
Lu Yi looked at the imposing Demon Suppression Division hall, then turned to Gu Yuan with a smile. "Brother Gu, this is the main hall. The Division Chief is waiting for you inside. Go ahead."
Gu Yuan nodded. "Thank you, Brother Lu. I'll go in now."
"Go on. We'll have a good chat if we get the chance," Lu Yi replied with a smile.
Gu Yuan said no more, waved goodbye, and strode towards the main hall.
After watching Gu Yuan enter the hall, Lu Yi withdrew his gaze. He had to leave as well; the mission he had accepted earlier was not yet complete.
Gu Yuan pushed open the bronze doors before him and entered a vast, empty space. The entire hall had only a few metal pillars.
At the far end of the hall, Gu Yuan saw a middle-aged man seated on the main throne, with two men standing before him.
The two standing men were dressed in the attire of Tian-level Demon Suppressors. Gu Yuan felt a flicker of confusion but showed no outward reaction.
Approaching the three, he looked at the imposing middle-aged man on the throne. This must be the legendary King-level Guardian, the leader of the Demon Suppression Division, and a top expert of the Great Gan dynasty: Jiang Yuyang.
Gu Yuan bowed respectfully. "Xuan-level Demon Suppressor Gu Yuan pays his respects to the Division Chief and the Tian-level Demon Suppressors."
Jiang Yuyang nodded. "Gu Yuan, no need for formalities."
Gu Yuan stood up, feeling two intense gazes upon him. He turned to look at the Tian-level Demon Suppressors standing on either side and gave an awkward smile.
Jiang Yuyang smiled slightly. "Let me introduce you. This is Demon Suppressor Guan Ye, and this is Demon Suppressor Cui Hua."
Gu Yuan bowed to each of them. Guan Ye and Cui Hua also smiled and nodded in greeting, but the intensity in their eyes did not diminish.
If Jiang Yuyang were not present, they would probably have started arguing again, just as before.
Gu Yuan felt a slight tightening in his muscles and a prickling sensation on his scalp under their gazes.
"Ahem, Gu Yuan, I summoned you here mainly for training."
Jiang Yuyang cleared his throat and said calmly to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan frowned. Training for what? He was already a Xuan-level Demon Suppressor with the Blood Qi realm cultivation. What training did he need?
"I forgot to tell you. Once a Demon Suppressor becomes a Patrol Demon Suppressor, they must join the team of a Tian-level Demon Suppressor. But you know the current situation with Patrol Demon Suppressors."
Gu Yuan nodded. He was aware of the position's conditions when he chose to become a Patrol Demon Suppressor. The benefits were increasing, but fewer people were joining.
There was no other way.
But what did this have to do with his training?
Gu Yuan was somewhat perplexed, but Jiang Yuyang's next words quickly cleared his doubts.
"The reason I called you here is that both of these Tian-level Demon Suppressors wish for you to join their teams. However, if you join either one, it would be unfair to the other."
As Jiang Yuyang spoke, his expression became slightly embarrassed.
"Mainly, you are the only one who has chosen to join as a Patrol Demon Suppressor in the past month. Therefore, I plan to have you join both Tian-level Demon Suppressors' teams simultaneously. You will complete missions with one team at a time, and you will also enjoy the benefits of both teams. What are your thoughts on this?"
After speaking, Jiang Yuyang looked at Gu Yuan with expectant eyes.
Gu Yuan was a bit stunned. Had he become a sought-after commodity? Worthy of contention between two Tian-level Demon Suppressors?
He thought to himself, his gaze shifting to Guan Ye and Cui Hua standing on either side.
Sensing Gu Yuan's gaze, Guan Ye and Cui Hua appeared confident.
Gu Yuan's eyes twitched slightly. These future bosses of his seemed a bit… unconventional.
After a moment of thought, Gu Yuan looked up and met Jiang Yuyang's gaze, saying earnestly, "I have no objections."
Jiang Yuyang withdrew his gaze, nodded with satisfaction, and a slight smile curved his lips. "Very well, it's good that you are willing to join. However, I must caution you: joining two teams is unprecedented in the Demon Suppression Division, and there will be many unknown situations. I hope you are mentally prepared."
Gu Yuan nodded and said with a firm tone, "I guarantee I will complete the mission."
Jiang Yuyang continued, "Gu Yuan, please take out your token. I will help you join their teams."
Gu Yuan heard this and took out his token. Just as he was about to hand it to Jiang Yuyang, the token automatically flew towards him.
The token landed in Jiang Yuyang's hand. Simultaneously, a pure black token appeared in his hand. He swiped it across Gu Yuan's token, and after two flashes of spiritual light, he tossed the token back to Gu Yuan.
Gu Yuan caught it with both hands and discovered two small characters had appeared on his token: "Guan" and "Cui."