"Gu Yuan, do you know why you've been summoned?" Jiang Yu Yang, seated at the head of the table, asked Gu Yuan calmly.
Gu Yuan shook his head honestly. How could he know? Some people in high positions were truly riddlers, and riddlers deserved to die.
"Guan Ye, Cui Hua, since this idea came from you, you two will handle this matter. Report back the result once it's resolved," Jiang Yu Yang said, then closed his eyes, ignoring the three below.
Gu Yuan looked at Guan Ye and Cui Hua. He noticed both were staring at him. A look of confusion crossed his face. What did this mean? They came up with the idea, were they going to assign him a task?
Gu Yuan had some suspicions, but he felt it was unlikely.
"Cough cough, Gu Yuan, we called you here mainly to discuss something with you," Guan Ye said, breaking the awkward silence.
Gu Yuan asked curiously, "What is it?"
"Yesterday, we saw you comprehend the Blood Qi Compression technique. The three of us unanimously agree that your talent surpasses all three of ours. Therefore, we believe you shouldn't join the Patrol Demon Exterminators. Instead, you should become an ordinary Demon Exterminator and cultivate safely to the realm your talent deserves," Guan Ye said after a moment of thought, finally revealing their intention. After all, Gu Yuan's talent was truly exceptional.
They truly couldn't bear to see Gu Yuan lose his life on a dangerous mission.
Gu Yuan was somewhat bewildered upon hearing Guan Ye's words. He hadn't expected to be summoned only to be asked to become an ordinary Demon Exterminator and give up his position as a Patrol Demon Exterminator.
Did his talent really seem that remarkable to them? He himself wasn't aware of it.
But why did Jiang Yu Yang and the other two care so much about him?
With this thought, Gu Yuan voiced his question, "Captain Guan, may I ask what level you believe my talent can reach?"
Hearing Gu Yuan's question, Guan Ye was not surprised and began to explain, "Gu Yuan, we speculate your talent far exceeds that of a King-level Demon Warden. This is because, as verified by the Demon Exterminator Division over many years, the less time it takes to compress Blood Qi for the first time, the higher the realm one can achieve through cultivation."
"Our Demon Exterminator Division's Commander, Lord Jiang, is the fastest man in a hundred years for the Demon Exterminator Division. Now, that title belongs to you. You've compressed your Blood Qi in less time than our Commander."
"What does this signify? It means your future achievements will surpass our Commander's. Currently, Lord Jiang is a King-level Demon Warden. Imagine what heights you, Gu Yuan, will reach."
"Perhaps you will become the pillar of the entire Great Gan Dynasty, and the pillar of our human race."
Guan Ye spoke a long string of words. These were his thoughts, and the thoughts of Jiang Yu Yang and Cui Hua.
Listening to Guan Ye, Gu Yuan felt a surge of emotion. It seemed Guan Ye and the other two were genuinely considering his well-being.
However, he couldn't become an ordinary Demon Exterminator. That would drastically reduce his cultivation resources. Gu Yuan didn't want to spend too much time in this world; he wanted to reach the pinnacle as quickly as possible.
Then, he would acquire a large amount of Origin Power in this world and return to the Myriad Spirits Continent to enhance his strength.
Therefore, he had to be a Patrol Demon Exterminator and accept missions. Only strength forged in blood and fire could suppress all threats.
With this in mind, Gu Yuan stopped hesitating and directly stated his thoughts, "Two Captains, and Lord Jiang, Gu Yuan understands your intentions. But as a martial artist, how can I retreat due to some danger? If it's for the sake of the future, Gu Yuan believes that if I choose to become an ordinary Demon Warden, then I would have no future."
"This path is contrary to my martial heart. If I were to do so, I would become a hothouse flower, achieving nothing."
"You say my talent is great, but even the greatest talent needs to be tempered in blood and fire to truly bloom."
Gu Yuan's voice, filled with firm conviction, echoed in the hall and in the hearts of Jiang Yu Yang and the other two.
"Alas, we were being overly concerned. It's simply that your talent is too extraordinary. You are likely the most gifted Demon Exterminator since the establishment of our Demon Exterminator Division. That's why we discussed ensuring your safe growth."
Jiang Yu Yang sighed and explained his worries to Gu Yuan, "The current situation is becoming increasingly dire. The rate at which demons and strange entities are proliferating far outpaces the growth of us human martial artists. Consequently, a large number of Demon Exterminators from our division have lost their precious lives due to the sudden surge in demons and strange entities."
"My hope is that when you grow up, you will become the guardian of the entire Great Gan Dynasty. Because your talent surpasses mine, if you can mature, you might become one of the highest cultivators in this world."
As the highest leader of the Demon Exterminator Division and a high-ranking official of the Great Gan Dynasty, Jiang Yu Yang possessed intelligence far beyond the division's own intelligence system.
The frequency of demon and strange entity appearances was increasing, and their initial strength was growing. This led to the deaths of many Demon Exterminators.
With the rising death rate of Demon Exterminators, various Demon Exterminator Divisions were struggling to recruit personnel. Out of necessity, funds were allocated to build training camps and select Demon Exterminators from orphans. Gu Yuan was a prime example.
There was no other choice. Now that a Demon Exterminator with even greater talent had appeared, they naturally wished for him to grow safely, providing a guarantee for the increasingly severe future situation of the Great Gan. This was why they shared Guan Ye's sentiments.
However, Gu Yuan's words pulled him back to reality. Indeed, a martial artist who had not experienced battles of life and death could not grow. Gu Yuan, as a prodigy, certainly needed to undergo trials to mature.
If he were to follow their suggestion, Gu Yuan would likely become a useless individual with mere superficial cultivation but no corresponding strength.
"You are right, Gu Yuan. We should not restrict you. What we should do is provide you with the resources you need. When you truly grow, that will be the most powerful moment for our Demon Exterminator Division."
A look of hopeful anticipation appeared on Jiang Yu Yang's face. "At that time, you will be a one-man army for a nation. Ideally, you will exterminate all demons. I believe you can do it."
"Very well, Lord Jiang, I will not fail your expectations and will drive all demons out of human territory!" Gu Yuan's eyes held a resolute gaze, and a memory from this body surfaced, igniting a killing intent in his eyes.
"Guan Ye, Cui Hua, you've heard him. Stop overthinking. Teach Gu Yuan well and help him become the strongest Demon Exterminator!"