Based on Jiang Chen's calculations, the strange events in the herb garden, though an omen of great misfortune, had not yet reached the point of manifestation. His top priority was to return to the Royal Capital and report the completion of his mission.
"Xiao Yu, remember what I said — seal off that herb garden. Don't let anyone in or out." In Jiang Chen's view, this dark omen, at best, would take two or three years to come to pass; at worst, seven or eight years. There was still time to prepare.
After bidding farewell to the Zijing Division, Jiang Chen made a trip back to Bojiang City to say goodbye to Jiang Tong. Then, leading a group of old and new subordinates, he set out on the road back to the Royal Capital.
Along the way, Jiang Chen traveled by day and spent his nights supervising the training of his eight Personal Guards — correcting their martial techniques and instructing them in formations.
What should have been a three- or four-day journey took a full ten days before they finally reached the Royal Capital. But after those ten days on the road, both Jiang Chen and his eight guards had advanced another level in their cultivation.
Upon returning to the Royal Capital, this mission cycle had taken roughly twenty-six or twenty-seven days.
"Jiang Chen, second first-rank mission: recruit eight Personal Guards. They must be under twenty years of age and possess cultivation of at least Six-Meridian True Qi!"
"Here is my list of Personal Guards, with their profiles, backgrounds, and origins."
Jiang Chen submitted the documents on all eight guards.
After verifying the information, the examiner spoke again. "This mission requires that each Personal Guard pass a combat assessment."
"How does the assessment work?"
"There are two procedures. The first is that they each individually undergo a Six-Meridian True Qi evaluation. This part is relatively straightforward," the examiner replied.
"The second procedure requires them to go to the arena and face eight sixth-tier wooden dummies. They must defeat all eight within the time limit — half an incense stick. That's not long at all."
The first procedure was a rigid process with no room for trickery. When Jiang Chen had participated in the basic assessment himself, he had gone through this very test. It was simple and impossible to fake.
The second procedure was more complex. After all, defeating eight dummies equivalent to Six-Meridian True Qi cultivators within half an incense stick was no easy feat.
If Jiang Chen hadn't prepared in advance — if he had simply rounded up eight people and rushed back to report — he very likely would have failed this assessment.
But now, he had prepared. Not only had he raised all eight guards to Seven-Meridian True Qi, he had also taught them formations and coached them in martial techniques. As a result, the second assessment procedure was far more manageable.
Under Jiang Chen's instructions, during the first procedure, all eight kept a low profile — they output only Six-Meridian True Qi and stopped there, not revealing their true strength all at once.
They passed smoothly.
Throughout the entire process, Princess Gouyu had been watching. Seeing that all eight of Jiang Chen's recruits passed the Six-Meridian True Qi evaluation, she let out a quiet sigh of relief. She had been worried — worried that Jiang Chen lacked the influence and authority to recruit a full quota. It seemed her concerns had been unfounded.
As for the second assessment procedure, Princess Gouyu was far less anxious. She knew what kind of person Jiang Chen was. Even she, a True Qi master, had received pointers from him. Teaching a few Six-Meridian True Qi followers should be child's play.
When they arrived at the arena, Jiang Chen found it bustling with activity. He also realized that he wasn't the only one carrying out this recruitment mission. Nearly all the heirs competing for a first-rank marquis title had to complete the same task. The arena was full of familiar faces, and when they spotted Jiang Chen, their expressions ranged from cold smirks to guarded smiles.
From this point on, they were all competitors.
Long Yinye and Long Juxue, the brother and sister, were naturally among them. So too was Hong Tiantong, heir to the Vermilion Bird Marquis — a devoted admirer of Long Juxue and, as the heir of one of the four great marquises, a natural presence in the arena.
There were also Bai Zhanyun, heir to the White Tiger Marquis; Yi Taichu, heir to the Black Tortoise Marquis; and other well-known marquis heirs of the Eastern Kingdom.
Upon seeing Jiang Chen, some regarded him with open hostility, while others offered a brief nod of acknowledgment. Yan Yiming, heir to the Yanmen Marquis, no longer dared to provoke Jiang Chen as he once had. Instead, he turned his head away in frustration, pointedly ignoring him.
"That's what you call backing — real backing!" came Hong Tiantong's ill-timed voice from behind Jiang Chen. "The rest of us first-rank marquis heirs finished recruiting our eight Personal Guards ages ago. Not like some nouveau riche who have no foundation to speak of, yet dare to dream of leaping to the top in one step. It's only now they've barely gotten it together. Whether they can even pass this second assessment — well, that remains to be seen!"
Bai Zhanyun and Yi Taichu had by now seen through Long Juxue and realized how foolish they had been to serve as her pawns. But if they wouldn't do it, Hong Tiantong was more than happy to step in. Even if he couldn't win Long Juxue's favor, cultivating a good relationship with the Long Teng Marquis Manor suited him perfectly. His behavior wasn't just about sucking up to Long Juxue — it was also a performance for Long Yinye. After all, Long Yinye was the legitimate son of the Long Teng Marquis and would undoubtedly inherit the title.