NOVPUB
Chapter 456: Chapter 452: Zone Leader
"I will probably need about thirty more strands of several clear lights to bring the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light to Perfection, and over forty strands for the Starlight Realm. If I want to learn Thunder World as well, that’s an additional fifty or so clear lights, plus mastering the top Divine Power of Heavenly Dragon Walk... I’m afraid I’ll need at least sixty clear lights."
Gu Jinlai did a quick calculation.
Just for these Divine Skills, he would need between one hundred ninety and two hundred strands of clear light.
Not to mention the clear lights required after bringing the Chaotic Star Light Body to Cultivation Perfection.
A long way to go.
...
The next day, Gu Jinlai arrived early at the Martial Saint Institute.
Accompanying him were the other members of the Southeast City District Sweeper Team.
Lan Yuxian had already stepped down from his position as the Sweeper Team Captain, and as the Deputy Dean Wu Tianya naturally represented the Clearing Department in appointing a new captain for the Southeast Region.
As soon as Gu Jinlai reached the inner courtyard of the Martial Saint Institute, the awaiting Sweepers came up to meet him with smiles, bowing and greeting, "The Ancient Martial King has arrived."
"With Lan Yuxian gone, no one but the Ancient Martial King is fit to be the next squad captain."
"Haha, the combat prowess of the Ancient Martial King rivals that of Peak Devas, and he stands head and shoulders above the captains of the other seven teams. With the Ancient Martial King, all of us will be able to make our mark and exchange for satisfactory Cultivation Techniques, Spiritual Artifacts, and Cultivation Resources."
These Sweepers congratulated him one after another, considering his appointment as the new Sweeper Team Captain a foregone conclusion.
Even Black Sword and Dong Yuji had little intention of competing with him any further.
Peak Devas are equivalent to the Sixth Rank.
Compared to just a Third Rank Top Martial King, the gap is enormous.
Even if the two of them joined forces, or even if their numbers were doubled again, they were unlikely to stand a chance against Gu Jinlai.
"You all flatter me, but unless the appointment comes from above, I am not yet the captain of the Southeast Team," Gu Jinlai replied humbly.
Soon, everyone seemed to sense something and quieted down.
Before long, the Deputy Dean, Yan Lie, was the first to walk in.
When he stepped into the courtyard, his eyes involuntarily glanced in Gu Jinlai’s direction, his expression tinged with a hint of regret.
This caused Gu Jinlai’s heart to jolt.
Not just him, but Dong Yuji, Black Sword, and the other Sweeper Team members also showed significant changes in their expressions upon seeing his look.
Could there be...
Some unexpected development?
Soon, Wu Tianya walked out from the inner courtyard in a leisurely manner.
Seeing him unaccompanied by others, Gu Jinlai breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"We pay respects to the Deputy Dean."
All the Sweepers saluted at the same time.
"Mhm."
Wu Tianya responded calmly.
The gap between a Martial Saint and a Saint isn’t considered large.
But the gap between a Martial King and a Martial Saint is huge, comparable to the difference between a Hugging Pill Realm cultivator and a Primordial Spirit True Monarch.
In the end, the higher a cultivator climbs, the more pronounced the disparity in strength becomes; this phenomenon is starkly illustrated in the stages of Devas, Saints, and Earthly True Immortals.
Therefore, in Wu Tianya’s eyes, whether it’s an Ordinary Martial King or a Peak Martial King makes no significant difference.
Upon arriving, he didn’t beat around the bush and said directly, "I have called you all together today to appoint the new captain for the Southeast Sweeper Team. Lan Yuxian has stepped down due to insufficient abilities, and I plan to select a new captain from among you."
He didn’t intend to keep anyone in suspense and looked towards Black Sword: "You have been a Sweeper for a long time and are extremely knowledgeable about the disputes between the Sweepers and Out-of-Control and Demonic Cultists, making you the best candidate for the new captain."
"Me?"
Hearing this appointment from Wu Tianya, not to mention the other Sweepers, even Black Sword himself was slightly stunned.
As for Gu Jinlai...
He immediately thought of the words Lan Yuxian had said the previous night.
She had filed a complaint in front of Wu Tianya.
Could it be...
That this was the reason he missed out on the captaincy!?
"Dean."
Black Sword looked hesitant.
Despite the golden opportunity before him which he definitely should not be hesitating to accept, he still said, "Aside from experience, the most crucial aspect for a Sweeper is strength. Only with sufficient strength can we apprehend powerful Out-of-Control individuals and Demonic Cultists, and ensure the safety of our team members’ lives. Among our team, if we talk about strength, none surpass the Ancient Martial King..."
"Gu Jinlai can take over your position as deputy captain, assisting you in key moments to take decisive action," Wu Tianya interrupted him, seemingly not noticing the change in Gu Jinlai’s expression, and continued to look at Black Sword: "Are you unwilling to accept this appointment?"
"No, of course not."
Black Sword glanced covertly at Gu Jinlai, stepped forward, and said with a bow, "Thank you for your high regard, Dean. Black Sword will certainly do his utmost to fulfill the duties of captain."
"Good."
Wu Tianya nodded slightly.
Only then did he turn his gaze to Gu Jinlai: "You have exceptional strength, but since you have joined the Sweepers for a short time, first take the position of deputy captain. Learn well alongside your seniors, and in the future, there will be important positions for you."
"Yes."
At this moment, Gu Jinlai too calmed down.
The position of team captain, which originally had no suspense, had just flown away, and his mood was naturally not good.
But...
What about being a deputy captain?
His main purpose in becoming a Sweeper was to hunt enough Out-of-Controls and Demonic Cultists to obtain Qingguang.
Even if he were just a deputy captain, he would surely still have great autonomy within the Southeast Team, and even Black Sword, as captain, would take his opinions into account in all aspects.
Furthermore, he now possessed the battle power of Peak Heavenly Beings. After accumulating strength for a period, if he felt dissatisfied or constrained, he could simply quit.
Capable people need not worry about finding a way out.
"Good."
Wu Tianya looked at the calmed Gu Jinlai and nodded slightly, then waved his hand, "Everyone else can leave; Gu Jinlai, stay."
Black Sword and the Sweepers looked at each other but still bowed respectfully and left.
"You may leave as well."
Wu Tianya said to Yan Lie standing by his side.
"Yes."
Yan Lie responded, casting a somewhat worried glance at Gu Jinlai before turning to leave.
After everyone had gone, Wu Tianya’s gaze once again fell upon Gu Jinlai, "Are you uncomfortable that the captain’s position that was originally yours slipped away?"
"No, I believe there must be a reason for the Dean to do so."
Gu Jinlai, realizing that what he truly needed was only Qingguang, had completely recovered.
At this moment, his expression barely changed as he spoke.
"As a Martial King, even with remarkable combat prowess, I have no need to speak so much to you. The reason I’ve kept you here for a private conversation is that I see potential in you, the potential that one day you might achieve the Martial Saint Realm and be able to catch up with me, or even surpass me."
Wu Tianya said.
"Dean flatters me. The physical transformation from Martial King to Martial Saint is dangerously unpredictable. Who dares to say they can certainly survive it, ascend in one step, and attain the Martial Saint Realm?"
Gu Jinlai said.
"Unassuming yet confident, I have not misjudged you."
Wu Tianya said as a document suddenly appeared in his hand, handing it forward, "Take a look."
Gu Jinlai accepted the document, glancing at the ring in Wu Tianya’s hand.
This...
It must be similar to a Storage Treasure like the Qiankun Ring.
However, his gaze soon shifted from that Storage Treasure-like ring to the document in his hands, and instantly...
He looked astonished.
"Appointing me as the General District Chief of the Outer City?!"
He thought he had read it wrong and reread it again. In the end...
It was indeed so.
In Wind and Rain City, the Ancient City District, Inner City, and Outer City are all under the jurisdiction of City Lord Zhao Hua.
But as a National Guardian Saint, Zhao Hua did not often bother with the trivial matters within Wind and Rain City. He spent most of his time on cultivation or liaising with top figures in the Imperial Capital.
The ones who really took care of big and small affairs were several Deputy City Lords, his disciple Zhao Liang, the General Domain Master, and the Zone Leader.
The Zone Leader, as the name suggests, is the direct supervisor of the eight major regions of a city.
In terms of position, it is only on par with the Domain Masters, but in terms of importance and power, it even surpasses them.
Not to mention the captain of a Sweeper Team.
It’s like comparing a county-level city mayor to a department head of a prefecture-level city; they might share the same rank, but the power they wield cannot be spoken of in the same breath.
"You and your affairs have been mentioned to me more than once by Yan Lie, and I have always been paying attention to you, especially since the True Self, order, and justice you demand have touched me deeply..."
Wu Tianya looked at Gu Jinlai, "Over the years since the Holy Dynasty was established, it has been shaken by storms, but not everyone has been able to remain true to their original aspirations as they were when the dynasty was just founded. You are doing well."
Gu Jinlai listened to what Wu Tianya had to say.
He closely discerned the pitch-black flames-like Karma that enveloped the body of the Dean.
If it hadn’t been for that benchmark, he would have almost been moved by this powerful Martial Saint.
"Do well. Now that you are this Zone Leader, you can act freely in the Outer City."
Wu Tianya spoke indifferently, "The True Self that a Martial King seeks cannot deceive anyone; it is common knowledge. People often can deceive others, but not themselves. I believe that once the news about your True Self spreads, it will certainly gain the trust of the Outer City quickly. And with your strength, you will be able to stand up for those in the Outer City who suffer persecution, upholding the fairness and justice of Wind and Rain City."
He said this and then took out another document, "This is the promise I made when I fought for this position of Zone Leader for you. Reduce the average casualty rate in the Outer City by thirty percent in three years, increase the influx of new residents by ten percent. If you can do this, I can continue to recommend you for the position of General Domain Master."
As for failing...
Clearly, it would mean stepping down from the position of Zone Leader.
"Reducing casualty numbers by thirty percent and increasing the number of new residents by ten percent..."
Gu Jinlai muttered under his breath Wu Tianya’s stringent requirement.
Although he didn’t know the real reason behind Wu Tianya’s sudden appointment, but...
"Rest assured."
Gu Jinlai looked at the Dean of Martial Saint Institute and promised resolutely, "I will devote all my efforts, thoroughly cleanse Wind and Rain City’s Outer City, eradicate all evil spirits, and restore a clear Qiankun to Wind and Rain City!"
