The position of Chief Constable within the Spirit Warden Office was officially classified as a Ninth-Rank post in the imperial administration.
Its primary responsibility was clear: investigation and pursuit.
In simpler terms, it meant tracking down and eliminating supernatural threats.
To ordinary citizens, the work might sound similar to what Li Shen was already doing.
But the difference between the two roles was enormous.
One was merely an assistant within the Office.
The other was a recognized official of the Empire.
Holding an official post meant greater authority, access to confidential archives, priority on dangerous yet lucrative missions, and significantly better cultivation resources. For a cultivator, such advantages could determine the course of an entire lifetime.
In truth, Li Shen had already met the basic qualifications. His cultivation had reached the peak of the First Realm, and his merit record ranked among the best in Blackwater City.
Under normal circumstances, he should have been promoted long ago.
Unfortunately, the city was small. Positions were limited. Vacancies only appeared when someone retired, transferred, or died. Even then, seniority often dictated who advanced.
Lin Qingyu, however, was an exception. With her family's influence, opportunities tended to open quickly for her.
Because chances like this were rare, Li Shen couldn't suppress the faint spark of anticipation tugging at the corners of his lips.
However, Yan Rui's voice cut through his thoughts.
"But there is a complication."
The words landed like a bucket of ice-cold water.
"In my recommendation letter, I emphasized your strengths and praised your abilities extensively," Yan Rui continued, his tone calm but firm. "However, the provincial headquarters expressed some doubts."
"They believe you are too young and lack sufficient field experience."
"They feel that other candidates might be more suitable."
Li Shen's smile stiffened slightly. Old bureaucrats, he thought silently.
Outwardly, however, he remained composed.
"Chief Yan," he asked politely, "does that mean there is still a chance?"
If Yan Rui had mentioned it at all, the situation was clearly not hopeless.
"Of course there is," Yan Rui replied. "After several exchanges of letters with the provincial office, they finally agreed to give you an opportunity. They will send an examiner next month. If you pass the evaluation and outperform the other candidate, the position will be yours."
Li Shen felt a quiet surge of gratitude. Yan Rui spoke as though it had been simple—but Li Shen knew persuading the provincial authorities had been anything but.
"Chief Yan," he said, bowing slightly, "I won't disappoint you."
Yan Rui studied him for a moment, then nodded.
"Confidence is good. Do you know who your competitor is?"
Li Shen shook his head.
"Please tell me."
"The other candidate is Sun Liang, currently serving in the provincial Spirit Warden Office. A Second Realm cultivator with ten years of experience dealing with spirits."
Li Shen's eyebrows lifted slightly. A cultivator from a major city, competing for a post in a small town? That suggested opportunities were scarce even at the provincial level. Or perhaps the position itself was more valuable than it appeared.
Yan Rui noticed the subtle shift in expression.
"Feeling intimidated?" he asked, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You can still withdraw if you wish."
Li Shen chuckled softly.
"That won't be necessary."
Yan Rui snorted lightly.
"Good. Then prepare yourself." He raised three fingers. "The assessment will include three parts: aptitude testing, theoretical knowledge, and practical combat."
Li Shen nodded thoughtfully. The first two areas did not worry him. The final one, however, posed a real challenge. Experience in spirit hunting often meant the difference between life and death. A decade of practical experience would make Sun Liang a formidable opponent.
"I will prepare thoroughly," Li Shen said, determination flashing in his eyes.
Yan Rui gave a brief nod. "Just don't overwork yourself."
---
Soon afterward, they moved on to the matter of merit rewards.
Before the mission at the Huang Estate, Li Shen had twenty merit points remaining. Completing the case earned him another one hundred, bringing his total to one hundred and twenty.
After a moment's consideration, he exchanged one hundred points for a Spirit Condensation Pill—a rare elixir that strengthened spiritual energy and stabilized internal essence.
For cultivators at the peak of the First Realm, it greatly increased the chances of breaking through to the Second Realm. Since Li Shen's breakthrough could occur at any time, preparing in advance was a wise decision. Without proper stabilization, a sudden surge of Yin energy during advancement could easily damage the body irreparably.
Lin Qingyu stood nearby, arms folded, observing silently. She made no exchanges at all. Her accumulated merits had already surpassed eight hundred points.
Ever since acquiring her prized weapon from the provincial treasury, the resources stored in the Blackwater Office seemed mundane in comparison. As the daughter of a powerful official family, she rarely lacked cultivation supplies. Pills, talismans, and manuals were all readily available through her household. Most of the merits she earned were reserved for major exchanges in the provincial capital.
Watching her, Li Shen couldn't help but think: If wealth among wardens could be measured, Lin Qingyu would probably rank among the richest.
"Hey," she said suddenly, a playful grin spreading across her face. "When you've saved enough merits, we should visit the provincial treasury together. There are far better things there."
Li Shen laughed softly, shaking his head.
"I'll look forward to it."
At the same time, his mind quietly calculated something else. How many more spirits would he need to eliminate… before he could afford treasures comparable to hers?
After all, the path of cultivation was never cheap.
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