Chapter 149: Banner Officer Lu Yuan

Chapter 149: Chapter 149: Banner Officer Lu Yuan

"Lu Yuan... Seventh Grade..."

Jianng Hongfei’s mouth was open so wide he could fit an egg inside.

He actually broke through to the Seventh Grade just like that? Wasn’t this way too fast? Did he not encounter a single bottleneck? Was there absolutely no hurdle at all?

The most crucial aspect of advancing from the Eighth Grade to the Seventh Grade was nourishing one’s Spiritual Power with vitality, transforming one’s intent, and gaining the ability to sense the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi. Only then could a breakthrough be achieved. How long had Lu Yuan even been in the Eighth Grade? How long had it been since his Gang Qi reached Great Success and Perfection? Had his Spiritual Power already grown and transformed enough to sense the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi?

"Seventh Grade..." Liu Zhi thought, utterly dumbfounded.

He wanted his brother to do well, but not too well—not well enough to make him look like an absolute idiot by comparison. Even though the gap between them had already been substantial, the Seventh Grade and the Eighth Grade were entirely different realms. They were now separated by an entire grade. Moreover, with an increase in Cultivation, every aspect of a Martial Artist would improve. The disparity between them would only continue to widen. Very soon, Lu Yuan might become someone completely out of his reach.

Having spent less time with him, Chen Qian wasn’t as heavily impacted. In fact, she felt a bit delighted. Lu Yuan’s breakthrough meant he was stronger, which was a good thing for her.

"Lu Yuan, you..." Qin Gang experienced the most drastic internal shift.

When Lu Yuan first arrived, Qin Gang only looked after him out of respect for Elder Wu. Later, the young man performed well and became increasingly astonishing, but he was still manageable. Then, the incident with Chen Qiang created a rift between them. Now that Lu Yuan had broken through to the Seventh Grade, his Cultivation and strength had advanced significantly, making him a pivotal figure under the Squadron Commander. How was he supposed to deal with him in the future?

"Congratulations, Lu Yuan!" Han Li smiled, then turned on his heel and walked away.

He knew that Lu Yuan had reached Great Success with the Thunder Blade Triple Annihilation and advanced to the Seventh Grade. He was no match for him anymore. Staying any longer would just be asking for humiliation.

"Congratulations on breaking through to the Seventh Grade as well," Lu Yuan replied. He then looked at Qin Gang. "I can be the Squad Captain of this team now, right?"

"You cultivate the Cyan Dragon Technique?" Qin Gang asked.

"That’s right," Lu Yuan nodded.

"And your Thunder Blade Triple Annihilation has reached Great Success as well?" Qin Gang pressed.

"More or less," Lu Yuan nodded again. There wasn’t much difference between Perfection and Great Success.

"Alright, I approve. Come with me to handle the paperwork." Qin Gang turned around.

Promoting someone to a Squad Leader involved a strict requirement aside from Cultivation and strength: they needed to have made at least one hundred contribution points for the Demon Suppression Bureau. Otherwise, it would be unfair if any random Seventh Grade Martial Artist could become a Squad Leader immediately. Lu Yuan had obviously met this requirement long ago.

"Lu Yuan broke through to the Seventh Grade!"

Liu Zhi and Jianng Hongfei exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock and complicated emotions in each other’s eyes. It was completely unexpected! Lu Yuan’s progress was entirely illogical and far too fast!

BANG!

Mu Lingche slammed a punch into the ground, causing the earth within a radius of dozens of meters to tremble violently. Then, he turned and walked away.

"Tell Lu Yuan that I’m quitting this squad!"

Liu Zhi, Jianng Hongfei, and Chen Qian watched him leave in silence. They understood that the proud Young Master Su couldn’t handle the blow to his ego!

"I’m afraid this young master won’t come out until he breaks through to the Seventh Grade," Liu Zhi muttered to himself.

"Seventh Grade! I want it so badly too!" Jianng Hongfei roared at the sky, utterly consumed by envy and jealousy.

"Lu Yuan isn’t even sixteen yet..." Liu Zhi added.

Jianng Hongfei’s mind went blank. A fifteen-year-old Seventh Grade Martial Artist... The absolute top genius in Daqian...

"Fifteen..." Chen Qian was stunned. He was only fifteen?

He possessed such immense strength at such a young age. He was calm, collected, and decisive in his actions. Yet she...

SWISH!

She headed straight for the Cultivation Technique Building to select the Cloud-Brushing Hand. She was going to follow Lu Yuan’s path!

"Lu Yuan broke through to the Seventh Grade!"

This news spread through the grassroots of the Demon Suppression Bureau at lightning speed.

"Didn’t Lu Yuan just reach the High Tier of the Eighth Grade not too long ago?"

"He just killed five Seventh Grade Martial Artists a few days ago..."

"Did he really break through? That fast?"

"I don’t believe it!"

"I heard Lu Yuan is only sixteen..."

"Could Lu Yuan be from a top-tier noble family, or perhaps a member of the Imperial Family?"

In less than a morning, almost everyone in the Demon Suppression Bureau had heard the news.

"A Seventh Grade Martial Artist under sixteen..."

"The absolute top genius in Daqian!"

These two phrases were repeated by almost everyone discussing the matter. This was different from when he had slain five Seventh Grade Martial Artists. Back then, he had put his life on the line and used a Secret Technique, and no one knew what kind of price he had paid. Many even assumed that Lu Yuan’s foundation had been heavily damaged, cutting off his potential and permanently hindering his future Cultivation. But now...

Now that he was in the Seventh Grade, Lu Yuan’s strength was bound to experience a massive leap. What level would he reach? Everyone knew that his Thunder Blade Triple Annihilation had reached Great Success. With a Seventh Grade Cultivation and the Thunder Blade Triple Annihilation... he would have very few rivals within the Seventh Grade. Having just broken through, Lu Yuan already possessed combat prowess comparable to the High Tier or even the peak of the Seventh Grade. Anyone who encountered him from now on would have to treat him with extreme caution.

"Lu Yuan... he’s even more formidable than I imagined." Jii Lin’s eyes flickered slightly.

However, he didn’t care much. He was on the verge of breaking through to the Sixth Grade. As long as he willed it, it wouldn’t take him many more days.

"Lu Yuan... Seventh Grade..." Wang Zhong muttered to himself as he squatted on the ground.

It was inconceivable and entirely unbelievable. In just a single month... previously, he had only managed to fight his subordinate, Sunx Jin, to a near standstill, winning with great difficulty. Yet now, even Wang Zhong himself was no match for the boy?

Nevertheless, with the Yanyue Sect making a move, Lu Yuan was doomed this time. He needed to notify the Yanyue Sect to prepare more forces, and they had to act fast...

CRACK!

Cao Cong crushed a valuable Crystal Bead in his hand.

Lu Yuan’s growth rate had vastly exceeded his expectations. He felt as though he was witnessing the rise of Lin Qingfeng all over again. Back then, when Lin Qingfeng first arrived in the Jade Capital, he was already at the Sixth Grade. They had crossed paths during a mission. In just two or three effortless moves, Lin Qingfeng had completely shattered his pride and convictions.

It had taken him years to step out of that shadow, and several more years to finally break through to the Fifth Grade. His heart had itched with bitter hatred. Yet by that time, Lin Qingfeng had long since reached the Fifth Grade. His combat prowess was even more terrifying; it was rumored that he had clashed head-on with a Fourth Grade expert without losing ground, and had personally suppressed a Fourth Grade Great Demon.

Now, he seemed to see a hint of Lin Qingfeng’s shadow in Lu Yuan.

He thought, "Impossible! There is only one Lin Qingfeng in this world!

"He is merely Lin Qingfeng’s provisional son-in-law. There’s no way he possesses Lin Qingfeng’s talent!

"Lu Yuan, I hope you can withstand the trial of the consecutive killing moves I’ve set up for you... If you die too quickly, it would be terribly dull."

"Elder Wu, I haven’t disappointed you, have I?" After receiving his Squad Leader Token and uniform, Lu Yuan went to see Elder Wu.

"You kid... your rapid growth has indeed exceeded my expectations," Elder Wu said bluntly. "Perhaps this is the reason he took a liking to you."

"He didn’t take a liking to me; his daughter did," Lu Yuan chuckled.

"Uh..." Elder Wu’s expression changed, turning quite spectacular. "You brat... so that’s how it is. How shrewd of you!"

"This is called being brilliant and resourceful!" Lu Yuan corrected.

"However, your current situation isn’t great. Your relationship with him is about to be exposed to the public. Many people in the Demon Suppression Bureau have grudges against him, and all of that will be transferred onto you..." Elder Wu warned.