Chapter 904: Not Being Envied Is a Mediocre Talent (Part 1)

Formally joining the Blood Guard did not mean that Wang Chen could immediately don the flying fish uniform and wield the Yan Feather Blade to pursue traitors and criminals.

He still had to undergo three months of training and pass the necessary assessments before he could be deemed eligible for missions.

On the fifth day after arriving in Jiangyuan City, Wang Chen reported to the Iron Furnace Camp located outside the city.

The Iron Furnace Camp, situated ten miles from Jiangyuan City, was a sprawling military base nestled between mountains and rivers. It was fortified with barracks, a training ground, watchtowers, and beacon towers.

Here, Wang Chen, along with eighty-nine other trainee Blood Guards, embarked on a grueling training regimen.

The Blood Guard held a unique and prestigious position, wielding considerable authority. Even as trainees, they outranked the lowest-level officials, making entry into their ranks a formidable challenge.

However, the adversaries faced by the Blood Guards were exceptionally ruthless and powerful, resulting in consistently high casualty rates. This necessitated a continuous influx of new recruits.

Most of these trainees hailed from modest backgrounds or aristocratic families, often being direct or collateral descendants who joined the Blood Guard to carve out a future, lacking the qualifications to inherit their family estates.

It is worth noting that a Xiaoqi is typically promoted from seventh-rank martial officials, and upon retirement, can easily serve as a county lieutenant, a position that rivals that of a seventh-rank county magistrate!

Many of these trainees were in their late teens or early twenties, with the least experienced being second-grade warriors. Most came from well-established families and possessed considerable martial arts talent.

Now, gathered at the Iron Furnace Camp for training, each trainee harbored a silent determination.

The formal Blood Guard was divided into three tiers: copper emblem, silver emblem, and gold emblem. Upon passing the assessments, trainees would earn the lowest rank of copper emblem.

However, the top three performers would be awarded silver emblems, giving them a head start over their peers.

It is important to understand that under normal circumstances, Xiaoqi positions are primarily filled by those with gold emblems, followed by silver. Copper emblem holders rarely advance unless they achieve significant merit or have influential connections!

This cohort of trainee Blood Guards consisted of ninety individuals, with only three silver emblems up for grabs, making the competition intense.

From the very first day at the Iron Furnace Camp, the contest had already begun!

There were five Blood Guard instructors responsible for training and guiding the newcomers. The head instructor, an elderly man named Wang, had white hair and a hunched back. He usually appeared kind and gentle, with a benevolent demeanor.

However, after a few days, nearly every trainee Blood Guard felt a sense of dread in his presence!

The only exception was likely Wang Chen.

He was not an ordinary teenager; his experiences and insights far surpassed those of his peers. Thus, even though Head Instructor Wang employed seasoned and cunning teaching methods, Wang Chen remained largely unfazed.

Yet, Wang Chen did not underestimate these battle-hardened, experienced instructors.

He adopted a humble attitude and immersed himself in learning, viewing himself as a new recruit in the camp. He diligently absorbed all the knowledge and skills imparted by the instructors.

Surveillance tracking, stealth, reconnaissance assassination, administering and detoxifying poison, outdoor survival…

The skills required for the Blood Guard were vast and varied. Mastering everything taught by the instructors within a mere three months seemed nearly impossible.

Often, the instructors would only explain the material once, perhaps demonstrating it once themselves.

Whether the trainees could grasp it depended entirely on their own capabilities.

This allowed Wang Chen to quickly distinguish himself among the other trainees!

Although he had crossed over into this world, his insights and experiences were a hundredfold richer than those of the new students. Coupled with the innate talent of his current body, he learned, comprehended, and mastered various skills at an astonishing pace.

Most importantly, Wang Chen did not feel that learning these skills, which would be considered trivial in the Haotian Realm, would diminish his status as a Golden Core true master!

This, in fact, set Wang Chen apart from many cultivators who had descended to the lower realm!

Wang Chen hailed from a relatively egalitarian technological world, where he understood the preciousness and significance of knowledge. Empowered by his unique abilities, he flourished in the world of cultivation, advancing at a pace far surpassing his peers.

While rapid progression often leads to an unstable foundation, it conversely allowed Wang Chen to retain a childlike innocence, preventing him from being entirely assimilated by the world of cultivation.

Thus, when he observed the beings of Cangqing, he did so without a condescending mindset.

This was the fundamental reason why Wang Chen could integrate into this realm so swiftly!

Since Wang Chen had no intention of maintaining a low profile and had revealed a glimpse of his prowess, within less than half a month, he had earned the admiration and praise of all the instructors, including Head Instructor Wang.

He had subtly become the top trainee Blood Guard of this cohort!

Moreover, Wang Chen was exceptionally handsome, and due to the principle of same-sex repulsion, he inevitably became the target of covert hostility and isolation.

While many trainee Blood Guards formed cliques, Wang Chen remained solitary, with few friends.

Yet, he saw no issue with this, as it allowed him to dedicate all his time to learning and cultivation, sparing him the troubles of socializing and networking.

However, some clearly did not wish for him to continue this way!

One evening, as Wang Chen returned to his dormitory after finishing his studies, preparing to shower and change for dinner, three new students appeared at his door.

Wang Chen raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"

He recognized the three, though they had no personal connection. Given their aggressive demeanor, it was clear they were up to no good.

The leader of the new students was a large, burly figure, nearly hitting his head on the door frame as he stood in the doorway, exuding an imposing presence.

He stared at Wang Chen and asked in a gruff voice, "Ling Zhiyuan, have you considered what we discussed last time?"

Wang Chen replied lightly, "I remember telling you then that I have no interest."

This group was a small faction among the new students, led by Jin Yingjie of the Jin Family, one of the powerful families in Jiangyuan City.

The Jin Family was quite renowned, and it was not difficult for Jin Yingjie, a direct descendant, to form a team within the Blood Guard.

Jin Yingjie himself was quite capable, though his brilliance was entirely overshadowed by Wang Chen.

This Jin Family member had sought to recruit Wang Chen into his team.

Wang Chen had refused him at the time.

Unexpectedly, the other party was persistent and sent someone to harass him again a few days later.

"Ha!" The large new student’s eyes gleamed with malice. "You’re asking for trouble by refusing the invitation!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly swung his fists, aiming a heavy blow at Wang Chen’s head.

Simultaneously, the two new students standing behind him kicked out with their left and right legs towards Wang Chen.

The three acted in unison, their coordination seamless, and they fully exploited the cramped space of the single dormitory.

Their intentions were filled with malice!