Nie Yun paid no mind to the crowd’s chatter.

His ascetic training over the past two days—carrying the Profound Jade Sword without using any True Qi—had indeed resulted in a significant improvement in his muscle strength. Although he was still a long way from reaching the Third Layer Great Success of the Spirit Rhinoceros Body Refining Technique, it had shown him a clear path forward for his Body Refinement. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"Master, this is where Miss Tie Lan and the others are staying in Jibei City. Let’s head inside!"

After walking for a while, the man and his three beasts arrived before a massive estate. Upon seeing it, the Wind Wolf King sent him a Sound Transmission.

Demon Pets could communicate with their masters spiritually through the Beast Taming Dantian.

"Iron Rock Mercenary Corps, Jibei City Branch? I never thought they’d have such a large base in Jibei City!" Nie Yun chuckled, glancing up at the estate’s sign.

The Iron Rock Mercenary Corps was hailed as one of the Divine Wind Empire’s Three Great Mercenary Corps, so their power was naturally not to be underestimated. Still, Nie Yun hadn’t expected them to have such a magnificent branch even in a place like Jibei City.

"Let me go first! Let me go first!"

"Don’t rush! Didn’t they say we have to line up? The Iron Rock Mercenary Corps is recruiting based on strength and Cultivation, not on who shoves their way to the front!"

"Of course I know that, but you definitely have a better chance if you’re at the front..."

Even before he reached the branch headquarters, he could hear a constant clamor from the bustling crowd. A long line of people snaked its way into the estate.

"Why are there so many people?"

Nie Yun clearly hadn’t expected a minor branch of the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps to be surrounded by so many people, and he couldn’t help but be taken aback.

"You’re here for the Mercenary Corps selection too, right? Get to the back of the line! Don’t cut in here!"

He had only taken a few steps forward when a young man with a frown blocked his path.

"Mercenary selection? Mercenaries need to be selected?" Nie Yun was momentarily stunned.

’Mercenaries are typically Loose Cultivators with no powerful backing, just trying to make a living. As long as you have the strength and can accept missions, almost anyone can do it. Why would there be a selection process?’

"How ignorant! It’s true you don’t need a selection to be a mercenary, but did you think just anyone can join the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps? They’re one of the Empire’s Three Great Mercenary Corps! Countless people want to join. If they didn’t have a selection, it would be chaos!"

Seeing that he was dealing with an "idiot," the young man couldn’t help but snort.

"That’s right. The Iron Rock Mercenary Corps even managed to subdue a Black Cloud Leopard at the Peak of Qi Sect. That shows how powerful they are! Your chances of survival are much higher if you do missions with a strong Mercenary Corps. Who wouldn’t want to join?"

"Little brother, you’re here to try your luck too, aren’t you? These three Demon Beasts of yours look pretty tough, but your own strength is lacking. You need to work on your Cultivation!"

Hearing the young man’s words, two more people turned around. Seeing Nie Yun, they offered their "well-intentioned" advice.

Hearing their comments, Nie Yun finally understood what was happening.

’It seems the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps’ success with the Black Cloud Leopard mission has greatly boosted their reputation, drawing more and more people to them.’

’It made sense, when he thought about it. The Black Cloud Leopard was a Demon Beast at the Peak of Qi Sect. For the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps to be able to subdue a beast of that caliber was a true testament to their strength. Every mercenary lived life on a knife’s edge; who wouldn’t want to join a stronger Mercenary Corps and have a better guarantee of survival?’

’They only subdued the Black Cloud Leopard because I gave it a good smack and it submitted. If anyone deserves credit, it’s Master...’

The Wind Wolf King grumbled telepathically, its expression souring as it heard everyone attribute the credit to the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps.

Hearing its grumbling, Nie Yun gave a faint smile. He nodded at the "well-intentioned" people and walked straight toward the estate.

"Halt! Get to the back of the line. If you try to cut in again, I’ll disqualify you from the assessment!"

He had only taken a few more steps when an administrator from the Mercenary Corps blocked him, a displeased look on his face.

This mercenary wore a suit of black armor and stood as straight as a spear. When he saw the young man looking at him, his expression was full of immense pride, as if being a member of the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps was the highest honor one could bring to their ancestors.

And in fact, that was the case. The onlookers who saw his expression weren’t disgusted at all; on the contrary, they were incredibly envious.

"I’m not here for the assessment, I’m looking for someone..." Nie Yun said with a small smile, realizing the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps now held immense prestige here.

"Looking for someone? Who could you possibly be looking for? Stop making excuses and get back there. This is the Iron Rock Mercenary Corps branch headquarters, not your house! ’Looking for someone’... you might as well say you’re here to buy groceries!"

The man snorted coldly.

"Haha!" The crowd in the queue burst into laughter. They all thought the same as the guard: Nie Yun’s claim of "looking for someone" was just a flimsy excuse.

"What’s going on out there? If you’re in line, then stay in line! What’s all the racket about?"

Just then, a sharp rebuke echoed from within the estate. The guard jumped, startled. He quickly turned and cupped his fists. "Reporting to the Vice-Captain! Someone was just trying to cut the line. I’m telling him to leave now..."

"Cutting the line? Tell him if he tries it again, he’s disqualified from the assessment!"

The voice from inside the estate commanded sternly.

"Yes, sir!" the guard hurriedly nodded.

"Tie Long? That was Tie Long just now, wasn’t it?" Nie Yun recognized the voice’s intonation and chuckled.

"Insolence! Is Vice-Captain Tie Long’s name one you are worthy of uttering?" The guard in black armor was shocked that this young man would address the vice-captain by his name and quickly berated him.

"Hm?" Inside the estate, Tie Long heard someone call his name. He frowned and strode outside. The moment he saw the figure at the gate, he froze in shock before rushing forward in a panic.

"Vice-Captain, I have been derelict in my duty. I will get rid of him at once..." The guard saw the vice-captain’s expression change and assumed he was angry, so he quickly began to apologize. But before he could finish speaking, he witnessed something that made his jaw hit the floor.

"Lord Nie Yun, you’ve finally arrived! We’ve been waiting for you for quite some time! Please, come in!" Tie Long then turned to the stunned guard. "What are you gaping at? Hurry and inform Miss Tie Lan!"

Tie Long rushed over to the very young man he had just been scolding, his attitude utterly reverent—like a weakling before a powerhouse, a worship that came from the depths of his soul.

"This..."

It wasn’t just the guard who was stunned; everyone in the surrounding crowd was dumbfounded.

’The Vice-Captain... is that the legendary Tie Long, an expert at the Early-Stage Qi Sect? Why would a powerhouse like him be so respectful toward a boy of sixteen or seventeen? And judging by his expression, it’s completely genuine!’

"Who in the world is that kid? To make the Vice-Captain of the Mercenary Corps, a bona fide Qi Sect Powerhouse, come out to welcome him personally?"

"Who knows? His strength must be incredible! Or maybe he’s some big shot!"

"He’s got three Demon Beasts with him, and a Qi Sect Powerhouse is calling him ’Lord.’ Do you even have to question his strength? He must be a supreme powerhouse! The appearances of supreme powerhouses don’t age!"

"If I could ever be like that Lord—have a Qi Sect Powerhouse treat me with reverence and own three Demon Beasts—I could die happy!"

Seeing the Vice-Captain respectfully usher the young-looking man into the estate without daring to utter another word, the crowd erupted as if a bomb had gone off. (To be continued. If you like this work, please show your support by voting for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation!)