Xuanqing Guard

The forty-man drum squad entered from outside, their imposing presence immediately dominating the entire scene.

If you’d watched the rehearsal, you’d see the effect this time far surpassed the last—main difference being the forty burly men’s spirits had changed. Before, they felt stifled banging drums and dancing, but after the rehearsal’s glowing reviews, their confidence soared. Now performing officially, they gave it their all, and their momentum was a whole new level.

Many in the stands had some experience; after listening for a moment, they could tell these passionate and powerful drum beats came from a very familiar tune.

"This... Is it Your Majesty’s ’Thunder Roar’?"

"Yes, that’s ’Thunder Roar’! Never thought pure drums could bring such majestic power!"

"Look at those hulking men! When they drum, it’s as if they’re fighting enemies—there’s saber technique hidden in their moves!"

"Such momentum! This ’Thunder Roar’ is the most imposing I’ve ever heard! Wonderful!"

The direct audiovisual impact was the strongest impression—far more moving than words. Especially since this piece was already steeped in raw combat atmosphere; everyone here had once wagered their lives, even if now they lived in comfort. Following the drumbeats, old memories surfaced, blood surged, excitement mounting.

Halfway through ’Thunder Roar’, Wang Yiming on the viewing platform shook the command flag vigorously, and soon a horn sounded from afar, along with heavy footfalls.

"What’s that...?"

In the distance, four formations that had been standing ready began moving in proper order.

The Black Banner Battalion soldiers from the four garrisons had been busy training these past months under Shen Hao’s stern orders to perfect their formations—everyone had to march in perfect time, or lose their qualification for the ’Grand Tournament.’ So, everyone went all-out, and within a month, managed to meet the minimum requirements.

If measured by Shen Hao’s standards, this level of formation would merit a seventy out of a hundred.

The score wasn’t high because Shen Hao compared them to another world in his heart, but the others on the stands had no such standard. They only saw the neat, block-like marching Black Banner Battalion soldiers and found them absolutely dazzling!

Vigorous spirits, perfect synchronization, brimming with momentum!

With ’Thunder Roar’ empowering them, the first formation moved steadily in front of the stands—it was the Li City Black Banner Battalion formation, with Chen Tianwen leading stoic at the front.

"Unfurl the flag!"

With a loud shout, the flag bearer behind Chen Tianwen suddenly swung the flagpole, True Qi vibrating and instantly unfurling the flag. It was the Xuanqing Guard banner, but with a line of characters indicating which unit belonged to the Xuanqing Guard.

"That’s the Fengri City jurisdiction... Li City Guard Station’s Black Banner Battalion? Very spirited!"

"Heh, indeed. I remember the man leading them, surnamed Chen, a very steady fellow."

"Excellent! This opening is truly entertaining!"

Shen Hao listened cheerfully to the higher-ups chatting in the stands, thinking: they think this is interesting? The real fun hasn’t even begun.

Just as people in the stands kept talking, Chen Tianwen below shouted again, and the whole formation chanted together: Unmatched against old foes! Lord Pang is mighty!

First came disbelief, then many stood up from their seats, widening their eyes as they looked below—an inexpressible sense of reverence welled up within them.

This... does this count as flattery?

Definitely! But such flattery left everyone speechless and without fault. Watching Pang Ban stand up with a smile, gripping the rail, waving to the marching Black Banner Battalion formation below, clearly pleased, you could tell how perfect this flattery was.

With Chen Tianwen’s Li City Black Banner Battalion setting the example, the three formations behind marched with equal vigor and pride. After unfurling their banners, the higher-ups in the stands could clearly see each unit’s origin and, for the first time, such a direct demonstration of their strength.

Don’t think it’s just simple parade and flattery—each formation actually has internal "structures," arranged using Combined Attack Skill and reinforced with True Qi. High-Tier Cultivators could easily gauge each formation’s basic combat strength with a look.

"There are over thirty percent cultivators! Is this honestly from a basic General Flag unit?"

"Heard it’s all thanks to the pilot project’s cultivation. Never expected such rapid progress!"

"The costs aren’t small, though."

"True, but it’s worth it. I heard they mainly used Peiyuan Pill, not Elixir, so the results showed quickly. Got to say, Fengri City really nailed the direction this time. Remarkable!"

The results were obvious; apart from being awed by this novel ’art of flattery,’ the people in the stands immediately noticed the basic strength reflected in these formations. Many had worked in basic garrisons themselves, or at least knew them, so they understood the normal strength levels of a Xuanqing Guard General Flag unit—totally different from these Black Banner Battalion troops.

Compared to the basic strength of an average Xuanqing Guard General Flag unit, these had nearly twenty percent higher basic strength!

That was a startling gap, considering the pilot project had only just begun. With more resources poured in, the gap would surely grow wider.

This was only the beginning, and everyone started thinking, "This pilot project is really promising."

After ’Thunder Roar’ was performed twice, the drums and hulking men split into two groups at the field’s edge but didn’t leave, clearly waiting for more tasks later.

Shen Hao stood and smiled, saying, "Honored sirs, the opening ceremony is now finished. Please move to the mock crime scene below—we’re now contesting ’case investigation.’"

With such a lingering and exciting opening, no one felt impatient about changing venues; instead, everyone was eager and curious.

The formations and drum performances just now were all things they’d never seen before. What would the upcoming ’case investigation competition’ be like?

Pang Ban led the way down from the stands, smiling and asking no questions, following Shen Hao’s guidance to the left side of the field to an enclosed dwelling. He circled halfway around and took a seat at the open back.

Sitting, he realized the dwelling was split through the middle; from the front it looked normal, but from behind it was an open mock setting. Sitting in their chairs, they could clearly observe everything inside being displayed.

Once everyone was seated, Shen Hao signaled for the start. First, everyone was shown the crime scene: a murderer, clad in black so only his eyes showed, carried out a "homicide" in front of the spectators—this time, done by a cultivator. There followed a series of arrangements to cover up the crime.

Simple as it seemed, it quickly turned into a silent drama, drawing everyone’s attention in completely.