According to Jiang Chen's calculations, although the strange incident in the medicine garden foreshadows a bad omen, it has not yet come true. The most urgent task is for Jiang Chen to rush back to the capital to recover.
"Xiaoyu, remember my words, that medicine garden is sealed off, don't let anyone in or out." From Jiang Chen's point of view, this ominous sign could be as fast as two or three years, or as slow as seven or eight years. There is still time to deal with it.
After bidding farewell to the Bauhinia Tribe, Jiang Chen returned to Bojiang City and said goodbye to Jiang Tong. With a group of new and old subordinates, he embarked on the journey back to the royal capital.
Along the way, Jiang Chen was on the road during the day, and at night he was supervising the training of these personal guards, teaching them martial arts, and teaching them formations.
It was only a three- or four-day journey, but it took ten days to reach the royal capital.
However, after these ten days of traveling, both Jiang Chen and these eight personal guards have improved their cultivation to another level.
Back in the capital, this mission cycle only took about twenty-six or seven days.
"Jiang Chen, for the second first-level mission, recruit eight personal guards. They must be under twenty years old and have a cultivation level of six meridians and above!"
"This is the list of my personal guards. It contains their information, identities, and origins."
Jiang Chen submitted the information of the eight personal guards.
The information was verified to be correct, and the reviewer added: "For this task, every personal guard must pass the force assessment requirements."
"How to assess?"
"There are two procedures. The first one is for them to take the assessment of the six meridians one by one. This procedure is relatively simple." The reviewer replied.
"The second procedure requires them to go to the arena and fight against eight level six puppets. They must defeat the eight level six puppets within the specified time! The time is very short, only half a stick of incense.
"
The first procedure was a dead routine, without any skills at all. When Jiang Chen took part in the basic examination, he also took the test.
This procedure is simple and cannot be faked.
The second procedure is relatively more complicated. After all, it is still difficult to defeat eight puppets who are equivalent to six-meridian Qi experts in half a stick of incense.
If Jiang Chen had not prepared anything and hurriedly came back after the eight quotas were filled, he would most likely have failed in this assessment.
Now, Jiang Chen prepared something. Not only did he upgrade all eight personal guards to the Seventh Meridian Qi, but he also taught them formations and taught them martial arts.
In this way, this second assessment procedure will be relatively more certain.
In the first procedure, under Jiang Chen's instructions, the eight people did not reveal anything, and only input the six meridians of true energy, and then stopped, without exposing their trump cards all at once.
Passed smoothly.
Princess Magatama had been paying attention to the whole process, and she was slightly relieved when she saw that the eight personal guards recruited by Jiang Chen had all passed the Six Meridians Infuriating Assessment.
She has always been worried that Jiang Chen has insufficient control, insufficient appeal, and insufficient recruitment quota. Now it seems that her worries are in vain.
As for the second assessment process, Princess Magatama is no longer worried. What kind of person is Jiang Chen? Even a Qi master like Princess Magatama, Jiang Chen can give some advice. He can teach a few six-meridian Qi masters.
Follower, isn’t that simple?
Arriving at the arena, Jiang Chen found that the place was extremely lively.
At the same time, he also discovered that Jiang Chen was not the only one carrying out this recruitment mission.
Almost all the disciples competing for the rank of princes have to perform the same task. In the arena, all the familiar faces smiled half-heartedly when they saw Jiang Chen.
Once here, everyone is a competitor.
Long Yinye and Long Juxue, these two brothers and sisters, are naturally on the list.
There is also Hong Tiantong, the descendant of Lord Zhuque, who is also a loyal supporter of Long Juxue. As a descendant of one of the four major princes, he is naturally also in the arena at this moment.
In addition, Bai Zhanyun, the descendant of Baihuhou, Yi Taichu, the descendant of Xuanwuhou, etc., are all famous descendants of princes in the Eastern Kingdom.
When these people saw Jiang Chen, some were full of hostility, while others greeted him with a slight smile.
Among them, Yan Yiming, the descendant of Yanmenhou, saw Jiang Chen, but now he did not dare to provoke him anymore. Instead, he turned his head and looked away bitterly, turning a blind eye to Jiang Chen.
"Integrity, this is the foundation!" Hong Tiantong's untimely voice sounded from behind Jiang Chen, "We, the first-class princes, have recruited eight personal guards, and we have completed it early. Unlike some nouveau riche, who have no foundation but have delusional ideas.
It took one step to reach the sky, but it has only been barely completed to this day. Whether I can pass this second test is still unknown!"
Now people like Bai Zhanyun and Yi Taichu have seen through Long Juxue and know how stupid it was to serve as Long Juxue's gun before.
However, they did not serve Long Juxue as a spear, but Hong Tiantong was happy to do so.
Even if he couldn't win Long Juxue's heart, Hong Tiantong would be very happy to have a good relationship with Long Tenghou Mansion. He did this not only to please Long Juxue, but also to show it to Long Yinye.
After all, Long Yinye is the legitimate son of Marquis Long Teng and will definitely inherit the throne in the future.
Hong Tiantong's yin and yang arrogance, criticizing Sang and Huai, was obviously aimed at Jiang Chen.
However, at this moment, Jiang Chen had no interest in arguing with such a boring person.
Instead, he handed the assessment card to the examiner. The examiner took one look at it and said, "Arena No. 7, the assessment will start at the same time in half an hour."
"Jiang Chen, what Hong Tiantong said is right. Some things still require some background. Look at where in the countryside these personal guards you are looking for are found from. It's awkward no matter how you look at them. This kind of country warrior,
Can you take on the heavy responsibility?"
Long Yinye is different from Hong Tiantong. He will never beat around the bush and go straight to whoever he wants to provoke or suppress.
"Haha, it would be a bit cruel to say that they are crooked melons and cracked jujubes. But brother Jiang Chen, these people you are looking for are a bit too rustic, right? By the way, this person looks familiar? Who is it if it's not that one? That one
The grandson of Taifu Guo, right? If I remember correctly, his father is a famous deserter in the royal capital, right?"
When Hong Tiantong saw Long Yinye coming out, he became even more excited and followed him.
"Hong Tiantong? You are provoking me, am I understanding correctly?" Jiang Chen smiled faintly.
Hong Tiantong stood behind Long Yinye, feeling confident and puffing up his chest: "If you insist on thinking this way, then just take it as it is! I, Mr. Hong, just can't stand a nouveau riche like you. What kind of status do you have?"
What's the matter? How virtuous and capable are you, the Jiang family, that you dare to compete for the position of a first-class prince?"
Arguing about qualifications and status is the usual routine of these so-called nobles.
However, Jiang Chen has never been a person who plays his cards according to routines.
He glanced at Hong Tiantong relaxedly and said: "What's the use of talking so much nonsense? Do you look down on my personal guards? It's very simple. Call your eight personal guards and have a test on the spot. Anyway, there is still half a day before the assessment.
Time, instead of everyone waiting here in boredom, why not give everyone some fun, don’t you think?"
Jiang Chen couldn't see that Guo Jin's eyes were already bursting with fire. Hong Tiantong's "deserter" comment deeply hurt Guo Jin's nerves.
As a boss, Jiang Chen naturally has to maintain the dignity of his subordinates.
"Competition?" Long Yinye's eyes lit up slightly and he looked at Hong Tiantong, "Tiantong, your Suzaku Mansion is also one of the four great princes. How can you be intimidated by an inferior prince?"
Hong Tiantong was very scheming and thought about it. Among his eight personal guards, there was one eight-meridian true energy, three seven-meridian true energy, and four more, all of whom were at the peak of six-meridian true energy.
Compared with Long Yinfeng's personal guards, there is definitely a gap between such a configuration. But compared with the other four princes' children, it is definitely not inferior.
How many young geniuses could Jiang Chen, a mere second-grade prince, recruit in a remote place like Jiang Han?
In the personal guard competition, Jiang Chen can't take action, so why are you afraid of him?
Hong Tiantong calculated over and over again and felt that if this was a competition, his side would be sure to win. After all, at a glance, none of Jiang Chen's subordinates stood out.
On his side, a single eight-meridian Qi is enough to crush three or four six-meridian Qi. There are also three seven-meridian Qi, which are not vegetarians either.
Thinking of this, Hong Tiantong's heart moved and he showed a sinister smile: "It's not impossible to compete! But the assessment is coming soon. If there are three advantages and two disadvantages, how will it be calculated?"
Long Yinye said impatiently: "Fistes and feet have no eyes. If there are any shortcomings, then you will be unlucky. Jiang Chen, do you think so?"
Although Long Yinye looks rough, he actually has sinister intentions. He is using a provoking method against Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen was secretly amused, but he said angrily on purpose: "Think you are unlucky? Don't you want me, Jiang Hanhou Mansion, to be embarrassed and want me to fail the exam?"
Long Yinye laughed: "Jiang Chen, if you are afraid of affecting the assessment, there is nothing wrong with admitting defeat. After all, this competition is voluntary and no one can force it."
"Backing off in the face of battle is an act of cowardice." Yan Yiming on the side suddenly said this.
Jiang Chen chuckled: "Hong Tiantong, they are roasting you and me on the fire rack, what do you say?"
Seeing Jiang Chen like this, Hong Tiantong thought he was timid, and even more proudly said with a smile: "How can I, the Marquis of Suzaku Mansion, be the one who brings a lot of disgrace to the scenery? Since everyone is so interested, let's have a competition!"
"A competition?" Jiang Chen followed Hong Tiantong's tone and asked.
"Bi!" Hong Tiantong said with great pride and glanced at Long Juxue. He seemed to see Long Juxue tilting his head slightly, as if he was quite approving of his move.
As a result, Hong Tiantong became more motivated.
"There's still half an hour left. Let's make room for everyone. The descendants of Marquis Suzaku and Marquis Jiang Han will send their own guards forward to compete in the competition."
Long Yinye's words had the effect of clearing the scene. All parties retreated and made way for a large open space.
"Everyone of you, what are you doing? Trying to practice Qianlong, is this child's play?" At some point, Princess Magatama appeared majestically.
Princess Magatama, who has eleven channels of true energy, is undoubtedly the top powerhouse in the kingdom. When she appeared, the atmosphere at the scene immediately became complicated.
Hong Tiantong, who was originally aggressive and high-spirited, now subconsciously stood behind Long Yinye, hoping to use Long Yinye's aura to resist Princess Magatama's anger.