"Hmph! Tong Xiao, don''t boss me around here...I''ve followed all the rules! The upper management of Vermilion Bird decided in the meeting to open these spots to the public, without specifying any conditions, right? Is there anything wrong with how I recruit people?"


    With a cold sneer, Qiao Shan said, "Don''t delay the next one from registering; once the last spot is filled, we can close up shop! Come on, anyone else wishing to continue registering, please raise your hand and report your details!"


    Qiao Shan yelled at the crowd, and an eighty-year-old man with gray hair and beard shakily raised his hand and said, "I...I''d like to register..." The old man, leaning on his cane, trembling with every step, walked up and handed his crooked details to Qiao Shan.


    It seemed as if the old man might pass out at any moment. An old man like him was actually participating in the Military Martial drills—wasn''t that a joke?


    Tong Xiao was nearly driven mad, "Stop! Someone...stop them!"


    Tong Xiao shouted explosively, and a group of masters armed with sabers rushed over, standing behind him, "Qiao Shan, am I not being clear? Today, this last spot, I want to see who dares to touch it? Let me tell you, Elder Hou just called me, ordering me to keep this spot at all costs. Try to make a move and see if my saber isn''t sharp!"


    Huh?


    Upon hearing Tong Xiao''s words, Qiao Shan''s eyebrows furrowed.


    Elder Hou personally ordered it?


    No wonder Tong Xiao was so domineering!


    "I also was about to..." Qiao Shan almost let slip the identity of his powerful backing, but remembering that this figure must not be revealed, he shut up just in time. Yet, his powerful supporter had also instructed to use up all the spots before registration ended, especially not to leave any for Ye Fan.


    Ye Fan had been causing chaos in the Southwestern Region.


    In Vermilion Bird Camp, Ye Fan had already dealt with two of the Four Great War Kings. If Ye Fan continued causing trouble here, his own powerful backing would have no way out.


    Therefore, before Ye Fan could register, no matter what, he was determined to invalidate this spot.


    "So what if Elder Hou called? Does a call from Elder Hou mean we can ignore the regulations set by the highest council of Vermilion Bird? In recruiting participants this way, which regulation did I violate?" Qiao Shan sneered, and behind him, several Martial Arts Experts also surged forward, brandishing their battle sabers.


    Qiao Shan and Tong Xiao were among the elite experts within the Vermilion Bird Camp, holding significant positions, which is why they were tasked with recruitment for this event.


    The atmosphere on the field instantly intensified as both sides stood on the brink, ready to draw their weapons.


    "Cuihua? What are you doing here?" Tong Xiao''s pupils dilated upon seeing the chubby girl in front of him, and he couldn''t help exclaiming.


    "Miss Hou?" Qiao Shan was also surprised at the sight of the girl, and his grip on his battle saber slackened a bit.


    This chubby girl was named Hou Cuihua, the only granddaughter of the Vermilion Bird Commander, Hou Tianji!


    So Elder Hou had kept a spot saved, intending to give it to his granddaughter?


    Qiao Shan immediately felt a wave of relief, thinking to himself, if only he had known it was like this, he wouldn''t have been tense for so long.


    Tong Xiao also felt a bit puzzled. Elder Hou had called him earlier, was it to save a spot for his granddaughter? However, Elder Hou hadn''t specified for whom he was holding the spot when he had called asking him to save it.


    "Instructor Tong, Captain Qiao, why are you staring at me like that? Don''t I qualify to participate in the military martial training?" Hou Cuihua stepped forward, pouted coquettishly, and stamped her foot on the ground.


    Boom!


    Although it was just a light stamp, the massive impact instantly shattered the blue stone tiles on the ground, creating a large crater. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    Despite being chubby, Hou Cuihua''s talent for cultivation was not weak at all—she was already a Martial Venerable expert at such a young age!


    "Qualified! Absolutely qualified, haha!" Qiao Shan immediately sheathed his saber and sat down next to the computer, "As long as it''s not Ye Fan, anyone is fine. Instructor Tong, you should have told me it was Miss Hou—we wouldn''t have had such an awkward situation. Everyone put away your weapons, it was a misunderstanding!"


    Qiao Shan chided his subordinates behind him, and everyone sheathed their sabers.


    Tong Xiao looked at Qiao Shan''s face, and with Hou Cuihua suddenly appearing, he felt that something was amiss.


    ...


    In the Vermilion Bird Camp, Hou Tianji was hurrying towards the registration area. Suddenly, his secretary reported, "Elder Hou, the registration area reports that Qiao Shan has been recklessly recruiting and now only one spot is left! Also, someone seems to have persuaded Miss Hou to go over there and it looks like she''s planning to sign up for the military martial training!"


    "What?"


    Upon hearing the report from his secretary, Hou Tianji nearly jumped on the spot, "Why did Cuihua go there? This is ridiculous... It''s ruined... I didn''t tell Tong Xiao that the spot was meant for Ye Fan. Quick... call Tong Xiao, we''ll sort this out when I get there..."