A bottle of huā carved Jiangnan wine, two cups as white as jade, one dish of pan-fried white meat, and one dish of stir-fried pig intestines.

The two men sat across from each other at the table.

Lu Yuan looked at the master of the Tenth Sub-hall of the Seventh Branch Hall across from him with some surprise.

He truly hadn't expected the master of the Tenth Sub-hall of the Seventh Branch Hall to be Song Jianjiu.

He certainly hadn't expected it at first.

"Hall Master Song, what are you doing here?" Lu Yuan asked, somewhat bewildered. Indeed, this Hall Master Song was supposed to be the master of the Tenth Sub-hall of the Tenth Branch Hall; why had he been transferred to the Seventh Branch Hall to take command?

"It's because of you," Song Jianjiu replied. Seeing Lu Yuan's utterly confused expression, Song Jianjiu let out a hearty laugh. "It's simple. Your performance during that competition in the Tenth Sub-hall earned me great merit. Even though I missed the opportunity to train you myself, the credit still landed squarely on my ledger."

"And so," Song Jianjiu continued casually, "I was due for a promotion. Coincidentally, the previous master of the Seventh Branch Hall's Tenth Sub-hall died at the hands of a demon, so they sent me here." For someone like him, who constantly fought demons, being stuck in the Tenth Sub-hall where he rarely encountered formidable foes, merely training newcomers, was dreadfully dull.

Being assigned to the front lines against the demons was quite appealing.

Even though the death rate here was high, and the former hall master had perished in this very location, Song Jianjiu preferred this kind of post.

"Oh, and you've arrived at a good time," Song Jianjiu added, a smile playing on his lips. "The Subterranean Demon Assessment is in half a month."

"Subterranean Demon Assessment?" Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

The name sounded rather peculiar.

Song Jianjiu explained, "Our Five Immortals Alliance was established specifically to counter the subterranean demons, so naturally, we must be intimately familiar with them. While you were in the Immortal Sects, you might have heard various rumors about the subterranean demons and even encountered a few. In the Five Immortals Alliance training, you've certainly faced some subterranean demons too."

"However, your understanding of the demons is merely superficial. Tests like this Subterranean Demon Assessment are held annually. Anyone who has been in the Five Immortals Alliance for less than ten years must participate. This assessment tests two things: your strength, and the depth of your knowledge regarding the demons—how to fight them, and so on."

"As for those who have served over ten years? They are no longer newcomers to the subterranean world. If they still fall to the demons, that becomes their own fault."

"The date is set for half a month from now."

Lu Yuan listened to Hall Master Song's detailed explanation and found it quite interesting.

Furthermore, since everyone in the Alliance for less than ten years had to participate, it seemed he had no choice but to join.

Song Jianjiu mentioned, "There's a considerable reward for achieving first place in the Subterranean Demon Assessment. Of course, since people from all nine Branch Halls who haven't served ten years can join, first place won't be easy to claim. But with your strength... you should rank quite well."

This immediately spurred Lu Yuan's enthusiasm.

He couldn't help it; who doesn't like good things when they are available?

Moreover, based on what Hall Master Song said, this test would help him understand the subterranean demons better, which would

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