After Lamont and his men were chased out of the Fifth Corps, the remaining divine guards, including those brought by Han Shuo, Bollands, and Sanguinar, numbered less than a hundred. They were not even enough to form a company of divine guards!
With less than a hundred people, it was almost impossible to properly manage the enormous Fifth Corps. Han Shuo knew that the first order of business after taking over the Fifth Corps was to recruit new divine guards and reorganize the Fifth Corps!
With the Fifth Corps as their leader, Han Shuo thought that there was no need to worry about not being able to recruit suitable candidates. But when he set out to do it, he realized that even though the City of Shadows was vast, it was not easy to recruit suitable divine guards.
Although the City of Shadows was vast, the truly talented experts were branded with the mark of major family clans. Those experts who came to the City of Shadows from subordinate cities or fortresses would be invited by major family clans. Some of the truly talented experts would be lured away by the negotiators sent by major family clans before they could even set foot in the City of Shadows.
With that, the truly talented ones would not have the chance to join the Fifth Corps. They would have been divided up long ago.
Although the Han family had made a name for themselves in the City of Shadows, in the eyes of outsiders, the Han family was only famous because of the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. They believed that the Han family, a family clan that relied on trade and commerce, would be far inferior to those major family clans in the City of Shadows. If offered the same conditions, those people would be more than willing to submit to the major family clans in the City of Shadows instead of the Han family!
The Fifth Corps had to be reestablished but it lacked too much manpower. Han Shuo was rather harsh in this regard. He had asked Statholme and Bollands to select the best candidates. Most of the candidates who came to the Fifth Corps failed the examinations conducted by Statholme, Bollands, and the others. Only a few of them managed to pass the examinations of Bollands and Statholme.
Time flew by and a month had passed in the blink of an eye. During this period of time, the Fifth Corps had recruited a total of thirty odd people. Those thirty odd people were people that the major family clans did not think highly of. They were the kind of people that were inferior to the best.
Naturally, Han Shuo was dissatisfied with the situation. Andre had urged Han Shuo several times to quickly solve the problem of the remaining Fifth Corps divine guards as soon as possible and fulfill the responsibilities of the Fifth Corps. Even Han Shuo felt a headache when faced with a vacancy of more than nine hundred people. He had already used his contacts in the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy to put up recruitment banners in every fortress city.
In the spacious meeting hall of the Fifth Corps, Gilbert was cursing and swearing, "A total of seventy to eighty people have entered the City over the past few days. Among them, twenty possessed midgod strength and thirteen had clean backgrounds. Unfortunately, they were invited away by the three major family clans as soon as they entered the City of Shadows. Dammit, when I mentioned the Han family in the City of Shadows, those fellas said that they had never heard of it. They said that it was beneath them to come to our Fifth Corps. Dammit, they are all so arrogant! "
"Brian, no matter if it is the Han family or the Fifth Corps, as they have just started, they do not have much of a reputation. We are not the best candidates for those truly capable people who want to stand out. I'm afraid that this situation will not change in a short period of time. It seems that we need to change our strategy!" As the former State Preceptor of the Verdun Dynasty, Statholme the old monster was very clear about this. He too was rather anxious when he saw that the Fifth Corps had not been able to find enough divine guards after a month had passed.
It wasn't that the City of Shadows was devoid of people. The streets were filled with lowgods cultivating in all kinds of energies. They would love nothing more than to join the Fifth Corps or the Han family. But unfortunately for them, Han Shuo did not think highly of them. Following the principle of 'better to have nothing than to have a shoddy quality', Han Shuo set the minimum requirement for the Fifth Corps divine guards to be midgods. Other than this basic requirement, Han Shuo also asked Stratholme, Bollands, and the others to test their temperament and character. Only those who passed Bollands' and the others' approval could join the Fifth Corps.
Most of the qualified divine guards were divided among the major family clans. The remaining ones were given to Statholme and Bollands for vetting. Many of them did not meet the requirements. As such, the progress was very slow. It was only natural that they would not be able to find suitable divine guards.
"Do you have any good ideas?" Han Shuo asked with bunched brows. He knew that although Statholme's strength had not improved all of a sudden, he had a good eye for things.
"Build momentum!" Statholme put on an elegant smile and gave a short and concise answer.
Ayermike nodded calmly and chimed in, "After discussing with Statholme, we feel that only by raising the status of the Han family in the City of Shadows and changing people's impression of the Han family will we be able to attract talents. All along, the impression that the Han family has left on people is that of the Celestial Pearl Pharmacy. For those who are determined to make a name for themselves, no matter how big a shop is, it is still a shop. It cannot give them the status and power they desire. Once we build the reputation of the Han family, even if we don't take the initiative to invite them, there will be an endless stream of people coming to join us! "
Both Statholme and Ayermike Cotton were wily old foxes. Now that they were wholeheartedly working for the Han family, they had given Han Shuo many good suggestions and saved Han Shuo a lot of trouble.
After listening to the two explain the situation, Han Shuo thought for a moment before he nodded and said, "I understand what you mean. I also know that this is where the problem lies. But what should we do in terms of building momentum? We can't just jump out and say that our Han family is very powerful and that they will all come to our Han family, right? "
"Of course not!" Ayermike Cotton put on a faint smile and said, "We can make use of people and events to build momentum!"
"Explain in detail!" Asked Han Shuo with a faint smile. He knew Ayermike Cotton very well. Han Shuo knew that Ayermike Cotton must have a well-thought-out plan.
"There are seven divine guard corps in the City of Shadows. Every hundred years, the seven divine guard corps will compete against each other to determine their ranking. The number of participants in each competition is limited to one company. The true strength of each company will be determined through the selection of elites. The seven Divine Guard Chiefs of the City of Shadows will also compete with each other to determine the rankings of the Chiefs! " Statholme the old monster put on a faint smile and explained, "The time for the competition is almost up. Our Fifth Corps is able to gather a company. If our Fifth Corps can surpass the other Corps in the competition, and you can surpass the other Divine Guard Chiefs, the reputation of the Fifth Corps and the Han family will truly grow."
Ayermike Cotton nodded smilingly and said, "Once you and the Fifth Corps rank highly in the competition, the Han family will be able to get rid of the reputation of a shop and become a truly powerful family clan. By then, even if you don't take the initiative to recruit people, there will be people who will come to you to join the Han family and the Fifth Corps!"
"Brian, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Statholme the old monster encouraged, "The winner of the competition between the Seven Corps will be rewarded with a very attractive reward. It would be a waste not to take it!"
"What reward?" asked Han Shuo after staring blankly for a moment.
Statholme the old monster clenched his fist and smilingly said, "Greater power!"
"I have also heard about the competition between the Seven Corps but I didn't pay much attention to it. Tell me the details and the exact time!" Han Shuo was rather tempted and he began to ask Statholme for details.
As soon as Ayermike and Stratholme saw that Han Shuo was tempted, they immediately took out the documents they had prepared beforehand and gave Han Shuo a detailed explanation of the competition in the City of Shadows' Seven Corps.
In order to increase the combat strength of the City of Shadows' Divine Guard Chiefs and divine guards, as well as to promote healthy competition, Wallace personally presided over every competition. There were two types of competitions. One was a competition between Divine Guard Chiefs, and the other was a competition between the overall strength of every force. Of the two, the overall strength of every force was more important.
In all the previous competitions, the House of Sainte had always firmly occupied the top three positions in overall strength and individual strength. Aqueous Sky had always been ranked first in individual strength, followed by the mysterious Chief of the Second Corps, Ralph, and Erebus. The rankings of the other four major family clans would often change.
However, in terms of overall strength, the Second Corps had always been ranked first. Ralph, the Chief of the Second Corps, rarely stayed in the City of Shadows. It was very rare for people in the City of Shadows to see him. However, his strength was not to be underestimated. The overall strength of the Second Corps was famous in the City of Shadows for being valiant. Every divine guard from the Second Corps was courageous and outstanding in killing.
It was said that the Second Corps was also known as the Shadow Army of the City of Shadows. They were in charge of hunting down certain special targets. Those potential enemies who were plotting against the City of Shadows would often be silently eliminated by the assassins of the Second Corps. This made the Second Corps rather special in the City of Shadows. Other than the members of the House of Sainte, even the patriarchs of the three major family clans were highly vigilant against the Second Corps.
Han Shuo took the information about the competition in his hands and listened to Ayermike Cotton and Statholme's explanations. He quickly gained a clear understanding of the competition.
Just as Statholme had said, after every competition, some of the duties of the Seven Corps would be adjusted according to the ranking of the divine guards. The one who ranked first in overall strength would also receive a special privilege – the right to kill first and report to the higher-ups of major family clans! This included the House of Sainte!
This meant that even if the person was from a major family clan, if the Chief of Divine Guard who received this special privilege felt that the person's actions had endangered the safety of the City of Shadows, he could kill the person on the spot as long as he presented sufficient evidence to Wallace!
This was a great privilege. If the Chief of Divine Guard found someone to be an eyesore, he could kill the person first and fabricate evidence to report to Wallace!
For so many years, this special privilege had been in the hands of the Chief of Second Corps, Ralph. Ralph had always been loyal and devoted to Wallace. Although he had obtained this special privilege, he had not really put it to good use. His conduct in the City of Shadows was commendable and he had not made a single mistake for many years.
"The right to kill first and report to the higher-ups. Hehe, not bad, not bad!" Han Shuo laughed heartily and said, "Alright then, let's get ready. We must emerge victorious in the competition. For the sake of the Fifth Corps and the Han family, it is time for us to shine!"
Ayermike Cotton and Statholme had been waiting for those words from Han Shuo. They were overjoyed when they heard Han Shuo's words. They said, "Even if we can't get first place, we must surpass the divine guards of the other three family clans. Once we defeat the other three family clans, those gods who come to the City of Shadows will reconsider their choices. By then, the Fifth Corps will not have to worry about not being able to recruit suitable divine guards!"
"How many men do our Fifth Corps have at present?" Han Shuo asked Statholme.
"Including us, there are ninety-one men in total. That's barely enough to form a company," Statholme replied in a grimace.
"Ninety-one men are more than enough. In order to emerge victorious in the competition, it seems that I will have to personally train them!" Han Shuo's eyes glinted as he said, "Furthermore, the Fifth Corps has yet to officially take over any duties. There is still some time before the competition ends. Send out my order – all Fifth Corps divine guards are to head to Fort Lasberg!"
"No problem!" replied Statholme straightforwardly.
* * * At Fort Lasberg, Han Shuo, Bollands, Sanguinar, and Gilbert arrived ahead of time. In a mountain near Fort Lasberg, Tanai, Han Shuo, Bollands, Sanguinar, and Gilbert got to work. They turned the entire valley upside down and erected pitch-black stone pillars. The pillars were engraved with all sorts of complicated runes. The four used their flying swords to cut trenches in the ground and tossed materials with special functions into the trenches.
The seventeen flying swords flew in all directions, leaving behind rays of sword light. They cut the stone walls around the valley until they were flat and filled with large rocks. The Cauldron of Myriad Demon flew around the valley. Wherever the Cauldron of Myriad Demon passed, it would leave mysterious runes on the stone pillars and on the rock walls.
Han Shuo busied himself for the next ten days or so. He then ignited the earthfire and tossed in some demonic beast souls, officially activating the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation to temper the divine guards. The Cauldron of Myriad Demon took out the demon generals refined from Eugene and used them as the core of the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation.
A few days after the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation was activated, the Fifth Corps divine guards from the City of Shadows arrived at Fort Lasberg. As soon as they arrived at Fort Lasberg, they were brought to the valley by Candide. Han Shuo did not waste any time. He swept a cold glance at the divine guards and said, "The competition between the Seven Corps divine guards is about to begin. Although our Fifth Corps does not have all the necessary numbers, we cannot afford to lag behind. I have gathered all of you from the City of Shadows to Fort Lasberg to train you before the competition. I hope that you will not embarrass me in the competition!"
"How does Your Lordship intend to train us?" a divine guard named Barnard asked in an indifferent manner.
Han Shuo pointed at the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation that was filled with sinister winds and evil aura. He put on a faint smile and said, "It's right in there. All of you will have to go through all kinds of dangers inside. I will gradually increase the difficulty. You must know how to cooperate with each other. Otherwise, I will not be responsible for any injuries!"
Barnard was a civilian divine guard and the leader of a ten-man team. He nodded after hearing Han Shuo's words. Without hesitation, he ordered, "Third Corps, follow me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Barnard took the lead and entered the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation. As soon as they saw Barnard enter, the members of the Third Squad didn't hesitate to enter one after another. The other squads of divine guards did not hesitate and entered the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation one after another.
These people knew nothing about demonic formations and didn't think much of the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation. Little did they know that many of Cauldron Spirit's demon generals were still inside the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation that Han Shuo had set up. On top of that, Han Shuo's special energy was supporting the formation. It would be a wonder if the intruders didn't lose a layer of skin.
"Ah … ah … ah …"
As soon as those people entered, blood-curdling screams came from inside the demonic formation. It seemed that those people had seen an extremely terrifying scene. They couldn't bear it and were screaming in fear.
The Eight Desolation and Torment Formation was a combination of illusion, maze, and heart formations. Not only would the intruders have to resist their inner demons, but they would also have to face the attacks of the demon generals. Those demon generals would become much more powerful inside the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation. With the help of Cauldron Spirit and Han Shuo's energy, they would be able to inflict great damage on the intruders.
Sanguinar, Bollands, and Gilbert were all laughing mischievously. When the Eight Desolation and Torment Formation was first formed, the three were the first to be sent inside by Han Shuo. The three had personally experienced many unimaginable scenes. Even now, they still felt some lingering fear when they thought about it. The three were gloating as they listened to the terrifying screams of the intruders.
"Master, these bastards should be trained properly! I can tell that they are not convinced. They are looking at Master with eyes full of suspicion. It is as though they are certain that Master won't be able to take over the position. It pisses me off just looking at them! "said Gilbert fiercely.
"Senior, isn't the situation inside a little too cruel for them?" Bollands hesitated for a moment before he reminded Han Shuo, "The Fifth Corps has only a few people to begin with. What if those guys couldn't withstand the pressure and died inside? Where are we going to find more people?"
Bollands was a decisive person. It was not easy for him to say those words. It showed that he was truly thinking for Han Shuo's sake. He was afraid that Han Shuo would train those divine guards to death, leaving the Fifth Corps with no one to rely on!
"Don't worry, nothing will happen!" Comforted Han Shuo. He smilingly said, "Unlike the three of you, the intensity of the training will be different. I will gradually increase the energy in the Formation so that they can adapt to it bit by bit. These guys will be the pillars of our Han family and the Fifth Corps in the future. I can't bear to let them die! "
"Master, why don't we let all the divine guards who join the Fifth Corps in the future experience the Formation? It will be very useful for training new recruits. The cruel environment will allow them to grow at the fastest speed and become the kind of talents that our Fifth Corps needs the most! "suggested Sanguinar.
"I have the same idea. We can spend some time to turn this place into a specialized training ground for divine guards. This place is very far from the City of Shadows and there shouldn't be any problems. Those divine guards don't even know the function of the demonic formation. Most of them won't know what's going on inside. We can also use energy towers and boundary towers to camouflage the place. That will be even better! "said Han Shuo smilingly. He was very satisfied with Sanguinar's suggestion.
While Han Shuo and his party were chatting merrily and wittily outside the Formation, the Fifth Corps divine guards from the City of Shadows inside the Formation had no choice but to face an extremely dangerous situation. Under the attacks of hundreds of demon generals that had materialized, the divine guards naturally formed a defensive perimeter. Their cooperation and tacit understanding with each other rapidly improved.
It was only when faced with a life or death crisis that one's potential would be fully unleashed. Han Shuo clearly understood this.
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