Wutong Prefecture City, within the Government Office.

Two sixth-grade officials, Demon Hunter Xiang Zhulu and Commander Lin Shao of the Military Department, exchanged a glance, both revealing expressions of disbelief:

"Is it possible that the newly appointed Prefect hasn't even reached the 'Primordial Pill' Realm?"

This thought popped into their minds immediately, filling them with shock.

A Prefect ranked at the fifth grade holds a position of great power and authority!

One must ask, a position where both the 'Orthodox Sect' and 'Prominent Families' leaders must lower their heads when meeting...

Could the person in charge be someone who hasn't even cultivated to the Primordial Pill Realm?

"How absurd!"

Lin Shao, middle-aged, clenched his skin in anger and immediately stepped forward, trying to rush behind the curtain to see who exactly this 'newly appointed Prefect' was and what kind of overwhelming background they had.

As the sixth-grade Commander of the Military Department, Lin Shao had amassed decades of experience and finally had the opportunity to vie for the position of 'Wutong Prefecture Venerable' a few years ago.

In the end, he lost to the 'new Prefect' who was parachuted in from the State Mansion after Bai Qiuyi left.

Subsequently, through open strife and veiled struggles, he finally managed to oust that person.

Soon after, he faced the 'Baoping Demon Disaster.'

Because Wutong Prefecture does not border or adjoin the Demon-Suppressing Great Wall or Baoping Mansion.

In addition, as the Commander of the Military Department, second only to the Prefect in rank, Lin Shao naturally saw no reason to head to the frontline, risking his life for any 'fame and fortune.'

But who would have thought...

Someone would be appointed as Prefect based on 'military merit,' once again nullifying his years of planning and preparation to fill the vacancy!

Lin Shao, originally holding in anger.

Before arriving, he had been wondering about who the new Prefect was, how many Primordial Pill Demon Fiends they had slain to get here.

Considering whether he still had the chance to topple them and climb one more step, aiming to, within his lifetime, not to mention leaving Baoping State, getting a position at the Divine Capital Central Hub.

Even advancing further would be good.

But at the doorstep!

He discovered that the newly appointed Prefect was just a youngster who hadn't even formed the Primordial Pill!

Indeed,

he might be a genius.

Upon arrival, he exhibited a Solidifying Pill phenomenon, indicating he had certainly practiced an art to the 'Martial Arts Celestial Form' level, further refining it atop the 'Primordial Pill.' Without accident, breaking through the third step, forming a mid-grade pill was a certainty.

Yet, just a mid-grade would render years of planning futile overnight?

Moreover, this is unreasonable!

So saying, Lin Shao gathered his breath, about to directly lift the curtain and charge into where the Prefect rested, only to have his path blocked by a hand:

"Commander Lin, mind your status."

Xiang Zhulu of the Demon Hunting Department extended a broad palm, pulling him back, intending to remind Lin Shao that this is the Prefecture Lord's Office.

Never mind the second step peak 'young celestial pride' sitting inside.

Even if it were an ordinary person with no martial arts cultivation, as long as they occupied that position, they deserved at least three parts respect.

Otherwise, what of the Great Zhao, the State Lord?

One must know that one higher official rank can suppress one to death!

Whatever underhanded dealings you may have conducted, it doesn't matter.

But at least here, under watchful eyes...

You can't be too reckless!

At this, Lin Shao turned his head, his face sullen:

"Demon Hunter Xiang, you and I have worked together for years, back when Bai Qiuyi, the old fox, hadn't revealed his identity, the three of us exhausted ourselves for Wutong Prefecture."

"Every several years, the Prefecture Examination would provide many outstanding talents for Wutong Prefecture, even for Great Zhao!"

"After so many years, if not credited, at least there's hard work right?"

"Defending Baoping and slaying countless demons earned the Prefecture status!"

"If that's truly the merit, then rightful designation is without comparison!"

"But a second step peak..."

"What kind of monumental achievements could he possibly have accomplished to sit in this position?" 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Even if his father were a 'Fourth Step' official, it shouldn't be so!

Which noble lord or State Mansion dignitary, with not a care for face, forcibly inserted their junior to vie for this 'Prefect' position?

Lin Shao, though far from being a Fourth Step True Master, is at least someone who could shake things up in the Prefecture City, commanding over a thousand 'Martial Pass' soldiers as the Commander of the Military Department!

They say even a powerful dragon can't crush a local snake, and a present official is better than an absent one.

Even if this newly appointed Prefect, with backing far beyond, can overshadow half of Baoping.

But in such a large State Mansion, such irregular conduct, surely someone can address it?

Lin Shao, furious, was about to burst in.

With this 'single person under, above tens of thousands' Commander led the charge, key political figures, aligned to town guardians, and seventh-grade officials were still watching.

However, the 'Jianghu Martial Artists' hearing the news and coming to pay respects... were unwilling.

What does this mean?

If we disregard their Great Zhao official attire.

In the world, it's all about prowess.

The Prefect, as the head of Wutong Prefecture's official system, should undoubtedly be among the top echelon.

But now, it's like this.

A second step youngster...

Directly climbed over the heads of many Primordial Pill seniors!

This makes several century-old prominent families, wrestling for generations for orthodox sects...

Where do they put their faces?

"A newly advanced Primordial Pill, even as a mid-grade, would take at least thirty to fifty years to complete the Third Barrier 'Celestial Human Realm' to subdue a state."