Ascending the Demon Realm

My photo and name unexpectedly appeared on the auditor's spreadsheet after verifying Sicang's documents. 

My heart raced - this was undoubtedly a huge advantage. 

I, Xiyao, had personally reviewed the descendant of Taishang Laojun's mount when it entered the demon realm. 

Maintaining composure, I turned to Panda Chief: "Will this work?" 

My finger hovered over the automatically generated audit signature section, since I wasn't official staff yet. 

Panda Chief chuckled: "You're already Bureau interns. Second-years normally start audit work anyway - you're just getting early experience." 

Suppressing excitement, I nodded. This meant I'd leaped ahead in practical training, outpacing classmates by a full year!

But Bureau work had various divisions. Today I'd excelled in my specialty, but tomorrow's tasks might favor others. 

I must seize this opportunity to maintain my lead. 

Carefully filing documents into the digital archive, I clicked send. From this moment, "Xiyao" would circulate through Bureau channels, gaining visibility among upper management. 

Panda Chief's trust meant everything. 

Rising, I extended my hand to Sicang: "Welcome to our demon realm." 

Sicang glanced at me and walked away. 

Xue Ling's expression cooled. As Ming Jin followed Sicang, he grasped my outstretched hand. 

Ming Jin turned back, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. Was this fake dragon eyeing our Xiao Xue?

I studied Xiao Xue worriedly. His gentle nature made me fear he'd be bullied. Many demons were gender-fluid during physiological cycles. 

Xiao Xue, protect yourself like Xiao Fen did. Guard your rear!

Unaware of my concerns, Xue Ling smiled softly: "You worked hard." 

"You too." His pure smile washed over me like cleansing light, calming my spirit. 

Our four inseparable years flashed through my mind. Though carnivorous himself, he always gave me his meat. 

As a capybara demon technically herbivorous, strict adherence would cause malnutrition. Hence I ate meat, claiming evolutionary adaptation. 

Demonic cultivation alters biological traits - herbivores might become omnivorous. Cross-species offspring inherit mixed traits too. 

Xue Ling's mother doted on him, preparing endless meat snacks for her tiger son. Yet he fed them all to me. 

That innocent nurturing bond flowed like crystalline springwater. Seeing him again thrilled me beyond words. 

But professionalism restrained us. Everything poured into our warm, empowering handshake. 

Watching him leave, I wondered - does my grown little tiger still carry his mother's delicious jerky?

"Come! VIP meal for our hero!" Panda Chief boomed. 

"Chief Iron, could my classmates join?" 

The giant panda studied me before swatting my back. 

*Thwack!* 

I nearly coughed blood. 

"Good! Team spirit! Finally someone usable from Eastern Royal University!" 

Returning to the conference room, classmates showered me with envious applause. Teacher Mei beamed proudly. The sloth elder remained motionless, unaware his mere presence had contributed. 

That afternoon, our energized group returned to campus buzzing about encountering immortals, witnessing border crises, and experiencing more action than future years might bring. 

Entering Eastern Royal University's legendary classrooms, we gasped in unison. The institution's wealth truly matched its reputation. 

This wasn't a classroom but divine hall - ancient architecture fused with modern indoor gardens. The transparent dome revealed swirling clouds, creating outdoor ambiance within walls. 

Designed for hundred, but hosting twenty-five, it offered personal spaces: lawns, flowerbeds, pools, wooden decks, and floating giant nests. Students scrambled to claim favorite spots. 

I carried Sloth Brother to an oval-shaped carved lounger. He stretched lazily, gradually shifting human form. 

"Thanks." Even monosyllables tired him. 

Teacher Mei's commanding presence silenced the room. "Today's incident was invaluable. Student Xiyao demonstrated exemplary conduct. Applaud again." 

Standing to bow, I acknowledged the mixed dynamic - competitors yet teammates in Eastern Royal's ecosystem. 

Her expression hardened: "Border crises escalate faster than response systems. As you witnessed today, demonic tempers and immortal provocations spark conflicts. Faced with such taunts, even I wouldn't tolerate it!" 

Her eyes blazed with killing intent. The border truly could become a battlefield.