After leaving the Demon-Subduing Prison, Shen Changqing did not return to his residence but turned and headed towards the Scripture Pavilion. The interval between missions and the interval for entering the Scripture Pavilion were completely consistent. Every time he left the Demon-Subduing Prison, Shen Changqing would immediately go to the Scripture Pavilion. In the span of two months, he not only memorized the Pure Yang Technique in the Scripture Pavilion but also spent a lot of effort studying information related to Demon Evils and Strange Monsters. As a Demon Hunter, if he had no knowledge of Demon Evils and Strange Monsters, carrying out future missions would definitely lead him down the path to death.
「Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.」
After leaving the Scripture Pavilion, Shen Changqing returned to his residence. He stayed there for five days. During this period, besides necessary eating and drinking, he did not step outside his door, focusing entirely on studying the Martial Arts he had obtained from the Scripture Pavilion.
Soon, Liu Chang came to visit again. The mission remained unchanged, still primarily involving the inspection of the Demon-Subduing Prison. After completing the mission, Shen Changqing visited the Scripture Pavilion along the way to review the Martial Arts he needed to memorize before heading back to his residence.
Time passed swiftly. In the blink of an eye, Shen Changqing had already been with the Great Qin's Demon Suppression Division for ten months. In these ten months, among all the Probationary Demon Hunters, he was considered to have the most seniority. By this point, most of those Probationary Demon Hunters had already started their missions—either advancing to become official Demon Hunters or dying in the line of duty, disappearing without a trace.
Within the Demon-Subduing Division, the Demon Hunting Court was divided into four parts: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. Shen Changqing did not know much about the other three Demon Hunting Courts, but in the one he belonged to, he noticed that many familiar faces had already vanished. Although he hadn't interacted much with those people, ever since his strength increased, he would retain some impression of anyone he had met even once. As for those who disappeared, there was only one possibility: they had died.
Regarding this, Shen Changqing's heart remained calm, without much sentiment. The deaths of others were of no great consequence to him; what truly deserved attention were the changes within himself.
It is worth mentioning that, excluding the one month wasted by his predecessor, Shen Changqing had also achieved a profound understanding of Martial Arts in the remaining months. When he looked at the panel again, it was already significantly different from when he started.
Name: Shen Changqing
Force: Great Qin's Demon Suppression Division
Identity: Probationary Demon Hunter
Martial Arts: Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique (Level 15, not upgradeable), Pure Yang Technique (Level 6, not upgradeable), Seven Kills Blade Technique (Level 2), Iron Sand Palm (Level 1)
Slaughter Value: 0
It took Shen Changqing eight or nine months to successfully advance the Pure Yang Technique to the sixth level. He achieved such gains not by relying on Slaughter Value, but rather through his own painstaking cultivation. Even Shen Changqing himself hadn't expected to make such rapid progress while practicing the Pure Yang Technique. Although he didn't think his talent was lacking, he also didn't believe it could be so overwhelmingly powerful. In just eight or nine months, he had advanced the Pure Yang Technique from nothing to the sixth level. Such progress could no longer be described by the mere word "genius."
The breakthrough in the Pure Yang Technique is very likely due to the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique, Shen Changqing mused. Because the fifteenth level of the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique generates True Qi in my Dantian every day. This True Qi is then transformed by the Pure Yang Technique, ultimately becoming higher-tier Pure Yang True Qi.
Thus, the Pure Yang Technique essentially had a powerful supplement, allowing the quantity of Pure Yang True Qi to be enhanced at all times. Therefore, he was able to advance the Pure Yang Technique to the sixth level in just a few months.
The Pulse Condensation Realm was recognized by the presence of True Qi; any Martial Artist who possessed True Qi was considered a master of the Pulse Condensation Realm. But even within the Pulse Condensation Realm, True Qi had varying levels of strength. With the sixth level of the Pure Yang Technique, Shen Changqing estimated his strength should be greater than some official Demon Hunters.
Of course, without actual combat, I can't be one hundred percent certain, he thought. However, thoroughly defeating all Probationary Demon Hunters shouldn't be much of a problem.
Aside from the Pure Yang Technique, Shen Changqing also took the opportunity to practice a blade technique and a palm technique. After all, with True Qi in his body, he needed corresponding offensive methods; otherwise, he wouldn't be able to unleash much of his strength.
The Seven Kills Blade Technique was considered a relatively powerful blade technique on the first floor of the Scripture Pavilion. It emphasized stopping killing with killing, which was quite suitable for Demon Hunters. The remaining Iron Sand Palm, however, was a random choice by Shen Changqing. There was no particular reason; its name just felt familiar.
After learning these two Martial Arts, he also discovered a problem: neither of them had the "not upgradeable" tag after them, suggesting they likely couldn't be upgraded using Slaughter Value.
Regarding this, I need time to verify, Shen Changqing considered. After all, with no Slaughter Value currently, I can't be completely certain.
Shen Changqing observed the panel, pondering silently. Ten months have passed. In another two months, I will be forcefully assigned missions! With two months left, I might have the opportunity to break through the Pure Yang Technique to the seventh level. Once successful, my strength will increase significantly—
The Pure Yang Technique had nine levels, with every three levels representing a division, corresponding to the early, middle, and late stages of the Pulse Condensation Realm. He was currently at the sixth level of the Pure Yang Technique, considered the peak of the middle stage of Pulse Condensation. As long as he broke through the Pure Yang Technique to the seventh level, his own Realm would naturally advance to the late stage of Pulse Condensation.
Suddenly, Shen Changqing's ears twitched slightly. He turned his head towards the tightly closed courtyard door, his brows furrowing involuntarily. Just then, a knock came from the courtyard door.
Shen Changqing opened the door to see an unfamiliar face.
"You are?"
"I am Jiang Zuo, the new Steward of the Huang Department."
"Jiang Zuo?" Shen Changqing's brow furrowed once more. "I remember the Steward of the Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court was Steward Liu Chang."
"Liu Chang died at the hands of a Strange Monster while carrying out a mission. Therefore, the Demon-Subduing Division specifically appointed me as the new steward. You are Shen Changqing, correct?"
Jiang Zuo's expression was calm, but as he looked at Shen Changqing, his eyes underwent a subtle, almost imperceptible change.
True Qi! Jiang Zuo thought. As someone qualified to become a Steward of a Demon Hunting Court, his Realm was naturally extraordinary. One glance was enough for him to discern Shen Changqing's general cultivation level.
When he took over as Steward, Jiang Zuo had received the files for the Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court. He knew that Shen Changqing was one of the more senior Probationary Demon Hunters. To successfully advance to Pulse Condensation in ten months demonstrated decent talent.
Sensing Jiang Zuo's gaze, Shen Changqing nodded. "I am Shen Changqing. Steward Jiang, you must be here to assign a mission. May I know what kind of mission it is this time?"
"Your mission is to patrol the Demon-Subduing Prison." Jiang Zuo took out the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual and handed it to Shen Changqing.
"Understood!" Shen Changqing accepted the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual without further words and headed straight for the Demon-Subduing Prison.
Watching Shen Changqing's departing figure, Jiang Zuo's eyes flickered once again. After taking charge of the Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court, he had access to all information, including the missions each Probationary Demon Hunter undertook. Among them, Shen Changqing's file was quite special. Apart from some additional missions during the first month, for the remainder of the time, all his assignments were uniformly patrols of the Demon-Subduing Prison.
Jiang Zuo was no fool; he could tell from the records that Liu Chang had shown Shen Changqing considerable care. The Demon-Subduing Division seldom operated on personal favors. He had also investigated and found that Liu Chang and Shen Changqing were neither relatives nor close friends. In that case, Liu Chang's deliberate care for Shen Changqing was certainly something worth pondering.
Jiang Zuo mulled over this internally. A Probationary Demon Hunter without any background managing to gain Liu Chang's attention must possess some advantage. The most likely is talent! Ten months to advance to Pulse Condensation... such talent can only be considered decent, not quite genius level. Of course, it's also possible he concealed his true strength. Perhaps he advanced to Pulse Condensation even earlier. With so many people in the Demon-Subduing Division, it's not out of the question for one or two exceptionally talented individuals to emerge.
He wasn't very familiar with Shen Changqing and could only glean some clues from the records Liu Chang had left. Therefore, when assigning the mission, Jiang Zuo didn't deliberately make things difficult for him. After all, if Liu Chang was willing to do him a favor, why shouldn't I? The missions for Probationary Demon Hunters can be assigned any way without much impact. Why bother offending an unknown factor over such minor matters?
Jiang Zuo seemed to recall something, let out another heavy sigh, and then departed.
「Meanwhile.」
Shen Changqing continued towards the Demon-Subduing Prison without looking back. He could feel Jiang Zuo's watchful gaze on his back but didn't turn around. His usually calm expression suddenly turned slightly grim.
Liu Chang is dead! The news was a complete shock to Shen Changqing. In his view, Liu Chang's strength was immeasurably superior to his own. Even with his Pure Yang Technique at the sixth level, he couldn't discern the slightest hint of Liu Chang's true capabilities. It was clear that Liu Chang's strength must have reached an extremely profound level. However, even someone as strong as Liu Chang had ultimately died on a mission.
Upon hearing the news, Shen Changqing felt immense pressure welling up inside him. Any complacency he might have felt from his recent cultivation progress vanished completely. In the past, many Demon Hunters had disappeared, and he had even heard news of Demon Hunters dying after being gone for extended periods. But Shen Changqing hadn't known those Demon Hunters well, so their fates hadn't particularly moved him. It wasn't until Liu Chang died that a different set of emotions surged within his heart.
Regardless, Liu Chang had been the person he was most familiar with in this strange world, the one with whom he had interacted the most. Strictly speaking, he even owed Liu Chang quite a few favors. Now that Liu Chang was dead, Shen Changqing felt an indescribable sensation.
Standing at the entrance of the Demon-Subduing Prison, he suddenly let out a long breath, a phrase surfacing in his mind: Once you enter the Demon-Subduing Division, life and death are no longer your own!