Name: Shen Changqing
Faction: Great Qin's Demon-Subduing Division
Identity: Probationary Demon Hunter
Martial Arts: Thirteen Protectors Body Tempering (Third Layer, cannot be advanced)
Slaughter: 0
After expending all Slaughter Value, the Thirteen Protectors Body Tempering went directly from entry-level to the third layer.
He stood in place with his eyes closed, motionless for a long while.
After a moment.
Shen Changqing suddenly opened his eyes, stepped forward with a bow stance, and punched into the air.
Bang—
As his fist blasted out, there was a faint sound of air being torn apart.
In that instant.
The sound faded, and Shen Changqing retracted his fist and turned around.
"The Thirteen Protectors Body Tempering has a total of thirteen layers. Every time you master one layer, it greatly enhances the flesh, and slightly improves strength and speed."
"With my current third layer, aside from those veteran probationary demon hunters, no one from my batch who joined the Demon-Subduing Division could compare to me."
"Moreover—"
"Even if they're a bit more senior, as long as they haven't been probationary demon hunters for over half a year, their strength can't surpass mine by much—some might even be weaker than me."
In the Demon-Subduing Division, the Defender Envoy holds the highest status, with Demon Hunters beneath them.
Among all Demon Hunters, Probationary Demon Hunters are ranked at the bottom.
Anyone entering the Demon-Subduing Division, unless extremely powerful, must start as a Probationary Demon Hunter.
Simply put—
A Probationary Demon Hunter is the reserve for official Demon Hunters. The main goal is to strengthen oneself as much as possible, possessing enough foundation to complete the Division's tasks, and eventually become a true Demon Hunter.
Therefore—
Most Probationary Demon Hunters are weak. Only after staying longer do they become stronger.
As for true experts, at minimum they're official Demon Hunters.
Of course—
It doesn't mean Probationary Demon Hunters just sit in the Division and cultivate. Other than cultivation, they still have to regularly complete some simple tasks.
Only then are they eligible to enjoy the Division's full benefits.
Besides—
Both his previous self and Shen Changqing himself spent a month memorizing the Thirteen Protectors Body Tempering.
Although he thought his predecessor was a bit slow-witted, even the smarter ones would need ten days to half a month to fully memorize a martial art.
Entry to the Scripture Pavilion is once every five days, each session lasting two hours.
One martial art book is quite hefty; a clever person would still need four to six hours to memorize it all—quite reasonable.
But it must be clear—
Memorizing is one thing; successful cultivation is another.
As far as Shen Changqing knew—
In his batch who entered the Division, only the exceptionally talented barely reached entry-level.
This just goes to show—
Being at the third layer of the Thirteen Protectors Body Tempering, even if he can't sweep all probationary demon hunters, he's definitely a top expert among them.
But seeing the now empty Slaughter Value on his panel, Shen Changqing shook his head.
"What a pity. My Slaughter Value is all used up. I have to find a way to collect more."
Collecting Slaughter Value—
is the only way to rapidly elevate my strength.
Great Qin established the Demon-Subduing Division. Unlike my former life, this world is fraught with dangers.
Every year, countless people die in the Demon-Subduing Division.
Shen Changqing had no wish to someday appear on the death rolls.
Furthermore—
Every Demon Hunter is bound to perform tasks. No one is an exception.
Even Probationary Demon Hunters get only one year of adaptation.
After a year, the Demon-Subduing Division forces them to undertake missions related to demon evil and strange monsters.
Succeed, and you can shed the probationary title, becoming a true Demon Hunter.
As for failure—
Needless to say, everyone knows the consequences.
"Joining the Demon-Subduing Division, there is no turning back. Either keep climbing, or fall on the endless road of missions—"
No one wants to die; Shen Changqing doesn't want to die either.
Having entered the Division, the only way to survive is to constantly strengthen yourself.
So—
He has no choice.
Knock knock!
The main gate was knocked.
Shen Changqing opened the gate and immediately saw a burly, square-faced middle-aged man standing before him.
"Greetings, Steward Liu!"
The man was named Liu Chang, an official Demon Hunter and steward of the Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court.
The so-called Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court—
is where all Demon Hunters live.
It houses both probationary and official Demon Hunters.
There are four Demon Hunting Courts in the Division: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow. The Huang Department is one of them.
As for Liu Chang, Shen Changqing was quite familiar with him.
Or rather, all Demon Hunters were, because he was by far the one they dealt with the most.
When he saw Shen Changqing walk out, Liu Chang's eyes flashed briefly.
In an instant—
Shen Changqing felt as if the other saw right through him.
"It seems your martial arts talent isn't bad."
"You flatter me, Steward Liu. I just made some small gains." Shen Changqing replied modestly.
The rise in his Thirteen Protectors Body Tempering was bound to get noticed.
Liu Chang, as an official Demon Hunter, was no slouch—being able to see something was normal. But without a real fight, he couldn't truly gauge his depth.
Sure enough—
Liu Chang heard this and his cold face softened just a little.
"To reach entry-level within about a month, your talent surpasses many Demon Hunters. If you keep at it, you may soon become an official Demon Hunter.
In martial arts cultivation, you must know when to advance and when to rest to reach the peak."
A simple word of praise.
In Liu Chang's eyes, Shen Changqing had the hope of becoming a true Demon Hunter—a person who could reach entry-level in a month was rare.
Anyone capable of that—
so long as they didn't die prematurely, would become not just any Demon Hunter, but one set apart.
Just like Shen Changqing thought—
Without actual combat, Liu Chang couldn't fully read his foundation with just a look.
After speaking—
Liu Chang paused, his face returning to its former indifference.
"The task deadline is here. You should complete your new task now!"
"May I ask what the assignment is this time?"
"There aren't many assignments for probationary demon hunters. Right now, what you need to do is the same as last time: patrol the Demon-Subduing Prison." Liu Chang said casually.
Patrol the Demon-Subduing Prison!
Shen Changqing's expression shifted, but inwardly he was delighted.
His previous mission was to patrol the Demon-Subduing Prison, and it was because of this that his system panel had activated.
He'd been wondering how to seek entry into the Demon-Subduing Prison without raising suspicion.
But he hadn't expected—
that the chance to enter the Demon-Subduing Prison would come to him directly.
Seeing Shen Changqing's face change, Liu Chang mistook it for fear and explained.
"The Demon-Subduing Prison isn't as dangerous as you imagine. The demons and strange monsters there are suppressed with powerful seals. As long as you don't barge into forbidden areas, there'll be no trouble.
Those restricted zones are clearly recorded in the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual.
One more thing: whatever voices you might hear in the Prison—you must ignore them all."
Normally, he wouldn't bother explaining this much.
But Shen Changqing had achieved entry-level in about a month, clearly a promising sapling.
This quick explanation was a favor to him.
Maybe one day, when Shen Changqing grows strong, that favor would yield returns.
Even if, worst case, Shen Changqing fails to thrive, or forgets him in the future—it makes no big difference to Liu Chang.
A few extra words—
cost him nothing.
Hearing this—
Shen Changqing cupped his hands in thanks: "Many thanks for Steward Liu's pointers!"
"Mm, this is the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual, take it."
Liu Chang withdrew a booklet roughly a foot long from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Changqing.
"The Demon-Subduing Prison Manual records each area, the demons and monsters sealed there, as well as their condition.
If you notice anything strange or see a creature escaping, do not go into their cells. Just report to the prison wardens.
Also, never cover up any anomalies.
If you deliberately hide something and get caught, you'll be deemed a traitor to the human clan colluding with demons—death will be your only end."
"Please rest assured, Steward Liu, I understand this clearly!"
Shen Changqing replied solemnly and put away the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual.
The Division's rules are strict.
Breaking any rule, at best, means crippling injuries; at worst, certain death.
Though his strength had just improved, he wasn't arrogant enough to challenge the system's authority.
"You may go!"
"Yes!"
With Liu Chang's orders, Shen Changqing immediately headed for the Demon-Subduing Prison.
The Demon-Subduing Division is divided into several zones.
The Demon Hunting Courts where demon hunters live are on the outermost edge, and the Scripture Pavilion is considered the second zone.
The Demon-Subduing Prison—
is in the third zone.
The fourth zone is where the Defender Envoys stay.
This layout exists because the Demon-Subduing Prison is so important; should any sealed demon evil or strange monster escape, it would be catastrophic for ordinary people.
With demon hunters in front, Defender Envoys behind—it's to prevent any escapes.
If anything ever escapes the Prison, the alarms are triggered at once.
Then—
The Division can immediately either repress the escapee or kill it on the spot.
Any demon evil or strange monster held in the Prison was already defeated by the Division's masters.
Thus—
there's no such thing as an uncontrollable threat inside.
After reincarnation, Shen Changqing had visited the Prison once, and as a probationary demon hunter must do the task every three days, this was his second time.
With the first experience—
His second trip wasn't exactly effortless but he wasn't unfamiliar either.
Soon—
The Demon-Subduing Prison was already within his sight.
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