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Chapter 4 - Chapter 4 The Demon's Remains

At the end of the second level, there was a cell.

But unlike the other cells, what was imprisoned here was not a Strange Monster, but an arm.

An arm covered in blue-black Scale Armor, not resembling a human hand in the slightest.

The arm was pierced by Iron Chains, suppressed in the deepest part of the cell.

Standing before the cell, Shen Changqing's expression was solemn.

In his line of sight, he could clearly see the arm; despite being pierced by chains, its flesh still pulsed, as if it were a living being.

At the same time, he recalled the information he had seen.

Name: Unknown

Rank: Low-Rank Demon Evil

Description: The arm of a Demon Evil

The introduction was simple, almost too straightforward compared to those of the Strange Monsters encountered earlier.

But—

The simplest introduction did not mean the Demon Evil arm was weak; on the contrary, it was terrifyingly powerful.

The first time Shen Changqing saw the Demon Evil arm, he was shocked.

He couldn't imagine what kind of being could achieve such a feat: an arm that would not die completely even when severed, but instead needed to be imprisoned by the Demon-Subduing Division.

Shen Changqing stood before the cell for a long time, paying close attention to the changes on the panel.

Regrettably, from start to finish, there was no increase in the Slaughter Value on the panel.

Strange! he thought. Could it be that you can only gain Slaughter Value once from each place?

Shen Changqing frowned slightly. The last time he gained Slaughter Value was in the final cell of the second level.

Yet now, he had not received even a bit of Slaughter Value upon returning.

Perhaps you can only gain Slaughter Value from a cell once, Shen Changqing speculated.

With this thought, he turned his gaze toward a pitch-dark passage behind the cell.

That was the path to the third level.

Usually, a Demon Hunter patrolling the Demon-Subduing Prison would only need to patrol the second level.

The reason was simple: the second level harbored a potent coldness. A Demon Hunter on their first visit, lacking significant accomplishments in Martial Arts, would already be at their limit just by relying on their Qi and Blood Force to move through it.

As for the third level and beyond, those were areas that seasoned Demon Hunters patrolled.

That is to say, having patrolled to the end of the second level meant Shen Changqing had completed his patrol mission and could return directly.

However—

If I return directly, even though I'd complete the Demon-Subduing Division's task, my plan to obtain Slaughter Value from the Demon-Subduing Prison would fall through, Shen Changqing thought, his gaze resolute. Right now, only Slaughter Value can quickly enhance my strength. Without it, relying solely on my own talent, it would be difficult to stand out in the Demon-Subduing Division... Only by standing out in the Demon-Subduing Division can I qualify to climb higher. And only by climbing higher can I gain better treatment within the Division and increase my strength even faster. With so many missions ahead, how can I ensure my survival without sufficient strength? In a world of rampant Demon Evils and Strange Monsters, there's no such thing as a pure land; only by relying on my own strength can I carve out a future!

He had two objectives for coming to the Demon-Subduing Prison: one was to gain Slaughter Value, and the other was to understand its patterns.

Completing the task for the Demon-Subduing Division was merely incidental.

Even without the Division's task, Shen Changqing would have found a way to visit the Demon-Subduing Prison.

After all, gaining Slaughter Value in the Demon-Subduing Prison to amass strength before undertaking other missions is much better than going on other missions unprepared. In the Demon-Subduing Division, no mission is absolutely safe. Missions like patrolling the Demon-Subduing Prison are considered among the lowest in danger, yet they still carry the risk of death. The danger of other missions can only be imagined. Therefore, the third level of the Demon-Subduing Prison is an indispensable destination. Without gaining Slaughter Value, it will be impossible to enhance my strength to a sufficient Realm in a short period.

Having made his decision, Shen Changqing resolutely stepped forward, heading toward the third level.

「—」

As soon as he entered the third level, an overwhelming coldness surged toward him.

The coldness threatened to freeze Shen Changqing's flesh in an instant. Piteous wails assaulted his ears, quickly turning into sobs, as if someone were crying softly.

At the same moment, he felt as if he were trapped in a bottomless hell, surrounded by countless Demon Evils and Strange Monsters...

The onslaught of illusions made him stand frozen in place.

A few seconds later, the Qi and Blood Force within his body surged, dispelling the coldness.

As the coldness dissipated, the many voices and illusions that filled his ears vanished altogether.

When the illusions disappeared, the scene of the third level finally came into Shen Changqing's full view.

"Phew!"

He exhaled deeply, his expression calm despite the lingering shock in his eyes.

Though he had guessed the third level would be vastly different from the second, Shen Changqing had never expected the difference to be this significant.

If I hadn't cultivated the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method to the third layer, I would have been completely ensnared by the Illusory Realm the instant I stepped into the third level. Abundant Qi and Blood Force also offers some protection against being troubled by an Illusory Realm. By then, unless I was lucky enough to be discovered by others, there would have been a high probability of being trapped on the spot, then frozen by the coldness, with no hope of survival.

For a moment, Shen Changqing's vigilance towards the Demon-Subduing Prison escalated several notches.

Originally, I thought that although the Demon-Subduing Prison was somewhat perilous, as long as I didn't step into those restricted areas, there wouldn't be any problem. Now it seems that even without entering those areas, there's still a risk to life. If one's strength isn't at a certain level, one doesn't even qualify to walk around the Demon-Subduing Prison at will.

From his very first visit to the Demon-Subduing Prison, Shen Changqing had felt the impulse to enter the third level.

But at that time, because he had just obtained Slaughter Value and needed to study it, he had suppressed that impulse.

Looking back now, not going to the third level then undoubtedly saved my life, he reflected.

Reining in his thoughts, Shen Changqing walked towards the nearest cell.

He did not take out the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual because the one Liu Chang had given him was incomplete, containing information only about the second level.

For the levels beyond, nothing was recorded.

And Shen Changqing's own mission was merely to patrol the second level; Liu Chang had never imagined he would venture into the third level on his own.

The cells on the third level were the same size as those on the second.

Standing before the cell door, he saw a pulsating mass of flesh.

The color of the flesh was unusual; besides being deep red, it also had blue patterns scattered over it, as if someone had inscribed them.

The flesh pulsed rhythmically, like a living creature.

The last cell on the second level held a Demon Evil arm, Shen Changqing mused, his expression grave. So, if I'm not mistaken, this flesh before me must be Demon Evil flesh!

He did not fully understand what a Demon Evil was.

As a mere Demon Hunter, he was not qualified to access such high-level information.

However, regarding Strange Monsters, Shen Changqing was somewhat better informed.

At this moment, a familiar, chilling breath emanated from within the cell and quickly seeped into his body.

Feeling the chilling breath, Shen Changqing showed no vigilance; instead, his expression brightened with anticipation.

Instantly, he calmed his mind and looked at his status panel.

Name: Shen Changqing

Force: Great Qin's Demon Suppression Division

Status: Demon Hunter

Martial Arts: Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method (Third Level, upgradable)

Slaughter Value: 3

Last time, I obtained Slaughter Value from a Demon Evil's arm, and this time, from Demon Evil flesh... I've gained Slaughter Value, Shen Changqing thought, looking at the increased Slaughter Value and falling into contemplation.

Within the Demon-Subduing Prison, there were Strange Monsters and Demon Evils.

But from so many Strange Monsters, he could not gain the desired Slaughter Value.

On the contrary, from the remnants of Demon Evil flesh, he could obtain a certain amount of Slaughter Value.

From this, Shen Changqing couldn't help but speculate whether Slaughter Value could only be obtained from Demon Evils.

I need to verify this!

Shen Changqing made his decision. Then, looking at the Slaughter Value on his panel, a thought formed, and he directly began the next round of enhancement.

He had no intention of hoarding his Slaughter Value.

Firstly, as long as I don't wander recklessly, the Demon-Subduing Prison is a relatively safe place. Secondly, improving my strength will allow me to endure longer on the third level. Perhaps I can even take this opportunity to venture into the fourth level and take a look. Although I withstood the initial impact of the third level, I'm aware that my Qi and Blood Force is depleting every moment. Before long, I won't be able to bear it anymore. So, from any perspective, enhancing my strength is necessary.

As the thought settled, the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method was upgraded.

With his previous experiences, Shen Changqing was gradually becoming accustomed to the pain accompanying Martial Arts enhancement.

Very soon, his Slaughter Value decreased by one point, and the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method reached the Fourth Level.

After a brief rest, he began the next round of enhancement.

「——」

Roughly half an hour later, Shen Changqing, who had been standing still, suddenly trembled. A powerful Qi and Blood Force surged from within him but quickly subsided.

Name: Shen Changqing

Force: Great Qin's Demon Suppression Division

Status: Demon Hunter

Martial Arts: Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method (Sixth Level, not upgradable)

Slaughter Value: 0

The Sixth Level!

Looking at the information, a smile appeared on Shen Changqing's face.

The Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method was a foundational Martial Art for Demon Hunters, primarily aimed at building a solid base and enhancing one's physical constitution and defense.

His choice of this Martial Art was also thanks to the guidance of an elder when he joined the Demon-Subduing Division.

It could be said that quite a few Demon Hunters specialized in the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Method.

And this Martial Art, qualifying as one of the introductory Martial Arts for Demon Hunters, was truly extraordinary despite its relatively low upper limit in terms of rank.

After reaching the Sixth Level, Shen Changqing felt that the chill of the third level had considerably diminished for him.

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