When the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training Technique reaches perfection, the defenses of the flesh are almost wholly enhanced, including certain vital points of the body.
After the fifteenth layer.
The defensive strength becomes even greater.
Techniques like Iron Groin can only strengthen a single vital area, and there's really no need to learn them.
He put the book back.
Shen Changqing drew out the next one.
It was still a basic martial art, a bit stronger than Iron Groin, but still not worth learning.
Because time was limited.
He didn't dare to waste it recklessly.
Later on—
Shen Changqing browsed through almost everything at a glance; every martial art drawn out was only inspected for its title, and if he found it unsuitable, he put it back.
After quite some time.
He drew out a martial art book and his gaze lingered on it.
Pure Yang Technique!
Opening the first page, he could immediately see its contents.
"Pure Yang Technique emphasizes both internal and external cultivation, a combination of motion and stillness, internally nourishing the five viscera and six organs, externally tempering muscles, bones, and skin. This technique is the utmost strength and Yang; suitable for men to cultivate. For women, if the flow of Yin and Yang is not ensured, there may be danger to life!"
After reading the first page, Shen Changqing instantly understood—this was the martial art he was seeking.
Compared to the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training Technique,
Pure Yang Technique clearly had a higher potential.
Moreover, this martial art cultivates both inner and outer strength, and bears an uncanny resemblance to the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training Technique he currently practices.
In this way—
Cultivating the Pure Yang Technique would definitely yield twice the result with half the effort.
Thinking of this,
Shen Changqing immediately sat down where he was, seriously poring over the Pure Yang Technique in his hands.
Perhaps it was because he had already attained the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training Technique; he found his thinking became much clearer as he read martial arts.
What used to take him a long time to memorize, now he could remember in just a few glances.
In less than two hours,
Shen Changqing had memorized the entire contents of the Pure Yang Technique.
At the same time—
He checked his own panel.
Name: Shen Changqing
Affiliation: Great Qin's Demon-Subduing Division
Identity: Probationary Demon Hunter
Martial Arts: Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training Technique (Fifteenth Layer, cannot be improved), Pure Yang Technique (Entry-level, cannot be improved)
Slaughter: 0
If a martial art isn't thoroughly memorized, its info won't show up on the panel.
Now it's on the panel.
That proved Shen Changqing had committed Pure Yang Technique to memory.
"Time is about up!"
The two-hour limit meant he couldn't linger in the Scripture Pavilion for long.
Fortunately—
Shen Changqing used this one chance to memorize the Pure Yang Technique, not like before when he'd spend about a month to memorize a single martial art.
Leaving the Scripture Pavilion,
he went straight back to his quarters.
Despite the size of the Demon-Subduing Division—
as a Probationary Demon Hunter, there were only a few places he could actually go.
And those few places were almost all within the Demon Hunting Court.
Places like the Demon-Subduing Prison—
you needed the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual to enter openly.
Besides that—
The Scripture Pavilion also had time restrictions.
Of course, the Demon-Subduing Division doesn't restrict Demon Hunters, nor does it prohibit Probationary Demon Hunters from freely leaving.
However—
The Demon-Subduing Division he's in is at the Great Qin Capital. His predecessor wasn't a local, just someone picked out by the Division from elsewhere.
Likewise, his predecessor dared to join the Division because he was all alone in the world.
Since entering the Demon-Subduing Division—
his predecessor never set foot outside.
So his predecessor was unfamiliar with the Capital, which meant Shen Changqing, inheriting his memories, was just as unfamiliar.
No acquaintances.
And in an unfamiliar place.
Shen Changqing couldn't be bothered to waste time.
Rather than go out and do meaningless things, he might as well stay and cultivate in peace at the Division.
Compared to a full Demon Hunter—
the Division gave Probationary Demon Hunters considerable privileges.
No need to perform highly dangerous tasks, martial arts supplied without interruption, and even meals were up to martial artist standards.
All Probationary Demon Hunters—
except for a task every five days, could use the rest of their time for cultivation.
Even though Shen Changqing didn't know much about this world—
he had reason to believe—
outside the Demon-Subduing Division, few other places could offer such a good cultivation environment.
So—
there was no way for Shen Changqing to leave and waste time elsewhere.
Inside the room—
he sat cross-legged on the bed, recalling the Pure Yang Technique in his mind.
Because he lacked Slaughter Value, Shen Changqing couldn't take shortcuts.
But—
not being able to use Slaughter Value didn't mean he had to waste his days.
Rather than wait idly, he might as well rely on his own talent and cultivate; if he gained something, then he could save a lot of Slaughter Value in the future.
——
Days of focused cultivation always passed quickly.
In a blink,
two months had gone by.
Demon Hunters truly were a high-turnover profession; in these two months, Shen Changqing saw many newcomers arrive to fill in at the Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court.
No matter how many replacements came, the Court was never full.
Clearly—
the number of dead Demon Hunters was hardly low.
As for this, Shen Changqing didn't pay it much mind.
In the Demon Hunting Court, aside from Liu Chang, he was familiar with no one.
So those people living or dying didn't matter much to him.
In Shen Changqing's eyes—
only increasing his own strength really mattered.
Otherwise, he'd just follow in the footsteps of the others.
Knock knock!
The main gate of the court was knocked.
Shen Changqing opened the door and immediately saw Liu Chang standing there.
"Steward Liu!"
"——"
Liu Chang was about to nod, when suddenly his face changed and he looked Shen Changqing over, his expression full of surprise and uncertainty.
"You broke through to Pulse Condensation!?"
"I've been cultivating the Pure Yang Technique and made some progress recently."
Shen Changqing nodded.
Only when he seriously cultivated the Pure Yang Technique did he discover its compatibility with the Thirteen Protectors Horizontal Training Technique far surpassed his expectations.
With the foundation of the Thirteen Protectors' True Qi—
Shen Changqing only needed a few days to completely transform his True Qi into Pure Yang True Qi.
But because of the timing—
he kept it hidden and did not reveal it easily.
Until now—
Shen Changqing did a quick calculation, revealing part of his strength, so he was detected.
"——"
Receiving confirmation, Liu Chang was shocked inside.
He really broke through!
Although he knew Shen Changqing was highly talented and that many Probationary Demon Hunters couldn't compare,
he'd never thought—
the other could cultivate Pure Yang True Qi so quickly.
To know—
the biggest difference between Pulse Condensation and Body Tempering lies in True Qi.
Having True Qi is what sets you apart from ordinary martial artists.
"If I remember right, you've only been at the Demon-Subduing Division for just over three months, not quite four months—"
"Replying to Steward Liu, three months and five days."
"Three months and five days!"
Liu Chang nodded slightly, his shock growing ever greater.
To break through to Pulse Condensation in three months or so—such people were true geniuses, even considered peerless.
After a moment's shock—
he quickly regained his composure.
Peerless talents are shocking, but the Demon-Subduing Division wasn't without them; as a mighty organization in Great Qin, it attracted many promising individuals.
Among these people, some are geniuses or even peerless geniuses in hiding.
Normally, they are inconspicuous.
But after reaching the Division, they gradually shine.
"Since you broke through to the Pulse Condensation Realm, you're qualified to become a full-fledged Demon Hunter. But as a Probationary Demon Hunter, there is a one-year probation period, so you can also choose to stay at the Division and cultivate further.
With your talent, in the next seven or eight months, I believe you'll achieve a lot more.
Remember, the Pulse Condensation Realm is not weak, but before true experts, it is still not much. Do not become overconfident."
Liu Chang solemnly cautioned.
Normally, if a Probationary Demon Hunter broke through to Pulse Condensation, he'd have them immediately go and take the advancement mission to become a true Demon Hunter.
But for Shen Changqing, he made an exception.
Peerless talents in the Division are few and far between.
Now with such a rare person appearing in the Huang Department's Demon Hunting Court, Liu Chang didn't want him to die young.
Upon hearing this,
Shen Changqing looked grateful, "Many thanks, Steward Liu!"
"Go on, your task today is still to patrol the Demon-Subduing Prison. Remember, although you're now at Pulse Condensation Realm, don't intrude on other areas of the prison—just patrol the second level.
Some areas are very dangerous, and even Pulse Condensation could be fatal."
Liu Chang warned in a low voice.
What he said was all written in the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual.
It's just—
Liu Chang worried that right after breaking through, Shen Changqing might get some wrong ideas. If he ignored the warnings in the manual and barged into other places, he might never return.
"I understand this well, Steward Liu, please rest assured."
Shen Changqing cupped his fist.
Seeing this, Liu Chang said no more.
This time, he'd already shown extra consideration.
If someone refused to listen, then they deserved to die.
There have always been people who died being reckless in the Demon-Subduing Prison. Liu Chang didn't want Shen Changqing to be among them—what a waste that would be.
Of course.
If he refused all warnings, then dying would be his own fault.
Kind words can't dissuade the doomed.
After bidding Liu Chang farewell,
Shen Changqing soon headed for the Demon-Subduing Prison.
Since he often came, the guards at the prison were quite familiar with him.
As usual—
they checked his manual, then let him through.
Shen Changqing cupped his hands in thanks, and disappeared onto the first level of the Demon-Subduing Prison.
Entering the second level—
a familiar chill hit him head-on.
As the chill approached, a searing heat rose from his dantian, quickly flowing through his limbs and bones, driving out every trace of the cold.
From start to finish—
Shen Changqing's steps never paused, heading straight for the first cell.