He had already joined the Demon-Subduing Division.
There was nothing to regret now.
Being a Probationary Demon Hunter was just the beginning—an official Demon Hunter, and later a Defender Envoy, were what Shen Changqing truly pursued.
After breaking through to the Eighth Layer of the Pure Yang Technique, he began to slow his pace a little.
It wasn't that Shen Changqing didn't want to keep advancing, but that cultivation required a proper balance of tension and relaxation.
Blind effort alone—
Might not get you what you want.
In less than a year—
He advanced his Pure Yang Technique from novice to the Eighth Layer. That was already a world-shaking accomplishment.
Long-term, non-stop cultivation had also left Shen Changqing somewhat fatigued.
In any case, with the time remaining, it would be impossible to break through to the Ninth Layer.
Since that was so—
He decided not to keep exhausting his Heart, but instead focused on adjusting his state and preparing for the upcoming task.
After a year's buffer as a Probationary Demon Hunter—
To become a true Demon Hunter, one had to complete an assessment mission.
An official Demon Hunter—
Was also divided by different ranks.
Just like the four departments of the Demon Hunting Court, official Demon Hunters were split into the four grades: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.
The step above Probationary Demon Hunter was Yellow Rank Demon Hunter.
As long as he completed the evaluation task, Shen Changqing would become a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter; if he failed, the consequences did not need to be spoken.
For in the Demon-Subduing Division's missions, there was never such a thing as a second chance.
Either you complete it alive—
Or you die failing.
Every Demon Hunter faced demon evils and strange monsters, and those beings certainly knew no mercy.
If you ran into them—
It was either their death, or your own.
——
In the courtyard.
Shen Changqing rolled up his sleeves and sat on a bench.
Placing a flat stone in front of him.
The saber, unique to himself, was at this moment gripped in Shen Changqing's hand. His left hand pressed on the blade, slowly grinding the edge against the stone, bit by bit.
Sharpening his blade!
After two days of rest,
Shen Changqing's condition had recovered to an unprecedented peak.
Yet his Heart could not find true calm.
Therefore—
He thought of sharpening his saber.
Every Demon Hunter was equipped with a weapon; specific choices were up to the individual.
Shen Changqing's weapon was a long saber.
The style of the saber resembled a weapon from a dynasty he remembered in his last life.
That weapon was—the Tang Dynasty Strange Saber!
A weapon famed for its killing power.
That was why Shen Changqing chose the saber.
Of course, compared with a genuine Strange Saber, there were still some differences.
For instance—the length!
The friction of blade and whetstone made a sharp, rhythmic sound, echoing through the silent courtyard.
Time passed slowly.
Shen Changqing's blade-sharpening hand suddenly paused.
Then, he rose to his feet, channeling Pure Yang True Qi into the blade, instantly cleansing the lingering dirt and making the saber shine with a chilling cold light.
He sheathed the saber.
And walked toward the gate of the courtyard.
Opening the door, he saw Jiang Zuo standing outside.
"Steward Jiang, you're here!"
"Looks like you're ready."
Seeing Shen Changqing with his saber at his waist, Jiang Zuo smiled faintly.
The more time he spent with Shen Changqing, the more he discovered the youth's secrets.
For example,
When did Shen Changqing first produce True Qi? And what martial art was he now focusing on?
After learning that Shen Changqing had been at the Demon-Subduing Division for just two or three months before he advanced to Pulse Condensation, Jiang Zuo finally understood why Liu Chang had treated him differently.
A peerless talent!
In any place, such a person was a rare treasure.
Suddenly,
Jiang Zuo sighed. "It's a pity you entered the Demon-Subduing Division. Had you joined another Jianghu Sect, your talent would have led to great cultivation—no need to face these things while still in the Pulse Condensation Realm.
But once you're with the Demon-Subduing Division, there's no turning back.
No one can escape the Demon-Subduing Division; even if you betray us, the Division will hunt you down to the end.
Those Jianghu Sects, knowing you're a traitor from the Demon-Subduing Division, wouldn't dare take you in either."
The Demon-Subduing Division is unlike any other sect.
Once you join, you either rise to the highest ranks alive, or you die on a mission.
Even a peerless talent is no exception.
This point—
Strictly speaking—
To genius eyes, the Demon-Subduing Division seems unfair. Yet, to others, its way of treating all equally is worthy of praise.
Hearing this,
Shen Changqing replied calmly, "Steward Jiang, since I joined the Demon-Subduing Division, I have never regretted it.
If the Division hadn't taken me in, I would have long since died in some remote mountain or become food for demon evils and strange monsters—how could I be standing here?"
"You're not wrong."
Jiang Zuo gave him a long look, then smiled again.
"In fact, your chances of passing the assessment are higher than most Probationary Demon Hunters. You specialize in Pure Yang Technique, a martial art both rigid and pure.
At advanced levels, it can restrain the weaker strange monsters.
And the tasks for Probationary Demon Hunters are mostly to deal with Ghostly Level fiends. As long as you're careful, you shouldn't have much problem."
After speaking,
Jiang Zuo paused. "Since we may become true colleagues one day, let me give you one more piece of advice.
During your mission, don't easily trust what you see or hear.
Strange monsters kill with illusions; once you're trapped, it's hard to escape. How you break free depends on yourself."
"Many things I can't explain one by one; give you too much experience, and it might not help you.
Demon evils and strange monsters come in countless varieties. Trying to deal with them all with one method is a path to death.
When it matters, everything depends on your own abilities."
Jiang Zuo's voice was grave.
After he finished, Shen Changqing cupped his fist in thanks. "Thank you, Steward Jiang, for your guidance. Should I have the chance one day, I will return the favor!"
"Haha, there's no need to be so serious. Reminding you of these things is what us Demon Hunting Court stewards ought to do.
For ordinary matters, you can seek answers in the Scripture Pavilion.
But before true missions, we must explain some things to you in detail—to reduce unnecessary losses."
"That may be so, but I still would not dare forget Steward Jiang's teachings!"
Shen Changqing's face remained solemn.
What Jiang Zuo said was one thing, his own actions another.
Saying a few good words caused him no harm—and why make people dislike him?
Hearing this,
Jiang Zuo's smile became even more pronounced.
He explained a few more things to note, then handed a white jade pendant to Shen Changqing.
"The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant is a treasure forged by the Demon-Subduing Division. Wherever demon evil appears, the pendant will give a warning.
Meanwhile, for every fiend you slay, the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant will bear a corresponding mark.
These marks are your proof of having completed your task."
"Pure Spirit Jade Pendant!"
Staring at the jade pendant in his hand and listening to Jiang Zuo's words, Shen Changqing knew this was indeed a precious treasure.
Never mind anything else—even its appearance showed it was worth a fortune.
But judging from appearances—
It seemed that almost everyone in the Demon-Subduing Division had one.
In this alone, it was clear how wealthy and powerful the Division was.
However,
Shen Changqing also noticed a flaw in Jiang Zuo's explanation.
"Steward Jiang, does it mean I must personally kill the strange monster to complete my mission? If someone else kills it, doesn't that mean I'll have failed?"
"Yes, and no. If the monster is slain, your mission is considered complete, but without the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant as proof, you cannot be promoted to Yellow Rank Demon Hunter.
Every Yellow Rank Demon Hunter must have strength to match a Ghostly Level fiend.
Moreover, as long as the monster dies within ten zhang of you, the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant will sense the aura.
Normally, as long as you're within range, it doesn't matter if you dealt the killing blow—you can still be promoted."
Jiang Zuo shook his head, explaining away Shen Changqing's doubts.
Seeing that look of dawning understanding,
He added,
"Yellow Rank Demon Hunter missions are all related to fiends; if you don't have matching power, even if you scrape through to promotion, it's a path to death.
So during missions, avoid taking shortcuts whenever possible.
The stronger the monster, the harder it is to handle.
Taking shortcuts ends up harming only yourself."
"I have been instructed!"
Clutching the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant, Shen Changqing cupped his hands solemnly.
He, too, understood the meaning in Jiang Zuo's words.
Every official Demon Hunter took strength as their foundation.
All shortcuts collapsed before absolute power.
Even if one succeeded in promotion by luck, it would be impossible to always be so fortunate on all future missions.
Yellow Rank Demon Hunter was only the beginning.
After that, there were still Profound, Earth, and even Heaven Ranks.
At every stage, Demon Hunters needed to complete corresponding tasks; there was no way to avoid them.
If your strength was lacking,
then you were destined to fall on one of those later missions.
Upon seeing this,
Jiang Zuo said no more.
What needed to be said had been said; the rest could only be learned while carrying out missions.
So, as Shen Changqing pondered this, Jiang Zuo got to the main point.
"According to intelligence, there are strange monsters haunting Lin'an City in Guangyuan Prefecture. The Demon-Subduing Division's assessment confirms that there is indeed a monster present, but its strength shouldn't be too high, approximately at the Ghostly Level.
Your mission is to head to Lin'an City and wipe out the fiend there completely.
Here are some specific details; you can review them on your way."