He had already joined the Demon-Subduing Division, so there were no regrets. Being a provisional Demon Hunter was just the beginning; the official Demon Hunter rank and the subsequent Defender Envoy position were what Shen Changqing aspired to.
After breaking through to the eighth layer of the Pure Yang Technique, he slowed down his pace a bit. It wasn't that Shen Changqing didn't want to continue breaking through, but rather that cultivation required a balance of tension and relaxation. Blindly enduring hardship wouldn't necessarily bring the desired results.
In less than a year, the Pure Yang Technique had gone from novice to the eighth layer, which was already shockingly out of the ordinary. The long period of uninterrupted cultivation also left Shen Changqing feeling somewhat tired.
Anyway, with the remaining time, there was no way he could break through to the ninth layer. Given this, he didn't want to exhaust too much mental energy and instead focused on adjusting his condition, preparing for the upcoming tasks.
After a year's grace period as a provisional Demon Hunter, to become an official Demon Hunter, one had to complete assessment tasks.
Official Demon Hunters also had different ranks. Similar to the four Demon Hunting Courts, official Demon Hunters were divided into Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow ranks.
Moving up from a provisional Demon Hunter, the next level was a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. As long as he completed the assessment task, Shen Changqing could become a Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. As for the consequences of not completing the task, there was no need to elaborate.
Because there was never a second chance for the tasks of the Demon-Subduing Division. You either completed it alive or died in failure.
All Demon Hunters faced Demon Evils and Strange Monsters, which would show no mercy. If you confronted them, either they would die, or you would.
In the courtyard, Shen Changqing rolled up his sleeves and sat on a bench.
In front of him, there was a flat stone slab.
The long saber that belonged to him was currently held in Shen Changqing's hand; his left hand pressed upon the blade, gradually creating friction against the stone.
Sharpening the saber!
Two days of rest had brought Shen Changqing's condition to an unprecedented peak. But his heart was still not completely calm. Therefore, he thought of sharpening his saber.
Each Demon Hunter was equipped with a weapon, and they could freely choose the type according to personal preference.
Shen Changqing's weapon was a long saber.
The style of the long saber was somewhat similar to a weapon from a dynasty he knew in his previous life. That was—the Tang Dynasty Strange Saber! This kind of weapon was incredibly lethal. That was also why he had chosen the long saber. Of course, compared to a real Strange Saber, there were still some differences. For example—the length!
The sound of the saber's blade grinding against the whetstone, shrill and rhythmic, echoed through the quiet courtyard.
Time slowly passed.
Shen Changqing's sharpening motion suddenly paused for a moment.
Then he stood up. Pure Yang True Qi surged into the blade, cleansing away any residue and causing the long saber to reflect a daunting chill.
Saber sheathed, he walked towards the courtyard door.
Upon opening it, he saw Jiang Zuo standing outside.
"Steward Jiang has arrived!"
"It seems you're ready," Jiang Zuo commented, noting the saber at Shen Changqing's waist, a slight smile on his face.
The more Jiang Zuo interacted with Shen Changqing, the more secrets he gradually learned about him, such as when Shen Changqing had developed True Qi, and the Martial Arts he was primarily practicing now.
Upon learning that the other had advanced to the Pulse Condensation Realm within just two or three months of joining the Demon-Subduing Division, Jiang Zuo understood why Liu Chang treated Shen Changqing differently.
An unparalleled genius! A rarity in any place.
Suddenly, Jiang Zuo sighed, "It's a pity you joined the Demon-Subduing Division. Had you joined other Jianghu Sects, with your talent, you would certainly have been greatly nurtured and wouldn't need to face such dangers while still in the Pulse Condensation Realm. But once you've entered the Demon-Subduing Division, there's no turning back. No one can leave the Demon-Subduing Division, and even if you were to flee, the Division would hunt you down relentlessly. Those Jianghu Sects, upon knowing you're a defector from the Demon-Subduing Division, would certainly not dare to take you in."
The Demon-Subduing Division is unlike any other sect. Once you join, you either live to reach the pinnacle or die in the line of duty. Even an unparalleled genius is no exception.
Strictly speaking, in the eyes of those peerless geniuses, this might seem unfair. Yet to others, the Demon-Subduing Division's impartiality is precisely what earns its praise.
Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing smiled faintly. "Steward Jiang, you're too kind. Since joining the Demon-Subduing Division, I have never regretted it. If it weren't for the Division taking me in, perhaps I would have long since perished in some desolate mountains or become food for Demon Evils and Strange Monsters. How could I be standing here speaking now?"
"You do have a point." Jiang Zuo regarded him intently, then smiled again. "In fact, you have a higher chance of passing the assessment tasks than most provisional Demon Hunters. You primarily cultivate the Pure Yang Technique, a Martial Art of extreme hardness and yang energy. At advanced levels, it can suppress weaker Strange Monsters. And most of the provisional Demon Hunters' tasks involve dealing with Ghostly Level Fiends. As long as you're careful, there shouldn't be too much trouble."
Having said that, Jiang Zuo paused. "Considering we may become true colleagues in the future, let me give you another piece of advice. During the task, do not easily trust what you see or hear. Strange Monsters kill with illusions. Once you're trapped, it will be hard to escape. How to break free depends on you.
There's a lot I can't elaborate on, because providing you with too much of my experience might not be beneficial. The types of Demon Evils and Strange Monsters are too numerous. If you attempt to deal with them using a single method, it's a sure path to death. How you react in critical moments depends entirely on your own abilities." Jiang Zuo's tone was solemn.
After the other had finished speaking, Shen Changqing bowed in thanks, "Many thanks to Steward Jiang for his guidance. Should there be an opportunity in the future, I will surely repay this kindness!"
"Haha, you don't need to be so serious. Explaining these precautions to you is part of our duty as Stewards in the Demon Hunting Court. For everyday matters, you may find answers in the Scripture Pavilion. But when it comes to actual missions, we need to explain some things earnestly to you to reduce potential losses."
"Nevertheless, I dare not forget Steward Jiang's guidance!" Shen Changqing's expression remained respectful.
No matter what Jiang Zuo said, that was one thing; how Shen Changqing acted was another. Saying a few pleasant words wouldn't cost him anything, so why risk causing displeasure?
Upon hearing this, the smile on Jiang Zuo's face grew even clearer.
After further explaining several points of attention, he handed a white jade pendant to Shen Changqing.
"The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant is a treasure refined by the Demon-Subduing Division. Wherever there's Demon Evil, the Jade Pendant will issue a warning. Also, when those things are slain, corresponding marks will appear on the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant. These marks serve as proof of your task completion."
The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant! Shen Changqing looked at the Jade Pendant in his hand. Upon hearing Jiang Zuo's explanation, he understood it was indeed a precious treasure. Not to mention, just from its appearance, it was already quite valuable. But it seemed the Demon-Subduing Division issued one to almost every member. From this aspect alone, one could see the wealth and power of the Division.
However, Shen Changqing also noticed a loophole in Jiang Zuo's words.
"Steward Jiang means that only by slaying the Strange Monster do we complete the task? If someone else kills the Strange Monster, does that not mean I've failed the task?"
"Yes, but also no. Once the Strange Monster is killed, your task is considered complete. However, without the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant as proof, you won't be able to advance to Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. Every Yellow Rank Demon Hunter must possess the strength to rival a Ghostly Level Fiend. Moreover, if the Strange Monster dies within ten zhang of you, the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant will capture its aura. Normally, as long as you are within that range, even if the Strange Monster isn't slain by your hand, you can still be promoted," Jiang Zuo shook his head, clearing up Shen Changqing's doubts.
Seeing that the latter had grasped the concept, he added another piece of advice.
"All the tasks executed by Yellow Rank Demon Hunters will be related to Strange Monsters. Without the strength to match these Strange Monsters, even if you manage to advance by luck, it will only lead to death. So when performing tasks, try not to rely on opportunism if you can avoid it. The stronger the Strange Monster, the harder it is to deal with. Relying on opportunism will ultimately only harm yourself."
"I have taken your lesson to heart!" Grasping the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant, Shen Changqing bowed respectfully.
He understood Jiang Zuo's words. For any official Demon Hunter, strength was paramount. All opportunism crumbled before absolute power.
Even if one luckily completed the promotion task, in the many tasks thereafter, one could not always be so fortunate. Yellow Rank was just the beginning. Thereafter came Profound Rank, Earth Rank, and even Heaven Rank Demon Hunters. Each rank of Demon Hunter had to complete corresponding tasks; no one could avoid them. Without sufficient strength, one was doomed to perish in the numerous subsequent tasks.
Seeing this, Jiang Zuo said no more.
All that needed to be said had been spoken; the rest could only be learned through the process of executing tasks.
So, when Shen Changqing understood, Jiang Zuo moved on to the main topic.
"According to intelligence, in Guangyuan Prefecture's Lin'an City area, a Strange Monster is causing trouble. Based on the Demon-Subduing Division's assessment, a Strange Monster is indeed present there, but its strength shouldn't be too high, roughly around the Ghostly Level. Your task is to head to Lin'an City and completely eradicate the Strange Monster there. Here is some specific information; you can review it on your way."