"Have you noticed anything unusual?"
"No!"
At the first-level exit of the Demon-Subduing Prison, the one in conversation with Shen Changqing was the person who had intercepted him earlier.
After the simple inquiry, Shen Changqing handed the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual to the other party. The manual served as proof of entry for the Demon-Subduing Prison. Every Demon Hunter departing from the Demon-Subduing Prison had to pass the manual to the Defenders of the prison. Only in this way could they ensure that the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual wouldn't be lost. This also prevented others who might obtain the manual from secretly entering the Demon-Subduing Prison for nefarious purposes.
From beginning to end, those people hadn't detected anything unusual about him.
After leaving the Demon-Subduing Prison, Shen Changqing returned to the Demon Hunting Court.
This trip to the Demon-Subduing Prison had brought him significant gains. Without mentioning anything else, just this single visit to the Demon-Subduing Prison had allowed him to elevate his Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique from the third level straight to the fifteenth level. His Realm also transformed from the Body Tempering Realm to the Pulse Condensation Realm.
The so-called Pulse Condensation entailed nurturing True Qi, allowing a Martial Artist to possess Transcendent and extraordinary strength. If the Body Tempering Realm still placed one within the range of an ordinary person, then the Pulse Condensation Realm marked a Martial Artist's evolution towards the Transcendent.
Shen Changqing was certain that among all the junior Demon Hunters, absolutely none possessed a Realm comparable to his own. This was because all who had reached Pulse Condensation were official Demon Hunters.
My Slaughter Value is temporarily exhausted. I've collected all the potential Slaughter Value from the second and third levels of the Demon-Subduing Prison. The fourth and fifth levels likely hold even more—
Thinking of the fourth level, Shen Changqing shook his head helplessly. With his current strength, he was nowhere near qualified to collect Slaughter Value from the fourth level. He had barely stepped onto the fourth level when he nearly died on the spot.
This clearly showed that the Pulse Condensation Realm did not indicate a truly formidable fighter. One could only imagine how powerful the Demon Evils and Strange Monsters imprisoned on the fourth level must be.
I urgently need to supplement my knowledge regarding Demon Evils and Strange Monsters; otherwise, if I encounter them in the future, I might not even know how I died, Shen Changqing secretly decided.
Joining the Demon-Subduing Division meant future encounters with Demon Evils and Strange Monsters were inevitable. His understanding of such things could only be described as shallow.
Returning to his small courtyard, Shen Changqing looked at the stone locks in the yard and impulsively grabbed one. The stone locks, previously so heavy he couldn't lift them at all, were now easily hoisted in his hands—though by no means as light as a feather.
A single stone lock weighs around three to four hundred pounds, and I can lift it with ease. My own strength has also reached a very formidable state, Shen Changqing surmised.
His current strength was no less than eight hundred pounds, even without utilizing his True Qi. Once he employed his True Qi, his strength would increase even further.
After setting down the stone lock, Shen Changqing remained behind closed doors for two days before finally stepping out towards the canteen.
Although the Demon Hunting Court served as the residence for all Demon Hunters, it was also furnished with a canteen. The Demon Hunting Court's canteen existed solely to serve Demon Hunters. No Demon Hunter would waste time cooking, nor did the Demon Hunting Court have such facilities. Therefore, the canteen's establishment was essential.
Presenting his Identity Token, Shen Changqing easily entered the canteen. The canteen already held quite a few people. After getting his meal, he chose an empty seat.
It was worth mentioning that the Demon-Subduing Division's food was genuinely top-notch. Even junior Demon Hunters enjoyed meals with plenty of meat and fish, accompanied by soup boiled with the bones of unidentifiable animals.
After finishing everything, even Shen Changqing, whose appetite had greatly increased due to his significant breakthrough in the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique, felt full.
Indeed! Only with a full belly can one have the proper foundation to cultivate. The canteen established by the Demon-Subduing Division serves food that meets the standards of Martial Artists, more than sufficient to replenish their daily consumption.
Having eaten his fill, Shen Changqing left the canteen contentedly. According to his predecessor's memories, a similar meal outside the Demon-Subduing Division would cost a considerable sum of Silver Taels—an amount ordinary civilians could hardly afford. But within the Demon-Subduing Division, one could eat as much as one wanted. The standard he ate at was that of a junior Demon Hunter; for an official Demon Hunter, the standard would be even higher.
Returning to his residence, Shen Changqing mostly kept to himself. Aside from necessary trips to the canteen for meals, he remained in his quarters, constantly acclimating to his surged power.
The increase in Slaughter Value had merely elevated the Martial Arts. But this didn't mean the body could immediately adapt. My guess is that if it involved offensive techniques, the increase in Slaughter Value would most likely grant full familiarity.
Junior Demon Hunters were required to complete one mission every five days. Similarly, the time for junior Demon Hunters to enter the Scripture Pavilion was also at five-day intervals.
When the fifth day arrived, Liu Chang came as expected.
"Have you made another breakthrough in the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique?" The moment Liu Chang saw Shen Changqing, he sensed something was amiss.
Compared to five days ago, the surging qi and blood within Shen Changqing's body were faintly discernible, clearly indicating substantial mastery in the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique. Of course, Liu Chang never imagined that Shen Changqing had broken through to the fifteenth level. This was because the peak of the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique was the thirteenth level. Once one achieved Perfection at that level, their Flesh would approach Perfection, and their qi and blood would not be easily revealed. It was precisely to avoid arousing Liu Chang's suspicion that Shen Changqing had deliberately revealed some of his qi and blood. Thus, when Liu Chang observed him, Shen Changqing appeared to be progressing at a normal rate.
Hearing the inquiry, Shen Changqing smiled. "I made some small gains during my few days of seclusion. It's nothing significant in front of Steward Liu."
"Body Tempering is just the beginning. Once you've laid a solid foundation, you can consider going to the Scripture Pavilion to exchange for Martial Arts suitable for the Pulse Condensation Realm.
"Although Martial Artists could naturally enter the Pulse Condensation Realm after perfecting the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique, such an approach would take too long.
"Introductory Martial Arts only require one to polish their foundation a bit. At the right time, exchanging them for advanced Martial Arts would allow you to enter the Pulse Condensation Realm more quickly.
"Once you've entered Pulse Condensation, your chances of becoming an official Demon Hunter will increase substantially," Liu Chang explained patiently.
He had taken a liking to Shen Changqing, viewing him as a prodigy. Seeing him today confirmed this belief; in just five days, Shen Changqing had made notable progress in the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique. As long as there were no mishaps, Shen Changqing was bound to become a true Demon Hunter.
As a Steward of the Demon Hunting Court, if a junior Demon Hunter he oversaw grew into a true Demon Hunter, Liu Chang would also receive some benefits. However, the attrition rate for junior Demon Hunters becoming true Demon Hunters was extremely high; very few could make it. Therefore, Liu Chang didn't pay much attention to the average junior Demon Hunter, simply performing his duties according to regulations.
"Thank you for your guidance, Steward Liu. If I achieve something in the future, I will not forget your kindness!"
"Haha, it's the thought that counts." Liu Chang chuckled, a rare smile gracing his features.
Then, he took out a Demon-Subduing Prison Manual.
"You've been to the Demon-Subduing Prison several times now and should be quite familiar with it. This time, you will patrol the Demon-Subduing Prison again!"
"Yes!" Shen Changqing did not refuse. He reached out, took the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual, and stored it carefully.
In truth, he had no right to request a different assignment. He had to carry out whatever mission Liu Chang assigned. It was evident that Liu Chang consistently assigned him the same, relatively low-difficulty mission, implying he was looking out for him. Shen Changqing understood this clearly.
After receiving the Demon-Subduing Prison Manual and bidding Liu Chang farewell, he headed straight for the Demon-Subduing Prison.
Since he had no intention of seeking Slaughter Value this time, his patrol of the Demon-Subduing Prison was completed quickly. In less than an hour, Shen Changqing emerged from the Demon-Subduing Prison and headed towards the Scripture Pavilion.
Liu Chang's words had suddenly made him realize something.
I still have too few Martial Arts at my disposal. The Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique is good, but as Liu Chang said, it's only an introductory Martial Art, at the very bottom of all Martial Arts. If I were to enhance my skills using the same Slaughter Value, then using a more advanced Martial Art would undoubtedly bring greater strength.
"Junior Demon Hunter Shen Changqing of the Huang Department requests entry to the Scripture Pavilion!" Shen Changqing announced, directly handing over his Identity Token to save the old man the trouble of asking.
The elderly guardian of the Scripture Pavilion opened his eyes; that familiar glint of blood flashed and vanished in an instant. But compared to last time, the fear he felt when meeting the old man's gaze had diminished considerably.
"Hmph." The old man returned the Token, briefly mentioned a few points of attention, and then closed his eyes again.
Seeing this, Shen Changqing pocketed his Token, thanked the old man, and walked towards the towering bookshelves laden with books.
The first floor of the Scripture Pavilion housed not only records of Martial Arts but also many tales of strange occurrences and accounts of Demon Evils and Strange Monsters. However, the books were arranged in different sections. Although he wanted to learn more about Demon Evils and Strange Monsters, Liu Chang's reminder prompted him to prioritize improving his Martial Arts first. He would explore other matters when an opportunity arose.
Standing before the Martial Arts section, he casually pulled out a book. Several large characters were written on it: Vajra Iron Groin Technique!
A corner of Shen Changqing's mouth twitched, and he slid the book back onto the shelf. The Vajra Iron Groin Technique was also an introductory Martial Art, similar in nature to the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training Technique. But comparing the two, the former was incomparably inferior.