Chapter 11

Now that he had joined the Demon Suppression Bureau, there was no room for regret.

Being an apprentice demon hunter was just the beginning. The official demon hunter and the future guardian were what Shen Changqing aspired to be.

After breaking through to the eighth level of the Pure Yang Technique, he had slowed down a bit.

It wasn't that Shen Changqing didn't want to continue breaking through, but cultivation required a balance of intensity and relaxation.

Blindly practicing hard.

Wouldn't necessarily yield the desired results.

In less than a year.

From a novice to the eighth level of the Pure Yang Technique, it was already astonishing.

Long-term uninterrupted cultivation had also made Shen Changqing feel somewhat fatigued.

Anyway, in the remaining time, it was definitely impossible to break through to the ninth level.

Since that was the case.

He didn't want to waste too much mental energy and instead focused on adjusting his state to prepare for the upcoming mission.

After a year of being an apprentice demon hunter.

To become an official demon hunter, one had to complete the assessment mission.

Official demon hunters.

Were also divided into ranks.

Like the four departments of the Demon Suppression Academy, official demon hunters were divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, and Huang.

Above apprentice demon hunters was the Huang rank demon hunter.

As long as he completed the assessment mission, Shen Changqing would become a Huang rank demon hunter. If he failed, the consequences were self-evident.

Because the missions of the Demon Suppression Bureau never allowed for a second chance.

Either complete it alive.

Or die in failure.

All demon hunters faced demons and monsters, and these creatures never showed mercy.

If they encountered each other.

Either they would die, or he would.

—

In the courtyard.

Shen Changqing rolled up his sleeves and sat on a bench.

In front of him was a flat stone.

Holding his own longsword, he pressed the blade with his left hand and slowly let the edge of the sword rub against the stone.

Sharpening the sword!

Two days of rest.

Had restored Shen Changqing to an unprecedented peak state.

But his mind still couldn't fully calm down.

So.

He thought of sharpening the sword.

Every demon hunter was equipped with a weapon, the specific type chosen based on individual circumstances.

Shen Changqing's weapon was a longsword.

The style of the longsword was very similar to a weapon from a dynasty he knew in his previous life.

That was the Tang Dynasty's Mòdāo!

This weapon was the most lethal.

That was why Shen Changqing chose the longsword.

The friction between the blade and the whetstone produced a harsh but rhythmic sound, echoing in the quiet courtyard.

Time slowly passed.

Shen Changqing's action of sharpening the sword suddenly paused.

Then he stood up, and Pure Yang True Qi surged into the blade, removing the dirt and making the longsword reflect a chilling light.

The longsword was sheathed.

He walked towards the courtyard gate.

When he opened the gate, he saw Jiang Zuo standing outside.

"Manager Jiang has come!"

"It seems you are already prepared."

Seeing Shen Changqing with a sword at his waist, Jiang Zuo smiled slightly.

The more he interacted with Shen Changqing, the more he gradually learned some of his secrets.

For example,

How Shen Changqing had generated True Qi, and what martial arts he was currently practicing.

After learning that Shen Changqing had advanced to the Meridian Stage in just two or three months of joining the Demon Suppression Bureau, Jiang Feng understood why Liu Chang treated him differently.

A world-class genius!

In any place, such a person was rare.

Suddenly,

Jiang Feng sighed, "It's a pity you joined the Demon Suppression Bureau. If you had joined another martial sect, with your talent, you would have been heavily cultivated, and you wouldn't have to face those things at the Meridian Stage.

But since you joined the Demon Suppression Bureau, there's no turning back.

No one can leave the Demon Suppression Bureau, even if you defect, the Demon Suppression Bureau will hunt you down.

Those martial sects, knowing you are a defector from the Demon Suppression Bureau, would never dare to accept you."

The Demon Suppression Bureau was different from other sects.

Once you joined the Demon Suppression Bureau, you either lived to the top or died in the mission.

Even a world-class genius was no exception.

Strictly speaking,

In the eyes of world-class geniuses, the Demon Suppression Bureau was very unfair, but in the eyes of others, the Demon Suppression Bureau's equal treatment was commendable.

Hearing this,

Shen Changqing smiled faintly, "Manager Jiang, since I joined the Demon Suppression Bureau, I have never regretted it.

If not for the Demon Suppression Bureau's acceptance, I might have already died in some desolate mountain or become food for demons and monsters. How could I stand here and speak?"

"You are right."

Jiang Feng looked at him deeply and then smiled again.

"Actually, you have a higher chance of passing the assessment mission than most apprentice demon hunters. You practice the Pure Yang Technique, which is the most powerful and yang martial art.

At a high level, it can suppress weaker monsters.

And the tasks of apprentice demon hunters are mostly dealing with low-level monsters. As long as you are careful, it shouldn't be a problem."

After saying this,

Jiang Feng paused, "Considering that we might become true colleagues in the future, I will give you a warning.

During the mission, don't easily believe what you see or hear.

Monsters use illusions to kill. Once you fall into them, it's hard to get out. How to break them is up to you."

"Many things I can't explain in detail, because passing on too much experience might not be beneficial to you.

There are too many types of demons and monsters. Relying on one method is a dead end.

How to respond in critical moments depends entirely on your own abilities."

Jiang Feng's voice was solemn.

After he finished speaking, Shen Changqing bowed in gratitude, "Thank you, Manager Jiang, for your guidance. If there's an opportunity in the future, I will definitely repay you!"

"Haha, you don't need to be too serious. Explaining these precautions is part of our duty as managers of the Demon Suppression Academy.

Ordinary matters can be resolved in the library.

But when it comes to real missions, we need to explain things seriously to reduce losses."

"Even so, I will not forget Manager Jiang's guidance!"

Shen Changqing's expression remained serious.

What Jiang Feng said was one thing, and what he did was another.

Saying a few nice words wouldn't bring any loss, so why make people annoyed.

Hearing this,

Jiang Feng's smile became more evident.

He explained some more things to note and then handed a white jade pendant to Shen Changqing.

"The Qingling Jade Pendant is a treasure created by the Demon Suppression Bureau. Wherever there are demons, the pendant will give a warning.

At the same time, when you kill these creatures, the Qingling Jade Pendant will show corresponding marks.

These marks are proof of your completed mission."

"Qingling Jade Pendant!"

Shen Changqing looked at the pendant in his hand. Hearing Jiang Feng's words, he understood that it was indeed a precious treasure.

Not to mention its other qualities, just from its appearance, it was already very valuable.

But it seemed that

The Demon Suppression Bureau almost had one for everyone.

Just from this, one could see the wealth and power of the Demon Suppression Bureau.

However,

Shen Changqing also noticed a loophole in Jiang Feng's words.

"Manager Jiang means that I must kill the monster to complete the mission. But if someone else kills it, wouldn't that mean I failed the mission?"

"Yes, but not exactly. Once the monster is killed, your mission is considered complete, but without the Qingling Jade Pendant as proof, you cannot advance to the Huang rank demon hunter.

Because every Huang rank demon hunter must have the strength to match low-level monsters.

And as long as the monster dies within ten feet of you, the Qingling Jade Pendant will detect it.

Normally, as long as you are within range, even if the monster is not killed by you, you can still advance."

Jiang Feng shook his head and explained Shen Changqing's confusion.

Seeing the enlightened look on his face,

He added,

"Huang rank demon hunters, all the missions will involve monsters. If you don't have the strength to match them, even if you advance勉强, it's a dead end.

So when executing missions, try not to take shortcuts.

Because the more powerful the monster, the harder it is to deal with.

Taking shortcuts will ultimately harm yourself."

"Understood!"

Holding the Qingling Jade Pendant, Shen Changqing bowed solemnly.

He understood what Jiang Feng meant.

Any official demon hunter valued strength above all.

All shortcuts were powerless against absolute strength.

Even if he managed to complete the advancement mission by chance, he wouldn't be so lucky in future missions.

The Huang rank demon hunter was just the beginning.

There were still the Xuan, Earth, and Heaven ranks ahead.

Each rank of demon hunter had to complete corresponding missions, and no one could avoid them.

Lacking strength.

In future missions, one was destined to fall.

Seeing this,

Jiang Feng didn't say much more.

He had said what needed to be said, and the rest could only be learned during the mission.

So when Shen Changqing understood, Jiang Feng got to the point.

"According to intelligence, there are monsters causing trouble in the Lin'an area of Guangyuan Prefecture. The Demon Suppression Bureau has assessed that there are indeed monsters there, but their strength is not high, roughly at the low level.

Your mission is to go to Lin'an and completely eliminate the monsters there.

Here is some specific information, you can read it on the way."