Human Clan Defender

Earth Rank Demon Hunters are Grandmasters. Heaven Rank Demon Hunters are also Grandmasters. So, what about the Defender Envoys?

Shen Changqing's expression changed slightly. The information obtained from Dongfang Zhao completely overturned his previous understanding of the Martial Dao.

Before this, he had always thought that other realms of power existed above Grandmasters. If Earth Rank Demon Hunters were Grandmasters, then Heaven Rank Demon Hunters should be stronger than Grandmasters, and Defender Envoys should utterly surpass the Heaven Rank. However, Dongfang Zhao's words shattered this speculation. It turned out that Grandmasters were the limit for martial artists.

Nevertheless, Shen Changqing looked at the Defender Envoy before him, sensing an aura like an unfathomable abyss, far beyond his ability to conjecture.

"If what Defender Dongfang says is true, that Grandmasters are the limit for martial artists, then what about the Defender Envoys? If I'm not mistaken, Defender Dongfang's strength cannot be compared to that of an ordinary Grandmaster, right?"

Dongfang Zhao's expression remained calm in the face of the question.

"Strictly speaking, a Defender Envoy is also a Grandmaster, yet not entirely a Grandmaster. When you one day have the chance to become a Defender Envoy, you will naturally understand the difference. Furthermore, the method to become a Defender Envoy is a secret—a secret that cannot be disclosed. If one day you have the chance to become a Defender Envoy, you too must guard this secret closely. If anyone dares to reveal it, even if they are a Defender Envoy, they will not escape punishment."

His tone fluctuated little as he spoke, but Shen Changqing could detect a strong killing intent. Clearly, the Defender Envoys were indeed different from other martial artists.

After Dongfang Zhao finished speaking, Shen Changqing posed his next question. "How can one become a Defender Envoy?"

Dongfang Zhao explained, "When your Spiritual System's True Intent Manifestation occurs, and then when your Physical System achieves the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar, you might have the possibility to become a Defender Envoy."

True Intent Manifestation! Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar!

Shen Changqing considered his own situation; he had already achieved the latter condition but was still far from True Intent Manifestation.

Subsequently, he did not ask any further questions, but instead slowly digested what Dongfang Zhao had said.

The Martial Artist Limit! The two systems!

These were all things Shen Changqing had previously been unaware of.

It was only after Dongfang Zhao spoke that he understood that Grandmaster martial artists were the limit; the further one progressed in the two systems, the more powerful they became. The so-called division of mid- and late-stage Grandmasters was not entirely accurate. For instance, a mid-stage Grandmaster who had advanced far in True Intent Manifestation could slay a late-stage Grandmaster who had cultivated the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar.

"Well, if you have no other questions for now, you needn't rush. With your talent, meeting a Defender Envoy in the future won't be that difficult. If there's anything you don't understand, you can come find me or search the Scripture Pavilion. The Scripture Pavilion collects writings from all over the world as well as exquisite Martial Arts; eight or nine out of ten things in the world are recorded there."

Dongfang Zhao's voice was gentle as he spoke.

Eight or nine out of ten are there, which means there are still things that cannot be recorded. How to become a Defender Envoy is one such thing.

After a pause, Dongfang Zhao continued, "You slew the Barbarian Clan General. The current situation at the Imperial Court is urgent, so there's no way to present you with honors yet. However, the Demon-Subduing Division can grant corresponding rewards. After all, for your meritorious service to Great Qin and the Human Clan, the Demon-Subduing Division is definitely not stingy."

"Answering your questions was one reward. There are two more. The first is to grant you qualification to enter the Hidden Heart Pavilion for dedicated cultivation, without the need to complete annual tasks like a regular Demon Hunter. The second reward is three hundred Merit Points."

Shen Changqing was unfamiliar with the Hidden Heart Pavilion, but three hundred Merit Points were undeniably beneficial. A single Fiend Level Strange Monster yielded only ten to thirty Merit Points. In other words, slaying ten Strange Monsters comparable to a Grandmaster Peak would only provide three hundred Merit Points. By this calculation, three hundred Merit Points was an extremely generous reward.

The Lengyue Blade at his waist was already considered a Divine Weapon, and it had only cost him eight Merit Points. If he used these Merit Points from the Demon-Subduing Division wisely, Shen Changqing felt he could fully arm himself, raising his overall strength by a tier.

"May I ask Defender Dongfang, what kind of place is the Hidden Heart Pavilion? And does entering it mean I can no longer take on tasks?" he asked, a question that concerned him deeply.

Three hundred Merit Points were good, but Shen Changqing needed to understand what the Hidden Heart Pavilion truly entailed. For the average person, not having to undertake missions was undoubtedly a good thing, as it meant the associated risks would be greatly reduced.

But for Shen Changqing, no tasks meant no Slaughter Value income. Without Slaughter Value, his cultivation would stagnate, as the Martial Arts he practiced had already broken through their limits to an almost unrecognizable degree.

According to Dongfang Zhao, if Grandmasters were the limit, Shen Changqing doubted the Martial Arts in the Scripture Pavilion would be of a much higher rank. Thus, further improvement would indeed depend solely on Slaughter Value.

The Martial Artist Limit! With the panel and Slaughter Value, I might not be unable to break the limit— Shen Changqing considered this internally, maintaining an impassive facade.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yuanzheng had been silent from start to finish, watching the conversation like a mere spectator. But when Dongfang Zhao mentioned rewards, a subtle change flickered in his eyes—something akin to anger, and also helplessness.

Dongfang Zhao replied with a smile, "Entering the Hidden Heart Pavilion only means you aren't forced to carry out missions. The Demon-Subduing Division imposes no restrictions if you wish to take them. Besides, the Hidden Heart Pavilion is a place unmatched by other departments. Regarding the Martial Artist Limit, the Hidden Heart Pavilion has always been researching how to break through it. You are so young yet have already reached the Tiger Leopard Thunderous Roar stage. Arranging for you to enter the Hidden Heart Pavilion is also to give you a chance to one day break that limit, to achieve a feat no one has ever accomplished."

After speaking, Dongfang Zhao silently added in his heart, Even though the possibility is extremely slim, it's still a hope.

"So it seems the Hidden Heart Pavilion is indeed a good place."

"Of course. Numerous Demon Hunters would break their necks trying to get in, but sadly, they can't succeed. After all, not everyone is eligible to enter the Hidden Heart Pavilion. One must have significant merit and also sufficient talent. This talent can be wisdom incomparable to ordinary people or extraordinary Martial Dao talent. You must possess one of these to enter."

Dongfang Zhao's words gave Shen Changqing a deeper understanding of the Hidden Heart Pavilion. Before this, he had never even heard its name.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Changqing nodded in agreement. "I'm willing to enter the Hidden Heart Pavilion!"

At least from what I understand so far, entering the Hidden Heart Pavilion isn't a bad thing. No mandatory missions, yet no restrictions on taking them—that's clearly advantageous. Additionally, the Hidden Heart Pavilion researches how to break the Martial Artist Limit, something I also need. Even with the panel, as long as I have sufficient Slaughter Value, I can definitely break the limit. However, guesses are ultimately just guesses, with no concrete evidence. If the panel fails to help me break the limit, then entering the Hidden Heart Pavilion might allow me to find a solution. As a fallback, even if I can't break the limit, when the time comes for True Intent Manifestation, I could also try to become a Defender Envoy. That way, my strength would also increase. Looking at it from several angles, I can't find a reason to refuse.

Shen Changqing found no reason to refuse.

Dongfang Zhao nodded with satisfaction. "Good! Someone will come for you in three days to lead you to the Hidden Heart Pavilion. For these three days, there are no restrictions; you are free to go anywhere in the Demon-Subduing Division or the Capital City. However, after three days, I hope you will remain within the Demon-Subduing Division. Otherwise, if the people from the Hidden Heart Pavilion can't find you, it will cause unnecessary trouble."

"Your subordinate understands."

"Here are three hundred Merit Points. Take them!"

Dongfang Zhao waved his hand, and a golden light flashed. Shen Changqing reached out, and the golden light stopped precisely as it touched his palm, without a hint of excess force leaking out.

Such profound control!

Internally taken aback, he opened his palm to reveal three pale gold Demon-Subduing Coins.

"Pale gold Demon-Subduing Coins. Each is equivalent to one hundred Merit Points," Dongfang Zhao explained indifferently.

One equals one hundred Merit Points, so three make three hundred.

Upon the three Demon-Subduing Coins, Shen Changqing also felt a surge of potent True Qi, clearly left there by a powerful predecessor.

Just from the fluctuations alone, the person who left this True Qi was very likely at the Grandmaster level.

He carefully stowed away the Demon-Subduing Coins and expressed his thanks with a cupped fist salute. "Many thanks, Defender Dongfang."

"If there's nothing else, you may leave."

"Yes!"

「----」

Watching Shen Changqing depart from the main hall, Zhou Yuanzheng's expression turned into a sarcastic smirk.

"Three hundred Merit Points! You're certainly generous!"

This amount of Merit Points was an astronomical figure for a Demon Hunter, and even for a Defender Envoy, it was no small expenditure. These Merit Points, obviously, weren't provided by the Imperial Court; the reward came directly from Dongfang Zhao's own pocket.

Hearing this, Dongfang Zhao gave a bitter smile. "Don't rub salt in my wounds. But rewards must be given when due, otherwise it breeds disloyalty and dissent. Since the Imperial Court is unwilling, we can only shoulder the burden ourselves."

"Merit Points are a minor issue; matters of the Imperial Court are significant. In this recent court assembly, His Majesty targeted our Demon-Subduing Division. I fear other actions will follow. If we don't handle it well, the Demon-Subduing Division could face continuous disturbances," Zhou Yuanzheng said, his words carrying a deeper meaning.

Merit Points were a small matter; he could provide three hundred, and so could Dongfang Zhao. But what about the future? If the Imperial Court took further action, the cost wouldn't be a mere three hundred Merit Points.

Dongfang Zhao's smile vanished, his expression turning grave. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. For now, we take it one step at a time. His Majesty is wise and unlikely to be overly harsh. With Demon Evil rampant, even if the Demon-Subduing Division faces ostracism, the situation should remain controllable."