Human Clan Defender

"The Suppressing Evil Hall's purpose is to research Demon Evils—more precisely, to study low-rank Demon Evils like Strange Monsters. The Demon-Subduing Prison was their creation. Originally, the Demon-Subduing Prison should have been called the Evil-Suppressing Prison. However, because it also houses some weaker Demon Evils, it was simply named the Demon-Subduing Prison."

"The Demon Sealing Hall, on the other hand, focuses on researching Demon Evils."

"As for the Internal Affairs Hall, it manages miscellaneous affairs within the Hidden Heart Pavilion and oversees the supply of resources from all aspects."

Zhong Ning spoke continuously, without any hesitation.

"Only those who have made significant contributions to either the Demon-Subduing Division or the Hidden Heart Pavilion, but can no longer continue to do so for various reasons, are admitted to the Internal Affairs Hall. They are then uniformly assigned to handle logistical affairs. Without the support of the Internal Affairs Hall, research in other areas would be difficult to conduct."

"Both the Suppressing Evil Hall and the Demon Sealing Hall require individuals with specialized expertise in Demon Evils to gain entry. You don't fall into that category."

"Therefore, the only place you can truly enter is the Martial Hall."

With that said, Zhong Ning turned to Shen Changqing and spoke earnestly, "Let me reintroduce myself. I am Zhong Ning, a Martial Pavilion Elder. Since you haven't joined the Hidden Heart Pavilion yet, you can still change your mind. However, once you enter the Hidden Heart Pavilion, you cannot leave voluntarily unless you are expelled. You need to consider this carefully. After all, the Hidden Heart Pavilion isn't a place one can enter and leave at will."

His tone was solemn.

Shen Changqing remained unconcerned.

"Elder Zhong, you're being too serious. Having joined the Demon-Subduing Division, I already have no path of retreat. So, what issue could there be with joining the Hidden Heart Pavilion as well?"

Hearing this, Zhong Ning was momentarily speechless. "You do have a point. It's much the same either way. Since you've already joined the Demon-Subduing Division, joining the Hidden Heart Pavilion as well is no great matter."

Then, his gaze towards Shen Changqing filled with admiration.

"Being open-minded can have its advantages. Come with me to the Internal Affairs Hall to register. Everyone who joins the Hidden Heart Pavilion must register there."

As he spoke, Zhong Ning led Shen Changqing towards the Internal Affairs Hall.

Grand halls stood in the complex. Zhong Ning, already familiar with the way, soon led him before a majestic hall. The three characters "Internal Affairs Hall" inscribed above its entrance made its purpose clear.

Upon entering, Shen Changqing noticed the layout was very similar to that of the Demon Slaying Hall, just with fewer people coming and going.

"Looks familiar, doesn't it? The Demon Slaying Hall's layout was based on the Internal Affairs Hall," Zhong Ning said with a smile, as if he had read Shen Changqing's mind.

Presently, the two arrived at a counter.

Behind the counter sat a drowsy old man who looked to be about Zhong Ning's age, though not as well-preserved.

However, to Shen Changqing's senses, the old man's vital energy was just as vigorous, blazing like a Great Sun—impossible to ignore.

Seeing this, he was inwardly astonished. Another being with such formidable vital energy! This is merely the vital energy hidden within his body, yet it's already at such a level. If he were to actually fight, his strength would surely be even more terrifying.

In comparison, while my own vital energy is also vigorous, it's my greatest asset. Both Zhong Ning and this old man behind the counter... who knows how many years they've lived? To claim they only have their vital energy as their foundation? I don't believe it for a second.

KNOCK, KNOCK! Zhong Ning rapped on the counter, his expression impatient.

"Old Ghost Tan, stop sleeping! Get up and greet our guest!"

The old man opened his bleary eyes and, upon seeing Zhong Ning, immediately scowled.

"You again! Why don't you stay in your Martial Hall instead of coming here every other day? I've told you, the Internal Affairs Hall only gets so many resources each year. Stop nagging! Even if you pester me, I can't conjure up extra resources for you. If you're really that desperate, go find a couple of young ladies at the brothel to amuse yourself. Though, at your age, I doubt you could handle the exertion."

Hearing this, Zhong Ning's face turned as black as ink. Normally, he wouldn't have minded, but he was here with a newcomer. The old man's words undoubtedly made the Martial Pavilion Elder lose a great deal of face.

"You think I *want* to come to this run-down place of yours? I'm here with someone today! This is the person that young fellow Dongfang Zhao recommended. He's to join my Martial Hall, so just register him."

"A newcomer?" The displeasure on the old man's face lessened considerably as his gaze shifted to the young man standing beside Zhong Ning.

Just one glance, and I feel like he's seen right through me! Shen Changqing thought, goosebumps rising on his skin. This is really uncomfortable.

"Vigorous vital energy, and he's already crossed the threshold of the Physical System. Judging by his bone age, he's quite young. A fine prospect! If he becomes a Defender Envoy in the future, he might become another top-tier powerhouse. It's a pity for him to join your Martial Hall!"

"Shut up! That young fellow Dongfang Zhao already decided he should join the Martial Hall. When did it become your place to drone on and on about it?" Zhong Ning snapped, displeased.

At this, the old man didn't get angry, merely shaking his head with a wry chuckle.

"You people never give up, do you? How could breaking the human body's limit be so easy? No one from ancient times to the present has ever succeeded. Blind pursuit isn't necessarily a good thing."

"Bullshit!" Zhong Ning exploded, as if someone had stepped on his tail. He was about to unleash a torrent of abuse, but remembering the newcomer beside him, he forcibly suppressed his rising anger.

"It's not as if no one has *ever* succeeded! HMPH!"

"Those events from so many years ago lack any solid proof. Besides, even if someone did succeed, today's environment is entirely different; it can't be replicated."

As they spoke, the old man noticed Zhong Ning's expression worsening and decided not to provoke him further.

"Forget it."

"If you insist on persevering, then persevere. Perhaps you will find a way. If you truly discover a method to break the Martial Artist Limit, it would be a blessing for the Human Clan. Demon Evils have run rampant for so many years; it's high time something emerged to keep them in check."

The old man shook his head, his thoughts drifting to unpleasant memories.

Then, his gaze returned to Shen Changqing.

"Show me your Identity Token."

"Please take a look." Shen Changqing produced his Identity Token and handed it over.

Taking the Token, the old man examined the information on it.

"Earth Rank Demon Hunter, Shen Changqing…" An unfamiliar name, the old man thought, but didn't dwell on it. He simply took out a blank jade Token and engraved a few words onto it.

*Earth Rank Demon Hunter. Shen Changqing.* The inscription was the same as on the Identity Token, with one difference: beneath the three characters for "Demon-Subduing Division" on the right, three smaller characters were added: "Hidden Heart Pavilion."

Next, the old man retrieved a register and began writing something in it.

After a long moment, he handed the jade Token to Shen Changqing.

"Drip your blood onto it, and the Token will be completely bound to you. From then on, even if the Token is lost, you can locate it through your connection. If you can't retrieve it, don't worry too much. If the Token is separated from you for two hours and loses its bloodline connection, it will automatically self-destruct."

Blood-binding! Shen Changqing thought, the elder's words nearly convincing him he'd stumbled into some cultivation fantasy world.

Without hesitation, he drew his Lengyue Blade and made a small cut on his finger. Then, before the wound could automatically heal, he squeezed out a drop of fresh blood.

The drop of blood fell onto the jade Token. Instantly, it merged with the jade, and the originally white Token was tinged with an emerald green hue.

Then the old man took out another jade plaque, this one engraved with Shen Changqing's name.

"Drip another drop of your blood here. This will record your aura, preventing anyone from impersonating you in the future."

"Alright." Shen Changqing had no choice but to reopen the nearly healed cut.

Another drop of blood fell onto it.

The old man nodded in satisfaction, put the jade plaque away, and said, "This jade Token is your new Identity Token within the Demon-Subduing Division. You can discard your original Identity Token. However, since Identity Tokens are important, they shouldn't be carelessly abandoned. You can submit your old Token to the Internal Affairs Hall, and someone there will handle it for you. Furthermore, once it's handed over to the Internal Affairs Hall, any future trouble arising from that old Token will no longer concern you."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior."

"A small matter," the old man replied with a faint smile. He then took out some materials, wrote out a receipt, stamped it with the unique seal of the Internal Affairs Hall, and handed it to Shen Changqing.

"This is the Identity Token reclamation receipt. Keep it safe. It's usually not needed, but it might come in handy if any disputes arise in the future."

"Thank you." Shen Changqing glanced at the receipt's contents before putting it away.

The content was unremarkable, merely stating that the original Identity Token had been submitted to the Internal Affairs Hall. The rest was just the official stamp.

The seal looked somewhat different from the Great Qin seals he had seen before. Moreover, the seal mark was blood-red, made from an ink paste of unknown material.

"Registration is complete. If you have any problems in the future, you can come to the Internal Affairs Hall and find me. I am Tan Tianji, an Elder of this Internal Affairs Hall," the old man, Tan Tianji, said with a smile. "You can call me whatever you like, just don't be as impolite as that Old Ghost Zhong."

Hearing this, Zhong Ning's expression turned ugly.

"Someone from my Martial Hall needing help from your Internal Affairs Hall? You must still be dreaming! Since the registration is done, that's all. Stop your endless blathering."

Finished, he turned to Shen Changqing.

"Now that you're registered, you're officially a member of my Martial Hall as of today. There are some things I'll explain to you slowly once we get back to the Martial Hall. Let's go."

"Um, Elder Tan, farewell," Shen Changqing said.

"Take care." Tan Tianji smiled.

Watching the two depart, Tan Tianji settled back into his seat, a peculiar expression on his face.

"Indeed a fine prospect. It's been many years since someone has formally entered the Physical System at such a young age. It's just a pity... the Martial Dao has its limits. Even with great talent, there's no path forward eventually." Muttering to himself, he shook his head with a wry smile.