Human Clan Defender

After clearing the Demon Evils from the second level of the Demon-Subduing Prison, Shen Changqing immediately headed to the third. He didn't waste time waiting for those people to release all the Demon Evils from the Demon-Subduing Prison.

He knew his own capabilities. In terms of strength, after advancing to the Great Sun Furnace, Shen Changqing feared no Fiend Level Strange Monsters. Resentment Level Strange Monsters below the Fiend Level were nothing more than ants in comparison. However, when it came to Demon Evils, which were above Strange Monsters, he still lacked absolute confidence. To tell the truth, if the Demon Evils from the fourth and fifth levels were all released, even he would turn tail and run. The second system of the Flesh was indeed strong. Even if he could truly suppress ordinary Demon Evils, that would only be one or two at most. The Demon Evils imprisoned in the fourth and fifth levels of the Demon-Subduing Prison, however, were far more numerous than just one or two. If all those Demon Evils were released, even if he stood at the absolute pinnacle of the second stage, Shen Changqing felt he wouldn't be able to handle them. Therefore, he had to strike a balance: allow as many Demon Evils from the Demon-Subduing Prison to be released as possible, while ensuring those released remained within his control.

Stepping into the third level, he soon saw several Demon Hunters breaking the seals.

"Who's there!"

Perhaps due to nervousness, the Demon Hunters detected the newcomer's presence as soon as Shen Changqing appeared. When they saw his young face, they all visibly relaxed. Clearly, they were extremely unfamiliar with Shen Changqing.

After a few exchanged glances, their leader directly ordered, "Have two people take care of him; the rest of you, follow me and continue breaking the seals."

"Alright."

"No problem."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Then, two of them charged toward Shen Changqing. One, his expression particularly ferocious, snarled, "Kid, don't blame us! Blame yourself for poking your nose into other people's business."

In their eyes, the newcomer was already a dead man.

Just as their attack was about to land, a powerful aura erupted, instantly enveloping the two men. Before that aura, they felt their blood and qi lock, stagnating under a terrifying presence. Their slashing sabers were caught by an invisible giant hand, stopping just three inches from Shen Changqing's throat. Terror filled their eyes at this sudden change.

"Overestimating yourselves," Shen Changqing chuckled, flicking his fingers against the tips of their sabers. The strong vibrational force instantly split their palms open, and their sabers shattered like porcelain. However, the broken pieces didn't fall; a powerful force held them suspended in mid-air. Immediately after, Shen Changqing waved his hand, and all the saber shards shot out like arrows, riddling the two men until they resembled sieves.

"What!" This turn of events greatly shocked the Demon Hunters still breaking the seals.

These two were not the weakest among them; their strength was firmly at the Innate Outer Gang level. Even against an ordinary Grandmaster, they shouldn't have been killed so thoroughly in an instant. Yet, they hadn't lasted a single round against Shen Changqing. One could only imagine how powerful this opponent was.

"Late-stage Grandmaster!" the leader exclaimed, his face extremely grave. He pulled a Token-like object from his robes and shouted sternly, "All of you, block him!"

At his command, the Demon Evils already freed from their seals seemed driven by an unseen force and frantically attacked Shen Changqing. Meanwhile, the remaining Demon Hunters headed towards the fourth level.

A late-stage Grandmaster was powerful, but the freed Resentment Level Strange Monsters couldn't hold him off for long. However, they didn't need the Demon Evils to delay him for too long—just enough time for the Demon Evils on the lower levels to break free. That would be sufficient. No matter how strong a late-stage Grandmaster was, he would be no match for true Demon Evils.

Watching the numerous Demon Evils rushing at him, Shen Changqing remained calm. His steps were light, his figure vanishing like a phantom. He swiftly executed the Chiyang Divine Palm, its Crimson Flame attributes amplified to their peak by the twenty-one layers of his Great Sun Scripture. Any Demon Evil struck by the palm had its Yin Evil Aura completely extinguished, perishing silently.

In less than two breaths, he had slaughtered all the Demon Evils freed on the third level. By this time, the remaining Demon Hunters had not yet managed to reach the fourth level.

A searing wave of heat surged as the Yin Evil Aura completely dissipated. When the few Demon Hunters turned their heads, they saw a wall of flames sweeping toward them. Just as it was about to engulf them, the flames halted, revealing Shen Changqing's figure.

"So... so strong!" The Demon Hunters could no longer maintain their composure, staring at Shen Changqing as if he were some terrifying entity.

"Speak. Who is behind this?" Shen Changqing said, his expression indifferent. "If you tell me, I might consider giving you a dignified death."

In his eyes, a few Profound Rank Demon Hunters were no different from ants. Even before his breakthrough, he could have crushed them with one hand, let alone now that his strength was incomparable to the past.

Hearing this, the leader swallowed hard and feigned composure. "Speak or not, we're going to die. So why should I bother saying anything—unless you let me go—"

Before he could finish, Shen Changqing threw a punch. The fierce force struck the man, tearing his body apart. He then turned to the remaining few, delivering a punch to each and eradicating them all.

"If you won't speak, then don't. Why spout such nonsense?" Shen Changqing muttered, shaking his head as he looked at the corpses on the ground.

His question had been merely a routine inquiry. In truth, it wasn't necessary to ask; these Demon Hunters had obviously sided with the Demon Evils. After tonight's events concluded, the Demon-Subduing Division would naturally conduct a thorough investigation. By then, even if any traitors remained, they would have no place to hide. Besides, even if the Demon-Subduing Division couldn't uncover anything, Shen Changqing didn't believe these few knew anything significant. They were clearly cannon fodder. The Demon-Subduing Prison was too important a location for a few Profound Rank Demon Hunters to dare break into. Even if they managed to release Demon Evils, it would be a suicide mission. Therefore, the ones behind them had already abandoned them. Shen Changqing hadn't expected to get any useful information from them anyway.

He glanced at his status panel. Clearing out the Demon Evils on the second and third floors had caused his depleted Slaughter Value to soar back above three hundred points. However, he didn't stop to enhance his strength yet. The current situation was not the time to calmly do so.

Afterwards, Shen Changqing entered the fourth and fifth floors to check the seals, confirming whether any Demon Evils had broken free. Only after verifying there were no issues did he turn to leave.

As he was about to return to the first floor, he encountered experts from the Demon-Subduing Division who had come to provide support.

"I am Shen Changqing," he announced upon seeing them. "All invaders and released Demon Evils have been dealt with by me. Go and support other areas; this place no longer requires your attention."

Not many in the Demon-Subduing Division had seen Shen Changqing in person, but his reputation was widespread. Once they confirmed his identity, their demeanor grew respectful.

"So it's Lord Shen!"

"With Lord Shen here, we believe the Demon-Subduing Prison will be secure."

"We shall take our leave then—"

Just as everyone was about to withdraw, Shen Changqing suddenly spoke. "You, stay behind."

"Ah?" The man initially looked confused but then obediently stayed.

After everyone else had left, Shen Changqing looked at the remaining man. "What is your name, which Demon Hunting Court do you belong to, and what is your current rank?"

"I am Wei Chou, a Profound Rank Demon Hunter from the Huang Department Demon Hunting Court," Wei Chou replied, his manner reverent. Although he was a Profound Rank Demon Hunter, he knew the man before him was a renowned Grandmaster in the Jianghu, holding a highly esteemed position with exceedingly formidable strength. Compared to Lord Shen, he was worlds apart, like the chasm between heaven and earth.

Shen Changqing nodded. "So you're from the Huang Department Demon Hunting Court. Tell me, what is the current situation within the Demon-Subduing Division?"

"The Demon-Subduing Division?" Wei Chou was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood. "I am not fully aware, Your Lordship. Many Demon Hunters in the Division have suddenly rebelled and are now fighting other Demon Hunters. We discovered the issue at the Demon-Subduing Prison and rushed to provide support immediately."

"Mm, you may go."

"Then, I shall take my leave." Wei Chou departed swiftly, without any unnecessary words.

Watching Wei Chou's retreating figure, Shen Changqing's thoughts turned to other matters.

Clearly, the Demon-Subduing Division was now plunged into chaos. The Eternal Alliance had somehow extended its reach into the Division, inducing some Demon Hunters to rebel at a critical moment and triggering this turmoil. Only such a scenario could throw the Capital City's Demon-Subduing Division into a state of internal strife. Because this was the Capital City, it was practically impossible for other forces to directly threaten the Division from within.

First, there was the disturbance caused by Demon Evils both inside and outside the Capital City. Then, powerful Demon Evils attacked the Capital City, prompting the Great Confucian and Dongfang Zhao to intervene. Now, there's internal turmoil within the Demon-Subduing Division, coupled with the assault on the Demon-Subduing Prison. All these tactics are layered, one upon the other. Their intention is likely to divide the Demon-Subduing Division's strength, leaving it too preoccupied to attend to other matters. If there was anything in the Demon-Subduing Division worth coveting by the Demon Evils, the Demon Sealing Tower would undoubtedly be the prime target.

Shen Changqing was almost certain. Everything the Demon Evils had done was ultimately aimed at the Demon Sealing Tower. If that's the case, then the Demon Sealing Tower might also be under attack right now!