Human Clan Defender

Chapter 54 What a Coincidence?



After the Great Sun Golden Core coalesced within his Dantian, Shen Changqing discovered another benefit: with its tempering, the Qi and Blood Force within his flesh was also strengthening constantly. Even though this enhancement wasn't massive, it added up significantly over time.

Not to mention anything else. Just by comparing with his current self, Shen Changqing was almost certain. Even if he stopped cultivating his Qi and Blood Force, the Great Sun Golden Core's influence meant his Physical System would truly reach a peak Realm within a few decades at most. With such advantages, Martial Artists could spend more time enhancing their Martial Dao True Intent.

However, for Shen Changqing, wasting decades waiting for his Qi and Blood Force to improve on its own was clearly not cost-effective. After all, he was no longer his former self. He understood the methods of Grandmasters and, even more so, the strength of Demon Evils. Even if he truly reached Grandmaster Peak, what then? Although he could handle ordinary Demon Evils, facing a powerful one would still lead to a dead end.

With the panel in his possession, Shen Changqing wouldn't settle for the status quo. Grandmaster Peak had never been his goal. I could either find an opportunity to break my limits, or— No! It isn't about finding an opportunity; I *have* to break my limits. I have no other choice.

Before understanding precisely what the role of Defender Envoy entailed, Shen Changqing still harbored a sliver of hope for it. However, now he had no expectations whatsoever for the Defender Envoy. Even if a Defender Envoy's combat power was Sky-Piercing, they most likely couldn't live past sixty. Even if they did, their lifespan would definitely be much shorter than that of a normal Grandmaster. He was already in his twenties. If he became a Defender Envoy and was unlucky, he might only live for about thirty more years.

To be honest, Shen Changqing's constant self-improvement was aimed at living longer. If becoming a Defender Envoy instead shortened his lifespan, his lifelong pursuit would be rendered meaningless. Therefore, unless he truly reached a dead end, like facing death the very next day, he would absolutely not become a Defender Envoy. Since he wouldn't become a Defender Envoy, breaking through his limits became the only path he could take.

With this in mind, Shen Changqing looked at the panel once more. The fourth layer of the Great Sun Scripture only cost seventy-five Slaughter Value points. The first three layers had consumed forty-five points, and this fourth layer cost thirty points. The Slaughter Value on the panel was now a little over four hundred points.

However, he didn't immediately enhance his abilities but chose to first leave the secret chamber and return to his quarters. There were still some Essence Pills left that he had purchased from the Treasure Pavilion. The advancement of Outer Techniques differed from that of Inner Strength. Improving Outer Techniques consumed the body's energy, but this energy wasn't Qi and Blood. Relying solely on Spiritual Energy made it difficult to achieve balanced and synchronized consumption. If there were any slip-ups and he ended up starving to death in the secret chamber while enhancing his Outer Techniques, it would be quite the joke.

Thus, Shen Changqing had to take all the Essence Pills with him. Combined with the Spiritual Energy in the secret chamber, this would help him reach a balanced consumption and ensure nothing went wrong.

Having taken all the Essence Pills, he arrived at the entrance of the Martial Hall and saw a person wandering there.

"Pavilion Master Yi?" Seeing the person before him, Shen Changqing's expression shifted. He wasn't very familiar with Yi Ning, having met him only once at the Council Hall. He also didn't have much of an impression of the man's status as Internal Affairs Hall Master.

"Yo, Elder Shen, what a coincidence." Yi Ning acted as if he had just noticed Shen Changqing, a surprised expression on his face.

Shen Changqing was speechless. You've been loitering around the entrance of the Martial Hall, and as a Martial Hall Elder, isn't it normal for me to see you? But the other party definitely came here for a reason.

Without revealing anything, he calmly asked, "May I know what brings Pavilion Master Yi to the Martial Hall?"

"Ah, no particular reason. I just haven't visited the Martial Hall for a long time, so I came to have a look. I didn't expect to find the main entrance closed. Elder Shen, you've arrived just in time; perhaps you could help with the door!" Yi Ning said, smiling.

Without asking further, Shen Changqing stepped forward and used his key to unlock the great doors of the Martial Hall.

It's worth mentioning that the Martial Hall was constructed from unusual materials; ordinary force couldn't damage it at all. Even the Martial Hall doors couldn't be broken by the physical force of an ordinary Grandmaster. However, he wasn't too sure if they could stop Grandmaster Peak Martial Artists. After all, Shen Changqing wouldn't be bored enough to attack the Martial Hall doors with his full strength. If he actually damaged the door, who would pay for it?

The great doors of the Martial Hall swung open, and he stepped through first. Seeing this, Yi Ning followed him inside.

"Pavilion Master Yi, please feel free to go wherever you need to. I'm heading for the secret chamber to cultivate in seclusion. I'd ask that you do not disturb," Shen Changqing said, pausing at the entrance of the secret chamber and looking back at Yi Ning.

The other man was a Pavilion Master and thus had the right to enter the Martial Hall. He wouldn't interfere in this regard. But Shen Changqing also hoped not to be disturbed by others while cultivating.

"Elder Shen, rest easy, I am just here to check some materials," Yi Ning smiled. Then, he looked at Shen Changqing seriously, his originally casual demeanor changing somewhat. "Has Elder Shen had another breakthrough?"

This time, Yi Ning didn't use his spiritual power to sense the other party. After all, the person before him was considered a Grandmaster Peak expert, and rashly probing with spiritual power was impolite. When it came to the weak, he wasn't particular. But with the strong, a single misstep could easily lead to conflict. Even without using spiritual power, Yi Ning could clearly feel the scorching aura emanating from Shen Changqing. That kind of aura was ever-present and emitted invisibly.

Half a month ago, he had also seen Shen Changqing in the Council Hall. But at that time, no such aura was leaking from him. Therefore, Yi Ning could almost be certain that Shen Changqing had made some progress or had a breakthrough in some aspect during this half-month.

"Just by chance, I had some gains in Martial Arts," Shen Changqing responded with a light smile.

A simple sentence, but to Yi Ning, it conveyed something entirely different. The other party's answer confirmed his speculation. After returning to the Demon-Subduing Division, Yi Ning had taken the time to understand Shen Changqing and had gained a considerable understanding of his talent. However, seeing is believing, while hearing is often false. Now that he had truly witnessed the other party's talent, he understood what was meant by unparalleled natural gifts.

"Elder Shen has remarkable talent and is diligent in cultivation. Such achievements are truly admirable. I won't disturb you any longer." Yi Ning clasped his hands and then proceeded towards the second floor. His goal was still to enter the Martial Hall to search for materials. As for everything else, it could be postponed.

Watching his departing figure, Shen Changqing shook his head slightly, then turned and entered a new secret chamber. He had cultivated in the original secret chamber for a long time. The Spiritual Energy there had been mostly absorbed and was certainly not as rich as in the unoccupied secret chambers.

However, when Shen Changqing pushed open the secret chamber door, the anticipated flood of vast Spiritual Energy didn't occur at all.

Strange, this secret chamber hasn't been used in a long time, so why is the Spiritual Energy so thin! He was stunned for a moment. The scene before him was vastly different from his expectations.

After that, Shen Changqing exited this secret chamber and headed for another. He opened one secret chamber after another. None of them had the so-called massive surge of Spiritual Energy. In terms of Spiritual Energy concentration, they were even worse than the one he had used previously.

This sight led him to think of a possibility. Could the Spiritual Energy of the Spirit Vein be nearly exhausted? Shen Changqing's brow furrowed deeply. If the Spiritual Energy of the Spirit Vein were exhausted, he would lose a good place for cultivation.

Nevertheless, once he calmed his mind and sensed carefully, he could still detect Spiritual Energy rising from below. Immediately, Shen Changqing put his mind at ease.

The Spiritual Energy of the Spirit Vein is still present. In that case, it's very likely that I absorbed too much Spiritual Energy during my previous cultivation, leading to significant consumption. There doesn't seem to be any other explanation.

Shaking his head, he no longer dwelled on this matter. As long as the Spirit Vein still had Spiritual Energy, there was no need to worry excessively.

Entering the secret chamber, Shen Changqing sat down cross-legged. He first swallowed a bottle of Essence Pills, letting the elixir's power erupt in his stomach. Then, he focused his mind, his intent connecting with the Great Sun Golden Body.

The next moment, with a single thought, Slaughter Value was consumed, and the Great Sun Golden Body officially advanced to the twenty-sixth layer.

「Time passed.」

An immense amount of Spiritual Energy was absorbed. Combined with the swallowed Essence Pills, it balanced the consumption within his flesh and further strengthened his Qi and Blood Force.

After a long while, Shen Changqing opened his eyes. Exhaling deeply, he moved his body; his Qi and Blood Force was now much more potent than before. But when he looked at the remaining Slaughter Value, the joy on his face faded considerably.

The consumption has increased again! Shen Changqing clearly remembered. Before this breakthrough and enhancement, I had four hundred and eleven Slaughter Value points left. But now, only two hundred and sixty-one points remain. In other words, advancing just one layer consumed one hundred and fifty Slaughter Value points. When the Great Sun Golden Body reached Perfection, upgrading it cost only sixty Slaughter Value points. Now, it has become one hundred and fifty. Advancing to the twenty-sixth layer costs ninety points more than the twenty-fifth.

Shen Changqing felt a hint of heaviness in his heart.

It was normal for the cost to increase every five layers after a Martial Art reached Perfection. The Great Sun Golden Body reached Perfection at the twenty-fifth layer, so an increased cost for the twenty-sixth layer was acceptable. However, in the past, the cost only doubled. This time, it had increased by one and a half times.

The sudden extra cost, frankly, took Shen Changqing by surprise.

He took a deep breath, looking at the value on the panel; the Great Sun Golden Body was still in a state where it could be enhanced.

I hope there won't be any more changes!


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