Human Clan Defender

Defender Envoy!

Tan Tianji's expression froze before he chuckled.

"The affairs of the Defender Envoy are not within my purview. If you have any ideas, you can go to Defender Dongfang and the others. However, since you've joined the Martial Hall, there's no need to strictly follow the path of a Defender Envoy. With your talent, you might as well try to see if you can break through the human body's limits. If it really proves impossible, then it might be better to consider taking the path of a Defender Envoy."

His words caused Shen Changqing's brows to furrow tightly.

What does that mean? Could it be that breaking through the human body's limits is better than becoming a Defender Envoy? But it wasn't impossible. If becoming a Defender Envoy was truly beneficial, why would the Martial Hall waste time trying to break through the human body's limits?

Tan Tianji said, "The two systems are completely different paths. It's not to say that breaking through the human body's limits is definitely better than being a Defender Envoy; in fact, the difficulty of becoming a Defender Envoy is not small either. Anyway, if you really have any thoughts, you can go and understand more from the Defender Envoys."

"Thank you, Elder Tan, for resolving my doubts!" Shen Changqing had no choice but to express his gratitude with a bow.

Just as he was about to leave, Tan Tianji suddenly called out to him.

"Wait a moment!"

"Does Elder Tan have any other matters?"

"The Capital City has been restless lately," Tan Tianji said. "Someone from the Demon-Subduing Division came looking for you two days ago, but since you were in closed-door cultivation, I turned them away. Now that you're out, you should probably meet with Defender Dongfang."

Restless! Shen Changqing's brows furrowed once more. The Elder's words were oblique, but he could discern some information from them. The Capital City is not at peace. That could involve many factors. But if it's related to the Demon-Subduing Division, then the options seem limited. Demon Evil!

"A Demon Evil has appeared within the Capital City?"

"Exactly," Tan Tianji nodded. "As early as two days ago, a Demon Evil attacked the Prefecture Yamen, killing many civilians. Moreover, traces of Demon Evil have been spotted in other areas within the Capital City's boundaries."

"Has the Demon-Subduing Division not dealt with it?"

"When Demon Evils appear, how could the Demon-Subduing Division not deal with them? Demon Hunters currently in the Capital City have been dispatched in large numbers, but they haven't settled much. And to this day, there are still Demon Hunters who haven't returned..."

Demon Hunters not returning! Shen Changqing's heart tightened. He understood that what Elder Tan meant by "not returning" might be equivalent to death. I had only been in seclusion for two months, and yet the situation in the Capital City has deteriorated so badly.

Upon leaving the Hidden Heart Pavilion, Shen Changqing did not immediately go to find Dongfang Zhao. Instead, he first headed to the black market. Two months had passed; there must have been some gains from the Yuanyang Auction House. According to the original agreement, he should have visited once a month. However, due to his closed-door cultivation, he had not gone until now.

The Demon Evil has penetrated deep into the Capital City; the situation in Great Qin is likely to worsen still. Right now, all I can do is improve my own strength to ensure I have the ability to protect myself! The improvement of strength comes from Slaughter Value. And the source of Slaughter Value is definitely Demon Evils.

Therefore, Shen Changqing was going to the Yuanyang Auction House now to enhance his own strength.

Arriving at the black market once again, he found the crowd was much smaller than last time. When he previously visited the black market, it was bustling with people; now the number had decreased by two-thirds.

He suspected. The reduction in the number of people in the black market is also related to the rampage of Demon Evils. After all, the people of the black market are also human. With Demon Evils rampaging within the Capital City, not many would dare to come near here. Ultimately, many martial artists are extremely wary of Demon Evils. Such things come and go without a trace, and a single misstep could lead to disaster.

However, these concerns were not for Shen Changqing to ponder. He went straight to the Yuanyang Auction House.

Entering the auction house, he was greeted by the same attendant as last time. As Shen Changqing had not concealed his identity, the attendant recognized him immediately.

"Lord Shen!"

"It's you. I wish to see Steward Number One." Shen Changqing also had some memory of this attendant. At his level, he tended to remember people and events he had encountered, at least to some extent.

The attendant nodded. "Please wait in the side room, Lord Shen. I will go report immediately." After ushering Shen Changqing into the side room, he quickly went off to report.

In less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Steward Number One came in from outside. Just like last time, two maids followed behind, each carrying a sandalwood box. The boxes were placed on the table, and the maids stepped back.

After Steward Number One sat down, he pointed to the boxes and said, "As per Lord Shen's request, the Yuanyang Auction House has been collecting Demon Evils with all its might these past two months. Inside the boxes, there is a total of one early-stage Resentment Level, two late-stage Ghostly Level, and three early-stage Ghostly Level Strange Monsters. According to the rules, an early-stage Ghostly Level Strange Monster is priced at five thousand Silver Taels; three cost fifteen thousand Silver Taels. A late-stage Ghostly Level Strange Monster is priced at thirty thousand Silver Taels; two cost sixty thousand Silver Taels. Plus, one early-stage Resentment Level Strange Monster at one hundred thousand Silver Taels. So, the six Demon Evils altogether come to a total of 175,000 Silver Taels."

"No problem." Shen Changqing nodded in satisfaction. Being able to collect six Demon Evils in two months, including one at the early stage of the Resentment Level, showed commendable efficiency. He had originally thought that the Yuanyang Auction House providing him with a few Ghostly Level ones would have been quite good.

Seeing Shen Changqing satisfied, a smile also appeared on Steward Number One's face. "Lord Shen had a remaining balance of 1,370,000 Silver Taels last time. Now, after deducting 175,000 Silver Taels, that leaves 1,195,000 Silver Taels. The amount is correct, isn't it?"

"You are absolutely right," Shen Changqing nodded. Then he continued, "I hope the steward can put more effort into collecting them. The world is not at peace right now, and I am also worried that if too many Demon Evils cause harm, it will hurt the people of Great Qin. The more Demon Evils your auction house collects, the better. As for the price, that won't be a problem."

Steward Number One said, "Lord Shen, you are known for your great wealth. We understand this, and we also helped spread the word about the Martial Arts auction you mentioned a few months ago, which now has a significant impact in the Jianghu. By then, Lord Shen will surely make a fortune."

"Good." Shen Changqing could tell the hidden meaning in the other's words. It was simply a reminder for him not to forget about the Martial Arts auction. Obviously, the Yuanyang Auction House had also put in a lot of effort for publicity and wanted to make a good profit at the next auction, fearing that he would go back on his word.

Regarding this, Shen Changqing did not have any intention of breaking his promise. He was in need of money—a lot of it. He had already tasted the benefits of collecting Demon Evils; now he needed a massive amount of Silver Taels. Otherwise, without Silver Taels, no one would sell him Demon Evils even if they had them.

"I am looking forward to good news from Lord Shen."

"You won't be disappointed, Steward," Shen Changqing said with a smile. He then stood up and slung the two sandalwood boxes on his back. "With many affairs to attend to at the Demon-Subduing Division, I cannot stay long. I take my leave."

"Safe travels, Lord Shen!"

Under the eager gaze of Steward Number One, Shen Changqing left with the two sandalwood boxes on his back. Once he was out of the black market, he stopped.

He opened a box. Inside, just like last time, were four Black Banners. Each Black Banner contained a Yin Evil Aura, some stronger, some weaker. From this alone, it was clear that the methods of the unorthodox practitioners were roughly the same; everyone's technique for sealing Demon Evils involved using Black Banners, as if there was no other way.

Looking at the Black Banner in his hands, Shen Changqing's brow furrowed, and a surge of spiritual power immediately broke forth from his body.

BOOM—

An instant gale surged at the spot, and the Seal Strength on the Black Banners was immediately shattered by the impact of the spiritual power.

It really works! Seeing the sealing technique on the Black Banners fail, a smile appeared on his face.

Previously, Shen Changqing had suspected that the sealing runes on the Black Banners might be related to the spiritual aspect. After all, Demon Evils are intangible and mostly rely on spiritual attacks. Resentment Level Monsters possessing people also do so through spiritual means. True Qi and robust blood qi can both indirectly harm Demon Evils, but that doesn't mean Demon Evils have no connection to the spiritual level. Similarly, to seal a Demon Evil, the techniques involved must also have some connection to the spiritual level. As the saying goes, what generates also negates. It's like water and fire: enough water can extinguish fire, and intense fire can vaporize water. The sealing runes and the Demon Evils are like water and fire; if the former is stronger, it can seal the latter. But if the latter is stronger, it can break the seal.

Shen Changqing's use of spiritual power to strike the Black Banners was equivalent to a powerful Demon Evil using its own strength to impact the Black Banners. The difference is, my spiritual power doesn't carry a Yin Evil Aura. But whether there's a Yin Evil Aura or not is secondary. Since it's all spiritual power, naturally, it can break the seals in the Black Banners.

At this moment, the seals within the four Black Banners were broken, and the six Demon Evils sealed inside were immediately released. In an instant, a dense and terrifying Yin Evil Aura erupted, enveloping Shen Changqing.

The wailing of wronged souls and the angry roars of Demon Evils filled the air.

Shen Changqing stood unmoving, the True Intent of the Hundred Battles within his Sea of Consciousness fully activated. Bloody Iron Cavalry appeared, riding on the void, tearing through the barrier of Yin Evil Aura and slamming fiercely into those Demon Evils.

"AH—"

The three early-stage Ghostly Level Strange Monsters let out nothing but shrill screams before vanishing before the Bloody Iron Cavalry. The two late-stage Ghostly Level Strange Monsters, as if heavily struck, had their forms become even more ethereal.

Finally, the early-stage Resentment Level Strange Monster let out a piercing shriek and then tried to flee.

Trying to escape!

Shen Changqing laughed coldly, stepped forward, and unleashed a palm infused with scorching power, completely devouring the two heavily injured Demon Evils.

The next moment, he was already close behind the last Demon Evil. He withdrew his palm, formed a fist, and punched out fiercely.

Even a Resentment Level Strange Monster was defenseless before this punch, effortlessly torn in half.