Human Clan Defender

Upon the tree branch, Shen Changqing watched the battle below. His gaze, first and foremost, locked onto the bright red fruit produced by the short tree.

Blood Serpent Fruit!

Recalling the contents recorded in the booklet, Shen Changqing understood what exactly the fruit from the short tree was. It was the Blood Serpent Fruit! A Spirit Fruit congealed over years and years from absorbing fresh blood. If consumed directly, it could purify a martial artist's qi and blood, allowing an average martial artist to quicken their progress into the Physical System. Or it could shorten the time needed for one who had already entered the Physical System to break through to the second stage. If used to refine Elixirs, it could be even more effective.

However, one point worth clarifying is that Blood Serpent Fruit had always been effective only for martial artists beneath the second stage of the Physical System. If a martial artist at the second stage of the Physical System consumed the Blood Serpent Fruit, it would have no effect. Therefore, after only a few glances at the Blood Serpent Fruit, Shen Changqing shifted his attention away. It was a precious heavenly treasure, but of no great use to himself.

Purifying qi and blood—he had long passed that stage. As a powerhouse at the Grandmaster Peak, no matter how precious the Blood Serpent Fruit was, there was no need for him to compete for it, unless he had not made a breakthrough yet.

Therefore, Shen Changqing then turned his attention to the battle in the field.

The words exchanged by the two fighters were also clearly heard by him.

South Nether Prefecture! Shen Family!

If I'm not mistaken, the Shen Family of South Nether Prefecture is also quite a renowned household. They have contributed many people over the years to the Demon-Subduing Division. Actually, if one really thinks about it, the Shen Family could barely be considered colleagues in some respects, Shen Changqing mused to himself. He had also heard of the Shen Family's name before. Coming to South Nether Prefecture, it was impossible not to have any knowledge about the local situation.

Subsequently, he looked towards the Demonfolk. From the looks of the battle, neither was particularly strong; their power topped out at just entering the Grandmaster Realm. In other places, a Grandmaster Realm fighter would be considered outstanding. But now, from Shen Changqing's perspective, a Grandmaster was just that.

He didn't watch for long. He was ready to take action.

In the arena, the fight was still ongoing. Shen Hua's strength was not weak, but compared to him, the Demonfolk's strength was slightly superior. The Yin Evil Aura burst forth. With a strike of its claw, the Demonfolk immediately tore through the interwoven sword lights, and a colossal claw shadow accompanied by terrifying power enveloped the area, sending chills down Shen Hua's entire body.

He couldn't block it! In an instant, such a thought emerged in Shen Hua's mind.

Without hesitation, his body shot backward. But as fast as Shen Hua retreated, the Demonfolk's offensive was faster, following right behind him as if it were his shadow, almost catching up with him the moment he moved back.

"Elder!"

"Not good!"

The several people who were healing were also constantly observing the situation in the field. Upon seeing this scene, their faces drastically changed. If Shen Hua were to be defeated, then they were doomed today.

In the arena, Shen Hua's expression was ferocious. Facing the attack about to hit him head-on, he stopped retreating altogether. Instead, his long sword trembled, emitting an intimidating Sword Qi.

"This is you forcing my hand—"

As he spoke, a formidable aura explosively burst forth from him. In that moment, Shen Hua seemed to make a breakthrough on the spot, his aura climbing to a peak in less than half a breath's time.

Just as he was about to unleash a sword strike—

BOOM—

Brilliant golden light rose. An aura vast as the abyss pressed down from the firmament.

Terrifying as the Great Sun! Unparalleled in intensity!

The originally thick Yin Evil Aura, faced with this Great Sun-like presence, immediately began to recede at a rapid pace. The Demonfolk's face was filled with terror. At the moment he sensed that dreadful aura, he turned around just in time to see a person striding through the air toward him.

Without any hesitation, he couldn't care less about killing Shen Hua anymore and immediately fled toward the distance. The aura was too terrifying, not something he could withstand.

A moment's delay could mean death!

However—the Demonfolk fled fast, but the attack arrived faster. A bloody Blade Gang tore through the air. A surging murderous qi converged into a line. In that moment, everyone else felt as if they were facing an unrivaled killing deity, watching the shocking blood-colored Blade Gang with utter amazement.

The Blade Gang came swiftly and vanished just as quickly. As the Blade Gang dissipated, the once fleeing Demonfolk staggered in mid-air, then split in two, plummeting to the ground.

A shower of blood rained down. On the ground, only two halves of a corpse remained.

Looking at the Slaughter Value that had increased on his panel, Shen Changqing, standing beside the Demonfolk's body, secretly nodded to himself. The whole process happened in the blink of an eye. From his move to the Demonfolk's demise, it all happened in less than the span of a breath.

The scene fell into a silence as still as death.

After a long moment, Shen Hua finally regained his senses from the shock. Seeing Shen Changqing looking as calm as the wind, he couldn't help but step forward and bow, his face showing awe.

"I am Shen Hua, an Elder of the Shen Family of South Nether Prefecture. Thank you for your help, sir. May I know your name so that my Shen Family can repay you in the future?"

He introduced himself first, hoping to catch the other's attention. At the same time, he was indirectly trying to learn about Shen Changqing's background. After all, anyone capable of slaying a Grandmaster Realm Demonfolk with a single strike was an absolutely top existence in the Jianghu. Combining this with the young appearance of the other party, Shen Hua couldn't find any memory of such a powerful figure appearing in the Jianghu.

Upon hearing this, Shen Changqing replied calmly, "Shen Changqing of the Demon-Subduing Division."

Demon-Subduing Division! Shen Changqing!

Shen Hua's expression changed again. He hadn't expected the visitor to be a powerful figure from the Demon-Subduing Division. Moreover, he had also heard of the name Shen Changqing before. But compared to the rumors, the person in front of him was far more terrifying in strength.

As thoughts raced through his mind, the respect on Shen Hua's face deepened.

"So it's the esteemed Lord Shen of the Demon-Subduing Division. I am deeply grateful for your life-saving help today. Without it, we might have suffered under the Demonfolk's viciousness. This is a debt of life. The Shen Family will surely repay it wholeheartedly."

"It was nothing more than lifting a finger."

"It may have been just lifting a finger for Lord Shen, but for me, it was a matter of life and death," Shen Hua waved his hands again and again.

Then, he turned his gaze toward the Blood Serpent Fruit growing on the short tree.

"Lord Shen, this is the Blood Serpent Fruit, which can help martial artists purify their qi and blood. Originally, this object was contested by my Shen Family and the Demonfolk, but now that you have slain the Demonfolk, naturally, the Blood Serpent Fruit belongs to you, Lord Shen."

"Elder Shen Hua, are you truly willing to give me the Blood Serpent Fruit?" Shen Changqing asked in return.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hua chuckled, "The Blood Serpent Fruit is indeed precious, but my Shen Family is not ungrateful. Lord Shen saved us, and it's only right for you to take the Blood Serpent Fruit. Besides, in the Heavenly Realm, treasures without owners are fought over solely based on strength and means. I admit I am not as powerful as Lord Shen. Even if I were to fight for it, it would only bring shame upon myself. It's better to concede it to Lord Shen and preserve some dignity for myself."

His words were spoken with absolute openness.

Shen Changqing gave him a long look, understanding that the man's words were sincere. Shen Hua was truly willing to give up the Blood Serpent Fruit.

Seeing this, several members of the Shen Family wanted to speak up, but they were all stopped by Shen Hua's gaze.

Looking at that upright and scholarly face, Shen Changqing smiled.

"The Blood Serpent Fruit is of no use to me. Since Elder Shen Hua discovered it first, I will leave it to you!"

"The Shen Family owes Lord Shen a favor!" Shen Hua bowed deeply.

He did not push back. Since Shen Changqing said he didn't want it, it meant he truly didn't want it. At this time, rejecting too many times was unnecessary.

The other party acted with a straightforward nature, and in every aspect of his character, he was very much to Shen Changqing's liking. Therefore, he was direct in his request.

"I have a matter on which I would like to consult Elder Shen Hua."

"Please speak, Lord Shen."

"I would like to know, how long has the Shen Family been inside the Heavenly Realm?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Hua pondered for a moment before replying, "It's always bright as day inside the Heavenly Realm, so I can't judge time, but the Shen Family entered during the second opening of the Heavenly Realm."

The second entrance! Shen Changqing realized. It was the third opening now, which meant that the other party had been in the Heavenly Realm for seven days already.

Subsequently, he continued to inquire, "In the many days that the Shen Family has been inside the Heavenly Realm, have you found any treasures that could nourish the spirit, or have you seen any treasures that you have not taken?"

Hearing this, Shen Hua also understood his meaning.

"Treasures that nourish the spirit are extremely rare. We haven't found any in the time we've been in the Heavenly Realm, but we have seen other treasures. However, there is a powerful Fierce Beast guarding it."

As he said this, an embarrassed expression appeared on Shen Hua's face. "It's embarrassing to say, but that Fierce Beast was so powerful I didn't dare to act rashly, so I led my men away. I'm not sure exactly what the treasure there is. But one thing I can confirm is that treasures guarded by powerful Fierce Beasts are surely no ordinary items. Sometimes, the preciousness of a treasure correlates directly with the strength of the guarding Fierce Beast. With Lord Shen's strength, it might be worth a try."

"Alright, just tell me the location of that treasure, and we'll consider the favor for the Blood Serpent Fruit repaid," Shen Changqing nodded.

Immediately, Shen Hua relayed the exact location of the treasure.

After confirming it was accurate, Shen Changqing asked an additional question, "The Fierce Beast you just mentioned, about what level of strength would you estimate it to be?"

"It's hard to say. I retreated as soon as I sensed its aura, but I guess it's no weaker than the late Grandmaster stage," Shen Hua answered.

Late Grandmaster stage! Shen Changqing assessed this internally, feeling relatively confident. If it was only a late-stage Grandmaster Fierce Beast, he would have no problem dealing with it. Alternatively, if the Fierce Beast's strength proved truly insurmountable, then retreating was always an option.

What mattered was to check what exact treasure was being guarded by that Fierce Beast.