CHAPTER 493: CHAPTER 240: SLAYING A HIGH-RANK DEMON EVIL (SEEKING MONTHLY VOTES)

Understanding the difficulty of breaking through to become a Great Grandmaster, the two men admired Shen Changqing for reaching this stage at such a young age. Even if he had fortuitous opportunities, his talent was undeniable. Such opportunities were said to be rare, but in reality, they were quite common. Almost every martial artist who reached the Grandmaster Realm had their own fortuitous encounters. Only a few achieved this through sheer willpower, but such individuals were exceedingly rare. Those who succeeded through fortuitous encounters to reach the Grandmaster Realm constituted the majority.

After putting away the dossier, Beiming Wang changed the subject. "During my visit to South Nether Prefecture, I saw natural disasters occurring everywhere. Lord Shen, do you have any idea what’s happening?"

Wang Xiao also looked at Shen Changqing. Both had witnessed meteors falling like fire when they arrived in South Nether Prefecture. On their way to Mountain-Breaking City, they also passed through many areas afflicted by natural disasters. They were quite shocked by this. Less than two months had passed, yet such natural disasters had struck South Nether Prefecture. Although South Nether Prefecture was a prefecture of Great Qin, the two of them couldn’t help but pay close attention. Natural disasters like these, if not handled carefully, could spread and escalate. This was especially true for Great Liang, which almost completely bordered South Nether Prefecture. If the natural disasters in South Nether Prefecture worsened, Great Liang would very likely be affected as well.

Mentioning the natural disasters, Shen Changqing’s smile faded slightly, his expression turning serious. "Regarding the natural disasters, I don’t have any information at the moment. However, since the unusual phenomena have ceased, I presume there won’t be any further changes for now."

"That would be best." Beiming Wang nodded.

Shen Changqing then turned to Wang Xiao. "Regarding Great Zhou’s attack on General Wang, what is Dayue’s stance on the matter?"

"Yang Yue is a Demonfolk, and it’s highly probable that Great Zhou has also become a nation of Demon Evil. Dayue is irreconcilably opposed to the Demonfolk. We are already increasing our military reinforcements to Luo’an Prefecture, hoping to join forces with Great Qin to resist Great Zhou," Wang Xiao said, his voice tinged with coldness.

When Wang Xiao mentioned Yang Yue, he recalled how he had nearly perished at the other’s hands, a surge of indignation rising within him. In terms of strength, Yang Yue was not his match. However, Yang Yue possessed powerful trump cards that Wang Xiao could not counter. If given the chance, he would not let Yang Yue escape.

As Wang Xiao finished speaking, a flicker of understanding crossed Beiming Wang’s eyes. "News arrived not long ago that Great Qin is massing its forces, preparing to expel the Great Zhou Army from Luo’an Prefecture, and apparently intends to invade Great Zhou. Lord Shen, are you aware of this matter?"

Massing forces? Invading Great Zhou? Beiming Wang’s words left Shen Changqing somewhat astonished. He genuinely hadn’t received this news. But since it came from Beiming Wang, it was unlikely to be false.

"I have remained in South Nether Prefecture recently, so I am not very aware of news from the outside world. Since Great Zhou has become a nation of Demon Evil, it’s only natural for Great Qin to launch a full-scale attack," Shen Changqing replied casually. After all, the Imperial Court hadn’t informed him, which clearly indicated it wasn’t directly related to him. He didn’t dwell on it much.

"So Lord Shen hasn’t received this news yet? I heard that Emperor Qin himself intends to lead the campaign. I was hoping to confirm this from you, Lord Shen, but it seems that won’t be possible now," Beiming Wang said.

Emperor Qin personally leading the campaign? Shen Changqing’s expression finally changed. This news genuinely shocked him. But Shen Changqing quickly recovered, looking at Beiming Wang with a faint smile. "The news you bring, General Beiming, has indeed caught me off guard. However, I am not yet aware of Emperor Qin personally leading the campaign, so I’m afraid I must disappoint you."

Beiming Wang, hearing this, didn’t seem overly concerned. "Lord Shen, our transaction is complete. The Liang Emperor has instructed that upon obtaining the Grandmaster Martial Arts, I am to return to the Capital City immediately. Therefore, I shall not impose further."

"I too must depart. If Lord Shen has the opportunity to visit Dayue in the future, I will certainly share wine and conversation with you," Wang Xiao added.

At this, Shen Changqing cupped his fists. "Safe travels to you both."

***

Beiming Wang and Wang Xiao departed, but the coffins containing the high-level Demon Evil were left behind.

Looking at the coffins before him, Shen Changqing approached one. He recognized some familiar patterns on it, similar to the methods used by the Suppressing Evil Hall to seal Demon Evil. However, upon closer inspection, he could discern some differences.

Perhaps the Demon-Subduing Divisions of the various imperial courts have some connection after all! The thought arose in his mind. If there were no connections, the similar patterns on the coffins would be difficult to explain.

Shaking his head, Shen Changqing dismissed these thoughts and directly opened the coffin before him. The coffin itself was nailed shut with Demon Sealing Nails; an ordinary person would lack the strength to pry it open. But for a Great Grandmaster, opening the coffin was as simple as eating or drinking.

As the coffin lid fell to the ground, an overwhelming torrent of Yin Evil Aura erupted. The entire grand hall became coated with a thin layer of frost. Inside the coffin lay a Demon Evil with a savage visage, pinned down by Demon Sealing Nails and further bound by iron chains. Once the coffin was open, the Demon Evil’s body thrashed violently, showing faint signs of breaking through the seal.

A high-level Demon Evil! Feeling that overwhelming Yin Evil Aura, Shen Changqing’s eyes blazed with fervor. In his three-plus years with the Demon-Subduing Division, countless Demon Evils had fallen by his hand, but he had never before slain one of this caliber. Merely sensing the Yin Evil Aura was enough to understand the immense power of this Demon Evil.

As the Yin Evil Aura erupted, Ji Tianlu and Mu Qing were both startled. Within moments, the two had entered the grand hall. Upon seeing the Demon Evil in the coffin, they adopted a stance as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Defender Shen—" Ji Tianlu glanced at the high-level Demon Evil, then fixed his gaze on Shen Changqing. He was awaiting an explanation. A high-level Demon Evil had suddenly appeared within the Demon-Subduing Division. If this wasn’t handled carefully, the escape of a high-level Demon Evil could trigger a crisis capable of annihilating the city. Even Ji Tianlu himself lacked absolute confidence in suppressing a high-level Demon Evil that had broken free.

"You two need not worry. The Demon Evil was sent by Great Liang and Dayue, and I am just about to execute it," Shen Changqing explained.

Only then did the two visibly relax. Looking at the remaining nine coffins, their pupils constricted once more. One coffin represented one high-level Demon Evil; nine coffins meant nine high-level Demon Evils. Including the one already opened, there were ten high-level Demon Evils present here.

Seeing this, Ji Tianlu still felt compelled to offer a reminder. "Defender Shen, matters concerning high-level Demon Evils are grave. We must proceed with caution."

If ten high-level Demon Evils broke their seals, Mountain-Breaking City would be annihilated in an instant. He couldn’t help but treat the situation with utmost seriousness.

Shen Changqing smiled. "Defender Ji, rest assured, I have my own plans. I won’t allow the Demon Evils to break their seals. Could I trouble you both to go out and manage the situation, ensuring this trace of Yin Evil Aura doesn’t cause unrest within the Demon-Subduing Division? As for matters here, please leave them to me."

"Very well." Since Shen Changqing had spoken thus, Ji Tianlu and Mu Qing had no grounds to refuse.

After the two departed, Shen Changqing’s gaze returned to the high-level Demon Evil. Without hesitation, he thrust out a finger, his attack striking the Demon Evil directly. Profound Sun Finger!

The supremely firm and yang energy descended, clashing violently with the Yin Evil Aura. The two forces continuously battled, and the Demon Evil’s scale armor was corroded and dissolved bit by bit under the onslaught. The intense pain contorted the Demon Evil’s already savage face, making it even more terrifying and ghastly. However, its mouth was gagged with something, rendering it completely unable to roar.

After some time, the high-level Demon Evil was forcibly ground down by the power of the Profound Sun Finger. All that remained within the coffin was a stinking pool of blood. Soon after, the foul blood was also evaporated completely by the force.

Subsequently, a surge of pure and immense Spiritual Power flooded in. Under the impact of this Spiritual Power, the lotus in his Sea of Consciousness swayed wildly. The small figure seated upon the lotus opened its mouth wide, inhaling all the Spiritual Power like a whale swallowing the ocean.

As time passed, the Spiritual Power generated by the high-level Demon Evil was frantically absorbed by the small figure. The small figure, initially about three inches tall, began to grow at a visible rate. By the time the small figure grew to four inches, Shen Changqing felt a violent tremor within his Sea of Consciousness.

After a considerable time, the Spiritual Power was completely digested. The small figure had grown further from its original size, though it had not yet reached five inches.

Glancing at the small figure in his Sea of Consciousness, he then looked around his surroundings. The grand hall was still the same, yet in his vision, things appeared somewhat different. They seemed clearer, as if he could perceive their very essence.

Afterward, Shen Changqing looked at his panel. His Divine Soul, originally at the second stage, had officially broken through to the third stage.

My Divine Soul is at the third stage now! he mused, then tried to move his body. He then discovered that his Divine Soul’s control over his Flesh had become much stronger than before; it was no exaggeration to say he could command it with consummate ease.

Realizing this, Shen Changqing knew that with the strength of a third-stage Divine Soul, he could definitely attempt another breakthrough in his Divine Heaven Golden Body. However, he did not immediately attempt the breakthrough, instead turning his gaze to the remaining coffins.

One high-level Demon Evil had allowed his Divine Soul, which was roughly at the mid-second stage, to break through to the mid-third stage. Therefore, the remaining nine high-level Demon Evils could, at the very least, allow his Divine Soul to advance to the fifth or sixth stage. It might even reach the seventh stage. A powerful Divine Soul also brought a significant enhancement to a martial artist’s strength.

Therefore, after digesting the Spiritual Power from that high-level Demon Evil, Shen Changqing did not hesitate for long before opening the next coffin. Employing the same method, he opened the next coffin and directly used the power of the Profound Sun Finger to slay and annihilate the Demon Evil within.

The reason he didn’t use the Star Finger to directly suppress and eradicate them was because Divine Skills consumed a great deal of energy, and he couldn’t sustain their use too many times. Besides, there was no rush; taking it slowly was perfectly fine.