In the city.
After curfew, the city fell into silence, with no one walking around except for watchn and necessary patrol officers.
Suddenly, a house caught fire, and with a speed visible to the naked eye, the flas swept through the surrounding hos.
But strangely, no one’s voice could be heard from inside the burning houses.
On the contrary, the citizens who were about to be affected by the fire sensed the problem and ran out of their houses, then began to frantically shout.
"Fire!"
"Fire!"
"Everyone, get out quickly—"
The panicked voices completely shattered the quiet of the city.
After hearing the news, the Yan dispatched people imdiately to handle the fire.
But as the fire was extinguished, what they saw were dry, motionless corpses lying there.
It looked as though they had died in their sleep without a trace of struggle.
This bizarre scene quickly spread.
"A Demon Evil is causing chaos!"
Ma Fan’s expression beca solemn when he saw the charred bodies. He was from the Demon-Subduing Division and understood very well that the situation was not just so simple fire incident.
Although the Yin Evil Aura in the ruins was already completely dissipated by the blaze, just by the present state of the corpses, Ma Fan could determine what was at play.
The Governnt Officials nearby turned pale when they heard this. "Sir, do you an to say that there are Demon Evils causing trouble in the city?"
"Correct." Ma Fan nodded, his gaze still lingering on the dry corpses. "Only the mischief of a Demon Evil could have led to the current situation. The city clearly has Demon Evils infiltrated. Heighten the patrols in the city, and report any abnormalities imdiately. Leave the rest to ."
"As you command, Sir!"
A few Governnt Officials accepted the orders. Ma Fan took one last look at the corpses before turning and departing.
Demon Evils are causing chaos, yet I sensed nothing beforehand. There are only two possibilities: either the Demon Evil’s Yin Evil Aura is too weak, or it’s extrely adept at concealnt. The forr would be better, indicating it isn’t powerful. But if it’s the latter, that’s troubling.
For a mont, he felt a surge of pressure.
Not long ago, the Demon-Subduing Division suffered losses at the hands of the Myriad Buddhas Sect. The higher-ups emphasized preventing Demon Evils from seizing any opportunity to incite chaos. The current situation in the city might just be a prelude— Ma Fan thought to himself. If this is a prelude, it ans larger events are to follow. I’m just a lowly Yellow Rank Demon Hunter. Dealing with ordinary Demon Evils is no problem, but against a powerful one, I have little confidence. Chen County isn’t large, but it has many residents. This matter must be reported to the Demon-Subduing Division!
After taking a deep breath, Ma Fan eventually disappeared into the vast night.
「In Mountain-Breaking City, the Demon-Subduing Division.」
Over the past few days, Shen Changqing had been diligently practicing the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step, and he had achieved remarkable results.
On the panel, the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step had advanced from the original first layer directly to the third layer. The third layer of the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step had beco incredibly intricate. Not only had his movents beco as elusive as a ghost, but his speed had also significantly increased.
More than that, he felt he was vaguely beginning to grasp the fourth layer.
The levels of Inner Strength and Outer Techniques represent breakthroughs in Realm, while the levels of offensive Martial Arts represent the depth of proficiency. If the first layer is considered as beginning to enter the doorway, and the second as reaching a level of adeptness, then I am now at the third layer where my skill has been refined to pure perfection. The fourth and fifth layers can be considered as reaching the peak and Great Achievent of mastery respectively, and understanding True Intent in its most unadulterated form. Shen Changqing thought to himself. These divisions are just my personal views; in fact, the panel isn’t that complicated: one layer is one layer, two layers are two layers. Whether it’s the Chiyang Divine Palm or the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step, upon reaching the fifth layer, one can directly grasp the stage of True Intent.
About this, Shen Changqing also had great curiosity.
Honestly, from the records in the Martial Hall, it was ntioned that a Martial Artist could comprehend multiple True Intents. But I have never grasped a second True Intent. I’m also unsure what kind of change would occur if I were to comprehend a second True Intent. To put it another way, if I were to nurture a Divine Soul, then what difference would multiple True Intents make?
Before reaching the Grandmaster Ultimate Summit, I could get pointers from predecessors or learn through records. But after reaching the Grandmaster Realm, there is no chance of obtaining guidance from predecessors. The only Great Grandmaster of the current age, the single Great Grandmaster, is none other than Shimohe. I don’t believe Shimohe would be willing to offer guidance. Therefore, I know that everything after reaching Great Grandmaster will require to explore on my own.
Similarly, since the predecessors were limited by the Grandmaster Realm, many of their conjectures and records could be incorrect once one reaches the Great Grandmaster level. Take for example, I initially thought that Inner Strength was the most important, and later I thought that Inner Strength was not important. It was only much later that I understood that only when all three aspects are at their peak does one qualify to beco a Great Grandmaster. With past experiences, I view those records I’ve read with a degree of skepticism. Therefore, I’m not one hundred percent certain that after nurturing a Divine Soul, it will be possible to comprehend a second True Intent.
If one True Intent represents one Divine Soul, then surely there couldn’t be a second Divine Soul with a second True Intent. That would be like having a split personality.
Shaking his head, Shen Changqing cast these stray thoughts aside.
Nevermind, let the chips fall where they may. As long as I continue to cultivate, that’s the right path. With the strength of a half-step Great Grandmaster, although there is no difficulty in the first four levels of Martial Arts, comprehending True Intent requires many factors. I can now spend a few days to almost cultivate the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step to the fourth level, but if I want to comprehend True Intent, it won’t be done in one or two days.
Taking a deep breath, he settled himself briefly before planning to dive back into seclusion for further cultivation. The fourth level of the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step would allow one to truly accomplish Hovering Crossing. This was sothing Shen Changqing coveted greatly.
At this ti, Tiankui, who had obviously grown a little bigger and was lying at the courtyard entrance acting as a Protector, emitted a low growl of warning. Following that, there was a knock on the courtyard door.
Shen Changqing paused; his Divine Sense passed through his body and directly opened the courtyard gate.
Outside, Deng Gu, seeing Tiankui guarding behind the door, did not rashly enter but instead bowed respectfully to Shen Changqing, who was approaching.
"Elder Shen!"
"What brings you here, Demon Hunter Deng?"
Seeing the visitor, Shen Changqing signaled with his eyes, and Tiankui, seemingly understanding the intention, retreated.
"Please co in and talk, Demon Hunter Deng!"
"My apologies for the intrusion," Deng Gu said, and then he walked in.
Imdiately, he went straight to the point. "There was news this morning that within the jurisdiction of our Demon-Subduing Division, there have been multiple incidents of Demon Evils causing chaos, and so civilians have lost their lives. The Demon Hunters from various places suspect that the Demon Evils have alternative motives, hence they’ve reported the situation, hoping that the Demon-Subduing Division becos aware of it."
"Many places – exactly how many places? So civilians have lost their lives – how many people exactly?" Shen Changqing frowned; he disliked this vague way of speaking.
Upon hearing this, Deng Gu hastily replied, "Reporting to Elder Shen, within the Demon-Subduing Division jurisdiction of Mountain-Breaking City, seventeen cities have been attacked, with a total of over five hundred civilians dead or injured, and the numbers may still rise."
Seventeen cities! Over five hundred people!
Shen Changqing’s expression remained unchanged. "Who passed you this information?"
While Deng Gu said the news ca from various cities, he is just an ordinary Earth Rank Demon Hunter and clearly does not have the authority to oversee these matters. Shen Changqing thought.
"The Steward of the Heavenly Inspection Guard of Mountain-Breaking City."
"The Steward of the Heavenly Inspection Guard." Shen Changqing nodded slightly, then he looked at Deng Gu. "Tell him to co here."
"Ah, yes!" Deng Gu did not ask too many questions but simply bowed and left imdiately.
Compared to before, Deng Gu now felt even greater pressure in front of Shen Changqing. The sensation made him want to flee.
This change was largely due to the Divine Heaven Golden Body. The Martial Arts, by drawing on the power of heavenly lightning, naturally endowed Shen Changqing with an unpredictable majesty akin to divine might. Those of ordinary temperant would feel trendous oppression in his presence.
「In less than a quarter of an hour,」
there was another person in the small courtyard.
"Steward Xing Yi of the Heavenly Inspection Guard of Mountain-Breaking City pays respects to Elder Shen!" the middle-aged man in a blue and white long robe, sporting two tufts of a goatee, said respectfully.
Looking at the man before him, Shen Changqing nodded. "Steward Xing, you’re too courteous."
Then, Shen Changqing went straight to the point. "I just heard from Deng Gu that Steward Xing received ssages from various cities. Please elaborate!"
"Yes!" Xing Yi’s deanor returned to normal; he cleared his throat lightly and moistened it.
"For so ti now, there have been signs of Demon Evils active within the jurisdiction of our Demon-Subduing Division, but the situation was still under control. However, starting two days ago, the Demon Evils’ activity intensified.
"In just two days, seventeen cities were disrupted by Demon Evils, and over five hundred civilians were injured or killed.
"But so far, we have not been able to locate any trace of the Demon Evils, and this incident has already caused considerable turmoil.
"I am worried that the Demon Evil Clan sees our Demon-Subduing Division’s diminished strength as an opportunity to launch an offensive, which is why I reported the news imdiately, hoping Elder Shen could make a decision."
He did not conceal anything, revealing all the information he knew without holding back. Ji Tianlu had instructed before his seclusion that all matters within the Demon-Subduing Division would be temporarily left to the judgnt of this Elder Shen before him.
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