Human Clan Defender-Chapter 358 - 146: It’s Time to Contribute (Seeking Monthly Pass)

After leaving the Council Hall, Shen Changqing’s lips curved into a subtle smile.

It seems that suppressing an ordinary King Rank Defender Envoy really isn’t a major problem for me.

Just now in the hall, he could tell that Ji Tianlu had been affected by the rebound force of the Divine Thunder Heavenly Gang. However, since Ji Tianlu was forcefully enduring it, Shen Changqing didn’t expose him. The current Ji Tianlu, at the very least, possessed the strength of a Marquis Rank Defender Envoy, equivalent to a mid-rank Demon Evil. Even so, without making a move himself and relying solely on the Divine Thunder Heavenly Gang, Shen Changqing had managed to shake him. He was somewhat shocked by this, but more than shock, he felt satisfaction.

During his many years in the Demon-Subduing Division, aside from Wang Mubai, he hadn’t seen or even heard the name of any other Great Demon. Regardless of whether the words spoken by the Demon Evil in Luoyang City were true or false, Shen Changqing was certain of one thing: in the current situation, Great Demons among the Demon Evil Clan were extremely scarce powerhouses. One only had to look at the various branches of the Demon-Subduing Division across Great Qin; the true dominators were merely at the King Rank Defender Envoy level. Figures like Dongfang Zhao were already among the pinnacle forces of the Demon-Subduing Division. This meant that he now undeniably counted as one of the strongest individuals beneath Dongfang Zhao. Whether within the Demon-Subduing Division or throughout the entire Great Qin, he truly possessed the power to protect himself.

With this realization, the constant sense of urgency in his heart had also decreased considerably.

As long as I don’t deliberately seek death, there shouldn’t be anyone who could pose a threat to me. As for the Demon Evil Clan, unless I encounter a Great Demon like Wang Mubai, I should be able to suppress them with my strength. Even if I do encounter Wang Mubai, if I can’t defeat him, escaping should also pose no problem.

For the first time, Shen Changqing felt a heavy burden on his shoulders suddenly vanish. Although Demon Evils still existed, and he wasn’t yet the absolute strongest, with his current strength, self-preservation in this chaotic world was no longer an issue.

In other words, even if he were to leave the Demon-Subduing Division now and live in seclusion in the mountains, the Demon-Subduing Division would most likely not turn against him. "Once you join the Demon-Subduing Division, you are a part of it for life"—after all, that was just a constraint for the weak. No truly strong individual could be bound by so-called rules.

Of course, Shen Changqing had no plans to leave the Demon-Subduing Division. As the old saying went, it was good to lean on a big tree for shade. In today’s chaotic world, even if one hid deep in the mountains, one might not be able to live a peaceful life. Besides, such a way of living wasn’t what he desired. Within the Demon-Subduing Division, he had quite a few resources at his disposal. The upcoming battles against Demon Evils and various other issues could be handled much more conveniently. Most importantly, Shen Changqing felt that his life within the Demon-Subduing Division was also quite pleasant. This alone was enough for him not to consider relocating.

Arriving back at his residence, a figure came towards him. When Shen Changqing got a clear look, he saw that Tiankui, at some unknown point, had grown a pair of moderately sized wings on its back. Its fur had also fallen off, revealing skin that resembled scale armor. Compared to before, it now possessed an added divine majesty.

WHINE! A deep, drawn-out sound came from Tiankui’s mouth. Shen Changqing didn’t understand the language of beasts, but through their subtle connection, he could understand what it was saying. It was merely indicating that after waiting for a few days, it had grown somewhat hungry.

"You really can eat!"

He shook his head and smiled, squeezing out a drop of blood from his fingertip and flicking it towards the creature. Tiankui immediately opened its mouth and swallowed it. Instantly, its body convulsed, nearly getting electrocuted by the Heavenly Thunder force contained within the blood.

After breaking through to the third stage of the Divine Heaven Golden Body, Shen Changqing’s blood energy had become even stronger, and the Heavenly Thunder force within it was even more potent. However, Tiankui’s successful transition from its juvenile phase to its growth phase meant an improvement in all aspects of its strength, and slowly processing the blood’s power wasn’t much of a problem.

"Absorb it slowly!"

Watching Tiankui lying motionless on the ground, he glanced at it briefly before paying it no further mind. His own strength had increased too quickly, and Tiankui’s usefulness to him had consequently diminished significantly. Never mind Tiankui in its current growth phase, merely comparable to an Innate Martial Artist; even in its mature phase, comparable to a Grandmaster Peak, it was still largely dispensable to the present Shen Changqing. However, what he had always valued was not Tiankui’s strength. Therefore, whether Tiankui was strong or not didn’t truly matter. As long as it could eventually be ridden out to be seen by others, adding some prestige for him, that would be sufficient.

In the courtyard, Shen Changqing calmed his mind and once again began to familiarize himself with his own strength. Following that, he began to practice his two Martial Arts: the Chiyang Divine Palm and the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step.

Even with complete memories of the Divine Heaven Golden Body, Shen Changqing had no inclination to cultivate it independently. Such Martial Arts were not something one could grasp and make progress with in a short period. The Divine Heaven Golden Body was intrinsically profound and required not only a high-level cultivation environment but also external assistance. Without the right conditions, mere reliance on one’s own talent for enlightenment would almost certainly yield no progress. Moreover, even with suitable conditions, breaking through from the third to the fourth rank would take a minimum of ten years. Hence, Shen Changqing wouldn’t waste his time on the Divine Heaven Golden Body.

Conversely, the other two offensive Martial Arts he practiced had the potential to yield results in a much shorter time. Despite the profundity and complexity of the Chiyang Divine Palm and the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step, such difficulty was relative. Both techniques were merely Grandmaster Level Martial Arts; for an average Grandmaster, bringing them to Great Achievement would present a certain degree of difficulty. But for the current Shen Changqing, bringing the two Martial Arts to Great Achievement was not a difficult task.

Of the two Martial Arts, the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step had the lowest proficiency level.

Footwork is always important, and if the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step could reach Great Achievement, it could offer substantial assistance, he mused.

Shen Changqing concentrated, reflecting on everything about the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step. Immediately after, his figure blurred, leaving a trail of afterimages crisscrossing the courtyard.

「At the Eternal Alliance.」

Word of the "Heavenly Thunder’s Descent" and the general situation in Mountain-Breaking City was immediately relayed to the Eternal Alliance. Upon hearing this news, the face behind the mask of the Eternal Alliance Master became grave. The power of Heaven and Earth was often terrifying. Although, at his realm, few forces of Heaven and Earth could threaten him, the Heavenly Tribulation outside Mountain-Breaking City still made the Eternal Alliance Master wary.

"The one who triggered the Heavenly Thunder is Shen Changqing; according to reports, he did so while cultivating a powerful Martial Art, which led to this phenomenon," an Elder of the Eternal Alliance reported softly.

"Powerful Martial Arts!" The Eternal Alliance Master furrowed his brow slightly. "Other than the Five Thunder Body Casting Technique of the Heavenly Thunder Sect, as rumored, there should be no other Martial Art capable of summoning Heavenly Thunder. In the past, the Five Thunder Body Casting Technique had its moment of glory, but unfortunately, all the experts in the sect died because of its cultivation, perishing under the Heavenly Tribulation. Thereafter, the Heavenly Thunder Sect completely vanished. But even though the Five Thunder Body Casting Technique is powerful, there should be no need for Shen Changqing to switch to cultivating it at his current realm!"

The Eternal Alliance Master couldn’t afford to take the situation lightly. Just as he was about to act against Mountain-Breaking City, such an omen occurred. No matter his reasoning, he could not afford to be careless.

The Elder before him heard this and couldn’t help but shake his head. "Shen Changqing has always stayed within the Demon-Subduing Division, and we’re unable to gather much information about him. However, we’ve been to the site of the Heavenly Thunder; there is nothing left but the lingering aura of the mighty Heavenly Tribulation."

Saying this, he changed the subject. "Alliance Hierarch, there’s no need for excessive worry. Even if Shen Changqing is strong, he cannot possibly stop our advance. Since we’ve already decided to attack Mountain-Breaking City, we shouldn’t fret overmuch."

"Prudence ensures longevity. This isn’t about whether or not we can conquer Mountain-Breaking City," the Eternal Alliance Master shook his head slightly. Conquer Mountain-Breaking City? That was merely a secondary concern. If Shen Changqing were to cause the Eternal Alliance to lose troops and commanders, that would be the real issue.

With that in mind, he continued, "Send out my orders: have our people intensify efforts to tie down Baiyue City and South Sea City. Then, have others create some disturbances within the jurisdiction of Mountain-Breaking City’s Demon-Subduing Division. I want to see just how much reserve strength Mountain-Breaking City truly has. Once the situation is clear, then we shall move against Mountain-Breaking City."

"Your subordinate obeys!" The Elder of the Eternal Alliance bowed and withdrew.

After the Elder’s departure, the Eternal Alliance Master, alone in the empty hall, had an even colder glint in his eyes. "No one shall stand in the way of my grand endeavor, be it Shen Changqing or the Demon-Subduing Division; should you dare obstruct me, death is the only path! The advent of Heavenly Thunder is indeed not a trivial matter; relying solely on the strength of the Eternal Alliance is a bit risky. The Demon Evil Clan has always had us leading the charge; now is the time for them to lend their strength."

His low voice resonated within the hall before silence descended once more.

The Eternal Alliance Master turned and entered an inner chamber, then activated a mechanism to access a secret room. The secret room wasn’t large, but the floor was inscribed with strange patterns that exuded an ominous sensation. He slit his palm, and as his blood dripped onto the pattern, the previously inert designs were forcefully activated. A ghostly light emerged, and a Yin Evil Aura filled the space.