Human Clan Defender-Chapter 455 - 202: Silence Before the Storm (Thanks to Alliance Hierarch "Drunken Bull" for the reward)

Chapter 455: Chapter 202: Silence Before the Storm (Thanks to Alliance Hierarch "Drunken Bull" for the reward)

"It’s about time!" Shen Changqing looked at the Divine Ability Value on his panel and nodded with satisfaction. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

He had been out for more than two months, traversing practically the entire Qingyuan Mountain Range and several others. During this time, Shen Changqing had once again passed on information about the Mountain Spirit Clan to Dongfang Zhao. If they couldn’t be allies, they were destined to be enemies.

Although each Mountain Spirit represented a walking source of Divine Ability Value, allowing others to kill them would undoubtedly reduce his own chances of obtaining it. However, he also understood a crucial point: with his strength alone, it was difficult to eliminate all Mountain Spirits.

Moreover, completely eradicating the Mountain Spirit Clan was impossible. Beasts that developed Spirit Intellect became Mountain Spirits. Therefore, as long as beasts existed, new Mountain Spirits could emerge. To completely exterminate all beasts was an unfeasible task. Because of this, the Mountain Spirit Clan was fated never to be truly wiped out.

However, while the entire clan couldn’t be annihilated, killing their strongest members wasn’t a major issue. As long as the Mountain Spirit Clan’s potential for growth was suppressed, they would pose no significant threat. Then, all Mountain Spirits would be his for the taking.

However, even I can’t deal with all the Mountain Spirits of the South Nether Prefecture by myself. Now that the news about them is completely public, once the Demon-Subduing Prison is built, I can let the people from the Demon-Subduing Division help capture them, Shen Changqing reflected. Capturing Mountain Spirits is no different from capturing Demon Evils. Furthermore, capturing Mountain Spirits would even be a bit easier. At that time, my Divine Ability Value and Slaughter Value would both be doubly secured.

He glanced at the forest before him, then turned and left.

「Two months later.」

The news of Qingyuan Ancestor’s and other Mountain Spirits’ deaths had spread far and wide. Afterward, Shen Changqing immediately went to another mountain range and tricked a group of Mountain Spirits there, causing the matter to escalate further. Although the number of Mountain Spirits who had died by his hand was considerable, Shen Changqing knew it was impossible to completely exterminate the Mountain Spirits of several mountain ranges. Thus, it was normal for some Mountain Spirits to go into hiding and spread the news after the incidents.

The most direct proof was that when he traveled to other mountain ranges, no Mountain Spirits appeared, even when he disguised himself as an ordinary person. Shen Changqing was almost certain that the deaths of a large number of Mountain Spirits across several mountain ranges had instilled fear in the others.

In the short term, the Mountain Spirits within the South Nether Prefecture would be much more restrained. But Mountain Spirits enjoy devouring bloody prey, so they absolutely would not remain subdued for long; once the attention died down, they would naturally emerge and become active again.

「Half a day later.」

Shen Changqing had returned to Mountain-Breaking City.

"Brother Shen is back!" Jiang An, who was supervising the construction of the Demon-Subduing Prison, suddenly felt a gust of wind behind him. Turning, he saw Shen Changqing descending.

Shen Changqing nodded, his gaze falling on the area before him. Compared to two months ago, this place was no longer just a simple open space. Two tall stone lions stood erect on either side, and behind them, a fortress-like structure had been erected. The entrance to the fortress was open, revealing the faint glow of firelight from within.

"How is the construction of the Demon-Subduing Prison progressing?" Shen Changqing asked.

"It’s almost complete. What’s left is for the Suppressing Evil Hall to take over," Jiang An said. The outline of the Demon-Subduing Prison was merely the basic structure; sealing and imprisoning Demon Evils would require the Suppressing Evil Hall to intervene personally.

Shen Changqing nodded slightly. Then, another thought occurred to him. "By the way, can the Demon-Subduing Prison hold Mountain Spirits?"

Jiang An looked perplexed. "Mountain Spirits?" The name was very unfamiliar to him.

"Mountain Spirits are a race formed when wild beasts in the mountains develop Spirit Intellect," Shen Changqing explained.

Jiang An was astounded. "Such a race exists?" He quickly composed himself. "How strong are the Mountain Spirits?"

"Their strength isn’t remarkable. The strongest I’ve encountered so far is only equivalent to the Grandmaster Peak level," Shen Changqing said lightly.

Grandmaster Peak, in his words, seemed to carry little weight. Jiang An listened intently. Although his expression flickered upon hearing "Grandmaster Peak," he wasn’t overly shocked. This Elder of the Suppressing Evil Hall understood that the man beside him was a contemporary Great Grandmaster. A Grandmaster Peak might be a top-tier expert to others, but in front of this Great Grandmaster, it meant little.

After Shen Changqing finished, Jiang An spoke, "If they are at Grandmaster Peak, we can’t hold them. It would be very difficult. The Demon-Subduing Prison itself is made of Diqing Stone, a material that a Grandmaster can break."

"Then why can the Demon-Subduing Prison in the Capital City hold Demon Evils?" Shen Changqing’s eyebrows furrowed. "They’re both Demon-Subduing Prisons, but the difference is too vast."

Jiang An patiently explained, "Brother Shen, you might not know this, but Demon Evils possess a demonic aura. We can use items like Demon Sealing Nails and other methods to seal their power. However, for Mountain Spirits, based on what you just said, I presume they lack a Yin Evil Aura. Therefore, many methods effective against Demon Evils would hardly work on Mountain Spirits."

Jiang An’s tone shifted as he continued indifferently, "However, Brother Shen, you could use certain special methods, such as severing their limbs, to limit their strength. Combined with the sturdiness of the Demon-Subduing Prison, they could surely be contained."

Hearing this, Shen Changqing seriously appraised the man beside him.

Not bad. I never realized he was so ruthless. Indeed. So-called cultured people are often only refined on the surface; inwardly, they might be full of violent tendencies.

As if sensing Shen Changqing’s thoughts, Jiang An smiled. "Brother Shen, don’t be surprised. We in the Suppressing Evil Hall study Demon Evils daily. Sometimes, dissecting them or using other special methods is common practice. Life and death have become trivial to us."

"Haha, Brother Jiang, you misunderstand," Shen Changqing chuckled, though he somewhat understood Jiang An’s point.

Dissecting Demon Evils every day, perhaps even conducting some gruesome experiments... Even the kindest person’s heart would turn cold. It seems the Suppressing Evil Hall and Demon Sealing Hall, in their efforts for the Human Clan, sometimes find it normal to sacrifice minor principles for the greater good. This is normal. Even without having joined either hall, I can surmise some things. However, guessing is just guessing. I’m not a pedantic person, so I won’t meddle too much. As long as it doesn’t compromise the greater good, it’s fine.

Then, Shen Changqing looked at the two stone lions and asked, "What is the significance of those two stone lions?"

The entrance to the Demon-Subduing Prison in the Capital City also had two stone lions, just like here. He instinctively felt something was amiss.

Jiang An explained, "Those two stone lions primarily serve to suppress the Yin Evil Aura, preventing it from leaking out from inside the Demon-Subduing Prison. Simultaneously, they can deter some weaker Demon Evils. It’s a little trick of our Suppressing Evil Hall."

"They really deter weaker Demon Evils?" Shen Changqing’s expression changed slightly.

These stone lions surely aren’t that simple, he thought. After another look, he withdrew his gaze.

"If that’s the case," Shen Changqing proposed, "why doesn’t Great Qin build similar structures to guard the entrances of every city? That way, even if it doesn’t completely eliminate Demon Evils, it could prevent some weaker ones from sneaking in!"

He pondered, If every city had stone lions, it would at least prevent weaker Demon Evils from entering. As for powerful Demon Evils, the chance of their aura leaking would be higher. Regardless of other factors, security would at least be somewhat enhanced.

Jiang An said, "Brother Shen, your suggestion is something we are considering. However, the stone lions’ effect is too minimal; they barely pose a threat to weaker Ghostly Level Fiends. The Suppressing Evil Hall is currently focusing all its efforts on developing this aspect and has already made considerable progress. It should be officially ready in some time."

A smile touched his lips as he continued, "The Demon-Subduing Division has been combating Demon Evils for over three hundred years. Although Demon Evils are becoming increasingly adept at concealing their aura, our Division has not been without its achievements. We simply haven’t revealed them because our research hasn’t yet reached a point where it can decisively change the overall situation."

Shen Changqing silently nodded. I understand the Demon-Subduing Division’s strategy now. They don’t make a move until they can make a decisive impact. Revealing their trump cards incrementally would only give Demon Evils opportunities to adapt. Instead, once their trump cards are sufficiently powerful, releasing them all at once could catch the Demon Evils completely off guard. That makes sense. The Demon-Subduing Division has been combating Demon Evils for hundreds of years; it’s impossible they haven’t developed any countermeasures. They aren’t without methods; rather, they’re silently strengthening them. Everything is just waiting for the right moment.

The Demon-Subduing Division’s affairs run as deep as ever. Even though I’ve been with the Division for several years, what I’ve learned is merely the tip of the iceberg. To understand it completely, I’ll have to delve much deeper, he thought, shaking his head inwardly.

"How much longer until the Demon-Subduing Prison is completed?" Shen Changqing asked.

"About two months or so," Jiang An estimated.

Two months! Shen Changqing nodded. The timeframe was neither too long nor too short, falling within his expectations.

Once the Demon-Subduing Prison in Mountain-Breaking City was finished, Jiang An would have to proceed to South Sea City. In this way, constructing two Demon-Subduing Prisons would take nearly a year.

"Alright, then I’ll entrust the matters here to you, Brother Jiang," Shen Changqing said.

"It’s a small matter," Jiang An replied.

"I have other business to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now," Shen Changqing said, clasping his fists. He then headed straight for the Scripture Pavilion.

***

After the Scripture Pavilion was destroyed last time, the lost Grandmaster Martial Arts had been completely replenished. Now that he had some Slaughter Value, it was a good time to find a few Martial Arts to integrate.