https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-85-Specialized-in-Killing-Legless-Flood-Dragons/12553920/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-87-The-Heavenly-Demon-Yanluo-s-Primordial-Elixir-Technique/12553922/
Chapter 86: Qingfeng's Conclusion
Chapter 86: Qingfeng's Conclusion
As dusk fell, the fading sunlight filtered through the dense treetops, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Led by a crimson warhorse, dozens of demonic steeds marched in perfect unison, swiftly galloping towards Qingfeng Mountain.
Bringing up the rear, Shen Yi gazed quietly at the armored figure ahead.
Although he had never intended to hand over the Dragon Pill, the ease with which he had acquired it still surprised him.
Logically, this Demon-Subduing Commander had exerted quite a bit of effort in slaying the dragon demon...
Well, a lot of effort, to be honest.
Shen Yi felt helpless. Back when he was only at the initial stage of the Yu Ye realm, facing the young dragon and river demon, both of whom were injured, he didn't find it particularly difficult to defeat them.
He had relied on various supreme martial arts, all perfected to the utmost level of the Yu Ye realm, as well as his abundant supply of vital energy, which he could draw upon at will.
However, when faced with a demon at the Condensation realm, these martial arts began to show their limitations.
The old dragon, already grievously injured and missing half its life force from the Dark Iron Halberd, had still managed to devour his Heaven-Piercing Blood Evil for almost an entire hour.
Only with the combined might of Greedy Wolf Slaying Evil and Severing Veins Capturing Dragon was he barely able to take it down.
This had been nearly all of Shen Yi's strength.
If he were to encounter a demon at the Condensation realm in its prime next time, he wouldn't just lose; he'd probably struggle even to escape.
Fortunately, this trip had yielded abundant rewards.
The turtle-dragon beast's essence from the Yu Ye realm, the dragon pill from the Condensation realm, plus the eight hundred years of demon lifespan he had acquired before, totaled over three millennia of lifespan.
He wondered... would it be enough to help him succeed in condensation? Shen Yi wasn't entirely sure.
"Brother Shen, you've got guts, I'll give you that!"
Hong Lei pulled on the reins and drew closer, noticing Shen Yi's pensive expression. He lowered his voice, "Fortunately, Lord Chen's cultivation has progressed again. If he had been trapped by that sword formation and you had returned alone to pursue the dragon, and something unforeseen had happened, there wouldn't have been anyone to save you. You're young and have a bright future ahead of you. Why risk your life for achievements?"
Having said that, he sighed, "But, you did gamble and won. You rose straight from a Second-Stripe Guard to a Personal Attendant General, faster than I've climbed in decades."
Given Shen Yi's age, he couldn't have been in the Demon Subduing Force for more than ten years.
Personal Attendant Generals held a prestigious position within the government. Above them were only the demon catchers, the twelve Demon-Subduing Generals, and the Generalissimo.
As long as one was in Qingzhou, even first-rate forces would have to treat a Personal Attendant General politely for the sake of General Chen.
However, Hong Lei was merely astonished and didn't feel jealous.
Slaying a demon at the Condensation realm was no small feat. Looking at the wounds on Shen Yi's shoulders and the fact that the dragon had lost its head, it must have been a thrilling battle!
Thinking of this, Hong Lei's heart stirred with admiration, "Hey! That old dragon demon must have been impressed by your strength before it died, allowing it to witness the might of our Demon Subduing Force's pride!"
"..."
Shen Yi nodded slightly, steering the conversation away from this topic, "What benefits come with being a Personal Attendant General?"
He hadn't forgotten his purpose for joining the Demon Subduing Force.
"Benefits?" Hong Lei snapped out of his reverie and held up his palm, "Let me put it this way. Whether it's in a sect or a noble family, a master like you, who has reached the pinnacle of the Yu Ye realm, would have to be a direct descendant or sign some kind of blood pact to obtain the Condensation Technique after just a few decades of service."
Shen Yi recalled what Zhang the Butcher had mentioned about the Vajra Sect. Aside from the Condensation Technique, a slightly inferior Condensation Tempering martial art would require one to preach for fifty years and recite scriptures for another fifty.
He was puzzled, "Even at the pinnacle of Yu Ye, one's lifespan is only about three hundred years. What's the point of wasting time on such futile endeavors? Even if you obtain the Condensation Technique, what use would it be?"
Hong Lei paused for a moment, then smiled bitterly, "Brother Shen, to them, you're an outsider. The Condensation Technique is their foundation. As long as they have this technique, they will remain a first-rate force. But if you were to take this technique to the Demon Subduing Force... you should know that they not only refuse to cooperate with the Demon Subduing Guards but even reject working with the government.
Hong Lei trailed off as he noticed Shen Yi's furrowed brows, then amended, "If you're lucky and make outstanding contributions, it could even be as soon as three years. The government has access to high-quality Condensation Pills, and you can choose according to your needs. That's far better than what those sects can offer."
Shen Yi's eyes lit up at the mention of a quicker path.
However, upon seeing Shen Yi's reaction, Hong Lei's expression shifted, and he glanced around discreetly. Realizing that Lord Chen's crimson horse had already disappeared from view, he placed his hand on Shen Yi's, who was holding the reins, and used a secret voice transmission technique: "Brother, you saved my life. Don't let anyone else hear what I'm about to say. Otherwise, you can forget about ever having another opportunity in this lifetime."
"If you're not willing to wait three years, who would vouch for you to the government? Who would dare believe that after you achieve condensation, you'll remain in Qingzhou instead of leaving or even joining an aristocratic family or the demons?"
Shen Yi lowered his gaze at these words.
He suddenly realized that although he had never intentionally revealed anything, he had inadvertently appeared eager and impatient to outsiders.
In the minds of ordinary people, cultivating a martial art technique could take decades, and progressing through the realms was notoriously slow, relying mostly on pills.
And his attitude, which seemed like he wanted to finish his business with the Demon-Subduing Force as soon as possible and leave, did not reflect someone who was truly dedicated to learning. Instead, it made him seem like he was there to steal their martial arts.
He would have to be more careful from now on.
"I understand the temperament of geniuses like you," Hong Lei said. "You want to soar to the heavens immediately. Fang Heng was like that, Lin Baiwei was like that, and Bai Ziming was the same. But now, one is practicing his punches at the General's Mansion, another became a demon catcher, and the last one is working at a medical clinic."
Hong Lei sighed, then smiled as he continued, "First work, then eat. That's the rule of the Demon-Subduing Force... Given General Chen's attitude, you have the best chance with the Sword Pool Refinement. It's unlikely those three will be able to compete with you for it."
"Sword Pool Refinement?" Shen Yi asked, puzzled.
It was then that Hong Lei realized that the old man had left long ago and wasn't present for their conversation. "The old man summoned his Yin Spirit, first killing the Zhang clan's ancestor, then the Qingfeng Sect leader. He shattered the heirloom sword with his halberd, rendering the Sword Pool ownerless for now and under the temporary management of General Chen. Although it can no longer produce new swords, it's still good for several more uses. Just one dip will be worth decades of bitter cultivation and pill consumption!"
Ownerless?
Shen Yi turned to look, a thoughtful expression on his face as he sensed there was more to Hong Lei's words. "What about the Qingfeng Sect?"
"That's why I say the older he gets, the more cunning he becomes," Hong Lei said, his tone turning bolder as he spoke of General Chen. "He knew about the Qingfeng Sect leader's congenital deficiency and deliberately surrounded them without attacking, keeping all the disciples. He wanted them to personally experience the might of their heirloom sword, causing their hearts to waver. Then he destroyed it, and the remaining disciples were investigated by the demon catchers. Those who showed no signs of corruption were all inducted into the Demon-Subduing Force."
"That's hilarious," Shen Yi said, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "General Chen's forces suddenly gained two more Condensation Realm officers."
Although the two great elders protecting the clan would soon reach that level, it was still an amusing turn of events.
"Oh, right," Hong Lei said. "You wanted a Condensation Realm martial art, didn't you? The General personally demonstrated it for you. If you can find the loose ends of aristocratic families and sects, and you have sufficient strength, you can replicate what happened at Qingfeng Mountain. While transporting their collection of martial arts manuals, it wouldn't be a big deal for you to copy a couple, would it?"
As Hong Lei spoke, he noticed a peculiar glint in the young man's eyes.
He paused, wondering if he had said something wrong.
(End of Chapter)
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