Chapter 11: Assessment Task

Having entered the Demon Suppression Division, there was no room for regret.

A probationary demon slayer was merely the starting point; a formal demon slayer, and the subsequent rank of Guardian, were what Shen Changqing truly pursued.

After his Pure Yang Skill broke through to the eighth level, he had slowed his pace somewhat.

It was not that Shen Changqing did not want to continue breaking through, but rather that the path of cultivation requires a balance of tension and relaxation.

Blindly practicing in seclusion would not necessarily yield the results one desired.

In less than a year, advancing from having no foundation in the Pure Yang Skill to the eighth level was already shocking.

Long periods of uninterrupted cultivation had also left Shen Changqing feeling somewhat fatigued.

In any case, he certainly could not reach the ninth level in the time remaining.

Since that was the case, he did not want to exhaust his mind further, choosing instead to adjust his state and prepare for the upcoming mission.

After the one-year buffer period for probationary demon slayers, one had to complete an assessment mission to become a formal demon slayer.

Formal demon slayers also had a hierarchy.

Just like the four Demon Suppression Courts, formal demon slayers were divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.

Above the probationary demon slayer was the Yellow-rank demon slayer.

As long as he completed the assessment mission, Shen Changqing could become a Yellow-rank demon slayer. As for failing the mission, the consequences went without saying.

Because in the Demon Suppression Division, there was no such thing as a second chance.

Either complete it while alive, or die in failure.

Every demon slayer faced demons and ghosts, and demons and ghosts did not believe in showing mercy.

If you encountered them, either they died, or you died.

—

In the courtyard.

Shen Changqing rolled up his sleeves and sat on a wooden bench.

In front of him lay a flat stone.

The long saber that belonged solely to him was currently held in his hand. His left hand pressed against the blade, and he began to rub the edge against the stone, bit by bit.

Sharpening the blade!

Two days of rest had restored Shen Changqing’s state to an unprecedented peak.

However, his heart still could not find complete tranquility.

Therefore, he thought of sharpening his blade.

Every demon slayer was equipped with a weapon, and the specific type could be chosen freely according to each person's circumstances.

Shen Changqing’s weapon was a long saber.

The style of the long saber was somewhat similar to the weapons of a dynasty he knew from his previous life.

That was—the Tang Dynasty Mo Dao!

This type of weapon had the most lethality.

This was also the reason why Shen Changqing chose a long saber.

Of course, compared to a true Mo Dao, there were still some differences.

For example—the length!

The friction between the blade and the whetstone produced a harsh yet rhythmic sound that echoed in the quiet courtyard.

Time passed slowly.

Shen Changqing’s sharpening motion suddenly paused.

He stood up, and Pure Yang True Qi surged into the blade, causing the grime remaining on it to vanish and making the long saber reflect a chilling, intimidating light.

He sheathed the saber.

He walked toward the courtyard gate.

When he opened the gate, he happened to see Jiang Zuo standing outside.

"Manager Jiang is here!"

"It seems you are prepared."

Seeing Shen Changqing with the saber at his waist, a faint smile appeared on Jiang Zuo’s face.

The longer he had been in contact with Shen Changqing, the more he had gradually learned some of the young man's secrets.

For instance, when Shen Changqing had first birthed True Qi, and what martial arts he was currently focusing on.

Upon learning that the other had advanced to the Pulse-Opening realm within two or three months of entering the Demon Suppression Division, Jiang Zuo understood why Liu Chang treated him differently.

A peerless genius!

Placed anywhere, such a person was a rare talent.

Suddenly, Jiang Zuo sighed: "It is a pity that you joined the Demon Suppression Division. If you had joined other martial arts sects, with your talent, you would surely be heavily cultivated. You would certainly not have to face those things while only at the Pulse-Opening realm.

But once you enter the Demon Suppression Division, there is no turning back.

No one can escape the Demon Suppression Division; even if you defect, the Division will hunt you to the end.

Those martial arts sects, knowing you are a traitor to the Demon Suppression Division, would never dare to take you in."

The Demon Suppression Division was not like other sects.

Once you enter, you either live to reach the top, or you die during a mission.

Even a peerless genius was no exception.

Strictly speaking, in the eyes of those peerless geniuses, the Demon Suppression Division was very unfair, but in the eyes of others, the Division’s policy of treating everyone equally was worthy of praise.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing smiled faintly: "Manager Jiang, what are you saying? Since I have entered the Demon Suppression Division, I have never regretted it.

If not for the Division taking me in, perhaps I would have already died in some desolate mountain or become food for demons and ghosts; how could I be standing here talking?"

"You are not wrong about that."

Jiang Zuo looked at him deeply, then smiled again.

"Actually, your probability of passing the assessment mission is higher than most probationary demon slayers. You specialize in the Pure Yang Skill, which is an extremely rigid and masculine martial art.

When practiced to a profound level, it can suppress weaker ghosts.

Most missions for probationary demon slayers involve dealing with Ghost-level entities; as long as you are careful, I imagine it won't be a big problem."

After saying this, Jiang Zuo paused: "In consideration of the fact that you and I may have the opportunity to become true colleagues in the future, I will give you one more piece of advice.

During the mission, do not easily believe what you see, and do not easily believe what you hear.

Ghosts kill with illusions; once you fall into them, it is very difficult to walk out. How to break them depends on your own ability."

"There are many things I cannot explain to you one by one, because teaching you too much experience may not necessarily be beneficial to you.

There are too many types of demons and ghosts; if you try to deal with them all using one method, it is a guaranteed path to death.

How to respond at critical moments depends entirely on your own skills."

Jiang Zuo’s voice was solemn.

When he finished, Shen Changqing cupped his hands in thanks: "Many thanks to Manager Jiang for the guidance. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay you!"

"Haha, you don't need to be so serious. Explaining these precautions is what we managers of the Demon Slayer Court should do.

For ordinary matters, you can seek answers in the Library Pavilion.

But when it comes to actual missions, we must explain things to you seriously; this way, we can reduce some losses."

"Even so, I will not forget Manager Jiang’s instruction!"

Shen Changqing’s expression remained solemn.

What Jiang Zuo said was one thing, and how he acted was another.

Saying a few kind words would not cause him any loss, so why make someone annoyed?

Hearing this, the smile on Jiang Zuo’s face became more apparent.

He explained a few more things to watch out for, then handed a white jade pendant to Shen Changqing.

"The Clear Spirit Jade Pendant is a treasure refined by the Demon Suppression Division. Wherever there are demons or evil spirits, the pendant will issue a warning.

At the same time, when you slay those things, corresponding marks will appear on the Clear Spirit Jade Pendant.

These marks serve as the basis for your mission completion."

"Clear Spirit Jade Pendant!"

Shen Changqing looked at the pendant in his hand. Hearing Jiang Zuo’s words, he understood that this was indeed a precious item.

If nothing else, just looking at its quality, it was already worth a fortune.

Yet, it seemed that almost every member of the Demon Suppression Division had one.

From this alone, one could see the wealth and power of the Demon Suppression Division.

However, Shen Changqing also noticed a loophole in Jiang Zuo’s words.

"Does Manager Jiang mean that I must slay the ghost myself to complete the mission? If the ghost is killed by someone else, wouldn't that mean I failed the mission?"

"Yes, but also no. Once the ghost is slain, your mission is considered complete, but without the Clear Spirit Jade Pendant as evidence, you cannot be promoted to a Yellow-rank demon slayer.

Because every Yellow-rank demon slayer must possess the strength to rival a Ghost-level entity.

Moreover, as long as the ghost dies within ten zhang of you, the Clear Spirit Jade Pendant will capture its aura.

Normally, as long as you are within that range, even if the ghost does not die by your hand, you can still be promoted."

Jiang Zuo shook his head, explaining Shen Changqing’s doubt.

Seeing the look of realization on the other’s face, he added one more thing.

"For Yellow-rank demon slayers, all missions executed will be related to ghosts. If you lack the strength to rival them, even if you are barely promoted, it is a path to death.

So, when executing missions, try not to take shortcuts if you can avoid it.

Because the more powerful the ghost, the harder it is to deal with.

Taking shortcuts will only end up harming yourself."

"I have been taught!"

Holding the Clear Spirit Jade Pendant, Shen Changqing bowed solemnly.

He understood Jiang Zuo’s words.

Any formal demon slayer valued strength above all else.

All shortcuts were fragile in the face of absolute power.

Even if one luckily completed the promotion mission, one could not be so lucky in every subsequent mission.

The Yellow-rank demon slayer was just the beginning.

After that, there were still Profound, Earth, and even Heaven ranks.

Demon slayers at every stage needed to complete corresponding missions; no one could avoid it.

If one’s strength was insufficient, one was destined to fall in the many missions that followed.

Seeing this, Jiang Zuo did not say much more.

He had said everything that needed to be said; the rest could only be learned during the execution of missions.

So, as Shen Changqing reached his realization, Jiang Zuo got to the point.

"According to intelligence, there is a ghost causing trouble in the area of Lin'an City, Guangyuan Prefecture. According to the Demon Suppression Division’s assessment, there is indeed a ghost there, but its strength will not be too high, roughly around the Ghost level.

Your mission is to go to Lin'an City and completely eliminate the ghost there.

Here is some specific information; you can read it slowly on the road."

(End of chapter)