Chapter 7: Cultivating Both Internal and External Strength

When the Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong reached perfection, the defense of the physical body was improved in almost every aspect, including certain vital points on the body.

After the fifteenth level.

The defensive strength was even more formidable.

Techniques similar to the Iron Crotch Gong, which could only strengthen a single vital point, were not worth learning.

He put the book back.

Shen Changqing pulled out the next one.

It was still an introductory martial art, slightly better than the Iron Crotch Gong, but still not worth the effort to learn.

Because time was limited.

He dared not waste it recklessly.

As time went on.

Shen Changqing browsed through them almost like a horse galloping past flowers; he would look at the titles of all the martial arts he pulled out, and if he deemed them unsuitable, he would put them back.

After a long while.

He pulled out a martial art and his gaze lingered on it.

Pure Yang Gong!

Opening the first page, he could see the content within.

"The Pure Yang Gong emphasizes the cultivation of both internal and external aspects, combining movement with stillness. Internally, it trains the five viscera and six bowels; externally, it trains the tendons, bones, and skin. This technique is extremely rigid and Yang-oriented, suitable for men to practice. Women must ensure the flow of Yin and Yang while practicing, otherwise, there is a risk to their lives!"

After reading the content on the first page, Shen Changqing understood that this was the martial art he was looking for.

Compared to the Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong.

The Pure Yang Gong clearly had a higher ceiling.

Moreover, this martial art cultivated both internal and external aspects, which had a similar effect to the Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong he was currently practicing.

In this way.

Practicing the Pure Yang Gong would surely yield twice the result with half the effort.

Thinking of this.

Shen Changqing immediately sat down on the spot and began to study the Pure Yang Gong in his hands earnestly.

Perhaps it was because of his success in the Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong, but he found that his thinking had become much clearer while reading martial arts manuals.

Content that previously took a long time to memorize could now be remembered in just a few glances.

In less than two hours.

Shen Changqing had memorized the entire content of the Pure Yang Gong.

At the same time.

He also checked his panel.

Name: Shen Changqing Faction: Great Qin Demon Suppression Division Identity: Probationary Demon Slayer Martial Arts: Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong (15th Level, cannot be upgraded), Pure Yang Gong (Not yet initiated, cannot be upgraded) Killings: 0

Unless one had thoroughly studied a martial art, information about it would not appear on the panel.

Now that it was on the panel.

It proved that Shen Changqing had memorized the Pure Yang Gong.

"Time is almost up!"

The two-hour time limit meant he could not linger in the library for too long.

Fortunately.

Shen Changqing had memorized the Pure Yang Gong in a single attempt, without needing to spend about a month as he used to in order to memorize a martial art.

Leaving the library.

He headed straight back to where he lived.

Don't let the size of the Demon Suppression Division fool you.

As a probationary demon slayer, there were only a few places he could actually go.

And those few places were almost all within the Demon Suppression Courtyard.

Like the Demon Suppression Prison.

One had to have the Demon Suppression Prison manual on hand to enter openly.

Besides that.

The library also had time restrictions.

Of course, the Demon Suppression Division did not restrict demon slayers, nor was there a rule that probationary demon slayers could not leave the division at will.

However—

The Demon Suppression Division where Shen Changqing was currently located was in the Great Qin capital. His predecessor was not from the capital; he had been picked by people from the Demon Suppression Division in another place.

Likewise, the reason his predecessor dared to join the Demon Suppression Division was that he was already a lone wolf.

Ever since joining the Demon Suppression Division.

His predecessor had not taken a single step outside.

Therefore, his predecessor was very unfamiliar with the capital, which led to Shen Changqing, who inherited his memories, being equally unfamiliar with it.

No acquaintances.

And it was an unfamiliar place.

Shen Changqing couldn't be bothered to waste his time.

Rather than walking out of the Demon Suppression Division to do meaningless things, it was more practical to stay and cultivate in peace.

Compared to official demon slayers.

The Demon Suppression Division already gave probationary demon slayers great preferential treatment.

They didn't have to perform overly dangerous missions, their supply of martial arts was constant, and their meals were provided according to the standards of a martial artist.

All probationary demon slayers.

Except for spending a little time every five days to complete missions, the rest of the time could be used for cultivation.

Although Shen Changqing didn't know much about this world.

He had reason to believe.

Apart from the Demon Suppression Division, there were very few places that could provide such a cultivation environment.

Therefore.

There was no way Shen Changqing would leave the Demon Suppression Division without authorization to waste time elsewhere.

Inside his room.

He sat cross-legged on the bed, recalling the content of the Pure Yang Gong in his mind.

Because he had no killing points, Shen Changqing could not take shortcuts.

However.

Not being able to use killing points to upgrade didn't mean he had to waste his time.

Rather than waiting idly, it was better to rely on his own talent to cultivate. If he gained something, he could save quite a bit when he used killing points in the future.

—

Days of earnest cultivation always pass quickly.

In the blink of an eye.

Two months had passed.

The Demon Slayer profession was indeed one with high turnover. In those two months, Shen Changqing saw many newcomers arrive to fill the ranks of the Yellow Department Demon Suppression Courtyard where he was stationed.

But no matter how they were filled, the courtyard never seemed to be at full capacity.

Clearly.

The number of demon slayers dying was not small at all.

Shen Changqing didn't pay much attention to this situation.

Anyway, in the Demon Suppression Courtyard, other than Liu Chang, whom he considered an acquaintance, he had no one else.

Therefore, whether those people lived or died had nothing to do with him in his eyes.

In Shen Changqing's view.

Only improving his own strength was the truly important thing to do.

Otherwise, he would follow in the footsteps of the others.

Knock, knock!

The courtyard door was knocked.

Shen Changqing opened the door and immediately saw Liu Chang standing there.

"Manager Liu!"

"—"

Liu Chang was about to nod when his expression suddenly changed. He looked him up and down carefully, and then a look of shock and uncertainty appeared on his face.

"You've broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm!?"

"I've been cultivating the Pure Yang Gong and recently made some progress."

Shen Changqing nodded.

Only when he truly practiced the Pure Yang Gong did he realize that the compatibility between it and the Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong was greater than he had imagined.

With the True Qi from the Thirteen Taibao Hard Qigong as a foundation.

Shen Changqing only spent a few days successfully converting all his True Qi into Pure Yang True Qi.

But because of the time issue.

He had kept it hidden and didn't leak it easily.

By now.

Shen Changqing had calculated the time and only then revealed a portion of his true strength, which was why it was detected by the other party.

"—"

Receiving confirmation, Liu Chang couldn't help but feel shocked.

He really had broken through!

Although he had long understood that Shen Changqing's talent was high and that many probationary demon slayers could not compare to him.

He never thought.

The other party could cultivate Pure Yang True Qi so quickly.

One must know.

The biggest difference between Meridian Opening and Body Tempering was True Qi.

Only by possessing True Qi could one be distinguished from ordinary martial artists.

"If I remember correctly, you've only been in the Demon Suppression Division for a little over three months, less than four months—"

"Replying to Manager Liu, three months and five days."

"Three months and five days!"

Liu Chang nodded slightly, his shock beyond measure.

Being able to break through to the Meridian Opening Realm in about three months was undoubtedly the mark of a genius, and one could even call him a peerless genius.

After a brief shock.

He recovered.

Although a peerless genius was shocking, it wasn't as if there were none in the Demon Suppression Division. After all, the Demon Suppression Division was a powerful institution of the Great Qin, gathering many potential figures from within the country.

Among these people, some geniuses or even peerless geniuses were hidden.

Usually, they were unremarkable.

But only after truly coming to the Demon Suppression Division would they gradually begin to shine.

"Since you've broken through to the Meridian Opening Realm, you are qualified to become an official demon slayer. However, probationary demon slayers have a one-year buffer period. You can also choose to remain in the Demon Suppression Division to cultivate further.

With your talent, I believe you will have significant gains in the remaining seven or eight months.

Remember, although the Meridian Opening Realm is not weak, it is nothing in front of true powerhouses. Do not be overly complacent."

Liu Chang warned solemnly.

Normally, if a probationary demon slayer broke through to the Meridian Opening Realm, he would have them immediately go for a promotion mission to become a true demon slayer.

But facing Shen Changqing, he opened a back door.

There were some peerless geniuses in the Demon Suppression Division, but definitely not many.

Now that the Yellow Department Demon Suppression Courtyard had finally produced such a figure, Liu Chang didn't want him to die early.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing looked grateful: "Thank you, Manager Liu!"

"Go. Your mission today is still to patrol the Demon Suppression Prison. Remember, although you are already in the Meridian Opening Realm, do not trespass into other areas of the prison. Just patrol the second floor.

Some places are dangerous; even if you are in the Meridian Opening Realm, you could face fatal danger."

Liu Chang said in a deep voice.

What he said was written in the Demon Suppression Prison manual.

It's just that—

Liu Chang was worried that Shen Changqing, having just broken through, might have some bad ideas. If he didn't follow the warnings in the manual and trespassed into other areas, he might not come back.

"I understand this in my heart, Manager Liu can rest assured."

Shen Changqing cupped his hands.

Seeing this, Liu Chang said no more.

He had already given him significant care by saying so much.

If he really didn't listen to the advice, then he deserved to die.

There had always been people who acted on their own and died in the Demon Suppression Prison. Liu Chang didn't want Shen Changqing to perish there, because that would be a great waste.

Of course.

If the other party insisted on not listening to advice, then he deserved to die.

Good words are hard to use to persuade a ghost that is destined to die.

Bidding farewell to Liu Chang.

Shen Changqing soon headed to the Demon Suppression Prison.

Because he came frequently, the soldiers guarding the prison were quite familiar with him.

Following the usual procedure.

After checking the manual, they stepped aside to let him pass.

Shen Changqing cupped his hands politely and then disappeared into the first floor of the Demon Suppression Prison.

Entering the second floor.

A familiar chill rushed toward him.

Just as the chill approached, a scorching aura rose in his Dantian, quickly flowing through his limbs and bones, dispelling the cold touch completely.

From beginning to end.

Shen Changqing's footsteps did not falter as he headed straight for the first cell.