Assessment Mission

Having entered the Demon Suppression Bureau,

there was nothing to regret.

A probationary Demon Slayer was only the beginning. Becoming an official Demon Slayer, and later a Guardian Envoy, was Shen Changqing's true pursuit.

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

It was not that Shen Changqing did not want to continue breaking through, but cultivation required a balance between tension and relaxation.

Blindly cultivating without rest

might not yield what one desired.

In less than a year,

the Pure Yang Art had gone from not even being initiated to breaking through to the eighth level. It was already enough to shock the world.

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

In any case, he definitely could not break through to the ninth level in the remaining time.

Since that was the case,

he did not wish to expend too much more mental energy. Instead, he adjusted his condition and prepared for the upcoming mission.

After the one-year grace period for probationary Demon Slayers,

they had to complete an assessment mission to become official Demon Slayers.

Official Demon Slayers

were also divided into ranks.

Like the four Demon-Slaying Institutes, official Demon Slayers were divided into four ranks: Heaven, Earth, Profound, and Yellow.

Above probationary Demon Slayers were Yellow Rank Demon Slayers.

So long as Shen Changqing completed the assessment mission, he could become a Yellow Rank Demon Slayer. As for failing the mission, there was no need to say what the consequences would be.

Because Demon Suppression Bureau missions had never allowed a second attempt.

Either one completed them alive,

or died in failure.

Every Demon Slayer faced demons, fiends, and strange creatures, and those things would not show mercy.

If they met,

either those creatures died, or one died oneself.

In the courtyard,

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

Before him lay a smooth stone.

The long saber made specifically for him was in his hands. He pressed down on the blade with his left hand, gradually rubbing its edge against the stone.

Sharpening the blade!

Two days of rest

had restored Shen Changqing to an unprecedented peak condition.

Yet his heart still could not become completely calm.

So,

he thought of sharpening his blade.

Every Demon Slayer was issued a weapon. The specific type could be freely selected according to the individual's circumstances.

Shen Changqing's weapon was a long saber.

Its design was very similar to a weapon from a dynasty he had known in his previous life.

It was—the Tang Dynasty Mo Dao!

This sort of weapon possessed tremendous killing power.

That was why Shen Changqing had chosen the long saber.

The blade scraped against the whetstone, producing a shrill yet rhythmic sound that echoed through the silent courtyard.

Time slowly passed.

Shen Changqing's sharpening motion suddenly paused.

Then he rose to his feet. Pure Yang true energy flowed into the blade, clearing away the grime that clung to it and causing the long saber to reflect a chilling gleam.

The long saber slid into its sheath.

He walked toward the courtyard gate.

When he opened it, he saw Jiang Zuo standing outside.

"Manager Jiang, you've come!"

"It seems you've made your preparations."

Jiang Zuo smiled faintly as he looked at Shen Changqing, who wore a saber at his waist.

The longer he had interacted with Shen Changqing, the more he had gradually uncovered some of the other man's secrets.

For example,

when Shen Changqing had developed true energy, and what martial art he was currently majoring in.

When Jiang Feng learned that Shen Changqing had reached the Meridian Passage Realm only two or three months after entering the Demon Suppression Bureau, he understood why Liu Chang had treated him differently.

An unparalleled genius!

Such a person was rare no matter where they were placed.

Suddenly,

Jiang Feng sighed. "It is a pity you entered the Demon Suppression Bureau. Had you joined another martial sect, your talent would certainly have been nurtured with great care. You would never have had to face such things while still in the Meridian Passage Realm.

"But since you entered the Demon Suppression Bureau, there is no turning back.

"No one can leave the Demon Suppression Bureau. Even if you become a traitor, the Demon Suppression Bureau will hunt you to the bitter end.

"And once those martial sects learn that you are a traitor to the Demon Suppression Bureau, they would never dare take you in."

The Demon Suppression Bureau was unlike other sects.

Once one entered the Demon Suppression Bureau, one either lived to climb to the highest point or died in the course of a mission.

Even unparalleled geniuses were no exception.

On this point,

strictly speaking,

the Demon Suppression Bureau was extremely unfair in the eyes of those unparalleled geniuses. Yet in the eyes of everyone else, its practice of treating all alike was instead worthy of praise.

Hearing this,

Shen Changqing smiled lightly. "What are you saying, Manager Jiang? Since I entered the Demon Suppression Bureau, I have never regretted it.

"If the Demon Suppression Bureau had not taken me in, I might have long since died in some desolate mountain wilderness, or become food for demons, fiends, and strange creatures. How could I be standing here speaking now?"

"What you say is true."

Jiang Feng gave him a deep look, then smiled again.

"Actually, your chances of passing the assessment mission are higher than those of most probationary Demon Slayers. You cultivate the Pure Yang Art, a martial art of utmost hardness and pure yang.

"Once cultivated to a profound level, it can restrain weaker strange creatures.

"And most probationary Demon Slayer missions involve dealing with Nether Level strange creatures. As long as you are careful, there should not be much of a problem."

After saying that,

Jiang Feng paused. "For the sake of the chance that you and I may become true colleagues in the future, I will give you one more warning.

"During a mission, do not readily believe what you see, nor readily believe what you hear.

"Strange creatures kill with illusions. Once you fall into one, it will be difficult for you to escape. As for how to break it, that depends on your own ability."

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

"There are far too many kinds of demons, fiends, and strange creatures. If you truly follow a single method to deal with them all, it will absolutely be a road to death.

"How you respond at critical moments depends entirely on your own skill."

Jiang Feng's voice was grave.

After the other man finished, Shen Changqing cupped his fists in thanks. "Thank you, Deacon Jiang, for clearing up my confusion. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly repay you!"

"Haha, there is no need to be so serious. Explaining these matters requiring attention is what we managers of the Demon-Slaying Institute ought to do.

"For ordinary matters, you may seek answers in the Archive Pavilion.

"But when it comes to truly carrying out missions, we must carefully explain certain things to you. That way, we can also reduce some losses."

"Even so, I still dare not forget Deacon Jiang's guidance!"

Shen Changqing's expression remained solemn.

What Jiang Feng said was one matter; what Shen Changqing did was another.

A few pleasant words would not cost him anything, so why make others dislike him?

Hearing this,

the smile on Jiang Feng's face became even more pronounced.

After explaining a few more matters requiring attention, he handed a white jade pendant to Shen Changqing.

"The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant is a treasure forged by the Demon Suppression Bureau. Wherever evil creatures are present, the jade pendant will issue a warning.

"At the same time, when such things are slain, corresponding marks will appear on the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant.

"These marks will serve as proof that you have completed the mission."

"The Pure Spirit Jade Pendant!"

Shen Changqing looked at the jade pendant in his hand. Hearing Jiang Feng's words, he understood that it truly was a precious treasure.

Leaving aside anything else, its appearance alone showed that it was worth a great deal.

Yet from the looks of it,

the Demon Suppression Bureau issued nearly one to everyone.

From this alone, one could see just how deep the Demon Suppression Bureau's coffers were.

However,

Shen Changqing also noticed a loophole in Jiang Feng's words.

"Deacon Jiang, do you mean that I must personally slay the strange creature for the mission to count as complete? Then if someone else kills it, would that not mean I failed the mission?"

"Yes, but also no. Once the strange creature is slain, your mission is considered complete. But without the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant as proof, you cannot advance to Yellow Rank Demon Slayer.

"Because every Yellow Rank Demon Slayer must possess strength capable of matching a Nether Level strange creature.

"Furthermore, so long as a strange creature dies within thirty zhang of you, the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant will capture its aura.

"Under normal circumstances, as long as you are within that range, even if the strange creature did not die by your hand, you can still advance."

Jiang Feng shook his head and explained Shen Changqing's doubts.

Seeing the look of dawning understanding on Shen Changqing's face,

he added another sentence.

"Every mission undertaken by Yellow Rank Demon Slayers will involve strange creatures. If you do not have the strength to match them, then even if you barely manage to advance, it will still be a road to death.

"So when carrying out missions, avoid taking shortcuts whenever possible.

"Because the more powerful the strange creature, the harder it is to deal with.

"Taking shortcuts will only harm yourself in the end."

"I have learned much!"

Holding the Pure Spirit Jade Pendant, Shen Changqing solemnly cupped his fists.

He understood Jiang Feng's words as well.

Every official Demon Slayer respected strength above all else.

Before absolute power, all tricks and shortcuts were utterly unable to withstand a single blow.

Even if one luckily completed an advancement mission, one could not possibly be so fortunate every time in the many missions ahead.

Yellow Rank Demon Slayer was only the beginning.

There were still the Profound Rank, Earth Rank, and even Heaven Rank ahead.

Demon Slayers of every rank had to complete corresponding missions. No one could avoid them.

If one's strength was insufficient,

then one was destined to fall in the many missions ahead as well.

Seeing this,

Jiang Feng did not say much more.

He had already said everything that needed to be said. The remaining things could only be learned in the course of carrying out missions.

Thus, once Shen Changqing had understood, Jiang Feng moved to the main point.

"According to intelligence, strange creatures have been causing trouble around Lin'an City in Vast Source Prefecture. The Demon Suppression Bureau's assessment confirms that strange creatures do indeed exist there, but their strength is not too high, roughly around the Nether Level.

"Your mission is to go to Lin'an City and completely eradicate the strange creatures there.

"These are some specific details. You can read them slowly on the way."