Intent to Recruit, Heavenly Gang Saint Armor

Chapter 5: Intent to Recruit, Heavenly Gang Saint Armor. He immediately clasped his fists again, his voice brimming with reverence.

"May I ask this Saint Venerable senior's honored name? For today's great kindness, the Demon Suppressing Division will certainly report to the court and seek merit for you!"

Lin Changqing waved a hand.

"Lin Changqing."

He cared even less about being rewarded for merit.

Right now, he only wanted to see what other tasks he could trigger next.

The system's task rewards were simply too enticing.

Ninth-tier Saint weapons, Ninth-tier sword arts, Ninth-tier cultivation techniques—all of them were the finest treasures in the world.

Although, with his Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak strength, he was already invincible on the Heavenly Martial Continent, the more good things, the better.

Zhou Zheng silently repeated the name in his heart.

"Lin Changqing..."

He truly had never heard of it.

None of the Martial Saint Venerables loyal to the Great Yu Dynasty bore the surname Lin, nor did any of the top sects and factions within the dynasty.

The Great Yu Dynasty's imperial surname was Su, so he could not possibly be one of the dynasty's ancestors either... It seemed he truly was a reclusive expert!

Thoughts raced through Zhou Zheng's mind as his gaze fell upon Lin Changqing once more.

There were only nine Ninth-Rank Martial Saints openly loyal to the Great Yu Dynasty.

There might be a few more lurking in the shadows, but certainly no more than could be counted on one hand.

Every Martial Saint was a stabilizing pillar of the dynasty, its greatest fighting force against demon invasions!

Now, the demon incursions were growing increasingly severe, and military reports calling for aid flew toward the Capital City like snowflakes.

If he could recruit another Martial Saint expert for the dynasty at such a time... it would be an enormous merit!

There was no need to mention rewards; even a two-rank promotion would be the least of it.

He might even receive personal guidance from the Chief Commander and take his cultivation another step forward!

Zhou Zheng's heart pounded wildly.

Yet amid his excitement, he swiftly calmed down again.

The problem was that his position was too low.

As a Garrison Commander of the Qingzhou Branch and merely a Sixth-Rank Early-Stage Martial Artist, he did not even have the qualifications to speak before a Martial Saint.

Moreover, he had no idea whether this senior had any such intentions.

If he rashly spoke and angered the other party, forget merit—even whether he could keep his head would be in question!

Zhou Zheng opened his mouth, but swallowed the words that reached his lips.

He hesitated.

And at that moment—

The system's voice rang out in Lin Changqing's mind once more.

["Ding! Random task triggered: Become renowned throughout the Great Yu Dynasty. The host's prestige must resound across the entire Great Yu Dynasty (0/1). Reward: Ninth-tier Supreme Grade defensive supreme treasure, Heavenly Gang Saint Armor."]

["Heavenly Gang Saint Armor: A Ninth-tier Supreme Grade defensive Saint weapon, forged from Outer-Heaven Meteorite Gold fused with a Ten-Thousand-Year Black Tortoise Shell. It can change form at will with a thought, transform into invisible Saintly Protective Aura, or manifest as battle armor covering the entire body.

Attacks from martial artists below the Martial Saint realm cannot harm it in the slightest. Even attacks from Martial Saint Peak martial artists can be easily blocked."]

Lin Changqing's eyes lit up.

Another task?

A Ninth-tier Supreme Grade defensive supreme treasure!

He had the Green Peak Sword for offense and the Heavenly Saint Profound Art for cultivation. What he lacked was precisely a piece of defensive equipment.

When sleepiness came, the system sent him a pillow. This system really understood him.

With a single thought, he shattered the uncomfortable, tattered armor he wore.

As for how to make his name resound far and wide... that was far too simple for him.

Was it not simply displaying his holiness before others?

He was good at that!

With his current cultivation, accomplishing it would not be difficult!

Lin Changqing withdrew his thoughts and looked toward Zhou Zheng, who still seemed to have something to say but was holding it back.

"You there..."

Zhou Zheng jolted and hurriedly clasped his fists. "This subordinate is here!"

Lin Changqing stood with his hands behind his back. His voice was not loud, yet it carried an authority that could not be ignored.

"I have lived in seclusion and cultivated bitterly for many years. Only recently did I break through to the Ninth-Rank Saint Realm. I emerged this time originally to find a quiet place to continue comprehending the martial path."

"But along the way, all I saw was demons running rampant and commoners displaced from their homes."

He paused slightly, his tone growing heavier.

"Why do those of us who practice martial arts cultivate?"

"If we care only for secluded cultivation and refuse to act while watching all living beings suffer, then what use is this cultivation?"

Everyone on the city wall fell silent.

The general's hot blood surged through his chest. His heart was filled with guilt and admiration, while the soldiers clenched their iron fists in unison, their expressions solemn.

Zhou Zheng himself was shaken from head to toe, his breathing quickening!

Lin Changqing continued, "The demon invasion is worsening by the day. Since that is so, if I continue to stand by with folded arms, I would be unworthy of this cultivation."

"Tell me where the demon disturbances have been the fiercest lately. The more troublesome, the better."

After hearing those words, Zhou Zheng was so excited that even his hands trembled.

Heavens!

Just moments ago, he had been worried whether this senior would be willing to emerge from seclusion. Now, the man had declared his stance outright!

And from those words, it was clear he intended to enter the world and slay demons!

This was the perfect chance to recruit him!

Zhou Zheng took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart before bowing and clasping his fists again.

His voice was even more respectful than before, carrying a few more traces of heartfelt admiration.

"Senior, you carry the people of the world in your heart. This subordinate deeply admires you!"

"Now that demons are causing chaos, the people across the Fourteen Provinces of our Great Yu Dynasty are suffering unspeakably. The Demon Suppressing Division's soldiers fight bloodily in every region, yet their strength falls short."

"If Senior is willing to emerge and slay demons, it would not only be the fortune of Qingshi County, but the fortune of the entire Great Yu Dynasty! The fortune of all people under heaven!"

Then his tone shifted, becoming even more solemn.

"Senior, our Great Yu Dynasty is currently recruiting experts from all under heaven to resist the demons together!"

"If Senior is willing to join the Great Yu Dynasty, His Majesty will surely be overjoyed! With your cultivation, you will certainly be honored as a State-Protecting Venerable. Being granted a kingdom and appointed chancellor would be well within reach!"

"At that time, all the dynasty's resources will be at your disposal. With a single word, you can command thousands of troops and horses, making demon-slaying and evil-extermination twice as effective with half the effort!"

After speaking, Zhou Zheng removed a rolled beast-hide map from the Storage Ring on his finger.

He spread the map open and condensed Spiritual Power at his fingertips, rapidly marking locations across it.

Qingzhou, Xu Province, Yan Province, Yu Province...

Scarlet marks appeared one after another across the map.

Every location was a place where demon disturbances were the most severe and the Demon Suppressing Division had suffered its heaviest casualties.

"Senior, these are the places in Qingzhou and the four surrounding provinces where demon disturbances have been most severe recently."

"Each is infested with vast numbers of demons. Among them are no shortage of Sixth-tier Demons and Seventh-tier Demon Kings, and there are even traces suggesting Eighth-tier Demon Kings may be active."

"Our Demon Suppressing Division has launched several encirclement campaigns, only to return in defeat each time with devastating casualties."

Zhou Zheng presented the marked map with both hands.

Lin Changqing accepted the map and swept his gaze over it.

The memory of a Martial Saint Peak instantly engraved every mark into his mind.

Every location, every route, every stretch of terrain—everything was crystal clear.

He tucked the map into his robe, his expression calm.

"Understood."

Only three words.

Zhou Zheng froze.

Just... understood?

He was still waiting for the senior to state whether he would join the Great Yu Dynasty.

But Lin Changqing said nothing more. He already had plans concerning joining the Great Yu Dynasty.

The main thing was that he could use them to spread his prestige and claim the task reward as quickly as possible.

With his Ninth-Rank Martial Saint Peak cultivation, if he allowed himself to be recruited by a few words from a Sixth-Rank martial artist, it would be far too beneath him.

If they wished to negotiate, then let the Great Yu Dynasty's Martial Saint ancestors come in person.

Only that would be worthy of his cultivation.

As for now... he would complete the task first.

The Heavenly Gang Saint Armor was still waiting for him. Just hearing its description had made him covet it immensely.

Lin Changqing raised his right hand.

He lightly slashed at the empty air before him.

"Riiip!"

Space tore apart like cloth, splitting open into a crack.

Purple-gold light flickered around the black fissure's edges, while terrifying spatial turbulence seeped out from within.

A violent force of space surged from the rift, making everyone on the city wall involuntarily take a step back.

Without looking back, Lin Changqing stepped into the rift.

"Senior..."

Zhou Zheng had just begun to speak when the fissure closed, leaving behind not even a trace, as though no one had ever stood there.

Everyone on the city wall was dumbstruck.

Tearing through space!

This was the space-rending method unique to great powers of the Ninth-tier Martial Saint realm!

The general rubbed his eyes, wondering whether he had imagined it.

The Saint Venerable had merely made a light stroke, and space had shattered?

Then he had simply vanished?

"Is this... a Martial Saint's method?" he murmured.

Zhou Zheng stood where he was, staring at the place where Lin Changqing had disappeared, his expression full of awe.

"Tearing through space and crossing ten thousand miles in an instant—these are methods only Martial Saints possess."

His voice trembled with excitement that he could not conceal.

"This Senior Lin... is likely a top-tier existence even among Ninth-Rank Martial Saints!"

The surrounding soldiers felt their blood boil at his words.

Today, they had not only seen a Martial Saint with their own eyes, but had also witnessed the legendary act of tearing through space!

That was enough for them to boast about for the rest of their lives.

Zhou Zheng suddenly came back to his senses, and the excitement on his face was instantly replaced by urgency.

Nothing could go wrong with this matter!

He had to deliver the news to the Capital City before any other faction did!

Zhou Zheng turned and shouted at the Deputy General beside him, "Brush and ink!"

The Deputy General was startled. "My lord, what do you need brush and ink for?"

"To write an urgent military report!" Zhou Zheng said as he took out specially made Message Talisman paper from his Storage Ring. "Send a message by Flying Eagle immediately. Give the Capital City advance notice first."

"Tell them that a reclusive Martial Saint has appeared in Qingzhou, with cultivation at least at the Early Ninth-tier Martial Saint stage! This senior has declared his willingness to emerge and slay demons, and is currently heading to various provinces to purge demons!"

"Let His Majesty and the Chief Commander know in advance!"

The Deputy General's pupils constricted as he realized the gravity of the matter. He nodded heavily. "Yes!"

He turned and ran, wind gathering beneath his feet.

Zhou Zheng called after him again, "Wait!"

"Add one more sentence: this senior has not yet stated whether he is willing to join the Great Yu Dynasty. Ask His Majesty to treat this with utmost importance and send someone of sufficient status to make contact as soon as possible! If another dynasty or a sect faction beats us to it, the consequences will be unthinkable!"

The Deputy General shuddered and hurriedly acknowledged the order before racing away.

Zhou Zheng took a deep breath, then spread open another sheet of official military-report paper.

He picked up his brush, pondered briefly, and began to write.

Every character was written with immense force.

The report recorded in detail everything that had happened today.

Qingshi County being besieged, the demon army encountered eight hundred li away, a Sixth-tier Demon slain by a single sword strike, golden Light Rain blanketing the entire city...

And, most importantly: the person who had acted was a reclusive Martial Saint named Lin Changqing, with cultivation at least at the Early Martial Saint Stage.

After the time it took to burn an incense stick, the report was complete.

Zhou Zheng sealed it inside a specially made Spiritual Power seal and handed it to another personal guard.

"An eight-hundred-li urgent dispatch! Change horses, not men—ride straight to the Capital City!"

"Make certain the report reaches the Ministry of War and the Demon Suppressing Division Headquarters within two days!"

The personal guard accepted the report and solemnly clasped his fists. "Rest assured, my lord! Even if this subordinate runs himself to death, I will deliver it on time!"

Zhou Zheng nodded as he watched the guard mount his horse and gallop away in a cloud of dust.

Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief and wipe the sweat from his brow.

But he knew this was only the beginning.

Once news of a Martial Saint emerging into the world spread, the entire Great Yu Dynasty would be shaken.

And his cultivation was far too weak.

He could only sense from that unique aura that the senior was a Ninth-Rank Martial Saint; he could not distinguish his precise realm.