Getting Stronger Just by Basking in the Sun?

Xu Jin stood amid the demon blood covering the ground, every sinew and bone in his body burning hot.

The newly unlocked [Swallow the Sun, Refine the Form] began operating on its own. He instinctively raised a hand and drew in the light from the heavens. Golden sunlight streamed into his mouth as he inhaled and swallowed.

Pure, peerless positive yang energy sank through his throat and into his limbs and bones, washing over and tempering his flesh, skin, and skeleton. His blood and qi surged like a boiling torrent—more than twice the improvement he had gained when killing the Stone Spirit.

Xu Jin clicked his tongue in amazement. This thing could make him stronger just by basking in the sun?

I'm Superman myself?

Flying swords, getting stronger in the sun—this run was going to be fun.

He lifted a foot and kicked at the Yellow-Skin Demon's scattered corpse, then bent down to collect the demon crystal and stuffed it into his only small bundle.

Just then, two figures who had lain in hiding for a long time finally stopped concealing themselves atop the dirt slope behind him.

Xu Jin had noticed them long ago, but with a demon before him, he could hardly leave it alive.

"Young brother."

The speaker was a middle-aged man clad in the black-and-red fitted uniform of the Demon Suppression Bureau. A standard-issue bronze plaque hung at his waist. His expression was upright, his tone mild.

The young Demon Suppression Bureau agent beside him kept his gaze firmly fixed on Xu Jin, shock still lingering in his eyes.

Those few short breaths just now—the lightning-fast sword light and instant kill—still made his scalp tingle.

"We are from the Demon Suppression Bureau. My name is Chu Feng, and he is Zhang Shun. There are some matters we would like to verify with you in person."

Xu Jin studied the two of them and immediately understood.

The Demon Suppression Bureau was the Great Yin Dynasty's legitimate supernatural institution. It specialized in dealing with demons, evil spirits, and strange occurrences across the land. Its power was immense, and there was no one among the common folk who did not know its name.

"Of course there is no issue with Lord Chu asking questions. It is simply that a demon was just slain here, and the stench of blood is overwhelming. This truly is not the best place to talk."

"I have no residence for the time being, and all my belongings are here. If neither of you minds, we can return to the city and find a quiet teahouse to speak in detail."

As soon as he said this, Chu Feng and Zhang Shun exchanged a look, and their assessment of Xu Jin rose once more.

Too steady.

Too abnormal.

An ordinary youth from the bottom rung of society, with no family and no support, had encountered two supernatural demon incidents in a row. Yet when faced with official questioning from the Demon Suppression Bureau, he remained so composed and well-spoken.

His temperament far surpassed that of most novice supernatural practitioners from humble backgrounds.

Chu Feng nodded slightly. "That would be proper. We will trouble you to lead the way, young brother."

The three walked side by side back toward the city gate.

Along the way, Zhang Shun could no longer suppress his curiosity and finally spoke up.

"Young brother, when did you notice we were following you? We believed we had hidden ourselves perfectly. We followed you from outside the broker's office in the city all the way to this barren slope, without revealing the slightest trace of our presence."

Xu Jin's explanation was watertight. "My killing intent was too intense just now, and my senses were heightened. The two of you carry too much baleful aura. You could not hide it."

Hearing this, Chu Feng smoothly continued, "The one you killed was the Yellow-Skin Demon that had been roaming about for half a month. It excelled at bewitching smoke and blocking roads to seek investiture, relying on stealing the fortune and vital essence of the living to increase its cultivation."

"Our bureau sent people to encircle and capture it twice, but it escaped both times. Even if Zhang Shun and I joined forces, we would have needed a hard battle lasting quite some time to kill it securely."

At this point, he gave Xu Jin a deep look.

"Yet I never expected it to be crushed by you within a few breaths and chopped straight into pieces."

Xu Jin smiled. "It came to my door seeking death. I merely took the chance to remove a menace."

He dismissed it in a single sentence, claiming no credit and making no display.

That calm demeanor only deepened Chu Feng's doubts.

The group entered the city, found a private room in a secluded teahouse, shut the door, and took their seats.

Chu Feng stopped beating around the bush and formally got to the point.

"Xu Jin, no father, no mother, living alone in a crowded courtyard. This morning, you settled your rent in full and moved out completely. You currently have nowhere to stay in the city."

Chu Feng continued.

"But an ordinary commoner could not possibly kill a Stone Spirit alone, much less instantly kill a Yellow-Skin Demon."

"Watching you fight just now, I saw you turn your palm into a sword. Combined with the fact that your household records show no master or lineage..."

He stared into Xu Jin's eyes.

"Did you happen across a hidden inheritance left behind by some ancient wandering cultivator, and mistakenly inherit that senior's mantle?"

Xu Jin instantly understood.

A perfect excuse delivered right to his door.

"When I was young, I found a damaged ancient scroll while wandering in the mountains. I had been practicing from it for fun ever since, but only entered the path recently."

Zhang Shun listened from the side, his face full of envy, so sour his teeth nearly fell out. "We joined the bureau and cultivated bitterly for years before barely touching the threshold of Spirit Comprehension, yet you picked up a book and started killing demons above your level! Comparing people really can make one die of anger!"

Chu Feng patted Zhang Shun, calming his companion's emotions. "Since you have obtained an inheritance and have repeatedly come into contact with supernatural incidents, I will tell you about the other side of this world today."

"In Great Yin cultivation, ordinary people must painstakingly cultivate their blood and qi to enter Body Tempering, then condense qi to enter Spirit Comprehension, before they can be considered to have truly stepped onto the supernatural path."

"Unaffiliated cultivators among the populace have no system, no resources, and no guidance. They can easily suffer qi deviation. Furthermore, without official registration, privately keeping demon remains or slaying demons without authorization can result in legal prosecution."

"You must have had a question lingering in your heart."

"Why did the Yellow-Skin Demon come looking for you after you killed the Stone Spirit?"

"Supernatural beings draw one another in; strange creatures flock together."

"You killed a demon, stained yourself with demon blood, and carried a demon crystal. To the senses of all low-level demons and evil spirits, you are a blazing fire in the dead of night, a candle flame in the wilderness."

"Low-level little demons would not dare act rashly, but any demon with even a little ferocity would be forcibly drawn to you, coming to seize your crystal and your qi."

Xu Jin's eyes brightened. So it had not been a coincidence!

Did that not mean he would no longer need to search for demons or scout maps? In the future, demons would come knocking on his door to deliver experience and resources?

Grinding monsters automatically, leveling up while lying down!

The bold idea of deliberately leaving the city to lure monsters and farm rewards instantly sprang up in his heart.

With Chu Feng's experience, he saw the restlessness in Xu Jin's eyes at a glance.

"I advise you not to get any crooked ideas."

"You can instantly kill low-level demons, so you think all demons and evil spirits in the world are nothing special?"

"You may attract a Yellow-Skin Demon today, but someday you may attract a great demon that has attained the Dao, or a savage mountain fiend."

"If a high-level demon truly comes looking for you, with your shallow strength, you will not even have a chance to run for your life."

"Killing demons is precious, but safety comes first."

Xu Jin was jolted awake by those words and reined in all his restless impulses.

He could grind little monsters, but he absolutely could not provoke the big shots.

Seeing that he was level-headed and willing to listen to advice, Chu Feng's expression softened.

"You possess an inheritance, have a good temperament, and your combat strength is passable. The Demon Suppression Bureau is willing to offer you two paths."

"The first is to enter the system."

"You may formally join the Demon Suppression Bureau, starting as a probationary demon slayer."

"A monthly salary of two taels of silver, food and lodging included, standard-issue weapons, fixed cultivation resources every month, and generous merit rewards for demon slaying."

"The promotion path is clear: probationary, official, hundred-household commander, thousand-household commander. Authority, resources, and intelligence are unlocked level by level."

"All demon crystals, demon corpses, and other spoils of war can be exchanged through official channels at high prices for silver, cultivation manuals, pills, and forging materials. It is safe, secure, and highly profitable."

"The second is independent registration."

"You do not join the bureau, receive no salary, and remain free of institutional restraints, but you must register your inheritance and abilities."

"Whenever you use supernatural power or kill demons and evil spirits in the future, you must report it on time. Using arts to deceive others or bring chaos to the city is strictly forbidden. Once you violate the rules, the Demon Suppression Bureau will hunt you with all its strength."

One path offered steady growth, abundant resources, and limitless intelligence.

The other offered unfettered freedom, no aid, no protection, and a lone walk down an untamed road.

The pros and cons were clear at a glance.

Xu Jin weighed them in an instant.

He now had no home, no family, and no one at his side. He desperately needed resources, intelligence, and a stable environment in which to grow.

Joining the Demon Suppression Bureau was the best possible solution at present, without question.

"If I join the bureau, what will my usual duties and mission range be?"

"What is the highest level of cultivation manual a probationary demon slayer can exchange for?"

"Is there a protection system for newcomers? Would I need to face high-level demons alone?"

"And also, how does cultivation work?"