Another Breakthrough, the Demon Suppression Prison

Name: Chu He

Position: Junior Squad Leader, Demon Suppression Bureau

Cultivation: Early first rank

Martial arts: Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art, early first level (upgrade available)

Weapon: One copper coin

Demon Points: 8

"Keep upgrading."

"Ding! Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art successfully upgraded. Six Demon Points consumed. Current level: middle first level."

Bang!

Chu He clenched his fist, producing a faint explosive sound.

At that moment.

Chu He felt he could shatter the void with a single punch.

Of course.

This was merely an illusion caused by his strength increasing too quickly in such a short time. It would pass once things stabilized in a few days.

"But if I faced that Vajra Leopard from a few days ago now, I could easily kill it."

Chu He murmured to himself.

This was not arrogance on his part. The Dragon Elephant Prison Suppression Art was inherently formidable and suited to combat. Once he cultivated it to the peak of the first rank, fighting an ordinary second-rank opponent would not be too difficult.

He shook his head.

Chu He began examining the inside of his body, an ability available only to martial artists of the first rank and above.

After carefully scanning it three times.

Chu He finally discovered a rotating ball of light inside his skull, densely covered in sealing talismans.

And with every rotation of the light.

A trace of formidable soul power emanated from it, which Chu He passively absorbed, strengthening his own soul power.

"System, was he the reason you were ten years late?"

"Host, this body originally contained an extraordinarily powerful soul. When you first arrived, if I hadn't used my remaining energy to seal it, you would've croaked long ago."

"That's not right. I remember this body was already dead when I arrived. How could such a powerful soul exist in it?"

"Maybe he transmigrated here just like you, only he wasn't as lucky. After all, you have this system helping you."

Chu He: Shameless! (▼皿▼#)

"Does the soul inside still have consciousness? He won't wake up again, break out, and possess me, will he?"

"Relax. This system wiped him out ten years ago. The soul power left now is just a blessing from this system. (As if I'd tell you: back then, this system passed out from exhaustion right after killing the bastard! (ˇ╮ˇ)"

Hearing the system confirm that there was no problem.

Chu He nodded in satisfaction. As long as he could keep rapidly strengthening his physique, the increase in soul power would only benefit him.

"Next comes cultivating the hidden weapon art: Nine Netherworld Controls."

Chu He closed his eyes and resumed cultivating.

A copper coin began dancing up and down over his hand. Then streaks of shadowy light flashed throughout the room.

As a transmigrator.

He naturally knew.

To reach the summit, he had to cultivate diligently, leaving a footprint with every step. Only then could he walk steadily.

Therefore.

For this hidden weapon art, his plan was:

"System, add points!"

System: I look down on you. ←_←

"Ding! Nine Netherworld Controls successfully upgraded. One Demon Point consumed. Current mastery of Nine Netherworld Controls: beginner."

"Ding! Nine Netherworld Controls successfully upgraded. One Demon Point consumed. Current mastery of Nine Netherworld Controls: minor accomplishment."

"Keep adding!"

"Add my ass! You're out of points!"

"Come on, this is your host's first day using you. Can't you give me a little something?"

"..."

Receiving no response from the system.

Chu He shook his head helplessly and picked up an ancient book from beside him!

Its title:

Chronicles of Great Qian.

Fifteen hundred years ago, the Central Plains had been filled with rival states. Great Qian rose, unified the Central Plains, established thirty-six provinces, and brought peace to the realm.

Eight hundred years ago, demons proliferated, and countless sects stirred up trouble. To secure the dynasty's reign, the new emperor established the Demon Suppression Bureau to quell demons, intimidate sects, and stabilize the chaos, allowing the common people to live in peace.

However.

Precisely because of this, although the major sects dared not openly oppose the imperial court, they had no fondness for the Demon Suppression Bureau.

Behind its back, they called its members the imperial court's hawks and hounds. Naturally, they dared not do so openly. After all, over these centuries, the Demon Suppression Bureau had destroyed more sects than anyone could count.

Further down in the Chronicles!

There were accounts of various figures: some high-ranking member of the Demon Suppression Bureau had captured a demon and thrown it into prison, some disciple of a great sect had made another cultivation breakthrough, or some unmarried holy maiden had suddenly been exposed as having two children.

Thump.

Chu He set down the book, his gaze sharpening.

The Demon Suppression Prison.

The Demon Suppression Guards' missions did not all involve extermination. Some involved capturing targets and throwing them into prison to extract useful information, while certain unusual demons were studied to find ways to counter them.

And Yun Province, where he was stationed.

As one of the thirty-six provinces, remote though it was, its prison still held vast numbers of demons. If he could kill every demon inside, how many Demon Points would he gain?

"Ahem... ahem..."

Chu He shook his head, casting aside this unrealistic thought, then rose and headed toward the Demon Suppression Prison.

Along the way.

Countless Demon Suppression Guards hurried past, holding either scrolls or weapons, every face cold.

In Zhang Wei's words:

An official Demon Suppression Guard was generally either exterminating evil creatures or on the way to exterminate them. As for cultivation, they mostly had to squeeze out time for it.

Because.

Every Demon Suppression Guard had an annual quota and had to participate in enough demon-extermination operations. Otherwise, they would be punished. This continued until they became a commander of a thousand.

However.

The result was: even busier.

Still.

New recruits like Chu He had a six-month newcomer period. During those six months, only after breaking through to the first rank would they officially join the ranks and begin carrying out missions.

If they failed to reach the first rank within six months, they would be expelled from the Demon Suppression Bureau and required to pay a thousand taels of gold in compensation.

Half an incense stick later.

Chu He looked at the Demon Suppression Prison before him.

A pitch-black, thousand-zhang statue of a monstrous beast stood upon the earth, its gaping, blood-red maw raised in a roar toward the sky, as though it would devour every living creature around it. Its body extended underground. Clearly, the actual prison lay below.

"You actually broke through to the first rank this quickly."

A voice sounded behind Chu He, followed by a delicate-featured man who hurried over with a junior squad leader's token hanging at his waist.

Seeing Chu He's frowning gaze, he immediately explained:

"I'm Yang Dong. I joined the Demon Suppression Bureau in the batch before yours. I've heard much of your name these past two days, Brother Chu, and have wanted to pay you a visit several times. I didn't expect to run into you here."

"Brother Chu, your talent is truly formidable. You've only been in the Demon Suppression Bureau a few days, yet you've already broken through to the first rank. Your future really knows no bounds."

"So, you've decided to follow me."

The corners of Chu He's lips rose slightly.

"Ahem... ahem..."

Yang Dong nearly choked to death on Chu He's words. He stared at him speechlessly. Who the hell said I wanted to follow you?

I was just exchanging pleasantries.

And you already want to take me in as your lackey? Should I call you shameless, or say you can't understand what people mean?

"You certainly know how to joke, Brother Chu."

Yang Dong waved his hand and immediately changed the subject, beginning to explain the Demon Suppression Prison.

As it turned out.

This beast had been carved personally by Yun Province's garrison commissioner, with all manner of demon-suppressing runes inscribed upon it. Even fourth- and fifth-rank demons dared not approach.

The interior had seven levels in total, imprisoning countless demons. Yang Dong had come precisely to complete his demon-slaying task.

According to the Demon Suppression Bureau's rules:

Only after killing a demon inside the Demon Suppression Prison could someone officially join the ranks. This was mainly to prevent Demon Suppression Guards who had reached the first rank but had lousy combat ability and poor mental fortitude from going out on missions.

This way.

They could reduce the chances of someone dropping the ball at a critical moment. After all, one need not fear a godlike opponent, only a piglike teammate.