Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons

"What is this?"

Shen Yi inadvertently loosened his grip on the sheath, as he had probably guessed something already.

As expected, a hint of teasing crept into A'Qian's voice:

"The demon catchers' identification tablet."

"Demon catchers..." Shen Yi had heard of this title more than once and had even witnessed a few on Qingfeng Mountain with his own eyes.

"They track and hunt demons across a thousand miles. Independent of the Demon-suppression Bureau, they follow orders but not proclamations; that's what demon catchers are."

Jiang Chengyun slowly stepped into the room, expressionless, and casually tucked his bronze bell into his belt to conceal it.

So-called 'follow orders but not proclamations.'

When the Demon-suppression Bureau issues a command, they may act, but no one can interfere in their methods of handling tasks. They have the utmost autonomy, accountable only for results, not the process.

This uninterfered-with scope includes the General as well.

And it is 'may act.' If they find something more important to attend to, or if they simply feel lazy, they can ignore it completely.

Not just externally, but also within their ranks, they are categorized into Bronze Bell, Silver Bell, and Golden Bell. Even a Golden Bell Demon Catcher cannot give orders to one bearing the Bronze Bell.

Such lenient rules signify the Imperial Court's unconditional trust in them.

To join the demon catchers, being a personal adjutant general is just the most basic requirement. One must also be evaluated on intellect, personality, and strength.

"What are the benefits?" Shen Yi withdrew his gaze.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Chengyun bit his teeth slightly, while A'Qian laughed, covering her belly and leaning back in her chair: "Demon catchers have direct access to the Imperial Court. Whatever you want, as long as the Great Qian Dynasty has it, we have it too... and there aren't as many broken rules as in the Demon-suppression Bureau."

"We only care about one thing."

A'Qian held up two fingers: "How many traces of demons you can gather, or how many demon heads you can chop off."

Jiang Chengyun, unable to help himself, glanced at his grandmother's fingers and added in a deep voice: "You will also gain access to the largest intelligence network in Qingzhou, of course, you'll also be a part of it."

A'Qian again shook her bell: "With this, you can leave messages anywhere. From personal adjutant generals and above, they employ similar methods. Other bell holders can receive messages just by being near. Within a hundred li, you can use it to exchange information... However, if you want to use it to woo a young lady, that's fine too."

"Besides, it can hold stuff, serving temporarily as an item for self-defense."

As she spoke, A'Qian propped herself back up on the table and slowly pushed the silver bell over: "Inside, there are the Breath Concealing Method, the Shape Changing Method, the Qi Searching and Harvesting Method, and a little gift specially prepared for you by A'Qian. General Chen mentioned you seem to like these kinds of things. Big brother, do you need to think it over any longer?"

Her delicate face bore a smile, yet the expression seemed somewhat odd. Jiang Chengyun also looked over with drooping eyelids.

What they had just discussed were all the benefits.

But anyone with common sense knew that once you take that item, you accept the risks that come with it.

A Silver Bell Demon Catcher's status would not be lower than that of a personal adjutant general, but the circumstances are two entirely different extremes.

If the members of the Demon-suppression Bureau are walking cautiously through fire and brimstone, then the demon catchers are a group of madmen dancing barefoot on knife edges.

Though they have the capital for their madness, anyone who often walks by the river cannot avoid getting their shoes wet.

In other words, their shoes are never truly clean.

"I guess there's no need."

Under their watchful eyes, Shen Yi casually pocketed the bell, his eyes calm as though it truly was just an ordinary bell.

"..."

Seeing this, A'Qian and Jiang Chengyun exchanged glances.

So nonchalantly, so carelessly.

If this man in black robes wasn't a fool who couldn't understand their words, there was only one explanation.

The extent of his arrogance even exceeded A'Qian's expectations!

"Are you impressed? How does it compare to when you started?"

A'Qian patted Jiang Chengyun's arm with the back of her hand.

"Granny... Hiss!"

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Jiang Chengyun had barely finished speaking when the little hand on his arm twisted tightly.

He looked down at the figure beside him and stopped mid-sentence.

Indeed, as he reminisced, his younger self had been excited and agitated, mustering tremendous courage before finally accepting that bell.

It was nothing compared to the composure of the person before him.

But the difference was that, before becoming a demon catcher, he had endured over a decade of life-and-death struggles. Even with a Golden Bell Demon Catcher as a grandmother, she had never lifted a finger to help.

With her personality, if she had heard the news of her eldest grandson's death, she would probably just slap her thigh and burst into laughter, mocking his uselessness and at most, hide a bit of begrudging pity amidst the tears she laughed up.

Meanwhile, Shen Yi had not even been in the Demon-suppression Bureau for a month before Lin Baiwei sent a letter on his behalf, with Chen Qiankun taking care of him from behind.

It was unclear whether this was simply the fearlessness of inexperience.

"Big brother, just channel your energy into it. When he's done with what he's working on, I'll have him show you around the processes,"

"Try to learn what's inside as quickly as possible. It's truly embarrassing to be intimidated by a few dim-witted Jiao dragons whose brains have been soaked in water. If you can't defeat the oldest one, at least be fastest, and give it a slash on the forehead. Smack it with a big slap, and drag it around like a dog for three thousand miles. And then cunningly circle back and slaughter its offsprings. It's really exhilarating. You should try it when you have a chance."

A'Qian hopped off the chair, waved her hand, and bounced out of the room.

Jiang Chengyun gave Shen Yi one last look and slowly followed suit.

It wasn't until he was a fair distance away that he expressed his discontent: "Grandma, isn't it a bit unfair to us that you're giving him a Silver Bell so directly?"

"Here."

A'Qian lifted her wrist and shook the delicate golden bell: "We'll trade."

Watching the jingling bell,

A scorching desire surged in Jiang Chengyun's eyes. In the entirety of Qingzhou, there were only three such Golden Bells, each symbolizing an existence comparable to the Demon-suppression Great General.

In other words, there were twelve Demon-suppression Great Generals plus three Golden Bell Demon Catchers, totaling fifteen Embrace Pill Realm powerhouses in Qingzhou beside the General.

However, Jiang Chengyun soon quelled his burning desire: "Let's wait until you die and I've reached Jade Liquid Perfection, and officially entered the Embrace Pill Realm."

"That'll do then."

A'Qian rolled her eyes: "What's the use of a damn bell? The positions that Chen Qiankun can offer, can't I offer too? It's about how much demon breath and quintessential blood you can collect, and how many Precious Medicines and martial arts you can exchange for—that's the real skill."

"Does he have that skill?" asked Jiang Chengyun, puzzled.

A'Qian stopped reluctantly and looked back as if he were a fool: "Seriously, what do you expect a Jade Liquid Perfection to be able to do? Just pump him up a bit. Tracking and slaying demons is your job, and it's his job to strive and grow."

The two moved away once again.

In the annex, within the silent room,

Shen Yi sat back on the edge of the bed, took out the Silver Bell, his eyes full of bewilderment.

Lately, had he somehow stumbled upon great fortune?

Sitting quietly in his room, when suddenly two people appear out of nowhere, one offering intelligence, the other offering Precious Tools, and a slew of self-protection skills as well.

That girl grinned mischievously, almost making Shen Yi nervous.

And the final price turned out to be... no price at all?

Slaying demons alone was something he had planned to do anyway.

"How strange,"

muttered Shen Yi, shaking his head.

He tried to infuse it with his energy.

Immediately, it was as if he had entered an introspective state, and several items abruptly appeared before him.

Several secret manuals recording various methods.

And the gift A'Qian spoke of.

It was a Condensation Elixir Realm Jiao dan, lying there silently.

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