CHAPTER 392: CHAPTERS 164 TO 165 URGENT NEWS (REQUESTING MONTHLY PASS)_3

But Shen Changqing was different. The latter was a powerful expert from the Demon-Subduing Division. Now that he had achieved the Great Grandmaster realm, it meant the Demon-Subduing Division possessed the method to break the Martial Artist Limit.

"For centuries, our Martial Hall has finally seen the emergence of a powerful expert who broke the limit! If the method can be promoted, my Demon-Subduing Division might be able to have a group of Great Grandmasters!" A sharp light glinted in Dongfang Zhao’s eyes.

He had not known before just how strong one could become by breaking the limit.

However, with the appearance of Shimohe and Shen Changqing, both displayed strength far surpassing that of ordinary King Rank Defender Envoys when they revealed their power. This was especially true for Shimohe. Even when the three King Rank Defender Envoys of the South Nether Prefecture joined forces, they were no match for him. Such strength, even if it hadn’t reached the level of a Great Demon, was not far from it.

Then there was Shen Changqing. The latter had only recently broken through, yet he was able to contend with four mid-rank Demon Evils as well as the Eternal Alliance Master. Although he had borrowed the power of heavenly lightning for the final kill, the dossier indicated that Shen Changqing’s own strength was also far greater than that of an ordinary King Rank Defender Envoy.

"Cultivating ordinary Defender Envoys isn’t difficult, but for them to grow to the King Rank level is not so easy!"

"If every Great Grandmaster is equivalent to a King Rank Defender Envoy, then the situation of our Great Qin will completely change—"

Dongfang Zhao knew clearly just how difficult it was to cultivate a King Rank Defender Envoy. Throughout the entire Great Qin, the number of Defender Envoys who had reached this stage was not large. Otherwise, Demon Evils would have had no opportunity to wreak havoc throughout Great Qin. Leaving other considerations aside, if the Demon-Subduing Division could double its number of King Rank Defender Envoys, it could sweep away all Demon Evils throughout Great Qin.

Therefore, Dongfang Zhao deeply understood just how important a Great Grandmaster was. And the method to break through to the Great Grandmaster realm was even more crucial.

However, his joy was short-lived, shattered by other information in the dossier.

"The Martial Emperor is the Eternal Alliance Master!" Dongfang Zhao’s expression changed.

This dossier was from Mountain-Breaking City. It recorded two pieces of news. The first piece of news detailed Shen Changqing’s breakthrough to Great Grandmaster, his slaying of four mid-rank Demon Evils in one fell swoop, and his severe injury of the Eternal Alliance Master. The second piece of news revealed that the true identity of the Eternal Alliance Master was none other than the Martial Hall Master.

Looking at the contents of the dossier, Dongfang Zhao’s expression turned grim and uncertain. The betrayal of the Martial Hall Master was no small matter. The Hidden Heart Pavilion itself was of utmost importance. Every person capable of holding the position of Pavilion Master was privy to numerous secrets. For the Martial Hall Master to now be the Eternal Alliance Master was a devastating blow to the Demon-Subduing Division.

He immediately doubted the news’s authenticity. Then, Dongfang Zhao recalled his own past encounter with the Martial Emperor. Considering the Martial Emperor’s strength and the realm he had attained, it was not entirely out of the question. In the entire world, individuals possessing such talent were truly few.

But—if the Martial Hall Master could betray them, was it possible that the other Pavilion Masters, or even the entire vast Hidden Heart Pavilion, had been infiltrated by Demon Evils? The implications of this thought weighed heavily on Dongfang Zhao’s heart.

"The Martial Emperor has betrayed. Has Yi Ning also betrayed? Could it be that there are people from the Eternal Alliance hidden within the Demon Sealing Hall and the Suppressing Evil Hall?" His gaze flickered, full of uncertainty.

Within the Hidden Heart Pavilion, the most important sections were the Demon Sealing Hall and the Suppressing Evil Hall, followed by the Martial Hall, and lastly the Internal Affairs Hall. The former two were the very foundation that allowed the Demon-Subduing Division to produce Defender Envoys. If those sections had been infiltrated by the Eternal Alliance, it would be tantamount to undermining the very roots of the Demon-Subduing Division.

"Qianzhan, have there been any unusual movements in the Hidden Heart Pavilion recently?" Dongfang Zhao’s gaze fell on a person below.

It was a burly, middle-aged man dressed in black, his face resolute. Standing there, he seemed to merge with the surrounding shadows, making it difficult to discern anything about him at a glance. No one would have guessed that such an unremarkable-looking person was the leader of all the Heavenly Inspection Guards.

Upon hearing this, Qianzhan’s expression was impassive as he replied, "After Tan Tianji’s betrayal, the Heavenly Inspection Guards have been meticulously investigating the personnel of the Hidden Heart Pavilion. So far, we have found nothing. The probability of Eternal Alliance Demonfolk being present is low."

Hearing the response, Dongfang Zhao continued to inquire, "What about Yi Ning?"

"The same applies to Pavilion Master Yi. Although he frequently visits various ruins, no trace of the Eternal Alliance or Demon Evils has been found thus far."

"Hmm." Dongfang Zhao nodded.

That Yi Ning was clear of suspicion was relatively good news. Although Qianzhan’s words were not one hundred percent infallible, they were rarely far off the mark in the grand scheme of things.

"Thoroughly investigate the whereabouts of both the Demon Sealing Hall Master and the Suppressing Evil Hall Master. They have been gone for many years. I hope to see them alive, or, failing that, to see their corpses. I do not want a repeat of the Martial Emperor incident."

"Rest assured, Lord Defender," Qianzhan nodded. "The Heavenly Inspection Guard will pursue this matter diligently. The Martial Emperor’s betrayal went unnoticed also because he had disappeared for many years, and many traces of his movements had been erased." He, too, had been profoundly shocked upon learning that the Martial Emperor was the Eternal Alliance Master.

Following this, the leader of the Heavenly Inspection Guard produced another dossier. "This is an urgent report from Baiyue City. There have been other developments in the South Nether Prefecture. Please review it, Lord Defender."

Upon seeing the dossier, a thought stirred in Dongfang Zhao’s mind, and he drew the dossier towards himself with a mental command.