Human Clan Defender-Chapter 780 - s Divine Ability Perfection, A Thought Spans Worlds Close at Hand (Two in One, Seeking Monthly Pass)_3

However, now, aside from the Heaven and Earth Slash, all his other Divine Skills were only at the level of a first or second fusion. Converting this to Divine Skill ranks, they were basically equivalent to mid-third-grade or even lower-third-grade Divine Skills. Compared to first-grade Divine Skills, there was a significant gap. Thus, using Divine Ability Value to improve them would be somewhat wasteful.

Cloud-Transforming Finger and Banishing Evil Silent Obliteration Finger currently serve little purpose for me. Aside from Heaven and Earth Slash, the only truly useful one is Dusk Cangwu, Shen Changqing mused internally.

Even though he now possessed the means to tear through space and often didn't need to use Divine Skills for travel, the Dusk Cangwu Divine Skill was not merely for transportation. It was a technique, a means of self-preservation in critical moments. One had to understand that tearing the void also carried inherent dangers. If someone was attacked precisely when tearing through space, they could become lost in the spatial turbulence. Upon emerging, there was no telling where they might end up. In contrast, Divine Skills didn't present this kind of risk. Therefore, if he truly had to choose one Divine Skill to enhance, Shen Changqing would undoubtedly upgrade Dusk Cangwu.

However—considering the rank of this Divine Skill, he ultimately shook his head.

A second-fusion Divine Skill is still too weak. It's better to wait for a third fusion, advancing it to a first-grade Divine Skill, before upgrading it; that would be more useful. Although I don't have many Slaughter Values left, there are still about 10,000. A third-fusion Divine Skill... all the costs added together are merely a little over 8,000 points. Moreover, since Dusk Cangwu is already a second-fusion Divine Skill, attempting another fusion would mean reducing the expenditure by the cost of one second-fusion Divine Skill. All told, the Slaughter Value consumed would be, at most, a little over 5,000 points. I can afford this expenditure. So, rather than wasting Divine Ability Value, it's better to fuse Dusk Cangwu after I return.

At this time, the void had already stabilized. Shen Changqing glanced at Tiankui, who was still in shock. "We should return."

"Ah... Yes!" Tiankui hurriedly came to his senses.

Immediately, the two departed from the mountain peak.

This time, the return journey did not take long. In less than a day, they were back in the Capital City. Returning to the Capital City after a three-month absence, Shen Changqing felt no particular surge of emotion. The moment he returned, Gu Xing at the Imperial Palace had already received the news. Before long, Wu Gan arrived at the Demon-Subduing Division with an invitation.

"Defender Shen, His Majesty requests your presence."

"I will trouble Eunuch Wu to lead the way."

"Defender Shen, you are too polite!" Wu Gan's demeanor was respectful, not daring to show the slightest discourtesy.

「In the Imperial Garden.」

After escorting Shen Changqing, Wu Gan respectfully took his leave.

Gu Xing spoke first, "Defender Shen, the Martial Institutes have now been fully established in all regions. However, there are some matters I wish to discuss further with you."

"Your Majesty, please speak," Shen Changqing replied.

Gu Xing spoke earnestly, "Defender Shen, you are also aware that the Imperial Court's resources can only cultivate a portion of the available talent. The Martial Institutes established in various places are, in fact, a way to sift the wheat from the chaff. I wonder, do you have any specific insights on this?"

The concept of the Martial Institutes had been proposed by Shen Changqing, and he had also compiled their foundational martial arts compendium. If there were any issues with the Martial Institutes, it was natural for Gu Xing to seek his advice. Had it been anyone else, Gu Xing would not have inquired so extensively. But the man before him was different.

Hearing this, Shen Changqing contemplated for a moment, then said, "If I may suggest, why not categorize the Martial Institutes into several tiers? For instance, at the village level, they could be Martial Dao Private Schools, primarily focused on enlightenment and introducing people to the Martial Dao.

"At the county level, they could be third-grade Martial Institutes. The minimum admission requirement would be mid-stage Body Tempering. Those who haven't practiced Martial Dao but wish to bypass the private schools and directly enter a third-grade Martial Institute must first pay an admission fee. Those who enter through the normal channels would have their fees waived.

"For ordinary cities, they would be second-grade Martial Institutes, with the admission requirement being the Pulse Condensation Realm. Those below the Pulse Condensation Realm wishing to enter a second-grade Martial Institute would also need to pay the appropriate fees.

"For prefecture cities, they would be first-grade Martial Institutes. The admission criterion is the Innate Realm; those not yet at the Innate Realm would not be allowed to enroll in a first-grade Martial Institute.

"As for the Capital City, it would house the Martial Dao Grand Institute, accessible only to those who have reached the Grandmaster Realm.

"Furthermore—

"Entry into second-grade Martial Institutes and below can be gained by paying a fee. However, for first-grade Martial Institutes and the Martial Dao Grand Institute, one must possess the appropriate graduation certificate.

"For example, to enter the Martial Dao Grand Institute, one must not only be at the Grandmaster Realm but also possess a graduation certificate from a first-grade Martial Institute. Similarly, to enter a first-grade Martial Institute, in addition to reaching the Innate Realm of cultivation, a graduation certificate from a second-grade Martial Institute is required.

"As for the basis of these certificates and other specific details, I, your subject, have not yet formulated concrete ideas. It would still be up to Your Majesty to decide."

Having said this, he offered a faint smile.

Shen Changqing had, in fact, already given some thought to the structure of the Martial Institutes. Now that Gu Xing had inquired, he simply voiced his ideas.

Across from him, Gu Xing sat, lost in thought. After a long while, he emerged from his reverie. "Defender Shen, your ideas are indeed very thorough. Establishing certain thresholds based on the existing framework can also alleviate some of the Imperial Court's financial strain."

According to Shen Changqing's proposal, the Martial Dao Private Schools would be the universal starting point. Those unwilling to progress step by step would have to pay a corresponding price.