Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Yu Ling'er lowered her voice: "On the demon race's side, there is an organization that targets our human race's geniuses, called the Dark Pavilion, which specializes in sniping promising young cultivators."

"In the class two years ago, I heard that fifteen students enrolled, but only seven actually graduated. Three of them were killed in an attack by the Dark Pavilion. Four were demoted because they failed the assessment. And one was seriously injured and disabled, forcing him to drop out of school."

Yu Ling'er's words caused the atmosphere to freeze instantly. Wu Yu's hand holding the chopsticks stiffened, and the color drained from her face.

Even Li Yuan, who had been eating in silence, raised his head, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

A prodigy?

Only those geniuses who survive and grow up are true geniuses; those who die are nothing.

The path of cultivation at the Divine Martial Academy was far more brutal than he had imagined; behind the glory lay a staircase paved with bones and blood.

The Demon Clan's Dark Pavilion.

Li Yuan etched this name firmly into his heart.

After the meal, the four returned to Tingzhuxuan. Li Yuan pushed open the door and found Shen Lian sitting cross-legged on the bed, meditating with his eyes closed. He didn't even react when Li Yuan came in.

Li Yuan didn't mind. He took out the book "Discipline of Shenwu Academy" and began to read it carefully.

There were many rules and regulations, but he read them very quickly. He felt that his memory was much better than in his previous life. He carefully memorized the reward and punishment system related to academic credits.

As night deepened, Li Yuan washed up briefly and lay down fully clothed. On the other bed, Shen Lian was already asleep. The two did not exchange a single word throughout the entire night.

In the early hours of the morning, all was quiet.

"Bang—!"

A powerful, penetrating gong rang out without warning, instantly shattering the silence.

Immediately afterwards, a cold voice rang out.

"Tian Shu Class, wake up and assemble at the training ground."

This one sentence, neither too loud nor too soft, was just enough for everyone to hear. There was no explanation, no urging, and no repetition.

The moment the sound fell.

"Whoosh!"

Always alert, Li Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, nimbly rolled out of bed, quickly put on his school uniform, wiped his face, and folded the blankets neatly in the process, all in just five or six breaths.

Just as he opened the door, he encountered Shen Lian. The two moved almost in sync and glanced at each other expressionlessly.

From the dormitory next door, faint sounds of frantic clattering and hushed complaints could be heard.

Without a word, the two stepped out of Tingzhu Pavilion and rushed towards the martial arts arena.

At the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), the training ground was empty yet solemn.

Li Yuan and Shen Lian arrived almost simultaneously. In the center of the arena, a figure in crimson robes stood with his hands behind his back, expressionless as he watched the students arriving one after another.

Soon, Wu Yu stumbled over, her hair disheveled, her clothes untied, and she hurriedly put on her outer robe as she ran. She scrambled into the line, looking extremely disheveled.

The other classmates arrived one after another, all panting, some still sleepy-eyed, some disheveled, but they all managed to stand still.

Liu Hongyan's gaze slowly swept across the entire room. She raised her wrist, glanced at a uniquely styled metal wristband, and said calmly, "Assemble at 3:45 AM. It has now been seven breaths past 3:45 AM. Thirteen people should be present, and eleven are actually here."

She raised her eyes, her gaze icy: "Those who do not arrive within the stipulated time are eliminated. Pack your bags immediately and report to the Earthly Fiend Class."

disuse?

Everyone was shocked. It was only the first day of school, the first gathering, and two people were eliminated simply because they were late?

That's way too harsh.

Many people looked lingering fear, secretly relieved that they had risked their lives to get there.

Just then, hurried footsteps came from afar, and a slightly chubby boy came running, sweating profusely, shouting as he ran, "Wait! Instructor Liu, I'm here..."

He rushed forward, panting heavily as he leaned on his knees. After a while, he straightened up, a broad smile on his face, and pulled a silver note from his pocket, respectfully handing it to Liu Hongyan with both hands.

"Teacher, please forgive me. I overslept and missed the time. It's just a small token of my apology. Please be lenient and let me off the hook. My family is quite wealthy, and I will surely repay you handsomely in the future."

Everyone was stunned. This person was too audacious to openly offer bribes.

Just as everyone was exchanging bewildered glances, thinking that the fat man was about to be in big trouble, Liu Hongyan merely glanced at the silver note, her red lips slightly curved, and actually reached out to take the silver note, stuffing it into her sleeve, and then waved to him: "Come in."

"Thank you, instructor."

The fat boy was overjoyed and quickly joined the line, even smugly raising his chin at the several classmates next to him who were looking at him with disdain.

Everyone was astonished.

Does this work too?

If paying money solves everything, then what about the previous rules?

Liu Hongyan seemed to see through everyone's thoughts and coldly said, "Feeling it's unfair? Remember, here, I am the rule, the power, including your cultivation level, family background, and even your luck."

"Anything that can be used to solve problems and achieve goals is strength."

As soon as she finished speaking, a lazy-looking young man strolled over unhurriedly, toying with a jade pendant in his hand.

He walked to the front of the line, casually cupped his hands in greeting to Liu Hongyan, and without explaining, simply stood in the line.

Liu Hongyan acted as if she hadn't seen him, and didn't say anything, letting him stand inside.

Li Yuan's eyes flickered slightly. Wu Yu leaned close to his ear and said quickly in a very low voice, "I know this one. His name is Chu Yunhe. He is the only son of Chu Jinghong, the deputy commander of the Demon Suppression Division."

It turned out to be the case.

Li Yuan understood. Chu Yunhe's identity itself was a kind of strength. It seemed that this Instructor Liu really did not intend to cultivate a group of hothouse flowers who only knew how to follow the rules and were ignorant of the ways of the world.

Her rules are closer to the harsh reality.

"Everyone's here."

"The first lesson of the semester is a diagnostic test. Let me see what you so-called geniuses are really made of."

She coldly ordered, "Now, pair up and choose your opponent to fight. No weapons allowed, no attacks on vital points. Stop when you've made a point. The one who voluntarily surrenders or falls to the ground and cannot get up loses."

"Those who do not get a choice of opponent will receive a bye in the first round. The winner will continue to choose an opponent in the next round. The final winner will be awarded five credits."

As soon as he finished speaking, almost everyone's eyes lit up and they began to look each other up and down.

"you."

Shen Lian took a step forward, pointing his finger straight at Li Yuan, his eyes filled with undisguised fighting spirit, and even a hint of excitement.

"Shen Lian!" Wu Yu had long disliked him, and finally seized the opportunity. "I'll fight you."

Shen Lian frowned slightly, then nodded: "Alright."

While the group was talking, the others had already chosen their opponents. Li Yuan smiled slightly, patted Wu Yu on the shoulder, and calmly walked out of the line.

He unexpectedly became the first player to receive a bye.

"start."

At Liu Hongyan's command, the six pairs of students moved almost simultaneously and engaged in battle.

Li Yuan stood quietly on the sidelines, his gaze calmly sweeping across each battle circle as he carefully observed. This was undoubtedly the best opportunity for him to understand his classmate's strength.