Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Chu Yunhe smiled. "It's precisely because it's dangerous that we need people to go. What is the purpose of our cultivation? Is it simply to pursue higher realms and greater power?"

"If no one guards the borders, if no one resists the demon race, what use is it even if one cultivates to the point of transcending emotions?"

His words were so powerful that they silenced everyone present.

Yes, what is the purpose of spiritual practice?

Is it for immortality? Is it for power? Or is it for... protection?

Just then, a clear, crisp voice rang out: "Well said."

Everyone turned to look and saw that Liu Hongyan had appeared there at some point.

"The academy has just issued a notice," Liu Hongyan said slowly. "Given the escalating war in the Northwest, the imperial court has ordered all academies to allow students in their third year and above to graduate early and enlist in the army or join the Demon Suppression Bureau."

"Those who pass the assessment will be directly granted the corresponding military rank, such as the Demon Slayer Guard rank."

These words immediately caused an uproar on the training field.

"Really? We can graduate early?"

"I want to join the army! I want to join the army!"

"I'm going too! I've been wanting to fight demons for ages!"

The youthful passion was ignited at this moment. After three years of hard training, it was time to test their skills, and everyone was eager to try.

Liu Hongyan looked around and nodded with satisfaction.

"Those who want to go, please register at the Academic Affairs Office tomorrow and participate in a special assessment." After Liu Hongyan finished speaking, she glanced around the crowd and noticed that Wu Yu was alone in a corner, not saying a word, which surprised her.

"Wu Yu, what about you?"

Wu Yu paused for a moment, scratched his head, and hesitated: "Me? I want to wait until Brother Li comes back before we talk about it. We agreed to go on adventures together, I can't leave alone first."

Liu Hongyan glanced at him, said nothing more, and simply nodded: "That's good, he should be back soon."

As soon as she stepped outside, Yu Ling'er caught up with her alone. "Instructor Liu, is Li Yuan... really just in seclusion?"

Liu Hongyan raised an eyebrow and smiled, but did not answer. Yu Ling'er, however, seemed to have received an answer, and a look of relief appeared on her face. "If he returns, please tell him that I, Yu Ling'er, have gone to kill demons and monsters first."

"Okay, I will definitely pass it on."

Seeing that Liu Hongyan agreed, Yu Ling'er seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her whole body relaxed. She bowed to the instructor and turned to leave.

Liu Hongyan sighed softly and shook her head.

The main hall of the Demon Suppression Division headquarters.

Chen Shuo, covered in dust from his journey, stood respectfully below the hall and gave Commander Luo a detailed account of his trip.

Behind Luo Xuan stood a woman dressed as a man, who looked to be about twenty-five or twenty-six years old. She wore a moon-white brocade robe, with a jade belt around her waist, and her long hair was tied up high, revealing her smooth forehead.

"That Starry Night Demon Emperor..."

After listening to his report, the woman pondered in a low voice, "You mean General Yuchi believes he comes from the sacred land of the demon race?"

This woman was Ye Hongyu, the youngest deputy commander of the Demon Suppression Division, and a once-renowned young genius.

At a young age, he had already reached the Condensation Realm. He once ventured alone into the Southern Frontier, destroyed a demon cave that had been entrenched for many years, and killed three demon kings, earning him great fame.

Over the years, she had been on missions outside the capital. This time, due to the tense situation in the Northwest, Chu Yunhe left the capital, and she was temporarily transferred back to assist in handling the defense of the capital region.

"Yes, this person also said himself that he did not come from the court," Chen Shuo replied immediately.

Ye Hongyu's eyes revealed a keen interest. "Able to manipulate the power of stars, and even able to make Li Yuan fall into a coma with a single star stone... Interesting."

"Oh, Red Fish, what's your opinion?" Luo Xuan looked at her.

"I once read in an ancient book that there are star beasts in the void, born from the essence of heaven, earth, sun and moon, and born with the power of stars. I suspect that this is his true form."

Ye Hongyu stated bluntly, "Therefore, I am almost certain that this Chen Su Demon Emperor definitely comes from the Holy Land."

Luo Xuan remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "If it really is someone from the Demon Clan's Holy Land, then things are complicated. The Demon Clan's Holy Land has been indifferent to worldly affairs for thousands of years, yet now they have sent a Demon Emperor, and are so concerned about a mere human youth..."

"It seems that what they are after is by no means a small matter."

"Where is Li Yuan now?" Ye Hongyu suddenly asked.

Chen Shuo hesitated for a moment, but still answered truthfully: "In Mr. Mo's courtyard at Shenwu Academy, Instructor Liu insisted on placing him there."

Ye Hongyu raised an eyebrow, but didn't say anything more. She stood up and said to Luo Xuan, "Uncle Luo, I want to go see Li Yuan. I want to see what's so special about him that makes the Demon Clan Holy Land go to such lengths."

Luo Xuan smiled and shook his head. "Go ahead, but be careful not to disturb too many people."

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," Red Fish waved his hand and strode out of the main hall.

Luo Xuan turned to look at Chen Shuo standing below the hall and asked in a deep voice, "Chen Shuo, you served on the front lines at Tiger Wolf Gorge. How far do you think this battle will go?"

Chen Shuo paused for a moment, remained silent, and then slowly said, "This subordinate does not know, but this subordinate does know that no matter how fierce the battle becomes, the Demon Suppression Division will not back down."

The sky was getting dark.

Behind the Shenwu Academy, Ye Hongyu, still dressed in men's clothing, pushed open the bamboo fence gate.

Liu Hongyan walked out of the quiet room and saw Ye Hongyu. She was not surprised and simply nodded slightly: "You've come."

"He's also one of my subordinates in the Demon Suppression Division, how could I not come?" Ye Hongyu looked at Liu Hongyan, a smile appearing on her lips. "It's been a long time, Hongyan."

"Long time no see." A smile appeared on Liu Hongyan's face.

The two stood facing each other and smiled. They had been students in the same year at the Divine Martial Academy, sharing a dormitory, training together, venturing into secret realms together, and enduring the instructors' scolding together.

Later, Ye Hongyu graduated early and joined the Demon Suppression Division. With her amazing talent, she rose to fame in just a few years.

Liu Hongyan chose to join the army, and after retiring, she returned to the academy to teach. Although the two went down different paths, their friendship as classmates never faded.

"Let's go in and take a look." Liu Hongyan stepped aside.

Ye Hongyu nodded and walked into the quiet room.

In the quiet room, Li Yuan lay peacefully on the couch, his face serene, as if he were simply asleep.

The Soul-Suppressing Bell hovered above his head, casting long, pale golden light curtains. As the light curtains swirled, tiny runes could be vaguely seen moving within them, emitting a low humming sound.

Ye Hongyu's gaze fell on the Soul-Suppressing Bell, and she paused slightly.

"The Soul-Suppressing Bell..." she murmured, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. "Old Man Yuchi even brought out this treasure. It seems he cares about this kid quite a bit."

She walked to the bedside, carefully observed Li Yuan's complexion, and then extended two fingers to gently place them on his wrist pulse.

She closed her eyes and sensed for a long time.

Liu Hongyan stood aside, waiting quietly. Ye Hongyu had extraordinary spiritual insight and might be able to discover things that others couldn't.

After a long while, Ye Hongyu released her grip, opened her eyes, and a look of understanding appeared in them.

"Within his body, there is a very pure stellar power," Ye Hongyu said slowly. "This power comes from... and that star stone was just a catalyst that activated the dormant power within him."