Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"The power of stars?" Liu Hongyan frowned slightly.

"Hmm." Ye Hongyu nodded. "The power of the stars governs time, and I have some connection with it, which is why I was able to sense it."

"But I can't see the specifics of his internal condition. What I can say for sure is that the purpose of the Star Stone that the Demon Emperor of the Stars gave him was to forcibly activate this power for him."

Ye Hongyu pondered, "His words about giving Li Yuan a great opportunity might not be empty talk."

"Then why is he unconscious now?"

"Because that power was too strong, far exceeding his current limit," Ye Hongyu explained. "His body and consciousness need time to integrate with this power."

"This process is like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon; it must be endured by itself. Outsiders cannot help it, and forcibly intervening will only backfire."

Liu Hongyan was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "I understand."

Ye Hongyu stood up, glanced at Li Yuan, turned and walked out of the quiet room. Liu Hongyan followed behind her and gently closed the door.

"I'll go to the Imperial Preceptor's residence and ask him to come and take a look in person." Ye Hongyu stood in the courtyard, looked up at the sky, and said, "He is the most knowledgeable about astrology, so perhaps he can help that kid."

"Thank you," Liu Hongyan said sincerely.

"No need for thanks." Ye Hongyu waved her hand. "He is your student and also a young talent of our Great Tang Dynasty. For both public and private reasons, I will not stand idly by."

As they walked and talked, Ye Hongyu, who hadn't been back to the capital for a long time, inquired about the whereabouts of several old friends, and Liu Hongyan answered in turn. When they mentioned a classmate who had been stationed on the northern frontier for many years and hadn't returned, both of them fell silent, their eyes filled with a sense of melancholy.

Just then, a petite woman in black walked along the path in the academy. Upon seeing Liu Hongyan, she stopped, bowed, and greeted her.

"Hello, Instructor Liu."

Liu Hongyan smiled gently: "Going to see Yu Ling'er again?"

"Yes, I heard she signed up for the Demon Suppression Division, so I came to check."

"Go ahead."

Liu Hongyan nodded.

Ye Hongyu stopped and looked at her figure, her eyes lighting up.

"Does that girl have spatial talent?" she asked in a low voice, a hint of surprise in her tone.

Liu Hongyan glanced at her and nodded: "Level 8 spatial talent, Ji Fanghua, you should have heard of her name."

"Of course I've heard of it." Ye Hongyu's gaze lingered on Ji Fanghua. "Spatial talent is rare enough, let alone level eight... In the entire Tang Dynasty, only one such promising talent appears every few decades."

"I've been away on missions and had only heard of her name. Seeing her today, I can confirm that she lives up to her reputation."

Liu Hongyan glanced back and forth between Ye Hongyu and Ji Fanghua, then stopped in her tracks.

On the path, Ji Fanghua stopped Yu Ling'er, who had just come out of the library, and the two talked in hushed tones.

Do you know when Senior Brother Li will be back?

"I don't know either."

"Does seclusion really take this long?" Ji Fanghua frowned. "Besides, the last time I saw him before he went into seclusion, he didn't seem like he was about to break through to a higher realm. I have a feeling... he might have gone somewhere."

Yu Ling'er helplessly shrugged: "Although I don't believe he's in seclusion either, there's definitely been no news of him."

Seeing that Ji Fanghua remained silent with a furrowed brow, Yu Ling'er thought to herself that this girl was quite perceptive, but she remained outwardly calm: "Fanghua, don't worry about it. Who is Senior Brother Li? He's the top student of our Divine Martial Arts Academy. Even the secret realm couldn't do anything to him. What could possibly happen to him?"

"Maybe by the time he comes out of seclusion, he'll have already broken through to the Core Formation Realm," Yu Ling'er said, feigning nonchalance.

Ji Fanghua remained silent for a moment, then changed the subject, asking, "By the way, I heard you applied to join the Demon Suppression Division?"

"Yes, I'll take the assessment in three days. There shouldn't be any problems." Yu Ling'er nodded.

"I also want to sign up, but I just asked and they said they don't accept second-year students," Ji Fanghua sighed.

From a distance, Ye Hongyu had been observing her. She then asked Ji Fanghua about her performance over the past two years. Upon hearing that Ji Fanghua had participated in the Four Colleges League despite being at a higher level, her eyes lit up.

"Hongyan, I want to take her as my apprentice."

Liu Hongyan was not surprised, and simply said, "I know this child's personality very well. She has a lot of ideas. If you really want to take her in, she has to agree herself."

"That's natural." Ye Hongyu smiled. "When I, Ye Hongyu, accept disciples, I never force anyone."

The two walked towards Ji Fanghua.

Just as Ji Fanghua was about to leave in disappointment, she suddenly saw Liu Hongyan and the other person approaching and quickly stopped.

"Ji Fanghua." Ye Hongyu walked up to her and greeted her with a smile.

"Yes, I am... May I ask who you are...?" Ji Fanghua looked at her with some wariness.

Ye Hongyu cut to the chase: "I overheard you saying you wanted to join the Demon Suppression Division?"

Ji Fanghua was taken aback. She had indeed been discussing this topic with Yu Ling'er. She immediately became wary, but seeing Liu Hongyan smiling silently beside her, she knew there was no risk.

"Yes," Ji Fanghua readily admitted. "I did have that idea, but the academy's rules state that only students in their third year or above can apply. I'm only a second year, so I'm not qualified yet."

"What if I could make an exception and hire you?" Ye Hongyu looked at her with a smile, her eyes filled with admiration.

Ji Fanghua frowned slightly, looking directly into Ye Hongyu's eyes, "Then... what are your conditions?"

Ye Hongyu couldn't help but laugh. She was indeed a smart girl, knowing that there's no such thing as a free lunch.

"If you are willing to become my disciple, I can make an exception and let you join the Demon Suppression Division as a trainee demon-hunting guard, where you can learn from me."

Upon hearing this, not only was Ji Fanghua stunned, but Yu Ling'er, who was standing next to her, also opened her mouth in surprise.

Becoming an apprentice? Who is this?

They actually dared to snatch someone from Shenwu Academy.

"Let me introduce you. This is Ye Hongyu, the deputy commander of the Demon Suppression Division," Liu Hongyan interjected at the opportune moment.

"A fleeting moment of beauty, Ye Hongyu?"

Yu Ling'er couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. This man was a legend in the cultivation world of the Tang Dynasty, and also her idol.

Despite being a woman, she stands out among all heroes and is the youngest deputy commander in the history of the Demon Suppression Division.

She looked at Ji Fanghua with envy and gently nudged her. This was a tremendous opportunity; how could she let it slip by?

Ji Fanghua was also stunned. She was silent for a moment, then looked up at Ye Hongyu and asked, "Lord Ye, may I ask you a question?"

"Go ahead and ask."

"Why do you want to take me as your apprentice? Just because of my spatial talent?"

Ye Hongyu looked at her with a hint of approval in her eyes. This girl was not overwhelmed by the sudden opportunity and was able to remain calm and think things through. This composure was beyond that of most of her peers.

"Talent is only one of the reasons, but not the whole story," Ye Hongyu said frankly. "I have seen many talented young people, but very few of them can actually make it to the end. Talent determines the starting point, but character determines the destination."

"I just inquired about your background. Your youthful age and resolute composure are what I value more than your spatial talent."

Ji Fanghua was silent for a moment, then turned to look at Liu Hongyan.

Liu Hongyan nodded slightly to her: "It's all up to you to decide."

Ji Fanghua pursed her lips. Ye Hongyu was a genius on par with Yuchi Feng, deeply favored by His Majesty, and the most promising person to succeed the Demon Suppression Division.

If someone like that were to take her as a disciple, wouldn't that bring her one step closer to her revenge plan?