Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

"Over the centuries, the Demon Suppression Bureau has grown stronger and, in cooperation with the border troops, fought countless bloody battles, finally driving most of the demons out of the Great Wall, thus stabilizing the barrier of the Nine Provinces and allowing the Tang Dynasty to continue."

Master Han pointed to the huge map hanging on the wall, which clearly marked the territory of the Tang Dynasty and the surrounding situation.

"However, the demons' desire to destroy me remains undiminished."

"Now, our Great Tang has established eight formidable passes in all directions, including Yumen, Yangguan, Yanmen, and Shanhaiguan, which are jointly guarded by the Demon Suppression Bureau and the border troops."

"The area surrounding the Tang Dynasty includes the Northern Desert Wolf Court, the Western Rong Ghost Kingdom, and the Southern Frontier Demon Kingdom, which have been completely corrupted by demons. Wars break out frequently, and there has never been a day of peace."

He paused, his tone heavy: "The land beyond the pass is no longer habitable for ordinary people. Demons roam freely, evil spirits abound, and the environment is extremely harsh."

"Countless soldiers were buried beneath the walls of the pass, which brought peace and tranquility to the people within the pass."

"You may one day also set foot on that land to guard the destiny of our human race."

The trainees listened intently, their hearts pounding with excitement.

Li Yuan's gaze involuntarily fell on the winding border line on the map, as if he could see the iron and blood of war.

"As for overseas," Master Han pointed to the vast ocean in the southeast of the map, "the situation of the islands in the East China Sea and the islands in the South China Sea is complicated."

"There are countries that are on friendly terms with our Great Tang and exchange goods with each other, as well as islands that imitate demons and perform evil rituals. At present, we generally maintain an agreement of non-aggression, but undercurrents are surging."

"In the far west, there are rumors of several human kingdoms that are also struggling against demons, but little is known about the specifics."

Li Yuan couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. The Tang Dynasty was now surrounded by demons and powerful enemies, and the overseas and Western lands were not safe havens either.

He felt a chill run down his spine, realizing even more the importance of power. Without power, in this chaotic world, even survival would be a problem, let alone anything else.

"Alright, that's all for today." Master Han closed the book in his hands. "I hope you will remember history and know that the peace and tranquility we enjoy today did not come easily."

"Tomorrow I will teach you how to distinguish different types of demons, so don't be late."

The bell rang, signaling the end of get out of class, and the students stood up one after another.

"Everyone, wait a minute!"

Yu Ling'er stood up, clapped her hands, and said in a clear voice, "Instructor Liu has given instructions that the afternoon classes will be held in the training ground on the east side of the academy. After lunch, go directly to the assembly point."

"Training ground? Is the afternoon session a practical combat class?" a student asked.

"Wow, are they finally getting serious?"

"Instructor Liu personally teaching practical combat? Interesting." Chu Yunhe raised an eyebrow.

Shen Lian silently wiped the long sword he never parted with, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Li Yuan tidied up his brush and ink, his expression calm.

The training ground on the east side of Shenwu Academy is vast, with the ground paved with hard black granite and engraved with reinforcement and restoration array patterns.

Dozens of weapon racks stood at the edge of the field, displaying a dazzling array of weapons, including swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and even some unusual ones.

Liu Hongyan changed into a dark purple outfit that allowed for easy movement, and her long hair was tied up in a high ponytail, making her look capable and dashing.

She stood in the center of the field, her gaze sweeping over the queue, her red lips slightly parted.

"In the path of cultivation, talent is just the starting point. What can truly take you far on this path is real combat."

She paused, a sharp glint flashing in her phoenix eyes: "This afternoon, there's no fixed routine; there's only one thing: free fighting."

"You may use your fists and feet, or even your weapons, as long as you do not intentionally cause serious injury to your classmates, there are no other restrictions."

These words immediately caused a stir among the students.

"During your exchanges," Liu Hongyan continued, "I will offer some guidance as needed. How much you can learn from it is up to you."

"start!"

After a brief moment of hesitation, the battle broke out almost immediately.

Shen Lian was the first to move. He went straight to the weapon rack and took down a standard longsword.

The blade is long and narrow with a slight curve, very similar in shape to his own sword.

He didn't choose an opponent; he simply stood in the arena with his knife, his cold gaze sweeping over the crowd as if waiting for a challenger.

Chu Yunhe chuckled lightly, casually picked up a long sword from the shelf, twirled it, and the sword light was as smooth as water.

"Shen Lian, we weren't quite done this morning, shall we continue this afternoon?" With that, he rose gracefully into the air, his sword flashing as it swept towards Shen Lian.

Shen Lian let out a low shout, drew his long sword, and with a flash of bright light, fiercely met the attack. Immediately, the sound of metal clashing together rang out.

Yu Ling'er's eyes lit up, and she ran to pick out a short stick, then approached Wu Yu, who was choosing a weapon, with a grin.

"Wu Yu, let's practice together."

Wu Yu smiled wryly and had no choice but to grab a horizontal sword and fight with Yu Ling'er.

This time, Jin Duoduo learned her lesson and didn't provoke those tough guys. Instead, she went to Zhou Mo, who was the most refined, and the two chose the most ordinary wooden sticks and started sparring.

The other trainees quickly found their opponents as well. For a time, the huge training ground was filled with shouts and the sound of weapons clashing, creating a spectacular scene.

Li Yuan did not rush to join the battle.

He stood in front of the weapons rack, his fingers brushing against the cold metal.

Knife, sword, spear, halberd... which one should I choose?

In my previous life, I mainly used guns and daggers in the army and did not learn any other cold weapons.

His gaze fell on a pair of short-handled hand axes, their blades sharp and capable of chopping and hacking, similar to his habit of close-quarters combat.

Soon, a burly student approached him. This man was named Shi Yong, and he wielded a bronze staff, which he wielded with great force.

"Li Yuan, take this!"

Shi Yong shouted loudly, and his copper staff swept down at his waist with a whistling sound.

Li Yuan's eyes narrowed, and instead of retreating, he advanced. In an instant, he crouched down and slid under the shadow of the bronze staff, his left axe striking Shi Yong's wrist holding the staff, while his right axe swept upwards towards Shi Yong's armpit.

Shi Yong was startled and quickly stepped back to parry with his stick.

Liu Hongyan wandered through the crowd with her hands behind her back, occasionally shouting out in reprimand.

"Shen Lian, your sword strikes are too fierce, leaving no room for maneuver."

"Chu Yunhe, your swordplay is too unrestrained, lacking control and mastery."

"Wu Yu, is your knife just for show? You're hesitating."

"Yu Ling'er, sweeping the area with the stick doesn't mean you can swing it wildly. Be careful to control the range."

Although she is ruthless, she always gets straight to the point and hits the nail on the head.

When she walked up to Li Yuan and the other person, she paused for a moment, then nodded slightly.

"Shi Yong, is all you have is strength? Keep up the pace!"

"Li Yuan, you're using the double axes well, but you're pursuing too much risk and unconventionality. Be careful to keep your lower body stable."

Upon turning around and seeing Jin Duoduo and the other person, he couldn't help but frown.

"Jin Duoduo, Zhou Mo! Are you dancing? Put some effort into it!"

Under her relentless urging, no one dared to slack off in the slightest, and the fighting became increasingly fierce.

People were constantly being knocked down or dropped their weapons, but they would quickly get up and continue fighting.

The afternoon flew by amidst the intense competition.

When Liu Hongyan called a halt, almost everyone was drenched in sweat and panting, but their eyes held a sharper edge.

That's all for today.

Looking at the group of disheveled young men and women before her, Liu Hongyan's eyes flashed with satisfaction. "Go back and apply your medicine, meditate and regulate your breathing. Do not slack off."

"Yu Ling'er".

"Yes!" Yu Ling'er quickly replied.

"Distribute these books and have them study them on their own tonight. I will check on them in three days."

With a flick of her wrist, Liu Hongyan produced a stack of brand-new thread-bound books and handed them to Yu Ling'er.

"Yes."

Yu Ling'er took them and began distributing them.