Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

Several dark figures looked up at the same time and saw that a person was sitting on the roof ridge.

The man was dressed in a drab old cloth robe, looking like a down-on-his-luck middle-aged scholar. He was holding a wine gourd in his hand and was taking a swig of wine.

The moonlight shone on half of his face, making him look ordinary, even somewhat dejected.

He sat there casually, and an aura of chilling menace, as tangible as a mountain, pressed down upon him.

The men all changed color.

They had been lying in ambush for so long, yet they had no idea how this person had appeared.

The leader froze, gritted his teeth, and threatened, "Who are you? Don't meddle in my business. What if I insist on coming in today?"

The middle-aged scholar put down his wine gourd, casually wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and let out a cold laugh that was hard to decipher.

He didn't answer the other person's question, but simply uttered three words, accompanied by an undisguised chilling murderous aura.

"Kill without mercy."

These words exploded in their minds like thunder, and they suddenly clutched their heads, their faces contorted with pain.

"You, you are that god of death..."

The man in black's expression changed drastically, as if he had remembered something. He dared not linger any longer, respectfully bowed, and scurried away as if fleeing for his life.

At dawn, the main gate of Shenwu Academy was bustling with activity, and students, all dressed smartly and walking briskly, were coming and going.

Li Yuan was still wearing his worn-out indigo cloth clothes. Alone, he walked along the cobblestone path toward the inconspicuous side door.

He carried only a simple bag, a few changes of clothes, and the old cloth bundle that Aji had given him.

He lowered his head and walked in silently, showing his admission document to the gatekeeper. After the old man guarding the gate verified that it was correct, he gave him a deep look and stepped aside.

"Go in, walk straight to the third courtyard, and report to the Tian Shu Pavilion."

Thank you.

Li Yuan nodded and stepped across the threshold. There seemed to be an invisible barrier inside, and even the air felt fresher.

Following the directions, he arrived at Tian Shu Pavilion, a three-story independent building with flying eaves and exquisite materials, quite different from the ordinary classrooms he had passed before.

There was no plaque at the entrance, only an ancient Big Dipper pattern inlaid on the lintel, with the position of the Tian Shu star glowing.

Several people were already waiting inside the pavilion. As soon as Li Yuan entered, he heard a delighted voice: "Brother Li, over here."

Looking in the direction of the sound, it was Wu Yu.

He was dressed in a royal blue robe, which made his complexion look much rosier. He was waving excitedly at him, which attracted the attention of several people around him.

Li Yuan walked over and nodded to Wu Yu.

"Brother Li, that's great! We're in the same class!" Wu Yu said, barely able to contain his excitement. "I heard that everyone here has one of the highest talent ratings."

Li Yuan's gaze swept across the room. Including himself, there were eight people in total, both men and women. Most of them were taciturn and each occupied a corner, maintaining a subtle distance from one another.

"Hey, you're the one with the level nine talent?"

A clear and lively voice suddenly rang out. It was a baby-faced girl with big, round eyes. She had somehow come closer and was curiously looking him up and down.

"My name is Yu Ling'er. My talent is a mutated type of psychic ability, which allows me to communicate simply with some animals and spiritual plants. It's level seven."

She pointed to herself, then to Wu Yu, "You're Wu Yu, right? That level seven giant tortoise, I recognize you."

Wu Yu blushed slightly, unsure how to respond. Li Yuan nodded slightly to her: "My name is Li Yuan, nice to meet you."

"I know, I know, who in Chang'an doesn't know you now?" Yu Ling'er said with a grin, moving closer as if they were old friends. "Let me tell you, there are thirteen of us in this class, and none of us are ordinary."

"See that guy over there with the ice-cold face and the knife?" She secretly gestured with her eyes to a boy in the corner.

The young man was tall and straight, dressed in a black outfit, with a stern face and tightly pursed lips, exuding a composure beyond his years.

He held a sheathed longsword in his arms, its style ancient and simple. Seemingly aware of the gazes directed at them, he glanced at it coldly, his gaze lingering on Li Yuan for a moment, his eyes sharp and carrying a hint of hostility.

"His name is Shen Lian, and he comes from the Yumen Pass in the northwest," Yu Ling'er introduced mysteriously. "I heard he is the only son of Shen Ao, the Iron Wall General who guards the western frontier. His talent is the Silver Moon Wolf King bloodline, an attack-oriented one, level eight."

Li Yuan's expression remained unchanged. The relationship between border generals and the Chang'an court has always been delicate, so there might be another reason why the other party returned to Chang'an to study.

As they were talking, the remaining students arrived one after another.

Just then, a fragrant breeze drifted in, and a beautiful woman walked in through the side door of the pavilion, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

She looked to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, with a tall and graceful figure. She wore a well-tailored crimson fitted long dress that accentuated her stunning curves.

Her long hair cascaded down her back, loosely tied up with a simple wooden hairpin, with a few strands falling naturally down her neck, adding a touch of languid charm.

"Alright, little ones." The woman walked to the center of the attic, her voice melodious and carrying a touch of natural charm.

Her beautiful eyes slowly swept over the crowd, lingering on each person's face for a moment, her red lips curving slightly.

"I am Liu Hongyan, the head teacher of this year's Tian Shu class."

She got straight to the point, without a single unnecessary word: "The Tian Shu Class, as the name suggests, consists of promising students whom the academy has poured resources into nurturing."

"Here, everything revolves around academic credits and practical experience."

As Liu Hongyan spoke, she flipped her wrist, and thirteen palm-sized, dark purple tokens appeared in her palm.

"These are your identity badges, and also your academic credit badges. After the blood oath is performed, they will be bound to your soul, and no one else can use them."

"Initial credits were distributed inside, one hundred points per person."

"Credits are the most important currency for you in the college."

"Reading cultivation manuals in the Scripture Pavilion, receiving elixirs in the alchemy room, ordering or repairing weapons in the weapon workshop, and even seeking private instruction all require consuming credits."

"The main ways to earn credits are by completing academic studies and various tasks assigned by the college. The more difficult the task, the more credits you will be awarded."

She paused, her phoenix eyes narrowing slightly, her tone carrying a hint of warning: "Remember, the academy doesn't tolerate useless people. Those who run out of credits and are unable to obtain more will be demoted or even expelled, depending on the circumstances."

"Did you all understand?"

"Understood."

Everyone answered in unison, their expressions turning serious. One hundred initial credits sounded like a lot, but according to Liu Hongyan, it probably wouldn't be enough.

"very good."

Liu Hongyan handed out the credit cards one by one. "There are no classes today. Your dormitories are in Tingzhuxuan at the back. Two people per room. Your names are already written on the door."

"Go and settle in now. Use your name tag to collect basic supplies from the logistics department. Meet here at 7:00 AM tomorrow. Do not be late."

After saying that, she said no more, swaying her slender waist as she turned and left gracefully.

Holding his credit card with his name engraved on it with great delight, Wu Yu leaned close to Li Yuan and said, "Brother Li, let's go get our things together, and then check out the dorms."

"Maybe we'll even be assigned to the same room."