Great Qi, Southwest Nine Provinces.
Several iron pillars, rising straight into the heavens, stretched across the border between the Ten Thousand Demon Lair and the Great Qi Dynasty.
Dense arrays of runes were also carved into the iron pillars. They conjured shimmering Light Barriers that completely sealed off the Great Qi Dynasty from this land.
Such a profound sight, with demons and monsters utterly shut away, should have drawn passersby to stop and stare.
Yet the people living along the border of Southwest Nine Provinces seemed to have long since grown accustomed to it.
Aside from the occasional traveling merchant stopping to look, relief showing in their eyes as they let out a few exclamations of wonder, the city remained undisturbed.
"Clang, clang, clang!"
But the next moment, the thunder of gongs and drums rang out.
It was as if something had suddenly happened in the city. The scene grew extraordinarily lively and bustling, making passersby stop to watch.
"The Martial Academy results are out!"
"The sons of Mister Zhao, Mister Li, and Mister Chen... They've all passed the Martial Academy selection. They're now martial degree-holders of our city."
"Not only are all the taxes and levies on their estates waived, they can also collect a monthly stipend of five taels of silver from the Demon Suppression Department."
Ever since the Great Qi Dynasty abolished the hereditary clans and established the Martial Academy, welcoming students from all walks of life, the practice of martial arts had flourished more and more.
Passing the Martial Academy's selection and becoming a martial degree-holder had become the hope of the countless common people at the bottom of Great Qi Dynasty society.
Everyone knew that becoming a martial degree-holder was a path to the heavens, but "the poor studied literature; the rich practiced martial arts."