Divine Martial Pass

"One kind is spirit monsters and demons: mountains, rivers, vegetation, birds, beasts, insects, and fish that absorb the essence of sun and moon, or are accidentally tainted by demonic qi and gain intelligence, yet turn toward evil and feed on humans—tigers, wolves, beasts, tree demons, vine monsters, and the like."

This was rather similar to Li Yuan's understanding of monsters.

"The second kind is yin souls and ghosts, formed from the resentment and Sha Qi left behind after living beings die, or from the yin qi of special earth veins. They are formless and intangible, craving living souls and yang qi—vengeful ghosts, Baleful spirits, zombies, and so on."

"The third kind is extraterrestrial heavenly demons, which come from rifts beyond the heavens or void demon abysses. Formless and shapeless, they excel at beguiling human hearts, stirring inner demons, devouring souls, and catching one utterly off guard."

"Then there is the evil cultivator. Originally human, they cultivate wicked techniques or use demon arts to alter their own bodies. Having lost all humanity, they become lackeys of demons."

Master Han pointed to the three regions marked on the map—Northern Desert, Western Rong, and Southern Frontier. "In every nation controlled by demons, humans are reduced to livestock kept in pens, blood food to be taken whenever needed, or slaves to be driven and enslaved."

"Demons, too, have clans and lineages, with strict hierarchies. Though their cultivation differs from that of us humans, relying mostly on devouring blood food, plundering vitality, or refining resentment and Sha Qi, their levels of strength may likewise be compared to the nine realms of human cultivation. Only their titles differ, more cruel and direct."

He then explained in detail the common divisions of demonic strength: lesser demons and demon soldiers corresponding to Body Tempering and Essence Guiding; demon generals corresponding to Subtle Insight and Heart Inquiry; demon marshals and demon kings corresponding to Delusion Breaking and Core Formation; and even demon venerables and demon emperors corresponding to Essence Condensation and Dao Entry...

The cultivation methods of the Demon Race destined them to have irreconcilable contradictions with humankind. Between the two sides, it was a fight to the death.

The classroom was deathly silent, with only Master Han's grief-laden voice echoing through it.

Looking at the grotesque demons in the paintings, as though they might leap out at any moment, and hearing of the horrific fate of their compatriots being penned, enslaved, and devoured by demons, many students went pale. Their breathing quickened, and fury shone in their eyes.

Li Yuan's expression remained calm, yet stormy waves churned within his heart. Before this, his idea of demons had always resembled the impression he had gotten from Journey to the West. He had thought demons, like humans, could be divided into good and evil, and could even become friends with people.

He had never expected reality to be so cruel, laid bare before him in blood and gore, shattering the fantasies in his heart.

Just then, he heard heavy breathing being forcibly suppressed beside him and could not help glancing sideways.

Shen Lian, seated in front of him, had his head lowered. Both hands gripped the edge of the desk so tightly that veins bulged on the backs of them, while his entire body trembled faintly.

Those eyes that were usually cold and keen were now streaked with terrifying bloodshot veins, red from end to end!

It was as though endless rage burned within them.

Li Yuan was slightly surprised. Could Shen Lian truly have a blood-deep vendetta against demons?

"Remember well what has been taught today."

"Show demons no mercy. Harbor no wishful illusions. Only blood for blood, tooth for tooth. Should you meet them on the battlefield one day, either you die or I perish."

The heavy atmosphere lasted until afternoon. The students turned their fury into motivation for cultivation, each punch carrying the force of wind as though they knew no fatigue.

The days flew by amid cultivation from dawn to dusk, and in the blink of an eye, a month had passed.

That day, Liu Hongyan announced good news that roused everyone's spirits.

"Cultivation is not about building a cart behind closed doors. Tomorrow is a rest day, and I will take you to Divine Martial Pass, the closest pass to Chang'an, for observation and practical study."

What? They were going to visit a pass?

The crowd immediately erupted.

Liu Hongyan's beautiful eyes swept over the youths who had instantly grown excited. "Master Mo and I will lead the group. Everyone is to travel light. Gather at the academy gates tomorrow at chen hour."

"Those who know how to ride may apply for horses. The rest will travel by carriage. Do not be late."

"Divine Martial Pass?" Wu Yu cried out, his face full of excitement.

"Can we really go up onto the pass and look around?" Yu Ling'er also bounced with delight.

Even Li Yuan, who was usually composed, felt his heart surge.

What one learned from books always seemed shallow; to truly understand a matter, one had to experience it firsthand.

Who would not be thrilled to see with their own eyes that iron-blooded, majestic pass that had blocked countless demons, and to feel the true atmosphere of the front lines?

Early the next morning, more than a dozen students gathered at the academy gates. They boarded several broad, sturdy carriages, while several splendid Dragonhorses stood nearby.

The mounts ridden by Great Tang cultivators were no ordinary breed, but specially bred Dragonhorses capable of covering a thousand li in a day, their bodies imbued with spiritual grace.

Liu Hongyan and Master Mo each rode a pitch-black Dragonhorse and stood at the head of the convoy.

It was Li Yuan's first time meeting Master Mo. Not knowing his identity, he had assumed him to be an ordinary academy instructor.

Today, Master Mo had changed into a clean gray linen robe. He was still unkempt, yet atop his horse, his back was ramrod straight. His eyes, usually carrying a faint drunken haze, were exceptionally clear as they gazed northward.

Li Yuan, Wu Yu, Zhou Mo, and Jin Duoduo shared one carriage. Shen Lian, Chu Yunhe, and several other students skilled in riding chose to travel on horseback.

Yu Ling'er also cheerfully picked out a gentle mare, moving with considerable skill.

The convoy set off, leaving Chang'an City and heading north.

Li Yuan watched the scenery slide past outside the window, finding it rather novel. These Dragonhorses were actually no slower than the green-skin trains of his previous life, and formation patterns had likely been inscribed within the carriage, making the ride exceptionally smooth without the slightest bump.

At first, the official road was flat, and the fields and villages on either side were peaceful and tranquil. But the farther north they went, the higher the terrain rose, and the more desolate the scenery became.

Abandoned village ruins began appearing along both sides of the road. Weeds ran wild amid broken walls and crumbling foundations, while yellow sand stretched everywhere.

The students who had chattered all the way gradually fell silent. Most had been born in prosperous, flourishing Chang'an City; when had they ever seen such poverty and barrenness?

Even Yu Ling'er, the liveliest among them, fell quiet and simply watched the scenery on both sides.

After a full day's rapid travel, as evening fell, a majestic black silhouette finally appeared upon the distant horizon, stretching across the mountains like a gigantic dragon.

As they drew closer, the black silhouette became ever clearer and more towering, and an oppressive feeling arose without warning.

It was a colossal pass beyond the power of words to describe.

Its walls stood more than twenty zhang high, built entirely from massive blocks of dark bluish-green ironstone. The walls were covered in marks left by blades, axes, and searing flames, mottled with the passage of time, like an ancient giant god clad in heavy armor scarred by a hundred wounds, standing in silent vigil.

Flags snapped atop the walls, embroidered with the enormous character for "Tang" and the tower emblem of the Demon Suppression Bureau, clattering fiercely in the biting winds beyond the frontier.

The pass walls stretched out to either side until they vanished into towering mountains shrouded in distant mist, as though they had merged with heaven and earth.

A desolate yet majestic aura rushed toward them, mixed with the scent of metal and beacon fires. It carried the profound weight of years, making everyone who saw it for the first time feel their breath catch and an infinite reverence rise in their hearts.

This was Divine Martial Pass.

One of Great Tang's eight great passes, and the largest gateway to the north—a Great Wall of iron that blocked the demons of the Northern Desert from advancing south.

The convoy stopped outside the enormous barbican beneath the pass. Several captains in black armor had already been waiting there.

The leader was a tall man with rough features. A savage scar slashed diagonally from his brow bone to his chin, making him appear exceptionally fierce.

Upon seeing them, he split his mouth in a simple, honest grin.

"Old Mo, seeing you again! Hahaha..." The scar-faced captain strode forward and thumped Master Mo on the chest, his manner exceedingly familiar.