8: This Demon Suppression Division stronghold is just like this?

Three days passed quickly.

Li Dong had been in seclusion, Cultivating.

He opened his eyes again.

His spirit had recovered to its best state.

He had initially grasped the Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal.

His aura was more concentrated and contained than before.

It carried a subtle sharpness.

His younger sister, Li Qingyan, hadn't been idle these past few days either.

Besides Cultivating, she spent most of her time preparing things for their departure.

Her simple luggage was already packed.

The siblings were about to leave the village where they had grown up.

They were going to Mu Shi County, where there were opportunities, but also dangers.

When it was time to leave, all the villagers gathered at the village entrance.

They didn't say any flowery words, just heartfelt admonitions and hopes.

"A'Dong, Qingyan girl, take care of yourselves when you reach the county!"

"You are the pride of our Li Village; when you go to the Demon Suppression Division, you must bring us honor!"

"Be careful, the county is not like the village; people's intentions are hard to say..."

Familiar Faces, filled with concern and blessings.

Li Dong and Li Qingyan responded to each one, their hearts warm.

Just then, the courtyard gate, which had been closed for three days, creaked open.

Li Shanyue walked out.

His Face was still pale, and his aura was a bit weak.

It seemed that the Celestial Pill Secret Technique couldn't be mastered all at once.

He had only managed to stabilize his injuries for now.

But his eyes, which used to be very sharp, were now exceptionally bright, a calm and resolute gleam.

He looked at his son and daughter, who were about to embark on a long journey.

His gaze was complex, filled with reluctance, worry, and even more, a firm expectation.

"Father!" Li Qingyan's eyes reddened, and she hurried over.

Li Dong also walked to his father's side.

Seeing his father's complexion visibly improve, he felt a little relieved.

Li Shanyue raised his hands and placed them on the siblings' shoulders.

His voice was deep but powerful: "Remember, when you reach the Demon Suppression Division, be careful in all matters."

"It's not like the village there; people's hearts are unpredictable, there are many rules, and factions are formed."

"Speak less and do more, be careful with your words and actions, don't trust others easily, except for yourselves, you two siblings."

He emphasized his tone, his eyes fixed on Li Dong: "The most important point is strength! Only the strength in your own hands is truly reliable!"

"Protect yourself, and protect Qingyan."

"Don't disgrace the Li family!"

These words, one by one, were etched into the hearts of Li Dong and Li Qingyan.

This entrustment was heavy.

"Father, don't worry, I will take good care of my sister and strive to become stronger," Li Dong promised earnestly.

Li Qingyan also nodded vigorously: "Father, please rest and recover; my brother and I will take good care of ourselves."

Li Shanyue nodded happily.

Then he looked at Li Qingyan again: "Qingyan, your talent is good. Although you didn't get a direct pass this time, the county's selection competition is also an opportunity; it's good to go and see. Stay with your brother; you can look out for each other."

It turned out that Li Qingyan had ultimately decided to go together.

She wasn't at ease with her brother facing the complex situation of the Demon Suppression Division alone.

She also wanted to see the outside world with her own eyes.

More importantly, she wanted to work hard alongside her brother.

"Mhm!" Li Qingyan responded, her eyes firm.

After a simple farewell, Li Shanyue turned and went back inside, continuing his seclusion.

He knew that all he could do was quickly restore his strength and be the strongest backing for his children.

Li Dong and Li Qingyan, under the gaze of the villagers, boarded the carriage that had been waiting at the village entrance.

They were sent by a regular subordinate of the Demon Suppression Division, dispatched by Zhang Wu.

His attitude was very polite, clearly following Zhang Wu's instructions.

The carriage slowly left Li Village.

It carried away two young people and the hope of the entire village.

The journey to Mu Shi County was relatively smooth.

Perhaps because of the reputation of the Demon Suppression Division, ordinary petty thieves and low-level demons dared not approach.

It was Li Qingyan's first long journey.

She curiously peered out the window at the constantly changing scenery, her eyes full of novelty.

Li Dong rested with his eyes closed.

He was adjusting his state, constantly thinking about how to use the Ripping Sky Demon Suppression Seal.

At the same time, he was considering all the possible things they might encounter after arriving at the Demon Suppression Division.

Zhao Zhen's hateful gaze and Zhang Wu's unclear warning both indicated that this trip would definitely not be easy.

About half a day later, the carriage entered Mu Shi County.

It was completely different from the quiet and secluded Li Village.

The county was very bustling. Carriages came and went on the wide bluestone roads, and there were many people.

Both sides of the road were lined with shops: restaurants, teahouses, weapons stores, herbal medicine shops—everything imaginable.

Various signs and banners fluttered.

Shouts, hawking, carriage sounds, and conversations blended together, entering their ears.

Li Qingyan's eyes were dazzled, and her small Face was full of surprise.

"Brother, it's so lively here!"

Li Dong opened his eyes and calmly looked out the window.

It was indeed lively, but it also meant more strife and danger.

He could feel the mixed Qi in the air, much denser than in Li Village.

There was the vital Qi power of Martial Artists, and also a faint, cold, evil Qi left by demons.

This Mu Shi County was indeed not simple.

The carriage passed through several streets and finally stopped in front of a very large and imposing building.

Black high walls, a red-lacquered gate.

A large plaque hung above the gate, inscribed with the three bold characters "Demon Suppression Division," written with great force, carrying a sense of Killing Intent and majesty.

At the entrance were two unfamiliar stone statues of strange beasts, made to look lifelike and terrifying.

Several Demon Suppression Division guards, dressed in black tight-fitting clothes with sabers at their waists, stood guard at the entrance.

Their eyes were sharp, vigilantly watching passersby.

This was the stronghold of the Mu Shi County Demon Suppression Division.

Li Dong got out of the carriage and looked up at the building.

It was indeed much grander and more formidable than the Li Village patrol team's camp.

But for some reason, he felt little reverence in his heart.

Instead, he felt... it was just like this.

This Demon Suppression Division stronghold didn't seem so mysterious after all.

Li Dong had witnessed his father Li Shanyue's prestige in his younger days.

He himself now possessed strength.

Therefore, this superficial majesty couldn't intimidate him.

"Let's go," he said to Li Qingyan beside him.

The siblings were about to ascend the steps and enter the stronghold.

Suddenly, a few laughs came from nearby, tinged with disdain.

"Heh, look, where did these bumpkins come from? Dare to come to the Demon Suppression Division?"

"Tsk tsk, those clothes, which mountain gully did they crawl out of?"

"Hey, kid, this is the Demon Suppression Division, not a place for you country folk, scram!"

Li Dong looked over.

Three or four young people stood not far away.

They wore fine clothes and looked arrogant.

These people scrutinized him and Li Qingyan, their eyes full of contempt.

Their clothes were made of good material, and their accessories were valuable.

At a glance, they were clearly scions of wealthy county families.

The fluctuations of Qi and blood on their bodies were not weak.

They were probably around Body Refining fourth or fifth stage.

Li Dong guessed that these people should also be here to participate in the Demon Suppression Division selection.

They might have passed the previous selection competition or obtained their qualifications through other means.

Upon hearing these words, Li Qingyan's Face instantly flushed.

She clenched her fists in anger, wanting to argue.

Li Dong reached out and stopped her.

He shook his head at his sister.

He calmly swept his gaze over those few aristocratic youths.

There was no anger in his eyes, only indifference, as if he were looking at a few clowns.

Arguing with these people was useless, a waste of energy.

Only strength could prove everything.

He thought this in his heart.

What a bunch of inexperienced fellows.

When the Demon Suppression Baptism came, they would know who was truly lacking.

Li Dong completely ignored the provocations of those few people.

He pulled the still somewhat angry Li Qingyan and walked directly towards the Demon Suppression Division gate.

"You!"

Those few aristocratic youths felt ignored and lost Face.

Their expressions became even uglier.

One of them took a step forward, intending to block Li Dong.

Just then, a guard at the entrance's eyes turned cold, and he snorted.

The young man who wanted to block their path stopped his movement.

He seemed a little afraid of that guard.

In the end, he didn't dare to move, only watching Li Dong's retreating figure, his eyes growing even colder.

Li Dong didn't look back.

He led Li Qingyan smoothly into the Demon Suppression Division stronghold.

A capable-looking middle-aged steward received them.

The steward checked Li Dong's identification and Zhang Wu's written order.

He confirmed Li Dong's qualification for the "direct pass."

His attitude was acceptable.

"You are Li Dong, correct? You have a direct pass, so you will directly participate in the Demon Suppression Baptism three days from now."

"Li Qingyan, you will participate in the selection competition. Tomorrow is the final round of trials, where the last four spots will be chosen."

The steward said a few simple words.

Then he arranged temporary lodging for the two of them and issued identity tokens.

These tokens were for entering the Demon Suppression Division's interior and participating in the Baptism and selection.

With the tokens, they were officially considered to have joined this Demon Suppression Division selection.

Li Dong felt that as soon as he entered this Demon Suppression Division stronghold, many more gazes were directed at him.

Some were curious, some were scrutinizing, and some carried obvious hostility.

It seemed that his "direct pass from the countryside" had indeed attracted attention.

He followed the steward to their temporary lodging.

As he walked, he subtly observed his surroundings.

The Demon Suppression Division stronghold was larger inside than it appeared from the outside.

The buildings were constructed at varying heights, and the security was even tighter.

Patrolling guards could be seen everywhere.

The Spiritual Qi here was indeed denser than in Li Village.

For Cultivators, it was a good place.

But he also felt a bit suppressed.

The people here seemed to be in a hurry, with few smiles on their Faces, their expressions very serious.

There was a tense, Killing Intent-filled atmosphere in the air.

This Demon Suppression Division was indeed not a good place.

Li Dong understood in his heart.

Ahead, there was Zhao Zhen's potential revenge.

Behind, there was the competition and hostility from these county Geniuses.

And there was the unknown risk of the Demon Suppression Baptism.