Surviving in a world of demons and monsters to achieve martial arts sainthood

The next day, before dawn, the training ground was already filled with thirty trainee demon-suppressing envoys.

Yesterday's "Tiger-Taming Stance" training was grueling for many, but no one dared to slack off, as this "Tiger-Taming Stance" training had only just begun.

They are still a long way from becoming qualified demon suppressors.

At the stroke of dawn, Zhao Shan appeared precisely on time, still dressed in a black flying fish robe, with a long sword at his waist, and a cold and stern expression.

"Continue with stance training today!" Zhao Shan's voice boomed, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "The foundation of martial arts is like the foundation of a building; stance training cannot be neglected for even a day. The 'Tiger-Taming Stance' trains not only leg strength, but also qi, blood, and endurance. Everyone, begin stance training!"

Everyone quickly stood still and assumed the "Tiger-Taming Stance".

Shen Lian took a deep breath, lowered his waist and dismounted. His breathing gradually became longer. After yesterday's skill point addition, although his stance training had not yet reached the entry level, it had still improved considerably. At this moment, he still felt his legs were heavy while standing in stance, but a warm current was faintly flowing in his dantian, supporting his lower body as stable as a rock.

Li Hu stood beside him, his legs trembling slightly, but he gritted his teeth and persevered.

Holding a rattan cane, Zhao Shan slowly walked through the ranks, whipping anyone whose posture was not up to standard.

"If your lower body is unstable, how can you slay demons?" Zhao Shan said coldly. "'Tiger-Taming Stance' trains your foundation. If your foundation is not solid, even if I teach you swordsmanship, you will hardly become great."

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines and dared not be distracted.

Time passed second by second.

The sun gradually became scorching, baking everyone's skin and forging their will.

Shen Lian's rhythmic breathing, the "Tiger-Taming Stance" is not only for training leg strength, but every tension and relaxation of the muscles, every subtle adjustment with the rhythm of breathing, is like constantly hammering and compressing the weak blood and qi in the body.

"Hold on! There are no shortcuts on the path of martial arts! Every drop of sweat you shed today will save you from shedding a drop of blood when facing demons tomorrow."

As Zhao Shan inspected the area, he also gave instructions to everyone present.

Finally, the long period of standing meditation came to an end.

As Zhao Shan announced "End of training," the tense nerves of the trainee demon slayers on the training ground relaxed.

Li Hu collapsed to the ground, his flying fish suit completely soaked with sweat, panting heavily, not even wanting to move a finger.

Shen Lian slowly finished his practice, a warm current flowing through his body. He looked at Li Hu, who had collapsed to the ground, and helped him up: "Can you still hold on?"

Li Hu forced a smile: "It's alright... but the training at the Demon Suppression Division is too harsh, it's more tiring than doing farm work at home."

Shen Lian patted his shoulder: "Standing meditation is just the basics. When you encounter demons in the future, you'll know that this little bit of hardship is nothing."

Li Hu took a while to stand up, panting heavily, and said, "Brother Lian, I understand everything you're saying... but this 'Tiger-Taming Stake' is too grueling. We don't know when we'll be able to cultivate it to the beginner level."

"Don't rush," Shen Lian comforted him. "Didn't Commander Zhao say there are no shortcuts on the path of martial arts? If we persist in practicing standing meditation every day, we'll eventually be able to grasp the basics."

Li Hu nodded, took a deep breath, and tried to calm his rapid breathing.

After the morning's stance training, everyone rested briefly before heading to the dining hall for lunch. The meal was as plentiful as ever, with steamed white flour buns, thick rice porridge, and braised beef, which provided some comfort to everyone's tired bodies.

After lunch, everyone gathered again. The afternoon training session continued with demon identification, and Mr. Zhou continued to teach.

"This is a 'human-faced spider'," Mr. Zhou said, pointing to a huge spider on the bamboo slip. A human face was clearly visible on the spider's back. "This creature prefers to live in dark and damp places and weaves webs with paralyzing toxins to capture passing creatures. Its weak point is its abdomen; if you can pierce its abdomen, you can kill it."

He then pointed to a large snake covered in green scales: "This is the 'Azure Scale Serpent Demon.' Its scales are as hard as iron, and ordinary swords and knives cannot harm it. However, its seven-inch spot is its fatal weakness, and it is afraid of realgar. If you encounter it, you can sprinkle realgar powder to drive it away."

Mr. Zhou stood on the stone platform and continued to explain the characteristics of various demons.

Shen Lian memorized the habits and weaknesses of these demons, knowing full well that this knowledge might save his life in future battles.

……

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Shen Lian and Li Hu practiced their stances every day without fail and listened to Mr. Zhou explain the knowledge of demons. Their days were monotonous but fulfilling.

Early that morning, just after the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), thirty trainee Demon Suppressors lined up in the training ground, but Zhao Shan was nowhere to be seen.

Just as everyone was wondering, a familiar figure walked in from the side door of the martial arts arena. It was Mr. Zhou, who was wearing a flying fish robe and had a cloth bag hanging from his waist.

"Commander Zhao has other important matters to attend to today, so I will temporarily take over the morning's stance training." Mr. Zhou looked at everyone. "After today's stance training, I have something new to say."

Upon hearing this, everyone stood in the "Tiger-Taming Stance" and began today's stance training.

Shen Lian felt that his legs were no longer as sore as they had been at the beginning, and the warm current in his dantian was becoming more and more obvious. He could even feel the slight surging of qi and blood as it circulated.

[Skill Point +1]

Just as Shen Lian was practicing the 'Tiger Subduing Stance', a notification sound rang out, immediately catching his eye.

[Host]: Shen Lian

[Realm]: None

[Combat Strength]: 1~3

[Martial Arts]: Tiger-Taming Stance (Beginner) (1/3)

Skill Points: 1

There was a '+' sign flashing on the Tiger Subduing Stance (Beginner) (1/3), and Shen Lian chose to add points without hesitation.

He looked at the words "Tiger-Taming Stance (Beginner) (2/3)" and became a little excited. After half a month of persistence, his proficiency had finally improved a bit, and he was one step closer to mastering the "Tiger-Taming Stance".

Soon, the morning's standing meditation training ended, and after lunch, the afternoon's classes began, still taught by Mr. Zhou.

"Today I'm going to tell you about the rules of the Demon Suppression Division." Mr. Zhou paced back and forth. "The reason why the Demon Suppression Division can stand firm in a world overrun by demons is not only because of its strength, but also because of its iron discipline."

What are the rules of the Demon Suppression Division?

The group of trainee demon envoys were all taken aback upon hearing this.

"The Demon Suppression Division is an important force in the Great Qian Dynasty for eliminating demons and protecting the righteous path. In order to ensure that the Demon Suppression Envoys can strictly fulfill their duties, the following rules and regulations have been established."

"First, all demon-suppressing envoys must take it as their duty to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path, and must not do evil or harm the innocent."

"Secondly, within the Demon Suppression Division, the hierarchical system must be strictly observed, and subordinates must not disobey superiors."

"Third, when carrying out a mission, you must obey the command of your superiors and must not act without authorization."

Fourth, the confidential information of the Demon Suppression Division must not be disclosed.

"Fifth, you must not collude with demons; otherwise, you will be killed without mercy!"

"These precepts are the foundation of the Demon Suppression Division, and the bottom line for you as Demon Suppression Envoys." Mr. Zhou's gaze swept over the crowd. "Anyone who violates them will be severely punished. At best, their cultivation will be abolished and they will be expelled from the Demon Suppression Division; at worst, they will be killed on the spot!"

Upon hearing this, all the trainee demon slayers present gasped in shock.

Shen Lian silently memorized these precepts. He knew very well that in this world overrun by demons, rules were the guarantee of survival.

Only by strictly abiding by the rules can one gain a foothold in the Demon Suppression Division.

"The ranks of the Demon Suppression Division, from highest to lowest, are: Commander, Assistant Commander, Vice Commander, General Flag Officer, Junior Flag Officer, and Demon Suppression Envoy. Among them, the Demon Suppression Envoy is further divided into nine ranks, with the ninth rank being the lowest and the first rank being the highest." After explaining the rules and regulations, Mr. Zhou began to explain the ranking system of the Demon Suppression Division.

He paused, then continued, "You are currently trainee Demon Suppressors without any rank. Only after three months of training and passing the assessment can you become official ninth-rank Demon Suppressors."

Shen Lian listened attentively. He knew that if he wanted to improve his status in the Demon Suppression Division, he had to work hard and improve his strength.

After the afternoon training session, Shen Lian and Li Hu returned to their lodgings. Li Hu collapsed onto the bed as soon as he entered, complaining, "Brother Lian, Mr. Zhou's rules and regulations today were way too strict, especially the fifth one: no collusion with demons, or you'll be killed without mercy. That's too harsh!"

Shen Lian sat on the edge of the bed, wiping the long sword in his hand. Hearing this, he laughed and said, "What's so terrible about that? The duty of the Demon Suppression Division is to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path. If they collude with demons, can they still be called Demon Suppression Envoys?"

Li Hu thought about it and felt that Shen Lian's words made sense. "Brother Lian, when do you think we can become official Demon Suppressors?"

Shen Lian looked at Li Hu and smiled, "The three months of training will pass quickly. As long as we work hard, we will definitely become official Demon Suppressors."

Li Hu asked excitedly, "Brother Lian, once we become official Demon Suppressors, will we be able to slay demons and rid the people of evil like Commander Zhao?"

"Of course we can. But before that, we must improve our strength. Otherwise, if we encounter demons, let alone eliminate them, we'll be in trouble if we can even protect ourselves," Shen Lian reminded him.

Night falls.

Shen Lian lay on the bed with his hands behind his head, and the system panel appeared in front of him.

[Host]: Shen Lian

[Realm]: None

[Combat Strength]: 2~4

[Martial Arts]: Tiger-Taming Stance (Beginner) (2/3)

Skill Points: 0

After half a month of standing meditation training, he successfully improved the "Tiger Subduing Stance" to 2/3 level, and is only one step away from entering the "Tiger Subduing Stance" stage.

"I wonder when I can break through to the Body Tempering Realm?" Shen Lian thought to himself. The Body Tempering Realm is the first realm of martial arts, divided into ten levels. With each breakthrough, one's blood and qi will become more abundant, and strength and speed will also increase.