Chapter 344: Outer Domain Evil Demons, The First Signs Appear

Zhou Chen did not delay; with a flash of his body, he sped toward the Council Hall.

The Council Hall was located in the Core Area of the Academy and was usually only opened for major events.

When Zhou Chen arrived, he found that the other Core Disciples had also begun to arrive one after another.

The atmosphere inside the hall was heavy. Several Elders sat solemnly on the high platform, led by Vice Palace Master Bai Chongming.

Zhou Chen found a spot to stand, his gaze sweeping over the other Core Disciples present.

There were twenty Core Disciples in Jixia Academy, and every single one was a one-in-a-million Genius.

The weakest among them had a cultivation at the Third Layer of the Emperor Realm, while the strongest few had already reached the Sovereign Realm, Seventh Layer.

One young man wearing purple robes had a particularly powerful aura; he was impressively already at the Eighth Layer of the Emperor Realm.

This person was named Mo Qingyun, the Chief Core Disciple of the Academy and the widely recognized candidate for the next Saint.

Mo Qingyun seemed to feel Zhou Chen's gaze and turned his head to look over, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Chen nodded faintly as a greeting.

Although the other's Realm was higher than his own, Zhou Chen did not feel that he would lose.

If it really came to a fight, it was hard to say who would win or lose.

“Is everyone here?”

Bai Chongming stood up, his gaze sweeping across everyone present.

“Since everyone is here, I will speak plainly.”

He paused, his tone becoming even more solemn.

“Three days ago, the Inspector the Academy sent to the Northern Border, Li Changfeng, returned to the Academy heavily injured.”

“Before he died, he reported an extremely important piece of intelligence to the Academy.”

“Outer Domain Evil Demons have already begun to penetrate the Tianxuan Continent.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall immediately broke into an uproar.

“Outer Domain Evil Demons? Aren't those legendary existences?”

“How is that possible? Didn't the Emperors Seal them away back then?”

“Could something have gone wrong with the Seal?”

The Core Disciples discussed among themselves, their faces filled with shock.

Bai Chongming raised his hand to signal for silence.

“Li Changfeng discovered in the Northern Border that someone is secretly weakening the Seals.”

“What is even more terrifying is that these people are not outsiders, but local forces of our Tianxuan Continent.”

“According to Li Changfeng's intelligence, at least one Imperial Clan has already betrayed the continent and colluded with the Outer Domain Evil Demons.”

The hall fell into a dead silence once again.

An Imperial Clan's betrayal?

This news was simply too shocking.

Imperial Clans were the top-tier powers of the continent; every Imperial Clan had once produced a Venerable Realm Expert, also known as a Supreme.

How could such a power betray the continent?

Zhou Chen lowered his head in thought.

Outer Domain Evil Demons, the betrayal of an Imperial Clan, the weakening of the Seals…

Connecting these pieces of information, he faintly felt a massive crisis approaching.

“After deliberation, the Academy's upper management has decided to activate the long-dormant Seal Inspection Plan,”

Bai Chongming continued.

“Back then, the Supremes set up Seals in various places across the continent to trap the main force of the Outer Domain Evil Demons within.”

“These Seals are distributed in the North Sea Guixu, the depths of the Ten Thousand Demon Plains, the Central Continent's Demon Burial Ridge, and other locations.”

“Now, we need to confirm the status of these Seals and reinforce them within our capabilities.”

As he spoke, he waved his hand and released a beam of spiritual light.

The spiritual light expanded in the air, transforming into a massive map.

Dozens of red dots were marked on the map, each representing a sealed location.

“For this mission, you twenty Core Disciples will act separately.”

Bai Chongming pointed at the map.

“Each person will be responsible for inspecting three to five Seals, recording their status in detail, and reporting any abnormalities immediately.”

“Remember, this mission is extremely dangerous. Those sealed locations were all battlefields of the great war back then, and terrifying power remains there.”

“Furthermore, since an Imperial Clan has betrayed us, it means the enemy could appear at any time.”

“Therefore, the Academy will grant you significant authority.”

Bai Chongming said as he took twenty jade talismans from his robes.

“This is the Academy's Sky-Patrol Command. The holder of this command can mobilize the Academy's branch forces in various regions.”

“In case of danger, you can crush the jade talisman, and the Academy will immediately dispatch a Venerable Realm Expert to the rescue.”

“Additionally, after completing the mission, the Academy will grant corresponding rewards based on your performance.”

Upon hearing there were rewards, the eyes of the Core Disciples present lit up.

The Academy's rewards were no joke; any one of them would be a treasure rarely seen in the outside world.

“Now, you may choose your own inspection areas.”

Bai Chongming waved his hand, and the red dots on the map began to flash.

Zhou Chen stared at the map, his gaze wandering between the various points of light.

Suddenly, he noticed a point of light in the northwest direction labeled 'Demon Burial Ridge Outskirts'.

Just then, the System's notification sounded.

[Detected that the Opportunity for the Child of Destiny, Gu Changsheng, has refreshed.]

[Name: Gu Changsheng]

[Recent Opportunity: Seven days later, in an ancient cave on the outskirts of the Demon Burial Ridge, he will obtain a bottle of Venerable Rank Low Grade Medicinal Pills, the Profound Origin Breakthrough Pills. After consuming them, Gu Changsheng will directly increase his cultivation by one minor Realm.]

Zhou Chen's eyes lit up.

Profound Origin Breakthrough Pills?

Now that was a good thing.

A Venerable Rank Low Grade Breakthrough Pill was enough to allow an Emperor Realm Cultivator to directly increase their cultivation by one minor Realm without any side effects.

More importantly, if the System gave a ten-thousand-fold critical hit…

Zhou Chen's heart stirred, and he immediately spoke up: “I choose the Demon Burial Ridge outskirts.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the other Core Disciples all looked over.

Demon Burial Ridge was one of the most dangerous places in the Central Continent.

Back then, the Emperors had fought a tragic war against the Outer Domain Evil Demons there, and the entire region had been shattered to pieces.

Even the outskirts contained terrifying Restrictions and Evil Qi; for an ordinary Emperor Realm Cultivator to enter was a death sentence.

“Junior Brother Zhou, the Demon Burial Ridge is too dangerous. Why not pick another place?”

One Core Disciple kindly reminded him.

Zhou Chen shook his head: “No need, I choose this place.”

Bai Chongming glanced at Zhou Chen and nodded: “Fine, the Demon Burial Ridge outskirts are yours.”

“But remember, if you encounter danger, crush the jade talisman immediately to call for help. Do not try to be a hero.”

Zhou Chen took the jade talisman and said calmly: “I understand.”

Seeing that Zhou Chen had chosen the Demon Burial Ridge, the other Core Disciples also began to select their own inspection areas.

Soon, the twenty sealed locations were all assigned.

“Since everyone has chosen, depart as soon as possible,”

Bai Chongming waved his hand.

“Remember, this mission is of great importance. You must be cautious and prudent.”

“Yes!”

Everyone responded in unison.

Zhou Chen held the jade talisman and turned to leave the hall.

Just as he stepped out of the hall, he heard a voice from behind.

“Junior Brother Zhou, wait.”

Zhou Chen turned around and found it was the Chief Core Disciple, Mo Qingyun.

“Is something the matter, Senior Brother Mo?”

Mo Qingyun walked up to Zhou Chen and sized him up.

“Junior Brother Zhou, the Demon Burial Ridge is no ordinary Forbidden Land. The dangers there are far beyond your imagination.”

“If you need help, you can contact me at any time.”

As he spoke, he handed Zhou Chen a Sound Transmission Talisman.

Zhou Chen took the talisman and said calmly: “Thank you, Senior Brother Mo.”

Mo Qingyun patted Zhou Chen's shoulder and turned to leave.

Zhou Chen watched his retreating figure, a trace of thought flashing in his eyes.