287: Academy Mission

When Ji Wuchang heard Cai Ping's explanation, he instantly understood what was happening, and he felt prepared.

A trace of cold light flashed across his eyes, but there was no fear whatsoever.

In the martial world, speed is the ultimate weapon, and this also applies to the Cultivation World.

In the face of absolute speed, even if their cultivation base completely crushed Ji Wuchang, it would be useless; they would just be moving targets.

Just then, Cai Ping slowly spoke.

"Junior Brother Ji, besides these people, there is one more person you must be careful of. His name is Wu Yong."

"You severely injured Wu Feng on the arena stage back then, Junior Brother Ji, I presume you remember. This Wu Yong is none other than Wu Feng's cousin."

"Two months ago, Wu Yong sought trouble with you, Junior Brother Ji, after coming out of seclusion, but you were no longer in the Academy at that time."

"Wu Yong's cultivation base is stronger than both Niu Tao and Zhang Qi, having reached the seventh level of the Soul Splitting Realm!"

"He went out for training a month ago. I wonder if he has returned?"

Cai Ping's words stunned Ji Wuchang for a moment. Then, he slightly narrowed his eyes, and a peculiar curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

It seems I wasn't ruthless enough last time. This time, I'll see if I can cripple a few of them, saving myself the trouble of constantly dealing with these flies!

Just then, Jiang Hao and the two others also spotted Ji Wuchang and couldn't help but stop.

The killing intent in Jiang Hao's eyes flashed momentarily before returning to normal.

Jiang Yuelou and Qian Xingguang were also stunned to see Ji Wuchang; they had gradually grown accustomed to life without him.

Ji Wuchang and Jiang Hao locked eyes. Although their expressions were calm, everyone present felt the atmosphere was wrong.

However, thinking of today's matter, the two subsequently averted their gaze.

More and more people gathered in the square. In just a moment, there were over a hundred figures.

Guided by Li Gubei and Cai Ping's introduction, Ji Wuchang finally saw Wu Yong, Niu Tao, and Zhang Qi.

Wu Yong's presence indicated that his external training was complete!

The three men merely glanced at Ji Wuchang, their eyes not lingering on him.

If Ji Wuchang hadn't known beforehand, he truly wouldn't have noticed the trace of mockery that flashed in the three men's eyes.

"Wait, what's happening today? Why are so many people gathered here?"

Ji Wuchang only knew that Mo Bingyuan had told him to come to the square this morning; he had no idea what the specific matter was.

When he and his Senior Sister arrived at Yunchuan Academy yesterday, it was already very late, so he didn't ask for details.

Li Gubei smiled and said, "Recently, the Academy's Mission Hall received a batch of missions. Demonic Beings and Fiends have appeared in dozens of nearby villages."

"Many villagers have been killed, and some villages have even been completely wiped out."

"The Academy decided long ago to send people to subdue the demons and eliminate the Fiends. This is precisely what we are doing this time."

"This counts as a mission for the Academy Disciples. It is said that completing this mission can offset half a year's worth of monthly missions!"

"In some particularly dangerous areas, there will even be Fuzis accompanying us!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Wuchang instantly realized what was going on.

Although he had been away for over two months, according to the Academy's rules, he already owed the Academy three months' worth of uncompleted missions. This was a perfect way to finish them all at once.

Just then, Qi Murong, Chen Hou, and Mo Bingyuan appeared, and the previously noisy square instantly fell silent.

"Everyone, the Academy's mission this time is to subdue demons and eliminate Fiends. I believe you are all aware of this."

"After assessment by the Academy's Fuzis, this mission is divided into two grades, Grade A and Grade B, corresponding to difficulty, which also corresponds to the Soul Splitting Realm and the Purple Mansion Realm."

"Grade A missions can offset seven months of Academy missions, and Grade B missions can offset four months of Academy missions."

"Naturally, considering the high danger level of Grade A missions, Fuzi Chen Hou and I will personally lead the teams."

"As for the relatively less dangerous Grade B missions, Fuzi Mo Bingyuan will be in charge."

"Now, everyone, based on your cultivation base, please come forward to draw your respective missions."

Qi Murong did not stand on ceremony, speaking directly and getting straight to the point.

Upon hearing Qi Murong's words, everyone's eyes lit up, and they stepped forward one after another to randomly draw a Jade Slip.

Ji Wuchang followed behind Li Gubei, and it was soon his turn to draw.

"Go, go! There are no missions for you here. Head over there!"

Mo Bingyuan waved his hand directly, sending Ji Wuchang toward the Grade A mission area.

Ji Wuchang was slightly taken aback and quickly said, "Fuzi Mo, I am only in the Purple Mansion Realm!"

Mo Bingyuan snorted coldly and then said, "Of course I know you are in the Purple Mansion Realm, but the Grade B missions are not suitable for you. Go now!"

Ji Wuchang shrugged helplessly at Li Gubei and Cai Ping, and could only go to Qi Murong's side, where he drew a Jade Slip under everyone's gaze.

Qi Murong was also smiling widely; clearly, he had known this outcome all along.

"Come, come! Let this old man see which Grade A mission you drew?"

Qi Murong, acting familiar, reached out and took the Jade Slip from Ji Wuchang's hand. After glancing at it, he smiled and said, "Not bad luck!"

Ji Wuchang took a look. Written on it were the five large characters: 'Eliminate Demon at Liuhe Village'!

He pressed the Jade Slip against his brow, and the contents instantly entered his mind, which briefly introduced the matter of the demon in Liuhe Village.

It turned out that over a month ago, a withered Willow Tree in Liuhe Village was reborn, sprouting many tender buds!

The villagers all believed this was a miracle and offered tributes to worship the Willow Tree.

Everything was fine initially, but on the day after the worship, a young woman from Liuhe Village was found hanged beneath the Willow Tree.

At first, the villagers thought she had simply taken her own life and didn't pay it much mind, preparing even more generous offerings.

But five days later, another woman was found hanged beneath the Willow Tree in the exact same manner.

This made the villagers of Liuhe Village slightly panicked, feeling that something was amiss.

Everyone spent two days in fear, and on the third day, yet another woman was found hanged there.

These deceased women shared a common characteristic: their bodies were ghastly pale, completely drained of color.

In the villagers' words, all their blood had been sucked dry.

The villagers of Liuhe Village felt there was something wrong with the Willow Tree, so they decided to chop it down.

Liu San, a strong man from Liu Family Village, took an axe and spent an hour chopping down the Willow Tree.

But after the Willow Tree fell, blood actually seeped out from the wound, frightening the people of Liu Family Village into quickly setting fire to burn the tree along with its roots.

Just when the people of Liu Family Village thought everything was over, two people died in Liu Family Village that very night, displaying the same manner of death as before.

Thereafter, two people died every night in Liu Family Village. They all claimed it was the Willow Tree Demon coming to claim lives.

Ji Wuchang watched the Jade Slip in his hand turn to ash and fell into contemplation, but after a moment of thought, he found no clues.

He knew very well that he needed to visit the site to make a proper judgment on such matters.

But he had a premonition that the matter would not be as simple as described in the Jade Slip.