294: The First Forbidden Area of ​​the Inland Sea

Chu Xiao was startled. Had the situation become that serious?

The Forbidden Grounds in the Inner Sea were not just one or two places, but many.

Every Secret Realm and Forbidden Ground was related to the demons of the Ancient Era. Some focused on the Divine Soul; entering them meant the Physical Body would slumber while the Divine Soul would emerge to explore.

Some were engulfed in flames, like a fallen great sun, burning the heavens and boiling the seas, making it impossible for the Physical Body to withstand and the Divine Soul to survive!

Some were covered in lightning and electrical flashes, with thunder rumbling, utterly terrifying!

Some were filled with potent poisons, causing the Physical Body of those who entered to decay and their Divine Soul to be completely corroded!

Besides these, there were many more. Almost every Forbidden Ground and Secret Realm was controlled by top-tier forces.

For countless years, there had never been an incident of a Forbidden Ground acting strangely. Now that it had suddenly happened, all major forces must have been alarmed!

"How could this be? For so many years, the Forbidden Ground Secret Realms have never experienced such an event. What is the current situation of the Divine Fire Forbidden Ground? Have Prodigies Zhu Mingxin and Du Xinwu come out yet?"

The Prodigies Chu Xiao mentioned were the future of Vermilion Bird Prefecture, possessing immense potential. They had recently entered the Divine Fire Forbidden Ground, and if anything happened to them, the loss would be enormous!

The two smiled bitterly, a helpless expression on their Faces.

Wang Tiande said, "They're dead, all of them. It was too tragic. In the Divine Fire Forbidden Ground, flames erupted as if they were about to burst out of the Forbidden Ground. We almost didn't make it back either!"

Prodigies were the foundation of a Sect!

Each of them had incredibly strong potential, and all had the chance to advance to Saint!

Their deaths were more regrettable than if Li Lu and Wang Tiande themselves had died!

"If all the Forbidden Grounds are having problems, have the various powerful experts found the source of the issue? Will the Divine Fire Forbidden Ground explode?"

There were precedents of Secret Realm Forbidden Grounds exploding, but they were extremely rare!

Especially an incident where all of them had problems simultaneously; that had never happened before!

If a place like the Divine Fire Secret Realm were to explode, and its terrifying flames were to manifest, the entire Gufeng City would likely be engulfed in flames. Chu Xiao and the others wouldn't even have the ability to resist.

This was naturally not what he wanted to see. He certainly didn't want the place he controlled to have problems!

"The problem hasn't been identified yet. In fact, these issues with the Forbidden Grounds aren't the biggest concern!"

"I heard from the Prefect that the Dragon Tomb Land has recently been echoing with dragon roars, and powerful auras, accompanied by pained dragon cries, periodically emerge. All the bigwigs from the top Sects have gone to investigate, but no one knows what's actually happening inside!"

Li Lu unconsciously picked up his wine cup and took a drink.

"Even the Dragon Tomb Land has undergone a change?!"

Chu Xiao's hand trembled, knocking over his wine cup and spilling wine all over the table.

Hearing that other Secret Realms had problems, Chu Xiao didn't react as strongly. At least in his opinion, the top experts of the various forces might have ways to resolve issues in those places!

However, the Dragon Tomb Land was different!

It was known as the Inner Sea's number one Forbidden Ground, the burial ground of the Ancient Azure Dragon Clan!

What was inside?

No one knew!

For countless years, no one who had entered the Dragon Tomb Land had ever come out alive; everyone had died inside!

As a result, for many years, very few dared to enter it anymore!

It wasn't that they couldn't enter, but that they were all afraid!

Only those powerful Cultivators whose Lifespan was at its end and whose cultivation was difficult to advance further would risk their lives, heading to the Dragon Tomb Land to seek an Opportunity for Breakthrough!

Everyone knew it was related to the Azure Dragon Clan, and it surely contained hidden treasures that the Azure Dragon Clan might have left behind!

But who dared to go?

"These are not things we can manage. Let's see how the Prefect and the others decide!"

"Regarding the Divine Fire Secret Realm, I believe the Prefect will send people to resolve it."

Li Lu shook his head, deciding not to say more, and then changed the subject.

"Oh, by the way, I heard that a few days ago, the Holy Son from the Holy Heaven Demon Sect and two Saints from Dianxing Academy met here?"

This news had actually spread throughout the Inner Sea long ago, and it caused quite a stir!

However, the two of them were in the Secret Realm at the time and didn't know until they came out and heard about it, which made them remember.

The Saints from the Holy Heaven Demon Sect and Dianxing Academy had been here for some time.

They usually didn't appear, staying in their respective territories. The various forces all thought they would make a grand entrance when they came, and many forces were watching, wondering what they were here for.

But after a period of not appearing, coupled with the problems in various Secret Realms, their existence was forgotten.

At the mention of this matter, Chu Xiao's Face fell slightly.

To him, this was truly a great humiliation!

Because this incident occurred in the waters outside his Gufeng City, and it caused a huge commotion!

"To be honest with you two brothers, Holy Son Tian Que of the Holy Heaven Demon Sect encountered the two Saints of Dianxing Academy in the waters outside Gufeng City."

"They were already rivals, and that clash was a true battle, with both sides fighting fiercely. Even our Gufeng City was greatly affected, almost having its land split apart by them!"

"I wanted to mediate, but I nearly got killed there!"

Chu Xiao was at least a Half-step Heavenly Phenomenon Realm existence, and he had never been treated like this before!

But, he truly had no reason to feel wronged about this matter!

In front of Holy Son Tian Que, Ji Tiange, and Feng Wuliang, he truly wasn't qualified!

"You're truly bold enough. Dianxing Academy and the Holy Heaven Demon Sect are vying for control of the Northern Desolation. Let alone Cultivators like us, even an existence like the Prefect might not have a say!"

"That you managed to keep your life is a blessing from your ancestors!"

Li Lu pointed at him, laughing at his boastfulness.

Standing in the position of Gufeng City Lord, he actually hadn't done anything wrong, but his mistake was not recognizing his own status and capability!

"During that battle, the entire Gufeng City nearly collapsed. Fortunately, I activated the Formation in time, which saved it. The three of them all left with injuries."

"No one gained an advantage. Holy Son Tian Que suffered a disadvantage due to being outnumbered. Those two guys, Feng Wuliang and Ji Tiange, are truly terrifying!"

"I think these Saints are at least at the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, Third Layer!"

"They truly live up to being the most powerful Sects in the Northern Desolation; the Saints they cultivate are too formidable!"

Chu Xiao was still shaken, but also secretly relieved that he had at least survived.

Although Li Lu and Wang Tiande hadn't witnessed the battle, they knew from Chu Xiao's account how astonishing it was!

Otherwise, it wouldn't have spread throughout the Inner Sea in just a few days.

"Time is almost up; we should return to the Prefecture. Brother Chu, keep an eye on things here. If there's any unusual movement in the Secret Realm, contact us immediately!"

"We must go back and report the situation here."

Li Lu and Wang Tiande didn't linger, leaving after giving their instructions.

"Don't worry, this old man will keep a constant watch and contact you at any time!"

...Star Palace, one of the Three Halls of the Inner Sea, a top-tier Sect!

Located in the Falling Star Sea, on the surface it was just one of the strongest Sects in the Inner Sea, but in reality, it was one of the most powerful forces in the Northern Desolation, a Sect subordinate to Dianxing Academy.

It was personally overseen by an Elder of Dianxing Academy's Martial Hall!

Its purpose was the same as that of the Holy Heaven Demon Sect: firstly, to allow the Disciples of the Academy to temper and improve themselves in the Sea of Buried Demons, and secondly, to be constantly prepared to incorporate the Sea of Buried Demons into their sphere of influence!

Feng Wuliang and Ji Tiange had been here for over a month. Not long ago, when they went out, they encountered Holy Son Tian Que of the Holy Heaven Demon Sect. The three of them fought, and no one gained an advantage.

Now, the battle of the three had become a hot topic in the Inner Sea, its impact second only to the strange phenomena in various Forbidden Grounds.

In the courtyard, Feng Wuliang and Ji Tiange sat opposite each other in a pavilion.

"Tian Que's Sword Dao is getting more and more formidable. If it weren't for the two of us teaming up this time, facing him alone, I'm afraid neither of us could have severely wounded him; at most, it would have been a draw!"

Feng Wuliang rubbed his shoulder, wincing in pain. A sword mark there was a 'gift' from Holy Son Tian Que!

Ji Tiange shot him a sideways glance and said irritably, "Do you think his nickname 'Yin and Yang Man' is for nothing? Who doesn't know that he looks cold and emotionless like a stone on the outside, but in reality, he's full of schemes; he's the most insidious person!"

The top experts of Dianxing Academy and the Holy Heaven Demon Sect rarely made a move, but their Saints and Prodigies fought fiercely, which was no longer news. They were very clear about each other's backgrounds!

Holy Son Tian Que could be said to be extremely troublesome!

"Fortunately, Holy Son Fufeng, who was traveling with him this time, died in the Outer Sea. Otherwise, if the two of them had teamed up, both sides would surely have suffered heavy losses."

"However, he was severely wounded this time, so he'll probably need some time to recover."

If two had fought one and still lost, then the two Saints would have been disgraced. Luckily, it was Tian Que who suffered greatly.

At least their Face was saved, but even though they had severely wounded him, he still managed to escape, which left Feng Wuliang and the other feeling very regretful!

"We failed to keep him this time; we were careless!"

"Now that Holy Son Fufeng has been slain by Shen Tianxing in the Outer Domain, it's an unexpected pleasant surprise."

Feng Wuliang stroked his chin, unable to help but wonder, "Is this Shen Tianxing really that strong? In just a few months, he was actually able to slay Holy Son Fufeng?"

"I remember Junior Sister saying that his strength was only at the Divine Profound Realm! To enter the Heavenly Phenomenon Realm in just a few months, isn't that a bit too outrageous?"

Cultivators inherently walked a Heaven-Defying path. Without the massive resource support of a Sect and powerful Martial Dao Legacy, even with talent, it was difficult to achieve anything significant.

But Shen Tianxing had shattered that perception!

"The news from the Outer Sea should be true."

"This guy's experiences, when you look closely, are truly remarkable and quite unimaginable!"

"Stirring up trouble by himself, he's practically turned all the Outer Sea forces upside down. He'll probably be coming to the Inner Sea very soon."

Ji Tiange massaged his forehead, finding it more and more mysterious the more he thought about it.

"He dares to come to the Inner Sea?"

Feng Wuliang was stunned, a playful look on his Face. "He killed so many people in the Azure Dragon Secret Realm. Now that the news has reached the Inner Sea, these top-tier forces won't let him off!"

"If it weren't for the recent anomalies in the Forbidden Grounds, which have kept them busy, they probably would have already sent people to the Outer Sea."

"Doesn't he fear that if he comes here, he won't be able to go back?"

"Whether he's bold due to his skill or just a madman, I feel he will come. Don't forget, Junior Sister holds him in high regard!"

Ji Tiange understood Shi Linglong. Anyone Junior Sister valued was inherently extraordinary!

Feng Wuliang chuckled, glanced at him, and said, "We know Shen Tianxing's whereabouts. Should we tell Junior Sister?"

"You can stop right there!"

Ji Tiange glared at him fiercely. This was truly bringing up an awkward topic!

"Are you looking for trouble? Aren't you afraid Master and Master would kill you?"

Shi Linglong had finally returned to Dianxing Academy for a visit. If, because of a word from them, Shi Linglong ran off to the Sea of Buried Demons, their good days would be over!

"I was just saying, what are you afraid of!"

Feng Wuliang, of course, wouldn't do such a foolish thing. Everyone in Dianxing Academy knew that Shi Yuantu doted on Shi Linglong the most, wishing she would stay by his side every day.

If their 'little cotton jacket' ran off again because of them, the two of them would definitely be in trouble!

Thump, thump, thump... As the two were chatting, footsteps suddenly came from outside the courtyard.

A tall, middle-aged man with restrained Divine Profound light stepped into the courtyard.

"Greetings, Junior Martial Uncle!"

Seeing the newcomer, Ji Tiange and Feng Wuliang quickly rose and bowed respectfully.

This middle-aged man was none other than the current Palace Lord of Star Palace, Luo Tianchuan!

"No need for formalities. Your injuries should be mostly healed, right?"

Luo Tianchuan was from the Martial Hall, but he had a close relationship with the two's Master. Feng Wuliang and Ji Tiange received much care here.

"They were just minor injuries; we're fine now. Junior Martial Uncle is too concerned."

Although the two were Saints cultivated by the Academy, holding esteemed positions, there was still a gap between them and an Elder like Luo Tianchuan.

Unlike the Holy Heaven Demon Sect's rules, Holy Son Tian Que only showed superficial respect to Gao Tianwu.

"Junior Martial Uncle, what's the situation with the Forbidden Grounds? Have you found the source of the anomaly?"

Feng Wuliang asked.

During this time, Luo Tianchuan had been busy with the issues of the Forbidden Grounds in the Falling Star Sea. His sudden return surely meant he had some results.

"It's not optimistic."

Luo Tianchuan shook his head, glanced at the two, and said, "This time, I'm afraid I'll have to ask you two to make a trip!"

"The Dragon Tomb Land's anomalies have intensified. The other Palace Lords, Prefects, and I believe it might be an Opportunity to enter the Dragon Tomb Land, and we need to go investigate."

"The other Forbidden Grounds will be left to you to investigate the causes."

The Dragon Tomb Land was the Inner Sea's number one Forbidden Ground. Feng Wuliang and Ji Tiange both clearly understood that the importance of this Forbidden Ground was unparalleled!

For countless years, an unknown number of Cultivators had died inside, and no one had ever known what was in there!

Everyone who went in died!

Now, even Luo Tianchuan and the others believed it might be an Opportunity to enter the Dragon Tomb Land, so it definitely couldn't be missed!

This was very important for the future of Dianxing Academy!

"Junior Martial Uncle, don't worry, we know what to do!"

The two readily agreed. With their strength, entering the Secret Realm to investigate the cause was not a problem.