Assessment Content

Hearing the City Lord's speculation, everyone's expression changed drastically.

The old Taoist furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before saying, "My lord, if the Netherworld truly has such intentions, we must reinforce the seal as soon as possible to prevent any unforeseen disaster."

"However, that extremely vicious creature has been suppressed for many years. Though there is a seal, every disturbance in the Netherworld seems to affect it. I'm afraid our seal has also suffered varying degrees of damage."

City Lord Zhou nodded slightly, his gaze turning toward Yunzhou City, his eyes resolute:

"Regardless, this seal must not break. If that extremely vicious creature emerges, the entire Yunzhou region will be plunged into a living hell."

"This time, we'll have to rely entirely on the spiritual treasures of you few. As long as we reinforce the seal once more, we can suppress it for several more years!"

"Rest assured. The few of us will give it everything we have this time!"

City Lord Zhou nodded.

"Come, return to the city with me. We'll discuss the specifics of reinforcing the seal."

With that, he swept out a hand.

A surge of blood-colored energy enveloped the group and flew toward Yunzhou City.

Wrapped in the blood-colored energy, everyone sped toward Yunzhou City like a meteor.

Qin Bo felt this power and was extremely envious.

To be able to soar through the heavens and burrow through the earth.

Especially that blood-colored giant palm he had used to slay the Ghost Crow—the power it possessed was immense.

In the blink of an eye, they arrived at City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord's Mansion was brightly lit, while the City Guards all wore solemn expressions.

The hurried footsteps of the patrols echoed through the halls, and a tense atmosphere permeated the entire residence.

City Lord Zhou led everyone into the council chamber. Several highly respected cultivators from the city, along with the stewards of various departments, had already been waiting inside.

When they saw City Lord Zhou return, everyone rose and saluted.

"My lord, with the Netherworld's eerie anomalies emerging this time, the situation seems extremely dire. What countermeasures do you have?"

A white-haired cultivator in purple robes was the first to ask.

City Lord Zhou's expression was grave. He slowly walked to the seat of honor and sat down. After sweeping his gaze over everyone, he said:

"The disturbances in the Netherworld have been frequent this time. It's highly likely that they intend to take advantage of the loosening seal beneath Yunzhou City to rescue that extremely vicious creature."

"We must reinforce the seal as soon as possible and prevent the Netherworld's scheme from succeeding."

"But my lord, that seal has endured the passage of time. Though it has been reinforced many times before, it has now suffered immense damage under the influence of the Netherworld's disturbances. Relying only on our current strength, I'm afraid it will be difficult to stabilize the seal completely."

Another broad-shouldered cultivator with a full beard revealed a worried expression.

City Lord Zhou frowned slightly and fell into deep thought.

At this moment, the old Taoist who had been standing to one side spoke:

"My lord, perhaps we can try to find the legendary Prison Suppressing Divine Stone."

"I've heard that this stone possesses tremendous power for suppressing evil. If we can find it, it will surely greatly strengthen the seal."

Everyone's eyes lit up at these words.

However, City Lord Zhou shook his head:

"The Prison Suppressing Divine Stone is merely a legendary treasure. We don't even know whether it truly exists. And even if it does, how easy would it be to find? Time is pressing. We cannot place all our hopes on it."

"Besides, everyone needn't panic. These few are descendants of the seniors who originally laid down the great sealing formation. They have brought their clan's spiritual treasures to assist in suppressing the extremely vicious creature."

Upon hearing City Lord Zhou's words, everyone could not help turning their gazes toward Old Taoist Songhe and the others.

"This... Who is this?"

"Taoist Master Songhe of the Heavenly One Sect."

"Chen Song of the Blood Sword Chen Family!"

"Du Juan of the Soul Severing Du Family!"

When everyone heard these thunderous names, they could not help sucking in a cold breath.

The Heavenly One Sect was renowned throughout the world for its exquisite talisman arts and techniques. Taoist Master Lingxiao of that era had been one of the sect's foremost talents;

The Blood Sword Chen Family excelled in fierce and powerful swordsmanship. Their blood-qi sword was a sharp weapon for slaying demons, and their strength was not to be underestimated;

The Soul Severing Du Family possessed the unique Soul Refining Banner, a name that struck terror into the hearts of all who heard it.

Then they looked toward Qin Bo standing to the side. Who knew which family this young fellow belonged to?!

Qin Bo was taken aback and hurriedly waved his hands.

"I'm not. I came to take the Demon Suppressing Division's assessment!"

"Hm?! You came to take the assessment?"

One of the middle-aged men frowned slightly as he looked at Qin Bo.

City Lord Zhou spoke at the appropriate moment.

"This is Zhao Ting, the Director of Yunzhou City's Demon Suppressing Division!"

Qin Bo immediately bowed respectfully upon hearing this.

"This junior, Qin Bo, greets the Director."

"Director, this old Taoist is this boy's recommender."

Old Taoist Songhe spoke from the side.

Zhao Ting nodded slightly and scrutinized Qin Bo with a piercing gaze. His eyes seemed capable of seeing through Qin Bo's every thought.

"Since you were recommended by Old Taoist Songhe, I presume you have some ability. However, the Demon Suppressing Division has always been strict in its selections. Whether you can pass the assessment will depend on yourself."

Qin Bo's heart tightened, and he hurriedly said, "Director, rest assured. Qin Bo will certainly give it everything he has."

At this moment, the crisis facing Yunzhou City had still not been resolved.

City Lord Zhou glanced at the sky and said solemnly:

"Everyone, the Netherworld has been making frequent moves this time. We cannot relax in the slightest. Reinforcing the seal is certainly important, but we must also guard against their other schemes."

Old Taoist Songhe stroked his beard and pondered. "My lord is absolutely right. Based on this old Taoist's deductions, the Netherworld may also send people to secretly sabotage the city's spiritual veins, thereby weakening Yunzhou City's foundations."

Zhao Ting frowned slightly and said in a deep voice:

"If that is truly the case, we must immediately strengthen our protection of the spiritual veins. I'll arrange for the Demon Suppressing Division's elites to patrol the area around them at once."

After receiving their orders, everyone quickly dispersed and began arranging their respective tasks.

Qin Bo watched everyone's busy figures, his heart filled with longing to prove himself as soon as possible.

He turned to Old Taoist Songhe and asked, "Senior, what exactly does the Demon Suppressing Division's assessment involve?"

Old Taoist Songhe smiled faintly and said, "Simple!"

"First is the most basic test of talent and innate constitution."

"Second is actual combat!"

Old Taoist Songhe continued:

"The talent and innate constitution test is to see whether you possess the potential to develop over the long term in the Demon Suppressing Division."

"What the Demon Suppressing Division faces are all kinds of evil entities from the Netherworld. Without outstanding talent and innate constitution, I'm afraid you'll find it difficult to cope in the future."

"This test uses a special spirit crystal. It can sense the circulation of spiritual power within your body, as well as the depth of your foundation, and then determine the quality of your talent."

Qin Bo nodded slightly and pondered silently. Although he had never cultivated before, it was something produced by the system. Surely it wouldn't be too bad, right?!

Old Taoist Songhe continued, "As for the practical combat assessment, that's even simpler.

"You only need to complete a mission to slay an eerie entity. You'll pass as long as we assess the mission as completed."

He then explained in detail, "These missions to slay eerie entities will assign targets of different levels according to each of your strengths."

"You only need to complete the mission!"

Qin Bo nodded, indicating that he understood.

Could killing an eerie entity really count as a difficult task?!

His purpose in coming here was precisely for the eerie entities!