Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

After his ascension to the throne, Ji Yuan's entire demeanor had undergone a significant change compared to before. No longer indecisive, he now exuded an authoritative presence, fully embodying the image of an emperor.

In the current imperial court, following the purges after the rebellion of the former crown prince, coupled with a series of measures implemented by Ji Yuan since his coronation, many ministers had high hopes for him and had begun to acknowledge him in their hearts.

At the very least, since Ji Yuan's ascension, he had stabilized Da Xia, preventing further deterioration of the situation. He was not a ruler whose virtue was inadequate for his position.

King Huai's influence had also become increasingly limited. In the entire court, it was almost exclusively the family of Emperor Ji Yuan that dominated. However, Ji Yuan was well aware that King Huai's prestige was still very much alive in people's hearts and had not faded in the slightest.

But for a newly enthroned emperor, the current situation in the court was already sufficient.

The state of the court was unlike any other; many matters could not be resolved overnight and required a slow and steady approach to refine.

"What's the matter, why are you so rash?" Emperor Ji Yuan frowned upon seeing Eunuch Huang stumbling in.

With a plop, Eunuch Huang fell to his knees and squeaked, "Your Majesty, great joy, great joy indeed, a blessing from the heavens!"

Ji Yuan's brows were still furrowed as he asked, "What joy? What has caused you to become so flustered?"

It was evident that he had grown considerably, becoming more composed, showing no sign of alarm at Eunuch Huang's words.

However, when the next words left Eunuch Huang's mouth, the new emperor of Da Xia couldn't help but change his expression.

"Your Majesty, great joy, Marquis Wu'an has broken through to the Innate realm!"

"What did you say?!"

Startled, Ji Yuan stood abruptly from his seat, staring intently at Eunuch Huang who was kneeling below, and said solemnly, "What did you just say? Repeat it for me!"

Seeing Ji Yuan's reaction, Eunuch Huang did not dare hesitate and quickly said, "Your Majesty, I have just received news from the East Province, saying that Marquis Wu'an has broken through to the Innate realm!"

"Innate... Gu Chen has reached the Innate realm?" Ji Yuan appeared stunned, unable to maintain calm, and kept muttering to himself.

The next instant, he clenched his fists tightly, his face revealing intense elation, as he couldn't help roaring, "This is wonderful!"

At that moment, Ji Yuan's face was flushed with excitement, his body trembling slightly.

Although his own martial arts talent was ordinary, he understood what it meant to reach the Innate realm at the age of twenty-two.

In the future, all being well, Gu Chen would surely become another towering figure of Da Xia, capable of helping him pacify the realm and subdue the heroes!

As the new emperor, Ji Yuan himself lacked such martial talent, hence his hopes rested with others.

"Where is Gu Chen now?" Ji Yuan inquired eagerly, not caring about his own loss of composure.

"To reply to Your Majesty, Marquis Wu'an is currently still in the East Province."

Then, Eunuch Huang relayed the events that had unfolded in the East Province to Ji Yuan.

"You say he slew the young masters from Arsenal and Mysterious Pill Workshop, and also killed emissaries from the three great holy lands?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan was again startled. Arsenal and Mysterious Pill Workshop were one thing, but the Tianyun Sect and Purple Extreme Sect were not to be feared. Most crucially, out of the six holy lands' powerful emissaries that descended from the mountains, Gu Chen had killed three by himself.

"Your Majesty, might Marquis Wu'an's actions provoke the ire of the six holy lands?" Eunuch Huang cautiously glanced at the new emperor.

"Well done!"

Ji Yuan spoke through gritted teeth, his expression stern, "What of the six holy lands? How dare they try to harm Gu Chen? His retaliatory killing was justified. My father once contemplated toppling the six holy lands. For all these years, they've believed they could dictate who lives and who dies as the lords of the Nine Provinces. Gu Chen's actions have served to teach the six holy lands a lesson!"

"Your Majesty speaks wisely," Eunuch Huang murmured in agreement, not daring to say more.

Ji Yuan said, "Rest assured, I trust Gu Chen. With his character, if he dared to take action, he would have surely considered the consequences."

"Your Majesty is wise," Eunuch Huang said with a smile, flatteringly.

"When does Gu Chen plan to return to the capital?" Ji Yuan asked.

Eunuch Huang replied, "To reply to Your Majesty, it may take some time. According to what Marquis Wu'an has said, the Tianyun Sect and Purple Extreme Sect have secretly pledged allegiance to the Six Union God Sect. He should resolve this matter first, then return to Tiandu."

"Good, issue my orders. When Gu Chen returns, I wish to personally host a banquet to welcome and cleanse the dust of travel for Marquis Wu'an," Ji Yuan commanded.

"By your command."

Ji Yuan's eyes sparkled with excitement, a rich smile spreading across his face. Gu Chen truly had given him an immense surprise. Even he hadn't expected Gu Chen to reach the Innate realm so quickly.

From now on, Da Xia had an additional high-level combatant.

Moreover, given Gu Chen's talent and past performance, although he had only just entered the Innate realm, his strength was surely much greater than what it seemed on the surface.

With the Divine Realm yet undiscovered, Gu Chen could practically dominate the Nine Provinces.

And as for the Divine Realm, there were so few in the entire Nine Provinces. He was already pondering what items from the royal secret vault could help Gu Chen stand against warriors of the Divine Realm?

It could be said that Ji Yuan indeed placed great importance on Gu Chen, not only because of Gu Chen's significance but also because of their personal friendship.

If it had not been for Gu Chen, he would not have been able to ascend to the emperor's throne and would have been killed by the former crown prince.

...
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The news of Gu Chen's breakthrough to the Innate realm swept through the entire Nine Provinces at an incredibly fast pace.

Throughout the twenty-one provinces of the world, whether it was in Da Xia, the vast Yuan Empire, or among the barbarian tribes, everyone was talking about Gu Chen.

The citizens of Da Xia were particularly passionate and fervent in their discussions.

"Have you heard? Our Da Xia's Marquis Wu'an has become an Innate!"

"I knew about it early on. Do you know how old Marquis Wu'an is this year?"

"Hmm? I haven't really paid attention to that."

"I'll tell you, Marquis Wu'an is only twenty-two this year!"

"What?! An Innate at twenty-two?!"

"You two know too little. Let me narrate to you both about Marquis Wu'an's exploits in the spiritual realms..."

Now, the entire world was discussing Gu Chen. This was the third time his name had become well-known across the land, but this time it had caused waves far greater than any before it.

Especially after the news that Gu Chen had killed Yuwen Wind and two other holy land emissaries spread, the whole world was shocked.

With such achievements, along with his talent and strength, everyone now universally recognized:

Gu Chen was the foremost prodigy in the martial world from ancient times to the present in the Nine Provinces, unmatched in his generation!

Some even claimed that Da Xia's Marquis Wu'an had prospects for the Heavenly Realm!

Not just ordinary warriors, but also many Grandmasters of the Innate realm in the Nine Provinces held this opinion.

An Innate at twenty-two had indeed made history in the modern era of the Nine Provinces, and Gu Chen's name would surely be inscribed in the annals of history.

At the same time, no one dared to regard Gu Chen as a junior anymore, nor would anyone describe him as a rising new star of martial arts.

After achieving the Innate realm, despite his youth, he was already recognized as a martial arts Grandmaster, on equal footing with the leaders of the top forces all across the world.

Now, Gu Chen shone like a sun across the sky, his brilliant radiance shining upon the whole Nine Provinces!