Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

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Rumors say that, in ancient times, this place was the site of a small martial sect, and later, the sect produced a martial artist of Transcendental Realm, which brought fame to Crane Cloud Mountain.

Unfortunately, the Transcendental martial artist later offended a sacred land and was hunted down by another Transcendental martial artist from within the sacred land, eventually meeting his end in defeat.

After the death of this Transcendental master, Crane Cloud Mountain once again became ordinary, gradually attracting fewer visitors until it became a secluded spot occasionally visited by travelers.

The choice of meeting place here clearly had a symbolic message.

At the top of Crane Cloud Mountain, there was a Taoist temple, now somewhat dilapidated, but today, it once again radiated a hint of its past splendor.

Because prodigies from the upper realm had arrived here today, the place was suddenly brimming with energy, the vitality of heaven and earth incredibly vigorous.

Inside the Taoist temple, there were seven or eight men, three of whom stood out with their tall statures and flowing black hair, exuding an extraordinary presence.

These three men were the most outstanding disciples of their generation from the Wan Xuan Sect and the Red Cloud Sect, one named Meng Zhanghai and another Luo Shengming.

The last one was a legitimate disciple of Five Elements Sect named Sun Yin.

Since Wan Xuan Sect and Red Cloud Sect weren't forces of sacred land level, Meng Zhanghai and Luo Shengming weren't regarded as young saints, falling slightly short compared to the likes of Fu Ling and He Lianying; however, they were still quite renowned in the upper realm.

Because they were not of sacred land level, they were particularly eager about the Jiuding, and this was true for the higher-ups of both Wan Xuan Sect and Red Cloud Sect as well.

Even if they couldn't obtain all of the Jiuding, owning just one would enable them to become a force of sacred land level, which was the greatest hope of these two major forces.

As for the Five Elements Sect, it already was a force of sacred land level, and although their young saint also crossed over to Da Xia this time, he didn't appear here.

Apparently, the son of Five Elements Sect, just like Fu Ling and He Lianying, believed the presence of Meng Zhanghai and the others would be sufficient.

"How come Gu Chen of Da Xia has not arrived yet? Could he have mistaken our kindness for indulgence?" a disciple from Wan Xuan Sect frowned and said.

"Moreover, Wu Qing went to send a message, and he hasn't returned till now. Could there have been an accident?" another disciple from Wan Xuan Sect added.

Meng Zhanghai, Luo Shengming, and Sun Yin, who were sitting in the lead, remained silent, sitting there without a word, their aura extremely solemn.

At this time, after approximately a quarter of an hour had passed, a slender figure in mystical clothing finally appeared in the distance. In one moment, the figure was still at the horizon, and the next, it had arrived before their eyes.

The incredible speed at which Gu Chen moved caused the brows of Wan Xuan Sect's Meng Zhanghai, Red Cloud Sect's Luo Shengming, and Five Elements Sect's Sun Yin to raise slightly.

With their level, this small display was enough for them to discern a glimpse of Gu Chen's extraordinariness.

Of course, for them, it still wasn't enough to command their full attention, so they were only mildly surprised.

"To reach such a level in the lower realm is indeed commendable," said Meng Zhanghai, the strongest disciple of Wan Xuan Sect's present generation, as if a senior was evaluating a junior.

At this moment, as Gu Chen arrived for the meeting, despite the number of people present and the fact that each one's martial realm was at the Divine Intent Realm, he still remained calm and unflustered, without the slightest change in color.

Even at the very instant of their encounter, his qi surged, ready to strike at any moment.

Seeing this, Meng Zhanghai, Luo Shengming, and Sun Yin were somewhat surprised, not expecting Gu Chen to be so bold.

Sun Yin, the legitimate disciple of Five Elements Sect, said, "Our summoning you here is not for the purpose of combat."

Hearing this, Gu Chen's face remained expressionless, as it was difficult for him to hold any favorable opinion about these so-called prodigies of the upper realm.

At this moment, Meng Zhanghai from Wan Xuan Sect spoke up, saying, "We have called you here to offer you an opportunity to Ascend to Heaven, though whether you can seize it remains to be seen."

"To submit to you and then use Da Xia's power to help you seek out the legacy?" Gu Chen said coldly, immediately guessing their intentions.

"Correct." Meng Zhanghai's face was indifferent, plainly acknowledging this, and added, "You should understand that this is a rare opportunity for you. You help us find the legacy, and we can take you to the upper realm. Mutually beneficial, why not agree?"

Gu Chen's eyes were cold as he swept his gaze across the seven or eight people present, and said, "The Unbounded Sect, Subhuti Monastery, and Cloud Heaven Palace have also invited me, and their attitudes were much more earnest than yours!"

"So you intend to reject us?" Luo Shengming of Red Cloud Sect slightly narrowed his eyes, a flash of ferocity passing through them.

At this point, Sun Yin, clad in a deep cyan martial robe from Five Elements Sect, began, "Gu Chen, we have indeed approached you with goodwill this time, with the intention to make a deal. There's no need for you to be so hostile."

"You help us seek the legacy, and we in turn can help you, even bringing your family to the upper realm. Everyone gets what they need, what's wrong with that?"

"Do you think I can trust you?" scoffed Gu Chen.

Meng Zhanghai, the most powerful disciple of Wan Xuan Sect, maintained an expressionless face and said calmly, "As long as you cooperate, we have no intention to harm you and will smoothly send you to the upper realm."

"Ha!"

Gu Chen chuckled, his eyes filled with mockery, clearly disbelieving the words of these people; it would be strange not to anticipate their actual intentions.

Moreover, if Gu Chen wished to leave for the upper realm now with his family, he could have agreed to join either the Unbounded Sect or Cloud Heaven Palace.

As for Subhuti Monastery, he had no desire to become a monk, so it was the first option he eliminated.

"It seems you really won't believe us until you see your own coffin," said Luo Shengming, the strongest disciple of Red Cloud Sect, the sinister light in his eyes growing more intense, and the expressions of the disciples behind him turned increasingly unpleasant.

"Looking for a fight? I'm ready for whatever you've got!" Gu Chen remained indifferent, and although he was alone, he was utterly fearless.

Yet at this moment, Sun Yin of Five Elements Sect shook his head; even he had to admit that Gu Chen, who had made it this far in Da Xia on his own, was indeed remarkable. If possible, he didn't want to resort to force and would prefer to persuade Gu Chen – that was the best outcome.

Furthermore, the young saint of Five Elements Sect was quite optimistic about Gu Chen, seeing him as a talent. Sun Yin had even been informed that there was a desire to bring Gu Chen under their banner.

Sun Yin addressed Gu Chen, "Although there have been conflicts between us, and you have indeed slain disciples of the three sects, we can overlook the past and call it even. With such sincerity, do you still wish to persist in your delusion?"

Seeing that Gu Chen remained silent, only watching them coldly, Sun Yin shook his head and said, "Do you understand that Da Xia is but a cage, and with your talent, it is impossible to find any meaningful use for your skills here, you will never reach the Transcendental Realm in this life."

"Moreover, with demons invading, this world is doomed to destruction. You should make plans early."

Sun Yin looked at Gu Chen, wanting to share a hidden truth, "I know you regard yourself highly, thinking you can achieve Transcendental Realm and then resolve all of Da Xia's issues, but do you know what conditions are required besides the environmental alignment of heaven and earth to reach the Transcendental Realm?"

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