Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Xuanyuan Dao spoke, "Do you think the demons are not strong?"

Gu Chen nodded. Since he had started his journey, he hadn't encountered particularly powerful demons. With no spiritual intelligence, he merely found their methods mysterious and difficult to deal with, especially since they could evolve indefinitely by devouring the flesh and blood of living beings.

Furthermore, the fact that demonic cult martial artists could merge with demons and greatly enhance their strength, without any bottleneck in their martial cultivation, was very troublesome.

Xuanyuan sighed, "You are underestimating the demons. Just as there are different levels between strange creatures and demons, do you really think that demons represent the pinnacle? Disaster Level, the classifications given by the East Province are merely that."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen was greatly shocked and asked, "What do you mean by that, Daoist priest?"

Xuanyuan replied, "I only want to tell you that demons are not as simple as the people of the East Province imagine. The demons you have seen so far are just the weakest among them."

"If that is the case, why don't the six great holy lands take action instead of sitting back and watching the demons cause chaos in the world?" Gu Chen asked in return.

Xuanyuan shook his head and said, "Even the six great holy lands cannot prevent the arrival of demons in the East Province. This is the grand trend of the world, and no one can stop it. The destiny of this world is fixed, and no human effort can reverse it."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen immediately responded in a deep voice, "If the destiny of the East Province world is already set, what about the six great holy lands?"

This time, Xuanyuan chose silence, not speaking further.

Seeing this, Gu Chen immediately understood that the six great holy lands might have other ways to avoid this catastrophe.

"So, are you still unwilling to join the holy lands?" Xuanyuan inquired.

"Yes," Gu Chen replied succinctly and forcefully, representing his most firm will.

Seeing this, Xuanyuan could only sigh softly, feeling a great pity.

At that moment, Gu Chen asked, "May I ask, Daoist priest, is the leader of the Six Union God Sect, Dugu Yun, still alive?"

After hesitating for a moment, Xuanyuan nodded.

Witnessing this, Gu Chen's eyes sharpened. Though he had suspected as much, the confirmation of the truth shocked him greatly.

"Does that mean the six great holy lands will just watch the demonic cult wreak havoc in the world? Three hundred years ago, the holy lands took action against Dugu Yun. Why won't they do so again this time?"

"There is no need anymore," replied Xuanyuan.

Gu Chen frowned, not understanding Xuanyuan's meaning, but from the latter's demeanor, he knew that the Daoist priest did not wish to continue answering him.

"Once the great calamity arrives, the East Province will turn into a hell on earth. There will be countless deaths, mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Consider carefully what I have said today," Xuanyuan said.

Gu Chen's expression turned frosty as he said, "So, the six great holy lands will just watch as the living beings in the East Province suffer, with millions devoured by demons, and still not wish to give even an attempt to intervene?"

"Knowing that the outcome is already set, what would be the point of intervening? It would be nothing more than struggling on in desperation," Xuanyuan replied noncommittally.

Gu Chen realized that the six great holy lands' ideas were completely different from his. Continuing the conversation would be fruitless, so he did not speak further.

Xuanyuan continued, "This is the grand trend of the world, the will of heaven, which cannot be obstructed. You cannot defy it."

Seeing that Gu Chen remained silent, Xuanyuan knew that he had not taken his words to heart.

Gu Chen's expression was indifferent. Compared to the six great holy lands, he could not be so cold-hearted. Moreover, even if he had joined the holy lands, with the way they acted, Gu Chen knew they would surely kick him out again without merit points.

Given that, he might as well not join. As for the great calamity of the East Province, Gu Chen believed that there might still be a chance for change until everything was truly over.

At the same time, Gu Chen also began to understand why the Emperor of Da Xia had secluded himself for twenty-three years.

"Is it true that reaching the Heavenly Human realm will resolve the great calamity of the East Province?" Gu Chen thought of the Emperor and was struck by a sudden thought.

After glancing at him, Xuanyuan seemed to know what Gu Chen was thinking and said, "Even reaching the Heavenly Human realm won't be enough. Did you really think the Heavenly Human realm is invincible?"

Gu Chen's expression tightened. He had not expected that even the ultimate martial peak of the Heavenly Human realm would be insufficient.

Xuanyuan spoke with a transcendental air, as if not of this world, "Since you aspire to the Heavenly Human realm, you should join the six great holy lands even more. In the incomplete and broken world of the East Province, you cannot achieve the Heavenly Human realm. Do you really think you can rise from a shattered world?"

Clearly, Xuan Yuan still hadn't given up on the idea of Gu Chen joining the Six Great Holy Lands.

"Rules?"

A thought stirred in Gu Chen's heart. Xuan Yuan had mentioned "rules" several times, which inevitably caught Gu Chen's attention.

"Dare I ask the Taoist master if he knows the whereabouts of the Emperor of Da Xia?" Gu Chen suddenly inquired.

Whether it was because he came from the Six Great Holy Lands or not, Xuan Yuan indeed possessed a temperament that felt out of step with the Nine Provinces, somewhat otherworldly, as if exuding an air of a "banished immortal."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan's brows furrowed slightly and he said, "Well then, I shall explain once more. Do you know why the Tianren Realm is called the realm of martial immortals, and even referred to as the land of divine immortals?"

"Please enlighten me, Master," Gu Chen said with a bow, eager to learn.

Xuan Yuan's expression turned solemn as he revealed a grand secret to Gu Chen, saying, "The Tianren Realm, where one can break through the void and witness eternity!"

"Hmm?!"

Gu Chen was astonished and asked, "Martial artists of the Tianren Realm can break through the void?"

Xuan Yuan nodded and said in a deep voice, "That is why the Tianren Realm is known as the pinnacle of the martial way."

Gu Chen furrowed his brows, feeling that there was more to Xuan Yuan's words. But he knew that certain things would remain unsaid unless he joined the Six Great Holy Lands.

Gu Chen said, "So, you mean to say, Master, that the Emperor of Da Xia is not in the Nine Provinces?"

Xuan Yuan shook his head and replied, "With my strength, I do not know whether your emperor of Da Xia has broken through to the Tianren Realm. After all, the current Nine Provinces cannot produce someone of the Tianren Realm. It is very possible that he perished in the thunder tribulation."

When it came to the Emperor of Da Xia, Xuan Yuan felt quite emotional. After all, the emperor had once stormed into the Six Great Holy Lands, something that had not happened since ancient times, even surpassing the feats of Dugu Yun.

Of course, the current Dugu Yun was even more extraordinary, presenting a difficult problem for the Six Great Holy Lands to contend with, which was also why they were reluctant to take action.

However, this was not something to speak of to outsiders, and of course, Xuan Yuan would not reveal it to Gu Chen.

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen's pupils constricted, knowing that even now, many in Da Xia still did not believe that the emperor had fallen, for he had always been too extraordinary in the eyes of the Da Xia people.

Xuan Yuan said, "Of course, this is only my speculation. For the exact details, only the higher-ups of the holy lands would know."

After taking a deep breath, Gu Chen nodded. Everything Xuan Yuan had told him today could be called the utmost secrets of the Nine Provinces, known to very few outside of the Six Great Holy Lands.

Then, Xuan Yuan went on to recount the origins of the ancient secret realm, the Spiritual Realm, to Gu Chen.

At last, Xuan Yuan said, "That day at the peak of Mirror Lake Mountain, you offended the Vault of Sky Sword Sect. Just like Burning Heaven Valley, they are arrogant, considering all martial artists in the Nine Provinces beneath them. Now the entire East Province is talking about your actions that day.

Whether it is for the sake of Chen Luo or for the reputation of the Vault of Sky Sword Sect itself, they will definitely not let you off."

"Thank you for informing me, Master," Gu Chen said with a bow in gratitude.

Xuan Yuan's intention in saying this was to make Gu Chen aware that the Vault of Sky Sword Sect was after him and that only by joining the Six Great Holy Lands could he live safely.

Yet, even so, Gu Chen showed no sign of wanting to join the Six Great Holy Lands, causing Xuan Yuan to sigh slightly, filled with regret.

"Well then, I have said all I need to say for today. Take care of yourself." Xuan Yuan rose to his feet, his Taoist robe fluttering as he left the place.

"Allow me to see you out," offered Gu Chen, taking the initiative to escort Xuan Yuan out.

With each step, Xuan Yuan vanished then reappeared, utilizing some unknown technique. After leaving the marquis's mansion, he flickered a few times before his silhouette completely disappeared.

Gu Chen's gaze was far-reaching as he watched the direction in which Xuan Yuan had departed. The conversation they had today heightened the sense of urgency in Gu Chen's heart.

He felt a premonition of an approaching storm.

Setting aside the future calamity of the Nine Provinces, right in front of him were the challenges posed by both the Vault of Sky Sword Sect and Lin Bai, the young master of the Six Union God Sect.

"Come then, let me see just how extraordinary the emissaries of the Holy Lands and the young master of the Six Union God Sect really are." Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

With this thought, there was not the slightest fear in Gu Chen's heart, but rather a surging battle spirit rising from within.