Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

"The Records of the Geography of the Nine States" reads: "In the ancient times, the world was divided into nine parts, hence known as the Nine States. Later, during the early ancient era, the land changed again, and the Nine States were further divided."

To this day, there are twenty-one major states in the world. Da Xia is the orthodox realm of the Central Plains, powerful and dominating, ruling over thirteen of these states. The Eight States, meanwhile, are mostly under the control of Da Yuan, which claims seven of them.

The last of these states, named Heavenly State, is exclusively home to the Six Holy Lands, an existence much like a secluded paradise, untouchable by either Da Xia or Da Yuan.

Clad in a fitting Taoist robe adorned with the Taiji symbol of yin and yang, Xuan Yuan exuded a remarkable presence and asked softly, "Do you know where the demons originate from?"

Gu Chen frowned, as he had long harbored a suspicion regarding the origins of the demons. Seeing this, Xuan Yuan stretched out his hand towards the sky and said directly, "From beyond the realm!"
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"Just as I thought!"

Gu Chen's heart tightened, for he had already guessed that the demons were not native to the Nine States but came from beyond.

When it came to the demons, Xuan Yuan's expression also grew more solemn as he said, "The demons are evil spirits from beyond the realm. One day, they will destroy everything in the Nine States. The Nine States are like a cage, and all beings here are no different from prisoners, destined to die at the hands of demons one day."

"With your talent, if you were to join the Six Holy Lands and enter my Way of Wuji, there might still be a slim chance of survival. Otherwise, you will certainly die," Xuan Yuan said gravely.

Hearing this, Gu Chen's brows tightened, and he asked, "If I were to join the Way of Wuji, what then? Would I still be able to walk this world?"

Xuan Yuan shook his head and said, "Once you join the Way of Wuji, you will be a disciple of the holy land and must immediately return to the holy land."

"What if I wish to leave the mountain?" Gu Chen asked further.

Xuan Yuan fell silent and did not answer.

Seeing this, Gu Chen immediately said, "In that case, please forgive me for being unable to join the Six Holy Lands."

Xuan Yuan's eyebrows rose in surprise, clearly not expecting someone from the Nine States to refuse the invitation of the Six Holy Lands.

"Do you know what you're missing out on?" Xuan Yuan inquired, his brow furrowed.

He saw that Gu Chen truly had exceptional talent, hence his desire to recruit Gu Chen into the Six Holy Lands.

Gu Chen's aptitude, even in the decaying lands of the Nine States, was outstanding. Should he join the Six Holy Lands, his accomplishments would surely be even more extraordinary.

In doing so, Xuan Yuan would also be cultivating a good relationship, and in the future, he could, in turn, be "guided" by Gu Chen.

That was Xuan Yuan's intention.

But what he never anticipated was that Gu Chen would refuse the invitation.

It must be said that this was utterly beyond Xuan Yuan's expectations, and completely outside his predictions.

Hearing this, Gu Chen said, "Regardless, I thank the Taoist for his kindness."

After pondering for a moment, Xuan Yuan asked, "Is it because of your family?"

Gu Chen nodded, as that was indeed an important reason for him.

Xuan Yuan frowned and said, "With your talents, once you join the holy land, there might still be an opportunity for your family to join as well."

Gu Chen shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but I still cannot accept."

According to Xuan Yuan, joining the Six Holy Lands meant isolation from the world of the Nine States. In that case, Gu Chen would no longer be able to acquire point values. Without these point values, his own talents were not so extraordinary, and in time, the Six Holy Lands would certainly discover this.

That was the most important reason for Gu Chen's refusal.

Xuan Yuan said solemnly, "You must understand that not letting you leave the mountain is for your own good. What are the Nine States? A cage! All beings of the Nine States are no different from prisoners. The Nine States are a decaying land, and if you go to the holy land, you'll realize that leaving it to come to the Nine States amounts to 'contaminating' oneself.

That is why, only every few decades, does a descendant of the holy land descend the mountain."

Xuan Yuan revealed a secret to Gu Chen, something very few in the world knew. People from the holy land rarely descended the mountain, and it turned out it was for this reason.

"May I ask the Taoist, why are the Nine States considered a cage?" Gu Chen took the opportunity to voice his confusion.

Xuan Yuan replied, "The lands of the Nine States are broken, the world's rules are increasingly incomplete, and martial ways will gradually decline. If that's not a cage, what is?"

"Is this related to the disappearance of the ancient era?" Gu Chen seized the chance to ask.

Xuan Yuan shook his head and said, "I can't answer that question for you, because some matters are classified even within the holy land, and I cannot disclose them, or a great disaster would befall."

Although it was a pity not to learn the secrets of the ancient era's disappearance, Gu Chen still nodded in understanding and said, "Then can the Taoist tell me, is there any way to prevent the demons from descending upon the Nine States?"

"There's no way at all. Everything was predetermined the moment the demons appeared in the Nine States. The great calamity of the Nine States is not long from now, it will come," Xuan Yuan said slowly.

Gu Chen was deeply moved and quickly asked, "Does the Taoist know when the calamity will befall?"

Xuan Yuan replied, "The exact timing cannot be calculated. It might be half a year, one year, or even three to five years."

Gu Chen furrowed his brows and said, "So you're saying that everything is unknown, and the calamity could very well arrive tomorrow?"

With a soft sigh, Xuan Yuan said, "Do not idly hope to change the fate of the Nine States. This is not within human power. This world is doomed to become ashes, and countless lives will turn to dust, ceasing to exist."

Seeing that Gu Chen seemed unconvinced, Xuan Yuan asked, "What do you think of the demons?"

After some thought, Gu Chen answered, "They are unpredictable and indefensible, quite troublesome to deal with."