Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

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Three days later, Qiongtian Mansion, Phoenix Sun City.

Phoenix Sun City is the largest city in Anyang County closest to Phoenix Crying Mountain, with a large population, and Drunken Phoenix Tower is the foremost winehouse in the city.

Legend has it, countless years ago, a phoenix was born on Phoenix Crying Mountain. Its cry echoed throughout the nine provinces before it soared into the heavens and vanished from sight.

This scene was witnessed by countless people, causing an uproar throughout the land, and many martial artists came in pursuit of the phoenix's trail. However, regrettably, they found nothing, as if it had all been a mere dream.

The name Phoenix Crying Mountain thus originated from this legend.

And Drunken Phoenix Tower got its name from this tale and, through the efforts of generation after generation, eventually became the largest winehouse in Phoenix Sun City.

With the martial arts tournament fast approaching, Drunken Phoenix Tower, already bustling with visitors, had become even more popular these past few days, filled to the brim with all manner of guests, the majority of whom were martial artists.

Many among them were there merely for the spectacle; after all, the annual martial arts tournament hosted by Sunset Sword Sect was considered a grand event within the martial arts community.

It was a rare occasion where one could see the prodigious youth from major sects, including the phenomenons from the Stars Ranking, who would mostly make an appearance. Such a scene was typically a rare occurrence, thus drawing countless martial arts practitioners to flock like moths to flame.

Some unaffiliated young warriors even harbored dreams of "Ascend to Heaven," hoping to participate in the tournament and catch the eye of some major sect or powerful faction. Such things had indeed occurred in the past.

Even just witnessing these young talents spar was a valuable experience. Perhaps a certain move or technique could enlighten onlookers, helping them break through a bottleneck in their martial cultivation.

At this moment, the sun dipped behind the mountains, stars appeared in the firmament, and the bright moonlight spilled from the sky. After the third round of drinks, the atmosphere inside Drunken Phoenix Tower was exceedingly warm as people intermingled with mirth to the point of fervor.

The discussions varied, ranging from interesting martial arts anecdotes to significant recent events across the world, with plenty of topics to go around. Of course, the mostcommonly discussed was the imminent martial arts tournament.

"The tournament officially starts tomorrow. I wonder who will come out on top and claim the title of 'Champion of Swords' this time?" said a burly, bearded warrior.

Each year, the victor of the martial arts tournament hosted by Sunset Sword Sect is bestowed with the title of "Champion of Swords," symbolizing the forefront of the young generation in the way of the sword.

Another warrior at the same table with a curled lip responded, "Is that even a question? Surely it still belongs to Sunset Sword Sect!"

A lean and wiry warrior nodded in agreement, adding, "In the past decade, the champions of every tournament have been disciples of Sunset Sword Sect. I believe this year will be no different."

At that moment, a warrior from an adjacent table held a different opinion, saying, "I'm not so sure about that. This year, the other sects have quite a few impressive young heroes who have emerged, far more than in previous years. Many have made it onto the Stars Ranking. This year's tournament might just be a fierce battle of dragons and tigers."

The lean and wiry warrior from the burly one's table scoffed at this comment. "So what? Even with their strength, you barely see any of these people ranking within the top twenty of the Stars Ranking. Moreover, don't forget that Sunset Sword Sect has the number one of the Stars Ranking."

Hearing this, the previously outspoken warrior fell silent, no longer speaking.

Qin Mu, the youngest true disciple of Sunset Sword Sect, was only twenty this year and had already unlocked fifty-six meridians, reaching the peak of the Pervasive Vessel Realm. He stood as the uncontested first place on this year's Stars Ranking.

When Qin Mu first burst onto the scene, he fought against the current second and third ranked warriors on the Stars Ranking by himself. Despite their combined efforts using their full repertoire of skills, neither could match Qin Mu. He fought them both single-handedly, with absolute superiority, defeating them in what could only be described as a pinnacle battle.

Because of that battle, Qin Mu officially took the top spot on the Stars Ranking, and not long after, Sunset Sword Sect announced that Qin Mu had reached the limit of the Pervasive Vessel Realm.

As soon as this news spread, it caused an uproar throughout the martial world as everyone was astonished by Qin Mu's monstrous talent.

One could say that Qin Mu was like a towering peak pressing down on the heads of all young martial artists, unshakable and only to be looked up to.

Even the imposing Sunset Sword Sect took pride in Qin Mu, with none among the younger generation from any power in the martial world being a match for him.

"Given the strength and status of that number one on the Stars Ranking, I reckon nobody in this tournament is worthy of his contest," someone remarked.

"If he were to make a move, the tournament would lose all suspense. Claiming first place would be like taking something out of one's pocket—too uninteresting."

"No, I'm actually more eager to see Qin Mu take action. As the first ranked of the Stars Ranking, I really want to know what kind of power he possesses now!"

"I heard Qin Mu is not satisfied with just fifty-six meridians. He hasn't broken through to the External Qi Realm just to try and surpass the limits of the Pervasive Vessel Realm!"

"What? Has he succeeded?"

"That's anyone's guess."

As soon as the name Qin Mu, the top of the Stars Ranking, was mentioned, the martial artists on this floor of Drunken Phoenix Tower all joined in the discussion. Their eyes shone with admiration and envy when talking about Qin Mu.

Just then, a warrior spoke up, "Do you know about Gu Chen, who recently rose to eighth place on the Stars Ranking?"

The burly warrior asked, "The one from Jing Tian Department?"

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"Yes," nodded the warrior, "He defeated Zheng Yan, who was ranked twelfth on the Star Ranking, and killed two martial artists in the External Energy Realm as well as a Ghost of the Spectral Grade. Because of this, Diancang Pavilion has ranked him eighth, pushing Yu Qiushi of the Canghai Sect down a notch."

"Humph!"

Suddenly, a cold snort emanated from a private room in the tavern; curtains were drawn up, revealing the inside. There, at the table, sat six or seven young men dressed in deep blue robes.

Seeing this attire, the big bearded man and the other martial artists' expressions changed as they said, "The Canghai Sect!"

The group of young men in deep blue robes were none other than disciples of the Canghai Sect, which was among the Seven Sects and Eight Factions.

And among them, a man with a resolute face and a solemn aura, his body strong and muscular, was the leading figure among the young generation of the Canghai Sect, Yu Qiushi.

"The Diancang Pavilion's ranking is undeserving; with my elder brother's strength and status, without even a comparison, they have audaciously placed that Gu Chen in the eighth spot, bumping my elder brother to ninth. Clearly, Diancang Pavilion is out of fear for the court that they have made such a decision," said the young warrior who had snorted earlier, his face full of disdain.

Yu Qiushi said nothing, silently drinking, as he sat there looking straight ahead. The disparity in their status meant he had little to say.

At this tournament, he intended to prove everything with his strength; everything else was pointless to discuss.

Gu Chen was not considered a concern by him. Whether he was ranked eighth or ninth on the Star Ranking did not matter; his true target was Qin Mu. Even if he knew he was outmatched, he still wanted to have a bout to understand the gap between them.

Seeing the topic of their conversation appear before them, the big bearded man and the other warriors instantly sobered up, all wearing sheepish expressions. They were just independent martial artists of the Jianghu; they could not afford to offend anyone from the Canghai Sect and fell silent.

The young disciple of the Canghai Sect arrogantly said, "It's just a pity that the people of the Jing Tian Department won't be participating in the tournament. Otherwise, my elder brother would give Gu Chen a hard time. Against my elder brother, Gu Chen wouldn't last an exchange!"

The man spoke confidently because he knew that Gu Chen's strength, no matter how extraordinary, would not be a match for the current Yu Qiushi.

Before the tournament, Yu Qiushi had secluded himself and made another breakthrough, in both his cultivation level and his martial comprehension.

The entire Canghai Sect was invigorated by this. They felt this tournament would be Yu Qiushi's perfect stage and that with his current strength, he would undoubtedly secure a spot within the top three of the Star Ranking.

The reputation of the entire Canghai Sect would also rise because of this, regaining some of the prestige lost with the death of the old sect leader.

This was also Yu Qiushi's goal and mission.

The revival of his sect rested entirely on his shoulders.

"This tournament, my elder brother will surely astonish everyone!" The disciples of the Canghai Sect were all excited.

The big bearded man and the other Jianghu warriors fell silent, not daring to offend either Jing Tian Department or the Canghai Sect.

However, in their eyes, Yu Qiushi did indeed seem to have been wronged. After all, rankings in the Jianghu are primarily based on strength, and since Gu Chen had not actually fought Yu Qiushi before usurping his place, even amongst themselves, this seemed somewhat improper.

After all, Yu Qiushi's battle achievements had been fought and witnessed by everyone in the Jianghu. And they felt that in a real fight, Gu Chen might not necessarily be his match.

Although the Canghai Sect had weakened over the years, its legacy remained. Yu Qiushi was the future hope of the Canghai Sect. Within the sect, he could peruse any technique he wished.

Gu Chen of the Jing Tian Department might not be afforded such a privilege. Exclusive content from m,v lemp,yr

Then, Yu Qiushi, who had been silently drinking, cast a glance at the young disciples of the Canghai Sect. They felt a jolt though their bodies, silencing them immediately.

Not far from them, at another table, sat three men. One of them, dressed in dark clothes, with sword-like eyebrows reaching into his temples and a handsome face with jet-black hair, was Gu Chen, who had traveled from Tiandu.

Song Yu whispered, "Brother Gu, they are talking about you. Those people are really too arrogant."

Having witnessed Gu Chen's strength, he knew that Gu Chen was nowhere near as frail as these people imagined.

Gu Chen kept a calm demeanor, not taking the words of these people to heart. Strength is not spoken; it is shown through combat. With his current strength, Gu Chen believed that no one on the Star Ranking would be his match.

No matter how powerful Yu Qiushi was, as long as he remained in the Ventricular Realm, he simply could not be Gu Chen's match. Unless he broke through to the External Energy Realm – that level of prodigy would be an entirely different story once they held a realm advantage.

Gu Chen glanced at Yu Qiushi, who, sensing something, swiftly turned his head. Their eyes met briefly before both looked away.

Seeing Gu Chen remained silent, Song Yu did not mind and muttered to himself, "Brother Gu, why are you as taciturn as Wang Yan? Sigh, looks like it's going to be another solo act for me."

Wang Yan, who was seated at the side munching on his food, also ignored Song Yu's words, quietly eating.

Soon, the night passed, and when dawn broke, at the foot of Phoenix Crying Mountain outside Phoenix Sun City, the crowd buzzed with activity. Countless figures of the Jianghu had gathered, with many young warriors eager and ready, awaiting this day.

The eighth day of the eighth month, the Tournament would officially begin today!

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