Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

Chen Song had already etched Gu Chen's appearance deep into his mind, he secretly swore that should Gu Chen ever fall into his hands, he would make him wish for death, tormented for seven days and nights before he could vent the hatred in his heart.

As a disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect, wherever he went, he was nearly always treated like a star surrounded by moons. Yet, it was only Gu Chen who dared to attack him and nearly killed him.

Chen Song would never forget that pain and fear that had tormented him up to this day. If it hadn't been for the high-quality healing medicines he had brought from the sect this trip, his wounds would still be unhealed.

Now, upon seeing Gu Chen, Chen Song immediately clenched his teeth in anger. The memories surged back into his mind, and he wished nothing more than for Gu Chen to kneel before him, subjected to all kinds of humiliation.

When Gu Chen saw Chen Song pointing at him, he merely glanced at him indifferently before withdrawing his gaze. This calm demeanor only served to fan the flames of Chen Song's rage even more.

"Elder Brother Zheng, that bastard is here too!" Knowing he was no match for Gu Chen, Chen Song prepared to call over Zheng Yan to deal with him.

Zheng Yan had seen Gu Chen as soon as Chen Song spoke, and concurrently, he also noticed the young man standing beside Gu Chen.

The tracking powder had long lost its efficacy. Without a doubt, on that day, Zheng Yan indeed lost track of Luo Feng. However, he was not a fool like Chen Song and had a sharp mind. Seeing that man standing beside Gu Chen, he could guess there was likely a connection.

The other Jianghu people in the hall who saw Gu Chen had a grudge with the Sunset Sword Sect were also somewhat surprised. Some were eager to watch the drama unfold, while others inwardly sighed for Gu Chen, feeling that by offending the Sunset Sword Sect and Zheng Yan, his fate would be exceedingly grim.

Zhang Chi, accompanied by his disciples, also stood among the crowd. Seeing this scene, he frowned slightly with a trace of worry for Gu Chen.

His journey had been quite smooth, and his disciples only had minor injuries. Seeing their master's expression, those who knew Zhang Chi's character became tense and quickly grabbed his arm.

"Master, you must hold steady. This isn't something we can meddle in. That's the Sunset Sword Sect!"

Zhang Chi's brow furrowed even more. Although he had only met Gu Chen once, he still admired him somewhat. If it were any other power, he might have gone up and tried to help Gu Chen out of the predicament. But now, the enemy was the Sunset Sword Sect, led by Zheng Yan, ranked twelfth on the Stargleam List.

Either of these were not something Zhang Chi, a mere martial arts school owner, could afford to provoke.

Zheng Yan had killed that man with a single palm strike, whom Zhang Chi recognized. Although both were martial school owners, the other man was much stronger than Zhang Chi, yet he still was killed by Zheng Yan with a single palm. If Zhang Chi went, he would simply be going to his death.

In the end, Zhang Chi could only let out a helpless sigh.

Naturally, Gu Chen did not know what Zhang Chi was thinking, and even if he did, he wouldn't blame him. After all, they barely knew each other, having only met once and exchanged a few words. It was within reason for the other party not to help him.

In the Jianghu, it was rare for someone to draw their sword to aid another against injustice. And even when it did happen, it was based on confidence in one's strength.

In the Jianghu, only the strong had the right to speak ethics.

The weak could only be targeted, exploited, and ostracized.

This could not be said to be reality but was rather a fact.

"Last time, you were lucky that I spared you. I never expected that this time, you would throw yourself onto my blade. You are truly seeking death."

Zheng Yan said coldly, "Don't think that I will let you go this time."

Upon hearing this, Gu Chen chuckled and, with a clear voice that filled the entire hall, said, "Anyone can talk big. Last time, it was clearly you who couldn't fight and ran away disgracefully. The disciples of esteemed sects like yours are really hypocritical, turning black into white with your words. Shameless, to say the least."

As soon as Gu Chen spoke these words, a buzz of discussion filled the hall.

"What? Zheng Yan isn't a match for this young man before us?"

"Impossible, what kind of person is Zheng Yan? A core disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect, ranked twelfth on the Stargleam List, a hero known throughout the world. How could he fail to defeat an unknown youngster?"

"But the way it looks, what the young junior said doesn't seem like a lie, right?"

"Perhaps there's more to the story."

People of Jianghu, regardless of gender, age, or status, all place great importance on reputation and honor, especially someone prideful like Zheng Yan. Listening to the Jianghu people's discussions, Zheng Yan's expression darkened, and without further words, he drew his sword from his waist with a clang, the tip aimed directly at Gu Chen.

Whatever about Luo Feng, Zheng Yan no longer cared. All he wanted now was to kill Gu Chen.

Previously, he fought Gu Chen with fists and feet, which was not his strong suit, allowing only forty percent of his full capabilities.

This time, Zheng Yan got serious from the start, intending to slay Gu Chen with the force of thunder right there, to silence the Jianghu people. He felt that being mentioned in the same breath as Gu Chen was not only his disgrace but also the disgrace of the Sunset Sword Sect.

Only by killing Gu Chen could he completely silence these discussions.

"To kill you with a treasured weapon is indeed an overkill," Zheng Yan said with a cold face.

With the long sword drawn, a penetrating cold light dazzled onlookers' eyes, making them squint, and a faint glow circulated on the blade – indeed, it was a lower-grade treasured weapon.

The precious nature of a treasured weapon was self-evident. The sharp aura made all the Jianghu people in attendance shrink their necks and bristle with apprehension.

Such was the power of a treasured weapon, merely unsheathed, yet already so formidable. They all looked enviously at the long sword in Zheng Yan's hand, a luxury they would never experience in their lives, and their hearts sunk further for Gu Chen.

"You're as good as dead!"

Seeing Zheng Yan draw his sword, it was clear that he was serious, and Chen Song sneered coldly, confidently deciding Gu Chen's fate with a single statement.

"Brother Gu, do you need help, or shall we retreat for now?" Luo Feng spoke softly from the side.

Gu Chen did not reply; a single Zheng Yan was not enough to make him turn tail and flee.

Shh!

Sharp sword light flashed through the great hall, like a streak of lightning, illuminating the dim hall by a fraction.

Zheng Yan lunged forward with his sword, aiming directly for Gu Chen's throat, intending to end his life with a single strike!

Gu Chen's face remained serene, like a pond without the slightest ripple, saying to Luo Feng, "I'll be back soon."

At that moment, Gu Chen's figure flashed, leaping from a high place, like a great roc, not retreating but advancing, heading straight for Zheng Yan.

"Hmph, courting death!"

On the other side, Chen Song's face was filled with malice, wishing for nothing more than Gu Chen's immediate demise.

Seeing Gu Chen charging towards him, Zheng Yan's face was cold, and his sword speed seemed to increase by a third.

Clang!

In the hall, another clear ring of sword chimes sounded; Gu Chen, in mid-air, drew out his Red Refinement Blade, clashing with Zheng Yan's long sword.

Clang!

Where the two low-grade treasured weapons collided, countless sparks erupted, but as they were of equal quality, neither could overcome the other.

"You actually have a low-grade treasured weapon?!"

Zheng Yan saw Gu Chen draw his long sword, initially scoffing, thinking he could break Gu Chen's weapon with one slice and pierce his chest, but to his surprise, Gu Chen, like him, possessed a low-grade treasured weapon.

As Zheng Yan spoke, disorder once again filled the great hall, with Chen Song's eyes widening in disbelief on the other side.

"How is that possible, how can that good-for-nothing have a low-grade treasured weapon just like Elder Brother Zheng?!"

Chen Song roared in his heart; treasured weapons, even within the Sunset Sword Sect, were only issued to core disciples of profound strength, which he naturally did not possess.

At that moment, the emotion known as envy burned within Chen Song like a wild fire, distorting his face.

Zheng Yan felt the force transmitted through Gu Chen's sword, his expression also shifting slightly, as the blade's edge slowly pressed against his chest with Gu Chen's growing force.

One must know, Zheng Yan was not as rumors suggested, having opened only forty meridians in the Pulse-Connecting Realm; he had now cleared forty-three meridians in his body, far surpassing Gu Chen, and was considered to have profound cultivation.

Unfortunately, his physical strength paled in comparison to Gu Chen's, at least, he did not have a superior body-cultivating martial art by his side.

Still, Zheng Yan was no ordinary warrior; knowing he could not match Gu Chen's strength, he activated his cultivation and a mid-grade sword technique of the Sunset Sword Sect, employing finesse to deflect Gu Chen's long sword.

Clang clang clang!

The two continuously exchanged blows, with Gu Chen relying on his physical strength, nearly 30,000 catties, and his deep internal cultivation, matching Zheng Yan equally for a short time.

This spectacle immediately caused the surrounding spectators from the martial fraternity to gasp in shock.

Even Zhang Chi had not anticipated that a young man he was casually conversing with would possess such strength to compete equally with Zheng Yan, a core disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect.

But these were laymen, seeing only the surface; only the combatants Gu Chen and Zheng Yan knew the specifics of their confrontation.

As the battle continued, Zheng Yan's expression gradually steadied; he could see that Gu Chen knew no sword techniques, or rather, had no foundation at all.

Gu Chen was merely using his strength and cultivation to flail about with his sword in combat.

Going on like this, Zheng Yan was confident that before long, Gu Chen would be defeated.

Indeed, it was so; after dozens of moves, seizing the moment Gu Chen's technique faltered, there was a clang, and Zheng Yan struck with a radiant sword light at a tricky angle, knocking the Red Refinement Blade out of Gu Chen's hand.

With the treasured weapon out of hand, everyone in the hall knew that Gu Chen's end was sealed.

At that moment, the outcome seemed certain, as people envisioned Zheng Yan emerging victorious, with Gu Chen impaled by a sword.

Luo Feng's face changed abruptly, while Chen Song's features were spread with a smug smile.

"Die!"

Zheng Yan gave a cold shout; the treasured weapon in his hand glimmered as he thrust toward Gu Chen's chest with the speed of lightning.