Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

At this moment, inside the largest inn of Phoenix Sun City, Qin Mu's face was grim as he listened to the report from Qian Yuan who had just returned from the Drunken Phoenix Tower.

As the top-ranked individual on the Stars List, the youngest genuine disciple of the Sunset Sword Sect, and recognized as the most exceptional among the younger generation worldwide, Qin Mu's pride was beyond question.

Originally, being kicked away by Gu Chen at Phoenix Crying Mountain had been a source of humiliation for him, and now, being talked about in such a manner only served to infuriate him further.

Moreover, just three days ago, Qin Mu had almost died at the hands of a Gang Qi Stage martial artist from the demonic cults, and he blamed Gu Chen for this as well.

Had it not been for Gu Chen blocking his meridians, he wouldn't have been in such a predicament. Fortunately, with his profound inner strength, he managed to unblock the meridians sealed by Gu Chen in a very short time, and sensing the impending danger early on, he hastily led the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect to retreat.

If they had left even a little later, Qin Mu might have indeed died.

After all, being the top entry on the Stars List, he was naturally the prime target of the demonic cults, and the involvement of a Gang Qi Stage warrior from the Evil Heart Sect was not only a precaution but indeed an attempt to kill Qin Mu.

In Qin Mu's view, he hadn't even settled accounts with Gu Chen yet, and now he was being humiliated because of him, which naturally irritated him to no end.

"Elder Brother Qin, how should we handle this matter?" Qian Yuan asked.

With a stern face, Qin Mu said, "No one can insult the Sunset Sword Sect, not even the Jing Tian Department. Go and issue a challenge to that Gu Chen, tell him that three days from now, outside of Phoenix Sun City, we will decide the victor."

"Yes!"

Joy was written all over the faces of the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect; they didn't believe for a moment that Qin Mu could lose. His strength had become a legend over time, and those following him were well aware that what happened that day at Phoenix Crying Mountain was simply a result of Qin Mu's carelessness, an unlucky advantage seized by Gu Chen.

They believed that this time, Elder Brother Qin would surely crush Gu Chen with the force of thunder, silencing the lowly talk of the martial artists and proving to the entire world the might of the Sunset Sword Sect.

Word of the challenge sent by Qin Mu of Sunset Sword Sect to Gu Chen quickly spread throughout Phoenix Sun City. With both individuals ranked on the Stars List—one at number eight and the other at the top—the upcoming battle was a highly anticipated event. If not for the current unrest in the world due to the Six Union God Sect's activities, this event surely would have drawn even more attention.

Nonetheless, the news still managed to spread throughout Anyang County, which was exactly what Qin Mu intended. Three days were enough for many to be apprised of the news.

Qin Mu intended to defeat Gu Chen in full view of everyone, to shut those people up while proving his own strength and the power of the Sunset Sword Sect.

Even the officials from Tiandu, from the Jing Tian Department, were no match for him.

He wanted everyone to understand that not all talents are equal, and that he, Qin Mu, was the strongest of them all.

The whole of Phoenix Sun City was abuzz with conversations about this matter, but the man himself, Gu Chen, was entirely unaware.

For he was still in seclusion, tempering his inner strength, familiarizing himself with his enhanced power, and the suddenly increased physical prowess resulting from the successful mastery of Horizontal Training.

For two consecutive days, there was no word from Gu Chen, nor was there a sighting of him. This lead to much speculation among the martial artists, some of whom wondered if Gu Chen had left Phoenix Sun City, otherwise, why was there no response?

Some even believed that Gu Chen was afraid, and that was why he hadn't stepped forward. Of course, nobody dared to say this out loud, given Gu Chen's affiliation with the Jing Tian Department, but the whisperings behind closed doors were ceaseless.

At this moment, the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect wore expressions of delight, thinking that Gu Chen was afraid, knowing he couldn't defeat Qin Mu and therefore did not dare to accept the challenge.

After all, should Gu Chen be defeated, it would tarnish the reputation of the Jing Tian Department.

As for the possibility of Gu Chen winning, they hadn't even considered it.

But the only one without a trace of a smile on his face was Qin Mu. In his eyes, the humiliation Gu Chen had brought upon him at Phoenix Crying Mountain had to be avenged, and the payback had to be double.

No one dared to look down on him like that, and certainly not Gu Chen.

The pride in his heart wouldn't allow him to let Gu Chen go so easily.

As Qin Mu had said, no one could insult him. Those who had dared to offend him would have to pay a price.

It could be said that the pride of Qin Mu, or rather that of the martial artists of the Sunset Sword Sect, truly ran deep in their bones.

With their growing might, the entire sect had become increasingly arrogant and overbearing.

If they continued down this path, their ultimate fate could only be one.

"Find him for me. He might not have left Phoenix Sun City. I want him found!" Qin Mu commanded coldly.

The disciples of Sunset Sword Sect were baffled, not understanding why their Elder Brother Qin was so insistent on fighting Gu Chen. Wouldn't victory without fighting be better?

But they obviously didn't dare to refute Qin Mu's words, and could only obediently start searching within Phoenix Sun City.

It has to be said, Sunset Sword Sect's intelligence capabilities were not bad either, they quickly located the inn where Gu Chen was staying at in Phoenix Sun City.

"You can't enter, you can't go in, the guest said that he can't be disturbed these few days..." The inn's attendant was desperately trying to stop them.

"Get lost!"

The disciples of the Sunset Sword Sect were extremely domineering and rude, pushing the attendant to the ground with a single move, leaving the innkeeper standing to the side with a troubled expression, not daring to say a word.

Inside the room, as Gu Chen's physical condition had improved yet again, his senses had greatly enhanced. With exceptional hearing, he could clearly hear the commotion outside. Opening his closed eyes, his pupils shone brightly, lighting up the entire room instantly.

When the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect walked to the door, they were just about to push it open when they felt an enormous force coming from inside the room, sending them flying out.

"Ah..."

They screamed miserably as they fell to the ground, each of them battered and bruised.

This scene immediately terrified the innkeeper and the attendant, who hurriedly backed away as if there was some ferocious beast inside the room.

At that moment, with a creak, the door opened, and Gu Chen, dressed in dark clothes, tall and slim, stepped out.

He glanced down at the people lying on the ground and said indifferently, "I wondered why I heard insects chirping early in the morning, turns out it was you."

"You..."

The disciples of Sunset Sword Sect were filled with resentment, but considering Gu Chen's strength, they didn't dare to speak harshly, and could only say, "Elder Brother Qin has issued you a challenge, why don't you dare to accept the fight?"

"A challenge?"

Gu Chen looked puzzled, but he was quick on the uptake and soon guessed most of it vaguely. He smiled and said, "What, I have to respond just because a challenge was issued?"

"Could it be that you're scared?" one of the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect said with a haughty look.

Gu Chen was not annoyed, but instead, a smile appeared in his eyes as he said, "If you want to challenge me, that's fine, but there should be some stakes, right?"

"What do you want?" They frowned.

Gu Chen said, "I've heard that Sunset Sword Sect's sword techniques are unparalleled. It's not impossible for Qin Mu to fight me, but bring out a high-grade martial arts manual, and then I'll be willing to fight him."

"In your dreams!"

Seeing that Gu Chen was making outrageous demands, the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect were immediately flustered. High-grade martial arts were something that not many core disciples of Sunset Sword Sect were qualified to practice, as they required immense contributions to the sect to acquire.

Now that Gu Chen was casually asking for a high-grade martial arts manual, it was naturally impossible for the disciples of Sunset Sword Sect to agree, and Qin Mu wouldn't agree either.

Gu Chen also knew that Sunset Sword Sect would never agree to this; his real purpose lay elsewhere.

"If that's the case, then bring out five vials of Passage Meridian Pills," Gu Chen continued. "That is my final bottom line; otherwise, forget it!"

Now that Gu Chen's stock of Passage Meridian Pills had run out, he urgently needed them to open more meridians in his body. With Sunset Sword Sect coming to him, it saved him a trip back to Jing Tian Department to exchange merit points for the pills.

After all, one vial of Passage Meridian Pills would cost him ten points of merit.

The disciples of Sunset Sword Sect were furious but dared not speak out. This time, they didn't refuse, they helped each other up and left to report to Qin Mu.

The innkeeper and the attendant looked at Gu Chen with respect. The Sunset Sword Sect was arrogant and overbearing, using their status as the number one force of Qiongtian Mansion to threaten others. It was the first time they had ever seen someone dare to threaten the Sunset Sword Sect.

It must be said, having the backing of the imperial court certainly gives one confidence.

At that moment, Qin Mu, hearing the report of Sunset Sword Sect's disciples, had a gloomy expression. Five vials of Passage Meridian Pills, Gu Chen's demand was like asking for half of Qin Mu's life.

In the jianghu, one vial of Passage Meridian Pills was worth a fortune, needing at least ten thousand taels of silver, and that was if it was even available for sale, let alone five vials.

However, with Sunset Sword Sect being a top force in the jianghu with abundant resources, five vials of Passage Meridian Pills were not much to speak of. It was only somewhat pressuring for Qin Mu to bear the costs individually, as he felt the pinch.

Grinding his teeth, Qin Mu said, "Go tell him, I agree. Five vials of Passage Meridian Pills, I'll give them to him!"