Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

In the oddly serene space, two great cauldrons floated, majestic and brimming with energy, their bronze hues and tripod shapes emanating the supreme Daoist philosophy of "one generates two, two generates three, and three generates all things."

The cauldrons were not particularly large, but their presence seemed mighty enough to suppress the heavens, solidify time and space, shrouded in primordial chaos and naturally-born Daoist charm, holding a formidable power within.

They exuded an air of ancient mystery so overwhelmingly profound that everything else seemed insignificant before them—their deep mouths appeared capable of swallowing the boundless starry river and harnessing the strength of the nine heavens and ten lands, commanding all worlds.

Even the least discerning onlooker would understand that these artifacts contained the ultimate truths of the cosmos and the laws of the Dao.

Such a peerless sacred object from antiquity lay before him; even Gu Chen felt his heart race with anticipation, almost too eager to wait.

In that moment, despite the formidable pressure bearing down on him, causing his bones to crackle as if ready to break, the celestial seed within his body shone brightly.

Yet, Gu Chen refused to admit defeat, advancing determinedly, soon with strands of fresh blood trickling from the corners of his mouth.

Eventually, his entire body oozed blood mist from every pore, with droplets cascading down his form.

The cauldron was within reach, but Gu Chen had reached his limit and could go no further.

Now he stood there, drenched in blood, a gruesome sight—he looked frightful.

"I've reached my limit."

Gu Chen's expression was grave, his eyebrows tightly furrowed; the treasure was within sight, yet untouchable. Even he clenched his fists in frustration, unable to accept this feeling of defeat.

But then, a thought struck him, and he mused, "Could it be that the Nine Cauldrons are not yet ready to emerge?"

Upon this thought, he was somewhat startled, feeling that this was very likely the case.

After all, although Chu Yue Ling had brought him here, it was not necessarily a sign that the time for the Nine Cauldrons to appear had come.

As expected, when Gu Chen used the Heavenly Human Gazing Skill to divine the truth, the heavens' secrets were murky, yet they confirmed his suspicion.

"It really is so..." Gu Chen sighed softly, having thought his resolve was strong enough, but the appearance of these treasures almost made him lose his rationality.

"It seems my cultivation of the mind is still not quite there," Gu Chen said, mocking himself with a shake of his head.

The time for the two cauldrons before him to emerge was not yet ripe; to forcibly take them now could destroy Mo State, and the common folk residing there would perish as a consequence.

Gu Chen, of course, would not do such a thing; moreover, he wanted to take them but simply lacked the strength.

"I'll wait for the near future," Gu Chen composed himself, a hint of a smile appearing on his lips.

Although he couldn't acquire them now, those two cauldrons would ultimately be his in the not-too-distant future.

He also marveled inwardly at their power; just two cauldrons alone were this formidable—he could hardly imagine what earth-shattering changes would occur once the Nine Cauldrons united.

"Emperor Yu, such an extraordinary supreme figure from ancient times," Gu Chen admired, yearning reflected in his eyes.

The higher realms were vast beyond measure, home to countless prodigies and exceptional individuals, storied legacies, a world of boundless chaos where heroes contended for supremacy.

As Chu Yue Ling had said, such a great world was where Gu Chen belonged.

Not only did Chu Yue Ling think so, but the Infinite Dao Sect, Cloud Heaven Palace, Vajra Buddhism Sect, and even some of his enemies shared that belief.

"Indeed, compared to the higher realms, Jiuzhou is rather small," Gu Chen himself had to admit.

Afterward, utilizing the celestial seed within him, Gu Chen blinked out of that place, returning to the earth's core.

The scorching heat deep beneath the surface could not affect Gu Chen at all. After changing out of his blood-stained clothes and disposing of them in the magma below, Gu Chen soared upwards, leaving that place behind.

When he emerged back on the surface, he found the saintly girl of Taoxu Road, Chu Yue Ling, standing there awaiting his return, her beauty like a celestial bloom.

"Miss Chu," Gu Chen greeted her proactively.

Chu Yue Ling nodded slightly, her white clothes giving her an otherworldly charm. She spoke softly, "It seems, Brother Gu, that you have indeed been chosen."

Gu Chen smiled and did not conceal the truth, sharing his recent experience with Chu Yue Ling.

After all, through their time together, Gu Chen had grown to trust Chu Yue Ling a great deal more.

Moreover, without her, he would not have been able to find this place so easily.

Chu Yue Ling then spoke, "Brother Gu, your emergence may have been by chance, but your rise has been continuous. Perhaps all the fortuitous energy of Jiuzhou has gathered upon you, and that is why you have been chosen."

At her words, Gu Chen's brows shot up. Although the Heavenly Human Gazing Skill allowed him to observe the grand patterns of the world, his own fate always seemed shrouded in a veil of mystery.

"Perhaps," Gu Chen nodded. Now, with Jiuzhou in shambles and demons invading, poised for destruction, he had risen powerfully and reached his current state—luck had indeed played its part.

Maybe, as Chu Yue Ling had just suggested, all the remaining fortune of Jiuzhou had indeed converged upon him.

In other words, he was now the chosen son of Jiuzhou's fate.

However, Gu Chen did not care about these things, as he did not quite believe in so-called luck or destiny, considering it only an added bonus.

He believed only in the present, only in himself, no matter what difficulties he faced, Gu Chen always believed that with his own hands, he was capable of shattering everything!

This was his unwavering belief in himself, which could not be shaken by anyone, not even by the heavens and the earth.

And it was precisely because of this that Gu Chen was able to successfully condense his divine intent and break through his limitations—it was his martial will!

Chu Yue Ling, of course, saw Gu Chen's staunch self-confidence and didn't think much of it.

After all, being able to reach such a stage on his own at the lower realms was quite extraordinary, even in the eyes of the Saintess of Taoxu Road.

If it were not so, she would not have invited Gu Chen to join Taoxu Road.

"Brother Gu, there is one more thing you need to be aware of," Chu Yue Ling said with her tall figure, fair skin, and a light fragrance emanating from her body.

"Please speak, Miss Chu," Gu Chen said solemnly upon hearing her words.

A serious light flickered in Chu Yue Ling's eyes as she cautioned, "Since you have accepted the Nine Tripods' inheritance and have become Emperor Yu's successor, you naturally need to bear the corresponding karma. This is something you must remember."

Boom!

As Chu Yue Ling spoke these words, a thunderbolt suddenly flashed across the previously clear sky, rumbling and shaking heaven and earth.

Seeing this, Gu Chen's expression turned stern, and as if sensing something deep within him.

"Karma, huh?" In this moment, Gu Chen's eyes became somber, and his entire presence was extremely solemn.

The phenomenon that had just occurred was a testament to the truth of Chu Yue Ling's words, and the so-called karma was naturally also tied to the higher realms.

"Since you've become Emperor Yu's descendant, there are certain matters that naturally require your attention. If you go to the upper realms in the future, make sure not to reveal your identity easily, and do not display the Nine Tripods recklessly," Chu Yue Ling advised with earnestness.

It was clear from the way she spoke that the matter was of great importance to her; Gu Chen, of course, appreciated the good intentions and nodded heavily in agreement, expressing his thanks.

"The upper realms are not as wonderful as one might imagine. The strife for cultivation is countless times more intense than in the Nine Provinces, and the crises are likewise," Chu Yue Ling assured him to ease his mind.

"Thank you, Miss Chu," Gu Chen replied, immediately clasping his fist and bowing in gratitude.

Originally, they were both looking for the Nine Tripods' inheritance together, but he hadn't expected that he would be the only one to benefit from it, while Chu Yue Ling, offering so many secrets, ended up with nothing.

No matter how you looked at it, Gu Chen had struck it big this time.

Chu Yue Ling, with her keen intelligence and understanding, instantly perceived what was in Gu Chen's mind. Her voice, clear and serene, said lightly, "Brother Gu, you need not feel embarrassed. As I said before, even if you did obtain the Nine Tripods, it would be fine. Please consider carefully about what I have said."

Gu Chen, of course, understood that Chu Yue Ling was referring to his joining the Taoxu Road, and since he had accepted her favors, he nodded and agreed to her proposal.

"If that is the case, then I shall take my leave," Chu Yue Ling said, and with a flash of her celestial figure, she soared into the sky and disappeared from the place.

Gu Chen watched Chu Yue Ling leave, his mind still pondering the words of caution she had given him.

"Emperor Yu's karma, huh?" Gu Chen thought with a grave expression, not expecting to have an unknown powerful enemy before he even set foot in the upper realms.

And given the way Chu Yue Ling acted, it was clear that this unknown enemy must be incredibly powerful; otherwise, it wouldn't have caused such apprehension for her, a Saintess of Taoxu Road.

After all, Emperor Yu was the leader of the Human Clan during the Primordial Era. To be his opponent, one would certainly be exceedingly strong!

"Nine Tripods, successor to Emperor Yu…" Gu Chen stood still, his brow furrowed in thought.

He was not afraid but pondering. Now that he knew the location of two of the tripods, seven remained to be found, but the Heavenly Human Gazing Skill was unable to deduce them, the secrets of heaven remaining chaotic.

Moreover, it seemed that Chu Yue Ling also did not know the whereabouts of the remaining seven tripods; Gu Chen had to rely on himself.

This time, his discovery of the two tripods was simply a coincidence.

But what truly troubled Gu Chen was not the search for the seven tripods, but the feeling that the remaining seven might not emerge as the two in the Ink Province had.

"I am being too greedy," Gu Chen said to himself with a wry smile. The Nine Tripods were supreme holy objects, coveted even by the great powers of the upper realms, who could establish a holy site with just one. Having obtained two was already tremendous luck for him.

Gathering all nine was not going to be easy; he was not Emperor Yu, and Gu Chen was quite satisfied with two.

"If the two tripods could indeed emerge before the full invasion of demons, then the chances of preserving the Nine Provinces would be much greater," Gu Chen mused silently.

From Chu Yue Ling, Gu Chen had learned that countless worlds like the Nine Provinces had been destroyed by demons, innumerable creatures perishing tragically, which deeply disturbed him.

It was for this reason that Chu Yue Ling had little hope for Gu Chen, for innumerable individuals had already failed. She had seen too many favored by destiny, some as outstanding as Gu Chen, whose ends came with the destruction of their homelands, annihilated by the demons.

Even more so, Chu Yue Ling told Gu Chen that to completely resolve the demon chaos, one must venture to the upper realms, for the Nine Provinces were just a fraction of the whole.

"Regardless of what comes, I will do my utmost, giving it everything I've got," Gu Chen affirmed calmly, his loose hair shining, his body glowing brightly as he gazed thoughtfully into the distance.