Demon Slaying, Gaining 60 Years of Cultivation From the Start

The mysterious gauntlet, awarded by the towering Heavenly Pagoda of the ancient Pure Yang Martial Sect that emerged in Yan State, was a reward given to Gu Chen after he achieved the highest accomplishment in the first trial.

Initially, Gu Chen knew nothing about the mysterious gauntlet, thinking it was merely a superior divine weapon that could fuse with his flesh and blood. It wasn't until later that he realized the gauntlet was extraordinary, containing unimaginable power, or perhaps, it was an evil weapon.

For the gauntlet could absorb the martial artist's vital essence and soul, and even devour divine weapons.

When Gu Chen was weak, he indeed relied on the mysterious gauntlet to overcome many difficulties, but later, he sensed something was wrong with it. After obtaining the Heavenly Seed, the gauntlet was suppressed by the seed until now.

It wasn't until the prodigies of the upper realm descended, through the two individuals from the Pure Yang Martial Sect of the upper realm, Qi Yang and Wang Yun, that Gu Chen came to know the mysterious gauntlet residing deep within the flesh of his left hand was not some evil weapon, nor the superior divine weapon he had initially thought, but a cryptic ancient artifact even in the upper realm.

However, Gu Chen had always been uneasy about the mysterious gauntlet, and with the Heavenly Seed suppressing it, the gauntlet had remained quietly dormant inside Gu Chen since he reached the Innate Realm, without any sign of activity.

That was until recently, when Gu Chen was at the border of Yan State and he felt a sudden palpitation, and just now, the battle with Ge Tong and his companions nearly killed him on the spot.

At this moment, Gu Chen lifted his left hand, his eyes deep and seemingly penetrating through his own flesh and bones, he saw the dormant, dark and ancient mysterious gauntlet within.

"Why has it suddenly become so restless?"

Gu Chen frowned, wondering why the tranquil gauntlet was showing signs of activity after being silent for so long. Because it resided in his flesh, Gu Chen could feel very clearly that the dark, ancient gauntlet seemed to be awakening, the throbbing sensation growing stronger.

Gu Chen's eyebrows knitted tightly. After pondering for a moment, a light shone from his third eye as he sent a wisp of his spiritual consciousness into it, wishing to investigate the matter.

Hum!

As Gu Chen's spiritual consciousness entered, his field of vision suddenly changed. In a flicker of light and shadow, this thought had arrived in a blurry and murky space.

This space was somewhat dim, surrounded by wisps of fog, and vaguely, Gu Chen even felt an aura of decay.

"Where is this, the inner space of the mysterious gauntlet?" Gu Chen's fragment of consciousness that probed in took on his form, somewhat ethereal, as he surveyed his surroundings.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a gust of wind arose in the murky space. The wind was a bit cold, causing the body formed by Gu Chen's consciousness to shudder immediately.

"What's happening?" Gu Chen's expression tensed as, instinctively, he sensed something was amiss.

Whoosh whoosh whoosh!

Suddenly, at the next moment, a violent wind raged, the cold breeze blowing continuously in the murky space. Gu Chen's wisp of consciousness experienced a coldness like never before, almost as if it were going to freeze solid.

"Not good!"

In an instant, back in the outside world, Gu Chen's physical body sensed the anomaly. Now he had two choices: either to retract this fragment of consciousness and ignore the aberration with the mysterious gauntlet, or to continue to pour more spiritual consciousness into it to find out the reason clearly.

Without hesitation, Gu Chen chose the latter. He sent half of his spiritual consciousness into the mysterious gauntlet, arriving in that murky space.

If the problem with the mysterious gauntlet wasn't resolved, then a repeat of today's incidents could greatly affect Gu Chen and might even jeopardize his life.

Therefore, Gu Chen had no choice but to resolve the issue with the mysterious gauntlet.

At that moment, as Gu Chen injected a significant portion of his spiritual consciousness, his form, condensed from spiritual consciousness in the murky space, immediately stabilized.

Despite the howling winds, Gu Chen remained unharmed; even more, he began to step forward, intending to delve deeper into this space to locate the exact cause.

However, at the next moment, the fog surrounding him parted on its own, and with a look of astonishment in Gu Chen's eyes, a tall figure emerged from the depths of this space.

"Meeting for the first time, allow me to introduce myself, my name is Wu Feng." The man coming out of the deep space was a middle-aged man with a handsome face and a tall stature, with a few silver strands among his black hair.

He had a jade-like complexion, a towering nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and a slight smile on his lips, appearing quite amiable.

The instant Gu Chen saw the middle-aged man, he immediately became alert, his eyebrows furrowing as he scrutinized the man known as Wu Feng.

Why would there be such a middle-aged man inside the mysterious gauntlet? Gu Chen did not know.

"You're called Gu Chen, right?" the middle-aged man, Wu Feng, asked with a smile.

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"You know me?" Gu Chen became even more wary upon hearing this.

Wu Feng smiled slightly and said, "I've been trapped here for a very, very long time. Ever since you acquired it, I've always been here, occasionally sensing the outside world."

At this point, Wu Feng paused, his expression melancholic, and continued, "Speaking of which, I should thank you. Ever since I was sealed in ancient times, I've been living a life devoid of daylight. Thanks to you, I was able to see the vibrant world outside. I never expected that by now, Yan State would have changed so much."

"You're saying you come from ancient times?" Gu Chen sized up Wu Feng with surprise and suspicion.

The end of ancient times was tens of thousands of years ago; no matter from which era of ancient times Wu Feng was, it made no sense that he could still exist now.

Because, even martial artists of the Heavenly Being realm couldn't possibly have such a long lifespan to survive until now.

Wu Feng saw the question in Gu Chen's eyes and explained with a smile: "The space inside the ancient artifact is rather peculiar, different from the vast world outside. Relying on this space, I have been able to survive until now. Otherwise, if I left this place, I would have dissipated into smoke and clouds, ceasing to exist a long time ago."

"I see," Gu Chen nodded and said, "So you mean, the abnormality just now, or rather earlier, you were summoning me?"

"Exactly," Wu Feng's expression gradually became serious and he said, "I've been trapped here for far too long. I yearn for the outside world; I don't want to stay here forever. Although this space is strange, I can't exist in the world forever. I've already foreseen that if it continues like this, in a few decades, or at most not more than a hundred years, I will dissipate and die completely."

"I can't believe you." Upon hearing this, Gu Chen shook his head and straightforwardly refused Wu Feng.

Wu Feng smiled faintly, not minding, and said, "I know you are wary of me. After all, this is our first meeting, and it is inevitable that you feel this way. I can understand, and I'm not in a hurry. We can get to know each other slowly. I come from ancient times, and before my death, I was at the Coagulation Field realm. If you wish, I can be your teacher and instruct you.

When the time feels right for you, you can release me. How about that?"

"The Coagulation Field realm?"

Gu Chen's expression turned solemn upon hearing this, not expecting that Wu Feng was actually a top martial arts master at the Coagulation Field realm.

Truth be told, having a master of the Coagulation Field realm as a teacher would tempt nearly any martial artist under the heavens, even more so Wu Feng, who hails from an era where martial arts flourished. The knowledge and martial skills he possesses, to say they are treasures would not be an overstatement, far beyond the present capabilities of Yan State.

Moreover, although Gu Chen is currently at the Communication with the Gods realm, he is not too far from reaching the Coagulation Field realm. With Wu Feng's instruction and sharing of experience, his chances of breaking through to the Coagulation Field realm would significantly increase.

To break through the Coagulation Field realm, one needs to comprehend the forces of heaven and earth to condense their own "field." In this regard, the panel might not be able to help Gu Chen, and in the end, he would have to rely on himself.

It could be said that Wu Feng's proposal was very tempting for Gu Chen.

Or rather, it would be extremely appealing to any martial artist in Yan State.

Wu Feng was tall and handsome, his overall demeanor very approachable. At this moment, with a smile, he said, "Actually, there's no need to be so guarded against me. I'm just a remnant soul, without any real power. You don't really have to consider me your teacher. Think of it as a transaction if you will.

If you agree, I will pass on everything I know to you, including all the martial skills and mental methods. I may not have mastered any ultimate techniques, but I am aware of some Heavenly Martial Skills."

"After all, if you release me, it would be no different from saving my life. To see the daylight once more, I think it's worth giving these up. So, young man, give it some thought, how about it?"

It was clear that Wu Feng was truly longing for the outside world; after all, anyone trapped in a place like this for tens of thousands of years or even longer might have gone mad by now.

That Wu Feng had managed to stay sane until now was truly extraordinary. It only goes to show, as expected of a top martial arts master of the Coagulation Field realm, his state of mind is indeed exceptional.

But Gu Chen did not immediately agree. Instead, he said, "This gauntlet, it absorbed a lot of vital blood, souls, and the power of divine weapons before—did you do that?"

"You've misunderstood," Wu Feng shook his head and said, "That has nothing to do with me. It's all the ancient artifact's doing. It is a malevolent weapon, extremely dangerous. I died accidentally while investigating it, and a remnant of my soul was imprisoned here. If not for some methods I had, I might have been devoured by it a long time ago."

His meaning was clear. He was telling Gu Chen that the mysterious gauntlet was dangerous, and if you want to master it, you need my help.

This too was a benefit for Gu Chen, hoping that he would agree and help him escape his confinement.

Logically, Gu Chen really had no reason to refuse. Wu Feng's offer was very reasonable and did not ask Gu Chen to commit to a timeline to help him escape. He completely handed the initiative to Gu Chen.

Heavenly Martial Skills and techniques, as well as the experience and teachings of an ancient top martial artist, not to mention the method to use the mysterious gauntlet—each of these held immense allure, and few martial artists in the world could resist.

Altogether, these conditions represented an immense temptation for anyone; no matter how one looked at it, agreeing would be a major advantage for Gu Chen.

Gu Chen admitted to himself that he was tempted, or rather, faced with these offers, no one could remain unmoved.

Wu Feng could tell what Gu Chen was thinking and continued, "I can occasionally see the outside world, so I have some understanding of you. Your ability to cultivate to this stage at such a young age proves how extraordinary your talent is. You are a rare genius, even in ancient times, one could say unique. With my assistance, entering the Coagulation Field realm is within reach."

"I know of your current predicament, or the situation in Yan State seems a bit dire. You need to seize every minute to break through to the Coagulation Field realm as soon as possible. In doing so, you'll be able to do much more. I'm just a powerless remnant soul, you don't have to worry about me harming you, and the initiative is in your hands.

I think we can work together, to our mutual benefit, don't you agree?"

With a smile and a cordial manner, Wu Feng looked at Gu Chen, waiting for his decision.