Chapter 84: Chapter 81 Rumors_1
In the following days, three more passed, and Phoenix Sun City regained its tranquility. After the martial arts tournament, the members of the demonic cult seemed to have never appeared, vanishing without a trace, and their disappearance was thorough indeed.
Only the bodies strewn across the mountains served as proof of what had occurred before.
With the disappearance of the demonic cult's warriors, the nobility and prestigious families of Phoenix Sun City, after observing the situation, also chose not to leave.
However, the news of the Six Union God Sect reemerging in Jianghu had spread throughout the world, plunging all nine provinces into turmoil. Countless martial artists were talking about this matter, causing storms and feelings of insecurity in every city.
At this moment, in Drunken Phoenix Tower, martial artists were discussing what had happened on Phoenix Crying Mountain three days earlier.
On that day, before the demonic cult's Gang Qi Stage warriors arrived, thanks to Gu Chen killing Qi Changyun, there were still some martial artists who, sensing the adverse turn of events, managed to flee.
"The Six Union God Sect, which disappeared for more than three hundred years, has actually reemerged. I'm afraid this world is about to experience a bloody storm," said a martial artist with a worried expression.
"I'm not so sure about that. Maybe this is just a smokescreen by the demonic cult. The Six Union God Sect has been gone for over three hundred years. After that battle back then, their lineage was nearly extinguished. Plus, with all the suppression towards the cult over these years, how could they possibly have recovered?" another martial artist argued with a different opinion.
But someone disagreed with this view and shook their head, saying, "I don't think so. The number of demonic cult warriors assaulting Phoenix Crying Mountain this time was massive. They must have been hiding and accumulating strength in the dark over the years. You know, not even an insect with a hundred legs dies easily, let alone the once-dominant Six Union God Sect.
The complete eradication of such a sect is surely not so simple."
"Maybe it's only the Evil Heart Sect branch that didn't die out?" a martial artist said, harboring a stroke of luck.
The warrior who spoke earlier glanced at that person and shook his head.
"With the resurgence of the demonic cult, there are endless unknown demon spirits bringing chaos to the world. The nine provinces are facing the onset of troubled times," said an elder, who was an elder from a sect in Anyang County. Upon hearing the news of the demonic cult's resurgence, he had hurried to Phoenix Sun City to stay abreast of the latest developments.
Upon hearing this, everyone fell into a moment of silence.
But then someone said, "Don't be so disheartened. If the sky falls, there will be taller people to support it. Da Xia is a powerful nation, filled with numerous experts in the Jing Tian Department, not to mention the various major sects in Jianghu. If the Six Union God Sect wants to make a comeback, I'm afraid it won't be so easy."
Suddenly, a martial artist said in a low voice, "I've heard a rumor that the demonic cult has found a way to control demon spirits, allowing martial artists to merge with them and harness their power for their own use. As a result, not only does it greatly increase their lifespan, but their cultivation level also skyrockets. No matter the injury, they can heal in the shortest possible time."
Upon hearing this, many martial artists in Drunken Phoenix Tower had their eyes light up with interest.
"Evil heretics!"
The elder who had spoken earlier snorted disdainfully. "Merging with such demonic entities, can you still call yourself human? How will your families, your friends look at you then? Do you really want to become inhuman, monstrous creatures that only know how to suck blood and consume flesh?!"
"Moreover, controlling demon spirits is not so easily done. Haven't you seen enough of those who have been possessed, lost their minds, and turned into playthings?"
The moment the elder uttered these words, countless martial artists grew apprehensive, shaking their heads and quickly erasing such thoughts from their minds.
Yet, there were still many martial artists whose thoughts were active, contemplating the feasibility of this matter.
In the world of Jianghu, the greatest desires of all martial artists are might and power; no one could escape that. Everyone hoped to live forever, remain in this world eternally and possess unparalleled strength.
The elder knew that once such a discussion began, many martial artists with ill intent would be lured. He turned his gaze to the martial artist who mentioned this news and shouted, "Spreading rumors and causing confusion, could it be that you are a spy from the demonic cult?!"
"I... I am not, I have been wronged, I only heard it through the grapevine," the martial artist said in panic, his face filled with bitterness.
"Hmph!"
The elder huffed coldly and said no more.
"Alright, let's not discuss this any further. Just as we said before, if the sky falls, there will be taller people to hold it up. This isn't something for us little folks to worry about," someone stepped forward to smooth things over.
At that moment, someone said in a low voice, "By the way, during the tournament, did any of you see Gu Chen fight with Qin Mu, who's ranked eighth on the Star Ranking List?"
"What about it?" a martial artist asked with a frown, clearly unaware of this piece of news. After all, everyone's attention was on the Six Union God Sect reentering Jianghu.
"Qin Mu was defeated by Gu Chen!"
"What?!"
The martial artists at Drunken Phoenix Tower showed shock and said, "How is that possible, the number one on the Star Ranking List, Qin Mu, defeated?"
"Impossible, where did you get this rumor? How could Qin Mu, who has reached the limit of the Meridian Opening Stage, be defeated by Gu Chen?"
Obviously, everyone was skeptical of the veracity of this news and began to question it.
The martial artist who had spread the news hurriedly said, "It's true. I was there and saw it myself, from a corner. It couldn't have been fake!"
The group of martial artists shook their heads, still disbelieving. In Qiongtian Mansion, after all, Qin Mu's reputation was considerable. He was ranked first on the Star Ranking List, the youngest true disciple of Sunset Sword Sect, a candidate for the future sect leader, having reached the limit of the Meridian Opening Stage.
There were so many accolades attached to Qin Mu that their disbelief was natural. Even if Gu Chen was from Jing Tian Department, he hadn't been well-known before, and while Jing Tian Department was strong, that was due to the strength of its higher echelons.
Moreover, even if the Jing Tian Department was incredibly powerful, it was still not likely that someone could just appear out of nowhere and defeat Qin Mu.
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People felt that the news must be hearsay, and they dismissed it, even choosing to ignore it entirely.
"This is true, I also saw it with my own eyes!" At this time, another martial artist spoke up.
"What, so it's true?"
"Impossible, it sounds like a fantasy."
It could be said that Qin Mu's strength was ingrained in the hearts of these people. They were somewhat unwilling to believe it and resumed their discussions.
At this point, disciples from Sunset Sword Sect happened to appear at the stairway. Upon hearing the news, they scoffed.
Seeing the disciples from Sunset Sword Sect, the martial artists in the tavern changed their expression and fell silent, not daring to discuss it any further.
But the words had already been spoken, and those Sunset Sword Sect disciples looked displeased, even to the point where one jeered, "What's Gu Chen compared to my brother Qin Mu, deserving to be mentioned in the same breath?"
"Junior brother, quiet down!"
The leading disciple turned and glared at the younger one. Whatever the case, Gu Chen was a member of the Jing Tian Department, and they had to be cautious with their words.
The young disciple looked indignant but did not dare to say more.
The leading disciple from Sunset Sword Sect, named Qian Yuan, swept his gaze over the group of martial artists as a warning. Their conversation must not spread, or else the Sunset Sword Sect would remember them and pay each a personal visit.
"Let's go, back to the sect!"
Qian Yuan intended to report this matter to Qin Mu as soon as possible. Qin Mu was the face of the Sunset Sword Sect, and any insult to Qin Mu was an insult to the sect. The news of Gu Chen defeating Qin Mu could not be allowed to spread through Jianghu.