Immortal County

Fortunately, the spiritual energy in the Lingxu Secret Realm was quite abundant.

Coupled with the boost from her phoenix bloodline, Shi Mengying's body quickly recovered.

However, what surprised Shi Mengying was that her cultivation had actually regressed!

Shi Mengying suddenly realized that Gu Chen had directly dispersed her internal energy just now.

As a result, her vital energy was severely depleted, and she wouldn't be able to quickly improve her cultivation in a short period!

In her rage, Shi Mengying directly roared, "Gu Chen! I will make sure you die a horrible death!"

Meanwhile, at the market in East Desolation Commandery.

Gu Chen left the Lingxu Secret Realm and came here immediately.

After all, his current cultivation was still very low, far from meeting the conditions for Bigu.

Ultimately, he still had to solve the problem of basic sustenance!

Fortunately, he hadn't spent all of his previous inheritance. Gu Chen bought a few large meat buns by the roadside.

While eating, Gu Chen was still pondering the gem he obtained from the Third Divine Hall.

He couldn't help but find it strange that there were supreme treasures in this world that he didn't recognize?

This made Gu Chen start to doubt.

Could it be that the gem was just valuable and had no other use?

As Gu Chen was thinking this, he suddenly overheard the conversation from the next table.

"Did you guys hear? The entire Gu family, young and old, were all killed. They died horribly!"

"I heard. The Gu family head's head was severed, and his body was cut into eight pieces. It was truly brutal."

"The officials have already gone to the scene, and they still don't know who the killer is."

"Is it possible that the killer is the one who wiped out the Cangshan Sword Sect?"

"Oh, that's quite possible. But the reason the Cangshan Sword Sect was wiped out was apparently to steal a spiritual sword. What happened to the Gu family, though?"

"Sigh, who can say for sure? Maybe it was a revenge killing, or perhaps a crime of passion!"

Hearing the discussions from the people at the next table, Gu Chen's lips curved into a slight smile.

At that moment, he immediately realized that Gu Youwei must have been behind all of this.

It was just that Gu Chen really hadn't expected it.

With Gu Youwei's current cultivation, how could she have broken through the Cangshan Sword Sect's defenses?

But on second thought, Gu Chen quickly found the answer in his mind.

Those people mentioned that the Cangshan Sword Sect lost a spiritual sword, which meant Gu Youwei must have taken the Cangshan Sword Sect's spiritual sword for herself at the time.

And the only sword in the world that Gu Youwei could wield and call a spiritual sword.

was likely one of the Four Divine Swords from the Ancient Primordial Era, Chiling.

Gu Chen still remembered clearly.

In his previous life, Gu Youwei had successfully cultivated to the level of Empress.

Standing in the Nine Heavens, with just a wave of her right hand, the Chiling Divine Sword would charge directly through the Nine Heavens.

This led Gu Chen to believe that Gu Youwei must have received Chiling's help to be so devastating.

However, Gu Chen didn't care about any of this.

Because he knew Gu Youwei's cultivation was very low, and using Chiling now would severely drain her vitality.

Once or twice would be fine, but if it continued long-term.

She might drop dead at any moment!

But none of this concerned Gu Chen.

After all, he no longer had those messy thoughts from his previous life.

Love and romance were things Gu Chen had long since cast aside.

In this life, he had only one goal: to constantly become stronger!

And then to stay far away from the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, and far away from the harassment of those crazy women!

After finishing his buns, Gu Chen bought some Spiritual Medicine on the street and immediately set off for Immortal County.

The Rookie Competition was about to begin, and Gu Chen certainly wouldn't miss such a good opportunity to improve his cultivation.

Soon, Gu Chen arrived at the border between East Desolation Commandery and Immortal County.

Here, he happened to see the official notice for the Rookie Competition at the city gate.

After carefully reading the official document on the city gate, Gu Chen nodded thoughtfully.

He couldn't help but think to himself, "It seems everything is the same as in my previous life. Nothing has changed."

Just as he thought this, Gu Chen suddenly smiled.

It wouldn't be accurate to say nothing has changed.

Compared to his previous life, one sect didn't participate in the competition.

That would be the Cangshan Sword Sect, which Gu Youwei had already destroyed.

More and more people gathered at the city gate, and many couldn't help but start discussing.

"The scale of this year's Rookie Competition is truly impressive, with five sects participating!"

"And there are quite a few rogue cultivators who signed up too. The scene then will definitely be explosive!"

"The key is that the prizes this year are also generous. Even if you just get a minor ranking, you can make a fortune."

Not to mention, if you can achieve one of the top spots in the grand tournament, you'll be set for life!

"It's a shame I'm too old to compete now, otherwise I'd at least show off a bit!"

Hearing the people nearby, Gu Chen couldn't help but recall some memories from his past life.

In his previous life, Gu Chen had participated in the competition with Gu Youwei and Wei Qingyu.

Because he had to help Wei Qingyu cultivate and appease Gu Youwei's rebellious emotions, Gu Chen didn't even have time to properly prepare for the competition.

In the end, although Gu Chen received many rewards, they were still far from what he had envisioned.

In this life, Gu Chen didn't have to bring Gu Youwei and Wei Qingyu, these burdens, and he was full of confidence about winning the championship.

After all, Gu Chen was the Heavenly Emperor in his previous life. It would be too much to not even get a ranking in such a small competition.

With that thought, Gu Chen directly passed through the city gate and arrived at Immortal County.

Immortal County, a certain unknown alley.

Gu Youwei, wrapped in a black hoodie, held a flatbread she had just bought from the roadside.

She squatted in the dark corner at the deepest part of the alley, slowly chewing.

After killing Gu Zhengchun and his wife, Gu Youwei took some silver from the Gu family and fled all the way to Immortal County.

As time passed, Gu Youwei knew she would eventually be discovered by the authorities.

This was because many servants and maids had escaped from the Gu family at the time, and any one of them might report her.

However, Gu Youwei wasn't worried.

After all, in this world, only improving one's cultivation was the hard truth.

Government laws and regulations were merely things to restrain mortals.

This was also the reason Gu Youwei came to Immortal County.

In her previous life, Gu Youwei had followed Gu Chen to the Lingxu Secret Realm and participated in the Rookie Competition.

Both of these places could rapidly improve one's cultivation, and even obtain secret treasures and techniques.

She couldn't go to the Lingxu Secret Realm anymore because, according to the current timeline, Gu Chen would have already plundered all the treasures within.

Therefore, the Rookie Competition was the fastest and most convenient way for Gu Youwei to improve her cultivation at the moment.

Moreover, Gu Youwei had another important reason for coming to participate in the Rookie Competition in Immortal County.

She knew Gu Chen would definitely come to this place, and at that time, she might very well encounter him.