Threat

Not long after Fire Crow Taoist left, Gu Qingfeng suddenly sensed an astonishing aura rapidly approaching his location.

"This aura... Peak Dragon Transformation stage!" Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, already guessing who the newcomer was.

A moment later, a streak of light, like a falling meteor, shot toward him.

It was none other than the strongest human cultivator, the Grand Preceptor of the Great Yan Dynasty—Situ Kong, arriving on a flying sword.

Situ Kong landed on the ground, his brows furrowing as he surveyed the devastation around him. "You must be Gu Qingfeng? What happened here just now?"

Hearing Situ Kong’s commanding tone, Gu Qingfeng felt a surge of irritation. Who do you think you're talking to like that? If I weren’t weaker than you right now, I’d make you kowtow to me properly.

"Ambassadors from the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom came to kill me. General Qin and the others fell in battle. Then a mysterious savior appeared, rescued me, and left."

As usual, Gu Qingfeng pinned everything on the convenient "mysterious figure."

"Mysterious figure?" Situ Kong frowned again but said nothing, only giving Gu Qingfeng a meaningful look.

"Enough idle talk. Come with me to see His Majesty at once."

As he spoke, a flash of light surged around him, and his flying sword expanded several times in size, signaling Gu Qingfeng to step on.

Damn it, who’s the one who started the ‘idle talk’ in the first place?

Gu Qingfeng cursed inwardly, but his body moved without hesitation, stepping onto the sword.

Whoosh!

Like a rocket taking off, they shot into the sky, vanishing in an instant.

A long while later, a towering, majestic city appeared on the horizon—the imperial capital of the Great Yan Dynasty.

The flying sword soared unimpeded through the city’s defensive formations, heading straight for the palace.

Moments later, Situ Kong guided the sword down in front of an imposing palace gate.

"Quickly, follow me to see His Majesty."

Without waiting, he pushed open the doors and strode inside.

Gu Qingfeng could sense a trace of urgency beneath Situ Kong’s calm tone.

Seems the old emperor really is on his last legs.

He followed closely behind, barely sparing a glance at the palace’s opulent decorations before his attention was seized by the scene inside.

A group of aged imperial physicians in white robes surrounded a withered old man lying on a dragon-carved bed, frantically administering needles and medicine.

There was no doubt—this dying figure was none other than the emperor, the supreme ruler of the Great Yan Dynasty.

But now, there was no trace of imperial majesty left in him. Only fear of death and desperate longing for life remained.

Beside the physicians stood a pale, delicate-looking young eunuch, gripping the emperor’s hand and channeling his true essence to sustain him.

Gu Qingfeng’s soul perception was sharp. When his gaze landed on the young eunuch, his heart skipped a beat.

Peak Dragon Transformation stage!

This eunuch, who appeared no older than twenty, was actually at the same cultivation level as Situ Kong—undoubtedly an ancient monster who had mastered youth-preserving arts.

So this is the Great Yan Dynasty’s true strength? Two Peak Dragon Transformation cultivators?

In an era where Divine Realm experts were absent, Peak Dragon Transformation was the pinnacle of power. Across all sects and noble clans, none could boast even one such expert—yet the imperial family had two.

Clearly, one managed external affairs while the other guarded the inner court.

Situ Kong, the Grand Preceptor, oversaw the court, while the eunuch protected the royal family.

"Your Majesty, I have brought Gu Qingfeng, heir to the Ageless Pill," Situ Kong announced, snapping Gu Qingfeng out of his thoughts.

At these words, the emperor’s dim eyes suddenly flickered with a glimmer of hope, like a drowning man grasping at straws.

Trembling, the emperor weakly raised a finger toward Gu Qingfeng. "The... Ageless... Pill! Give... it... to me!"

The young eunuch’s cold, piercing eyes locked onto Gu Qingfeng. "Did you not hear His Majesty? Present the Ageless Pill at once!"

Who the hell do you think you’re talking to?! If you weren’t human, I’d make sure you learned why flowers bloom so red today!

"I don’t have the Ageless Pill, but I know the Divine Refining method. I can make it."

The emperor’s flicker of hope dimmed slightly. He seemed to want to say more but lacked the strength.

The eunuch, however, continued staring daggers at Gu Qingfeng. "Grand Preceptor, this servant is currently occupied. Would you kindly search him?"

Situ Kong nodded and turned to Gu Qingfeng. "Hand over your spatial— Hm? You have thirty-two spatial rings?"

He gave Gu Qingfeng a strange look but didn’t press further. "Take them all out."

What the hell?!

Is this how you treat a prince of the realm?!

Gu Qingfeng seethed inwardly. I’m here to save the emperor’s life, and this is the ‘gratitude’ I get?

Though furious, he held back. Against two Peak Dragon Transformation cultivators, he was no match—for now.

But he would remember this.

Since when do people search MY rings instead of the other way around?!

Just you wait. One day, I’ll grind both of you into the dirt—or my name isn’t Gu!

He produced the thirty-two spatial rings—all looted from corpses. Thirty-one were empty, their contents consolidated into one.

Since spatial rings were valuable, he’d kept them to sell later.

As for the search, Gu Qingfeng wasn’t worried. The rings only held money, pills, and miscellaneous items. His true treasures—the Heaven-rank Spirit Weapon, unclaimed lifespans, the Ageless Pill, the Demon Scroll—were all hidden in a pocket dimension.

He opened each ring for inspection.

After verifying the thirty-one empty ones, he unlocked the last—

Whoosh!

A blinding golden light flooded the palace.

Everyone, including Situ Kong, froze at the sight inside.

The Grand Preceptor blinked at the mountains of gold and silver, then at Gu Qingfeng, repeating the motion several times before finally asking, "How did you amass such wealth?"

Gu Qingfeng smiled sheepishly. "I’ve always been frugal. Never liked spending, so I saved up… just a little."

Situ Kong: "......"

Ahem. The eunuch cleared his throat. "Gu Qingfeng, how long will it take you to refine the Ageless Pill?"

After a moment’s thought, Gu Qingfeng replied, "With enough materials, seven days."

"You have three. The imperial treasury’s resources are at your disposal. But if you fail to deliver in three days..." The eunuch’s voice was soft, but the threat was unmistakable. "You understand the consequences."