Murder in the Imperial Palace

The next day.

Gu Qingfeng woke up refreshed and invigorated. After being massaged in turns by ten palace maids, the exhaustion from prolonged cultivation had completely vanished.

After breakfast, visitors arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation once again. However, this time, it wasn’t the Imperial Preceptor Situ Kong but an elderly eunuch holding an imperial decree, accompanied by a group of young eunuchs carrying ten large chests.

"Gu Qingfeng, receive the decree," the elderly eunuch said indifferently, casting a sidelong glance at him.

Gu Qingfeng remained seated, unmoved.

The elderly eunuch’s eyes twitched slightly, but he said nothing further. Instead, he began reciting the decree in a perfunctory manner.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Gu Qingfeng, for his meritorious service in presenting the Ageless Pill, is hereby granted the title of Prince of Equal Standing, bestowed with the Hall of Mental Cultivation, ten chests of gold, jewels, silks, and satins..."

The elderly eunuch recited the decree with an expressionless face, devoid of any congratulatory intent—only a faint trace of mockery and pity.

Gu Qingfeng listened calmly. The gist was that the Emperor had fulfilled his promise, encouraging him to focus on refining pills in the Hall of Mental Cultivation from now on. He would be granted anything he desired—except the freedom to leave.

In essence, he was trading his freedom for a lifetime of wealth and luxury. As long as he obediently stayed in the Hall of Mental Cultivation to refine pills, he could indulge in any pleasure.

However, this rendered the title of Prince of Equal Standing a mere joke. What use was a prince forever imprisoned in the Hall of Mental Cultivation? It was nothing more than an empty title.

Sigh.

Gu Qingfeng let out a quiet sigh. Weren’t we supposed to share the throne? Old Emperor, you’ve broken your word.

"Prince Gu, receive the decree," the elderly eunuch said in a mocking tone, his voice dripping with undisguised scorn.

Gu Qingfeng gave him a cold look. "The Emperor said any request of mine would be granted, correct?"

"His Majesty’s word is as solid as gold. As long as Your Highness refines pills in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, any request shall be fulfilled."

"Good. Then here’s my first demand."

"Your Highness may speak."

"Kill yourself."

The elderly eunuch’s face instantly twisted in fury. "Your Highness must not jest."

Gu Qingfeng’s expression darkened abruptly. "What kind of lowly creature do you take yourself for, to think I’d waste my time joking with you?"

The elderly eunuch’s eyes turned vicious. "Prince Gu, this servant has attended His Majesty for decades. I am a favored—"

Boom!

Before he could finish, his head exploded.

The other eunuchs froze for a second before screaming in terror.

Their shrieks immediately drew the attention of the guards stationed outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The captain of the guards, a Dragon Transformation realm expert, along with several Grandmaster-level guards, appeared in the hall in an instant.

Frowning at the headless corpse of the elderly eunuch, they turned to Gu Qingfeng, who sat calmly, and demanded, "What happened?"

Gu Qingfeng sneered. "How audacious! A mere guard dares to question this prince? Summon that old traitor Situ Kong at once."

A cold glint flashed in the captain’s eyes. "Gu Qingfeng, do you truly believe yourself a prince? You’re nothing but a prisoner. His Majesty, in his benevolence, grants you wealth and comfort to refine pills. But if you refuse to cooperate, don’t blame me for resorting to—"

Pupil Art: Illusory Gaze.

Gu Qingfeng had no patience for pointless chatter. He preferred direct action.

A strange light flickered in his eyes. Empowered by his formidable soul force, everyone in the hall instantly fell into an illusion.

The guard captain, being an early-stage Dragon Transformation warrior, could only be immobilized briefly—not because Gu Qingfeng’s soul force was lacking, but because Illusory Gaze was a low-tier skill derived from the lesser demonic Eye Fiend.

But a moment was enough.

In battles between experts, victory hinged on split-second opportunities.

Seizing the instant the guard captain’s mind faltered, Gu Qingfeng moved.

His body, comparable to a mid-stage Dragon Transformation expert, erupted with power. In a blur, he appeared before the captain.

His right fist rose, scales faintly visible beneath his skin as dark energy surged. A ferocious black flood dragon materialized, coiling around his arm.

This was a new ability unlocked from the advanced stage of Black Dragon Immortal Body—Flood Dragon Embodiment!

Previously, Gu Qingfeng could barely summon a faint flood dragon phantom. But now, with his cultivation breakthrough, he could manifest it in solid form.

Flood Dragon Embodiment not only enhanced his physical prowess but also served as both offense and defense—allowing him to unleash the flood dragon for devastating strikes or shielding.

Boom!

Gu Qingfeng’s fist shot forward. The flood dragon roared to life, its deafening cry shaking the hall as it obliterated the guard captain’s skull.

Blood and brain matter splattered as the corpse collapsed.

The others remained entranced, still trapped in the illusion.

The remaining guards were mere Grandmasters. For them to break free on their own was pure delusion.

Snap.

Gu Qingfeng clicked his fingers, snapping them out of their daze.

Dazed at first, their expressions turned to horror as they saw the captain’s corpse. Swords were drawn in panic as they stared at Gu Qingfeng in terror.

Gu Qingfeng couldn’t be bothered with these small fries. "Summon Situ Kong," he ordered coldly.

None of them moved, their blades still trembling in their grips. One mustered the courage to demand, "Who—who are you?! At the Inner Qi realm, how could you—"

Boom!

A shadow flashed.

Like fireworks, the guards’ heads burst one after another.

Gu Qingfeng retracted his fist, leaving only one survivor.

"Why must you waste my time? Does this prince’s word mean nothing?"

Thud.

The sole remaining guard collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut, his face ghostly pale.

"You… you… killed… ugh—"

Before he could finish, Gu Qingfeng materialized before him, gripping his throat and lifting him off the ground.

"Where is Situ Kong?"

"H-he’s… in the Golden… Golden Hall… morning court…"

Crack.

His neck snapped with a crisp sound.

Gu Qingfeng released his grip, letting the lifeless body slump to the floor.

A cold smirk curled his lips.

"Then I suppose I’ll pay a visit to court."

Having decided to reveal his hand, he saw no reason to hold back. With a god standing behind him, being imprisoned was absurd. The more audacious he acted, the more others would believe in the deity’s existence.

As for how an Inner Qi cultivator could kill a Dragon Transformation expert?

Wasn’t it perfectly reasonable for a god’s disciple to possess a few life-saving tricks?

If the disciple could slay Dragon Transformation experts at the Inner Qi realm, how terrifying must the god himself be?

This was the impression Gu Qingfeng wanted to create—a sense of dread that would force everyone into panicked speculation.

Only then could his throne remain secure.