Celestial Secrets

"Today, whether you’re willing or not, this venerable one will take you back to the Sword..."

"I’m willing!" Gu Qingfeng suddenly interrupted with a delighted expression.

"Huh?" Meng Yan was stunned, thinking, Is this kid really so quick to submit? He didn’t even resist after just being grabbed?

Gu Qingfeng, afraid the other might change his mind, hurriedly added, "Senior, please don’t be angry. This junior was blind earlier and failed to recognize Mount Tai. In truth, I’ve long yearned to join the Sword Sect. Now that you’re taking me there, it’s a dream come true! From today onward, the Sword Sect is my home. If anyone tries to kick me out, I’ll fight them!"

Meng Yan: "..."

Sword Maniac: "..."

At this moment, Gu Qingfeng was overjoyed. What could be better than a demon delivering itself right to his doorstep?

And such a powerful one at that!

Instead of scouring the streets for demons, trekking across endless miles, why not take this ready-made opportunity? Even if he found demons elsewhere, their quality might not compare.

Most importantly, the Sword Sect was one of the supreme immortal sects of the Imperial Court. If demons had infiltrated such a top-tier faction and even risen to high positions, it could only mean two things:

First, the demonic force behind this infiltration was formidable—otherwise, who would dare scheme against the Sword Sect?

Second, the demons’ ambitions had to be enormous. They wouldn’t infiltrate just to experience human life—there had to be a grand scheme!

And their goal was surely demon-related!

It might even be one of those clichéd plots—like some Demon Emperor being sealed away by the Sword Sect, with countless demonic minions sneaking in to rescue it.

If that were the case, it’d be absolutely perfect!

So Gu Qingfeng made up his mind: he had to go to the Sword Sect, uncover the demons’ plans, and then... Hehehe...

"Senior, let’s go! I can’t wait to join the Sword Sect," Gu Qingfeng urged, seeing the two still frozen in shock.

"Oh... right, let’s go."

Meng Yan was utterly baffled. He even wondered if someone had possessed Gu Qingfeng in that brief moment—how else could his attitude flip so drastically?

Just moments ago, the kid had been arrogant beyond measure, looking down on the Sword Sect, calling himself "this venerable one." Now, he was suddenly a devout admirer, humbly referring to himself as "this junior"?

And so, under Gu Qingfeng’s eager urging, the three set off for the Sword Sect.

Of course, before departure, there was no shortage of questioning—where had he obtained the Reverse Scale Sword? How could he freely enter the Primordial Forbidden Land? What was his background?

Gu Qingfeng smoothly brushed off every inquiry. With his acting skills now perfected, spinning lies for such trivial matters was child’s play.

The Reverse Scale Sword? Found it in the Primordial Forbidden Land.

The Primordial Forbidden Land? Ate a strange fruit as a kid and gained free access.

His origins? Beyond the mountains and seas lay a village called Earth.

......

During the journey, Meng Yan stood alone at the tip of the massive flying sword, hands clasped behind his back, silent and exuding an air of lofty superiority.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingfeng and Sword Maniac sat cross-legged on the sword’s surface, chatting.

"Earlier, Senior Meng mentioned something about a 'Four Tribulation Heavenly Being.' Does that mean even after reaching the Heavenly Being realm, one still has to face tribulations?" Gu Qingfeng asked.

"Brother Gu, coming from a remote background, it’s understandable you haven’t encountered many Heavenly Beings or heard these secrets—though they’re hardly secrets, as most major sects know them.

For example, the Divine Core Realm is divided into nine layers, but once one reaches the Heavenly Being realm, the classification changes.

Heavenly Beings undergo five calamities, with one descending every five hundred years. Each time a calamity is overcome, one’s power surges, and lifespan extends. Thus, Heavenly Beings are ranked by how many calamities they’ve survived.

These five calamities are known as the Heavenly Tribulations: the Gale Tribulation, the Yin Fire Tribulation, the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation, the Flesh Tribulation, and the Heart Demon Tribulation.

Most Heavenly Beings active in the world are those who haven’t faced any tribulations, like the Blood River Sage.

Those who’ve already endured tribulations—or are about to—rarely appear in public, as they’re busy preparing for the next one. The Heavenly Being realm is a race against fate, demanding every second count. Fail a tribulation, and death is certain.

Senior Meng is a Four Tribulation Heavenly Being, meaning he’s survived four calamities. Once he overcomes the Heart Demon Tribulation, he’ll ascend to the Heavenly Monarch realm," Sword Maniac explained in detail.

"Does the Heavenly Monarch realm also have tribulations?"

"No, only the Heavenly Being realm does."

Gu Qingfeng marveled inwardly. "Why only the Heavenly Being realm?"

"Because only at the Heavenly Being realm does the Heavenly Dao consider you a 'person.' Below it, you’re just an ant in the Heavenly Dao’s eyes. Above it lies the Heavenly Monarch realm—meaning 'Ruler of Heaven and Earth.' A ruler is far too exalted to be subjected to tribulations.

Think of the Heavenly Dao as the world’s greatest empire, and cultivators as rebels stealing the world’s energy to empower themselves.

When you’re still an ant, the Heavenly Dao doesn’t care about your rebellion. But once you become a Heavenly Being, you’re a full-fledged rebel in its eyes, so it dispatches armies to crush you—these 'armies' are the five Heavenly Tribulations.

Survive all five, and your power grows until you establish your own small kingdom, becoming a Heavenly Monarch.

Though small, this kingdom is recognized by the Heavenly Dao, so no further tribulations come. However, a great empire and a small kingdom can never be equals. Heavenly Monarchs surely still face oppression from the Heavenly Dao—though that’s far beyond my understanding. As for the realms beyond—Heavenly Venerates, Heavenly Supremes, and Heavenly Emperors—I know even less."

After Sword Maniac’s explanation, Gu Qingfeng nodded in understanding.

As expected of a disciple from an Imperial Court immortal sect—he knows all the hidden truths of cultivation and explains them so vividly.

Once I reach the Sword Sect, I can’t just focus on the demons. I’ll have to take all their accumulated knowledge and heritage for myself too!

Three days later...

A vast, boundless mountain range, suspended high in the heavens, appeared before Gu Qingfeng’s eyes. Half-hidden in the void, its scale was beyond mortal measurement—like a celestial body itself. Wreathed in immortal mist, radiant with divine light, and echoing with celestial music, it resembled nothing less than the Heavenly Court!

This was the legendary Sword Sect’s sacred ground!