Had Heaven Not Spawned Me, Gu Qingfeng

"Junior Gu Qingfeng greets all the esteemed elders," Gu Qingfeng said with neither humility nor arrogance.

Yet in his mind, he was calculating how many of these seven sect leaders were human-turned-demons.

Human-turned-demons, as the name suggested, were humans who had transformed into demons.

He didn’t dare use his Truth-Seeking Eyes to inspect them directly. Facing such powerful figures, even if he could see through their true nature, using the eyes would inevitably alert them.

Of course, being discovered by human-turned-demons wasn’t a big deal—after all, with his system, demons couldn’t harm him.

But the real question was, who could guarantee that among the human-turned-demons, there weren’t human traitors?

Who didn’t have a few subordinates, like-minded friends, or relatives under their command?

Since he was new here and hadn’t yet grasped the full situation, it was better not to startle the snake. There was plenty of time ahead.

"Mm, no need for formalities," Dugu Wei nodded.

"Gu Qingfeng, you must already understand why I summoned you to the Sword Sect. So, I’ll be direct.

The Sword Sect needs a genius like you.

And you need the Sword Sect’s protection. Therefore, your joining is mutually beneficial.

Moreover, you’ve studied the Sword Canon and even recovered the long-lost Reverse Scale Sword for the sect. One could say that, aside from the formalities, you’re already half a member of the Sword Sect.

So now, I formally invite you to join. Are you willing?"

"Junior is willing," Gu Qingfeng replied without hesitation, though he added silently in his heart: I just hope you won’t regret it later and try to kick me out.

Dugu Wei smiled, clearly satisfied.

"Excellent. However, before officially joining, you must answer three questions. These are crucial—they determine whether you can enter the Sword Sect.

Though you are a peerless prodigy and the Sword Sect is eager for talent, if your character is flawed or your intentions sinister, no matter how talented you are, this sect will never accept you.

This isn’t personal—it’s a tradition passed down since ancient times, decreed by the Sword Heavenly Emperor himself.

The Sword Heavenly Emperor once said: This sect accepts only those with both virtue and talent, or virtue without talent. Even those lacking both may be admitted under special circumstances. But we will never accept those with talent but no virtue.

Do you know why?"

Gu Qingfeng thought for a moment and answered, "Those without virtue or talent, even if they join the Sword Sect, won’t amount to much due to their lack of ability. Even if they cause trouble later, the damage to the sect will be minimal.

But those with talent but no virtue will inevitably develop wicked ambitions as their power grows. Such individuals, with their formidable gifts, can easily become powerful figures. If they rebel, the Sword Sect would suffer catastrophic losses."

"Good! Well said, exactly so!" Dugu Wei grew even more pleased with Gu Qingfeng.

"To prevent such disasters, the Sword Heavenly Emperor bestowed the Heart-Questioning Stone to screen disciples. The stone can detect lies—if someone lies, it will tremble and glow."

As Dugu Wei spoke, he casually tossed out a fist-sized, translucent white stone. It floated in the air as if suspended by an invisible thread, slowly drifting toward Gu Qingfeng.

"Gu Qingfeng, hold the Heart-Questioning Stone and answer my three questions truthfully. Remember—do not lie."

Gu Qingfeng took the stone and examined it.

Wasn’t this just a fantasy version of a lie detector?

Not that he cared—he was a man of both virtue and talent. What was there to fear?

"Sect Master, please ask."

"First question: Are you sincerely joining the Sword Sect, and not a spy sent by another faction?"

"Junior joins with absolute sincerity. I am no spy," Gu Qingfeng declared openly.

He spoke the truth. With demons lurking here, of course he was sincere about joining. As for being a spy? Ridiculous.

After he finished speaking, the Heart-Questioning Stone in his hand remained completely still.

Dugu Wei’s gaze softened further as he continued, "Second question: Why do you cultivate?"

Without hesitation, Gu Qingfeng declared, "To stand at the pinnacle of the world and witness the glory of the supreme sword path! We cultivators seek the Dao—if I glimpse it in the morning, I would die content by nightfall!"

The Sword Maniac’s lips twitched. Hey… what a coincidence! You’re also pursuing the supreme sword path? Feels like you stole my line.

"I know this road will be arduous—perhaps impossible to traverse in a single lifetime. But so what? Why fear an endless martial path? Every step forward brings its own joy!"

The elders were instantly awed by his words. Was this the ambition and pursuit of a true genius?

With such terrifying determination, no wonder he could surpass all the prodigies of the Green Wood Domain!

Seeing their expressions, Gu Qingfeng grew even more carried away, his words flowing smoothly: "Even if the path is fraught with thorns, I will cut through them all, marching forward with unwavering resolve!

If the heavens had not birthed Gu Qingfeng, the sword path would remain in eternal night!

At the end of the sword path, who stands supreme? Behold Qingfeng, and all paths shall fade to nothing!"

The moment these words left his mouth, the grand hall fell into an eerie silence. Shock rippled through the eyes of the Sword Sect’s high-ranking elders.

The Sword Maniac stared at Gu Qingfeng as if beholding a celestial being. For a moment, he even doubted whether his spatial ring had truly been lost by accident—and not snatched by Gu Qingfeng.

"Excellent!" Dugu Wei exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. "This is the spirit a cultivator should have! ‘If the heavens had not birthed Gu Qingfeng, the sword path would remain in eternal night! At the end of the sword path, who stands supreme? Behold Qingfeng, and all paths shall fade to nothing!’ What magnificent—"

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Before Dugu Wei could finish, the Heart-Questioning Stone suddenly erupted with violent tremors, flashing crimson light. The intensity of its vibrations surpassed even the highest setting of a certain… feminine device.

Gu Qingfeng stared blankly at the stone in his hand. Wait… exaggerating counts as lying?

Everyone froze.

Dugu Wei’s excitement faltered, replaced by mild embarrassment.

Ahem. He cleared his throat tactfully, as if the earlier enthusiasm had never happened.

"Gu Qingfeng, speak the truth. Why do you cultivate? No embellishments. The Heart-Questioning Stone lacks discernment—even slight exaggerations will trigger it."

Dugu Wei assumed Gu Qingfeng’s words had contained just a hint of hyperbole, hence the reaction.

Gu Qingfeng pondered, then tentatively offered, "The supreme sword path?"

Buzz buzz buzz…

Damn it!

He nearly flung the stone away in frustration.

"Sect Master, is this Heart-Questioning Stone malfunctioning?"

Dugu Wei also looked puzzled. This shouldn’t be happening.

"Sword Maniac, you try holding the stone."

The Sword Maniac’s face instantly twisted into the expression of a man facing public humiliation—like an edgy teenager about to be exposed.

"Sword Maniac, why do you cultivate?"

"To look cool. To be revered by the world," the Sword Maniac muttered, his tone dripping with resignation.

And as expected, the Heart-Questioning Stone remained still, emitting no light.