The Might of the Heavenly Emperor

Gu Qingfeng remained calm, knowing full well that everything before him was an illusion conjured by the Sword Tower.

Thus, he didn’t bother picking up the longsword lying on the ground—it was all fake, and taking it would be pointless.

Instead, he retrieved his identity token and channeled his divine energy to activate it.

A blinding radiance instantly shot out from the token, piercing straight into the sky.

The light flickered briefly before vanishing, followed by an icy voice resonating throughout the heavens and earth.

"Gu Qingfeng, fourteenth-generation disciple of the Sword Sect, affiliated with the Reverse Scale lineage, specializing in sword formations, cultivation at Human Yuan Realm’s fifth layer. Do you wish to commence the trial?"

Gu Qingfeng’s identity details were thus announced.

Before entering the Sword Tower, he had learned from Nangong Xue that this was the voice of the tower’s artifact spirit. The Sword Tower was a sacred treasure, and like all such artifacts, it possessed a spirit that governed its operations.

"Commence," Gu Qingfeng replied.

"Select your opponent."

After a moment’s thought, Gu Qingfeng decided to warm up with the hundredth-ranked challenger.

"I challenge the hundredth rank."

As soon as he spoke, a radiant pillar descended from the sky. When the light dissipated, a green-robed swordsman stood several miles away.

The swordsman’s face was expressionless, his coldly gleaming blade in hand. "Li Zhengping, seventh-generation disciple of the Sword Sect, cultivation at Human Yuan Realm’s peak. I seek your guidance."

Seventh generation?

Damn, that must be the projection of a prodigy from ten thousand years ago, Gu Qingfeng mused.

Five thousand years ago, disciples weren’t divided into lineages or specializations like sword formations or single-blade mastery—those distinctions, along with the seven lineages, only emerged later.

This information was later added to identity tokens, hence its display in the Sword Tower.

Before Gu Qingfeng could ponder further, Li Zhengping had already thrust his sword.

Despite the miles between them, the swordsman moved like a phantom, closing the distance in an instant.

A flash of cold light illuminated Gu Qingfeng’s face as the blade’s edge surged toward him.

Clang!

A sharp metallic clang echoed.

Li Zhengping’s sword had struck Gu Qingfeng’s chest—yet it failed to penetrate even an inch.

Unharmed, Gu Qingfeng assessed the attack’s power and realized that despite Li Zhengping’s Human Yuan Realm peak cultivation, his combat strength was on par with an Earth Yuan Realm initial-stage expert.

The gap between Human Yuan and Earth Yuan was vast. Earth Yuan cultivators could harness the earth’s power, their divine energy undergoing a qualitative transformation, allowing them to draw upon the land’s strength in both offense and defense.

For a Human Yuan cultivator to match an Earth Yuan opponent was nearly impossible.

No wonder he’s ranked hundredth. He’s got some real skill.

Li Zhengping, being a projection, lacked emotions—like a puppet. Unfazed by his failed strike, he immediately shifted tactics, his blade flickering as hundreds of thrusts enveloped Gu Qingfeng.

But Gu Qingfeng had no patience for this. With strength rivaling the Heavenly Human Realm, dealing with this level of opponent was like an adult toying with a kindergarten child.

Ignoring the flurry of sword shadows, Gu Qingfeng simply reached out and grabbed Li Zhengping by the neck.

It was like thrusting a hand into a meat grinder—yet despite the relentless clanging of metal, Gu Qingfeng’s palm met no resistance. In a flash, he seized Li Zhengping, yanked him forward, and slammed him into the ground.

Boom!

Li Zhengping’s body shattered like foam, vanishing without a trace.

Meanwhile, outside the Sword Tower, the stone tablet recording Human Yuan Realm rankings erupted with a dazzling golden light at the hundredth position.

Disciples nearby gasped in shock.

"Look! Someone defeated the hundredth-ranked Human Yuan challenger!"

"Could it be Gu Qingfeng, the newly enrolled Dual-Saint Physique genius?"

"Unlikely. He’s only at Human Yuan’s fifth layer, and he hasn’t even been inside for half an incense stick’s time. How could he do it so quickly?"

Yet when the golden light faded, the name "Li Zhengping" had been replaced with "Gu Qingfeng," followed by his details: fourteenth-generation disciple of the Sword Sect, Reverse Scale Peak, sword formation lineage, Human Yuan Realm fifth layer.

"It really is Gu Qingfeng!"

"Is this the terror of a Dual-Saint Physique?"

"I once challenged Li Zhengping. Though his cultivation was Human Yuan peak, his combat power matched Earth Yuan’s first layer. Does this mean Gu Qingfeng, at just Human Yuan fifth layer, can already crush Earth Yuan first-layer experts?"

Nangong Xue witnessed it all, but her expression held no surprise—only faint worry.

She had expected Gu Qingfeng to defeat the hundredth rank. After all, he had already mastered every sword formation she knew. With those techniques, surpassing Earth Yuan was possible.

Her concern was whether Gu Qingfeng would stop at the hundredth rank. Their master’s demand was for him to reach the top ten!

The top ten!

In Sword Sect history, regardless of cultivation realm, the top ten were all genuine freaks. Those who didn’t die prematurely inevitably grew into legends whose names echoed across the entire Cangming Realm.

It was no exaggeration to say that later generations of Sword Sect disciples grew up hearing tales of these figures.

Inside the Sword Tower:

"Do you wish to continue the challenge?" the artifact spirit intoned coldly.

"Continue." Gu Qingfeng idly scratched his ear, suddenly realizing this otherworldly realm lacked ear-cleaning services. Though his body was spotless, who said ear-cleaning was purely about hygiene?

Wasn’t the real appeal the lap pillow?

Seems I’ll have to teach Ling Fei’er this skill when I return.

Gu Qingfeng was probably the only person in history to daydream inside the Sword Tower.

"Select your opponent."

"The Sword Heavenly Emperor."

Gu Qingfeng was done wasting time. The more he thought about it, the itchier his ears felt, and he was eager to go play with Ling Fei’er.

The name "Sword Heavenly Emperor" seemed to carry an inexplicable weight. Upon hearing it, the normally emotionless artifact spirit fell silent for a long moment.

Finally, it replied, "Only those who reach the top ten are permitted to behold the Heavenly Emperor."

Gu Qingfeng was stunned. What did that mean?

"Behold" the Heavenly Emperor? He was here to challenge him, not worship! He wasn’t into idolatry.

And there were conditions? Only the top ten could face him?

Even for an emperor, this was excessive—especially since it wasn’t the real Heavenly Emperor, just his Human Yuan Realm projection.

"Why?" Gu Qingfeng demanded.

"Summoning the Heavenly Emperor’s projection consumes immense energy. Moreover, many Sword Sect disciples seek not to challenge him, but merely to pay homage. Thus, the rule was established: only the top ten may face the Heavenly Emperor."

Gu Qingfeng considered this and found it reasonable. After all, this was the Heavenly Emperor—even his youthful projection would draw countless admirers. Without restrictions, the entire Sword Sect would flood in just to catch a glimpse.

Yet he couldn't help feeling puzzled: "The projection of the Young Heavenly Emperor you've condensed is only at the peak of the Human Yuan realm. Since you can even manifest projections at the peak of the Heavenly Yuan realm, why does this one consume so much power?"

"The Heavenly Emperor is different. He is a supreme powerhouse, the bearer of Heaven’s Mandate. Even after passing into eternity, traces of his existence remain imprinted upon the Great Dao. He is exalted beyond all, not to be profaned. To condense a projection of the Heavenly Emperor demands an unimaginable price—this has nothing to do with strength.

The Sword Tower once received the Heavenly Emperor’s permission, which is why it can summon his projection at the lowest cost. Even so, it still drains an immense amount of power."