Stealing Home

Hearing Gu Qingfeng's casual acknowledgment, the crowd fell into silence, stunned into speechlessness.

That was the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art—one of the Nine Ancient Forbidden Arts, representing the pinnacle of array formations.

If he had truly mastered it, did that mean Gu Qingfeng was now the foremost master of array formations in the world?

Was this the terrifying prowess of a future Heavenly Emperor?

Just as the crowd was about to speak again—BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Deafening thunderous roars erupted from beyond the Sword Gate’s grand formation.

Turning their heads, they saw the enemy forces had assembled into battle formations and begun their assault.

Night had just fallen, but divine light pierced the heavens, dark clouds loomed overhead, and lightning streaked across the sky. The enemies gathered overwhelming forces, launching relentless attacks against the Sword Gate’s protective barrier.

Moonlight cascaded like liquid silver, forming torrents that crashed against the mountain-guarding formation.

Heavenly thunder descended like divine punishment, serpentine bolts lashing down in fury.

A sea of blood surged, waves towering like mountains, threatening to drown the land.

......

For a moment, the sky was painted with dazzling radiance, as if the Sword Gate would be swallowed whole.

Some of the weaker disciples had never witnessed such apocalyptic devastation before. Their legs trembled, faces drained of color.

Yet, no matter how fierce the enemy’s assault, the Sword Gate’s grand formation stood unshaken—like an ancient golden mountain, its golden light deflecting every attack.

But Dugu Wei and the others showed no relief. They knew the principle of erosion—no matter how strong the formation, under such relentless assault, it would eventually crumble.

"How long can the mountain-protecting formation hold?" Dugu Wei asked the elder overseeing the formation.

The elder’s expression was grave. "If the attacks remain at this level, and with our full efforts to reinforce it, it can last a month.

But that’s assuming Wang Yan and the other Heavenly Monarchs don’t intervene. If they join the assault, the time will likely be halved."

"So we have at least half a month?" Dugu Wei said heavily. "Wang Yan and the others won’t act rashly—they fear expending too much strength before facing me."

Then, Dugu Wei suddenly turned to Gu Qingfeng and the others. "How is your Seven Swords Immortal-Slaying Formation coming along?"

The disciples exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes flickering toward Gu Qingfeng and Chu Jingchen.

The truth was, they had never practiced the formation even once.

Still, their talent was undeniable. Over the past month, though they hadn’t rehearsed, they had thoroughly studied the theory.

Dugu Wei observed their hesitation, his expression darkening further. "Junior Brother Gu, how is your progress?"

Gu Qingfeng shrugged. "No problem here. A formation this simple? I mastered it at a glance."

Chu Jingchen quickly added, "This disciple is also ready."

Dugu Wei still seemed uneasy. "We have less than a month before the battle begins. You must practice diligently—no mistakes can be made when facing the enemy."

"Understood," the disciples replied solemnly.

But Gu Qingfeng wasn’t pleased. Since when had he ever endured such humiliation?

Being besieged at home without retaliating?

"Old Wei, do you have any real strategies? Or are we just sitting ducks?"

"Junior Brother Gu, for now, we must rely on the mountain-protecting formation to weaken them before we strike with full force."

"And if we can’t win even then?"

Dugu Wei fell silent for a long moment before murmuring, "Then we’ll have no choice but to summon the Grand Elder... or unleash the Emperor Demon Sword."

Gu Qingfeng’s heart stirred. He had long known of the Sword Gate’s Grand Elder but had never met him.

"What realm is the Grand Elder in?"

"Heavenly Monarch."

"Heavenly Monarch?! Then dealing with these rabble outside should be effortless!"

Dugu Wei shook his head bitterly. "You don’t understand, Junior Brother. Though the Grand Elder is a Heavenly Monarch, he is advanced in years, his lifespan already exhausted. If not for a few longevity elixirs sustaining him, he would have..."

"Even so, his strength has greatly diminished. He cannot act lightly—if he does, he risks burning through his remaining vitality."

Lifespan exhausted?

Gu Qingfeng suddenly remembered—he still had several Ageless Pills!

Gifts from his old friend, the Longevity Heavenly Demon of the Heavenly Demon Realm.

Now was the perfect time to use them.

He pulled out an Ageless Pill. "Old Wei, would this pill help extend the Grand Elder’s life?"

Dugu Wei glanced at it, then sighed in disappointment. "This pill contains some life essence and can indeed prolong life, but its quality is too low.

A Heavenly Monarch’s life essence is on a completely different level. A pill like this would have no effect."

Gu Qingfeng stared at the Ageless Pill in his hand, stunned.

Then, inwardly, he cursed: "Damn it! That bastard Longevity Heavenly Demon gave me defective goods! Only useful for low-level cultivators!"

Sigh. So even the Grand Elder wasn’t a reliable option.

In that case, he’d have to rely on himself!

"Old Wei, since the Sword Gate faces annihilation, why not let me try wielding the Emperor Demon Sword again? Maybe this time—"

Before he could finish, Dugu Wei cut him off. "Absolutely not, Junior Brother! Have you forgotten how you instantly fell into demonic madness last time?

You might not remember clearly, but I do. You were like a demon god possessed, ready to destroy the world.

You are the Sword Gate’s Imperial Son—we cannot take such risks. If it truly comes to life or death, I will personally unleash the Emperor Demon Sword, even if it means my own annihilation."

Gu Qingfeng’s lips twitched. "A demon god possessed? Was it really that bad?"

"Yes," Dugu Wei said gravely.

Gu Qingfeng: "..."

Damn it! My Emperor Demon Sword!!

Fuming, he glared at the enemies outside, their relentless attacks fueling his frustration.

But the enemy forces were overwhelming—how could he fight back?

Was there no choice but to endure?

Wait—

A sudden realization struck him.

They had thrown their full force into this siege!

Didn’t that mean their own sects were left defenseless?

And their treasuries...

Heh heh heh...

The more Gu Qingfeng thought about it, the more excited he became.

He knew exactly what to do now.

He would raid their homes!

While their forces were away, their sects would be vulnerable—and they wouldn’t have taken all their treasures to battle, would they?