Calmness and rationality are this one's greatest strengths.

"Old Wei, this venerable one has a plan to repel the enemy!" Gu Qingfeng quickly said.

"Oh? Let’s hear it, junior brother." Dugu Wei kept his eyes fixed on the enemy as he replied absentmindedly, clearly not taking Gu Qingfeng’s words too seriously.

"All the major sects have sent out their entire forces, which means their headquarters are left unprecedentedly vulnerable. We can directly strike their strongholds! Once their base is under attack, they’ll be caught in a dilemma—advancing or retreating!"

Dugu Wei frowned. "Junior Brother Gu, your plan sounds good, but the problem is, the enemy sects are scattered across the Green Wood Domain, far from our Sword Gate. Right now, we’re trapped within our own mountain gates—how can we possibly attack their strongholds?"

"Old Wei, have you forgotten this venerable one’s Heavenly Teleportation Array? I can use it to warp straight into their lairs and strike them at their core!"

(And incidentally, make a little profit along the way.)

Dugu Wei froze for a moment, his eyes flashing with realization. "I almost forgot about your Heavenly Teleportation Array!"

But then, his expression darkened again. "No, junior brother, you can’t go alone. Even if their defenses are weakened, they’ll still have several Heaven’s Chosen realm experts guarding the place. You’d be walking to your death!"

Gu Qingfeng grew anxious—this was about to cut off his path to riches!

Just as he was about to reveal his true strength to Dugu Wei, the latter suddenly changed his tone. "Junior Brother Gu, how many people can your Heavenly Teleportation Array transport at once?"

"Never tested it, but I’d say no more than ten. Old Wei, are you thinking…?"

"Ten is enough. My idea is—why not have the Seven Sword Masters go together? With your combined strength, the Seven Swords United technique makes you nearly invincible among Heaven’s Chosen realm opponents.

Sigh… truthfully, I should go with you, or at least send a few elders for backup. But if we disappear, the enemy will surely notice. Besides, we still need to maintain the mountain’s protective formation—we can’t leave.

Still, in times of crisis, you young ones must learn to stand on your own. If the formation is breached, you’ll have to face the enemy sooner or later. Attacking their strongholds might actually be the safer option."

The more Dugu Wei spoke, the brighter his eyes became—he was clearly convinced by Gu Qingfeng’s plan.

But Gu Qingfeng wasn’t thrilled. Raiding their bases was something he could handle alone—why drag six others along?

Sure, the Seven Swords United made them invincible among Heaven’s Chosen experts, but he was already invincible by himself!

Still, he didn’t refuse. Knowing Dugu Wei, even if he revealed his true power now, the man would insist on sending the other disciples anyway.

After all, if the array could transport more people, why not bring extra backup?

Whatever. Those so-called geniuses were all weaklings anyway—none of them could snatch treasures from his grasp. If they had to tag along, so be it.

"Fine, Old Wei, let’s do it your way."

Dugu Wei nodded and immediately summoned the Seven Sword Masters, explaining Gu Qingfeng’s plan to them.

After hearing it, they stared at Gu Qingfeng in astonishment.

They never expected the Imperial Son to be so bold—in such dire circumstances, he actually planned to destroy the enemy’s strongholds, divert their forces, and force them to retreat. Such daring and meticulous thinking was truly admirable.

If Gu Qingfeng knew what they were thinking, he’d cringe—his real goal was simply to loot their treasuries.

"Be extremely careful on this mission. Do not act recklessly. Though their strongholds lack Heavenly Monarch experts, they still have countless Heaven’s Chosen cultivators. If you get caught in a battle of attrition, the situation will turn dire. Remember—if you’re outmatched, flee immediately. Do not linger." Dugu Wei warned.

"Alright, alright, Old Wei, calm down. Prudence and rationality have always been this venerable one’s greatest virtues. With me leading them, you’ve got nothing to worry about. Let’s go!"

Gu Qingfeng was already impatient. He had lost over a thousand divine swords cultivating his Indestructible Sword Body—his personal treasury was in desperate need of restocking.

"You lot, gather close." He ordered the disciples.

They quickly huddled together.

But then, Gu Qingfeng frowned in disgust and shoved Long Yangping—who had gotten too close—away, yanking Nangong Xue over instead.

"Xue’er, hold on tight to me, or you might get lost in the spatial turbulence."

"Ah?!" Nangong Xue gasped.

"What ‘ah’? Let’s go!"

The elders had wanted to give their disciples final instructions, but Gu Qingfeng gave them no chance.

A brilliant light flashed as intricate heavenly runes spread beneath his feet, enveloping the Sword Gate disciples.

The radiance swallowed them whole.

When they regained their senses, they were already tens of thousands of miles away, standing in a desolate wilderness.

The moment they landed, Nangong Xue’s face flushed red, and she quickly struggled free from Gu Qingfeng’s embrace.

"Uncle Gu, weren’t we supposed to attack the enemy’s stronghold? Where is this? Did you make a wrong turn?" Sword Maniac asked, puzzled.

Gu Qingfeng glared at him. "Must you talk so much? The Green Wood Domain is vast—how could this venerable one know every inch of it?

Which one of you knows the way to the Netherworld Sect? Point me in the right direction."

In the end, it was Lin Runzhi, the most well-traveled among them, who recognized their location and pointed the way to the Netherworld Sect.

Gu Qingfeng pulled Nangong Xue close again and teleported the group straight to the sect.

......

The Netherworld Sect was nestled in a sinister mountain range in the far west.

Unlike Sword Gate’s ethereal, immortal-like grandeur, this place was gloomy and eerie, with scattered bones lining the paths—like a living hell.

The moment Gu Qingfeng laid eyes on the Netherworld Sect, his eyes gleamed as if he could already see their treasury beckoning him. Without a second thought, he charged straight for the sect’s main gate, making no attempt to conceal himself.

His reckless actions shocked the disciples, who hurriedly grabbed him. "Uncle Gu, we’re supposed to be launching a sneak attack! Charging through the front gate is a bit… too blatant, don’t you think?"

"Nonsense! This venerable one has always walked the righteous path—how could I stoop to such underhanded tactics as a sneak attack?

If they dare openly assault Sword Gate, why shouldn’t I storm the Netherworld Sect head-on?" Gu Qingfeng declared imperiously.

With all their Heavenly Monarchs at Sword Gate, what was there to fear?

Before anyone could protest further, Gu Qingfeng—unable to wait any longer—roared at the sect’s entrance:

"Scum of the Netherworld Sect! Get the hell out here and face me!"

His thunderous shout shook the earth, instantly alerting the entire sect.

The disciples stared, dumbfounded, at Gu Qingfeng’s utterly brazen display. His earlier exchange with Dugu Wei echoed in their minds:

Dugu Wei: "Do not act recklessly."

Gu Qingfeng: "Prudence and rationality have always been this venerable one’s greatest virtues. You’ve got nothing to worry about."

And then—

"Scum of the Netherworld Sect! Get the hell out here and face me!"

So… this was his idea of prudence and rationality?!

Do you have some misunderstanding about these two terms?!