Gu Qingfeng's Master

Clang!

The sharp ring of a sword echoed through the air.

In the next instant, a dazzling sword light flashed like a bolt of lightning. Before the leaders of the various factions could react, the radiant blade had already enveloped the man who had just sneered in mockery.

In an instant!

His body and soul were obliterated by the sword's radiance.

The crowd erupted in shock and horror. They leaped to their feet, summoning divine energy to shield themselves, their eyes wide with terror as they stared at the swordsman.

"Who are you?!"

"How dare you commit murder right before our eyes?!"

Swish!

The sound of a sword being sheathed followed. The killer was a stunningly beautiful woman who had appeared out of nowhere, her white robes stained with blood. No one knew when she had arrived, just as no one had noticed when she had drawn her sword.

The bloodstained woman stood motionless, her eyes hollow and vacant. She remained silent in the face of their accusations, as if lost in a trance.

At that moment, Wang Yan let out a cold laugh and stepped forward. "Esteemed fellow Daoists, this Fairy Mengdie is an ally I personally invited. Just now, Daoist Ge of the Black Tortoise Alliance dared to undermine morale before battle. Fairy Mengdie has always despised such petty individuals and acted impulsively. I ask for your understanding."

The crowd grew tense at Wang Yan's words. Someone immediately snapped, "Wang Yan, what exactly are you plotting? Are you trying to force us into attacking the Sword Sect?"

Before Wang Yan could respond, another voice cried out in shock, "Fairy Mengdie?! Isn’t she Yan Mengdie, the Sword Sect’s Holy Maiden who vanished thousands of years ago? How is she here?"

The revelation sent waves of astonishment through the assembly.

"What?! She’s the Holy Maiden of the Sword Sect’s Reverse Scale lineage?"

"Wasn’t she said to have died long ago? Later, Gu Qingfeng obtained the Reverse Scale Sword’s inheritance and joined the Sword Sect. Technically, she’s his master!"

Suspicion and unease spread like wildfire.

"Wang Yan, what’s really going on here? Have you conspired with the Sword Sect to ambush us and dominate the Verdant Wood Domain?"

"Calm yourselves, everyone." Wang Yan smiled faintly. "Though Fairy Mengdie was once a disciple of the Sword Sect, she holds a blood feud against them. Her disappearance back then was due to their persecution. Now, she has returned for vengeance. As for Gu Qingfeng?

He was never her disciple—just a shameless villain who stole the Reverse Scale Sword through deceit."

"Wang Yan, you’re making baseless claims. How do we know you’re not lying to us?"

"Oh? Who says I have no proof? The evidence is right here." Wang Yan clapped his hands. "Come in."

Two figures strode through the door.

The moment the crowd saw them, their faces paled in recognition.

"That’s... Old Man Kumu of Ghostwood Cliff!

And Monk Kongjie of the Crossing Fate Temple!"

"What’s going on? These two were legendary figures from thousands of years ago, but rumors said they had perished!"

"Legends say they were nearing the end of their lifespans and ventured into the Primordial Forbidden Land in search of longevity, only to die there. How are they alive now?"

Wang Yan merely smiled, offering no explanation. Instead, he said, "Well, everyone? Is this proof enough?"

Silence fell. They all understood what Wang Yan meant.

The so-called "proof" was power.

The alliance of major factions had only four Heavenly Monarchs among them. If only Wang Yan and Duan Changsheng opposed retreat, the other two Heavenly Monarchs could still hold sway. But now, Wang Yan’s side boasted five Heavenly Monarchs—three of whom were renowned veterans from millennia past.

The disparity in strength was overwhelming. Even with most Heavenly Realm cultivators on their side, resistance was futile.

Faced with such undeniable force, they had no choice but to comply.

"Since no one objects, we shall proceed with the assault on the Sword Sect. With these three powerhouses aiding us, the Sword Sect will fall swiftly.

As for Gu Qingfeng, there’s no need to worry. The brat is reckless—he flaunted his presence on his way to Thunderstrike Island without a care. You can easily notify your factions and set up an ambush to eliminate him.

Fairy Mengdie will also join you to ensure success."

Under Wang Yan’s overwhelming pressure, the assembly had no choice but to obey.

......

A day later.

Gu Qingfeng had absorbed half of the Frostmoon Saint Body’s essence. As for his tool, Duan Wushuang, he had tossed her into his Palm World, leaving her to the "care" of the White Fox Queen, Princess Qinglin, and the other slaves for re-education.

Duan Wushuang was as cold as her constitution demanded—she needed a complete overhaul.

It was a shame Little Corpse Charm was still in seclusion; her expertise would have halved the training time, given that most of the slaves had been molded by her methods.

After refining the Frostmoon Saint Body, Gu Qingfeng immediately activated his Immortal-Demon Physique Refining Art and devoured a mountain of rare treasures to complete the process.

Thankfully, he had plundered the vaults of Hellgate’s Peerless Mansion—otherwise, the resource drain would have been unbearable.

Another day passed, and Thunderstrike Island finally came into view.

This was an offshore island, vast enough to be considered a small continent, perpetually shrouded in storm clouds that crackled with lightning.

To others, the thunder was terrifying, but the island’s inhabitants thrived on it. Generations of adaptation had allowed them to harness the lightning’s power through esoteric techniques.

Most of the Verdant Wood Domain’s thunderstruck wood came from Thunderstrike Island.

Thanks to the environment, the islanders had a high likelihood of possessing lightning-based constitutions. Rumor had it their Holy Son even bore the Thunder Resonance Saint Body.

An endless tide of spectral wraiths steered a fleet of bone-and-blood ships, descending upon Thunderstrike Island’s skies. The already darkened heavens grew even gloomier.

"Kekekeke..."

His laughter arrived before he did, a sinister pressure weighing down on the island’s inhabitants.

But before Gu Qingfeng could finish cackling, dozens of figures materialized in the void, encircling him in a precise formation.

Gu Qingfeng paused, momentarily taken aback. But when he saw that all of them were Heavenly Realm cultivators, his arrogance returned in full force.

"Kekekeke... So it’s just a bunch of ants from the major sects.

You’ve been lying in wait for me, haven’t you? Aren’t you afraid of capsizing in this little ditch?"

"Gu Qingfeng! Cease your arrogance! Today, we’ve laid an inescapable net. No matter how monstrous your power, you won’t escape!"

"Hmph. So numbers have given you the illusion that you can defeat me? Today, I’ll remind you—ants will always be ants! Even a swarm is just a larger pile of insects!"

"Enough talk! Attack together!"

The dozens of Heavenly Realm experts activated their formation and struck as one. Divine light flooded the skies, and the void trembled under the onslaught.

Gu Qingfeng watched their assault with a disdainful smirk.

"Can fireflies dare compete with the moon’s brilliance?"