The Deity Dislikes Publicity

Dugu Wei and the others, seeing the strange phenomena dissipate, quickly flew to the ruins of what was once Starfall Peak, their eyes filled with shock as they gazed at Gu Qingfeng standing calmly amidst the devastation.

At this moment, Gu Qingfeng, having just forged his Chaos Embryo, seemed unable to fully control the aura emanating from his body, resulting in wisps of chaotic energy leaking out around him.

In truth, he was doing it on purpose. After all, the Demon Venerable Gu had only two great passions in life: a love for beautiful women and a love for... showing off in front of others.

Dugu Wei and the others stared at the chaotic energy radiating from Gu Qingfeng, utterly stunned.

"Lord Sect Master, could it be... you've forged the legendary supreme immortal physique—the Chaos Body!?"

Gu Qingfeng nodded faintly. "A mere Chaos Body is hardly worth mentioning. There’s no need for such astonishment."

Dugu Wei and the others were speechless. If even the legendary Chaos Body wasn’t worth mentioning, then what in this world could possibly be noteworthy?

Of course, though they inwardly grumbled, they still hurriedly congratulated him. "We congratulate the Sect Master, we rejoice for the Sect Master! Now that the Sect Master has forged an immortal physique, it’s only a matter of time before you ascend to the Heavenly Emperor’s throne. This is truly a joyous occasion for the Sword Sect!"

"Hmph. Such a trivial matter isn’t worth celebrating. Just arrange a modest ten-day banquet and invite the sect leaders of the Green Wood Domain to bring some gifts. Remember, don’t make it too extravagant—this venerable one dislikes ostentation."

Dugu Wei and the others: "..."

"Sect Master, there’s something I’m not sure if I should mention..."

"Speak. But choose your words carefully, lest I slap you in the middle of my joyous moment."

Dugu Wei’s lips twitched. "Sect Master, I think it’s best to forgo the banquet. The matter of you forging the Chaos Body shouldn’t be announced to the world. It’s better to keep a low profile."

Gu Qingfeng looked surprised. "Is a mere ten-day banquet not low-key enough?"

"No, Sect Master, what I mean is... this matter should be kept completely secret. After all, this is a legendary immortal physique. Have you forgotten why the major forces of the Green Wood Domain once besieged the Sword Sect? It was because they feared your potential to become a Heavenly Emperor and didn’t want to see the Sword Sect rise.

The matter of an immortal physique is no small thing. If word spreads, it could provoke the wariness of other Imperial Court Immortal Sects. In the Sword Sect’s former glory, we would’ve announced it to the world. But now that the Sword Sect is in decline, it’s truly unwise to publicize this."

Gu Qingfeng pondered for a moment and realized there was some truth to it. While he was invincible in the Green Wood Domain, that didn’t mean he was unrivaled in the entire Cangming Realm.

The Cangming Realm was vast and boundless, hiding countless ancient monsters.

"Just how strong are these other Imperial Court Immortal Sects?" Gu Qingfeng asked.

He didn’t have a clear frame of reference, having only encountered the Sword Sect—a weakened and rather lackluster Imperial Court Immortal Sect that barely held sway in the countryside.

Dugu Wei’s expression turned grave. "Extremely strong. Most Imperial Courts have Heavenly Venerates overseeing them, and not just one—some may even have Quasi-Emperors!"

"Quasi-Emperors!?" Gu Qingfeng’s eyebrows shot up.

"Indeed. A Quasi-Emperor surpasses even a Heavenly Venerate—they are powerhouses who have forged their own path. They are candidates for the Heavenly Emperor’s throne, waiting only for the Emperor’s Path to open so they may compete for supremacy.

In an era without Heavenly Emperors, Quasi-Emperors are among the strongest beings in existence."

"How strong are they?"

Dugu Wei thought for a moment. "I don’t know the exact extent, but I once heard that ten thousand years ago, a Quasi-Emperor made a move. With a single strike, they effortlessly obliterated a region the size of the Green Wood Domain."

Holy sht!

Gu Qingfeng was instantly shocked. A single strike could wipe out the Green Wood Domain?! Was this even human?!

How was this any different from punching out an entire solar system?

"Did the Sword Sect ever have a Quasi-Emperor?"

"We did... tens of thousands of years ago."

"What about five thousand years ago, when the Demon-Slaying Sword went berserk?"

Dugu Wei smiled bitterly. "If we’d had a Quasi-Emperor back then, the Sword Sect wouldn’t have declined. At that time, we only had a few Heavenly Venerates."

"Wait, was the Demon-Slaying Sword really that powerful?" Gu Qingfeng was surprised—he hadn’t sensed anything particularly impressive about the sword, which had acted like a lovestruck fool around him.

"The Demon-Slaying Sword is an Emperor’s Weapon, one of the mightiest arms in existence. Of course it’s powerful, Sect Master. The reason you don’t feel its full strength now is because your cultivation isn’t high enough to unleash its true potential.

When the Demon-Slaying Sword ran amok five thousand years ago, the sword slave it controlled was a Heavenly Venerate!

In the hands of a Heavenly Venerate, the Demon-Slaying Sword slaughtered gods and demons alike—only a Quasi-Emperor could stop it. If not for the other Heavenly Venerates sacrificing their lives to seal it away, it’s uncertain whether the Sword Sect would have survived."

Gu Qingfeng sucked in a sharp breath. It seemed he had underestimated that simp of a sword.

After exchanging a few more words, Dugu Wei suddenly added, "Ah, right, Sect Master. Yesterday, the Sword Sect captured a few more Four Tribulation Heavenly Humans. They’re currently imprisoned at Sky Pillar Peak. When will you go to deal with them?"

"I’ll go now. It won’t take long anyway."

......

Sky Pillar Peak.

Five Four Tribulation Heavenly Humans stood nervously before the Demon Venerable Gu Qingfeng, who sat loftily at the head of the hall, not daring to even breathe too loudly.

After all, the entire Green Wood Domain now lay beneath this Demon Venerable’s feet—who would dare act recklessly?

Though they had heard rumors that the Demon Venerable was capturing Four Tribulation experts to help them transcend their tribulations, they couldn’t help but fear.

What if this was all a ruse to lure them in?

But now that they had been captured, they could only pray the rumors were true.

Gu Qingfeng glanced casually at the five Heavenly Humans and smiled. "Relax. Is this venerable one really so terrifying?"

The five forced smiles onto their faces. "Demon Venerable, we are merely showing our respect..."

"Hm?" Gu Qingfeng’s brow furrowed at the title "Demon Venerable."

The five immediately corrected themselves, trembling. "Heavenly Venerate Gu, forgive us! This is our first time in your presence, and we were so overwhelmed by your majesty that we misspoke. Please do not take offense."

"Mm." Gu Qingfeng’s expression eased slightly.

The five let out silent sighs of relief.

"You all know the rules, yes?"

"Yes, yes!"

The five hurriedly presented their spatial rings, containing their entire life’s wealth, with both hands.

With a glance from Gu Qingfeng, a demonic subordinate stepped forward to collect them.

Then, Gu Qingfeng added, "Your robes are quite fine. They seem to be woven from Silver Treasure Spirit Silk, no?"

The five instantly looked as if they were mourning their own deaths, but their reactions were swift. They hastily stripped off their robes.

The demonic subordinate stepped forward again to take them.

Only then did Gu Qingfeng nod in satisfaction.

"Release your cultivation and prepare to summon your Heart Demon Tribulation."

"Heavenly Venerate Gu, should we proceed one by one, or...?"

"All at once. This venerable one has little time to spare. Hurry up."

Hearing this, the five Heavenly Humans instantly lost confidence. If it were one at a time, it might have been believable—but helping five people simultaneously transcend their Heart Demon Tribulation? That sounded far too improbable.