Preparing to Call Someone

The Holy Domain, Burial Emperor City!

Burial Emperor City was one of the largest cities in the Holy Domain, its vastness surpassing even that of ordinary great nations. Legend had it that in ancient times, a Celestial Emperor had passed away here, hence the name "Burial Emperor City."

However, after millions of years, countless people had been drawn to Burial Emperor City, yet not a single one had found the Celestial Emperor's tomb. Instead, the city had only grown more prosperous and flourishing.

On this day, a young man with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, a tall and straight figure, dressed in snow-white robes and holding a folding fan stepped into Burial Emperor City.

He looked around, occasionally letting out exclamations of awe—clearly, this was his first time visiting this ancient and towering city.

His handsome appearance drew frequent glances from countless female cultivators on the streets, with some bold ones even batting their eyelashes, subtly expressing their desire for dual cultivation.

This man was none other than Gu Qingfeng.

Seeing those predatory gazes, Gu Qingfeng sighed inwardly, "I’ve already disguised myself, revealing only half of my usual charm, yet I still stand out like a firefly in the night."

Disdainful of these mediocre admirers, he quickened his pace, intending to find a place to gather information.

However, as he passed by a notice board, he suddenly stopped.

The reason? The man depicted on the notice was far too striking—handsome enough to shake the heavens and earth.

Upon closer inspection, he realized—wasn’t this himself?

A few female cultivators nearby were pointing and whispering.

"Isn’t this Gu Qingfeng, the one who caused chaos in the Celestial Court and the Netherworld? He’s truly breathtakingly handsome."

"What’s the use of being handsome? He’s offended both the Celestial Court and the Netherworld. There’s no place left for him in this world."

"That’s true. Still, I must take this portrait with me and keep it as a memento. Who knows when I’ll see it again?"

After a glance at these women’s less-than-stellar appearances, Gu Qingfeng abandoned any thought of revealing his true identity. Shaking his head, he headed to the nearest tavern.

"Esteemed guest, what would you like to order?"

"What do you have?"

"Our establishment has everything. Even if you desire dragon liver or phoenix gallbladder, as long as you can afford it, we can provide it."

Gu Qingfeng raised an eyebrow. "Then bring me a plate of dragon liver and phoenix gallbladder."

"Right away! One serving of stir-fried dragon liver and one of steamed phoenix gallbladder!"

Before long, the dishes arrived. Gu Qingfeng took one look and saw that the "dragon liver" was from a flood dragon, and the "phoenix gallbladder" from a phoenix bird—not the legendary true dragon or phoenix.

Still, he said nothing. It was to be expected.

If a random tavern could serve true dragon liver and phoenix gallbladder, that would be absurd. Without at least a Quasi-Emperor backing the establishment, the dragon and phoenix clans would have torn the place down long ago.

So, while enjoying his meal, Gu Qingfeng listened to the conversations around him.

Cultivators were still human, after all—they needed to brag... or rather, unwind.

"Have you heard the news about the Celestial Court and the Netherworld these past few days?"

"Who hasn’t? The Celestial Court and the Netherworld have jointly issued a warrant for Gu Qingfeng’s arrest."

"Heh, but do you know why?"

"I heard Gu Qingfeng is the sect master of the Sword Gate. He was invited as a guest to the Celestial Court but ended up offending the Celestial Court's Holy Master and the Netherworld’s Lord with his insolence."

"Nonsense! The Celestial Court's Holy Master and the Netherworld’s Lord are figures of such stature—how could they go to such lengths just because of a few words?

I happen to have friends in both the Celestial Court and the Netherworld, so I’ve got the inside scoop."

"What’s the scoop? Stop holding back and tell us!"

"Well, the drinks today..."

"My treat!"

"Rumor has it that Gu Qingfeng is a master of the Nine Forbidden Arts—specifically, the Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art. Using its supreme secret technique, the Heaven’s Descent Array, he managed to steal the treasuries of both the Celestial Court and the Netherworld. Hundreds of thousands of years of accumulated wealth—gone in a single heist!"

The crowd collectively gasped. The treasures in the Celestial Court and Netherworld’s vaults were beyond measure—and one man had taken it all?

"No wonder the Celestial Court and Netherworld are making such a fuss. That explains it."

"Then whoever finds Gu Qingfeng would be set for life, wouldn’t they?"

"Dream on! Do you know what the Heaven’s Descent Array is? It harnesses the power of the Heavenly Dao for teleportation. In my opinion, if he wants to run, no one can catch him."

"Hah, you’re all clueless. Let me tell you—Gu Qingfeng will be caught sooner than you think."

"How? Who can break the Heaven’s Descent Array?"

"The array itself is hard to crack, but don’t forget Gu Qingfeng’s identity. He’s the sect master of the Sword Gate. You can run, but your sect can’t. The Celestial Court and Netherworld sent a massive force to the Sword Gate two days ago. They’ll probably arrive in a few days. Once they use the entire sect to force Gu Qingfeng out, do you think he won’t show up?"

Gu Qingfeng, who had been enjoying his meal, paused mid-bite.

His expression darkened instantly.

How dare they! Trying to wipe out my entire sect!

The entire Sword Gate is my personal property, and its disciples are my serv... pupils. The Celestial Court and Netherworld have gone too far!

However, Gu Qingfeng didn’t take their words at face value. Instead, he silently unleashed his Indestructible Demon Soul, infiltrating the minds of those who had spoken.

The men were all at the Heavenly Human realm, completely unaware as their memories were probed.

Moments later, Gu Qingfeng confirmed the truth through their recollections.

One of them was a disciple from a subordinate faction of the Celestial Court, and the information had been deliberately leaked by the Celestial Court itself.

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes gleamed with intrigue.

By spreading the news, they were clearly signaling their intent to strike the Sword Gate.

But here’s the thing—the Celestial Court knows I have the Heaven’s Descent Array, which allows me to return to the Sword Gate at any time to warn my disciples. Yet they’re still sending a massive force that won’t arrive in the Green Wood Domain for days. Isn’t that pointless?

Unless... it’s a trap.

Gu Qingfeng quickly deduced the Celestial Court’s plan. On the surface, they were sending an army, but in reality, powerful experts had already reached the Sword Gate in secret.

They were waiting for him to return and warn his sect. The moment he showed up, the hidden experts would strike.

What a clever scheme!

And they weren’t even afraid of him figuring it out. Whether he did or not didn’t matter—they were still using the Sword Gate as leverage. If he wanted to save his sect, he’d have to return regardless.

Gu Qingfeng guessed that the experts lying in wait were likely Heavenly Venerates. Activating the Heaven’s Descent Array took time—albeit very little—but it wasn’t instantaneous.

If a Heavenly Venerate struck, they could suppress him before the array completed.

At this thought, Gu Qingfeng grinned savagely.

"Seems like I’ll be able to collect some Venerate blood to nourish Little Corpse Charm."

With a single thought, he activated the Heaven’s Descent Array and returned to the Green Wood Domain.

However, he didn’t head to the Sword Gate. Instead, he went to the Primordial Forbidden Land!

Because he was going to call for reinforcements.

Back when his strength was insufficient, he couldn’t venture deep into the Primordial Forbidden Land. But now, with power comparable to a One-Star Venerate, he could finally explore its depths.

After Gu Qingfeng left, the tavern waiter soon realized what had happened. Panicked, he rushed to report to the manager.

"Boss! Someone just dined and dashed!"

Gu Qingfeng hadn’t intended to dine and dash—his mind was simply preoccupied with thoughts of the Sword Sect, making him forget to pay.