Visiting the Celestial Palace

"Elder Demon Gu! We've already given you the Qiankun Ring, why are you still lingering in the Heavenly Court?" a Nine-Star Supreme from the Heavenly Court shouted.

Among the Heavenly Court's ranks, aside from the deceased Holy Master, his cultivation was the highest, so it naturally fell to him to step forward despite his reluctance.

"Why?" Gu Qingfeng cast a disdainful glance at him and sneered. "Naturally, I'm here as a guest. Is this how the illustrious Heavenly Court treats its visitors? Since this venerable one has arrived, shouldn't you hurry to arrange a palace and some holy maidens to receive me?"

The Nine-Star Supreme's face instantly twisted in fury.

"Didn't you just promise to leave once you obtained the Emperor's Scripture? Now that you have it, why won't you go? Must you force our Heavenly Court's Quasi-Emperor to intervene?"

"Keh keh keh... This venerable one did promise, but that was to the Holy Master of the Heavenly Court. Now that he's dead, the promise is void. As for the Quasi-Emperor? Hah! If you dare, go ahead and summon him!"

Gu Qingfeng's expression was one of utter contempt. With a wave of his hand, he addressed his retinue of enslaved cultivators: "Come, that palace over there looks suitable. We shall reside there tonight."

Without sparing another glance at the furious crowd, he led his entourage of over a hundred Supremes in a grand procession toward the opulent palace.

Upon arrival, Gu Qingfeng sensed the presence of other cultivators inside and coldly ordered his enslaved followers: "Clear them out."

"As you command, Venerable One!"

In an instant, the hundred-plus enslaved cultivators stormed the palace, forcibly ejecting its occupants one by one. Chaos erupted—shouts, screams, and the clamor of struggle filled the air.

"Venerable One, the area has been cleared. Please enter."

Gu Qingfeng gave a slight nod and strode inside, while his Supremes took positions around the palace like divine sentinels, their oppressive auras warning all to keep their distance.

The Supremes of the Heavenly Court and the Underworld watched helplessly as Gu Qingfeng flaunted his arrogance, their faces burning with humiliation.

But with the Holy Master and the Underworld's Lord dead, they lacked leadership. Though seething with rage, none dared speak out.

As for revenge?

What a joke! This was the incarnation of a Heavenly Demon! Even the Holy Master and the Underworld's Lord had fallen. Without a Quasi-Emperor stepping forth, who could possibly restrain him?

Yet the problem was, Elder Demon Gu wasn't annihilating their sects—just tormenting them. Under such circumstances, the Quasi-Emperors would not intervene.

"Are we to simply endure this demon's insolence?" one Supreme spat bitterly.

"Then let us fight! Even if we must sacrifice our lives, we’ll show Elder Demon Gu our resolve and force the Quasi-Emperors to suppress him!"

A few prideful Supremes, unable to bear the disgrace, were ready for a desperate stand. But such fearless souls were few. The rest exchanged uneasy glances.

Why throw away their lives against an unbeatable foe?

Especially now, in this era of great contention, when boundless opportunities lay ahead—who would willingly die?

Besides, what had the demon actually done? He was merely a guest in the Heavenly Court. Given its vast resources, why not let him stay?

"Brothers, do not act rashly. Heaven's destruction begins with madness. This demon's arrogance will be his downfall. Just wait a few years—you’ll see."

"Brother Li speaks wisely. We must not act on impulse. Very well, this old man will risk his life to seek an audience with our Quasi-Emperor and hear his guidance before deciding our next move."

After much deliberation, they resolved to bide their time.

The hot-headed few, seeing no other recourse, sighed and departed.

The Underworld's forces hurried back as well, for the death of their Lord was no trivial matter. They, too, intended to report to their Quasi-Emperor.

......

Deep within the Heavenly Court, in a hidden sanctum, the Supremes had chosen Fu Yangxi to approach their slumbering Quasi-Emperor.

"Ancestor Thirteen, this junior, Fu Yangxi, bears urgent news."

Fu Yangxi bowed deeply before a massive crystal.

Within the crystal stood a towering figure, his presence as vast and unyielding as a mountain. Though his eyes were closed in slumber, threads of imperial majesty seeped from him, deep as the abyss, vast as the sea.

He resembled a god descending upon the mortal realm, inspiring such awe that one might kneel in worship.

Whoosh!

The figure's eyes snapped open, unleashing a piercing divine light.

His gaze fell upon Fu Yangxi.

In that instant, Fu Yangxi felt as though a towering divine mountain pressed upon him. His breath grew labored, sweat drenching his robes.

"Speak," came a voice as indifferent as a deity addressing a mortal.

Though calm, the undertone of irritation was unmistakable.

Fu Yangxi knew that if his words proved worthless, death would be immediate.

A Quasi-Emperor's lifespan was precious. Even this momentary awakening was a significant drain.

Gritting his teeth, he swiftly recounted Gu Qingfeng's identity as a Heavenly Demon's incarnation, his actions, and pleaded for the Quasi-Emperor to intervene, vanquishing the demon and saving the Cangming Realm from calamity.

Ancestor Thirteen listened, then replied indifferently, "Understood. Leave."

Fu Yangxi hesitated. "Ancestor Thirteen, do you not intend to punish—"

"Begone!"

A single thunderous word erupted like rolling thunder, shaking the heavens. Fu Yangxi paled, not daring to speak further. He kowtowed in apology, then fled without looking back.

Ancestor Thirteen paid no mind to the retreating figure. Instead, his burning gaze fixed on a distant point within the Heavenly Court. After a moment, he withdrew his gaze, deep in thought.

"A Heavenly Demon's incarnation? Interesting. You’ve done this emperor a great service. Without you drawing the Heavenly Demons here, I might never have lived to see the era of great contention."

With that, Ancestor Thirteen returned to slumber.

He had no intention of killing Gu Qingfeng. First, the Heavenly Court was not yet in mortal peril. Second, as a conduit for the Heavenly Demons, Gu Qingfeng was a guide. If he died, what if the Heavenly Demons failed to locate the Cangming Realm?

Would the great calamity then vanish? Would the Heavenly Dao, seeing the threat averted, cancel the era of great contention?

These were uncertainties he could not afford. With his lifespan dwindling, he dared not gamble.

In his heart, nothing mattered more than attaining the rank of Emperor. What were factions and sects? Once he became the Heavenly Emperor, he alone would be the greatest power in existence!

......

"Elder Fu, what did Ancestor Thirteen say?" Several Supremes pressed Fu Yangxi anxiously.

Fu Yangxi sighed and shook his head. "Ancestor Thirteen refuses to awaken."

"Refuses!? So we just let Elder Demon Gu trample over our Heavenly Court!? Do you know what he just did? He took the ten-thousand-year Qilin Fruits from the forbidden mountain as a midnight snack! Those fruits take ten thousand years to ripen, and he plucked every last one!" a Supreme roared in outrage.

A pained expression flickered across Fu Yangxi's face, but he forced himself to remain composed. "Let him eat them. More will grow in time. As long as he doesn’t harm anyone..."

"They won’t. He uprooted the Qilin Tree."

"What!? This demon has gone too far!"