The Old Ghost

"Who the hell are you?" Gu Qingfeng snapped impatiently.

Though the old beggar had displayed powers that were nothing short of miraculous—even hinting at mastery over the laws of time—Gu Qingfeng's attitude remained as brazen as ever.

This was simply who he was: a man who stayed true to himself, neither groveling before the strong nor bullying the weak.

All that nonsense about "bowing before men but throwing fists at demons" was pure slander.

A true powerhouse was defined by the heart of a powerhouse. Strength didn’t come from power alone—it came from an unyielding spirit, even in the face of those stronger than oneself. That was the mindset of a true warrior.

And that was Gu Qingfeng’s mindset. It had nothing to do with his immortality.

From the old beggar’s words, it seemed he might be the teacher of the Abandoned Heavenly Emperor—though his attitude didn’t quite match. Still, he didn’t seem like an enemy.

He knew the Abandoned Heavenly Emperor had been imprisoned in the Primordial Forbidden Land, yet he hadn’t lifted a finger to help. His surprise at the Emperor’s escape also seemed genuine, meaning his strength, however formidable, didn’t reach the level of the Heavenly Dao. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been shocked that the Emperor broke free.

And if he wasn’t at the Heavenly Dao’s level, then he couldn’t kill the Supreme Sin—because even the Heavenly Dao had failed to do so.

Having reasoned this out, Gu Qingfeng grew even more... dignified in his demeanor.

"You can call me Old Ghost," the beggar grinned, revealing a row of yellowed teeth in a face that radiated nothing but sleaze.

The moment Gu Qingfeng heard the name "Old Ghost," he felt its weight—and shuddered.

If he’s called Old Ghost, he can’t be human, right? No way, right?

Suppressing his excitement—and the trembling of his fists—Gu Qingfeng pressed, "You call yourself Old Ghost? So you’re a ghost?"

As he spoke, his fists clenched unconsciously, as if Old Ghost’s answer would be the starting pistol. One word, and those fists, big as sand pots, would be flying.

Old Ghost shook his head. "I’m not a ghost."

"Then what are you?"

"Just an old beggar who’s lived through endless ages," Old Ghost suddenly turned solemn, his face tinged with nostalgia, as if reminiscing.

"Cut the theatrics. This Emperor just wants to know—are you human, ghost, or demon?"

"Does it matter? What meaning does race or identity hold before the vastness of time? All is but fleeting smoke."

"It matters! A lot!" Gu Qingfeng growled through gritted teeth.

Old Ghost gave him a strange look, then grinned again. "Heh heh heh... then I won’t tell you!"

"Go to hell!"

Boom!

The power of the Chaos Physique erupted. Three thousand strands of chaotic energy cascaded down, each one slicing through eternity with the aura of annihilation, as if they were the most exquisite delicacies in existence, raining down in divine radiance.

Yet, the punch landed on empty air.

Not because it missed—but because it passed straight through Old Ghost’s sleazy face.

In that moment, though Old Ghost stood close, he seemed ethereal, as if separated by an entire cosmos, untouchable in another realm.

"I swear, when will you ever learn to control that temper of yours? Locked up for so many years, and you’re still the same old brute."

Gu Qingfeng retracted his fist. He’d known Old Ghost was mysterious, his abilities bizarre—but not this bizarre. If he couldn’t even land a hit, then words would have to do. Provoke him, make him attack, and test whether he was human or demon.

If he was a demon, perfect. If human, no worries—the Supreme Sin was immortal.

"Whatever the hell you are, spit it out. Don’t waste this Emperor’s time—I’ve got a mount to claim."

"Heh heh heh... Claiming a mount is fine. But the Qilin Child must not die. And you are not to touch his Sun Immortal Physique—no devouring it with the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art."

Gu Qingfeng was startled. He hadn’t expected Old Ghost to see through his cultivation of the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art.

"No need to be surprised. I, Old Ghost, played no small part in the creation of that art. Did you really think a nobody like the Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor—just some mortal physique—could invent something so heaven-defying on his own? Or even become an Emperor?

A poor boy without a patron gets nowhere, no matter how hard he works."

Now Gu Qingfeng was truly shocked. He’d had no idea the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art originated from Old Ghost—and from the sound of it, he’d even groomed the Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor.

Just what was this old freak’s background? If he could nurture even Heavenly Emperors, he was practically an Emperor-Maker!

But Old Ghost’s next words stunned him again.

"Look at you, so easily amazed. Not just the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art—even your Supreme Sin was something we researched together back in the day. You could say I’m half your teacher. Go on, call me ‘Master.’"

"Call you my ass! Anyone can talk big. This Emperor could just as well claim to be the First Divine Being of Creation, that this world—no, the entire Sea of Realms—was forged by my hand!"

Old Ghost bristled at the doubt. "I’m not boasting! Here, let me recite a few lines from the Immortal-Demon Body Refinement Art’s scriptures—and the Supreme Sin’s profound truths!"

He began reciting, and every word matched exactly what Gu Qingfeng had learned.

"Well? Convinced now?"

"That just proves you’ve read the scriptures. Who’s to say you wrote them?" Gu Qingfeng scoffed. He knew the secret to infuriating someone: keep doubting them, forcing them to scramble for proof, only to dismiss it again. The anger would keep building.

And if they did produce evidence? No problem. Just hit them with: "Fine, fine, you’re amazing, the best. We’ll all bow to you. Really, getting so worked up over nothing—must you always be so petty?"

"The Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor can vouch for me!"

"That guy’s been dead for millions of years. Where’s he gonna vouch from?"

"Who said he’s dead? He’s alive and well in the Burial Grounds."

Gu Qingfeng: "..."

The Hundred Refinements Heavenly Emperor was still alive?! Then what about the other Emperors?!

Something reeked of a colossal conspiracy here.

"Seems you really don’t remember a thing. Back then, you and I split over this very matter."

Seeing Gu Qingfeng’s blank stare, Old Ghost decided to explain.

"We were researching the path to immortality and concluded there were two roads. First, your Supreme Sin path—binding yourself to all living beings, ensuring that as long as they existed, you would never perish.

The second was my path: Destroying Heaven.

The Heavenly Dao is merciless, treating all life as expendable. It places limits on all beings—even Heavenly Emperors can’t break free from its constraints or escape reincarnation. So, to achieve immortality, Heaven must fall!

Back then, you mocked me for overreaching and refused to join the crusade, focusing solely on the Supreme Sin instead. You succeeded, yes—but at what cost?

Your so-called immortality is just an eternal prison under the Heavenly Dao’s watch."