Here in a hurry, gone in a hurry

Just as Gu Qingfeng was reveling in the joy of his rising cultivation, the four Quasi-Emperors across from him began to consider retreat.

These were individuals whose lifespans were already nearing their end, forced into this battle out of desperation. Yet after hours of relentless combat, they still couldn’t gain the upper hand against Gu Qingfeng. If this continued, they would only be dragged to their deaths.

Exchanging glances, they all saw the same thought reflected in each other’s eyes—retreat.

Without hesitation, they acted.

"Run!"

The four transformed into streaks of divine light, fleeing in different directions.

But Gu Qingfeng was no stranger to dealing with demons and monsters. The moment their attacks slackened, he knew exactly what they were planning.

"Boundless Law Domain! Eight Directions Seal! Heaven and Earth Reversed! Nine Dragons Shackle the Heavens!!"

Boom!

The world darkened abruptly as eight massive pillars of light erupted from all directions. The pillars shimmered with radiant energy, their surfaces etched with flowing Dao patterns. A web of luminous barriers shot out, interconnecting to form an impenetrable prison.

This sealing technique, inherited from the legendary "Heaven-Sealing Forbidden Art," was only now revealing its full might under Gu Qingfeng’s current power.

The four Quasi-Emperors were instantly trapped.

"Keh keh keh... Let’s see where you think you’re running to now!"

Gu Qingfeng sneered as he closed in on them, his fists wreathed in chaotic energy, relentlessly hammering them and forcing them to fight back.

Of course, as a man of principle, Gu Qingfeng never struck women. So when facing the female Quasi-Emperor of the Fallen Feather Clan, he didn’t use his fists—he opted for the "Dragon Claw Grasp" technique instead.

Another hour passed, and the four Quasi-Emperors finally reached their limit. Gu Qingfeng was like an unstoppable machine, showing no signs of fatigue. He shrugged off countless attacks without a scratch—how could they possibly win?

In desperation, the female Quasi-Emperor of the Fallen Feather Clan hardened her gaze and hatched a plan. She suddenly shouted, "All of you hiding in the shadows—are you really going to stand by and let this demon run rampant?!"

The ancient beings lurking in the darkness remained silent. None responded.

Having lived through countless ages, they had long outgrown their youthful idealism and righteous fervor. The only thing that moved them now was self-interest.

"Listen well! Today, this demon is targeting the Fallen Feather Clan and the Kirin Clan. You refuse to act because you are neither of those clans.

But what about tomorrow?

What if he turns on the Dragon Clan or the Phoenix Clan next? Those of you who aren’t dragons or phoenixes will think the same—‘It’s not my problem.’

If this continues, the day will come when he comes for you. And by then, when you beg for help, it’ll be too late—because everyone else will already be dead! No one will be left to aid you!"

Her words stirred some hesitation among the hidden observers, yet still, no one acted. They reasoned that with so many watching, surely someone else would step forward—why risk drawing trouble to themselves?

And so, everyone thought the same, and not a single hand was raised in assistance.

Gu Qingfeng listened to the woman’s persuasive speech and couldn’t help but admire her. This woman was something else—she was the one who stole the Kirin Immortality Herb, yet here she was, playing the victim. Such silver-tongued deceit must have its own unique charm.

Seeing no reaction, the female Quasi-Emperor grew frantic and pressed on, "Esteemed elders, Gu Qingfeng is a traitor to the Cangming Realm! He serves the Heavenly Demons—he’s the one who brought them here! You’ve all witnessed his strength.

Just days ago, the Thirteenth Ancestor of the Celestial Court could blast him apart repeatedly. Yet now, in mere days, this fiend can hold his own against four Quasi-Emperors! If we don’t eliminate him today, given time, when the Heavenly Demons descend upon the Cangming Realm and he joins forces with them, even an Emperor Ascendant won’t be able to stop him!

Worse yet, to ensure the Cangming Realm’s destruction, he’ll never allow an Emperor Ascendant to emerge. He’ll hunt down every potential candidate!

The Kirin Prodigy is proof!

And my Fallen Feather Clan is another example! If we don’t kill him today, tomorrow it’ll be your turn!!"

Damn!

Gu Qingfeng was stunned. If not for the fact that his attack on the Kirin Prodigy was purely for personal gain and to secure a mount, he might’ve actually believed her lies.

So now, everything he’d done was being twisted into him aiding the Heavenly Demons by eliminating future Emperor Ascendants?

This was like having mud smeared on his pants—even if it wasn’t shit, it sure looked like it.

Sure enough, the hidden figures reacted immediately.

A voice echoed through the void, its origin and gender indistinguishable.

"Gu Qingfeng is nigh indestructible. How do we kill him?"

The female Quasi-Emperor brightened. As long as someone responded, there was hope.

"Though he’s hard to kill, with your help, I can seal him away! My clan’s Emperor Artifact, the Fallen Feather Hourglass, specializes in sealing!"

As she spoke, she raised the artifact high—a small golden hourglass filled with fine black sand.

Suddenly, a figure shrouded in boundless divine light emerged from the void, deliberately concealing their identity.

"I’ll aid you!"

Their appearance was like a starting gun.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Seven or eight more veiled figures emerged from the void—all Quasi-Emperors!

"Eradicating evil is our duty!"

"This demon’s arrogance has sealed his fate!"

The newly arrived Quasi-Emperors stood firm in the sky, encircling Gu Qingfeng. Many more remained hidden, either deeming the numbers sufficient or choosing self-preservation.

The Fallen Feather and Kirin Quasi-Emperors rejoiced. Without wasting words, the female Quasi-Emperor hurled the Fallen Feather Hourglass into the air and roared, "Assist me in subduing this demon!"

The gathered Quasi-Emperors channeled their power, pouring boundless divine energy into the hourglass.

The artifact blazed like an eternal sun etched into the void, radiating darkness instead of light.

And Gu Qingfeng?

He simply watched in silence.

Boom!

The combined might of multiple Quasi-Emperors activated the Fallen Feather Hourglass, unleashing an indescribable surge of law energy.

Like a leak, the black sand within began spilling out, instantly flooding the heavens.

To Gu Qingfeng’s eyes, the air around him was now filled with countless black particles, floating like living insects.

Then—

Whoosh!

The particles engulfed him like a storm, covering every inch of his body.

He became a pitch-black statue, matte and light-absorbing, a human-shaped black hole.

The onlookers erupted in triumph.

The female Quasi-Emperor cried out, "Yes! It’s—"

Before she could finish, the statue crumbled, dissolving back into black sand.

Then, from the void, a dense fog of darkness gathered, slowly taking human form.

Gu Qingfeng emerged from the shadows, reborn once more.

The crowd fell into stunned silence.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Before the female Quasi-Emperor could react, the several veiled Quasi-Emperors who had come to assist had already fled into the void, vanishing without a trace.

They arrived swiftly, and their departure was just as abrupt.

Truly, they came in haste and left in haste.

"Keh keh keh... Beauty, show me whatever tricks you’ve got left!"

Gu Qingfeng sneered as he advanced toward the female Quasi-Emperor and her companions.

"You... y-you, stay away! Don’t come any closer!"