Blocking the Emperor's Path

Thud!

Thud!!

Thud!!!

A series of measured footsteps echoed from the depths of the black mist. Though the sound was not loud, it seemed to reverberate across the heavens and the earth, pressing down on the hearts of every living being.

As the footsteps drew nearer, an indescribable sense of despair and oppression surged in the hearts of all. Uncontrollable waves of negative emotions flooded their minds, threatening to drown them like a raging tide.

Every creature stared in horror at the figure emerging from the black mist.

Boom—!

An overwhelming demonic aura erupted from the figure, its boundless dark radiance surging across the skies and the earth, shaking the very fabric of the Cangming Realm until the heavens themselves seemed to shatter.

As the figure stepped out of the black mist, the onlookers felt as though they were witnessing the return of an ancient demon god from the depths of hell.

In the next moment, the endless black mist suddenly churned violently, swirling like a tornado as it converged toward the figure.

Hiss—!

A bone-chilling screech tore through the air as seven colossal serpents, wreathed in billowing black smoke, rose from the ground, blotting out the sky.

The figure stood atop the head of one of these serpents, ascending into the heavens, where it gazed down upon all living beings below.

Only then did the crowd fully see the figure clearly.

He was the epitome of dominance, exuding an aura of unrivaled majesty and peerless grace.

A regal crown adorned his head, and his emperor’s robes fluttered wildly in the tempestuous winds of the upper heavens, revealing his chiseled chest. His jet-black hair danced wildly like serpents, and his obsidian eyes gleamed with an arrogance that disregarded all beneath him.

Surrounded by dozens of Quasi-Emperors and the seven towering black serpents, he shone like an eternal sun amidst the cold vastness of the universe.

"It’s the Heavenly Demon Sect’s leader—Gu Qingfeng!!"

A cry of terror escaped one of the onlookers, as though they had just glimpsed a nightmare given form.

"Why is he here? I heard he hasn’t even reached the Quasi-Emperor realm yet!"

"Could it be that he’s broken through in recent days?"

"Impossible! Even if he consumed an Immortality Elixir, he couldn’t advance so quickly!"

"The Path to Emperorship is suffused with the laws of the universe. Only those who have forged their own Dao as Quasi-Emperors may enter. This Gu Qingfeng is an anomaly—a being said to be undying and indestructible. He must be planning to force his way in using his immortality!"

"This will be quite the spectacle. Just because Quasi-Emperors can’t kill him doesn’t mean the Path to Emperorship won’t. Under the crushing weight of ten thousand Daos, he’ll surely perish!"

Gu Qingfeng paid no heed to the murmurs of the crowd. His position was too high, his distance from the masses too vast. Those who stood at the pinnacle neither heard nor cared for the voices below.

He raised a hand and beckoned toward the void.

Every eye was fixed on his every move.

After all, Gu Qingfeng had long since earned the title of the Cangming Realm’s most fearsome demon. None dared ignore his presence.

Soon, the void rippled, and a slender, ethereal figure emerged.

She stood apart from the world, transcendent as an immortal. Her flowing hair cascaded like a waterfall, her eyes shimmered like autumn waters, and her celestial beauty seemed to eclipse even the passage of time itself.

The sheer allure radiating from her ensnared the hearts of all who beheld her. Even the lofty Quasi-Emperors couldn’t help but be struck by her splendor.

"Such a peerless, otherworldly beauty!"

"Is she a fairy descended from the immortal realms?"

Under the awed gazes of the crowd, the woman stepped into Gu Qingfeng’s embrace, her expression tender and seductive, her eyes brimming with affection.

In that instant, countless hearts shattered.

This woman was none other than Little Corpse Charm.

Gu Qingfeng glanced down at her in his arms and noticed that today, she looked even more stunning than usual.

She had clearly altered her appearance—every inch of her, down to the strands of her hair, was now flawlessly sculpted, as if crafted by the heavens themselves.

"Why the new look today?" he asked.

"Today is the day I play the role of the Bright Moon Heavenly Emperor, so of course I had to dress up properly," Little Corpse Charm replied with a playful giggle.

Gu Qingfeng nearly rolled his eyes. While others merely applied makeup, she had gone so far as to reshape her entire appearance.

"Let’s go."

With Little Corpse Charm nestled in his arms, Gu Qingfeng stepped onto the back of the black serpent, leading his entourage of dozens of Quasi-Emperor subordinates toward the Path to Emperorship.

Wherever they passed, none dared obstruct their path. The crowd scattered before them.

The Quasi-Emperors of other races watched with wary eyes, their gazes lingering particularly on the dozens of Quasi-Emperors behind Gu Qingfeng.

This force was too overwhelming—far surpassing the combined might of any single race or faction in the world.

By now, the opening of the Path to Emperorship was nearing its completion.

The rift in the void had widened further, releasing boundless spiritual energy that invigorated all who sensed it, as if they might ascend to immortality on the spot.

Boom—!

The entire Cangming Realm trembled. Countless mortals dropped to their knees, shivering in terror as they felt the very air around them seethe and the mountains quake.

Boom—!

Resplendent divine light, endless essence, and radiant multicolored auroras swept across the realm. The harmonious resonance of ten thousand Daos filled the air, as though the gods themselves had set off the most magnificent fireworks display in the heavens.

"The Path to Emperorship has opened!"

A chorus of exhilarated cries erupted from the crowd.

In the next instant, the Quasi-Emperors could no longer restrain themselves. They surged forward at breakneck speed, as though the first to enter would surely claim the throne of Emperor.

"Out of my way! This era’s Heavenly Emperor shall be mine!"

"I have sealed myself away for endless ages, severed all mortal ties, abandoned kin and descendants, and extinguished all emotions—all for this moment! Now, my Dao shall be fulfilled!!"

"At last… at last, the time has come! Let the final embers of my life blaze brightest upon the Path to Emperorship!"

The Quasi-Emperors roared with fervor. Many had waited far too long—some had even withered away in their slumber. Now that the moment had arrived, even if they perished, even if they failed to ascend, they would fight to the bitter end, burning with all their might!

Yet, just as the Quasi-Emperors were about to charge into the Path—

The sky darkened abruptly.

An endless tide of black mist surged from all directions, swallowing the entrance to the Path.

Then, Gu Qingfeng—with Little Corpse Charm in his arms, standing atop a colossal black serpent, flanked by rows of subordinates—blocked the way.

The sudden turn of events stunned the Quasi-Emperors.

Rage and terror twisted their faces.

"Gu Qingfeng! What is the meaning of this?!"

"Are you trying to stop us from becoming Emperors?!"

"Have you lost your mind?! Do you truly believe a mere few dozen of you can stand against thousands?!"

"Move aside! Anyone who dares hinder my path to Emperorship shall die!"

The Quasi-Emperors, mighty as gods, bellowed in fury.

At the same time, from within the ranks of Gu Qingfeng’s black serpents—where hundreds of Emperor-corpses lurked—voices rose in protest.

"Gu Qingfeng! What are you doing?! Escort us into the Path at once!"

"Hurry! Do not invite unnecessary trouble—delay risks disaster!"

Old Ghost’s voice also rang out in his mind.

"Ah, my dear Heavenly Emperor Gu… what fresh madness is this?"