Is this how you test me, the Emperor

"It's Gu Qingfeng!"

"Run!"

Upon seeing Gu Qingfeng emerge from the depths of the sea, the group of quasi-emperors immediately abandoned their curiosity about why the Weak Water had turned ordinary. They turned tail and fled in terror.

Gu Qingfeng watched the scattering crowd but didn’t bother giving chase. Their usefulness had long been exhausted, and he couldn’t be bothered with them.

After a brief rest, he continued his journey.

The road remained monotonous, an eternal solitude.

Fortunately, Little Corpse Charm’s company made the trip less tedious—over three days, she changed her appearance thirty times, keeping things somewhat lively.

Then, one day, the cold and desolate Emperor’s Path underwent another transformation.

A vast land stretched ahead, rugged peaks rising layer upon layer, towering ancient trees standing tall, and thick vines coiled around the mountains like dragons, adding an air of antiquity.

Everything appeared serene and beautiful.

The most striking feature was the ancient forest blanketing the land, lush and boundless, nearly covering the entire expanse.

These ancient trees took on bizarre forms—some resembling humans, others beasts, and still others, well, trees.

Strangest of all were the cocoons hanging upside down from some of the trees, each pulsing with either faint or overwhelming life force.

Before this land stood a stone tablet inscribed with three large characters: Forest of All Beings.

"Is this the third trial of the Emperor’s Path, the Forest of All Beings?" Little Corpse Charm asked curiously.

"Indeed," Gu Qingfeng explained. "Legend says it contains the myriad forms of life, a world unto itself."

"But what’s the trial here? From the outside, it just looks like a scenic forest with some odd cocoons."

"It tests the strength of one’s Dao Heart. Entering the forest subjects you to illusions. Those whose Dao Hearts waver will be lost forever. The cocoons on the trees are the failed quasi-emperors who came before."

"Illusions?" Little Corpse Charm’s eyes gleamed slightly. "That’s my specialty."

Her path was the Thousand Illusions Demonic Dao, making her exceptionally skilled in illusions.

Gu Qingfeng looked at her with amusement. "Oh? Want to try tackling this trial alone?"

Little Corpse Charm gazed at the breathtaking forest, a flicker of eagerness in her eyes. But hesitation lingered as she asked, "Master, if I get lost in the illusion... can you save me?"

Gu Qingfeng chuckled. "Probably not. The Forest of All Beings’ illusions are real illusions—it truly is its own world. Once inside, your consciousness enters its realm. You can only rely on yourself to break free. If you fail, even if I drag your body out, it’d just be an empty shell."

"Ah?!" Her rosy lips parted in alarm. "Then never mind. I won’t risk it."

If I can become an Emperor by just coasting along, why take unnecessary risks?

Still, she couldn’t help voicing another concern. "Master, this trial tests the firmness of one’s Dao Heart, not strength. So, you..."

She trailed off. As Gu Qingfeng’s closest companion, she knew his temperament all too well. His power was undeniable, but when it came to an unwavering Dao Heart... well, that was questionable.

Take lust, for instance. Every time she took on a new form, he pounced like a starved fiend...

Gu Qingfeng patted her supple backside and smiled. "Relax. Your master here... doesn’t even have a Dao Heart."

Little Corpse Charm: "..."

"Alright, return to the Palm World and wait for me."

Obediently, Little Corpse Charm vanished into the Palm World.

Alone now, Gu Qingfeng surveyed the Forest of All Beings before striding confidently into its depths.

......

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The terrifying Heavenly Emperor’s Tribulation struck Gu Qingfeng relentlessly. His gaze was domineering, his black hair whipping wildly as he bathed in the lightning, like a thunder god descended upon the world.

The eyes of all living beings across the realm were drawn to this cataclysmic event.

Then, as the final bolt of tribulation lightning struck, the ominous clouds dispersed, and sunlight pierced through the night sky.

An overwhelming, supreme aura radiated from Gu Qingfeng, sweeping across the heavens and earth, merging with the myriad Daos and the eight directions.

Standing atop the Nine Heavens, he looked down upon all living beings like an inviolable sovereign, his presence shaking souls.

Witnessing this, the countless beings of the world knew—a new Heavenly Emperor had ascended!

Under the crushing weight of his imperial might, none could resist the urge to kneel. They prostrated themselves, kowtowing in unison.

"We pay homage to Emperor Gu!"

The voices of billions merged into a deafening roar, surging like a tsunami, shaking the sun and moon.

In this moment, Gu Qingfeng had achieved true supremacy—the entire universe bowed before him.

He examined himself, then the countless beings below, a smirk playing on his lips. "So this is the Forest of All Beings’ real illusion?

"Truly lifelike. Even my Truth-Seeking Golden Eyes perceive it as real.

"The tales of it being a world unto itself are no exaggeration.

"This is the real illusory realm created by the Forest of All Beings."

"Husband!"

"Master!"

Suddenly, several soft, feminine voices called out from the horizon.

......

Three days later.

Gu Qingfeng reclined on the Heavenly Emperor’s throne, feasting on dragon liver and phoenix marrow, sipping celestial wine, with beauties nestled on either side, as his subordinates reported on the affairs of the realm.

He had truly achieved the pinnacle of power—commanding the world by day, indulging in pleasures by night.

"Your Majesty, the major factions and races have all presented their most exquisite maidens as tribute. Thirty thousand await your selection in the palace."

"Your Majesty, these are the congratulatory gifts from the various realms—ten Immortal Herbs, a hundred Supreme Saint Weapons, a billion jin of Spirit Stones..."

"Your Majesty, the Court of Divination detected dissent within the Moonlight Sect yesterday. They’ve been spreading seditious words against your rule. Shall we eradicate this heretical sect?"

"Your Majesty..."

As the reports poured in, Gu Qingfeng knew he could now do anything—the entire world was his to command, every whim fulfilled. And it all felt real, so real it might as well be reality.

Yet suddenly, he raised a hand, cutting them off. A look of utter boredom crossed his face as he sighed.

"Is this how you test an Emperor?

"What kind of Emperor would fail such a trial?"