This Is All Child's Play to Me

"Celestial Emperor, what are you saying? What test?" the minister below asked in confusion.

"That's right, my husband. You are the Celestial Emperor—who in this world would dare to test you?" Shang Xinyan, nestled beside him, echoed in puzzlement.

Gu Qingfeng's expression remained utterly indifferent, as if he couldn't be less interested. "The Forest of Sentient Beings has woven such a lifelike illusion—there must be someone in charge. Bring your master out to meet this Emperor."

As soon as his words fell, an eerie ripple spread through the air like water.

The respectful expressions on the faces of the ministers below instantly vanished. The woman beside him did the same. In an instant, everyone became expressionless, like lifeless puppets, motionless and vacant.

Then, in unison, they all spoke, their voices merging into one: "Celestial Emperor Gu, I am the Spirit of the Forest of Sentient Beings. You wished to see me?"

"Hmm."

Faced with this bizarre scene, Gu Qingfeng didn't even lift his head, merely responding with a dismissive hum.

"You're the one in charge?"

"Indeed."

"Good. Before this Emperor loses his temper, dispel the illusion."

The crowd remained expressionless, unmoving. Instead, they asked, "Celestial Emperor Gu, before I do, may I ask you a question?"

"Oh?" Gu Qingfeng's interest was slightly piqued. "How fascinating. You even know how to ask questions?"

"Tell me, what is illusion, and what is reality?"

"What is illusion and what is reality? This Emperor doesn’t know. What I do know is that if you don’t dispel this illusion soon, I’ll squeeze the shit out of you."

Unfazed by the threat, the Spirit of the Forest of Sentient Beings continued calmly, "Reality and illusion are defined by your own perception. Every sensation you experience here is real—therefore, this place is real. Every blade of grass, every tree, every living being here is as alive as those in the outside world. So..."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Gu Qingfeng was growing impatient.

The Spirit paused, then said serenely, "So... why not indulge?

You walked the Path of the Emperor, seeking nothing but to become the Celestial Emperor. Yet here in the Forest of Sentient Beings, you can achieve that without facing any danger.

This place is indistinguishable from the outside world. If you call this an illusion, then who can guarantee that the so-called 'reality' outside isn’t just another fabricated dream?"

Like a cultist weaving temptation, the Spirit spoke in a calm, persuasive tone, stating what it believed to be undeniable truth.

Gu Qingfeng laughed. He found the Spirit rather philosophical—reminiscent of Zhuangzi’s dream of the butterfly, or the brain in a vat.

"Who told you this Emperor sought to become the Celestial Emperor?"

"Then what do you seek? Or rather, what is the purpose of your cultivation, of your very existence?"

"To enjoy life, of course." Gu Qingfeng answered bluntly. His goal had always been clear—at heart, he was just an ordinary man who sought comfort and pleasure.

If not for life’s relentless hardships, if not for the endless villains who pushed him too far, he would still be back in Wutong Prefecture of the Great Yan Dynasty in the Qing Realm, comfortably serving as a Demon Suppression Officer in the Demon Suppression Bureau.

He had been content with his peaceful life, dutiful and helpful—until he was targeted by one malevolent force after another: Mirror Demons, Shadow Fiends, Blood Specters, and worse. Forced to fight back, he overthrew the wicked, only for the Ten Thousand Demon Kingdom to come after him next!

After cleansing the Qing Realm of its evils, the Sacred Clan from the Upper Realm tried to devour him!

After toppling the Sacred Clan and ascending, he found the Upper Realm far from the paradise he imagined—instead, he faced endless discrimination as an outsider.

Yet every obstacle only fueled his ambition. Through sheer effort, he built the Demonic Heaven Sect into an empire and became a man of success.

But before he could savor his hard-earned peace, the Ghost Ancestor and a host of Celestial Emperors came to bully him in turn, forcing him to risk his life on the perilous Path of the Emperor just to survive.

All these trials taught Gu Qingfeng one truth: In this ruthless world, good men have no place.

All he ever wanted was to live quietly and enjoy life.

Yet despite the hardships, his heart remained unchanged.

"But you are enjoying life right now," the Spirit said calmly.

"The throne of the Celestial Emperor, wealth beyond measure, the most beautiful women, treasures of the world—in the Forest of Sentient Beings, you possess it all. So why leave? In the end, isn’t this what you strive for? Why not stay?"

"You don’t seem to care at all that people know this is an illusion," Gu Qingfeng remarked with amusement.

"Celestial Emperor Gu, do you know that every quasi-Emperor who enters the Forest of Sentient Beings is fully aware this is an illusion—yet many still choose to remain? Do you know why?"

"Why?"

"Because here, all their desires are fulfilled. Here, they live a hundred times better than in the outside world. And most importantly—here, they are immortal.

What does becoming a Celestial Emperor gain you? You still die.

But those who indulge in the Forest of Sentient Beings? The Path of the Emperor is eternal, and so is the Forest. Those within it live forever, bathed in endless bliss.

Who dares call this an illusion? This is paradise! Every sensation here is as real as the outside world, yet with immortality and boundless joy—what else could this be but heaven?"

The Spirit’s voice, once calm, now carried a fanatical fervor.

"So why won’t you indulge?"

"Keh keh keh..."

Gu Qingfeng suddenly burst into laughter, his voice dripping with scorn.

"You want this Emperor to indulge? With this? Just this?"

His laughter grew louder.

"Do you even know what kind of life this Emperor leads in the real world?

‘Rule the world by day, rest on beauties’ laps by night’? That’s child’s play to me. Out there, the entire domain bows to me—no one dares cross me. Women? I have as many as I want, and they’re far more skilled than yours.

Treasures? I take whatever I please. Wealth? More than I could ever spend.

You ask why I won’t indulge?

Indulge your mother!

In reality, I already have everything. This illusion of yours? It’s a downgrade.

And most importantly—there’s no family here.

Though my name may strike fear in hearts, deep down... I’ve always been a family man."

At this, a rare tenderness flickered across Gu Qingfeng’s face.

That tenderness was so piercing, it nearly shattered the Spirit’s composure.

This story teaches us: The best way to resist temptation is not to fight it, but to have experienced it all. Only after tasting the world’s luxuries can one truly see through its illusions.