The Unmentionable Name

"As a deviant being, the Heavenly Demon can merge with the Eternal True Realm like an immortal, achieving immortality, but it can never advance to the next realm. It can only passively accumulate magical power because the Eternal True Realm does not acknowledge the Heavenly Demon."

Gu Qingfeng nodded in understanding. It was like sneaking into a country—while both could enter the Eternal True Realm, a grand shelter, those who successfully merged with the Dao had residency permits, whereas the Heavenly Demon did not.

Those with legal status could engage in all sorts of activities, while illegal immigrants could only scavenge or take odd jobs.

Thinking about it this way, the Heavenly Demon was rather pitiful. They might have been mighty and revered in the lower realms, but who would have thought they’d be reduced to mere stowaways in the higher realm?

Then again, it made sense. The Eternal True Realm was the supreme plane—what treasures did it lack? Those with true power and ability would never covet the meager scraps of the lower realms.

"Ah, I never imagined my kin would live such pitiful lives in the Eternal True Realm. But now that I’m here, don’t worry—I’ll put an end to your suffering." Gu Qingfeng patted the Heart Demon Lord’s shoulder reassuringly.

The Heart Demon Lord felt an inexplicable unease. The phrasing—"put an end to your suffering"—sounded far too ominous.

"Many thanks for your mercy, Master!" the Heart Demon Lord hurriedly replied, putting on a show of tearful gratitude.

"No need for formalities. It’s only what I ought to do."

"By the way, where is the Demon Realm located within the Eternal True Realm?"

"This... this old servant isn’t entirely sure. The Eternal True Realm is infinite in size, making it impossible to pinpoint an exact location. Moreover, Heavenly Demons cannot leave the Demon Realm. Even if we force our way out, we can’t travel far, so..."

The Heart Demon Lord spoke cautiously, stealing glances at Gu Qingfeng’s expression.

Seeing Gu Qingfeng’s growing displeasure, he hastily added, "But this old servant knows that not far beyond the Demon Realm, there are several immortal dynasties and sects. The people there would surely know!"

Whack!

Another resounding slap sent the Heart Demon Lord’s head spinning.

"Useless! Do I really have to travel all that way just to ask for directions?" Gu Qingfeng roared.

Truthfully, he was nervous. Immortal dynasties? Immortal sects? They must be crawling with immortals. He wasn’t even an immortal himself—just a Demon Lord at best. What if he got killed the moment he stepped out?

"Tell me, are there any powerful immortals in those immortal dynasties or sects? Remember, I’m asking about powerful immortals. Weaklings like you don’t count—they’re unworthy of speaking to me and wouldn’t have the answers I seek."

The Heart Demon Lord scratched his head, hesitating. "Master, if we exclude weaklings like this old servant, then... there might not be many left to mention in those immortal dynasties or sects."

"Hmm?" Gu Qingfeng’s heart leapt with joy, though his face remained stern. "Are you saying those immortal dynasties and sects don’t have any decent immortals? They can’t even beat you?"

"Master, it’s only because your strength is so overwhelming that you think immortals are commonplace. But even in the Eternal True Realm, becoming an immortal is an exceedingly rare feat. I can’t speak for other regions, but at least near the Demon Realm, true immortals are few and far between.

Those so-called immortal dynasties and sects aren’t what you imagine—they aren’t entirely composed of immortals. As long as a dynasty or sect produces one immortal, their faction earns the title of ‘immortal dynasty’ or ‘immortal sect.’"

"If Heavenly Demons can’t leave, how do you know all this?"

"Master, while Heavenly Demons rarely venture out, the Demon Realm isn’t just home to us. There are also lesser demons—like the heart demon army you devoured earlier. They’re low-ranking, ordinary demons, not Heavenly Demons. They can leave and act as scouts.

Sometimes, we don’t even need to send them out. Those self-righteous factions often rally under the banner of justice to besiege the Demon Realm. But their strength is mediocre—they mostly linger at the outskirts, slaughtering lesser demons. Few ever breach the inner depths.

Over time, this old servant has naturally gleaned some knowledge of the outside world."

Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng’s back straightened with renewed confidence. Who dares claim invincibility? Who dares speak of being undefeated?

This Emperor reigns supreme across the cosmos—unrivaled in the Cangming Realm, and now, equally unrivaled in the Eternal True Realm!

But just as his ambition flared, a question struck him.

"You were once an ascendant from the lower realms. Did you come straight to the Demon Realm after ascending?"

"Of course not. Reaching the Quasi-Emperor realm grants one the right to ascend, but ascendants in the Eternal True Realm aren’t yet immortals—they’ve merely earned the right to enter. The next step is merging with the Dao to become an immortal.

Normally, Quasi-Emperor ascendants don’t rush to merge with the Dao. They continue cultivating until reaching the Extreme Dao realm before attempting it. Only those with insufficient talent, unable to reach the Extreme Dao realm, would make a desperate attempt."

"Wait." Gu Qingfeng cut in sharply. "That means you spent time in the outside world before failing to merge with the Dao and ending up in the Demon Realm, correct?"

The Heart Demon Lord nodded. "Yes, Master."

Whack!

"If you’ve been outside, how come you don’t know the situation out there? Why rely on lesser demons for intel? And why, after failing to merge with the Dao, did you end up in the Demon Realm instead of staying outside? Did you come here willingly?"

Gu Qingfeng hadn’t expected the Heart Demon Lord to be so deceitful—even stripped of power, he still dared to lie.

Already weakened, the Heart Demon Lord nearly had his soul scattered by the slaps. With a tearful expression, he explained,

"Master, please hear me out! This old servant did spend time outside, but those memories were erased. And all who fail to merge with the Dao are instantly transported to the Demon Realm upon failure."

Gu Qingfeng frowned. "Erased? By whom? And who does the transporting?"

"A being of unimaginable terror!" The Heart Demon Lord’s eyes filled with boundless fear at the mere mention.

"More terrifying than this Emperor?" Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within them.

The Heart Demon Lord’s heart skipped a beat. Forcing a smile, he said, "Ah, no, of course not."

"Then speak! What is this being’s name? Where does it reside?"

Trembling, the Heart Demon Lord dropped to his knees, kowtowing frantically. "Master! This old servant dare not speak its name! Merely mentioning it would... would... invite unspeakable horror!"

Gu Qingfeng grew even more intrigued. What kind of existence was so fearsome that even its name couldn’t be uttered?

He grabbed the Heart Demon Lord by the collar and threatened, "If you don’t tell me, I’ll devour you right now!"

"Master, even if you devour this old servant, I still wouldn’t dare!"

Seeing the sheer terror in the Heart Demon Lord’s eyes—terror so palpable it seemed to solidify—Gu Qingfeng knew no amount of coercion would make him talk.

What kind of supreme being could instill such fear in the Heart Demon Lord, a creature who valued his life above all else, that he’d rather die than speak its name?