You wouldn't want anything to happen to your father, would you

Gu Qingfeng secretly marveled. He knew this princess had significant origins and likely knew of the Star Extreme Immortal King, so he deliberately summoned the Star Extreme Demonic Flame to test her.

Who would have thought the Star Extreme Immortal King was terrifying to such an extent—or rather, so petty-minded?

From the woman’s reaction, the Star Extreme Immortal King was clearly the type to exterminate entire lineages over the slightest offense.

She was so frightened she immediately wanted to kill herself. Perhaps she also knew that offending the Star Extreme Immortal King meant death was preferable to the torment that would follow.

However, the fact that she mistook him for the Star Extreme Immortal King showed her status wasn’t high enough. She had only heard legends of the Star Extreme Immortal King but had never met him, hence this blunder.

"This Emperor is not the Star Extreme Immortal King," Gu Qingfeng said indifferently.

He disdained impersonating others to flaunt authority.

The princess, who had been about to take her own life, froze, her delicate hand suspended mid-air.

"You’re not the Star Extreme Immortal King? Impossible! Then how can you wield the Star Extreme Demonic Flame?"

"Because the Star Extreme Immortal King is this Emperor’s family," Gu Qingfeng stated plainly.

The woman grew even more stunned before exclaiming, "Could you be a clansman of the Star Extreme Immortal King!?"

"Not a clansman. Family," Gu Qingfeng corrected.

The woman didn’t dwell on the wording—perhaps the phrasing of such lofty figures differed from hers. Wasn’t family the same as clan?

Now, she was both nervous and relieved.

Relieved that she hadn’t offended the Star Extreme Immortal King, but nervous about the temperament of his family member.

"My lord, this lowly servant was blind and ignorant. I beg your forgiveness and offer ten thousand catties of premium immortal jade as compensation."

Immortal jade? The currency of immortals?

"Not enough," Gu Qingfeng said coolly.

The princess gritted her teeth. "Twenty thousand catties!"

"Not enough."

Her face turned deathly pale. "My lord, how much do you demand?"

"One million catties!"

The princess nearly fainted at the words. Was this how bargaining worked? This was outright extortion!

"My lord, the entire Feather Transformation Immortal Dynasty couldn’t gather that much premium immortal jade!"

Gu Qingfeng inwardly noted that premium immortal jade must indeed be valuable.

"In that case, this Emperor is not unreasonable. If you become this Emperor’s Xiao Nu, the debt can be reduced."

The princess laughed bitterly. "May I ask how much would be reduced?"

"Given your flute-playing skills, perhaps one catty."

"One catty!?" Her beautiful eyes widened in shock, her entire body trembling as if struck by lightning.

At this moment, she no longer doubted Gu Qingfeng’s relation to the Star Extreme Immortal King. Their pettiness was unmistakably inherited—who else could be family?

In all the world, no two people could be so alike.

"My lord, I can gather the immortal jade for you, but could I avoid slavery? If you do not disdain me, this humble one is willing to serve as your dao companion."

Slap!

A resounding slap landed on her face.

"Dao companion? You think you’re worthy?"

Gu Qingfeng had seen through her nature—not only cowardly but also opportunistic.

When her guards proved useless, she fled instantly.

When she realized he wasn’t the Star Extreme Immortal King, just a family member—and not even an immortal—she felt being a slave was beneath her and sought to climb higher as a dao companion.

The princess wailed from the slap. Indeed, as Gu Qingfeng guessed, she considered slavery beneath her status as a princess of the Feather Transformation Immortal Dynasty.

Had it been the Star Extreme Immortal King, she would’ve groveled—that would’ve been an honor beyond measure.

But for a mere family member of the Star Extreme Immortal King? Slavery was tolerable, but only if he were at least an immortal.

Though Gu Qingfeng had defeated a true immortal, in her eyes, it must’ve been through some means bestowed by the Star Extreme Immortal King. Naturally, she resisted.

"Wuwuwu... Then as a concubine?"

Slap!

"You dare dream so high? This Emperor is beyond your reach. Choose: slavery or death."

His standards were lofty now. An immortal maiden? Only fit to be a slave.

Were it not for his unfamiliarity with the Eternal True World and his need for a well-connected guide, even slavery would’ve been too good for her.

"Wuwuwu... I won’t be a slave! I’d rather die!" For once, she showed defiance. To her, being a concubine to a mortal was already her limit—slavery was unacceptable.

"You may not fear death, but think of your family. Think of your beloved father, the emperor."

Heh heh heh... Princess, surely you wouldn’t want anything to happen to your father, would you?

Her face drained of color. "I... I... Please don’t harm my father! I’ll do anything!"

In her mind, Gu Qingfeng alone couldn’t threaten the Feather Transformation Immortal Dynasty—but his family could.

The annihilation of her dynasty would require but a single word from the Star Extreme Immortal King.

Soon after, Gu Qingfeng successfully claimed the princess of the Feather Transformation Immortal Dynasty.

"What is your name?"

The subdued princess took a moment to collect herself before answering meekly, "I am Shangguan Wan'er."

[...]

Much later.

"Speak. Why did you come to the Demon Realm?"

"I... cough..."

Gu Qingfeng frowned.

Shangguan Wan'er hurriedly explained, terrified, "I came for the Taiyi Secret Realm. It opens in a year, and I had nothing to do, so I thought to train my combat skills against demons."

"What is the Taiyi Secret Realm?"

"It was created long ago by a figure known as the Taiyi True Immortal. Knowing he wouldn’t survive the next cosmic calamity, he established the realm to pass on his legacy."

"Taiyi True Immortal? Just a true immortal?" Gu Qingfeng frowned.

"Yes, a true immortal."

"Interesting. As a princess of the Feather Transformation Immortal Dynasty, with true immortal guards, why would you care for a true immortal’s inheritance?"

"My lord—"

Hmm!? What did you call this Emperor?

"Young... Young master."

"It seems this Emperor must further refine your musical education."

"Ah?" Shangguan Wan'er panicked like a startled deer. "M-Master! This lowly servant begs forgiveness!"