Still pretending to be better than others

Mu Yi was somewhat speechless. Were all trial-takers nowadays this aggressive?

Not even a Loose Immortal, yet so audacious?

If it weren’t for the fact that this brat still had his uses, Mu Yi would have crushed him on the spot.

"Don’t misunderstand. I’m not here to stop you—in fact, I’m here to reward you. You’re the first trial-taker in the history of the Taiyi Secret Realm to clear the stage so quickly," Mu Yi said, suppressing his anger.

"Unsolicited kindness is either deceit or theft," Gu Qingfeng replied nonchalantly.

With his current strength, he could tell at a glance that Mu Yi was a spirit born from innate Wood Miasma. So, he deliberately provoked him, hoping to gain some attributes.

Though the other party’s strength was pitifully weak, he never looked down on family, no matter how humble. Just as a child doesn’t scorn their mother’s plain looks, and a dog doesn’t despise a poor home—family is family, regardless of status, wealth, or power.

"You!" Mu Yi’s eyes widened, but he took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down. "Think of it as forming good karma. I see the potential in you to inherit my master’s legacy, so I naturally wish to befriend you in advance."

As he spoke, Mu Yi pulled out a green pearl and tossed it to Gu Qingfeng. "This is the Wood Spirit Pearl. It can manipulate Wood Laws, useful for offense, defense, healing, or escape. Consider it your reward for clearing the first stage. Now, move on."

Gu Qingfeng toyed with the pearl, a faint smile playing on his lips. "This Emperor has heard that gatekeepers are supposed to obstruct trial-takers. Yet here you are, not only refraining from action but even handing out gifts?"

"As I said before, you’re the fastest trial-taker. I’ve already acknowledged your strength, so no further test is needed. Proceed to the next stage," Mu Yi said calmly.

"Oh? Is that so?" Gu Qingfeng narrowed his eyes. He could sense a deeply hidden message within the Wood Spirit Pearl—so well concealed that only someone of his immense power could detect it.

Clearly, Mu Yi wanted to use him to deliver this message to someone else. Who that someone was remained unknown.

Moreover, the first stage was supposed to be Metal, one of the Five Elements, yet the gatekeeper was named Mu Yi, a spirit born of Wood Miasma...

"Indeed. You may proceed. And as a reminder, if you clear the next four stages just as swiftly, the other gatekeepers will also reward you."

Is he hinting that this Emperor should continue using the Innate Five Miasma Gourd to collect elemental miasma?

Who would’ve thought a mere True Immortal’s secret realm would be so full of schemes?

Gu Qingfeng mused to himself.

In truth, this was due to his own lofty perspective. In the lower reaches of the starry river, only one in hundreds of millions of mortals could ascend to immortality. Any faction with a Loose Immortal could call itself an immortal dynasty or sect.

A True Immortal? That was the pinnacle of power in the lower reaches—a single stomp from one could send tremors across the entire region.

So, were True Immortals worthless?

No. It was simply that Gu Qingfeng was too strong.

"Not acceptable," Gu Qingfeng suddenly declared. "Since rules are rules, this Emperor, as a trial-taker, must undergo the trial. No exceptions. Today, whether you like it or not, you will test me!"

Mu Yi was stunned.

What kind of madness was this? Skipping the trial was a privilege, yet this guy insisted on taking it? Was he out of his mind?

But being ordered around by a mere mortal irked Mu Yi, an immortal.

With a cold voice, he said, "In this first stage, whether or not there’s a trial is my decision. You may leave now."

Gu Qingfeng countered, "So now the secret realm’s rules don’t matter?"

A mocking smile flashed across Mu Yi’s face. "Wrong. My word is the rule!"

Boom!

Gu Qingfeng threw a punch. The heavens darkened, the earth quaked, and the very laws of existence trembled. In an instant, he transformed—no longer a man, but a demonic overlord whose might shook the ages!

Mu Yi’s smirk froze. Despite being an immortal, he felt like an insignificant ant before Gu Qingfeng.

As that devastating fist-light surged toward him, an overwhelming pressure bore down, as if the weight of eternity itself was crushing his spirit.

"No!!!"

His face twisted in terror as he mustered every ounce of power to defend himself.

Bang—!

The violent force swallowed Mu Yi whole. Mountains and rivers shook violently, and an aura of destruction filled the air.

When the dust settled, Mu Yi lay sprawled on the ground like a broken doll, his pristine white robes reduced to rags, his arrogance replaced by utter wretchedness.

"Still acting tough?" a calm voice asked.

Mu Yi struggled to lift his head, his eyes wide with disbelief as Gu Qingfeng approached.

"This Emperor despises two kinds of people: those who act pretentious in front of me, and those who stop me from acting pretentious. You’ve succeeded in being one of them. So, how do you wish to die?" Gu Qingfeng said coolly.

Truthfully, he had hoped Mu Yi might boost his attributes, but the moment the guy started posturing, his fists moved on their own. Of course, he held back—using only a fraction of his power. Otherwise, Mu Yi would’ve been reduced to paste.

Not that the attributes mattered much. Mu Yi was too weak to offer anything beyond some innate Wood Miasma enhancements, which barely affected his overall strength.

"Damn you!" Mu Yi spat out blood. "If not for the secret realm’s restrictions binding me, do you really think you could kill me?"

Huh?

Gu Qingfeng’s eyes lit up. "Damn, why didn’t you say so earlier? Come on, get up—the ground’s cold."

He hurriedly helped the half-dead Mu Yi to his feet, even dusting him off with care.

Mu Yi: "......"

"If you’re going to kill me, just do it. I’ve lost this time. Why mock me with this sudden change in attitude?"

"This Emperor never takes advantage of others. Killing you in your weakened state would be dishonorable—a coward’s act, beneath me.

If we fight, it must be a fair and open battle! This Emperor fears no strong opponent—only those too weak to challenge me!" Gu Qingfeng declared, hands behind his back, radiating pride.

Mu Yi was deeply moved. So this was why he insisted on the trial—he sought powerful foes to temper himself! No wonder he possessed strength far beyond an immortal’s despite not being one. With such a warrior’s spirit, if he didn’t die young, his name would surely shake the Eternal True World!

"Fine! Remember your words today. Once I recover my full strength, I’ll face you in a proper battle!" Mu Yi vowed passionately.

"This Emperor will be waiting!" Gu Qingfeng gave Mu Yi’s shoulder a hearty pat before turning to leave for the second stage.

Mu Yi watched his retreating figure, eyes burning with fighting spirit, until Gu Qingfeng vanished from sight.