All Dead

Outside the Taiyi Secret Realm.

Countless individuals from immortal dynasties and sects waited anxiously for their disciples to emerge, hoping they would return with bountiful gains. Even better, if possible, would be the retrieval of the legacy itself.

However, after a long wait, a thunderous boom echoed across the heavens, and the Taiyi Secret Realm began to visibly crack apart before their eyes.

"What’s happening!? The Taiyi Secret Realm, which has stood for millions of years, is collapsing!?"

"Under normal circumstances, a secret realm’s destruction only occurs for two reasons—either an overwhelming external force shatters it, or someone has obtained its legacy. Once the realm’s purpose is fulfilled, it naturally crumbles."

"We’ve been guarding this place all this time, and no one has attacked it. The trial-takers inside aren’t even immortals, let alone capable of breaking the realm. That means… someone must have acquired the legacy!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd erupted in fervor, speculating about which disciple had succeeded.

If it was one of their own, they would need to leave immediately to avoid unforeseen consequences.

If it wasn’t, they would have to prepare an ambush to seize the prize by force.

After all, this was the legacy of a True Immortal—a being who stood at the pinnacle of power in the lower realms. And the Taiyi True Immortal was no ordinary True Immortal; among their ranks, they were one of the mightiest.

Amidst the tension and excitement of the crowd, Shangguan Wan'er and Shangguan Qing remained eerily calm.

One was confident in her master, the other in the trial-taker she had chosen.

Finally, under the gaze of countless onlookers, a figure of extraordinary grace and presence strode forth—Gu Qingfeng.

"He’s out!"

"Why is he the only one? Are the others still behind?"

"That man seems to be Princess Wan’s trial-taker."

"Young friend," an immortal called out, unable to wait any longer for his disciple to appear. He stopped Gu Qingfeng, restraining his impatience out of respect for Shangguan Wan'er. "May I ask where the others are?"

Gu Qingfeng cast a disdainful glance at the immortal, his aura so overwhelming that it seemed to reverse their roles—as if the immortal were the mortal and he the transcendent being.

"Dead," Gu Qingfeng replied flatly.

The immortal stiffened, barely suppressing his displeasure. "People die in the Taiyi Secret Realm every time. How do you even know who I’m asking about? How can you just—"

"All of them are dead," Gu Qingfeng interrupted with a frown.

"All… all of them!?" The immortal froze, then exploded in fury. "Brat, I’ve been civil out of respect for Princess Wan, but how dare you mock me!?"

As soon as he finished speaking, a deafening crash resounded—the Taiyi Secret Realm collapsed entirely, its celestial mountain shattering into rubble like a landslide.

The immortal stared blankly at the ruins, petrified.

The others erupted into chaos.

"My disciple!"

"The realm has collapsed, so why haven’t they come out!?"

Several streaks of immortal light shot into the wreckage, frantically searching. Yet no matter how hard they looked, not a single survivor could be found—as if everyone inside had truly perished.

Then, dozens more immortal lights surrounded Gu Qingfeng.

"Speak! What happened!? Why are they all dead, and you’re the only one alive!?"

"This must be your doing, isn’t it!?"

Several immortals roared.

Only their deference to Shangguan Wan'er kept them from immediately resorting to soul-searching and torture.

Faced with their demands, Gu Qingfeng uttered a single word: "Scram."

The immortals were stunned. Never had they imagined a mere mortal would dare speak to them like this.

Then, their rage erupted. "You insolent wretch! How dare a mortal disrespect us immortals!?"

"You refuse to talk? Fine! Once I flay your soul and refine your essence, let’s see if you still keep silent!"

They shouted, yet none made the first move, their eyes flickering toward Shangguan Wan'er to gauge her reaction.

After all, even when beating a dog, one must consider its master. Though furious, they had no desire to provoke Shangguan Wan'er needlessly.

Their words were a test—to see if she would intervene.

To their surprise, Shangguan Wan'er remained utterly indifferent, as if Gu Qingfeng were a stranger rather than her trial-taker.

These immortals were no fools. They immediately understood her stance.

It made sense—even as a princess, Shangguan Wan'er was still an immortal. Why would she side with a mortal against her own kind?

Mortals were fleeting. Even if she protected him now, he would die eventually. Immortals and mortals were no longer the same species.

With Shangguan Wan'er’s indifference confirmed, the immortals shed all restraint, their eyes gleaming with malice as they prepared to tear Gu Qingfeng’s soul apart to uncover the truth.

But just as they were about to strike, Shangguan Qing stepped forward.

"Everyone, this matter is strange. Let’s clarify the details before acting rashly."

The others hesitated at her intervention.

"Sir," Shangguan Qing fixed her gaze on Gu Qingfeng, her voice tense. "Have you seen my trial-taker, Chu Fengyang?"

Gu Qingfeng, amused by her distress, smirked. "I have."

"Wonderful! Where is he now?" Shangguan Qing asked, hope flickering in her eyes.

"Dead."

"Dead!?" Shangguan Qing staggered as if struck by lightning, her face paling. "Impossible! With his strength, he could rival even a loose immortal. How could he die!?"

Gu Qingfeng offered no explanation. Instead, he casually drew the Prison Demon Sword.

The moment Shangguan Qing saw the blade, her spirit seemed to drain away.

"How did he die?" she whispered hoarsely.

Gu Qingfeng studied the fragile woman before him, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "I killed him."

Shangguan Qing’s head snapped up, her beautiful eyes wide with disbelief. "Why!?"

"The moment he dared raise his sword against this Emperor, his fate was sealed."

"But you didn’t have to kill him—"

"Silence, you wretched woman! He drew his blade against me—should I have spared him? Speak another word, and I’ll kill you too!" Gu Qingfeng sneered.

Shangguan Qing recoiled at his demonic aura. As a proud princess, she had never been treated this way.

At that moment, Shangguan Wan'er rushed over. She couldn’t allow her sister to die—not like this. Shangguan Qing was her own flesh and blood. If she died now, it would be too easy.

No, she had to be humiliated, defiled, dragged down from her lofty pedestal!

So Shangguan Wan'er yanked Shangguan Qing away.

"Wan'er, you—"

"Shut up, you fool! So what if a mere trial-taker died? He was weak—it was his own fault! Are you really going to avenge him? As a princess of the Feather Transformation Immortal Dynasty, would you lower yourself to attack a mortal? You disgrace our lineage!"

Without another thought, Shangguan Wan'er unleashed a torrent of insults, berating Shangguan Qing mercilessly.