Every dog has its day

At the same time, Gu Qingfeng also learned the origins of that man surnamed Chu.

Like himself, the man hailed from the lower realm. His name was Chu Fengyang, an Extreme Dao cultivator who had ascended. A swordsman of immense power, he was capable of defying the heavens and slaying immortals.

Even before his ascension, the sword in his hand was already a divine immortal blade—proof that he carried great fortune.

After all, an immortal weapon was an exceedingly rare treasure. Not every loose immortal possessed one, yet Chu Fengyang had obtained his even before achieving immortality.

By chance, Shangguan Qing encountered Chu Fengyang. At the time, Chu Fengyang, though not yet an immortal, had drawn the attention of a loose immortal due to the divine sword he carried.

The result? That loose immortal was obliterated with a single strike. Shangguan Qing was instantly awestruck and promptly invited Chu Fengyang to participate in the Taiyi Trials on her behalf.

Shangguan Qing had also stumbled upon news that the Taiyi Secret Realm contained the Eternal Night Lamp Technique—a method to purify spiritual energy and increase the chances of ascending to True Immortality.

Her reason for joining was to make amends for her younger sister, helping Shangguan Wan'er achieve True Immortality.

As a True Immortal herself, the Eternal Night Lamp Technique held little benefit for Shangguan Qing. Her efforts were entirely for Wan'er's sake, hoping to do more for her sister before her marriage into the upper realms.

No wonder Gu Qingfeng remarked on the deep bond between the two sisters.

Kind-hearted Gu Qingfeng resolved to help the sisters reconcile.

Yet one thing nagged at him—Shangguan Wan'er had also learned of the Eternal Night Lamp Technique in the Taiyi Secret Realm by coincidence, just like Shangguan Qing.

Were there really so many coincidences in the world?

After a moment’s thought, Gu Qingfeng dismissed his concerns. Whatever happens, happens. In this corner of the lower realm, was there anything his trillion years of cultivation and hundredfold True Immortal physique couldn’t handle?

If there was, he could always resort to the Immortal-Binding Chains, the Starfire of the Polar Extremes, or the Nine Heavens Profound Ice—Freezing Soul, Sealing Spirit, Piercing Cold Light Pillar.

And if even that failed? Well, he could always retreat into the starry river and lay low for a while. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—time would tell.

......

"How long until the wedding?" Chu Fengyang asked.

"Ten years," Shangguan Qing replied gloomily.

"Ten years... That’s too tight. In that case, we’ll have to rely on..." Chu Fengyang’s gaze fell upon the divine sword in his hand.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing. The secret realm is about to open. Let’s go. Rest assured, I will secure the Eternal Night Lamp Technique for you."

"Good. But I noticed my sister has also recruited a trial participant. Perhaps once inside, you could help him obtain it instead."

Chu Fengyang shook his head. "If he claims the inheritance, do you think your sister would still owe you any gratitude?"

"But—"

"No buts. Besides, didn’t we agree earlier? I also need that inheritance. I can make a copy for your sister later. Let’s go."

With that, the two departed.

Gu Qingfeng observed their exchange, clicking his tongue in silent amusement. Something about the situation felt oddly familiar.

Hadn’t he seen this plot somewhere before?

Probably overthinking it.

Just a case of a woman resembling the heroine recruiting a man resembling the protagonist for a trial, while the villainess also enlisted a rival participant, and then—

Yeah, definitely overthinking it.

BOOM—!

A deafening roar suddenly shook the heavens and earth.

"The Taiyi Secret Realm is opening!" someone shouted.

The world trembled visibly before their eyes.

In the depths of the mountains, the eastern region erupted with boundless vitality—ancient trees and vines surged from the earth, growing wildly.

The western region shimmered with golden light, accompanied by the clashing of metal.

The southern region blazed with towering flames, fire licking the sky.

The northern region exhaled a bone-chilling frost, instantly coating everything in white.

And at the center—the mountain itself—seemed to come alive, swelling monstrously until it nearly pierced the heavens, looming like an insurmountable barrier.

Once the transformations ceased, a dense surge of primordial Five Elements energy enveloped the area. Multicolored divine light condensed into mist, obscuring all vision.

"What an intricate Primordial Five Elements Formation. They say those who conquer the trials of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth can enter the inheritance grounds and claim its rewards."

"Easier said than done. Over countless millennia, countless prodigies have fallen at the fifth trial. This thing is practically impossible for anyone below immortalhood. Nowadays, the Taiyi Secret Realm is just a training ground—most come for the elixirs and spirit herbs, not the inheritance."

"Enough talk! First come, first served. This humble Daoist takes his leave!"

Impatient trial participants had already begun pouring into the Taiyi Secret Realm, eager to hunt for treasures.

Gu Qingfeng glanced at the Taiyi Immortal Token in his hand, glowing insistently as if urging him forward.

Then he looked at the participants—many not even immortals—and couldn’t help but feel absurd.

It was like stepping into a kindergarten to race against toddlers. Or a grandmaster slumming it in a beginner’s arena.

Wasn’t this just bullying the weak?

Damn, why did it feel so satisfying?

With a single step, Gu Qingfeng entered the Taiyi Secret Realm.

The scenery shifted instantly. The first trial—a fog-shrouded ancient battlefield littered with broken weapons and wreckage. Metallic killing intent permeated the air, raising goosebumps as if countless blades pressed against skin.

Not far away, metallic puppet soldiers clashed with trial participants, their weapons sparking with each collision.

And their numbers kept growing—more and more emerged from the mist, assembling into an army of a hundred thousand.

Individually, these puppets weren’t strong. But their terrifying trait was their ability to endlessly absorb the primordial metallic killing intent from the air, regenerating even when shattered. A relentless, exhausting foe.

"Everyone, these puppets are too numerous. Fighting alone is hopeless—let’s unite and break through!" someone shouted.

"Agreed!"

"Good plan!"

Groups of trial participants began clustering together, preparing for a joint assault.

Yet at that moment, a lone, solitary figure strode toward the hundred-thousand-strong army. He stood tall and unyielding, accompanied by nothing but a single sword.

This was Chu Fengyang.

Sword in hand, he faced the overwhelming force without fear, his aura undiminished—as if he alone had surrounded them all.

"Hey! Are you insane? Get back here and fight with us!" a kind soul called out.

Chu Fengyang didn’t even glance back. "Sheep flock together. Beasts walk alone."

With those words, he charged—one man against a hundred thousand.

But just then, a lazy, resonant voice echoed through the void:

"Retract."

Like an imperial decree, the entire ancient battlefield quaked. Everything began dissolving into smoke.

The hundred-thousand-strong army reverted into pure primordial metallic killing intent.

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