The Heavenly Demon Emperor?
Gu An gazed out of the window at the moon, a slight smile curling his lips.
If Ji Xiaoya truly reached that level, as Qie Wuxing suggested, she would need to cultivate for thirty thousand years.
Thirty thousand years.
By then, who knows what kind of terrifying level I'd have reached.
The so-called Heavenly Demon Emperor? I could crush him with ease.
And when the time comes, I'll act like I'm struggling against him, letting Ji Xiaoya take the lead in the battle. Just when she's about to falter, I'll step in for the final blow.
Hmm?
Thinking about it already feels satisfying!
Gu An chuckled to himself. Rather than closing the door, he pulled out a book and began reading.
The Millennial Summit began, kicking off with contests between the various mountain peaks, centered around the areas surrounding Discourse Peak. The competitions made Discourse Peak bustling with activity.
Over these days, with Xu Xi accompanying her, Lu Lingjun explored the entirety of Mortal Peak, broadening her horizons greatly. The two became much closer, though Lu Lingjun still addressed Xu Xi as "senior."
The peak-to-peak contests lasted nearly half a month. Gu An's Dingtian Peak ranked third from the bottom among the Divine Peaks. He didn't seem to care, and neither did the disciples of Dingtian Peak, as they were already used to it.
Finally, the grand banquet of the Millennial Summit began, with tables set up all over Discourse Peak.
Gu An attended the banquet under the starry sky. It was held on a cloud sea supported by a grand array, requiring a minimum cultivation level of the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm to participate.
Even the Spirit Traversing Realm cultivator Shen Xin Zi couldn't attend, much to Gu An's relief.
If Shen Xin Zi were here, Gu An wouldn't have come at all.
The cloud banquet hosted hundreds of Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals and over ten Unrestrained Primordial Immortals. Gu An stood alongside Bai Ziya, listening to his introductions of the other attendees.
Representatives from over twenty forces were present, including cultivators from the Sacred Court.
The atmosphere was harmonious, and Gu An enjoyed the delicious food.
The dishes here were exceptional—one bite could save a mortal decades of arduous cultivation.
With Bai Ziya's help, Gu An met many Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals.
An hour into the banquet, a Unrestrained Primordial Immortal suddenly stepped into the center of the cloud banquet and spoke with a smile, "Dao Lord, I wish to join Mortal Peak. May I?"
His words immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
Yongnian Dao Lord, the master of Mortal Peak's Main Peak, turned his gaze toward the man, smiling. "Old Demon Mark, though you've been separated from the Grand Cold Demon Sect for tens of thousands of years, the sect has recently suffered a calamity. Can you truly sever all ties with them?"
The other Unrestrained Primordial Immortals chuckled and began teasing the man called Old Demon Mark.
The mention of the Grand Cold Demon Sect inevitably brought up Sword Master of Dao. However, Old Demon Mark remained unbothered, smiling as he replied, "I severed ties long ago. That bunch of trash was destroyed as expected. And don't think about provoking me—Sword Master of Dao is not someone I dare offend. I suggest you watch your words and avoid entangling yourselves in great karma."
Hearing this, the Unrestrained Primordial Immortals stopped their teasing.
If even they tread carefully, the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals dared not utter a word.
Despite sharing the same banquet, the hierarchy was clear—Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals were far from the main characters here.
Yongnian Dao Lord paused in thought. "The position of Cheng Tian Peak's master is currently vacant. Would you be willing to take it?"
Old Demon Mark shook his head. "I have my eyes on Dingtian Peak."
He turned toward the crowd, his gaze landing squarely on Gu An. With a chuckle, he said, "Dingtian Peak's master, how about you let me take your place?"
All eyes fell on Gu An.
Before Gu An could speak, Bai Ziya, standing beside him, snapped, "What's that supposed to mean? Bullying the weak?"
Gu An was surprised, casting a sidelong glance at Bai Ziya. He hadn't expected such a fiery reaction from him.
Quite the background you must have.
Old Demon Mark wasn't angered. Instead, he chuckled warmly. "Dingtian Peak once experienced internal strife. A close friend of mine perished there. I'm merely reminiscing."
Despite his words, his tone left little room for negotiation.
The lively atmosphere of the banquet instantly grew tense and silent.
Bai Ziya glanced at Yongnian Dao Lord, while the Unrestrained Primordial Immortals looked on with amusement. The Heaven and Earth Flying Immortals, however, gazed at Gu An with sympathy.
They all knew that Gu An had only just become the master of Dingtian Peak. And now, just days into his tenure, someone was already asking him to step down. Anyone would feel humiliated in his place.
Gu An remained silent. Everyone assumed he was weighing his options, but in truth, he was pondering something entirely different.
Fate really loves to tie me to the Grand Cold Demon Sect, doesn't it?
Even now, it's pushing me toward entanglement again.
Does it want me to completely annihilate the Grand Cold Demon Sect?
Gu An felt no pressure at all. The strongest person present was two major realms below him. What was there to fear?
He was more interested in seeing how Yongnian Dao Lord would handle this. If the Dao Lord didn't stand by him, then Mortal Peak wasn't worth staying in.
As for Old Demon Mark? His fate would undoubtedly be unpleasant.
Yongnian Dao Lord finally spoke, his tone firm and unyielding. "No. Pick another peak."
His voice left no room for negotiation. The declaration instantly bolstered the confidence of the Mortal Peak cultivators present.
After all, Old Demon Mark was an outsider. While the strength of a Unrestrained Primordial Immortal was valuable, letting him act recklessly would set a dangerous precedent.
If Meng Lang were ousted today, tomorrow it could be any of them.
Old Demon Mark shook his head and smiled. "No need to rush, Dao Lord. What if this young friend here agrees?"
The term "young friend" was steeped in mockery.
His gaze landed on Gu An, and he added, "Young friend, if you give up your position to me, I promise you won't regret it. Whatever you want, just name it."
Gu An responded calmly, "Thank you for the offer, senior, but no need. I'm not one to move around much."
The faces of everyone present shifted. None of them had expected Gu An to openly reject Old Demon Mark. Even Yongnian Dao Lord was momentarily taken aback.
At their cultivation level, rashness was unheard of—unless one was dealing with someone significantly weaker.
Old Demon Mark's smile vanished instantly, his expression darkening. "I can show some respect to Dao Lord, but have you considered the consequences of offending me?"
Yongnian Dao Lord frowned and appeared in front of Gu An. Staring coldly at Old Demon Mark, he said, "Daoist, you've gone too far."
Old Demon Mark's eyes bore into Gu An with a ruthless glare, a cruel smile spreading across his face. His brazen threats filled the air.
[Old Demon Mark has developed deep hostility toward you. He now hates you to the core. Would you like to initiate a lifespan investigation on him?]
Hates me to the core already?
Ah, the classic depravity of a demonic cultivator.
"Sigh…"
Gu An let out a long sigh, immediately drawing everyone's attention. He stepped around Yongnian Dao Lord and began walking toward Old Demon Mark.
"What are you doing?" Bai Ziya grabbed Gu An's arm in alarm.
Gu An had been introduced to Mortal Peak by him. Seeing Gu An being bullied filled Bai Ziya with anger and embarrassment.
Yongnian Dao Lord spoke again, his voice steady. "Meng Lang, within Mortal Peak, no one will dare harm you. And if anyone tries anything outside, the peak will not sit idly by."
Gu An flashed Bai Ziya a reassuring smile before gently freeing himself from his grip. Bowing respectfully to Yongnian Dao Lord, he then continued toward Old Demon Mark.
Old Demon Mark chuckled in disbelief. The audacity of this boy to approach him!
"So, you're Old Demon Mark, huh? Why must you force me into a corner?" Gu An shrugged, spreading his hands as though utterly helpless.
As he spoke, his leisurely steps suddenly emitted an oppressive aura. The atmosphere shifted dramatically, and everyone's expressions changed. Old Demon Mark's included.
With each step, Gu An's aura grew exponentially. Within moments, he surpassed the Heaven and Earth Flying Immortal Realm and continued climbing.
"Impossible…" a Unrestrained Primordial Immortal muttered, his eyes wide with disbelief.
The others were equally stunned. Bai Ziya was utterly dumbfounded.
By the time Gu An reached Old Demon Mark, his aura had surged to the ninth layer of the Unrestrained Primordial Immortal Realm. The strongest present, Yongnian Dao Lord, was only at the sixth layer. Old Demon Mark himself was merely at the fourth.
Gu An raised his chin, his gaze condescending. "What did you just call me?" he asked.
Old Demon Mark's face turned ashen, his entire being crushed under Gu An's overwhelming presence.
The banquet fell into absolute silence. Even the faintest sound could be heard.
And then, the most shocking act occurred.
Gu An reached out and lightly patted Old Demon Mark's wrinkled face. Though the action seemed gentle, to everyone watching, it was a declaration of irreconcilable enmity.