"Alright, you can leave now." Gu Qingfeng reminded Demon Pu, who had been standing there in a dazed and unresponsive state.
He was genuinely letting Demon Pu go this time. After all, Demon Pu had sworn an oath, and with so many people watching, Gu Qingfeng couldn’t afford to go back on his word.
Besides, he had only promised to spare Demon Pu for today. He hadn’t said anything about tomorrow, the day after, or the days following. With the Soul-Chasing Technique at his disposal, Demon Pu could flee to the ends of the earth, and it still wouldn’t matter.
Gu Qingfeng’s words snapped Demon Pu out of his stunned state.
Demon Pu glanced at Gu Qingfeng with a complicated expression but said nothing more.
He slowly released the nearly strangled Patriarch of the Gu family and bowed respectfully to Gu Qingfeng. "This humble demon thanks the Divine One for his mercy."
With that, he turned to leave.
He had no idea what Gu Qingfeng was plotting. All he knew was that facing a being of such power, he couldn’t muster even a shred of resistance. He could only submit to whatever fate had in store.
In any case, since the other party had temporarily spared him, he would go along with it for now. Every moment of life was precious.
However, just as Demon Pu was about to leave, Gu Qingfeng let out a seemingly casual cough.
Demon Pu, now on edge, was startled by the sound and immediately turned to look at Gu Qingfeng, unsure of what the man wanted.
Gu Qingfeng gave Demon Pu a meaningful look, but Demon Pu only stared back in confusion.
Gu Qingfeng cursed inwardly. *This demon is usually so clever. How can he not understand such a simple hint? Didn’t you say you’d offer up all your possessions? Why aren’t you handing them over? With so many people watching, how am I supposed to just ask for them outright?*
Gu Qingfeng tried a few more pointed glances, but Demon Pu remained clueless, his confusion only deepening.
It couldn’t be helped. Demon Pu was still reeling from the shock of discovering Gu Qingfeng’s true identity and was filled with fear and uncertainty about his own future. In such a state, how could he possibly remember something as trivial as material possessions?
*Damn it!* Gu Qingfeng cursed silently and decided to make his intentions clearer.
He casually raised his right hand, which bore a spatial ring, and lightly smoothed a few strands of wind-tousled hair.
The spatial ring gleamed under the sunlight, catching Demon Pu’s attention.
Seeing the ring that had accompanied him through countless days and nights, Demon Pu finally understood.
He quickly retrieved a mid-tier Heaven-grade spiritual weapon, the Kalan Pearl, a black wooden carving, and a bottle of pills, using his energy to float them over to Gu Qingfeng.
Seeing that Demon Pu had finally caught on, Gu Qingfeng was inwardly delighted but maintained a calm and indifferent expression. "What is this for?"
Demon Pu played along perfectly. "The Divine One has shown great mercy by sparing me. I had promised to offer all my possessions, and I cannot go back on my word. Please, Divine One, do not refuse."
"Hmm." Gu Qingfeng nodded faintly. "Very well. I value promises above all else, and I would not wish for you to break yours. I shall accept these. Remember to reform yourself, keep your oath, and strive to be a better demon. You may go."
"Thank you, Divine One!" Demon Pu bowed deeply once more and prepared to flee.
However, at that moment, several Dragon Transformation realm experts, led by the Imperial Preceptor Situ Kong, blocked Demon Pu’s path.
Demon Pu’s eyes turned cold. "Situ Kong, what is the meaning of this?"
Situ Kong, the Imperial Preceptor, smiled faintly. "Demon Pu, it’s been two hundred years. I never expected you to still be alive, let alone reach the peak of the Dragon Transformation realm. You’ve had quite the fortune. But do not think that your peak-level cultivation gives you the right to barge into the imperial capital as you please. The capital is not a place you can come and go as you wish."
Demon Pu’s expression turned icy. "You couldn’t kill me two hundred years ago. Do you think you can now?"
Situ Kong chuckled but didn’t respond to Demon Pu. Instead, he turned and bowed respectfully to Gu Qingfeng. "Divine One, two hundred years ago, I led troops to eradicate the Blood Demon Cult. I know this fiend well. He is cunning, deceitful, and a master of lies. You must not trust his oath lightly. It would be best to eliminate him."
Gu Qingfeng calmly regarded Situ Kong, the strongest human cultivator, while inwardly cursing. *Why are you causing trouble? Demon Pu can die, but not now. He should at least fight me first before meeting his end.*
Still, Situ Kong’s summary was quite accurate. Demon Pu’s words were indeed untrustworthy.
After a moment of thought, Gu Qingfeng spoke in a calm tone. "I believe he will not break his oath."
"Divine One, I sense remnants of the Blood Demon’s aura on him. If I am not mistaken, he must have consumed the Blood Demon to achieve such power. A traitor who devours his own master is not to be trusted."
"Oh?" Gu Qingfeng glanced at Situ Kong, his eyes flashing with a divine light. His voice was calm yet carried an undeniable weight. "You doubt me?"
Situ Kong met Gu Qingfeng’s serene yet piercing gaze and felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine.
It was the pressure of a divine presence, something that touched the very soul.
"This humble one dares not. It’s just that..." Situ Kong tried to argue further, but Gu Qingfeng cut him off.
"You do not understand the ways of the divine. I do not blame you."
The calm words carried an inexplicable authority.
Gu Qingfeng continued, "If you do not believe me, you may swear an oath before me and see if you can break it. What do you say?"
The confidence in his tone made Situ Kong’s breath hitch.
At that moment, Situ Kong’s innate sense of danger warned him that he must not swear such an oath.
Situ Kong was startled. The stronger one’s cultivation, the sharper their intuition. If his instincts were warning him, there must be something truly perilous about this oath.
Gu Qingfeng then turned to everyone present. "If any of you doubt me, you are welcome to try. I would very much like to see who can break an oath made before me."
The overwhelming confidence in his words created a suffocating pressure that weighed heavily on the Dragon Transformation experts who had surrounded Demon Pu.
The scene fell into silence.
Gu Qingfeng calmly scanned the area before addressing Demon Pu once more. "You may leave. No one will stop you."
Demon Pu glanced at Gu Qingfeng with a mix of awe and fear, then bowed again before soaring into the sky. No one dared to obstruct him.
"With this matter settled, I shall take my leave."
Gu Qingfeng imitated the demeanor of a lofty expert, placing his hands behind his back and walking away with an air of indifference.
Situ Kong quickly regained his composure and called out, "Divine One, please wait! It is an honor to have witnessed your divine presence today. We humbly invite you to the imperial palace. The Emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty will prepare a grand reception for you."
Hearing this, Gu Qingfeng inwardly groaned. *Go to the palace? What if I’m exposed?*
He could act fearlessly in front of demons, but facing the heavily guarded imperial palace and the strongest human cultivator made him somewhat nervous.
Without turning back, he continued walking, his words carried by the wind.
"The time is not yet right."