"I'll give you one more chance!" Gu Qingfeng declared, his voice booming with authority. "Swear allegiance to my Gu family now, or everyone here will die!"
A powerful aura radiated from him, the unmistakable presence of a half-step Bone Refining Realm cultivator. The crowd's expressions shifted in fear and anxiety.
Moments later, someone knelt. "I have long admired the Gu family's reputation," they said with exaggerated humility. "It would be an honor to serve you now."
One person knelt, and soon others followed—second, third, and more. They all bowed their heads, submitting to Gu Qingfeng's will.
With Yun Changkong dead, how could they hope to defeat Gu Qingfeng? Even if they combined their strength and managed to kill him, the cost would be too high. No one wanted to be a sacrificial pawn. Gu Qingfeng's true limits were unknown, and his overwhelming power made them all hesitate.
If Gu Qingfeng had shown any sign of weakness, maybe they would have dared. But after watching him annihilate both Yun Tianxing and Yun Changkong with terrifying ease, all thoughts of resistance faded. Their only option now was to surrender or die. And Gu Qingfeng had made it abundantly clear that he wouldn't hesitate to kill.
As Gu Qingfeng surveyed the kneeling warriors and even the remaining elders and disciples of the Tianyun Sect, a cold smile crept across his face. "Since you've all chosen to submit, prove your loyalty. Destroy the Tianyun Sect as a sign of your surrender."
A stunned silence followed. Faces fell, and the people of the Tianyun Sect were visibly shaken. One elder, his voice trembling with fury, shouted, "Gu Qingfeng, must you be so ruthless—"
Before he could finish, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. His eyes widened as he looked down to see a blood-red sword tip protruding from his body.
With a soft shing, the sword was pulled free. The elder collapsed, disbelief etched into his features.
The one who had struck him down was none other than Shangguan Rong, leader of the Red Sword Sect, who had been the first to kneel in surrender. Cold and determined, Shangguan Rong's eyes gleamed with murderous intent as he glared at the remaining Tianyun Sect warriors.
"The Tianyun Sect had sinister ambitions, conspiring to overthrow the Gu family," Shangguan Rong declared, his voice sharp and unwavering. "As leader of the Red Sword Sect, I will not stand by. Today, we destroy the Tianyun Sect in support of the Gu family!"
Without waiting for a response, Shangguan Rong moved like a ghost, his sword flashing through the air. In an instant, several Tianyun Sect warriors had fallen.
The onlookers were momentarily stunned, shocked by Shangguan Rong's shameless betrayal. Yet, seeing the cold glint in Gu Qingfeng's eyes, the others quickly realized what needed to be done. They rushed forward, turning against the remnants of the Tianyun Sect with ruthless efficiency.
Chaos erupted. The Tianyun Sect warriors fought back with fury, but it was in vain. With their two strongest leaders dead, they stood no chance. In a matter of moments, the once-proud sect was reduced to ruins.
Bloodied and triumphant, Shangguan Rong approached Gu Qingfeng, his long sword still dripping. "Master Gu, the Tianyun Sect has been destroyed."
Gu Qingfeng nodded. "Well done."
Though Shangguan Rong's loyalty was clearly opportunistic, Gu Qingfeng didn't care. Opportunists had their uses, and right now, Shangguan Rong was a tool to expand the Gu family's power.
"If the Red Sword Sect ever turns on me," Gu Qingfeng thought coldly, "I'll destroy them just as easily."
He turned to Shangguan Rong. "Now gather all of the Tianyun Sect's resources and send them to the Gu family."
Shangguan Rong beamed. "Of course, Master Gu! The Red Sword Sect will take care of everything!"
Though others sneered at Shangguan Rong's obsequiousness, he paid no mind. To him, survival was all that mattered, and Gu Qingfeng was clearly a force to be reckoned with. Young, powerful, and brimming with potential, Gu Qingfeng had already reached the half-step Bone Refining Realm at barely thirty years old. Breaking through the Blood Refining Realm seemed inevitable, and even greater heights weren't out of the question.
Shangguan Rong prided himself on recognizing such talent. He knew that staying close to Gu Qingfeng could only benefit the Red Sword Sect in the long run.
Gu Qingfeng didn't linger at the Tianyun Sect. Word of the sect's destruction spread rapidly, causing a massive uproar. First, the Tiegu Gang and the Qin family fell, and now the Tianyun Sect—one of the three greatest forces in Baishidao—had been annihilated. With the Red Sword Sect and other factions pledging allegiance to the Gu family, the Gu family had quietly risen to dominance in Baishidao.
The next day, Shangguan Rong personally delivered the Tianyun Sect's wealth and resources to the Gu family. Gu Qingfeng wasted no time, recruiting warriors en masse and forming the elite Gu Family Guard. Over three hundred warriors flocked to his side in less than two weeks, all eager to serve the family that had taken control of Baishidao.
These were no ordinary recruits. The weakest among them were mid-stage Skin Refining warriors, while many were even in the Blood Refining Realm. In the past, Blood Refining warriors rarely served under others. But now, with the Gu family's dominance, joining them was a path to survival—and profit.
The Gu family's power grew rapidly, and so did their wealth. The spoils of war, combined with the surrender of other factions, had made the Gu family stronger than ever.
In a short span, Gu Qingfeng's forces swept across Baishidao. Any voices of dissent were swiftly silenced, crushed by the sheer might of the Gu family.
In Baishidao, Gu Qingfeng's name had become synonymous with absolute power.
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