Solution:
I think the problem is with wp_load.php or maybe you haven’t read the wp_load.php file correctly.
Wp_load always requires wp_config.php If it doesn’t get it it will die with an error. See the below code in wp_load.php file
$die = __( "There doesn't seem to be a <code>wp-config.php</code> file. I need this before we can get started." ) . '</p>';
With some more identical code like this and error associated with it.
so when you require_once ‘wp_load.php’ and It doesn’t get wp_config.php It will die and stop the execution and you won’t get any further print statement
Hope it clarifies you.