"Ling Feng, just you wait! The Royal Sword Team's final challenge will be your death sentence!"
Yan Jinghong clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles had gone pale, his teeth grinding audibly. The sheer number of powerful factions that had appeared far surpassed his expectations.
Generals, grand commandants, princes, Tianmeng...
These were colossal entities—forces so immense that even the Yan Family of Eastern Capital, his own backing, wouldn't dare provoke them.
"Take care, I won't see you out."
Ling Feng arched an eyebrow, utterly indifferent to Yan Jinghong's threat. There were still three months until the Royal Sword Team's final challenge. Three months was more than enough time to close the gap between them—or even surpass him entirely!
With a cold snort, Yan Jinghong stormed off in fury.
The "Empire Legend", who had always gotten whatever he wanted, had finally been forced to swallow a bitter defeat.
"This Little General Ling is truly something else!"
"Even Tianmeng showed up! That's Tianmeng we're talking about!"
"Quick, quick—increase the gift's value tenfold! We must hurry to General Weiyuan's mansion to offer congratulations!"
The aristocratic families who had been hesitating in the shadows no longer had any doubts. Even if they couldn't befriend this young general, they absolutely could not afford to make an enemy of him!
"Brother Feng, you're amazing!"
"Chief, I, Wang Yishan, don't bow to walls—I only bow to you!"
The East Court disciples swarmed around him, their faces alight with excitement. Witnessing Ling Feng reach the same legendary heights as Yan Jinghong left them utterly exhilarated.
"Yan Jinghong was too arrogant to see me as a true opponent, so he never fought at full strength."
Ling Feng smiled modestly, though inwardly, he thought: But after today, he'll have no choice but to acknowledge me.
Yan Jinghong... Yan Family...
Just wait. Everything that belongs to the Ling Family, I will take back!
Soon, more influential figures arrived in succession. Even the Cangqiong Sect sent Wen Tingguang as their representative, with Yue Yunlan and her maid Qiao Qiao naturally joining the congratulatory procession.
Unfortunately, they had missed the earlier spectacle.
"Little Brother Ling, Sect Leader is too busy to come personally, but this old brother of yours has prepared plenty of gifts for you." Wen Tingguang grinned, then shot a meaningful glance at Yue Yunlan. "And quite a few were personally picked by Lan here."
"Ah, as they say, a daughter's heart leans outward. Once she starts favoring someone else, even our Cangqiong Sect's treasury can't keep up!" Wen Tingguang sighed dramatically, clutching his chest in exaggerated distress.
"Uncle Wen!" Yue Yunlan glared at him, gritting her teeth. "You were the one who told me to pick them!"
"Hahaha!" Wen Tingguang laughed heartily and clapped Ling Feng on the shoulder. "Little Brother Ling, we must share a few drinks later!"
"Of course, of course!" Ling Feng chuckled, then led the Cangqiong Sect group into the main hall.
Finally, when all the guests had gathered, the last and most distinguished figure made his entrance.
The human emperor—Yan Cangtian!
To Ling Feng, Yan Jinghong was nothing more than a stepping stone. Yan Cangtian's presence wasn't meant to intimidate a mere Yan Jinghong, but rather the entire aristocracy of the imperial capital.
The message was clear: Behind Ling Feng stood a Human Emperor!
A single human emperor was enough to carve out a place of prominence in the imperial capital.
"Honored Seniors, esteemed lords, thank you all for gracing this humble residence with your presence."
Ling Feng stood at the center of the hall, offering a fist-and-palm salute to the assembled guests. "Today is not just the inauguration of General Weiyuan's mansion—it is a double celebration!"
He paused, then continued solemnly, "My teacher has also recently ascended to the human emperor. After over a month in seclusion consolidating his strength, he has fully stabilized his cultivation. Thus, I wish to take this opportunity to celebrate his achievement. This banquet is also a human emperor ascension banquet!"
The announcement sent a wave of astonishment through the crowd.
Though Ling Feng seemed to encounter emperor-level experts everywhere he went, the truth was that the entire imperial capital likely had fewer than thirty human emperors in total—perhaps even fewer.
And Ling Feng's teacher was one of them!
"Who could this teacher of General Ling be?"
"No wonder Little General Ling is so exceptional—his teacher is actually a human emperor!"
The guests buzzed with speculation, their curiosity about Ling Feng's mysterious mentor growing by the minute.
Of course, those in the know were equally surprised.
"So that old rascal's been silent all this time because he was breaking through to the human emperor!"
Deng Xian stroked his beard, a faint smile playing on his lips. Even if they hadn't stepped in earlier, with a human emperor present, Yan Jinghong wouldn't have dared cause trouble.
Every human emperor was a figure of unparalleled significance to the empire. With a sworn oath of loyalty, they could easily be granted a noble title and a vast fiefdom!
No matter how talented Yan Jinghong was, he remained a long way from reaching such heights!
"Grandpa, just look at you! You couldn't match him even in your youth, and now the gap has only widened! Hmph! At this rate, that irritating Ling Feng will only get more full of himself!" Deng Yongshi pouted in frustration. "No, no—you have to break through soon, Grandpa! Otherwise, if Ling Feng bullies me, who will stand up for me?"
Deng Xian's forehead creased with exasperation. "Little Shi, do you think human emperors grow on trees? If breaking through were that easy, wouldn't I have done it already?"
He sighed, then added with a wry smile, "Besides, Ling Feng is a good kid. Why would he bully you?"
Deng Yongshi bit her lip, recalling the "special training" Ling Feng had put her through. "He's bullied me before!"
"Oh?" Deng Xian's eyebrows shot up, his gaze turning teasing. "Little Shi, how exactly did he bully you?"
"Bah, bah, bah!" Deng Yongshi's face flushed as she caught his implication. "Grandpa, what are you thinking?!"
"Hahaha!" The old man laughed knowingly, patting her head. "Little Shi, I wouldn't approve of just anyone—but as a grandson-in-law, Ling Feng has my full support. If you like him, go for it!"
"I—I don't like him! Hmph! Stupid Grandpa! I—I'm not talking to you anymore!"
Her cheeks burning, Deng Yongshi cursed inwardly: As if I'd ever like that jerk!
Wait… Why is my face so hot? Oh no… I must be sick!