Under Jia Wenhe's guidance, Ling Feng, Li Bufan, and the others soon arrived at the command tent.
The atmosphere inside was solemn.
Ling Feng could sense it—most of the generals' gazes were far from friendly.
They think I'm just a kid, don't they?
He raised an eyebrow. Unlike the civil officials in the imperial capital, these border commanders were battle-hardened, their ranks earned through blood and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, he—an "inexperienced youth"—had not only been granted the title of General Weiyuan but also awarded three hundred military honor points. Their resentment was understandable.
Still, his goal here was simply to enter the Ancient Tower Grove and comprehend the Three Thousand Great Daos. Unless provoked, he saw no need to engage in pointless confrontations.
"Modest General Fang Wentong (Jia Wenhe) pays respects to the Commander-in-Chief!"
The two men immediately saluted Han Li, who sat upon the commander's throne.
Ling Feng and his companions followed suit, offering respectful bows. Military decorum was stricter here than in the capital—even the slightest breach of etiquette was unacceptable.
"Commander-in-Chief, this is General Weiyuan, personally appointed by His Majesty. General Ling, this is the Commander-in-Chief of the Three Armies."
Jia Wenhe quickly made introductions.
"Young friend Ling Feng, your reputation precedes you!" Han Li laughed heartily, deliberately avoiding Ling Feng's official title and addressing him as merely a "young friend."
The message was clear: Han Li did not truly acknowledge him as a general.
In his eyes, Ling Feng was just a royal-sponsored visitor, not a true military leader like the others present.
Ling Feng's eyes narrowed slightly, but his expression remained calm.
"By His Majesty's grace, I was granted the title of General Weiyuan. Here in this tent, I am not a junior—I am a soldier."
With that, he saluted Han Li crisply. "Modest General Ling Feng reports to the Commander-in-Chief!"
Han Li's pupils contracted imperceptibly. He hadn't expected such shrewdness from a "greenhorn."
A faint smile played on his lips. This boy... is interesting.
Gesturing to the seat of honor at his right, Han Li said mildly, "As our guest, General Ling must be weary from his journey. A banquet has been prepared in your honor. Please, be seated."
Soon, Ling Feng's party took their places. Even Mu Qianxue and Tuoba Yan, though women, were not excluded—it would have been improper to deny them entry.
Throughout the feast, Ling Feng repeatedly tried to state his purpose, but Han Li skillfully deflected with toast after toast, leaving him no opening.
After several rounds of drinks, Wu Kui—emboldened by alcohol—suddenly slammed his cup down and pointed at Ling Feng.
"So, General Ling, was it?"
"Ling Feng, at your service." Ling Feng smiled faintly. "What guidance does the general have for me?"
He knew these men only addressed him as "general" out of deference to the emperor. In their hearts, they held no respect for him.
"Guidance? Hah!" Wu Kui grinned crudely. "We shed blood on the battlefield to defend the empire's borders. Meanwhile, you won His Majesty's favor with pretty words—never spilling a single drop of enemy blood—yet waltzed right into the title of General Weiyuan. Must be nice!"
Wu Kui was a blunt man to begin with, and the alcohol only made him more outspoken. But this wasn't just drunken talk—Han Li had quietly permitted it, using the moment to test Ling Feng's character.
The adviser at Han Li's left immediately rebuked him. "Has the Commander-in-Chief's warning already slipped your mind?"
"I'm not saying this behind his back," Wu Kui retorted. "I'm saying it to his face!"
"No matter." Ling Feng raised a hand, signaling Fang Wentong to sit. His lips curled into a faint smile.
"So, General Wu believes I'm unworthy of this title?"
"Damn right!" Wu Kui drained another bowl of wine and slammed it down. "I only respect strength. Beat me in a fight, and I'll acknowledge you!"
He roared with laughter. "But you're just a Pulse Formation Realm brat. Fighting you would be bullying. Still, my Tianwei Battalion has a newly promoted vanguard—barely older than you, just broke through to the Spiritual Element Realm. Defeat him, and I'll admit you've got some skill."
Ling Feng glanced at Han Li. The old fox made no move to intervene—clearly, this was his doing.
Yet Ling Feng didn't respond immediately. He merely smiled.
"What, scared?" Wu Kui jeered. "Fine! If Spiritual Element Realm is too much, how about Transformation Realm? You call yourself a genius—surely you're not expecting me to dig up some Pulse Formation Realm recruit for you? Our Northwestern Army doesn't have generals that weak!"
Laughter erupted from Wu Kui's comrades.
"General Wu, you misunderstand." Ling Feng shook his head. "Since it's you who doubts me, I should fight you. What's the point in battling someone else?"
"You—want to fight me?"
Wu Kui stared as if Ling Feng had grown a second head, then burst into raucous laughter. "Hahaha! Are you drunk? A Pulse Formation Realm challenging a king-tier?!"
The entire tent was stunned. This kid had no sense of his own limits.
Even Han Li's eyelids twitched. What is this boy playing at?
"What's wrong?" Ling Feng's tone was light. "Is General Wu afraid?"
"Afraid?!" Wu Kui's face flushed with fury. "Brat, don't say I didn't warn you! I'll suppress my cultivation to early-stage Spiritual Element Realm—and I'll even fight one-handed!"
"No need." Ling Feng clasped his hands behind his back, his stance relaxed yet proud.
"You're my senior. Out of respect..."
A slow, deliberate smile spread across his face.
"I'll fight you with both hands tied."
His words fell like hammer blows, the very ground trembling beneath their weight.
A Pulse Formation Realm kid, daring to challenge a king-tier expert?
And offering to handicap himself further?!
Has the world gone mad?
If a Pulse Formation cultivator could defeat a king-tier, what was the point of cultivation at all?
The generals exchanged glances. Clearly, this boy had grown too accustomed to bullying weaker opponents in the academy—now he thought himself invincible.
Only Li Bufan and the others shared knowing smiles.
If Ling Feng said it, he could do it!