Chapter 7: The Grand Warship, the Journey West, and the Imperial Dragon City

The morning air over Azure Cloud City was thick with mountain mist, sparkling like crushed diamonds beneath the rising autumn sun. But on this seventh day of the tenth month, no one in the city was looking at the sunrise.

Ten thousand eyes were turned upward, fixed on the sky directly above the newly constructed Lin-Su Grand Tower.

Hovering five hundred feet in the air was a grand construct that defied the traditional rules of naval design and spirit engineering alike. It was the Celestial Zenith, a massive, three-decked flying warship stretching nearly four hundred feet from bow to stern. Built from heavy, jet-black ironwood harvested from the deepest valleys of the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm, its hull was completely clad in polished dragon-scale bronze plates that caught the morning light in blinding flashes of gold.

Along its flanks, thirty-six heavy spirit-crystal cannons peeked through reinforced gunports, each barrel carved with complex lightning-gathering runes that drew power directly from the ship’s central power core—a massive, floating chunk of the Seventh-Grade Earth Spirit Vein personally carved out by Lin Chen using the spatial authority of the Realm Stone.

Four massive, translucent sails made of woven spirit-silk hung from masts carved from thousand-year ironwood, pulsing with faint blue wind-steering arrays. But unlike conventional flying vessels that required dozens of high-grade spirit stones every hour just to stay airborne, the Celestial Zenith floated with zero effort, wrapped in a self-sustaining anti-gravity field that made the four-hundred-foot warship as silent and steady as a cloud hovering over a quiet lake.

Standing on the high marble plaza of the Lin-Su Grand Tower, thousands of citizens, merchant guild representatives, and branch family disciples bowed deeply toward the grand ship.

“Safe travels, Young Master!”

“May the Lin-Su Clan bring glory back from the Central Capital!”

“May our Lord conquer the Immortal Assembly!”

The thunderous cheers of the crowd echoed off the surrounding stone cliffs, rolling across the valley like a wave of warm thunder.

On the main wooden deck of the Celestial Zenith, thirty elite guards dressed in matching dark blue iron armor with silver silk capes stood in two flawless, parallel lines. Each guard was a hand-picked genius from the Lin and Su Clans, their postures straight as javelins, their breath synchronized in a steady, deep rhythm. Every single one of them exuded the crisp, unmistakable aura of a First Level Foundation Establishment Cultivator!

At the front of the deck stood Lin Zhengyuan and Su Zhen, the two Patriarchs, looking out over the ship’s railing at the shrinking city below. Both men wore rich, purple silk robes embroidered with silver dragon-and-ice-phoenix patterns, their faces filled with a mixture of overwhelming pride and solemn emotion.

“Brother Su,” Lin Zhengyuan sighed softly, his hands resting on the smooth mahogany railing. “A month ago, if someone had told me that our two families would own a warship capable of sailing through the clouds with thirty Foundation Establishment guards as our personal escort… I would have had them locked up for mad talk.”

Su Zhen let out a hearty, satisfied laugh, stroking his well-groomed black beard. “Brother Lin, you and I spent fifty years squabbling over small spirit stone mines and market stalls in Azure Cloud City, thinking that was the peak of our lives. We were like frogs sitting at the bottom of a dry well. It was only when your son woke up that the sky was finally torn open for us!”

“Lin Chen…” Lin Zhengyuan murmured, his eyes turning soft and profound. “I still don’t know what kind of divine encounter my boy experienced. But whatever it is… he is no longer just my son. He is the sun that guides our entire clan into the heavens.”

Inside the master cabin on the top deck of the warship, the atmosphere was a sublime mixture of absolute luxury and serene power.

The cabin was spacious enough to hold a royal court banquet, floored with polished red sandalwood and lined with soft silk carpets woven from moon-spider silk. In the center stood a carved jade tea table surrounded by plush velvet cushions. Small silver braziers filled with hundred-year ambergris incense emitted thin, sweet wisps of smoke that kept the air lingering with a soothing, crisp aroma.

Lin Chen sat casually on the central high cushion, dressed in an immaculate, dark green silk robe with silver dragon-scale embroidery along the sleeves. His long black hair was half-bound with a simple golden jade crown, a few loose strands framing his handsome, extraordinarily calm face.

Hovering beside his right hand was a small, translucent blue sphere—the primary projection interface of the Celestial Zenith. Through his soul link with the ship’s core array, Lin Chen could adjust the speed, shield density, and cannon orientation with nothing more than a passing thought.

To his left sat Su Qingyao, wearing a stunning icy-blue dress made of translucent frozen-silk that shimmered like moonlight on snow. Her Ice-Heart Divine Sword lay across her lap, its cold blue sheath humming in gentle harmony with her breathing. She was carefully pouring boiling spring water over rare Spirit-Snow Tea leaves in a pair of delicate celadon cups, her movements smooth, elegant, and mesmerizingly graceful.

To his right, Huang Yanyan leaned back against a mountain of purple velvet pillows, her long, fair leg casually crossed over the other, her red silk dress parted to reveal her smooth skin up to her thigh. She held a silver cup filled with sweetened crimson berry wine, her fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders like a river of flame.

Standing quietly near the doorway was Zhao Ling, her black sword armor spotless, her hand resting on the hilt of her silver blade, her razor-sharp eyes scanning the windows every three seconds with unwavering vigilance.

“Husband,” Huang Yanyan purred, her red-nailed fingers gently twirling a strand of her hair, her crimson eyes glowing with lazy affection. “We have been flying west for three hours at full speed. At this rate, we will cross the boundary of the Central Territory by sunset tonight. Aren’t you going to take a look at the message sphere from the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

Lin Chen reached out, taking a warm cup of Spirit-Snow Tea from Su Qingyao’s hand, giving her a soft, appreciative smile before looking at the glowing white jade slip resting on the sandalwood table.

“Elder Chen Long was quite eager when he delivered this message before our departure,” Lin Chen remarked smoothly, taking a sip of the fragrant tea. “Let us see what news the Heavenly Sword Sect wishes to share with their new ‘commercial partner’.”

Lin Chen tapped the jade slip lightly with his index finger.

Swish!

A soft, golden light projected from the jade slip, forming the translucent figure of Elder Chen Long in mid-air. The old sword master bowed deeply toward Lin Chen before his voice echoed through the cabin:

“Greetings, Young Master Lin!”

“This old servant writes to inform you of the current political situation in Imperial Dragon City ahead of your arrival. The Central Capital is currently in a state of high tension. The news of your alliance capturing the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm and establishing a total commercial monopoly has thoroughly enraged the faction led by the Shadow-Moon Demon Sect and the Vanguard Thunder Hall.”

“According to our internal intelligence, the Grand Prince of the Imperial Council—Prince Zhao Tianming—has formed a secret treaty with the Shadow-Moon Sect. They intend to use the opening ceremony of the Immortal Assembly to challenge your alliance’s legal title to the Dragon-Tiger Domain!”

“They have summoned the top young geniuses from thirty-six cities, including the infamous Three Sword Prodigies of the Central Capital and the Young Master of the Shadow-Moon Sect, Li Fearless, a Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who practices the dark Blood-Draining Technique! They plan to demand a ‘Realm Title Duel’ where the loser must forfeit all rights to the pocket world!”

“My Sect Master, Sect Master Chen Xuan, wishes to extend an invitation to Young Master Lin. If you are willing to give the Heavenly Sword Sect a ten-percent share of the secret realm’s daily spirit stone income, my sect will stand firmly by your side during the Imperial Council meeting and veto any attempt to force a Realm Title Duel!”

“We await your wise decision upon your arrival at the Imperial West Gate!”

Pfft!

The golden light faded as the message concluded.

Huang Yanyan let out a loud, mocking laugh, her chest heaving as she set her wine cup down with a light clack. “Hahaha! Ten percent of our daily income?! That old fox Chen Xuan really knows how to dream! He wants to play the ‘neutral savior’ and collect free spirit stones without shedding a single drop of blood!”

Su Qingyao set her teacup down smoothly, her eyes turning cool and analytical. “Elder Chen Long’s information regarding Prince Zhao Tianming and the Shadow-Moon Sect is likely accurate. The Imperial Council has long controlled the distribution of resources in the Eastern Province. To them, our Lin-Su Alliance is an uncontrollable variable that has disrupted their centuries-old tax structure.”

“And what about this ‘Realm Title Duel’?” Zhao Ling spoke up from near the door, her cold voice filled with subtle disdain. “A young master from the Shadow-Moon Sect who relies on blood-draining techniques… does he truly believe he is qualified to stand before the Young Master?”

Lin Chen leaned back against his velvet cushion, a warm, amused smile spreading across his face.

“Let them scheme, Zhao Ling,” Lin Chen said softly, his voice carrying an unshakeable, grand composure. “The Heavenly Sword Sect wants ten percent to protect us. The Shadow-Moon Sect wants our realm. The Imperial Council wants our wealth. They all treat the Eastern Province as a chessboard where they are the players and we are the pieces.”

He turned his eyes toward the window, watching the sea of white clouds passing beneath the ship at terrifying speed.

“They don’t realize…” Lin Chen added, his golden origin fire flickering deep within his pupils, “…that I didn’t build this warship to join their game. I built it to overturn their board.”

By late afternoon, the terrain beneath the Celestial Zenith underwent a dramatic transformation.

The rugged, mist-shrouded green mountains of the southern territory gradually flattened out, giving way to vast, fertile plains lined with wide river networks and booming merchant towns. The density of spiritual energy in the air increased noticeably, turning crisp and rich—a clear sign that they had crossed the border into the Central Territory of the Eastern Province.

Along the airway, flying vessels of various shapes and sizes began appearing with higher frequency. There were sleek two-masted wooden cutters belonging to local merchant guilds, floating iron barges loaded with mineral ores, and majestic silver spirit-ships flying the banners of various regional clans.

However, whenever any ship caught sight of the four-hundred-foot, gold-plated hull of the Celestial Zenith, the crews on deck would gasp in utter shock, frantically steering their vessels out of the way to give the giant warship an absolute clear path!

“Heavens! Look at that warship!”

“What banner is that?! A golden dragon wrapped around a silver snowflake?!”

“Is that… is that the legendary warship of the Lin-Su Alliance from Azure Cloud City?!”

“My God! Look at the bronze plating on its hull… those are all top-grade array metals! That single ship must be worth at least five million high-grade spirit stones!”

“Move aside! Don’t get anywhere near its wind path! I heard their alliance has a Golden Core expert guarding their main deck!”

Whispers of awe and fear spread across the airways like wildfire as the Celestial Zenith cleaved through the clouds like an imperial conqueror, leaving a wide, sparkling wake of golden light in the sky.

As the crimson sun sank below the western horizon, painting the sky in deep hues of purple, rose, and burnished gold, a magnificent, staggering sight appeared at the edge of the horizon.

It was Imperial Dragon City—the ancient capital of the Eastern Province!

The city was mind-bogglingly vast, stretching across fifty miles of flat plain, enclosed by towering, hundred-foot walls made of solid black basalt rock engraved with ancient dragon runes. In the center of the city rose three concentric rings of grand palaces, golden-tiled pagodas, and towering white marble spires that pierced through the lower cloud layers!

Above the central palace ring hovered seven giant floating islands, connected to the ground by thick, shimmering chains of rainbow light. These floating islands were the grand ancestral grounds of the Imperial Council and the Five Great Sects!

A massive protective array enveloped the entire city, forming a translucent, golden dome that hummed with ancient, terrifying spiritual pressure.

“So this is Imperial Dragon City,” Su Qingyao whispered softly, standing beside Lin Chen at the bow railing of the warship. “I read in our family archives that this city was built three thousand years ago by the founding emperor of the Eastern Territory. It houses over ten million inhabitants and over thirty thousand cultivators.”

“It’s quite big,” Huang Yanyan remarked casually, standing on Lin Chen’s other side, her lace fan covering her smile. “Though the layout of their defensive array is horribly outdated. If I were to detonate three Golden Core blood-pearls at the southern power node, their entire golden dome would collapse within fifty breaths.”

Lin Chen chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Yanyan, we are guests coming to attend an assembly, not a barbarian horde coming to sack the capital. Save your blood-pearls for someone who actually deserves them.”

“Young Master!” Zhao Ling reported, stepping up behind them. “We are approaching the Imperial West Air Gate. The capital airspace control team is signaling us to dock at the outer lower harbor.”

Lin Chen looked down toward the western gate of the city.

There, situated outside the massive black basalt walls, was a wide, stone-paved air dock filled with hundreds of medium and small spirit ships. A squadron of imperial armored guards mounted on flying black griffins were patrolling the perimeter, directing incoming traffic toward the lower docks.

However, as the four-hundred-foot Celestial Zenith descended slowly from the clouds, its giant shadow completely covering the entire western dock area, the griffin patrol guards panicked! The flying griffins let out terrified shrieks, refusing to fly anywhere near the golden warship’s majestic pressure!

SWISH!

A streak of bright red light shot up from the central imperial tower inside the city, transforming into an elderly man wearing a rich, red dragon-patterned robe, hovering in mid-air two hundred feet in front of the Celestial Zenith.

This was Grand Director Liu, the Chief Logistics Officer of the Imperial Capital Air Control, a Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment master!

“Hold your vessel!” Director Liu shouted, his voice reinforced by spiritual energy, echoing across the dock. “Which faction does this warship belong to?! Imperial regulations state that all non-imperial vessels above two hundred feet must dock at the lower outer harbor and submit to a full security search before entry!”

Lin Chen walked calmly to the front bow of the warship, resting his hand casually on the golden dragon railing, looking down at Director Liu with a relaxed, pleasant smile.

“I am Lin Chen of the Lin-Su Alliance,” Lin Chen replied, his voice calm, smooth, and effortlessly penetrating Director Liu’s spiritual energy defense. “We have received an official golden summons from the Central Committee to attend the Immortal Assembly. As for submitting to a security search… Director Liu, do you truly believe your outer guards possess the qualifications to inspect my vessel?”

Director Liu froze!

He looked at Lin Chen, then looked at the thirty Foundation Establishment elite guards standing in silent, terrifying formation on the main deck behind him. Then his eyes drifted toward Huang Yanyan, who gave him a casual, feline glance from behind her black lace fan.

Gasp!

Director Liu’s heart almost stopped beating! The moment his spiritual sense touched Huang Yanyan’s suppressed aura, a cold, suffocating dread seized his soul, telling him with absolute certainty that if he uttered another disrespectful word, the woman beside Lin Chen would erase him from existence before his body could hit the ground!

“You… you are Young Master Lin Chen!” Director Liu stammered, his arrogant imperial attitude vanishing instantly, replaced by cold sweat pouring down his back. He hurriedly bowed deeply in mid-air! “Forgive my eyes for failing to recognize the noble guests of the Lin-Su Alliance! By decree of… of the Imperial Council, top-tier alliances are granted exclusive docking rights at the VIP Imperial Floating Harbor on the third ring!”

Director Liu pulled out a glowing purple jade token, hurriedly tossing it toward the ship deck.

“This is the Imperial VIP Air Pass! Please… please proceed directly to the Upper Floating Harbor! The Grand Prince has already arranged the Royal Lotus Palace for your alliance’s stay!”

Lin Chen caught the purple jade token effortlessly between two fingers. He gave Director Liu a soft, polite nod. “Thank you for your assistance, Director Liu.”

Lin Chen flicked his sleeve. The Celestial Zenith hummed smoothly, its giant sails shifting as it rose once more into the sky, bypassing the crowded lower docks completely, gliding majestically over the black basalt walls straight toward the inner floating islands of Imperial Dragon City!

Below them, thousands of cultivators in the lower harbor stared up at the giant golden warship in absolute, speechless envy!

“Heavens! Bypassing the security check?!”

“Entering the Upper Floating Harbor directly?!”

“Who is that young man in the green robe?!”

“Are you blind?! That is Young Master Lin Chen! The man who conquered the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm and tamed a Golden Core demon beauty!”

“So that is Lin Chen… he looks so young, yet his posture is like an immortal prince!”

Ten minutes later, the Celestial Zenith docked smoothly at the private floating pier of the Royal Lotus Palace on the second floating island.

The Royal Lotus Palace was a magnificent, ancient estate built entirely from white jade and red cedar wood, surrounded by floating lotus ponds, bamboo groves, and private cultivation gardens connected by delicate stone bridges. It was reserved exclusively for the most prestigious guests of the empire.

As Lin Chen, Su Qingyao, Huang Yanyan, and Zhao Ling stepped off the warship ramp onto the white marble pier, a group of twenty beautiful maidservants dressed in pink silk robes dropped to their knees, bowing respectfully.

“Welcome, Young Master Lin! Welcome, Noble Ladies!” the lead maidservant said softly. “The Grand Prince has prepared a welcoming feast at the Imperial Dragon Pavilion tonight. All top-tier sect masters and clan leaders attending the assembly have been invited!”

“A welcoming feast?” Huang Yanyan giggled softly, leaning her body gently against Lin Chen’s shoulder, her crimson eyes flashing with cold, playful light. “Husband, it seems Prince Zhao Tianming can’t wait to test us. Shall we go and see what kind of little banquet he has prepared for us?”

Su Qingyao adjusted her white silk sleeves, her expression calm, elegant, and icy. “The feast is merely a stage for them to display their strength and measure our reactions. We should attend.”

Lin Chen looked at his two stunning partners, then looked back at Zhao Ling and the thirty elite guards who were securing the warship.

“Zhao Ling,” Lin Chen instructed calmly. “Keep ten guards on the warship and place the remaining twenty around the palace perimeter. If anyone attempts to tamper with our ship or our array… execute them on the spot without needing my approval.”

“Understood, Young Master!” Zhao Ling bowed solemnly, her hand tightening on her sword hilt.

Lin Chen adjusted his silver dragon sleeves, offering his arms to Su Qingyao and Huang Yanyan.

“Come,” Lin Chen smiled warmly, his eyes glowing with an unshakeable, grand magnetic light under the moonlit sky of the capital. “Let us go meet the great masters of the Central Capital.”

The Imperial Dragon Pavilion was situated atop the highest point of the central floating island—a grand, golden-domed palace supported by ninety-nine carved dragon pillars, illuminated by hundreds of floating spirit-lamps that turned the night into bright, golden day.

Inside the grand hall, music played from rare jade flutes and bronze chimes as dozens of high-ranking figures sat at elaborate sandalwood tables arranged in two long rows along the marble floor.

On the left side sat the representatives of the Five Great Sects:

• Sect Master Chen Xuan of the Heavenly Sword Sect, an elderly man with piercing white eyes and a silver sword slung across his back, surrounded by his top young disciples.
• Sect Master Huo Lie of the Mystic Fire Pavilion, a muscular man with a flaming beard, drinking heavily from a bronze wine flag.
• Representatives from the Vanguard Thunder Hall and Clear Water Palace, chatting quietly among themselves.

And at the far end of the left row sat the delegates of the Shadow-Moon Demon Sect!

Leading them was Elder Dark-Blood, a tall, emaciated old man wearing dark purple robes decorated with skull runes, his eyes deep, sunken, and glowing with an eerie, green corpse-fire. Beside him sat a young man in his early twenties named Li Fearless—the Young Master of the Shadow-Moon Sect!

Li Fearless wore a sleek black leather coat, his face pale and sharp like a viper, a dark red blood-blade resting across his knees. His cultivation was at the Middle-Stage Foundation Establishment Realm, radiating a heavy, nauseating stench of blood and dark energy that made nearby guests uncomfortable.

On the high main throne at the front of the hall sat Prince Zhao Tianming!

Prince Zhao was a handsome man in his early thirties, wearing a lavish gold dragon robe and a tall jade crown. His posture was dignified, arrogant, and authoritative, his eyes sharp as an eagle’s as he looked down at the assembled guests.

“Sect Masters, Elders, and Young Geniuses!” Prince Zhao announced, raising his golden wine goblet, his voice echoing grandly through the hall. “Tonight, we gather on the eve of the Decennial Immortal Assembly! The Eastern Province has enjoyed peace and prosperity for three hundred years under the wise leadership of our Imperial Council and the Five Great Sects!”

He paused, his eyes sweeping over the hall before landing on the empty, high-honor seats reserved on the right row.

“However,” Prince Zhao continued, his tone carrying a subtle, sharp edge, “in recent weeks, a new force has emerged from our southern border. The Lin-Su Alliance of Azure Cloud City has captured the Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm and established a commercial presence that has caught the attention of the entire province!”

Just as Prince Zhao finished speaking, the grand double doors of the hall were pushed open by two imperial guards!

“ANNUNCIATING THE ARRIVAL OF THE LIN-SU COMMERCIAL ALLIANCE!” an imperial herald shouted in a high, ringing voice!

“YOUNG MASTER LIN CHEN!”

“MISS SU QINGYAO!”

“MISS HUANG YANYAN!”

The music in the hall stopped instantly!

Every single Sect Master, clan elder, and young prodigy turned their heads simultaneously toward the entrance!

Lin Chen stepped into the grand hall.

He walked with smooth, unhurried steps, his posture relaxed, noble, and serene. He wore his dark green silk robe embroidered with silver dragon scales, his golden-tinged eyes sweeping over the ninety-nine dragon pillars and the dozens of high-ranking figures with complete, deadpan indifference.

To his left walked Su Qingyao, her white dress trailing like pure snow, her breathtaking, icy face devoid of any emotion, radiating the pristine, chilling pressure of her Nine-Ice physique!

To his right walked Huang Yanyan, her crimson gown flowing like liquid fire, her cat-like eyes gleaming with cold, playful malice, her voluptuous body moving with a mesmerizing grace that instantly captured the breath of every young man in the room!

The entire hall went dead silent!

Gasp!

Many young disciples from the Central Capital sects unconsciously stood up from their cushions, their eyes wide with absolute, unfiltered amazement!

“My God… is that Miss Su Qingyao from the southern territory?!”

“She… she is so beautiful! Her aura is like an unapproachable ice goddess!”

“And the red-dressed woman beside Young Master Lin… heavens! Her beauty is intoxicating… yet why does looking into her eyes make my soul shiver with fear?!”

“Lin Chen… he looks so young! Is he truly the man who refined the Dragon-Tiger Realm Stone?!”

Li Fearless of the Shadow-Moon Sect stared at Lin Chen, his viper-like eyes narrowing into sharp, murderous slits! He licked his pale lips with his red tongue, his hand gripping the hilt of his blood-blade until his knuckles turned white!

‘Middle-Stage Qi Refining turning into First Level Foundation Establishment in two weeks?’ Li Fearless thought sneeringly in his mind. ‘What a fake front! He must have used some forbidden secret pill to forcefully push his realm up! Once I face him in the ring tomorrow, I will drain his blood essence and turn him into a dried corpse!’

Lin Chen led Su Qingyao and Huang Yanyan directly to the high-honor seats on the right side of the hall, sitting down comfortably on the soft silk cushions.

Su Qingyao sat beside him, pouring him a fresh glass of spirit wine, while Huang Yanyan leaned back against her seat, resting her chin on her hand, looking up at Prince Zhao Tianming on the main throne with an amused, feline smirk.

Prince Zhao Tianming’s eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Lin Chen. He set his golden goblet down on the table with a light clack.

“Young Master Lin Chen,” Prince Zhao said smoothly, his voice carrying an imposing imperial weight. “You arrive late to the royal feast. Is this the customary etiquette of your Lin Clan from Azure Cloud City?”

Lin Chen raised his wine glass smoothly, taking a light sip before looking up at Prince Zhao with a warm, undisturbed smile.

“Prince Zhao misunderstands,” Lin Chen replied calmly, his voice echoing softly yet clearly through every corner of the grand hall. “My warship was delayed slightly at the air gate because Director Liu insisted on granting us the VIP Floating Harbor pass. As for etiquette… my Lin Clan has always practiced a simple rule: we show respect to those who show us genuine sincerity.”

“Sincerity?” Li Fearless sneered suddenly from his seat across the hall, his dark, blood-tinged voice breaking the silence like a screeching owl! “Lin Chen! You are merely a junior from a backwater border town who stumbled upon an ancient fortune! You enter the Imperial Dragon City with a giant warship, bypass security checks, and act as if you are equal to the Five Great Sects and the Imperial Council! Where do you get such arrogance?!”

Lin Chen didn’t even turn his head to look at Li Fearless. He simply continued sipping his wine, as if the Young Master of the Shadow-Moon Sect were nothing more than a buzzing fly in the background.

“Yanyan,” Lin Chen said softly, setting his glass down. “Did you hear something buzzing just now?”

Huang Yanyan giggled softly, her black lace fan covering her mouth. “Husband, it’s just a little blood-viper from a dark cave. It hasn’t seen the true sun, so it likes to make loud noises to pretend it’s important.”

BOOM!

Li Fearless smashed his hand onto his sandalwood table, shattering it into pieces! He stood up violently, his blood-blade unsheathing three inches, radiating a thick, nauseating crimson mist!

“Bitch! You dare insult the Shadow-Moon Sect?!” Li Fearless roared, his face twisting into a demonic rage!

“Li Fearless! Sit down!” Sect Master Chen Xuan of the Heavenly Sword Sect barked coldly, his sharp sword-qi flashing across the floor, slicing through the crimson mist instantly! “This is the Imperial Feast! How dare you pull a weapon in front of the Prince?!”

Prince Zhao Tianming raised his hand, signaling everyone to calm down. His eyes remained fixed on Lin Chen, a cold, calculating light flickering deep within his pupils.

“Young Master Lin,” Prince Zhao said slowly, his voice dropping into a solemn, heavy register. “The Shadow-Moon Sect’s young master may be impulsive, but his words reflect the concern of many sects present tonight. The Dragon-Tiger Secret Realm is an ancient treasure of the Eastern Province. Your alliance has claimed it entirely for yourselves, setting entry fees and tax rates without the approval of the Imperial Council.”

Prince Zhao leaned forward, resting his elbows on his golden table.

“Tomorrow, at the opening ceremony of the Immortal Assembly,” Prince Zhao declared, “the Imperial Council shall propose a vote. If your Lin-Su Alliance wishes to retain exclusive operational rights over the secret realm, you must prove your qualifications in the Imperial Ring!”

“A Realm Title Challenge!” many clan elders in the hall gasped softly!

“If your representative loses three consecutive rounds against the young geniuses of the Five Great Sects,” Prince Zhao sneered, “your alliance must hand over fifty percent of the secret realm’s core operational shares to the Imperial Council!”

The entire hall fell into a tense, breathless silence! Every eye was fixed on Lin Chen, waiting to see how the young master from Azure Cloud City would react to this open, official extortion!

Su Qingyao’s hand tightened on her sword sheath, her icy eyes flashing with anger.

Huang Yanyan’s crimson eyes narrowed, her Golden Core demon aura stirring slightly beneath her skin.

Lin Chen, however, remained entirely unbothered. He turned his head slowly, looking directly into Prince Zhao Tianming’s eyes.

“Fifty percent of our core shares?” Lin Chen asked softly, a mild, thoughtful expression on his face. “Prince Zhao, that is a very heavy stake. But if we are to have a challenge in the ring… what does the Imperial Council offer if my alliance wins?”

Prince Zhao let out a confident, arrogant laugh! “If your alliance wins three rounds? Ha! The Imperial Council will grant your Lin-Su Alliance the official title of ‘Sixth Great Family of the Eastern Province’, tax-exempt status across all thirty-six cities, and five direct entry slots into the Ancient Heavenly Dao Pavilion!”

“Five slots into the Heavenly Dao Pavilion…” Lin Chen repeated quietly.

He stood up smoothly from his cushion, adjusting his silver dragon sleeves, looking around the grand hall at the faces of the Sect Masters, the imperial prince, and the bloodthirsty eyes of Li Fearless.

“Very well,” Lin Chen declared, his voice calm, resonant, and carrying a supreme, undeniable authority that echoed through the golden dome of the pavilion. “I accept your Realm Title Challenge.”

Lin Chen paused, his golden origin fire flickering deep within his eyes as his warm, radiant smile widened slightly.

“However,” Lin Chen added softly, “three rounds are too tedious. Tomorrow… let all the young geniuses who wish to challenge my alliance enter the ring together.”

“I, Lin Chen, will face them all at once.”