Chapter 16: The Imperial Capital and the Arrogant Nobles**
**The Sky Above the Imperial Capital**
Clouds parted as five figures descended from the heavens. Leading them was Chen Feng, floating effortlessly without a sword or any visible support, his black robes billowing in the high-altitude winds. Behind him flew Lin Yue, radiant with starlight, followed by their three new companions: **Kael** (the blue flame user), **Sera** (the wind-speed swordswoman), and **Mira** (the mysterious healer).
Below them lay the **Imperial Capital of Tianlong**, a sprawling metropolis that made Green Leaf City look like a village. Golden pagodas pierced the sky, connected by bridges of solidified spiritual energy. Massive formations protected the city, glowing with a soft amber hue. The air here was thick with concentrated Qi, far denser than anywhere else on the continent.
"This is it," Chen Feng said, his voice calm despite the roaring wind. "The heart of the Eastern Continent. And the stage for our next move."
"The energy pressure here is immense," Kael noted, adjusting his goggles. "Even the ambient air feels heavy."
"Good," Chen Feng smirked. "More fuel for us."
They landed gracefully at the **Grand Entrance Plaza**, a vast square paved with white jade. Immediately, they drew attention. Flying directly into the restricted landing zone without permission was forbidden for ordinary cultivators. But Chen Feng's aura—now at *Golden Core Level 1*—silenced the guards before they could even shout.
A squad of imperial guards, all at *Foundation Establishment*, rushed forward, spears lowered.
"Halt! Unauthorized landing is punishable by—" The captain stopped mid-sentence as he locked eyes with Chen Feng. The void pressure radiating from the young man felt like standing before an abyss. The captain's knees buckled involuntarily.
"We are here for the Continental Youth Tournament," Chen Feng stated, handing over a jade token stamped with the Azure Dragon Academy seal. "Register us under the team name: **Void Sect**."
The captain swallowed hard, taking the token with trembling hands. "V-Void Sect? I've never heard of such a sect. But... the Azure Dragon seal is valid. Please, proceed to Registration Hall B. Do not cause trouble."
Chen Feng nodded and led his team forward. Whispers followed them like a trail of smoke.
*"Void Sect? Who are they?"*
*"Did you feel that pressure? That guy is a Golden Core cultivator! He looks barely twenty!"*
*"Arrogant kids. They won't last a day in the tournament."*
---
**Registration Hall B**
The hall was crowded with teams from major sects and noble clans. Rich silks, rare beasts, and arrogant laughter filled the air. At the center stood a massive crystal orb used to verify age and cultivation level.
Chen Feng's team approached the counter. The official, a bored middle-aged man with a brush in hand, didn't even look up.
"Name, Sect, Team Leader's Cultivation."
"Chen Feng. Void Sect. Golden Core Level 1," Chen replied casually.
The official chuckled, finally looking up with a sneer. "Golden Core? At your age? Boy, don't lie on official documents. The penalty for fraud is execution. Next time, try 'Qi Gathering' if you want to be believable."
Before Chen Feng could respond, a loud, mocking voice interrupted.
"Hah! Liars and frauds. Just what I expected from the outskirts."
A group of young men in golden armor pushed through the crowd. Their leader was a tall youth with fiery red hair, holding a fan made of phoenix feathers. Behind him floated a spectral phoenix, screeching loudly.
"**Young Master Yan Lie**," someone in the crowd whispered nervously. "From the Vermilion Bird Clan! One of the direct descendants of the Fire Sovereign's lineage!"
Yan Lie stopped in front of Chen Feng, looking him up and down with disdain. "I am Yan Lie, heir to the Vermilion Bird Clan. My cultivation is *Golden Core Level 3*. And you claim to be a Golden Core? With no spiritual weapon? No family crest? You're nothing but a street rat trying to play hero."
Lin Yue stepped forward, her eyes flashing. "Watch your tongue. We earned our place."
Yan Lie laughed, snapping his fan open. "Earned? By stealing scraps? Listen, girl. In this tournament, bloodline is everything. Your 'Void Sect' sounds like a beggar's union. Why don't you crawl back to whatever hole you came from before you get hurt?"
He flicked his fan. A wave of intense heat surged toward Chen Feng, meant to singe his clothes and humiliate him. "Consider this a warning."
Chen Feng didn't move. He didn't even blink.
The wave of fire hit an invisible barrier inches from his face and... vanished. Absorbed instantly into his pores.
"**Devour**," Chen Feng mouthed silently.
Yan Lie's smile froze. "What?"
"Your fire is weak," Chen Feng said, his voice carrying clearly through the silent hall. "Is this the best the Vermilion Bird Clan can offer? I've seen campfires with more bite."
The crowd gasped. Insulting a direct descendant of a Sovereign lineage? That was suicide.
Yan Lie's face turned crimson with rage. "You dare mock me?! Here?! In front of everyone?!"
He slammed his hand on the verification crystal. "Let's see if you're lying about your level! If you're really Golden Core, prove it!"
The registration official panicked. "Young Master Yan, please! No fighting in the hall!"
"I'm not fighting," Yan Lie sneered. "I'm testing a fraud. Touch the crystal, boy. Or admit you're a coward."
Chen Feng looked at the crystal, then at Yan Lie. A cold smile played on his lips.
"As you wish."
He placed his palm on the crystal.
Usually, the crystal would glow gold for a Golden Core cultivator.
But when Chen Feng touched it, the crystal didn't just glow. It turned **black**.
Deep, abyssal black.
Then, cracks began to form.
*Crack. Crack. CRACK.*
The entire hall shook. The spiritual energy inside the crystal went wild, swirling into a vortex that sucked the light out of the room.
**[Reading Error... Energy Signature Unrecognized... Threat Level: Catastrophic...]** the crystal projected in shaky runes before exploding into a shower of sparks.
Silence. Absolute silence.
Yan Lie stumbled back, his face pale. "Impossible... It broke the Saint-Grade Verification Crystal? What kind of monster are you?"
Chen Feng withdrew his hand, blowing away some dust. "Oops. Seems your crystal couldn't handle the Void. Maybe buy a better one next time."
He turned to the stunned official, who was hiding under his desk.
"Register us. Void Sect. Golden Core. And tell the organizers we expect strong opponents. So far, I'm disappointed."
He walked past Yan Lie, patting the trembling noble on the shoulder.
"Train hard, Yan Lie. You might survive the first round if you're lucky."
As the Void Sect walked away, leaving a trail of shocked spectators and a humiliated noble, Yan Lie clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
"Chen Feng..." he hissed, his eyes burning with murderous intent. "You've made an enemy of the Vermilion Bird. In the arena, I will burn you to ashes. No one humiliates me and lives!"
---
**Outside the Hall – Rooftop**
The team gathered on a nearby rooftop to overlook the city.
"That was bold," Kael laughed, shaking his head. "Humiliating a Sovereign descendant on day one? You really don't like playing safe, do you?"
"Safety is an illusion," Chen Feng said, watching the sunset paint the capital in hues of orange and red. "Fear is a tool. Today, we made them fear us. Tomorrow, they will underestimate us because of our arrogance. That is when we strike."
Lin Yue leaned against the railing, looking at him with admiration. "The tournament starts in two days. The opening ceremony will be attended by the Emperor himself... and representatives from the hidden clans."
"Exactly," Chen Feng's eyes narrowed. "The Six Sovereigns' descendants will be there. They think they own this continent. They think they are gods."
He clenched his fist, black flames dancing briefly around his fingers.
"Let them come. In this arena, I will crush their pride, break their techniques, and show the world that the era of Sovereigns is over."
"And then?" Sera asked, twirling her sword.
"Then," Chen Feng smiled darkly, "we hunt the real targets. The ancestors hiding in the shadows."
Below them, the city lights began to twinkle like stars. The Imperial Capital was alive with anticipation. The greatest gathering of young geniuses in history was about to begin. And in the midst
of it all, a wolf had entered the sheepfold.
**"Let the games begin,"** Chen Feng whispered.
---
**To be continued...**