Chapter 164 - 164 Receiving the Letter of Challenge

Chapter 164: Chapter 164 Receiving the Letter of Challenge

The imperial palace of the Empire was a place Feng Wuchen was visiting for the first time. Its huge scale and magnificence were beyond compare to ordinary palaces.

During his last visit, Feng Wuchen had only observed it from a distance before heading straight to the barracks.

This time, he truly set foot inside the royal palace.

Upon arriving at the royal palace, Feng Wuchen immediately sensed terrifying presences, the most evident being the aura of Duan Tian Hun, a strong warrior of the Tianyuan Realm.

Feng Wuchen entered the main hall alone while Huanyang and other elite warriors waited outside.

The main hall was filled with high-ranking officials of the Empire, including the State Preceptor, princes, the Great General, the crown prince, and some senior officials.

As for Lord Yang and his party, they had left the city for this matter. Unexpectedly, they offended Feng Wuchen on the way and met their demise, such ill-fated luck.

“Greetings to the Grand Commander.” As soon as Feng Wuchen entered the main hall, the high officials of the Empire respectfully saluted him.

“Greetings to the Emperor.” Feng Wuchen paid his respects. Although he was the Grand Commander of the Empire, he still had to show a certain degree of respect to the Emperor.

“You youngster have finally decided to come to the royal palace,” Duan Tian Hun said with a smile, his words tinged with a hint of complaint.

“Greetings to the Master!” Yang Tianxian and Situ Zhentian quickly and respectfully greeted.

“Master?” General Wang was taken aback as shock and disbelief spread across his face, his eyes nearly bulging out, and his body instantly petrified.

The State Preceptor and the prince were actually addressing Feng Wuchen as their master!

Astounding! General Wang was utterly astounded!

Had he heard wrongly, or had he truly heard wrongly?

“What’s going on here? Why are the State Preceptor and the prince calling Feng Wuchen their master?” General Wang was filled with doubts. Although he had heard about Feng Wuchen being an Alchemist back in Divine Valley, it didn’t seem enough for him to become Yang Tianxian’s master.

Glancing at Duan Tian Hun, Feng Wuchen touched his nose and smiled, “Who wouldn’t want to come to such a majestic palace? It’s just that I have too many things on my plate and couldn’t find the time.”

Of course, the Emperor did not mean to complain; he was merely grumbling.

“Grand Commander, we meet again,” said General Wang, who had been shocked for quite some time and quickly turned his attention to Feng Wuchen.

“General Wang,” Feng Wuchen nodded in acknowledgment.

Feng Wuchen did not stand on ceremony, casually finding a place to sit and sipping tea that had already been prepared.

“Feng Wuchen, regarding the challenge issued by the crown prince of Shuiyue Empire, what are your thoughts?” Duan Tian Hun asked, getting straight to the point.

Hearing this, Feng Wuchen inquired, “Is it just a friendly spar? Could it lead to a dispute between our two countries? If this challenge were to provoke a conflict, I would rather not participate.”

General Wang turned to Feng Wuchen, saying, “Rest assured, Grand Commander, it will not lead to any conflict between the two countries. The crown prince greatly enjoys fighting strong talents, and he is very much looking forward to battling with you, especially since you claimed the first place in the martial contest of the genius list.”

“That is very good,” nodded Feng Wuchen.

“Does the Grand Commander mean you accept?” asked General Wang, immediately delighted upon hearing Feng Wuchen’s response.

Feng Wuchen shrugged his shoulders and smiled, “It’s not a big deal, so why not accept? I, too, am curious to see the strongest prince of Shuiyue Empire. Besides, if it won’t lead to conflicts, it could even enhance the friendship between our two nations, so why not do it?”

The crown prince of Shuiyue Empire was famed as the strongest prince, naturally possessing great strength, and Feng Wuchen was indeed eager to witness it for himself.

Duan Tian Hun nodded, expressing satisfaction with a smile, “What Feng Wuchen said is true. I also believe that it’s good for the four great empires to live in harmony. War only leads to more innocent families being torn apart and lives lost.”

General Wang happily agreed, “Exactly, the Emperor speaks the truth.”

Despite this, the challenge from the crown prince of Shuiyue Empire to the Grand Commander of Yanhuo Empire was not just a matter of winning or losing—it also concerned the honor of the Empire.

Since Shuiyue Empire has always been the foremost among the four great empires, this challenge to Feng Wuchen was an attempt to restore national face.

However, the fact that Feng Wuchen agreed so readily only made General Wang more concerned.

If Feng Wuchen did not possess complete confidence, he would not have so readily agreed. Knowing the cultivation level of the crown prince of Shuiyue Empire and still daring to accept so quickly shows just how confident Feng Wuchen is in his own power.

“General Wang, when is the challenge?” Feng Wuchen asked.

“In three days,” General Wang replied. “The news has already been sent to Tianwu Empire and Luoyun Empire, and the major empires will be present to watch.”

“The news has been sent to all the major empires? Does that mean I have no opportunity to refuse?” Feng Wuchen was slightly startled, then showed a resigned smile.

Duan Tian Hun added, “In three days, the competition will be held on Tianhun Mountain in our Empire.”

Feng Wuchen nodded and said, “Since it’s already decided, it makes no difference where it’s held. If it’s in three days, I’ll have to stay in this impressive palace for a few days.”

“My master is welcome to stay as long as he wishes!” Yang Tianxian said with a delighted smile.

“This is a good opportunity to repay the Emperor and everyone for their assistance,” Feng Wuchen said with a light smile, embodying the principle that one should repay kindness.

Hearing this, Yang Tianxian and Situ Zhentian were overjoyed. Didn’t this mean that Feng Wuchen could give them guidance in alchemy and artifact refining? With Feng Wuchen’s personal instruction, they were sure to benefit greatly.

Seeing the two elders so excited made General Wang even more puzzled. Why were the elders so excited? What was so impressive about Feng Wuchen? It made sense for Yang Tianxian to be a Fifth Grade Alchemist as Feng Wuchen’s disciple, but what about Situ Zhentian, a Fourth Rank Artifact Refiner? It didn’t seem right to call him a disciple, did it?

Although puzzled, General Wang did not dare to ask.

After all, Feng Wuchen was the Grand Commander of the Empire, a position above General Wang’s own, and he would not dare show disrespect.

“Since the Grand Commander has agreed, I shall return immediately to report back, as both the Emperor and the Crown Prince are waiting,” General Wang said with a respectful bow.

Duan Tian Hun nodded his head and replied, “Take care on your journey, General Wang.”

Ye Cangqiong smiled and said, “General Wang, let me escort you on your way.”

Once the two had left the hall, Feng Wuchen asked, “Your Majesty, what rewards come with this challenge?”

“I knew you would ask, my boy,” said the Emperor with a knowing smile. “If you win this challenge, I will let you practice in the Empire’s Wuji Abyss for one month!”

“The Wuji Abyss?” Feng Wuchen looked at the Emperor with curiosity, intrigued by this place.

Duan Tian Hun explained with a smile, “The Wuji Abyss is a sacred training ground for successive Emperors of our Empire, a mystical space created by our founding ancestors using their life’s blood. While it may not be as remarkable as the Spirit Lake in the Divine Valley, the spiritual energy within this space is incredibly immense, and it consists of Ancient Spirit Qi.”

“Oh? Ancient Spirit Qi?” Feng Wuchen was shocked and exclaimed, “To be able to gather Ancient Spirit Qi, this illusory space must contain an ancient treasure, otherwise, the Ancient Spirit Qi wouldn’t flow incessantly.”

“Exactly! It is an ancient treasure. It’s the Empire’s last resort, one that will not be revealed unless it’s a matter of life and death for the Empire, to avoid causing any incidents.”

“Given it’s an ancient treasure, could it be an Immortal Artifact? Or perhaps a Divine Artifact?” Feng Wuchen silently speculated.

Thinking this over, Feng Wuchen said, “Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

“Very well! Go and prepare yourself. I believe in your strength,” Duan Tian Hun said cheerfully. He still had faith in Feng Wuchen’s abilities, even knowing the strength of the Crown Prince of the Shuiyue Empire.

Feng Wuchen spread his hands and replied, “That’s hard to say. I’ve heard that the Crown Prince of the Shuiyue Empire is at the Eighth Layers of the Yuan Dan Realm, and his strength is so formidable, I might not be able to beat him.”

“Heh, do I not know your strength, my boy? If you lose, I won’t forgive you!” Duan Tian Hun scolded.

“…” Feng Wuchen looked helpless.

“Master, please!” said Yang Tianxian respectfully.

Feng Wuchen left the hall, with Situ Zhentian and Yang Tianxian following, their faces full of excitement.

“Your Majesty, the Wuji Abyss is the ancestral training ground of successive Emperors and is forbidden territory for the Empire. Allowing the Grand Commander to train there, wouldn’t it break the precedent set by our ancestors?” one official asked.

“Minister Li is right. Your Majesty, the Wuji Abyss forbids anyone but Emperors from entering to train. Even if the Grand Commander wins, he should not be allowed to practice there,” another official said, and the others agreed.

Duan Tian Hun raised his hand and declared, “Enough, the rules can be changed. I decide who is allowed to train there. Unless I am no longer the Emperor of the Yanhuo Empire.”

“Please, Your Majesty, calm your anger!” the officials pleaded as they knelt in terror.

“All of you, leave. I have made my decision. There is no need for further discussion. If you have objections, try to defeat Feng Wuchen yourselves,” Duan Tian Hun waved his hand, his voice somewhat frosty.

The officials’ faces changed drastically, and they retreated, not daring to utter another word.

The generous terms offered by Duan Tian Hun were intended to motivate Feng Wuchen; as the Emperor, the honor of the Empire was his utmost priority.

As the officials left and the unabated Duan Wuqing, with a solemn look, inquired, “Father, do you truly believe in Feng Wuchen’s ability to win? You must be aware of the strength of the Crown Prince of the Shuiyue Empire, with his Eighth Grade Martial Soul talent, unparalleled by any, and his formidable power, recognized by all four Empires.”

Duan Tian Hun frowned slightly and replied, “The strength of the Crown Prince of the Shuiyue Empire is indeed fearsome. In a few years, he might even surpass me. However, Feng Wuchen’s terror far exceeds your imagination. If he really had to fight for his life, Feng Wuchen would be even more terrifying.”

“More terrifying?” Duan Wuqing furrowed his brow, seemingly disbelieving.

Duan Tian Hun looked solemnly at Duan Wuqing and said, “My son, you have not reached the level I have; you cannot fathom the terror that is Feng Wuchen. The reason I am drawing him to our side is precisely because of how terrifying he is.”

Duan Wuqing replied with a frown, “Is Father referring to Feng Wuchen’s alchemy and artifact refining abilities?”

Duan Tian Hun shook his head and said, “While it’s true that Feng Wuchen is a genius in both alchemy and artifact refining, he is even more fearsome in martial arts. The secrets hidden within him are many; not to say it’s you, even I cannot see through him.”

“Is Feng Wuchen really as fearsome as Father describes?” Hearing Duan Tian Hun’s words, Duan Wuqing felt that his father might be exaggerating.

Though Feng Wuchen was currently considered the top talent of the Empire, with exceedingly high aptitude, Duan Wuqing was not convinced that he was as terrifying as Duan Tian Hun made him out to be.

“You will understand in time. The Crown Prince of the Shuiyue Empire might not be a match for Feng Wuchen. In the battle against Tianyun Sect, it’s quite possible that Feng Wuchen still held back,” Duan Tian Hun said with deep meaning.