Chapter 400: Feng Soars Through the Sky

The Phoenix Divine Sect is the largest sect on the Profound Sky Continent. Although its overall power is slightly less than that of the Four Sacred Grounds, its sheer scale is unrivaled by any other sect. It is also the only sect on the Profound Sky Continent with the capacity and right to challenge the Four Sacred Grounds.

The Phoenix Divine Sect also possesses a unique characteristic on the continent: it functions as both a sectarian power and an imperial force. It has two core strongholds: Phoenix City and the Divine Phoenix Imperial Palace. Its branch sects are scattered across the Divine Phoenix Continent, each without exception dominating its respective region.

Undoubtedly, the Phoenix Divine Sect wields the strongest power and highest political authority across the Profound Sky Continent's seven nations. Its dominance in both aspects is absolute. Without exception, the other six nations pay a form of annual tribute to the Divine Phoenix Empire, especially the weakest among them, the Azure Cloud Nation.

Divine Phoenix Imperial Palace.

Feng Hengkong—a name echoed throughout the Profound Sky Continent, mighty and known to all. He is the current Sect Master of the Phoenix Divine Sect and the Emperor of the Divine Phoenix Empire. Wielding unparalleled profound energy and power that oversees the entire continent, he is a legendary figure in the hearts of the Profound Sky people. While the emperors of the other six nations are already considered beyond reach, Emperor Feng Hengkong of Divine Phoenix far surpasses even them, akin to an emperor of the heavens. The mere thought of his name evokes a profound sense of oppression.

In the other six nations, the emperor's main hall is heavily fortified, with countless top experts secretly guarding it, making it the most secure area of the entire imperial palace. However, the Divine Phoenix Grand Hall, where Feng Hengkong resides, is utterly quiet, with no guards visible anywhere. Even patrolling imperial guards intentionally steer clear of the area. While this would be an unbelievable sight in other nations' imperial palaces, it is perfectly normal within the Divine Phoenix Imperial Palace. It's almost comical: Feng Hengkong is not merely an emperor, but also the Sect Master of the Phoenix Divine Sect—the foremost sect in the Profound Sky Continent! Given his immense power, why would he need protection from others? Indeed, how many individuals in the entire Profound Sky Continent would even be qualified or capable of protecting him?

Moreover, how many people in the entire Profound Sky Continent would possess the courage or ability to infiltrate the Divine Phoenix Imperial Palace?

Inside the Divine Phoenix Grand Hall, Feng Hengkong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze fixed on the phoenix totem emblazoned on the wall. His expression was solemn and concentrated, as though he were deep in thought. While emperors typically wear golden-yellow robes embroidered with five-clawed golden dragons, Feng Hengkong's imperial robe was fiery red, adorned with an image of a phoenix ascending to the heavens.

Though over 150 years old, he possessed a fair, beardless face completely devoid of wrinkles. With sharp, sword-like eyebrows and bright, star-like eyes, he exuded an imposing aura, appearing no older than forty. Given his cultivation, he could easily maintain the appearance of a man in his early twenties, but he chose not to, presumably to better project an imperial demeanor and highlight the generational difference with his children. He had a total of sixteen children: fifteen sons and one daughter. His eldest son, Feng Ximing, was already a hundred years old, while his youngest daughter had just turned sixteen this year.

His thirteenth son was Feng Xichen, who had been severely beaten by Yun Che.

After a long silence, a slight change finally appeared in Feng Hengkong's eyes. Without turning around, he suddenly spoke softly, "Ming'er, what is it?"

Behind him, a young man in red, appearing to be around thirty, had silently materialized at some point. He had approached without making a sound and had been standing quietly behind Feng Hengkong for a considerable time, careful not to disturb him. Upon hearing Feng Hengkong speak, the young man immediately bowed and said, "Your humble son greets Imperial Father... I have come to report two matters."

Feng Hengkong turned around, his majestic face, naturally imposing even without anger, showing no ripple of emotion. He uttered two extremely plain words: "Speak."

"Yes, Imperial Father." As Feng Hengkong's eldest son, the Young Sect Master of the Phoenix Divine Sect, and the Crown Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire, Feng Ximing clearly still held a profound reverence for his father. His demeanor and words were impeccably respectful; he dared not be presumptuous. With his head slightly bowed, he said, "The first matter is actually quite minor, not truly worthy of Imperial Father's attention, but it does concern Thirteenth Brother, so I was quite hesitant about whether to bring it up."

"Hmph!" Feng Hengkong's brow furrowed slightly. "As my Divine Phoenix Crown Prince, when did you become so indecisive and hesitant! Speak if you intend to, or hold your tongue if you don't. Where do all these superfluous words come from!"

Feng Hengkong's reprimand was no small matter. Feng Ximing's body stiffened, and he quickly responded, "Imperial Father's words are a correct lesson; your humble son acknowledges his mistake. Although this matter is minor, it pertains to our sect's bloodline, so it is best to report it to Imperial Father."

"Our sect's bloodline? If it concerns our sect's bloodline, how can it be a minor matter!" Feng Hengkong's gaze sharpened. "What exactly is it? Speak quickly!"

"Yes... Imperial Father, do you recall the name 'Yun Che' that your son mentioned to you two years ago?" Feng Ximing asked.

"Yun Che?" Feng Hengkong's eyes flickered. "Are you referring to the individual who publicly unleashed Phoenix flames at the Azure Cloud Nation's Ranking Tournament arena back then? Didn't he die two years ago?"

"Reporting to Imperial Father, Yun Che was initially trapped underground in the Heavenly Sword Villa of the Azure Cloud Nation. Everyone believed he was certainly dead, but unexpectedly, he later escaped alive. Upon receiving this news, your humble son instructed Thirteenth Brother to personally travel to the Azure Cloud Nation to deliver the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament invitations; the more crucial objective was to handle this matter. After meeting Yun Che, Thirteenth Brother indeed discovered that he possessed our Phoenix Divine Sect's bloodline! His flame is undoubtedly our sect's Phoenix Flame!"

"Such a thing occurred!" Feng Hengkong's expression shifted slightly. Bloodline was both the core and the greatest taboo of the Phoenix Divine Sect; the first rule of the sect explicitly forbade any outflow of its bloodline. He said in a deep voice, "Who could be so incredibly audacious as to allow our sect's bloodline to leak out? How has this matter been handled? Has that person named Yun Che, along with his parents and all his relatives, been thoroughly investigated?"

Feng Ximing replied, "Your son had already dispatched investigators to look into Yun Che's parents and relatives two years ago. Unfortunately, it appears Yun Che's parents died at the hands of enemies not long after his birth. He was raised by a man named Xiao Lie, with whom he has no blood relation. Furthermore, this situation was eventually exposed, leading to Yun Che being expelled from his home."

"His birth parents must have died long ago; otherwise, with a child existing outside, they wouldn't have remained unseen for nearly twenty years. However, these details are secondary. Approximately five months ago, when Thirteenth Brother personally traveled to the Azure Cloud Nation to handle this matter, an unexpected incident transpired."

"An incident? What do you mean by 'incident'?" Feng Hengkong furrowed his brow once more.

Anger began to bloom on Feng Ximing's face, and his voice deepened slightly as he reported, "After Thirteenth Brother confirmed that Yun Che possessed our sect's bloodline, he intended to apprehend him on the spot. However, unexpectedly, he met with resistance and ultimately... ultimately failed and returned empty-handed."

"Nonsense!" Feng Hengkong vehemently waved his hand. "Chen'er possesses the Phoenix bloodline and unparalleled talent; he's virtually unmatched among his peers in our Divine Phoenix Nation. In a tiny, insignificant place like the Azure Cloud Nation, he should have been able to walk unhindered. Who could possibly stop him? He is a Divine Phoenix Imperial Prince, my son, Feng Hengkong's son—who would dare obstruct him!"

"Imperial Father, please calm your anger!" Feng Ximing quickly said, "Your humble son also didn't anticipate this outcome. Although Yun Che is indeed hailed as the top young expert in Azure Cloud, he possesses only a laughable Earth Profound Realm cultivation. Thirteenth Brother should have been able to apprehend him effortlessly."

"However, unexpectedly, Yun Che, leveraging his status as the top young expert in Azure Cloud, actually became the son-in-law of Emperor Cang Wanhe of the Azure Cloud Nation! When Thirteenth Brother arrived at the Azure Cloud Imperial Palace, it happened to coincide with Yun Che's grand wedding ceremony to the Azure Cloud Princess. As it was an imperial wedding, the imperial family had naturally invited all the prominent figures of Azure Cloud. Although the Azure Cloud Nation has a lamentably small number of masters, they do possess a few Thrones. On that day, almost all of those Thrones were present. When Thirteenth Brother attempted to apprehend Yun Che, Emperor Cang Wanhe furiously issued an order, and the Thrones present, along with some Heavenly Profound Realm practitioners, all took action under the imperial command... Thirteenth Brother was, after all, too young, and he had only brought two early-stage King Profound Realm protectors. He simply hadn't anticipated having to face almost all of the Azure Cloud Nation's peak experts simultaneously, and ultimately, he was overwhelmed by their numbers..."

"How utterly... preposterous!!"

Feng Hengkong immediately erupted in fury. As his anger surged outward, an intensely hot wave of energy instantly permeated the entire Divine Phoenix Grand Hall, significantly distorting the air. His sword-like eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his voice dropped to an incredibly low tone: "A mere insignificant Azure Cloud Nation, daring to defy me like this, and even collectively attacking my son—Feng Hengkong's son! Where did they acquire such audacious courage!"

"Your humble son only learned of this yesterday and is equally enraged. However, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Thirteenth Brother. Being forced to retreat from that minor Azure Cloud Nation is undoubtedly a profound humiliation, so Thirteenth Brother was too ashamed to speak of it to anyone. Furthermore, Imperial Father has been preoccupied for the past few months with preparations for the Seven Nations Ranking Tournament and the Primordial Profound Ark. Thirteenth Brother also feared that this incident would distract Imperial Father, which is why he remained silent... Nevertheless, the Azure Cloud Nation was clearly terrified and tightly suppressed the news, so for several months, not a single rumor about this incident leaked out. Additionally, there's an even more significant reason why Thirteenth Brother didn't report this matter..."

"Speak!"

"Yun Che stated at the time that he would personally represent the Azure Cloud Nation and participate in this Seven Nations Ranking Tournament," Feng Ximing said seriously. "Therefore, at this crucial juncture of preparing for a major event like the Primordial Profound Ark, delaying a minor matter concerning an Azure Cloud boy for a few months is acceptable."

"Hmph!" Feng Hengkong angrily scoffed, "He actually dares to come? Does he know he can't escape, and is simply coming to his own demise!"

"Your humble son also believes so. His resistance that day might have simply been a desperate attempt to secure a few more months of peace," Feng Ximing said with a cold sneer. "Therefore, Imperial Father has no need to become agitated over this minor issue. If he truly dares to come to our Divine Phoenix Empire, he won't be leaving. If he doesn't appear, your humble son can personally resolve the matter. After all, as Imperial Father stated, although the individual may be lowly, the matter of the bloodline is of utmost importance."

Feng Xichen had indeed only told Feng Ximing about this matter yesterday, but his account deviated significantly from the actual events of that day. On that day, Feng Xichen and his two accompanying King Profound Realm protectors were single-handedly beaten until they were battered and bruised, and even trampled upon by Yun Che. However, what he reported to Feng Ximing was that he had been surrounded and attacked by almost all of Azure Cloud's King Profound experts, and was forced to retreat due to being outnumbered. The two protectors who had accompanied him also corroborated this fabricated story.

As a dignified Divine Phoenix Imperial Prince, he would never admit, nor would he ever allow anyone to know, that he had been beaten "like a dog" by someone from the minor Azure Cloud Nation—an individual only in the Earth Profound Realm and significantly younger than himself! This was a brand of shame deeply etched into his soul, a disgrace that would never fade in his lifetime! How could he possibly allow others to know of such a humiliating mark!

"How preposterous... This is truly beyond belief!" Feng Hengkong clenched his fists tightly, his body radiating pure fury. "I was originally hesitant, but now it seems this minor Azure Cloud Nation no longer needs to exist!"