Chapter 93: Revisiting the Imperial Capital

The Azure Phoenix flapped its wings, swift as lightning and sudden as a thunderclap.

Crouched upon the broad and steady back of Feng Xi, feeling the gale whistling past his ears and looking down at the ten thousand miles of mountains and rivers retreating rapidly below, Lin Xuan could not help but feel a surge of heroic spirit. Using a divine bird as a mount—such a display was something few in the younger generation of the entire Tianyuan Dynasty could match.

Although Feng Xi had not yet fully recovered from its injuries, its foundation as a top-tier divine bird remained. Its flight speed far exceeded the escape light of ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators. As its wings beat, a faint cyan radiance swirled, easily parting the oncoming gales with effortless grace.

It seemed to enjoy the sensation of soaring through the nine heavens, occasionally letting out a clear, resonant cry that shook the wilderness, announcing the return of the divine bird and the extraordinary nature of the person on its back.

Passing several large cities along the way, it caused quite a stir. The news of the Azure Phoenix’s appearance seemed to have grown wings of its own, spreading ahead faster than Feng Xi could fly.

Lin Xuan did not mind this; in fact, he welcomed it. Being high-profile had its advantages; at the very least, it would make many potential rats who liked to hide in the shadows think twice. He could take this opportunity to continue digesting the information brought by that piece of unknown Star Iron while traveling, and simultaneously use his Chaos spiritual power to help Feng Xi nurture its wounds.

Several days later, a massive mountain range, winding like a giant dragon and radiating majestic imperial dragon energy and vast spiritual energy, came into view on the land ahead. The mountain range’s formation was like stars surrounding the moon, clustering around a vast, seemingly boundless plain in the center.

And upon that plain, a giant city, majestic beyond imagination, lay silently like a sleeping ancient deity.

The Tianyuan Imperial Capital!

Even from hundreds of miles away, that brilliant aura—one that suppressed the eight wildernesses and governed the eternal heavens—rushed toward him, stirring awe and making one want to prostrate in worship.

The city walls stood a thousand feet high, seemingly touching the sky. They were dark gold in their entirety, cast from unknown divine metals mixed with other materials. Countless complex and profound runes and reliefs were carved upon them: sun, moon, and stars, mountains and rivers, the masses paying homage, gods and demons at war... It was as if a vast history and endless laws had been forged into them. On the surface of the walls, golden dragon energy flowed like water, radiating an indestructible and impenetrable quality.

The entire Imperial Capital covered an area too vast to measure. Inside, palaces stood in rows, towers reached for the sky, and countless powerful auras surged into the sky like smoke, interweaving into a vast ocean of energy above the capital, creating a magnificent spectacle. Furthermore, nine massive rivers, formed entirely of pure spiritual energy, circled the capital like jade belts, nourishing all things.

Compared to the Imperial Capital before him, Black Rock City and the Ancient Green Wood City were like mere rural villages.

"As expected of the hub of the Tianyuan Dynasty, the place where the fortune of this realm gathers!" Lin Xuan sighed in admiration, his expression turning solemn. Arriving once more, he clearly sensed more than one aura that made his heart tremble—those belonging to Soul Transformation stage existences, or perhaps even higher.

Feng Xi also let out a low cry filled with awe, slowing its speed as it flew toward the massive South Gate of the Imperial Capital.

There was a flight restriction over the Imperial Capital; those without special permission or status were not allowed to fly inside. All cultivators, regardless of their cultivation base, had to enter on foot through the four city gates.

Approaching the gate, one could feel the grandeur and majesty of the Imperial Capital even more. The gate stood a hundred feet high, wide enough for dozens of riders to gallop through side-by-side. On both sides stood over a hundred Imperial Guards clad in golden spiritual armor, their auras fierce. The lowest among them were at the Foundation Establishment stage, the squad leaders were all Nascent Soul, and the commanding officer at the gate radiated the powerful fluctuations of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, his eyes scanning every person entering like lightning.

A long queue had formed at the gate, with cultivators of various races, merchants, and sect disciples moving in an orderly fashion. When Lin Xuan descended from the sky riding the Azure Phoenix, it immediately caused a huge commotion.

"Look! It’s an Azure Phoenix!"

"Heavens! It really is the divine Azure Phoenix! Who is that on top?"

"Could it be a successor from some hidden holy land? Or perhaps some deep-hidden prince of the royal family?"

"Could he be that 'Lin Xuan' who has been stirring up trouble in Black Rock City, Star Burial Valley, and the Ancient Green Wood City recently?"

"It must be him! Who else could subdue a severely wounded Azure Phoenix!"

Countless gazes instantly focused on Lin Xuan and Feng Xi, filled with shock, curiosity, envy, jealousy, and some deeper, hidden scrutiny and calculation.

Feng Xi landed gracefully on the massive plaza before the gate, folding its wings and bowing its head slightly to let Lin Xuan step down with ease.

The late-stage Nascent Soul commander at the gate looked at Lin Xuan with sharp eyes, not showing any negligence because of the Azure Phoenix. He spoke in a deep, official tone: "Halt! State your name, origin, and the purpose of your entry! This is a vital area of the Imperial Capital; you must obey the laws and cause no trouble!"

Lin Xuan cupped his hands and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "A rogue cultivator, Lin Xuan. Entering the city to travel and visit an old friend." He reported his real name directly; there was no need for concealment here.

"Lin Xuan?" The commander’s eyes flickered; he was clearly not unfamiliar with the name. He scrutinized Lin Xuan, then looked at the submissive Azure Phoenix beside him, nodded, and took out a jade tablet to record the details. "The entry fee is one hundred medium-grade spirit stones. Your spirit pet must be registered. It must not reveal its true form within the city, nor may it disturb mortals; otherwise, you will be punished according to the law."

"Understood." Lin Xuan paid the spirit stones and registered Feng Xi. Feng Xi cooperated by shrinking its size again until it was the size of an ordinary hawk, landing on Lin Xuan’s shoulder. Yet, its magnificent form and the faint aura of a divine bird still drew attention.

With the formalities complete, Lin Xuan was about to step into the gate, which looked like the maw of a giant beast.

"Stop!"

A somewhat arrogant voice suddenly came from the side.

A group of young cultivators in gorgeous clothing and with impressive auras pushed through the crowd, surrounded by a group of guards. At the lead was a youth in a brocade robe, holding a folding fan, with an arrogant expression. His cultivation was at the early Nascent Soul stage, and the companions following him were all at the peak of Foundation Establishment or early Nascent Soul.

This group walked straight up to Lin Xuan. The youth with the fan looked Lin Xuan up and down with a critical gaze, and when he saw Feng Xi on his shoulder, a flash of undisguised greed crossed his eyes.

"So you’re that country bumpkin, Lin Xuan, who had the dumb luck to pick up a wounded Azure Phoenix?" The youth with the fan spoke with contempt, pointing his fan at Feng Xi on Lin Xuan’s shoulder. "This Azure Phoenix is a divine bird; is a rogue cultivator of unknown origin like you qualified to own it? If you’re sensible, offer this Azure Phoenix to this young master, and I might reward you with a few spirit stones so you can have a foothold in this Imperial Capital."

His companions behind him also began to jeer:

"Exactly! It’s your good fortune that Young Master Liu has taken a liking to your bird!"

"Why don't you offer it up obediently!"

"A rogue cultivator from the borderlands, and he thinks he’s worthy of an Azure Phoenix?"

The surrounding crowd fell silent, everyone wearing expressions of watching a show. This youth with the fan was named Liu Qing, a direct descendant of the Liu family in the Imperial Capital. Although the Liu family was not the top-tier aristocratic family, they were quite powerful. Relying on his family background, Liu Qing was quite arrogant among the younger generation of the Imperial Capital and had committed many acts of bullying.

Clearly, he had taken a liking to Feng Xi and wanted to use this opportunity to seize it by force, while also suppressing Lin Xuan, this "outsider" who had recently risen to fame.

Lin Xuan stopped his footsteps and turned slowly, his gaze resting calmly on Liu Qing, as if looking at a clown.

"Are you talking to me?"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an invisible pressure that caused the clamor of Liu Qing and his companions to falter.

Liu Qing felt a bit unnerved by Lin Xuan’s calm, ripple-less eyes, but he immediately became angry from embarrassment. As a dignified young master of the Liu family, how could he be intimidated by a country rogue cultivator?

"Nonsense! If I’m not talking to you, am I talking to a ghost?" Liu Qing snapped his fan shut, a fierce look appearing on his face. "I’ll give you three breaths to consider. Hand over the Azure Phoenix, or don’t blame this young master for being impolite and making your trip to the Imperial Capital difficult from the very start!"

The guards behind him immediately radiated powerful spiritual pressure, locking onto Lin Xuan. Among them were two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators.

The gate commander frowned but did not intervene immediately. Private fights were forbidden within the Imperial Capital, but conflicts outside the gate were sometimes ignored as long as they didn't get too out of hand, especially when it involved these aristocratic youths.

Everyone watched Lin Xuan, waiting to see how he would respond. Would he swallow his pride, or would he fight back?

Under the gaze of the crowd, Lin Xuan suddenly smiled. The smile was faint, yet carried a chilling coldness.

Feng Xi, on his shoulder, seemed to sense its master’s displeasure. Its cyan-gold eyes glanced coldly at Liu Qing, flashing with disdain and killing intent.

"I’ll give you three breaths as well." Lin Xuan spoke, his tone still flat. "Get out of my sight, or I don't mind letting your Liu family prepare your funeral arrangements in advance."

Whoosh—!

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire scene was in an uproar!

Arrogant! Incredibly arrogant!

To dare to threaten a direct descendant of the Liu family at the gates of the Imperial Capital!

Liu Qing was stunned for a moment, then turned livid with rage, trembling all over: "Good! Good! What a death-seeking dog! Take him! Dead or alive!"

The two mid-stage Nascent Soul guards received the order and grinned hideously. One to the left and one to the right, they charged at Lin Xuan like tigers pouncing on prey. One reached out to grab Lin Xuan’s shoulder, while the other punched directly at Lin Xuan’s dantian, their methods ruthless, clearly intending to cripple him!

Facing the siege of two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, Lin Xuan did not even change his posture.

Just as those two palms and fists, containing vast spiritual power, were about to strike—

"Screech!"

Feng Xi, standing on Lin Xuan’s shoulder, suddenly let out a short, high-pitched cry!

Although it had not fully recovered and its size was reduced, the pressure belonging to a top-tier divine bird and the nobility derived from its bloodline were fully revealed in this one cry!

At the same time, two tiny, almost invisible threads of cyan fire were spat from its mouth, shooting precisely at the palms and fists of the two guards!

The cyan fire threads looked weak, but they contained the origin power of the Azure Phoenix’s True Flame, capable of burning all things to ash!

"Sizzle—!"

"Ah!!"

The two mid-stage Nascent Soul guards let out shrill screams simultaneously. The moment their palms and fists touched the cyan fire threads, they were like ice meeting a raging fire—instantly charred, carbonized, and then turned to ash! Furthermore, the flames spread rapidly up their arms!

The two were terrified, desperately channeling their spiritual power to extinguish the flames, only to find that the cyan fire was like a maggot on a bone, impossible to dispel and burning even more fiercely!

In the blink of an eye, under the gaze of countless horrified onlookers, the two mid-stage Nascent Soul guards were burned into two charred corpses by the eerie cyan flames, then crumbled into ash, their bodies and souls destroyed!

Silence!

A deathly silence!

Everyone was stunned by this terrifying scene!

One cry, two threads of fire, killing two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in seconds?!

This Azure Phoenix was actually this terrifying?! Then what kind of strength must its master, Lin Xuan, possess?!

Liu Qing and his remaining companions were already pale with fright, their legs weak, looking at Lin Xuan and the seemingly harmless little Azure Phoenix on his shoulder as if they were looking at a demon god from the Nine Netherworlds!

Lin Xuan did not even look at the two piles of ash, his gaze falling back on Liu Qing.

"Now, can you get lost?"

His voice was still flat, but to Liu Qing, it sounded like the call of a reaper.

Liu Qing was so scared that he collapsed to the ground with a thud, his crotch instantly wet; he had actually been scared into incontinence. His lips trembled, and he couldn't say a word, scrambling backward on his hands and knees to escape.

"Wait." Lin Xuan spoke again.

Liu Qing’s body stiffened, and he looked back in fear.

"You dirtied the place; clean it up before you get lost." Lin Xuan pointed to the ground where he had just wet himself.

Liu Qing’s face turned red and white. Under the countless disdainful and mocking gazes, he actually trembled and took off his outer robe to wipe the stain on the ground, then, like a stray dog, was helped away by his equally terrified companions, fleeing in total disgrace.

The disturbance subsided as quickly as it had begun, in a way no one had expected.

From beginning to end, Lin Xuan hadn't even moved a finger.

He scanned the surrounding gazes filled with awe and fear, his expression remaining indifferent, as if he had just swatted away a few flies.

He patted Feng Xi on his shoulder, took a step forward, and calmly entered the gate of the Imperial Capital—the symbol of the power and the core of the turmoil of the Tianyuan Dynasty.

Upon his first arrival at the Imperial Capital, he had announced his presence with such a powerful stance.

Everyone knew that the waters of this Imperial Capital were destined to be stirred into chaos by this fierce dragon crossing the river!