The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 918: Tiger Awe General

Approximately half an hour later, a large group of teachers and students from Tianwei Academy arrived at the imperial city under the leadership of Vice Director Tong Chengtai.

As the highest profile sword team competition in the empire, the venue had been elevated beyond that of the Four Major Academies' Sword Team Grand Tournament. This time, it would be held at Tianwei Square, directly in front of the Golden Hall of the imperial palace.

Those qualified to enter the palace and observe the match were limited to students from the four major academies of the imperial capital, along with nobles and influential families. Ordinary citizens could only rely on reports from guards and eunuchs, which were then relayed to the public through storytellers.

Even so, countless people across the imperial capital gathered around these storytellers, eagerly awaiting updates.

As for the casinos, business was booming. If the Royal Sword Team won, it would be business as usual. But if the Tianfeng Sword Team emerged victorious, the payouts would be astronomical.

However, after Ling Feng's overwhelming defeat of Liu Fanyu, the casinos had adjusted their odds to minimize potential losses. Fortunately, no high roller appeared this time to place bets worth millions of elemental crystals.

Last time, Yan Shuying had tried to bankrupt Ling Feng by deliberately raising the casino's odds, only to lose tens of millions of elemental crystals in the process. After that costly lesson, she likely wouldn't dare step into a casino again.

Soon, both the Tianfeng Sword Team and the Royal Sword Team took their positions in their respective rest areas.

This match had shaken the imperial capital. Even the emperor himself had arrived to witness it in person.

The judging panel was equally illustrious. The Chancellor, the Grand Commandant, the Imperial Secretary, all three of the Three Lords were present, alongside Yue Zhonglian, sect leader of the Cangqiong Sect, who served as the chief referee. Even the directors of the four major academies could only take secondary seats.

Grand Commandant Li cast a meaningful glance at his grandson. The fury from their earlier confrontation had faded, replaced by silent acceptance of Li Bufan's choice.

He had come to realize that after a lifetime of caution and political maneuvering, he need not impose the same constraints on his grandson. With Li Bufan's talent, his future could be far grander. If he could enter the sacred land, even the Tianbai imperial family would hesitate to move against the Li family.

Li Bufan, initially weighed down by anxiety, noticed the subtle encouragement in his grandfather's gaze.

"Grandpa..."

He clenched his fists, the clouds of worry dissipating instantly. With his grandfather's tacit approval, he could fight without hesitation.

...

Students from the four major academies who were not away on missions had all gathered for this pinnacle showdown. Members of various sword teams were particularly eager to see how much stronger the Royal Sword Team had become over the past year.

The Central Court Sword Team sat rigidly in the stands, their tension surpassing even that of the competing Tianfeng Sword Team.

Yue Yunlan's eyes remained fixed on Ling Feng, her heart silently praying, "Mr. Ling, you must win!"

Thanks to General Deng's influence, Deng Yongshi secured an excellent seat. She stared excitedly at Ling Feng in the competitor's area, more thrilled than if she were participating herself.

"Grandpa! Grandpa! Do you think Ling Feng can win?"

Deng Yongshi tugged at General Deng's sleeve.

"Whether we win or not isn't the main concern. If possible, it'd be best not to win at all." General Deng let out a quiet sigh as he spoke in a low voice.

"What? Why?" Deng Yongshi frowned.

"What do kids know? The Royal Sword Team represents the imperial family. Can the imperial family be so easily defeated?"

General Deng patted her head with a wry smile.

"But... the wager between Ling Feng and Yan Jinghong..." Deng Yongshi pouted, her face full of worry.

"Don't worry. His Majesty has always valued talent. If Ling Feng loses, this old man will personally plead for leniency. Even Yan Jinghong wouldn't dare defy the emperor's orders."

General Deng smiled faintly. Besides himself, Director Mu Yunsang of Tianwei Academy, once the young Tianbai King's teacher, would surely intervene. His words still carried weight.

"But I still want Ling Feng to win."

"If he wins, the complications will be far greater." General Deng lowered his voice. "His Majesty might not react, but the Fourth Prince is notorious for holding grudges. And behind Yan Jinghong stands the Empress Dowager."

Deng Yongshi didn't understand how serious the situation was, but General Deng, with decades of experience in the court, knew exactly what was at stake.

This was also why Grand Commandant Li had initially opposed Li Bufan's participation.

Yet his grandson had proven more stubborn than expected.

Not far from General Deng's seat, Tiger Awe General, Cai Yong, had also arrived with the younger generation of the Cai family to watch the match. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

Seated beside him was a woman in purple robes, none other than Cai Yan, the captain of Hailan Academy's team from that day.

Cai Yan pointed excitedly at the Tianfeng Sword Team's rest area. "Grandpa, I'm certain Ling Feng is Second Uncle's illegitimate son! His Word Spirit Curse is even better than mine!"

Previously, Ling Feng had used the Eye of the Emperor's replication ability to defeat Cai Yan with her family's secret technique, the Word Spirit Curse. Unable to explain, Ling Feng had given up trying.

Cai Yan had since reported this to General Cai. Despite his high rank, the old general had struggled with a dwindling family line, especially after his second son disappeared over twenty years ago.

Thus, the possibility of Ling Feng being his "grandson" filled him with joy.

"He does resemble Hang'er somewhat!" General Cai's heart trembled as he observed Ling Feng. "The Cai family finally has a male heir again!"

Had Ling Feng known the old general's thoughts, he might have spat blood in disbelief.

"Hmph, I told you so! That brat still denies it, but he's definitely my cousin!" Cai Yan giggled.

"After the match, I'll speak to him. He must return to his ancestral family." General Cai declared solemnly.

Of course, Ling Feng remained blissfully unaware of this delusion. Otherwise, he might have died laughing on the spot.

This old man is desperate for a grandson!

...

Noon approached as the referees and audience settled in.

Yet one seat beside the Tianbai King remained empty, a phoenix throne reserved for its late arriving occupant.

The ministers waited anxiously until, a mere quarter hour before the match, the throne's owner finally appeared.

She was a woman of breathtaking beauty. When she arrived, even the King of Tianbai rose to greet her respectfully.

"Welcome, Mother."

This phoenix throne belonged to none other than the Empress Dowager.

Within the Tianbai Empire, the only person qualified to sit beside the emperor as an equal was the Empress Dowager.

Though she was the mother of the King of Tianbai, the Empress Dowager retained an ageless beauty, appearing more like a princess than a queen.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from fre𝒆webnove(l).𝐜𝐨𝗺