Tyrant Sky Martial Soul
Chapter 1316: Imperial Capital Star

Chapter 1316: Chapter 1316: Imperial Capital Star

Ji Ning, one of the founding contributors to the Phoenix God Empire and previously ranked third among the Thirteen Divine Generals.

Yet, he fell victim to the suspicion of the royal family of the Phoenix God Empire and almost met his demise.

When he personally witnessed his good brother Lu Chenlong die before his very eyes, he completely lost hope in this empire.

Now, he has become one of the key figures of the Heavenly Dynasty Empire, a Great General revered throughout the land.

Ling Xiao entrusted him with full control of military power, showing no doubt about his loyalty.

Today, looking at Ling Xiao, Ji Ning feels a deep sense of "a warrior dies for the one who understands him."

He thought his burning passion had long frozen over, yet unexpectedly, it surged alive again today.

Sky Dragon Army!

Ling Xiao had entrusted him with such a heavy responsibility; Ji Ning vowed to repay this confidence by dedicating himself completely—heart and soul, till his last breath.

Even the Grand Holy Emperor had been won over by Ling Xiao, willing to come out of seclusion and lend his support without mentioning past matters regarding the Sacred Dynasty. This alone demonstrated the brilliance of Ling Xiao’s future endeavors.

"The Phoenix God Empire had thirteen Divine Generals and the Ten Phoenix Sons. Our Heavenly Dynasty Empire must also nurture its own Divine Generals and prodigies. I hope that our Divine Generals, like theirs, will possess cultivation levels above the Cave Heaven Realm, ideally reaching the Yin-Yang Realm!"

"Afterward, I will establish the Sky Dragon Rankings and the Young Dragon Rankings."

"The top one hundred on the Sky Dragon Rankings will receive full support from the court for cultivation. They are not obligated to serve the empire but absolutely must not betray the Heavenly Dynasty."

"The top one hundred on the Young Dragon Rankings will be treated similarly."

"Senior Brother Wu, I leave this matter in your hands. Furthermore, Xin, you’ll be responsible for setting up our Heavenly Dynasty’s intelligence network. Ensure the accuracy of the rankings and also gather intel on rival nations for us."

"Understood!"

Wu Xiang and Xin nodded simultaneously.

"Good. I’ve already put the detailed plans into writing. You can share and review them among yourselves. I hope everyone here will grow in strength and insight."

"Especially Xin, Meng Tong, and Hua Lueying. Among everyone present, your cultivation levels are comparatively weaker, but you’re close to breaking through to the Cave Heaven Realm. Senior Brother Wu, once the alchemy factory is established, find a way to help these three achieve their breakthroughs first."

"Rest assured, I will follow your instructions," Wu Xiang said with a nod.

Meng Tong’s face was filled with excitement.

Even Xin’s body trembled slightly; his cultivation had reached the Half-step Cave Heaven Realm long ago, but progress had stalled. With Ling Xiao’s assistance, a breakthrough seemed entirely possible.

Hua Lueying, who had previously been indifferent to cultivation prowess, now saw its importance clearly after the events in Crime City.

Without strength, you’d forever remain a side character in this world, unqualified to contend for anything.

Thus, she too felt her excitement stirred.

Finally, Ling Xiao turned his gaze to Ji Ning and said, "Great General, though the Heavenly Dynasty Empire is currently prosperous and peaceful with only minor rebellions that local troops can easily suppress,"

"you should know, others may not take us seriously now. But one day, when they realize our growing strength, they’ll turn against us swiftly."

"Therefore, once the Sky Dragon Army is established, it must undergo real warfare. Every new recruit must become an experienced veteran."

"Fortunately, the Heavenly Dragon Continent is vast, with ample pirates, bandits, and rebel forces. You’ll have plenty of battles to fight."

"A blade unsharpened is dull!"

"Without facing life-and-death trials, this army cannot be forged into greatness."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. Under my command, there are no wastrels or incompetents. As long as the Emperor’s alchemy factory can supply sufficient pills, the Sky Dragon Army will become an indomitable force within the Mysterious World," Ji Ning said confidently.

"Good. If that’s the case, everyone may disperse and attend to their tasks. I should retreat and seclude myself for a while; the gains from Crime City are considerable," Ling Xiao remarked.

As he spoke, Ling Xiao’s lips curled into a cold smirk. "Sword Demon? Soon, we’ll meet again in the capital of the Phoenix God Empire."

After everyone departed, Ling Xiao also entered a secluded Secret Realm for his cultivation.

This Secret Realm was once used by the Emperor of the True Demon Empire but had been inadequate in some areas. Ling Xiao modified it, making it safer and more reliable.

This time, his cultivation objectives were twofold—in addition to continuing to advance his cultivation level.

One was further condensing the Nine Cauldron Sword Domain, currently his trump card for challenging Cave Heaven Realm martial artists.

The other was the Soul Fragment Scroll.

During the events in Crime City, Ling Xiao had used the Soul Emergence technique to control his Skeleton Soldiers. Although the battle was victorious, the toll was immense.

He needed to further strengthen his Soul Core so he could command the Skeleton Soldiers without burden. If successful, his strength would rise significantly.

Ideally, someday, he could use his own soul to command the Mountain and River World—an unnerving prospect indeed.

...

In the Divine Phoenix Imperial City, the Dragon Phoenix Selection was fast approaching. At this time, countless heroes and elites were gathered here, transforming the already bustling Imperial City into an even livelier place.

Outside the Imperial City, traffic surged—a sea of people and caravans. Perhaps the only difference was the surprising presence of merchants from the Heavenly Dynasty Empire in the city’s marketplace.

Their stalls featured products unique to the Heavenly Dynasty Empire, which were quite popular.

Though the marketplace was the same, the people had changed significantly.

This time, Ling Xiao had only brought Moon Lady and Leng Mei with him. With these two by his side, he felt absolutely secure.

Even Wu Xiang’s insistence on assigning additional guards had been politely declined.

Too many people, too much trouble.

Besides, even a hundred thousand elite soldiers couldn’t compare to a single Moon Lady.

On the streets, before the stalls, people carried on as usual, gossiping about various matters.

The topic they most frequently mentioned was a name: "Ji Mingxing."

This name was unfamiliar to Ling Xiao.

But to the citizens of the Divine Phoenix Imperial City, it seemed well-known.

Perhaps he was a prodigy participating in the Dragon Phoenix Selection.

"Tsk tsk, do you know why Ji Mingxing is so extraordinary?"

"Why?"

"Rumor has it that he is the rightful heir of the Sacred Dynasty. As a child, he survived an assassination attempt by traitors and was saved by a eunuch, who sent him to the Heavenly Dragon Continent to train with the Great Sun World Lord. Now the Great Sun World Lord has surpassed the Yin-Yang Realm but has only taken Ji Mingxing as a disciple, ensuring unparalleled nurturing."

"That’s not all. Ji Mingxing, hailed as the greatest talent of the Heavenly Dragon Continent, immediately caught the Emperor’s eye upon arriving in the Imperial City, leading to his admission to the Phoenix God College and engagement to Fengming Lian, the Emperor’s niece."

"I’ve heard Fengming Lian is the daughter of Fengming Xiao. But who is her father?"

"It doesn’t matter. Fengming Xiao is currently the most powerful woman in the entire Phoenix God Empire. Her daughter is the most noble princess of the empire! She might rival the two Crown Princes without issue."