Inside the imperial city of the Tianbai Empire capital.

Deep within the inner city toward the western side stood the residence of the Empress Dowager. Within this complex of palaces there existed a relatively quiet and secluded courtyard. At that moment, it had been turned into a prison.

One person was imprisoned inside this place. That prisoner was none other than Ling Feng's master, Yan Cangtian.

As Ling Feng's master, Yan Cangtian had naturally not escaped this fate. After Yue Zhonglian was captured, Yan Cangtian became the next target.

Yan Cangtian was not the only one. General Deng Xian, who had once stepped forward to prevent Yan Jinghong from attacking Ling Feng during Ling Feng's early years, was also seized. The president of the Alchemist Guild, Hong Haotian, suffered the same fate. Yan Jinghong personally went after them, destroyed their cultivation, and imprisoned them. (Author's note: Refer Chapter 457)

He spared their lives for a reason. He intended to kill them one by one in front of Ling Feng.

He wanted Ling Feng to experience absolute pain and helplessness.

Because of past ties with Yan Cangtian, Empress Dowager Yan Ning pleaded for mercy. Yan Jinghong therefore allowed Yan Cangtian to be imprisoned within the imperial city. After all, Yan Cangtian's cultivation had been sealed and the tendons of his hands and feet had been severed. He could no longer pose any threat.

Since imprisonment was the goal, the location made little difference.

Yan Jinghong still needed the Empress Dowager's support in order to consolidate his authority. For that reason he was willing to give her a small measure of respect.

At that moment Yan Cangtian lay collapsed in a reclining chair. He looked like a cripple. His limbs could not move at all and he could not care for himself.

The door suddenly creaked open.

Two palace maid servants entered first. A dignified and elegant woman followed them into the room.

This woman was naturally Yan Ning, the Empress Dowager.

Because she had taken the Youth-Preserving Pill, her appearance remained youthful. Her age was similar to Yan Cangtian's. However, Yan Cangtian's hair had already turned completely white. Yan Ning still looked like a graceful young woman in her early twenties. Her beauty remained striking and vibrant.

Standing beside her was a young woman whose features resembled her by three or four parts. She was Yan Shuying.

The Yan clan now held complete authority. Members of the Yan family had already taken control of the imperial city. On the surface the ruler of the empire was the Fourth Prince, Mo Yan. In reality he served only as a puppet. The imperial city functioned as a massive cage for him.

The true masters of the imperial city were the Yan family.

Even though the Yan family steadily devoured the authority of the Tianbai imperial family, the Empress Dowager did not appear pleased.

The previous ruler of the empire had died suddenly. That emperor had been her own son.

She also understood that her son's death might be connected to Yan Jinghong, the man whose rise had strengthened the Yan family.

However, Yan Jinghong had already slipped beyond control. Yan Ning could only choose submission in order to protect herself.

Yan Ning walked slowly to the front of Yan Cangtian. She looked at the man before her and sighed softly before speaking.

"I heard that you refuse to eat."

Yan Cangtian slowly closed his eyes.

The face before him had once been the woman who filled his thoughts day and night. However, the moment Yan Ning schemed against him in order to threaten Ling Feng, he swore to forget everything from the past.

"Your cultivation has already been destroyed by Jinghong. You are no longer a Human Emperor. In fact you are weaker than an ordinary person. If you refuse to eat, you will die. Do you understand that?"

Yan Ning clenched her teeth.

Her feelings toward Yan Cangtian were extremely complicated.

During her youth Yan Cangtian had been deeply devoted to her. As an outstanding genius of Tianwei Academy, he had pursued her with complete sincerity. There had even been a time when Yan Ning felt moved by him. She once considered spending her entire life with him.

Now she saw him reduced to such a miserable state. The only thing she could do was treat him a little better. She considered it a small form of compensation.

"Death? What does that have to do with you?"

Yan Cangtian forced a bitter smile.

"My current state is no different from a corpse. Instead of allowing that little beast to use me as a hostage, I would rather die."

"I will not allow you to die in front of me!"

Yan Ning lifted her eyes and looked toward the palace maids beside her.

"You two will make him eat the food I bring every day! You may force it into his mouth if necessary. If he dies, both of you will be buried with him!"

"Yes, Empress Dowager!"

The two palace maids trembled with fear. They quickly picked up the food and stuffed it clumsily into Yan Cangtian's mouth.

"Yan Ning, do you think this will make me grateful? Do you think you will end well by relying on Yan Jinghong? He is nothing but a demon. Each day he grows more ruthless. Demonic cultivators abandon all emotion and loyalty. Your Yan family and even you exist only as tools for him to achieve his ambitions!"

Yan Cangtian grew increasingly agitated as he spoke.

"Yan Ning, I will watch the outcome that awaits you. Your end will be even more miserable than mine!"

"You are speaking nonsense. No matter what happens, Jinghong is still a descendant of the Yan family. He would never..."

"Never what? If you believe obedience will keep you safe, then you are completely mistaken!"

Yan Cangtian burst into loud laughter.

Yan Shuying frowned and glared at him.

"You old fool! You still dare to spread such nonsense?"

"Enough!"

Yan Ning bit her lip and took a deep breath.

"Feed him! Continue feeding him!"

She watched until Yan Cangtian swallowed every piece of food. Only then did she flick her sleeve and leave the side hall with Yan Shuying and the palace maids.

Yan Cangtian slumped back in his chair. He sighed quietly and murmured to himself.

"Ning'er, leave, leave before that madman destroys everyone..."

Deep in his heart he still could not bring himself to hate Yan Ning.

"And that brat... Do not come back! You must not return!"

Yan Cangtian prayed silently.

He knew how monstrous Ling Feng's talent was. However, Yan Jinghong had become terrifyingly powerful. Yan Cangtian could not even withstand a single move from him.

If Ling Feng returned, he might not save anyone. He might also lose his own life. Yan Cangtian could not bear the thought of such a result.

...

However, Ling Feng had no intention of staying away.

After leaving Tianmang Fortress, he traveled without rest. He hurried day and night and arrived at the capital of the Tianbai Empire two days later.

On the city walls, wanted notices appeared at regular intervals. Each poster carried Ling Feng's portrait. Anyone who discovered his whereabouts would receive a large reward.

In addition to this, anyone in the imperial capital who resembled Ling Feng even slightly had suffered misfortune.

Even people who simply shared the surname Ling were treated as accomplices. They were arrested and subjected to interrogation and whipping.

For a time the entire imperial capital lived in fear. Ordinary citizens hardly dared to leave their homes. If someone mistakenly identified them as Ling Feng, their lives would be ruined beyond measure.