Chapter 745: Pill-Obsessed Swordmaster

As the saying goes, the most anticipated guest arrives last!

Under the eager gazes of the crowd, Yan Cangtian, the newly ascended Human Emperor, finally made his grand entrance.

Truth be told, he had arrived long ago. But Ling Feng had deliberately instructed him to delay his appearance—first building anticipation, then making a dazzling entrance.

The effect was far better than if he had simply shown up early.

After all, clothes make the man.

The usually disheveled, eccentric old man now carried an air of solemn dignity after a proper grooming.

"Greetings, Master!"

Ling Feng bowed deeply toward Yan Cangtian, addressing him as his master from the bottom of his heart.

In Ling Feng's mind, Yan Cangtian had long been his master. Though neither had ever formally acknowledged it, their bond had always hovered between mentor and friend.

But on this special day, Ling Feng decided to make it official.

Yan Cangtian's eyes softened as he looked at Ling Feng. He had waited a long, long time for this moment.

"Good, good! No need for formalities!"

With a flicker of movement, Yan Cangtian appeared before Ling Feng, pulling him upright. The aura of a human emperor swept through the hall.

"This... this presence!"

Deng Xian's expression shifted slightly. "Brother Yan is still the same Brother Yan from back then. This isn't just the first level of the Human Emperor!"

"Second-level Human Emperor!"

A glimmer of astonishment flashed in He Yuanzhi's eyes. In less than half a year, he had broken through two tiers? After reaching the Human Emperor realm, every minor breakthrough required years, sometimes decades, of accumulation!

Even among the Tianmeng, many Human Emperors had stagnated at the first or second level for years without progress.

"The genius Yan Cangtian has returned!"

Wen Tingguang chuckled, his eyes narrowing. Their generation still remembered the legend of "The Pill-Obsessed Swordmaster"—Yan Cangtian, peerless in both alchemy and swordsmanship, once the brightest genius of the empire.

Yet, for the sake of a woman, he had wasted decades, descending into madness.

Even so, he had still reached the peak of the Spiritual Sea Realm.

Now, the Pill-Obsessed Swordmaster had returned. Despite lagging behind his peers for decades, he had still surpassed them all.

This was the mark of a true genius!

"Congratulations, Brother Yan, on your ascension to Human Emperor!"

Wen Tingguang was the first to rise, clasping his fists in salute. A Human Emperor's status was incomparable—once a man, now a sovereign among mortals.

"Much appreciated!" Yan Cangtian waved his sleeve with effortless confidence.

"Congratulations, old friend!"

Deng Xian also stood, laughing heartily, genuinely happy for his longtime comrade.

"

Hah!

When are you going to break through, you old fool?" Yan Cangtian teased.

Deng Xian shook his head wryly. "In due time, in due time!"

"Brother Yan, congratulations."

Tong Chengtai sighed deeply, recalling how Yan Cangtian had once slapped him dozens of times. Yet, those very slaps had awakened him to his own folly.

"

Haha!

Vice-Director Tong, let bygones be bygones,

eh?

" Yan Cangtian laughed heartily. Since Tong Chengtai had attended tonight's banquet and stood on Ling Feng's side, past grievances were already forgiven.

"Elder Yan, congratulations!

Hahahaha

..."

Hong Haotian, President of the Alchemist Guild, beamed even more brightly than Yan Cangtian himself.

Though Yan Cangtian had long left the guild, his disciple was now the Chief Honorary Elder! With this connection, how could the "Human Emperor Yan" ignore the guild's troubles in the future?

"So this is the Yan Cangtian who shook the imperial capital thirty years ago!"

"The Pill-Obsessed Swordmaster lives up to his name!"

"Though now, that title might need to be passed down. Have you heard of it? Ling Feng seems to have inherited his master's legacy—perhaps even surpassed it. Rumor has it he's now the Chief Honorary President of the Alchemist Guild!"

"Incredible! It seems Little General Ling is truly his master's successor."

"Nah, I think 'The Most Ruthless Man in the Imperial Capital' suits him better!"

"

Hahaha!

Fair point!"

...

The banquet lasted well into the night.

With so many guests, Ling Feng was kept busy, but this was all groundwork for his Divine Ling Sect.

If he wanted his sect to grow into a behemoth like the Cangqiong Sect, he needed to forge ties with these powerful families.

Once the festivities ended, Ling Feng saw off the guests one by one. The general's mansion, lively for hours, finally fell silent.

As for the East Court boys? They were all dead drunk—even Jiang Xiaofan, who kept mumbling, "No more... I can't eat another bite..."

Unlike the seasoned drinkers who sipped lightly, these lads had gulped down cup after cup. Of course they collapsed.

But mostly, they were just overjoyed for Ling Feng.

"Ling Feng, tomorrow Xiaolin and I will handle the draw. You and the others rest up—our first match is the morning after."

Gu Tengfeng clapped Ling Feng's shoulder before leaving with Xue Xiaolin and Gong Cheng.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

As for Ye Nanfeng, Lin Mochen, and Yu Sixian? They were sprawled out, too wasted to move. They'd be staying the night.

After bidding farewell to Yue Yunlan, Mu Qianxue, and the others, Ling Feng returned to the hall.

The only one still sober was the "Ninth Prince", Mo Feng.

Even the usually icy Tuoba Yan had been coaxed into a few drinks—now slumped over, cheeks flushed, looking oddly endearing compared to her usual cold demeanor.

After instructing the maids to carry the drunkards to guest rooms, Ling Feng finally sat down across from the Ninth Prince, pouring them both a fresh cup.

"What's on your mind, Feng Mo? You've been distracted all night."

"Brother Feng..." Feng Mo—no, the Ninth Prince, Mo Feng—looked at Ling Feng in disbelief. "You... still call me Feng Mo?"

"Feng Mo or Mo Feng, what's the difference? Aren't you still my good brother?" Ling Feng smiled faintly.

"Yes. Good brothers."

Mo Feng downed his cup in one gulp, then slammed it onto the table. "Brother Feng, remember that night in the Tianwei Mountains? I told you how much I hated my surname. Sometimes, I wish I were just Feng Mo—not Mo Feng."

"Commoners dream of being born into royalty, but how many truly understand the reality of it? Between brothers, there is no warmth—only schemes and betrayal."

Feng Mo took a deep breath, his voice drifting like a wistful sigh. "Brother Feng... if only you were truly my elder brother. That would have been wonderful!"

Ling Feng rubbed his nose. Though he wasn't deeply familiar with imperial politics, he knew rumors painted the Ninth Prince as the most mysterious and outstanding of the emperor's sons.

The usual Feng Mo was likely just Mo Feng suppressing his true capabilities, pretending to be ordinary.

But brilliance always bred envy!

Gently patting Mo Feng's shoulder, Ling Feng smiled. "I told you—you're my good brother. That won't change!"