Dawn rose pale over Yunhe City.
Li Tian stood at the northern gate, calm but alert. His cultivation was still at the Third Meridian Realm, though the First Revolution of the Heaven-Defying Art had made his qi far denser than ordinary cultivators at the same level.
To outsiders, he appeared like a talented Meridian cultivator.
Only he knew how unstable that strength truly was.
The three imperial envoys waited in silence.
Elder Han, their leader, observed Li Tian carefully. Unlike the chaotic demonic cultivators, Elder Han's aura was controlled and deep — at least Foundation Realm, perhaps higher.
"You may say your farewells," Elder Han said.
Su Yan stepped forward.Dawn rose pale over Yunhe City.
Li Tian stood at the northern gate, calm but alert. His cultivation was still at the Third Meridian Realm, though the First Revolution of the Heaven-Defying Art had made his qi far denser than ordinary cultivators at the same level.
To outsiders, he appeared like a talented Meridian cultivator.
Only he knew how unstable that strength truly was.
The three imperial envoys waited in silence.
Elder Han, their leader, observed Li Tian carefully. Unlike the chaotic demonic cultivators, Elder Han's aura was controlled and deep — at least Foundation Realm, perhaps higher.
"You may say your farewells," Elder Han said.
Su Yan stepped forward.
"You are walking into a trap," she said softly.
Li Tian nodded. "Probably."
"And you're still injured."
"The First Revolution damaged my meridians," he admitted. "But I can endure it."
Her expression hardened. "The Imperial Capital is not Yunhe City. There are elders there who can see through disguises."
"I'm not disguising anything," he replied calmly. "I am only at Meridian Realm."
That was the truth.
He had not yet broken through to Foundation Establishment. The Heaven-Defying Art strengthened quality, not realm — at least for now.
Elder Han interrupted. "It is time."
Without further words, the four of them rose into the air.
Li Tian did not push his qi aggressively. He maintained steady circulation through his three opened meridians. Even that caused faint pain. The reversed flow from the Heaven-Defying technique still felt unnatural, like forcing a river to climb uphill.
As they traveled north, the land slowly changed.
Fields replaced ruins. Villages bustled peacefully. It was clear that Yunhe City had only been the edge of the storm.
After some time, Elder Han spoke.
"You are only at Meridian Realm."
"Yes."
"And yet you defeated cultivators above your level."
Li Tian did not respond immediately.
"Technique matters," he said finally.
Elder Han gave him a long look. "Technique that disturbs heaven often demands a price."
"I have already paid some of it."
By sunset, the Imperial Capital appeared.
Tall black walls stretched across the horizon. Formation arrays shimmered faintly along the surface like flowing water. Spiritual energy in the air was far denser than anywhere Li Tian had felt before.
This city was built on a spiritual vein.
As they approached the gates, a scanning formation activated.
A wave of spiritual pressure swept across them.
When it touched Li Tian, the golden mark beneath his skin reacted sharply.
Heat spread through his chest.
For a moment, his qi nearly reversed on its own.
He clenched his fists and stabilized his breathing.
Meridian Realm.
Calm.
Steady.
The golden pulse faded.
The formation light dimmed.
Elder Han's eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.
They passed through the gates.
Inside, the capital was magnificent. Wide streets, grand halls, disciplined guards everywhere. Cultivators moved in ordered patterns, unlike the freedom of sect territories.
This was centralized power.
They soon arrived before the Vermilion Palace.
The structure radiated authority. Its red pillars were carved with dragons, and golden banners hung from the eaves. Even the air felt heavier here.
"Li Tian of Azure Sky Pavilion," a guard announced.
"Enter."
The massive doors opened slowly.
Inside the grand hall, rows of officials and cultivators stood silently. At the far end, seated on an elevated throne, was the Crown Prince Zhao Liang.
His face was calm, youthful, but his eyes were sharp.
He studied Li Tian carefully.
"So," the Crown Prince said lightly, "you are the Meridian Realm cultivator who stirred the Demonic Alliance."
The hall fell silent.
Li Tian stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"I defended Yunhe City."
A faint smile appeared on the Crown Prince's lips.
"At Meridian Realm," he repeated. "Impressive."
But there was no praise in his tone.
Only curiosity.
And calculation.
The golden mark beneath Li Tian's skin gave a faint, almost warning pulse.
In this palace filled with power far beyond his current realm…
He was the weakest person in the room.
Yet for some reason—
He felt like the most dangerous.
Next, Chapter 14 can include:
Political pressure test from Crown Prince
Hidden elder trying to scan Li Tian
Attempt to expose Heaven-Defying Art
Or assassination inside palace
Tell me the direction 🔥
"You are walking into a trap," she said softly.
Li Tian nodded. "Probably."
"And you're still injured."
"The First Revolution damaged my meridians," he admitted. "But I can endure it."
Her expression hardened. "The Imperial Capital is not Yunhe City. There are elders there who can see through disguises."
"I'm not disguising anything," he replied calmly. "I am only at Meridian Realm."
That was the truth.
He had not yet broken through to Foundation Establishment. The Heaven-Defying Art strengthened quality, not realm — at least for now.
Elder Han interrupted. "It is time."
Without further words, the four of them rose into the air.
Li Tian did not push his qi aggressively. He maintained steady circulation through his three opened meridians. Even that caused faint pain. The reversed flow from the Heaven-Defying technique still felt unnatural, like forcing a river to climb uphill.
As they traveled north, the land slowly changed.
Fields replaced ruins. Villages bustled peacefully. It was clear that Yunhe City had only been the edge of the storm.
After some time, Elder Han spoke.
"You are only at Meridian Realm."
"Yes."
"And yet you defeated cultivators above your level."
Li Tian did not respond immediately.
"Technique matters," he said finally.
Elder Han gave him a long look. "Technique that disturbs heaven often demands a price."
"I have already paid some of it."
By sunset, the Imperial Capital appeared.
Tall black walls stretched across the horizon. Formation arrays shimmered faintly along the surface like flowing water. Spiritual energy in the air was far denser than anywhere Li Tian had felt before.
This city was built on a spiritual vein.
As they approached the gates, a scanning formation activated.
A wave of spiritual pressure swept across them.
When it touched Li Tian, the golden mark beneath his skin reacted sharply.
Heat spread through his chest.
For a moment, his qi nearly reversed on its own.
He clenched his fists and stabilized his breathing.
Meridian Realm.
Calm.
Steady.
The golden pulse faded.
The formation light dimmed.
Elder Han's eyes flickered slightly, but he said nothing.
They passed through the gates.
Inside, the capital was magnificent. Wide streets, grand halls, disciplined guards everywhere. Cultivators moved in ordered patterns, unlike the freedom of sect territories.
This was centralized power.
They soon arrived before the Vermilion Palace.
The structure radiated authority. Its red pillars were carved with dragons, and golden banners hung from the eaves. Even the air felt heavier here.
"Li Tian of Azure Sky Pavilion," a guard announced.
"Enter."
The massive doors opened slowly.
Inside the grand hall, rows of officials and cultivators stood silently. At the far end, seated on an elevated throne, was the Crown Prince Zhao Liang.
His face was calm, youthful, but his eyes were sharp.
He studied Li Tian carefully.
"So," the Crown Prince said lightly, "you are the Meridian Realm cultivator who stirred the Demonic Alliance."
The hall fell silent.
Li Tian stepped forward and bowed slightly.
"I defended Yunhe City."
A faint smile appeared on the Crown Prince's lips.
"At Meridian Realm," he repeated. "Impressive."
But there was no praise in his tone.
Only curiosity.
And calculation.
The golden mark beneath Li Tian's skin gave a faint, almost warning pulse.
In this palace filled with power far beyond his current realm…
He was the weakest person in the room.
Yet for some reason—
He felt like the most dangerous.