Power and Politics in the Jinghong Empire New =

During the following period, Feng Yuan continued to guide the younger generation of direct descendants in their cultivation within the Feng family.

The Feng family gradually came to realize the terrifying and mysterious power of Feng Yuan.

In the blink of an eye, two months had passed.

Suddenly, three incredibly powerful auras erupted from within the Feng family, radiating intense pressure. Many people in Myriad Demons lifted their heads, their eyes filled with shock.

"That's coming from the direction of the Feng family. They've produced three more Level 5 experts!"

"Does that mean the Feng family now has five Level 5 cultivators?"

"No, wait! Did you forget about Feng Yuan? There were rumors that he was at the peak of the Level 4 before. He must have broken through to the level 5 stage by now."

"Adding that up, the Feng family has six Level 5 experts and one Level 6 stage cultivator. It seems the Feng family patriarch is also at the peak of the level 5 —he should break through to the Level 6 soon."

"Breaking through to the Level 6 is incredibly difficult. It's not something you can achieve so easily."

The voices of discussion echoed throughout the city. When people spoke of the Feng family now, their words were filled with reverence.

The current Feng family was truly terrifying.

With three new level 5 experts, their position in the Five Great Cities was now unshakable.

Feng Yuan had also gifted the Feng family many powerful cultivation techniques, greatly enhancing their combat prowess.

Additionally, in terms of auxiliary cultivation paths like pill refinement and weapon forging, the Feng family had seen significant growth. Previously, they had only one third-grade alchemist.

Now, they had seven third-grade alchemists and even one fourth-grade alchemist.

Thanks to their innate Heavenly Spiritual Roots, the younger generation of the Feng family was also progressing rapidly. For example, Feng Yuze had already reached the peak of the Level 3 stage, just a step away from the Level 4 .

A year passed in the blink of an eye.

In Myriad Demons city , everyone felt a sudden tightness in their chest, as if the air had been sucked from the atmosphere, leaving a suffocating pressure.

What's happening?

People turned in the direction of the aura, their faces filled with fear.

Shortly after, a powerful, unparalleled aura erupted from within the Feng family. Under this pressure, everyone felt as insignificant as ants, able only to crawl on the ground.

It was the aura of the Level 6 !

The citizens of Myriad demons City were filled with terror, realizing how powerless they were in the face of such a mighty force.

Soon, the aura fully blossomed, and a figure shot into the sky, causing ripples in the surrounding space.

"Hahaha, I, Feng Qingtian, have finally broken through to the Level 6 stage!"

Feng Qingtian laughed heartily, exuding an aura that felt as imposing as the heavens themselves.

"That's Feng Qingtian, the head of the Feng family! My god, another member of the Feng family has broken through to the Level 6 !"

"So powerful! Is this the pressure brought by the Level 6 ?"

Countless people were horrified and filled with awe.

With two Level 6 stage experts, the Feng family's strength had become even more immovable.

When the other four major cities learned of this, they all sent gifts to express their loyalty to the Feng family. Feng Qingtian even demanded that the remaining four cities submit to the Feng family.

Naturally, all forces in the four major cities agreed, pledging to offer annual tributes to the Feng family.

Thus, the Five Great Cities came under the influence of the Feng family.

Over the next year, five more direct descendants of the Feng family broke through to the level 4 stage, and two elders from the collateral branches also reached the Level 5 .

Currently, the Feng family boasted a total of eight level 5 stage cultivators, and nearly thirty level 4 cultivators from both the direct and collateral branches. This number was incredibly terrifying.

Six months later, Feng Hongyuan also broke through to the mid-layer of the level 6 stage, eliminating any remaining dissatisfaction among the other four cities.

The direct descendants of the Feng family were all born with Heavenly Spiritual Roots, and with the monthly cultivation resources provided by the Myriad Treasures Pavilion, they were all able to quickly advance.

The Feng family had now reached an unprecedented peak of power. News of their rise even spread to the Jinghong Empire, attracting significant attention.

The Jinghong Empire was currently in turmoil. Emperor Jinghong was preparing to enter seclusion to break through to the Level 8 , and as such, was preparing to abdicate.

However, the empire's rule had to continue, so the nine princes began competing for the position of crown prince.

The Jinghong Empire had produced three emperors, including the current Emperor Jinghong, but each time there was a battle for the throne, nearly all the competing princes were killed, leaving only the final victor.

In other words, out of the nine princes, only one would survive,such was the brutal, bloody reality of the royal family.

During this time, the Jinghong Empire had become extremely unstable. Each prince was backed by many powerful figures, with the first prince being the strongest, having already reached the mid-layer of the level 6 .

He also had the largest following of supporters.

Among the nine princes, he was considered the one most likely to claim the throne.

The struggle for the throne, known as the Nine Dragons Battle for Supremacy, had reached its most intense Level . Nearly all forces in the empire capable of reaching the Level 6 had already chosen sides.

However, at this critical moment, two Level 6 cultivators suddenly emerged in the Five Great Cities, one of whom had even reached the mid-layer .

This immediately caught the attention of all nine princes, who now shared a common goal: to recruit the Feng family.

Though the Jinghong Empire was powerful, the number of level 6 cultivators was limited, and such experts were considered high-level combatants.

Two Level 6 stage cultivators could often be the key to victory in many situations.

Not long after the news about the Feng family spread, the princes of the Jinghong Empire sent emissaries to express their desire to recruit them. However, Feng Qingtian, having just stabilized the Feng family's position, declined most offers.

At the Feng family's reception hall, a richly dressed man sat with a displeased expression, having just been refused by Feng Qingtian.

With a somewhat unhappy tone, Huang Qi said, "Patriarch Feng, the first prince has shown nothing but sincerity. Refusing his offer will bring no benefit to your family."

"Besides, the first prince's forces are the strongest. With the support of your two Level 6 stage experts, his chances of winning would increase significantly. Once the first prince secures the throne, he will become the emperor of the Jinghong Empire."

"At that time, would you still need to live in such a remote place like the Five Great Cities? The first prince could provide your family with a land rich in spiritual energy within the Jinghong Empire."

Feng Qingtian smiled politely and replied, "Lord Huang, my Feng family has no interest in such conflicts. We only wish to preserve ourselves."

The battle for the throne was terrifying, and a single misstep could lead to the destruction of the entire Feng family. Feng Qingtian saw no need to get involved.

Hearing this, Huang Qi's expression grew even more displeased.

Despite all his words, they still refused.

Huang Qi stood up, releasing the pressure of his mid-layer Level 6 cultivation, his presence like that of a raging lion. "Patriarch Feng, I hope you understand. The Five Great Cities are ungoverned only because of an agreement made between the previous emperor and the city lords."

"But now that the city lords have vanished, and you've refused all the princes, no matter who takes the throne, there will be no place for your Feng family to hide."

"Do you truly believe you can remain neutral? Is that even possible?"

Feng Qingtian's expression changed. While the Feng family now had two level 6 stage experts, they were still no match for the colossal Jinghong Empire.

If a prince decided to target them, no matter who won the throne, the Feng family would be eliminated.

Huang Qi snorted coldly and turned to leave.

"Hmph, Patriarch Feng, you'd best take care."

Once Huang Qi left, Feng Qingtian was left alone in the room, his face filled with worry.

All the Feng family wanted was peaceful development, but was that too much to ask?

Shaking his head, Feng Qingtian sighed helplessly. In this world, lacking strength was the true problem.

Two days later...

"Patriarch, someone is outside requesting an audience. He claims to be an old acquaintance of yours."

...