Three o'clock in the afternoon, in the central arena of Chengtian City.
The most magnificent building on the planet, like a crouching steel behemoth, sits in the heart of the city. Nearly a thousand meters tall, it is constructed of black alloy and a translucent energy shield, and can accommodate over three million spectators.
Today, the place is packed.
From the highest-ranking civil and military officials to the lowest-ranking commoners, everyone's face was filled with a fanatical, almost religious, passion.
Today is the final day of the "Imperial Champions Cup" football tournament.
Football, an ancient sport from the old Blue Star, has been developed into a completely new and even bloodier realm in the Star Empire.
Football in the Empire is more than just a sport; it is a microcosm of war, a pathway to social advancement, and the most direct manifestation of the Empire's martial spirit.
The rules of the game are extremely open. Apart from the prohibition of lethal weapons, players are allowed to engage in any form of intense physical contact.
The players themselves are no longer ordinary people. Most of them are elite soldiers from the Imperial Army or genetically modified "specialized athletes." They wear lightweight power-assisted exoskeletons, run at speeds comparable to maglev trains, and shoot with the power to pierce steel plates.
Today's final match, between the two teams, is attracting worldwide attention.
On one side is the "Iron Blood Legion," representing the supreme glory of the Imperial military.
Their players are all active-duty officers from the Empire's most elite special operations divisions. They are highly disciplined, tactically astute, and their playing style, like their combat style, is filled with an iron will, precise, efficient, and ruthless.
On the other side is the biggest dark horse of the season, the "Storm Vanguard" team.
The players on this team have rather unique backgrounds.
They were all second-generation immigrants from the conquered "Eagle Federation," genetically selected and enhanced. They were tall, incredibly powerful, and their playing style was full of imagination and individual heroism.
They yearn to prove their worth by winning this competition, and to earn a higher status and greater respect for their people within the empire.
This is a war of honor between conquerors and the conquered.
Lin Feng's arrival instantly plunged the entire arena into a frenzy of celebration.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empire!"
The roar of three million people nearly lifted the dome of the entire arena.
Countless spectators were moved to tears, waving their flags wildly and chanting Lin Feng's name towards the VIP box in the sky.
Lin Feng's private box was located at the highest point of the arena, like a temple suspended in the sky.
The entire box is made of one-way transparent crystal, allowing a panoramic view of the entire stadium from inside, while those outside cannot see anything through it.
The luxury inside the private room rivaled that of the Yongguang Palace. Soft carpets, comfortable sofas, waitresses at all times, and a table laden with various fine wines and delicacies.
Lin Feng reclined on a throne crafted from the spine of Leviathan. Beside him sat Qin Lan, her face solemn, and several top officials from the empire's core departments. The last princess from the "Red River Kingdom," the "Deceased Consort" A-Lian, knelt at his feet, peeling a type of crystal grape from the "Amethyst Star" for him.
A-Lian's movements were somewhat stiff. She could feel the fervent shouts of the three million below, each "Long live Your Majesty" like a needle piercing her heart.
Her country, her people, were destroyed by this man before her and the fanatical followers behind him. And she, she must stand here, like a docile dog, serving her enemy who destroyed her nation.
Lin Feng noticed her mood. He lowered his head and looked at her with amusement: "What's wrong? Don't you like the atmosphere here?"
A-Lian's body trembled violently, and she lowered her head even further: "This servant... dares not."
“Hahaha…” Lin Feng laughed. He pinched her chin, forcing her to raise her head and look at the green field below. “Look closely. This is my empire. This is power. Your people perished because they lacked this most primal desire for victory.”
"Look closely, that number 11." Lin Feng pointed to a blond, blue-eyed, exceptionally burly forward on the "Storm Vanguard" team. "His name is 'Thor.' His grandfather was a general in the 'Eagle Federation,' who died on the battlefield five years ago. And now, he's the most dazzling football star in the Lone Empire. Every goal he scores brings his family more wealth and higher social status. Isn't that ridiculous?"
Ah Lian's eyes were filled with tears of humiliation, but she bit her lip hard to keep them from falling.
"Shh, the match is about to begin." Lin Feng released his grip, leaned back on the throne, and waited with great interest for the show to start.
"beep!"
With a long, penetrating whistle, the competition officially began!
The "Iron-Blooded Legion" team truly lives up to their reputation as an elite military force. From the very first whistle, they launched a textbook full-field press. The ten players moved as one, their formation tight and their pressure palpable. The ball, through precise, almost computer-calculated short passes, surged forward with incredible speed.
The "Storm Vanguard" team, on the other hand, had a completely different style. They abandoned midfield battles and relied on the players' strong individual abilities to launch a fast counter-attacking game. "Thor" was like a golden arrow, pointing at the forefront of the team.
Just five minutes into the game, the "Iron Legion" had a golden opportunity. Their midfield maestro, Captain nicknamed "The Scalpel," delivered a precise through ball that tore apart the "Storm Strikers'" defense. The striker, like a heavy tank, dribbled into the penalty area.
The goalkeeper of the "Storm Vanguard" team, who is also a descendant of the "Eagle," let out a roar and charged out without fear.
"Bang!"
A dull, loud bang.
The forward of the "Iron-Blooded Legion" collided violently with the opposing goalkeeper. Sparks even flew from their powered exoskeletons due to the immense impact.
The goalkeeper held the football tightly in his arms. But one of his arms was twisted at an odd angle.
Medical robots swiftly entered the stadium and carried the fractured goalkeeper off. The three million spectators, instead of showing any sympathy, erupted in even more enthusiastic cheers and applause.
In their eyes, this was the kind of competition an empire should have! It was full of passion and glory!
"Interesting." Lin Feng picked up a glass of wine chilled with "Star Core" and commented, "That goalkeeper was very brave. Award his family a first-class merit. Have the best doctors from the Academy of Sciences set his bones."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The chief steward of the Imperial Household Department immediately wrote down the order.
The game continues.
The "Storm Vanguard" team brought on a substitute goalkeeper. But their morale seemed to have been affected.
The "Iron Legion" seized the opportunity and launched a tidal wave of attacks.
In the 30th minute, the "Iron Legion's" winger used his speed advantage to break through and then delivered a cross. The ball drew a perfect arc, flying towards the center of the penalty area.
Their center, a burly man over two meters tall, leaped high into the air. His powered exoskeleton emitted pale blue flames, propelling him to a height exceeding five meters!
"Mount Tai is pressing down!" the commentator roared.
"boom!"
He slammed the ball into the goal with a powerful header!
The football, like a cannonball, hurtled towards the corner of the goal with a sharp whistle.
The substitute goalkeeper made a save attempt, but it was futile.
Goal!
1-0! The "Iron-Blooded Legion" team breaks the deadlock first!
The entire arena instantly transformed into a sea of red. The fans of the "Iron Legion" celebrated wildly.
Inside Lin Feng's private room, several generals with military backgrounds also wore smug smiles.
"Your Majesty, it seems that our empire's pure-blooded soldiers still have the upper hand," a general said with a smile.
Lin Feng smiled noncommittally, but his gaze fell on Thor, who was silently picking up the ball from the goal after conceding it.
There was no trace of frustration in those blue eyes; instead, they burned with an even more surging, fiery fighting spirit.
The second half begins.
Everyone thought that the "Iron Legion" would play it safe and maintain their victory until the end.
But the Storm Vanguard team launched a desperate counterattack.
The core of the counterattack is Thor.
He seemed to have transformed into the real Thor. He no longer waited for his teammates to pass the ball, but began to use his unparalleled individual ability to attack the "Iron Legion's" steel defense time and time again.
He was like an invincible warhammer.
The two center-backs of the "Iron Legion" tried to stop him by closing him down.
Thor, while running at high speed, suddenly stopped and changed direction, then used an unbelievable "passing man and ball" to squeeze through the gap of less than half a meter between the two defenders!
Two burly men, each weighing over 150 kilograms, were knocked over by his collision.
"roar!"
Thor dribbled into the penalty area, and facing the onrushing goalkeeper, he did not choose to shoot, but calmly passed the ball across to a teammate in a better position.
His teammate easily tapped the ball into the empty net.
1:1!
The Storm Vanguard team has tied the score!
After scoring, Thor did not celebrate, but instead looked up at the sky and let out a long roar, as if venting his long-suppressed anger and desire.
"Good lad!" A glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. "Brave, resourceful, and knows how to share credit. He's got the makings of a leader. Go check if he has any older or younger sisters."
“Your Majesty, it has been investigated.” The head of the Imperial Household Department replied immediately, “He has a younger sister who just turned eighteen this year. She is studying harp at the Imperial Central Academy of Arts. Her appearance is rated as S-level.”
"Very good." A smile curved Lin Feng's lips. "An interesting piece."
Hearing this, A-Lian trembled even more violently. She knew what a terrifying fate this so-called "interesting" meant for that girl.
The match, because of this draw, has entered a truly heated phase.
The Ironblood Legion seemed enraged by this goal. They abandoned their previous reserved demeanor and revealed their true colors as the Empire's strongest warriors.
Their pressure became even more suffocating. Every steal, every collision, carried an aura as if they wanted to completely crush their opponents.
Led by Thor, the "Storm Vanguard" team put up a fierce fight. The tension on the field grew increasingly intense, with sparks flying from the powered exoskeletons of both teams due to the violent collisions.
During a scramble for the ball, the defensive midfielder of the "Iron Legion" tackled Thor to the ground with an extremely vicious flying tackle.
This is a movement that can paralyze an ordinary person's lower body.
But Thor only rolled a few times on the ground before getting back up, without even glancing at the opponent who had tackled him. He simply waited silently for the referee's decision. His steely will moved countless viewers of the "Eagle's Descendants" generation.
The referee gave a yellow card to the defensive midfielder of the "Iron Legion".
The game has finally reached the last minute.
The score remains 1-1.
Everyone thought the game would go into a brutal overtime.
Just then, Thor seized a fleeting opportunity. He fought three against one, forcefully breaking through! He took individual heroism to its extreme! His speed, strength, and skill combined perfectly in that moment, actually tearing open a gap in the defenses!
One-on-one!
This is Thor's fateful single blade!
The entire arena fell silent. Everyone's heart was in their throat.
Stormfront fans are ready to cheer.
However, just as Thor took the shot, a black figure slid in from the side and behind like a ghost.
He is the captain of the "Iron Legion," the colonel nicknamed "Ghost."
His movements were lightning fast and incredibly precise. Without touching Thor at all, he used the edge of his powered exoskeleton to cleanly and decisively destroy the football at Thor's feet at an incredible angle.
Thor's all-out shot hit nothing but air; he lost his balance due to the excessive force and fell heavily to the ground.
Before he could even get up from the ground, the "Iron Legion" had already launched a textbook-perfect, rapid counterattack!
The intercepted football, without the slightest pause, was passed through the entire field in three long passes as precise as laser beams, arriving at the "Storm Striker" team's goal.
The striker of the "Iron-Blooded Legion" faced the substitute goalkeeper and made no unnecessary movements, delivering a calm and ruthless push shot.
The football went into the net.
A game-winning shot!
2:1!
In the final second of the game, the "Iron Legion" used their best teamwork and iron will to destroy Thor's individual heroism.
"beep!"
The final whistle blew almost simultaneously with the sound of the ball hitting the net.
The match is over.
The entire arena instantly transformed into a sea of red. The fans of the "Iron Legion" celebrated their hard-won victory wildly, chanting "Long live the Empire!" Their voices were louder than ever before, filled with the pride of conquerors.
The Storm Vanguards' fan section was deathly silent. Countless people slumped in their seats, weeping with their faces buried in their hands.
On the field, Thor knelt on the ground, slamming his fists into the grass. He raised his head, gazing up at the massive dome of the arena, his once fiery blue eyes finally dimming, leaving only endless humiliation and resentment.
Lin Feng stood up and slowly began to clap his hands.
A satisfied smile graced his face.
“Pass on my orders,” he said.
"The entire 'Iron-Blooded Legion' is commended, and its captain, Colonel 'Ghost,' is promoted to Major General and awarded the Imperial First Class Warrior Medal."
"The Empire has always valued collectivism and discipline. Individual bravery is commendable, but in the face of the Empire's iron torrent, it is ultimately nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot."
He paused, his gaze shifting to Thor kneeling on the ground, his smile turning playful yet cruel.
"As for Thor... he was defeated but honorable. To honor his bravery, let him witness the glory of his family."
“His younger sister, Leila, was bestowed the title of ‘Weigong Cairen’ and tonight, she will enter the Nine Heavens Moon-Embracing Palace.”
“Tell Thor that this is my ‘reward’ for his personal bravery. Let him understand that all his efforts will ultimately contribute to the glory of the Empire.”
A few simple words elevate the victor's glory to its peak, while simultaneously crushing the last vestiges of dignity of the loser.
This is the law of empire.
This is Lin Feng's power.
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