Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

A massive arena had been erected around the Blood Stele, with the stele itself as the centerpiece.

The area around the arena was now teeming with people, filling the entire temporary town. It wasn’t just traveling merchants and common folk; many powerful figures from various factions had also arrived.

Dozens of high platforms stood in various positions around the arena.

Each platform served as a viewing area for the powerful figures of a particular faction.

By now, powerful figures had already arrived early on some of the platforms...

”Quick, look! That’s the Second Prince of the Great Wu Empire, Wu Zhiqiu. The Great Wu Empire sent many of its civil and military officials, too.”

Someone pointed at a platform and murmured.

Another person said, ”Over there are the Third Princess and Prince Lieye of the Nanye Dynasty. They’ve traveled a great distance to spectate.”

”What about the Seven Great Flame Countries? Did any of the Flame Kings come?” someone else asked softly.

But someone immediately shook their head emphatically. ”’Not a chance. I heard the Six Great Flame Kings were all ’invited’ to the Dragon Flame Kingdom. With the Fake Lu Chao there, the Dragon Flame Kingdom is absurdly powerful right now.’”

”’What Fake Lu Chao? That’s the real Lu Chao. Either he didn’t die completely, or he’s some terrifying figure possessed by a Fierce Ghost.’”

As conversations like this spread, the topic among the spectators shifted back to the matter of the real and fake Lu Chao. They were still discussing how Lu Chao had died, as well as the events that took place here two days ago.

Lu Hanyang and Lu Dingkong had been utterly terrified.

However, just as the crowd was deep in discussion, a voice suddenly called out, ”Marshal Lu Dingtian has arrived!”

At that, all discussion came to an abrupt halt.

After a moment of surprise, everyone immediately fell silent. With Lu Dingtian here, they no longer dared to discuss the matter of Lu Chao in the slightest.

All eyes turned toward a group striding toward them from the distance.

At the head of the group was none other than Lu Dingtian himself, flanked by the siblings Lu Hanyang and Lu Hanyan.

At this moment, the siblings’ eyes glinted sharply, and they seemed to exude a powerful aura.

Following them were over a hundred youths clad in the uniforms of the Great Wu Imperial Academy, their bodies surging with True Qi.

These were the students from the Great Wu Imperial Academy who would be participating in the upcoming three-institute tournament.

Upon their arrival, the Second Prince of the Great Wu Empire, Wu Zhiqiu, hurriedly descended from his platform with his retinue to greet them.

”Haha, Marshal Lu! Victory in this three-institute tournament is all but assured.”

Even as a Prince of Great Wu, he was utterly respectful toward Lu Dingtian, showing none of the airs one would expect from royalty.

Shortly after, Nan Zhuiming of the Nanye Dynasty came forward with his men to exchange pleasantries with Lu Dingtian’s group.

The Great Wu Empire and the Nanye Dynasty did not share a border, so the two factions enjoyed a harmonious relationship. Afterward, the Beast Flame Inner Courtyard, led by Zheng Liling and Zeng Quan, also approached to speak with Lu Dingtian’s group.

Finally, all the spectating dignitaries—including Wu Tong and Wu Ye of the Hundred Flames Trading Company—began to gather around Lu Dingtian.

At this moment, Lu Dingtian was the center of attention, his presence outshining everyone else.

Until...

”The Beast Flame Outer Courtyard... the Fake Lu Chao is here.”

As the words spread, the clamorous atmosphere across the venue instantly fell silent.

Everyone, from common spectators to the powerful dignitaries, turned to look, their gazes shifting away from Lu Dingtian.

The contingent from the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard was approaching, a formidable procession.

It was not Lu Chao at the head of the group, but Dongfang Ren and Sun Shijin.

Behind them came the masked Lu Chao. At his side was Cheng Yunsu, dressed entirely in red, followed by Luo Wendeng and the others in their new Beast Flame Outer Courtyard uniforms.

Chi Yun of the Sky Cliff Kingdom was among them, and all were impeccably dressed, their strides firm and determined.

The crowd of onlookers unconsciously parted, forming a path for them...

Soon, Lu Chao and Lu Dingtian stood facing each other from a distance. In that instant, the atmosphere seemed to turn cold once more. A biting chill swept through the venue, and nearly every eye was fixed on Lu Chao.

Then... WHOOM!

Waves of True Qi involuntarily erupted from around Lu Dingtian.

”Fake Lu Chao...”

The directors of the Beast Flame Inner Courtyard’s Tiger, Wolf, and Eagle Institutes spoke, their voices overflowing with a hatred so potent it felt like a physical shockwave. It was the Fake Lu Chao who had made it impossible for them to return to their homes and their country.

CRACKLE...

Zheng Liling slowly clenched his fists. Beside him were Zeng Quan, Zheng Liyuan, Li Wumian, and other high-ranking members of the Celestial King Academy.

Each of them clenched their fists as well, their killing intent explosive and frenzied.

It was the Fake Lu Chao who had turned their once-advantageous position into this current mess.

The Dragon Flame Kingdom now had them completely suppressed.

They too dared not return to the Dragon Flame Kingdom, for a butcher’s blade would likely be waiting for them.

”Fake Lu Chao, today is the day you die,” Nan Ke said coldly.

Nan Zhuiming’s eyes were also ice-cold as he recalled the great humiliation they had suffered outside the ruins of the Azure Flame Sect.

”Brother Nan Ke, leave the Fake Lu Chao’s life to us,” Lu Hanyang declared without hesitation, his voice booming with unconcealed intent. ’The memory of being scared witless two days ago is a stain that will surely follow me for life.’

The same was true for Lu Hanyan—and she had been terrified twice.

To this, Nan Ke simply replied in a low voice, ”Sorry, but let’s make it ’may the best man win.’”

’He wasn’t about to back down. He had to kill the Fake Lu Chao with his own hands.’ He still remembered the people from the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard calling him gutless, one after another.

Wu Tong and Wu Ye grinned maliciously. Beside them, Wu Yiyi laughed coldly. ”Third Uncle is ridiculous, planning to place a huge wager on this impostor. And now he’s become public enemy number one.”

As she spoke, a cold light flashed in the eyes of Wu Tong and Wu Ye; they already considered Lu Chao a dead man.

Aside from them, there were of course others around Lu Dingtian who did not view Lu Chao as an enemy.

Namely, the Second Prince of Great Wu, Wu Zhiqiu.

He and his attendants all had a sharp glint in their eyes, which also held a look of confusion.

Their gazes were filled with complex emotions.

”Your Second Highness, he’s an impostor.”

”Even if he were the real one, he is still a disgraced general of our Great Wu Empire. You must never forget that.”

These words came from Lu Dingtian, and they immediately caused Wu Zhiqiu to hide the confusion in his eyes. A slightly awkward smile appeared on his face, but deep in his eyes, a flicker of anger was directed at Lu Dingtian...

In any case, even though Dongfang Ren was known as the strongest expert of the Hundred Countries, the entire crowd’s focus was now on Lu Chao.

Lu Chao drew closer to Lu Dingtian. What sparks would fly between them? Would the truth behind the real and fake Lu Chao finally be revealed? An explosive confrontation seemed imminent.

Lu Chao came to a halt. The group from the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard now stood a mere ten meters from the powerful figures of the other factions.

In that moment, Lu Chao’s and Lu Dingtian’s eyes met, their gazes clashing in the air between them.

Just then, Lu Dingtian, who had been smiling, trembled slightly. ’Those eyes behind the mask... I know them all too well.’

The next moment, Lu Chao’s voice drifted out from behind his mask. ”Lu Dingtian, my dear adoptive father. Have you been well?”

That voice, that tone... it made Lu Dingtian tremble once more as his fists clenched unconsciously...