Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

All those who knew that Lu Chao was the true Lu Chao of Great Wu were filled with confidence.

Just then, Lu Chao suddenly looked at the Dragon Flame King beside him and asked abruptly, "Martial Uncle, are you all right?"

The Dragon Flame King was stunned for a moment, then replied with a wry smile, "Thankfully, Nan Zhuiming was intimidated by my realm. If he had launched a second attack just now, I might not have been his match."

"Don’t worry. We only exchanged one move. I’m fine."

Although the Dragon Flame King had reached the Peak of the Peak Realm and learned the Azure Flame Rising Dragon Sword, he wouldn’t necessarily be a match for Nan Zhuiming in a real fight. After all, he had very little combat experience.

It had actually been a close call. The combination of the Peak of the Peak Realm and the Azure Flame Rising Dragon Sword had scared Nan Zhuiming into inaction.

And that was precisely why Lu Chao, understanding his martial uncle’s situation, had asked.

Nearby, Dongfang Ren’s face was still somewhat pale.

He slowly stepped forward and said in a hoarse voice, "I don’t know why, but I have a feeling there’s something strange about Nan Zhuiming’s advancement. He’s not young anymore. How could he suddenly reach the Peak Realm Eighth Layer?"

They had dueled ten years ago, and at the time, they were both at the Peak Realm Fourth Level.

Normally, breaking through four minor levels in ten years would be considered normal, but at their age, it was highly unusual. Dongfang Ren hadn’t advanced at all in ten years, while Nan Zhuiming had broken through one level after another.

In this region, at their age, breaking through each level of the Peak Realm is an extremely arduous task.

The Dragon Flame King had the foundation of the Azure Flame Sect and a long-lost technique like the Azure Flame Rising Dragon Sword, which was what allowed for his sudden breakthrough.

At Dongfang Ren’s words, everyone’s gazes sharpened... but in the end, they all shook their heads. Who knew how Nan Zhuiming had managed to reach the Peak Realm Eighth Layer? Perhaps, like the Dragon Flame King, he had stumbled upon some great fortuitous encounter.

The Dragon Flame King, however, was lost in thought, a sharp glint in his eyes.

Taking a deep breath, he suddenly said, "Lu Chao, have the troops set out first. I need to have a word with you."

Lu Chao nodded lightly and ordered the troops to set out ahead...

He then followed the Dragon Flame King back to the main gate of the Beast Flame Academy, joined by Dongfang Ren and Yin Ye.

The Dragon Flame King came to a stop and slowly pulled down his mask. "The Cyan Sword Great Empire... I’m very worried."

He repeated to Lu Chao the same concerns he had shared with Fan Changcun: a persistent feeling that the Cyan Sword Great Empire was up to something.

After explaining, he added hoarsely, "Perhaps I’m worrying for nothing, but Nan Zhuiming’s sudden breakthrough is truly odd. Maybe some powerful expert helped him."

The others exchanged glances...

The Dragon Flame King was implying that people from the Cyan Sword Great Empire might have already entered their region.

"It’s just speculation and wild thoughts, but there’s no harm in being cautious."

The Dragon Flame King smiled again and, saying no more, brought the short conversation to a close.

Lu Chao immediately stated that he would remain vigilant...

And so, Lu Chao and Dongfang Ren prepared to leave. But just at that moment, a carrier pigeon landed on the Dragon Flame King’s hand.

The King immediately opened the letter inside. After a quick glance, he called out to Lu Chao, saying, "Cyan Sword Mountain... Troops from the Cyan Sword Great Empire have been periodically leaving their posts and entering the mountain ranges in our region... to hunt and conduct drills."

At these words, Lu Chao and Dongfang Ren stopped dead in their tracks.

The Dragon Flame King continued, "I sent Marquis Longyin to the Cyan Sword Mountain Range to secretly observe the Cyan Sword Great Empire’s garrison troops. This is the report he sent me."

Lu Chao, Dongfang Ren, and Yin Ye exchanged glances.

If the Dragon Flame King’s words had been mere speculation moments ago, this was now a real development. From his time in the Great Wu Empire, Lu Chao knew very well that people from the Cyan Sword Great Empire would not normally take a single step into this region.

And now, they were actually entering to hunt and conduct drills.

But as before, there was nothing they could do for the time being. For Lu Chao, the priority was still to unravel the secrets of the Azure Flame Forbidden Land as quickly as possible.

For now, they still had to head to the Three-Academy Tournament battlefield first...

In the end, Lu Chao said, "Regardless, the time to re-establish the Azure Flame Sect is drawing near. We will begin immediately after the Three-Academy Tournament. At the same time, I will restore the Fragmented Classics from the 6th Floor of the Forbidden Land as quickly as possible."

With that, the two groups parted ways...

Lu Chao and Dongfang Ren returned to their troops. He led the army onward, toward the Three-Academy Tournament battlefield.

Meanwhile, the Dragon Flame King rejoined Fan Changcun, and the two returned directly to the Dragon Flame Kingdom.

As for Yin Ye...

He summoned his troops, those belonging to Marquis Jilong, and after leaving some men behind to guard the prisoners, he set out half a day later with his army, following in Lu Chao’s direction. As he had said, he was going to break down the gates of the Three Great Flame Countries, including Tiger Flame.

...

Meanwhile, the Rhino Beast Group carrying Nan Zhuiming and his followers was also steadily advancing toward the Three-Academy Tournament battlefield.

The atmosphere among them was grim.

Nan Zhuiming stood alone on the rump of a Rhino Beast, gazing coldly in the direction of the old Azure flame Sect site. ’Why is there someone at the Peak of the Peak Realm?’ he muttered to himself.

A cold glint flashed in his eyes; Nan Zhuiming was furious about the recent humiliation.

But his anger gave way to thoughts of the masked man at the Peak of the Peak Realm. ’The only reason I reached the Peak Realm Eighth Layer,’ he thought, his voice internally hushed, ’is because someone from the Cyan Sword Great Empire gave me Elixir Pills.’

If Lu Chao and the Dragon Flame King could have heard this, their eyes would have widened in shock. Their guess had been spot on.

’And that masked man... who is he?’

’He seemed to be using Azure Flame Sect techniques, and that Fake Lu Chao called him Martial Uncle. Can it be that the Azure Flame Sect, destroyed forty years ago, still has hidden experts?’

’Damn it. If that’s the case, killing Fake Lu Chao is going to be a huge problem.’

A cold glint flashed in Nan Zhuiming’s eyes as he gritted his teeth.

He knew, of course, that the "Fake Lu Chao" he was thinking of was a disciple of Fan Changcun, which would make him a disciple of the Azure Flame Sect. And with this Fake Lu Chao calling the masked man Martial Uncle, it was practically proof that the masked man was also from the Azure Flame Sect.

If the Azure Flame Sect really did have hidden experts...

If there were others besides the masked man, then Nan Zhuiming couldn’t just kill Fake Lu Chao so easily.

Suddenly... COO! COO!

A carrier pigeon landed on Nan Zhuiming’s hand. He immediately unfurled the letter it carried, and his eyes widened...

’People from the Cyan Sword Great Empire have visited my Saint Bone Nan Family again. They said they’re planning to make a big move in this region soon, and they want me to coordinate with them...’

’If it’s successful, they’ll help me advance to the Creation Realm.’

This was a letter from the Elder he had left behind at the Saint Bone Nan Family estate...

After reading it back and forth a few times, Nan Zhuiming couldn’t help but laugh, a sinister glint in his eyes. "The Three-Academy Tournament... I’ll kill that Fake Lu Chao."

’The Cyan Sword Great Empire itself says it’s making a big move, so why the hell should I be afraid of the Azure Flame Sect?’

’I’ll kill Fake Lu Chao, and then I’ll rely on the Cyan Sword Great Empire to kill that masked man... How exciting!’

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