Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

At his words, Lu Hanyang’s fists clenched subconsciously, emitting a CRACK-CRACK-CRACK sound.

Of course, his sister Lu Hanyan had already told him about this.

But Lu Hanyang had naturally dismissed it as nonsense—just some ghost stories the Fake Lu Chao used to scare people. Before actually meeting Lu Chao, he had scorned any talk of a "Fierce Ghost."

But now, he felt a chill crawl up his spine.

Lu Chao ignored Lu Hanyang and turned to Zheng Zhuhe. "Zheng Liling was a fast runner back in Saint Su City. He was even faster at the ruins of the Azure Flame Sect."

"Zheng Zhuhe, does your Patriarch, Zheng Liling, specialize in running techniques?"

In Saint Su City, Zheng Liling fled when faced with Lu Chao’s storm of arrows.

He ran away from the battle at the Azure Flame Sect ruins, too.

Lu Chao had nothing more to say to Zheng Zhuhe and his cronies. With a single question, he shot down Zheng Zhuhe’s self-righteous posturing.

Instantly, the faces of Zheng Zhuhe, Zheng Zhugong, and the other prodigies from the Saint Bone Zheng Family turned beet red.

But Lu Chao gave them no opportunity to retort, continuing coldly, "Give Zheng Liling a message for me. Tell him to keep practicing his running techniques. Otherwise, after the Three-Academy Tournament, I’m afraid he won’t be able to escape."

With that, Lu Chao glanced at the nearby Blood Stele, then turned and walked away, his face devoid of expression.

Seeing Lu Chao about to leave, Lu Hanyang snapped out of it and shouted, "Fake Lu Chao, halt!"

Lu Hanyang had originally planned to crush the Fake Lu Chao with taunts and provocations. But who would have known that a few sentences from the man would be enough to make his skin crawl and completely dominate his emotions?

Now, Lu Hanyang had to say something to save face.

Lu Chao paused and turned back with a slight smile. "Second Brother, you can go back and tell Lu Dingtian something for me, too. After the Three-Academy Tournament, this Blood Stele will only have two words left on it... his name: ’Lu Dingtian.’"

"I was going to destroy it, but now, I’ve changed my mind."

The Blood Stele was inscribed not only with Lu Chao’s supposed crimes but also with the words, "Erected by Lu Dingtian, Grand Marshal of Great Wu."

And when Lu Chao spoke of leaving only the two words "Lu Dingtian," he naturally meant he was giving it back to the man himself.

Turning it into Lu Dingtian’s tombstone.

Lu Chao’s voice was cold and terrifying, as if he were truly possessed by a Fierce Ghost.

Lu Hanyang, who had just been trying to save face, began to tremble again. ’It’s uncanny... it’s just too uncanny.’

’Every word... sounds just like my elder brother, Lu Chao.’

But Zheng Zhuhe cut in, bellowing, "Fake Lu Chao, we’ll take your life at the Three-Academy Tournament!"

"The feeling is mutual."

Lu Chao offered these four words lightly, then turned and continued to lead his group away.

However, after they had walked a short distance, a figure in a yellow dress ran up behind them. "Sister Caicai, wait!"

The one who had caught up was, of course, Wu Yiyi.

Wu Caicai paused briefly, then slowly turned. "Wu Yiyi, what else do you want?"

At this, Wu Yiyi immediately put on a pitiful, wronged expression.

"Sister Caicai, don’t be so cold. I’ve come with good intentions, to give you a warning..."

"Eldest Uncle will be here soon. He said that if you don’t leave Dragon Flame Academy, your mother will be punished."

Her voice was deliberately delicate and sweet as she delivered the words that made all color drain from Wu Caicai’s face.

But a moment later, Wu Caicai’s expression darkened, and she hissed through clenched teeth, "Wu Yiyi, are you behind this again?"

Wu Caicai had barely finished speaking when the sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels suddenly echoed...

Not far ahead, two luxurious carriages suddenly appeared, pulling up to block the path of Lu Chao and his companions. A somewhat aged voice called out, "Wu Caicai, is that any way to speak to Yiyi?"

The voice boomed from inside the carriage, filled with a cold, merciless tone. He even used her full name.

Instantly, Wu Caicai’s expression filled with shock.

Before she could react, a man stepped out of the first carriage.

He was an elderly man in a purple robe, exuding an air of nobility and wealth. Then, a second, older middle-aged man disembarked from the other carriage.

He was also wearing a purple robe.

The moment he stepped down, Wu Yiyi scampered over. "Daddy, you’re here!"

That was right. The second, older middle-aged man was indeed Wu Yiyi’s father, the Second Master of the Witch Family of the Hundred Flames Trading Company, Wu Ye.

And the first man, the elder, was Wu Tong, the Eldest Master of the Hundred Flames Trading Company—and Wu Caicai’s father.

Wu Tong had just stepped down from the carriage, and his face was already a dark cloud as he stared at Wu Caicai.

Immediately after, a middle-aged noblewoman descended from the carriage. It was Wu Caicai’s "Second Mother," Zhong Qiao.

She was the one who, back at Beast Flame Academy, had insisted on dragging Wu Caicai home.

She was also the one who was very close to Wu Yiyi and, likewise, the one who despised Wu Caicai. The reason for her hatred was simple: Wu Caicai’s mother had once been nothing more than her own personal bodyguard, yet she had borne Eldest Master Wu Tong a daughter—Wu Caicai.

Furthermore, Zhong Qiao was also the cousin of the Vice Dean of Tiger Flame Academy...

Seeing the pair, Wu Caicai’s face grew a little pale, but she still stepped forward and bowed slightly. "Father, Second Mother..."

Wu Tong’s gaze was ice-cold. He barked, "We can talk about other things later. For now, you will apologize to Yiyi. Immediately."

His tone was incredibly harsh, causing Lu Chao’s brow to twitch beneath his mask.

Wu Caicai’s expression changed again. She asked in a hushed tone, "Why?"

Wu Tong’s gaze grew even colder, and he spoke with utter disgust. "How dare you ask me why? Don’t you know what Yiyi suffered at Beast Flame Academy? And yet you’re still associating with the very person who bullied her. Isn’t that reason enough to apologize?"

As the words fell, the eyes beneath Lu Chao’s mask grew colder still.

The students from Dragon Flame Academy also had looks of suppressed fury. This was a veiled attack on Lu Chao and, by extension, all of them.

Wu Yiyi, however, immediately jumped in. "Eldest Uncle, perhaps we should just let it go. Maybe Sister Caicai has her reasons."

She played the part of the obedient and understanding niece, continuing her charade...

After comforting Yiyi with a voice full of warmth, he immediately turned a severe gaze back to Wu Caicai.

"Look at Yiyi, and then look at yourself, you wretched girl! You’ve utterly disgraced me! Apologize at once! And then you will kneel and kowtow to your Second Mother. Don’t think I don’t know what you did at Beast Flame Academy!"

At his words, Wu Caicai’s entire body began to tremble violently, and her eyes gradually reddened.

’During the selection trials for Beast Flame Academy, it was clearly Yiyi who had framed her, accusing her of slandering Zheng Zhuhe. And as for Dragon Flame Academy ’bullying’ Yiyi—hadn’t she brought all of that on herself?’

’Yiyi had secretly gone to Cheng Yunsu for help. Yiyi had almost caused Dragon Flame Academy to fail the second trial...’

’And her father hadn’t bothered to investigate any of it. He just blindly took Yiyi’s side.’

At this thought, Wu Caicai suddenly lifted her head. "Father," she replied, "what you ask is something I cannot do."

As she spoke, her gaze gradually grew resolute.

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