Fated to Rule, Destined to Love: The Martial Emperor’s Curse

A Power That Shouldn't Exist

The battlefield trembled.

The dark flames surrounding the man flickered like phantom serpents, devouring everything in their path.

The Ling Clan estate—already battered and burning—withered under its presence.

The elders staggered back, their faces drained of color.

"This… This is not normal Qi!" one of them gasped.

Even the air itself felt corrupted. The flames did not just burn—they consumed. It was as if the very laws of nature refused to govern this power.

Ling Tian stood firm, staring at the ominous energy. His eyes narrowed.

"What kind of technique is this?"

The man smirked.

"You can feel it, can't you? The sheer difference in our existence."

He raised his hand.

The flames around him howled, as if they were alive.

"This power," he whispered, "is beyond the laws of this world."

And then—

He vanished.

---

A Battle Against the Unknown

Ling Tian's instincts screamed.

A shadow flickered behind him.

He spun—

BANG!

A flaming fist collided with his chest.

The force tore through his robes, searing his flesh.

Pain exploded through his body.

Ling Tian was blasted back, his feet carving trenches into the ground as he barely stabilized himself.

He glanced at his chest—his skin was charred black where the flames had struck.

For the first time in a long while…

He felt genuine pain.

The man laughed.

"Surprised?"

Ling Tian wiped the blood from his lips, his expression turning serious.

This wasn't just a strong opponent.

This was a different kind of enemy.

One that defied logic.

"This isn't just cultivation power… This is something else."

He took a deep breath, letting his Qi circulate through his meridians. The charred skin slowly began to peel away, revealing fresh flesh beneath.

The man's smirk twitched.

"Oh? You can heal? Interesting."

Ling Tian didn't answer.

Instead, he slowly clenched his fists, his eyes burning with battle intent.

"Finally…"

A grin spread across his lips.

"A real fight."

---

The Wrath of the Martial Emperor

The man's smirk twitched.

"You're still smiling?"

Ling Tian stepped forward.

With each step, the ground cracked beneath him.

The surrounding air hummed, as if resonating with his presence.

Then—

BOOM!

A golden aura exploded from his body.

It didn't have the eerie, devouring presence of the forbidden flames—

But it was overwhelming.

The pressure was like the weight of thousands of mountains, pressing down on everyone.

The Ling Clan disciples felt their knees buckle.

The enemy assassins gasped for breath.

Even the man with the dark flames…

His smile finally disappeared.

Ling Tian cracked his knuckles.

"Your flames are impressive."

His golden Qi surged, illuminating the battlefield like a second sun.

"But let's see how they handle—me."

Then, with a flicker—

He vanished.

The man's pupils contracted.

"Fast!"

Before he could react—

BANG!

Ling Tian's palm slammed into his chest, sending him flying through the ruins of the main hall.

The ground shattered beneath the impact.

But Ling Tian wasn't done.

With a flick of his sleeve, he soared forward, appearing above the fallen enemy.

His fist, glowing with unparalleled power, descended.

The man's eyes widened.

BOOM!

The entire estate quaked.

Dust and debris exploded into the air, obscuring everything.

The Ling Clan disciples could only stare in shock and awe.

But then—

A low chuckle came from the rubble.

Then—laughter.

Ling Tian narrowed his eyes.

The man stood up, wiping blood from his lips.

And he was… smiling.

"That actually hurt."

Ling Tian frowned.

His attack should've shattered bones, ruptured organs.

Yet this guy was standing like it was nothing.

The man flexed his fingers, dark energy coiling around his body.

"You're strong, Ling Tian."

His smirk widened.

"But I haven't even started yet."

Then—

His aura exploded.

A terrifying black flame erupted around him, twisting like a demonic serpent.

The sky darkened. The air thickened.

Even the flames of the burning Ling Clan hall were swallowed by his power.

Ling Tian narrowed his eyes.

"This isn't normal."

The man grinned.

"Of course not."

Then, his voice dropped to a whisper.

"It's forbidden."

Ling Tian's heart pounded.

Not with fear—

But excitement.

"This just got interesting."

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