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

A Presence That Silences the Battlefield

The mysterious figure descended slowly, his robes flowing like celestial clouds, yet his presence felt oppressive, like an emperor surveying his domain.

Even the black flames that once burned fiercely wavered, flickering uncertainly as if acknowledging an existence they dared not defy.

Ling Tian's grip on his spear tightened.

The pressure from this man… it was unlike anything he had ever felt.

A power beyond the mortal realm.

His opponent—the black-flamed man—stood rigid, his once-arrogant smirk now replaced by vigilance.

The newcomer's voice echoed across the battlefield, deep and commanding.

"Enough."

Just a single word.

Yet it carried the weight of judgment itself.

Ling Tian's instincts screamed.

Who was this person?

---

The Arbiter's Gaze

The man with the abyssal flames finally spoke, his voice lacking its previous arrogance.

"…Why are you here?"

The celestial-robed figure ignored him, his piercing gaze instead falling upon Ling Tian.

A slight frown appeared on his otherwise indifferent face.

"You are not supposed to exist."

The words sent chills down Ling Tian's spine.

"Not supposed to exist?"

Before he could respond, the man with the black flames gritted his teeth.

"Don't interfere, Arbiter."

At the name, Ling Tian's eyes widened.

"Celestial Arbiter?"

The stories spoke of him—

A being who enforced balance across the Myriad Worlds.

A judge of fate and destiny, intervening only when something unnatural threatened existence itself.

For him to appear now…

"Is it because of me?"

Ling Tian sharpened his gaze, his mind racing.

Was it his reincarnation?

Or something else entirely?

The Arbiter turned his gaze toward the black-flamed man.

"You have already overstepped your bounds."

His tone was calm—yet it carried an undeniable finality.

The dark flames around the man sputtered, as if suddenly losing power.

His eyes narrowed.

Then, he let out a bitter chuckle.

"So, that's how it is… I see now."

He stepped back.

The flames surrounding his body dimmed, as if he had abandoned the fight.

Ling Tian remained tense.

"He's just leaving?"

But before vanishing into the darkness, the man shot Ling Tian a final look.

"This isn't over, golden boy."

Then—

With a swirl of shadows, he disappeared.

---

A Warning from the Arbiter

Ling Tian exhaled slowly, lowering his spear, though his wariness did not fade.

He turned his full attention to the Celestial Arbiter.

"Why did you stop him?"

The Arbiter remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Because his battle with you was not yet fated."

Ling Tian frowned.

"Not yet fated?"

The Arbiter's eyes narrowed, as if peering through his very existence.

"You are a disturbance in the grand design. Your reincarnation… was not ordained by the cycle of Samsara."

Ling Tian's breath caught.

"Not ordained?"

"Which means," the Arbiter continued, "there are beings in this world who now seek to erase you."

The weight of his words settled in Ling Tian's chest.

It wasn't just this black-flamed enemy.

There were others.

Enemies who wouldn't rest until his very existence was annihilated.

The Arbiter turned to leave.

But before disappearing, he left Ling Tian with a final warning.

"If you wish to defy fate…"

He paused.

"Then be prepared to pay the price."

Then, like a celestial mirage, he vanished.

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