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

The Silence After the Storm

Ling Tian stood alone.

The battlefield, once filled with roaring flames and divine light, now lay in eerie silence.

The Celestial Arbiter had vanished.

His mysterious foe had retreated.

Yet, instead of relief—Ling Tian felt an unshakable weight settle upon him.

"I'm not supposed to exist?"

His grip on his golden spear tightened.

The Arbiter's words echoed in his mind like a prophecy of doom.

His reincarnation was unnatural.

And now, there were forces beyond his understanding that sought to erase him.

His journey had just begun—yet already, he was caught in the strings of an unseen fate.

Was it truly his destiny to rule?

Or was he merely a mistake… waiting to be erased?

---

A Familiar Face

Before Ling Tian could dwell further—

A gentle breeze brushed past him.

Then—

"Clap… clap… clap…"

A slow, mocking applause rang through the air.

Ling Tian's eyes snapped toward the source.

A young man dressed in lavish black robes, embroidered with silver dragons, leaned lazily against a ruined pillar.

His long black hair swayed slightly, and his lips curled into an arrogant smirk.

"You never fail to surprise me, Brother Ling," he said, his voice carrying an air of amusement.

Ling Tian's brows furrowed.

"...Feng Bai?"

Feng Bai—the young master of the Mystic Shadow Sect.

A so-called friend, but one Ling Tian never fully trusted.

He always carried himself with an air of mystery, his motives never clear.

Feng Bai pushed off the pillar and walked forward, his arms crossed.

"A battle with abyssal flames? A visit from the legendary Arbiter? And yet, here you are—still standing. I must say, your luck is… fascinating."

Ling Tian remained silent, watching him carefully.

"He wouldn't appear unless he had a reason."

Feng Bai smirked, then sighed dramatically.

"But alas, luck alone won't be enough, Brother Ling."

He flicked his wrist, and suddenly—

A scroll materialized in his hand, wrapped in dark energy.

Then, with a casual toss—he threw it toward Ling Tian.

Ling Tian caught it effortlessly.

And the moment he did—

His mind trembled.

Because the moment his fingers touched the parchment, an ancient voice whispered into his very soul—

"The path to truth lies in the ruins of the Forsaken Realm…"

---

The Forsaken Realm

Ling Tian's eyes darkened.

The Forsaken Realm was a forbidden land, buried in the depths of the Nether Abyss.

A place said to be lost to time, where even divine beings dared not tread lightly.

And now—

This mysterious scroll spoke of it?

Feng Bai chuckled.

"Curious, aren't you?"

Ling Tian didn't respond.

Feng Bai grinned.

"That scroll… it holds a secret related to your so-called 'unnatural' existence. If you want answers, Brother Ling… you'll find them there."

Ling Tian's gaze remained sharp.

"And why," he asked slowly, "are you giving this to me?"

Feng Bai spread his arms, a look of mock innocence on his face.

"Come now, must I always have an ulterior motive? Perhaps I just want to see how far you'll go. Or perhaps… I already know something you don't."

His smirk widened.

"Either way, it'll be entertaining."

Ling Tian stared at him for a long moment.

Then, without another word, he turned—pocketing the scroll.

Whatever awaited him in the Forsaken Realm…

He would face it head-on.

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