Just as all the powerful figures present were refuting Lu Chao, he said nonchalantly, "I’m just giving you a heads-up so you can be mentally prepared for the Cyan Sword Great Empire. As for re-establishing the Azure Flame Sect... no one can stop me."
Lu Chao’s voice was resolute and utterly domineering.
Since he had confirmed his suspicions about Nan Zhuiming and had already revealed his intentions regarding the Azure Flame Sect and the Cyan Sword Great Empire, that matter could be put aside for the moment.
Lu Chao turned his gaze back to the area below the arena stage. "Lu Dingtian, it’s time we settled our business once and for all."
The Three-Academy Tournament was now nearing its end. Or rather, thanks to his appearance, his retrieval of two Heavenly Destiny Saint Bones, and Lu Dingtian’s constant disruptions, the so-called tournament now existed in name only. It had become fundamentally meaningless.
After a brief pause, Lu Chao pointed to Lu Hanyan, who was still on the arena stage, pinned by Jiang Yu’s sword. He said, "Give me back the Violent Saint Bone in your body, in exchange for... Lu Hanyan’s life."
His voice was cold, aimed directly at Lu Dingtian.
The situation on the stage was still the same: Nan Ke and the other students of the Nanye Dynasty were grievously wounded. Although they had managed to get back on their feet, they were all leaning on each other for support, their faces filled with despair...
Just moments ago, Lu Chao, at the Ninth Layer of Transformation, had wiped them all out in an instant.
Now, after reabsorbing the Water Chant Saint Bone, Lu Chao had reached the True Fate Realm Third Layer. How the hell could they possibly fight that?
The students from the Great Wu Imperial Academy were still divided into two groups. Two-thirds were protecting Cheng Yunsu and the others from Dragon Flame Academy, while one-third wanted to save Lu Hanyan, though that was of course impossible.
Cheng Yunsu and the other Dragon Flame Students were holding all kinds of hostages.
Before, it was just Zheng Zhuhe, Wu Yiyi, and the others. Now, the list of hostages naturally included a weak and listless Lu Hanyan, whom Jiang Yu had subdued the moment Lu Chao reached the top of the Blood Stele.
As for the people from the Beast Flame Inner Courtyard, they had of course been beaten senseless long ago and were lying incapacitated on the ground.
At Lu Chao’s words, everyone turned to look at Lu Dingtian. Would he return the Violent Saint Bone to save his daughter’s life?
"Impossible. Lu Dingtian is completely selfish..."
"That’s right. He’d definitely sacrifice her if he had to, even if she is his own daughter."
These were the words of some high-ranking officials of the Great Wu Empire standing behind Wu Zhiqiu. They had long seen Lu Dingtian for who he truly was.
Sure enough, Lu Dingtian’s expression became utterly cold. He looked toward Wu Zhiqiu again...
"Your Highness, Lu Chao’s ambition is terrifying! He wants our entire Great Wu Empire."
"Now, please issue the order immediately. Have everyone from Great Wu here execute Lu Chao and the Dragon Flame people present."
He didn’t even bother responding to Lu Chao anymore; he was simply coercing Wu Zhiqiu, his tone dripping with menace.
Wu Zhiqiu was the key to breaking the current stalemate.
If the Second Prince of Great Wu gave in, they could completely crush Yin Ye, Dongfang Ren, and the others.
Wu Zhiqiu’s expression shifted again. He knew that if he didn’t help Lu Dingtian, the first thing Lu Dingtian would do was mobilize his army to eliminate him. He was a Second Prince with no real power, after all.
If he didn’t help Lu Dingtian, he would never make it back to the Great Wu Imperial City alive.
"Your Highness, for the sake of the Great Wu Empire, I am willing to forsake even my own daughter."
"As the Second Prince of the Great Wu Empire, can you not make a decision? If you hesitate like this, I will look down on you."
The threats continued.
And Lu Dingtian’s words made it perfectly clear: he would not be returning the Violent Saint Bone, even if Lu Chao killed his daughter.
On the arena stage... THUD!
Lu Chao had landed from the Blood Stele. He strode over to Lu Hanyan’s side. Her face was pale, and she was in a half-conscious state, but she still fearfully mumbled, "Father, save me."
Her voice was too weak to carry.
Lu Chao stared at Lu Hanyan and sneered, "Little Sister Hanyan, it looks like Lu Dingtian isn’t planning on saving you."
In response, Lu Hanyan shook her head frantically, her terror reaching its peak.
Having said his piece, Lu Chao paid no more attention to the half-dead Lu Hanyan.
His gaze shifted to Yin Ye, Sun Shijin, and the others. Their eyes met, a silent exchange passing between them... No matter what decision Wu Zhiqiu made, a great battle was now inevitable.
’We have to leave this place as soon as possible and get back to the Hundred Countries’ forces. The next time we see Lu Dingtian will be on the battlefield.’
In other words, he, along with the people from Dragon Flame and the Hundred Countries, had to leave this place as quickly as possible.
In fact, as soon as Lu Dingtian had begun to interfere with the Three-Academy Tournament, Yin Ye had already sent word for the forces of the Hundred Countries to advance on their location.
On the other side, Lu Dingtian had also sent out a message, ordering the Great Wu Soldiers and Horses to advance as well.
Without anyone realizing it, the atmosphere grew tense and grim...
Zheng Liling and his men prepared in secret. Nan Zhuiming and his faction did the same. Wu Tong and Wu Ye readied themselves to rescue Wu Yiyi above all else. For now, everyone was watching Wu Zhiqiu, waiting for his decision.
The moment Wu Zhiqiu buckled under Lu Dingtian’s pressure...
...Lu Dingtian would lead the people of the Great Wu Empire to attack the stage. Those Great Wu students who had sided with Lu Chao wouldn’t dare to help him any longer. As long as all of Great Wu’s people moved...
...then Zheng Liling and the others would also make their move. They planned to rescue their people amidst the chaos and then cut down Lu Chao.
Seeing that Wu Zhiqiu still hadn’t moved, Lu Dingtian spoke again, his voice heavy. "Your Highness, Lu Chao committed patricide and stole the military tally! These are capital crimes..."
"Regardless of how he came back from the dead, he must be executed again. I implore you, Your Highness, give the order at once."
Wu Zhiqiu was trembling violently. If he did as Lu Dingtian said, he would be completely antagonizing Lu Chao and cementing his alleged crimes. But if he didn’t do as Lu Dingtian said... he would surely die.
At that moment, an old man behind him spoke in a raspy voice, "Your Highness, perhaps it’s best to just yield for now." His meaning was clear: obey Lu Dingtian.
Wu Zhiqiu slowly opened his eyes. He said in a low voice to the people behind him, "I can’t yield. The moment I first spoke up, I mortally offended Lu Dingtian. Even if I yield now, he won’t let me off the hook."
Hearing this, everyone behind him shuddered.
It was true. The Second Prince had previously declared that whoever dared to disrupt the Three-Academy Tournament would have their entire clan exterminated and their assets seized.
That declaration had led to Lu Chao taking back the Saint Bones from the siblings Lu Hanyang and Lu Hanyan. Lu Dingtian would surely hold a grudge over this matter afterward. The Second Prince had no path of retreat.
’The Second Prince was too impulsive before.’
Wu Zhiqiu took a deep breath, his expression suddenly turning serious as he looked at Lu Chao. "The matter of the Cyan Sword Great Empire—are you certain?"
As soon as he asked this, Lu Dingtian’s expression changed drastically...
Lu Chao looked at Wu Zhiqiu, a little surprised. He stared intently at the Second Prince of Great Wu.
He was reminded of the time they had drinks together before the last battle...
Lu Chao replied solemnly, "Your Highness, I couldn’t be sure before, but now I am almost one hundred percent certain. I just don’t know when the Cyan Sword Great Empire will choose to attack."
Nan Zhuiming’s reaction had made Lu Chao all the more certain of the Cyan Sword Great Empire’s plans.
At this, Wu Zhiqiu closed his eyes, then snapped them open to glare at Lu Dingtian. He shouted forcefully, "Lu Dingtian, the matter of patricide and stealing the tally was purely a frame job you orchestrated against General Lu Chao! It was all because you wanted to steal General Lu Chao’s three Heavenly Destiny Saint Bones!"
"I now declare Lu Chao innocent!"