Divine Emperor of Heavenly Destiny

Listening to Lu Chao, Marquis Longyin took a deep breath and gave a firm nod.

It was just as they had planned in the woods: announce that the Outer Courtyard was now its own independent faction and see how Zeng Quan and the others reacted.

The reaction was already apparent—the Beast Flame higher-ups were in a complete panic.

But in the aftermath, the Six Great Flame Countries and the Saint Bone Zheng Family would surely not let the matter rest.

Just then, Lu Chao spoke again. ”Next, we must beat the Six Great Flame Countries into submission. Only then can the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard truly stand as its own faction. And only then will the future hold a Beast Flame Academy that belongs to the Dragon Flame Kingdom—or even the Hundred Countries.”

Marquis Longyin clenched his fists. He understood how crucial the Beast Flame Outer Courtyard was.

This would be a confrontation between the Dragon Flame Kingdom and the Saint Bone Zheng Family, and perhaps even the Six Great Flame Countries. Forging a unified Beast Flame Academy capable of rivaling Great Wu and the Nanye Academy would not be easy.

If they did things Zeng Quan’s way, they would be completely unable to contend. It was utterly vile.

He said no more. ’Naturally, we’ll have to see Brother Wang before deciding what to do next.’

「Ten days later...」

Lu Chao, Marquis Longyin, and the others finally set foot in the Dragon Flame Kingdom’s Jilong State.

The journey was uneventful.

When they passed Azure Flame Town, Lu Chao and the several Descendants of Azure Flame naturally paid a visit before continuing on their way. They then passed through Jizhou City, but Yin Ye was not there at the moment...

According to Marquis Longyin, the Saint Bone Zheng Family had begun lashing out wildly, and Yin Ye was needed with the Dragon Flame King to help suppress them.

Not long after, they neared Saint Su City.

”Father-in-law, once you get to the Saint Bone Su Family, don’t worry about anything else. Just focus on cultivating with all your might.”

”A powerful Martial Dao is what is most fundamental.”

That was right. Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu were saying their goodbyes to Cheng Chuming.

Cheng Chuming would officially accompany Su Jueyan, Su Jueying, and the others into the Saint Bone Su Family, where he would truly become the Su Family’s Patriarch.

From now on, his name would change to... Su Chuming.

In the beginning, it would be difficult for him to wield any real authority as Patriarch; he would be nothing more than a puppet, of course.

Cheng Chuming took a deep breath, gazing at his son-in-law and daughter. ”Don’t worry. You two, be careful.”

The parting wasn’t overly sentimental. They were all still within the Dragon Flame Kingdom’s borders, so they could see each other again whenever they wished.

And just like that...

Lu Chao and Cheng Yunsu watched as Cheng Chuming, along with Su Jueyan and her group, entered Saint Su City.

Then, Cheng Yunsu said softly, ”Will Father really be able to handle the situation at the Saint Bone Su Family all by himself?”

She was well aware that Elder Lady Su was still alive, and Su Jueying’s attitude was hostile.

The Saint Bone Su Family was in a state of turmoil.

”As long as we are strong enough, Father-in-law will be fine.”

Lu Chao comforted his wife, adding softly, ”For now, we must be his support. But later, once Father-in-law gradually gains control over the Saint Bone Su Family, he will become our support.”

Hearing this, Cheng Yunsu squeezed Lu Chao’s hand, her eyes filled with resolve.

They said no more and continued on toward the Dragon Flame Royal Capital.

By the time they arrived back at the Dragon Flame Royal Capital, half a month had passed since the Beast Flame Revival Battle. Lu Chao’s group had ridden a Demon Bird to get there, but with too many people for the return trip, they had to ride warhorses.

As soon as they were back in the Dragon Flame Royal Capital, Marquis Longyin led Dongfang Ren, Sun Shijin, and the other deans of the Small Institutes to the Dragon Flame Palace.

Lu Chao, however, did not go with them...

The Dragon Flame King would naturally send someone to arrange lodging for the members of the Small Institutes.

Lu Chao, on the other hand, led the contingent from Dragon Flame Academy back to its still-dilapidated campus. As they stepped through the gates, they were met with the cheers of every Dragon Flame Student and instructor.

That night, after a wild celebration that had engulfed the entire Dragon Flame Academy, Lu Chao suddenly summoned Luo Wendeng and the others...

”Now that we have Miss Caicai, the Divine Bone Nine Sons Array is bound to undergo a major transformation.”

”We can’t afford to waste time. We must improve rapidly so we can truly take on the students of the Beast Flame Inner Courtyard. What’s more, the grand tournament against Great Wu and Nanye is only four months away.”

As Lu Chao spoke, the expressions of Luo Wendeng and the others turned serious. They immediately used their True Qi to expel any lingering effects from the celebratory wine.

They had to cultivate and improve with frantic desperation...

The Divine Bone Nine Sons Array was their trump card—it was a formation that could allow a Destiny Bone to advance in level.

Before the qualification battle, one of the nine—Yu Fei’s grandnephew—couldn’t advance his Destiny Bone or reach the Innate realm for the life of him.

This forced them to go to Witch Ying and hire Iron Shield just to make up the numbers.

This, of course, was all down to the issue with Yu Fei’s grandnephew’s talent. But now they had Wu Caicai, whose Destiny Bone Talent was far superior.

As for Iron Shield, he had naturally returned to Witch Ying’s side.

Their contract had concluded the moment the qualification battle ended.

”Also, I’ve reached the Heavenly Bone Level,” Lu Chao added softly. ’I’m the one who activates the Divine Bone Nine Sons Array. Now that I’m at the Heavenly Bone Level, maybe I can induce some kind of change in the Demon Dragon Divine Bone.’

And so, the group assembled on the mountain behind Dragon Flame Academy. The Nine Sons Array, which had lain dormant for some time, was activated once again.

Lu Chao sat above the Demon Dragon Divine Bone as before, while the other nine took their positions.

Having just joined, a still-bewildered Wu Caicai was guided into position by Luo Wendeng and the others.

Then... VMMMM!

The white light of the Nine Sons Array’s patterns linked the nine of them, and everyone entered a state of Cultivation.

The next moment, a violent tremor ran through all of them.

The Nine Sons Array had indeed changed; phantom images began flickering from the Demon Dragon Divine Bone.

Then, an ancient voice seemed to echo in their ears, ”Nine Sons, all of Heavenly Bone. I bestow upon you the Dragon Flame Heavenly Bone Technique.”

A Cultivation Technique for the Destiny Bone appeared in everyone’s mind, including Lu Chao’s.

As the name implied, it was designed specifically for those with a Heavenly Bone.

The reason this hadn’t appeared before was, of course, Yu Fei’s grandnephew. He had never reached the Heavenly Bone Level. Wu Caicai, however, possessed a Heavenly Bone, which meant that now, all of the Nine Sons of Dragon Flame were at the Heavenly Bone level.

Everyone subconsciously began to cultivate according to the Dragon Flame Heavenly Bone Technique.

But Lu Chao didn’t begin cultivating. He only briefly familiarized himself with the technique, as it wasn’t of much use to him. This was because he was the controller of the Divine Bone Nine Sons Array.

What’s more, the thing that truly controlled the Demon Dragon Divine Bone was his Star Dragon General Bone Attribute—a power equivalent to the Divine Bone Level.

Just then, the others cultivating the Dragon Flame Heavenly Bone Technique let out gasps of amazement...

”I feel like my Heavenly Destiny Bone is still getting stronger.”

”I feel it too! If we keep strengthening like this, maybe we can all reach the Saint Bone Level.”

A tremor ran through each of them. ’Saint Bone? Is that even possible?’

Just then, Yu Fei’s ancient voice rang out, ”Nothing is impossible. Six hundred years ago, the Nine Sons of Dragon Flame were all at the Saint Bone level. This is a truth passed down from my ancestors, by word of mouth.”

Everyone looked toward the approaching Old Yu, their eyes shining as their confidence surged.

At Yu Fei’s side were Sun Shijin and Dean Jiang...

They had never believed the stories Yu Fei had passed down, dismissing the so-called Nine Sons of Dragon Flame as mere legend. But from the moment Lu Chao activated the Nine Sons Array, they had become true believers.

They looked at Lu Chao and the other nine. If ten Saint Bone cultivators could emerge from this group, it would be an absolutely thrilling prospect.